Greeting all, like my homage to acronyms??
A while ago i drafted a post listing dumb things strangers say to me about my soldier husband. They include things like
"you know all soldiers have affairs during deployments" . . .
"do you feel you have to stay in the relationship as you married young" . . .
"does he beat you up" . . .
"so he's a war monger, has he ever killed anyone" . . .
you get the drift, i wasn't in a hurry to share. I don't ask finance dudes if they are 'embezzling banker wankers' or solicitors if they are 'fraudulent lawyer scum'. So why the stereotypical intrusive questions for soldiers?? Ignorance!! It's hard to not get on a pro-Army-band-wagon, but moronic attitudes are difficult to adjust.
"you know all soldiers have affairs during deployments" . . .
"do you feel you have to stay in the relationship as you married young" . . .
"does he beat you up" . . .
"so he's a war monger, has he ever killed anyone" . . .
you get the drift, i wasn't in a hurry to share. I don't ask finance dudes if they are 'embezzling banker wankers' or solicitors if they are 'fraudulent lawyer scum'. So why the stereotypical intrusive questions for soldiers?? Ignorance!! It's hard to not get on a pro-Army-band-wagon, but moronic attitudes are difficult to adjust.
I'm posting this now, in light of the comments from two experienced journalists & popular television
presenters on The Circle yesterday, who enthusiastically shared insulting
banter about Ben Roberts-Smith, our latest Victoria Cross recipient &
celebrated SAS soldier. They stooped so low for a laugh & yes Yumi Stynes, you should "feel sick"
about what you said.
"He's going to dive
down to the bottom of the pool to see if his brain is there." Yumi infers buff men can't be smart, then in her apology grasps at 'no one can be that perfect'.
"I'm sure he's a really good guy, nothing about poor old Ben. But that sort of bloke, and what if they're not up to it in the sack?" George Negus, what is an old man like you wondering what Ben's sex life is like?? Was it a dig at IVF, intimating Ben wasn't manly enough to conceive his children naturally?? Either way OURAGEOUS!! Then in his apology on The Project, George implies he knows what it's like to be a soldier & could have died during his time as a war correspondent. How utterly insulting to professional soldiers!!
The awful comments kept going, not worth my breath to repeat.
The awful comments kept going, not worth my breath to repeat.
Yumi & George revealed their own insecurities & immaturity, NOT Ben's, as he apparently brushed them off & said he was 'thick skinned'. Trust me, he'd not enjoy being in the media & a public figure, soldiers prefer anonymity, especially special forces. They have nothing to prove to anyone, especially headline seeking journalists.
I pinched these images from The Age newspaper website, Ben & wife Emma with their twins. Ben, 33, is a private school boy, has an Opera singing brother & his father is Major General Len Roberts-Smith RFD QC, Commissioner of the Corruption & Crime Commission & former Justice of the Supreme Court Western Australia. The boy has integrity in his blood & intelligence - you try thinking on your feet with 3 machine guns firing at you!! He also has two medals of gallantry.
The only sensible words spoken yesterday were from Opposition Defence
Personnel spokesman Stuart Robert . . . "For such
extraordinary feats of bravery and for the humility with which [Corporal Ben
Roberts-Smith] has lived his life to be so denigrated by these two journalists
is not only unacceptable; it is contemptible. The irony is that
the freedom of speech these journalists exercise is a freedom neither of them
have fought for - but which both enjoy."
Just think twice before you judge someone by their profession, body shape, anything . . . you'll only look a fool. Remember, whatever you ASSUME, will only make an ASS of U & ME. Love Posie
42 comments:
Loved that last line - such an armyism. My husband says it all the time! Anyway, good post - sometimes commentry gets you really worked up.
YAY Posie! I am so sickened by what both these two shallow journalists said and I watched them last night make excuses for what they said and felt they were just pathetic. I really feel for Ben and his family that they should have to rise above such insulting nonsense! So what if Ben brushed it off. He was being a gentleman! We need a lot more like him and a lot less like these two journos!
I don't think either of these two could have watched the program, if they had they wouldn't have said what they said. Old George should have known better, maybe it is time for him to retire and Yumi just showed what a vacant space she is.
Thanks for the reply from a family that sits closer to this issue.
The comments were wrong. Totally wrong. It was also horrible the way Yumi was attacked in some places, some of the comments I read about her were very vicious and horrid.
Great post Jennie... could not agree more on so many counts. People are far to quick to judge and it is not just aimed soldiers, although this is a great example of how preconceptions can be so far from reality.
To you and Stuart Robert a big hooray!
Love your post sooo true - my husband Steve is a Baptist minister, you should hear the religious stuff some people come out with in the same vain. We have 4 adult children and the jokes about sex - so you must of had it 4 time to have 4 kids.
As a sibling of a Vietnam Vet and knowing what he went through I sometimes wonder where these peoples brains are in there cosy TV world not really engaging in the real lives people live
Jennie my Dad went to war when I was two in order to help protect this country. Like you I am disgusted with the mindless comments made on The Circle TV program. I doubt that Yumi was hired for her intelligence but I would have expected better from George Negus. And what a gracious man is Ben Roberts-Smith in his acceptance of appologies that were flippant and unconvincing; a true hero.
I hear Yumi was so upset that people were mad at her rather than being sorry foe what she said. The nerve. I love the way there is so much backlash! Good! The nerve! The absolute nerve!
Well said :))
Thanks so much, i really wasn't sure whether to post or not.
George Negus is simply creepy & Yumi Stynes, whatever, such a wasted opportunity for you to embrace a truely great man.
Ben doesn't need their opinion, the Queen thinks he's ace, enough said!! She actually matters!! Love Posie
Great post!! While I didn't actually see either program, I was appalled at both presenter's comments. I think the words of the Opposition Defence Personel Spokesman you quoted are spot on!!
I'll keep it simple - perfectly said Jennie!!
Rule no.1:Don't ever make fun/ridicule service people. Have never watched the show and never will. Thoroughly disgusted with them
People actually say those things to you? Gee, I've never thought anything like that about soldiers. God bless 'em, I could never do what they do!
Hi Posie, I heard of these comments yesterday and I am utterly disgusted.I will never be able to look at Negus again in the same light. A man with so much life experience. I say chuck him out on the front line. See how long he lasts!
brilliantly said.
c xxx
Good on ya, Posie.
Good on ya, Posie.
Yeah, people are quick to assume and say some pretty mindless things. I'd have thought/ hoped George was a but above that. Very poor. None of it is anyone's business x
Thanks Jennie,
I enjoyed your blog! Bless you for your families service.
Stuart Robert MP
Federal Member for Fadden
Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology & Personnel
Well said! I didn't see either of those incidents you mentioned, thankfully. People need to think before they speak, even journos. Especially journos.
...and I can't believe people say those things to you. What complete and utter jerks!
x
Oh my! It's unfathomable, Jennie. The least said about this appalling interview, the better. J x
well said :))
Well written Posie, glad I didnt hear either of those ignorant comments...dont think that much of YS or GS they both overated in my book. xx
I had to read this a few times to actually catch the words.
The pool picture gets me every time. :-)
It is a disgrace to think that those two fools are worthy of a public profile.
Pathetic, ignorant and completely inappropriate.
xxx
I thought the shots of Ben in the pool were rather unnecessary (would they have taken shots in the pool of a female VC?), but having said that, didn't watch the program with Yumi or George Negus and think they are probably dingbats who deserve no more attention from the Australian public and congratulate Ben on having the courage to talk about IVF in such a public arena. Ben is very impressive in this interview ...http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-04-01/eliza-blue-talks-to-ben-roberts-smith-vc/2632026
Your post should be read out by those two so-called journalists in place of a public apology. They have neither the grace or intelligence to express it so well in their own words. I'm proud of you.
I agree with you totally about stereotyping of employment,gender etc.I felt extremely sad that our wonderful men and women in the armed forces, police force and medical and education are not more celebrated as the backbone of this country.It is usually arrogant, selfish people, who have no knowledge of the work these people do, and who usually have something of the psychopathic behaviour in them, the lack of empathy is a giveaway.Also, on the same note why is it that red/ginger/orange haired people can be teased, called names, or the worst one is that they have a really bad temper, Please! such a stereotype and degrading.
Thanks for the amazing feedback, love Posie
Great post. I know that most Australians would agree with you Posie!
What a stupid, immature thing to say by both of these journalist...I have watched it over and over again, and I cant believe that it went on.
These men fight and lay down their lives so people like Yumi and George can walk on safe ground. Joke or no joke it was certainly in very poor taste! The Circle facebook page has taken a hammering from upset Australians...
God bless your man and all that he represents. I think we should all take the time to shake soldiers hands and thank them when we next see them.
May God bless you too Posie xx
Well said Posie.
Love your post, my son inlaw is in Afghanistan and is a captain, well educated and so is my daughter, I get so upset when people make these comments.
I will no longer watch The Circle......
Thank you on behalf of all for writing this post
I agree I didn't see the show but heard about the comments. Our soldiers should be treated with much more respect considering what comforts they relinquish, and let alone leaving families at home while they fight for our freedom.
Well said Jennie
xx
Oh my, I've missed all this being overseas, but it sounds very poor. I have no idea who Yumi is, but I wouldn't have expected that from George Negus. And trying to compare journalism to spec ops is just...ugg, he has no idea. If it really was that similar he'd have NEVER said those comments. Very disappointed.
P.S Glad to hear the hands are coming along well and that retail therapy is helping ;))
This story made me so angry. They only made themselves look ridiculous.
Shame on them.
you go girl! i missed both of those insulting remarks and can't believe they came from people who call themselves journalists! Your hubby must be so proud to have you cheering him, and all the army on! You are such an inspiration! hope your hands are getting better! xx
Thanks everyone, i'm so glad i did this post, my husband said to use my voice & i'd like to think it's a fair opinion on the subject, not a violent attack on the journalists, just pointing out their disgrace. Love Posie
Here, here Posie. Well said darling!
Kate Robertson (Moore)
Thank you Posie. And thank you to your husband for doing what he does. As a policeman's wife, let me say.. I can totally empathise with what you said, especially the stereotypes. With love and respect, xx
Thank you Posie, and thankyou to your husband for doing what he does. As a policeman's wife, I can empathise with so much of what you say. With love and respect, xx
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