01 March 2012

BRS VC MG IVF & WTF Yumi & George

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
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.
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:

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Loved that last line - such an armyism. My husband says it all the time! Anyway, good post - sometimes commentry gets you really worked up.

Jan Maree said...

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!

seabreezequilts said...

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.

ClaireyHewitt said...

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.

by marie-nicole said...

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.

Felicity said...

To you and Stuart Robert a big hooray!

Sue said...

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

One pair of Hands said...

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.

Just Martha said...

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!

Libby said...

Well said :))

posie blogs Jennie McClelland 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

Amanda said...

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!!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

I'll keep it simple - perfectly said Jennie!!

Liz said...

Rule no.1:Don't ever make fun/ridicule service people. Have never watched the show and never will. Thoroughly disgusted with them

little love said...

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!

beachvintage.com said...

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!

cheryl @ nefotlak. said...

brilliantly said.
c xxx

Salley said...

Good on ya, Posie.

Salley said...

Good on ya, Posie.

Sarah B said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Jane said...

Oh my! It's unfathomable, Jennie. The least said about this appalling interview, the better. J x

Calicochild said...

well said :))

Anonymous 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

Mum on the Run said...

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

NessaKnits said...

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

Hot Fudge said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Thanks for the amazing feedback, love Posie

Tania said...

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

Rebecca said...

Well said Posie.

Anonymous said...

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

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

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.

Amy said...

Well said Jennie

xx

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

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 ;))

Stacey said...

This story made me so angry. They only made themselves look ridiculous.
Shame on them.

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

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

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

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

Anonymous said...

Here, here Posie. Well said darling!
Kate Robertson (Moore)

My MummaMoments said...

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

My MummaMoments said...

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