Adam Goodes - Australian of the Year

[jabberwocky 2,301]

morjority

[Lordweaver 235]

Can you do better than that jabberwocky?

[Carrot Top 947]

And that's why you should be banned. Thinking equality and human rights are "ideals" that you seem to not agree with, rather than rights.

Also for sprouting redneck rubbish on a footy site.

Ban all those that disagree with you, Eh Stuie? You'd be on your Pat Molone pretty quickly once the ball gets bounced in anger.

On Goodes: Meh. The award has been drifting to one of profile over substance for some years. That's not saying he is unworthy. It's saying that many others are more worthy. And he does try to make the world a better place, so kicking him because the award went his way is pretty harsh. It's the goldfish brained panel that needs the kicking because they seem unable to look past headlines when they decide the award. A lot more thought needs to go into these things if they are to be the honour that they should be.

[Slartibartfast 16,131]

Good footy thread this!

Too many threads, not enough mods.

[DemonFrog 1,347]

Good footy thread this!

Too many threads, not enough mods.

As much as I strongly disagree with a number of these posts.

Is it not Australian to express ones opinion?

[Whispering_Jack 28,128]

Good footy thread this!

Too many threads, not enough mods.

To the contrary Bob.

A footballer who has been playing quality football since the last century wins a prestigious national award is very much a football topic and the reaction here sadly reflects what many people in this community think about his award and in some cases reveals that we're not as tolerant a society as we would like to be.

What's there to moderate among this? Rather than ban bad thought I would rather that the inane comments be kept up on the site to demonstrate how stupid and unthinking some people can be and hopefully to help us all learn something more about hatred and prejudice. (However, there is a line and if it gets crossed, the poster won't be around for a long time).

The person who I quote below was not without his human frailties and did wrong things in his lifetime. Neither is Adam Goodes perfect, yet nevertheless, the debate here convinces me more than ever that he's the perfect choice for this year's Australian of the Year.

[Moonshadow 16,621]

As much as I strongly disagree with a number of these posts.

Is it not Australian to express ones opinion?

Freedom of opinion comes with responsibility and measured thought. Ignorant ranting is not Australian, but unfortunately appears to be growing in popularity.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

Freedom of opinion comes with responsibility and measured thought. Ignorant ranting is not Australian, but unfortunately appears to be growing in popularity.

Ignorant ranting has always been Australian - in fact, it's universal. And then came the internet.

[Pink Freud 326]

This happened yesterday and sums it up well from my professional point of view:

Two white doves that were released by children standing alongside Pope Francis as a peace gesture have been attacked by other birds.

As tens of thousands of people watched in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, a seagull and a large black crow swept down on the doves right after they were set free from an open window of the Apostolic Palace. AAP

[PJ_12345 1,098]

red neck ? what are you on about ? 99.9 % of people I speak to about this , say we have a navy , use it , [censored] or swim , burnt hands hahahah sea water Is good for burns , get in there !

So, how did your ancestors get here?

[einstein251 59]

so ol mate you want me banned from this site why ? because I have an opinion ? , hahahaha your a funny dude aren't you , I don't agree with your ideals so ban me , awwww that's sad , its YOU that's needs banning if you cant accept others opinions , go on off you go , , good luck and good bye

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

[beelzebub 22,733]

Tim Flannery took the cake.

Don't get me started of this charlatan

[beelzebub 22,733]

Good footy thread this!

Too many threads, not enough mods.

this thread ought to be in the general discussion area..

Politics belongs in there

and Goodes as AOTY ..is purely political

[P-man 13,353]

I can recognise the work he has done outside of football being worthy of recognition, however with the enormous profile our sportspeople get, my preference would be to see someone outside of the limelight get the nod.

On that incident, I'm split. Whilst his emotions would have been high given the context of the day, and his reaction was instinctual and understandable, I would hope he would have some regret himself given the offender was a 13 year old child who did not grasp the connotations or potential impact of her words. It did bring to the surface an issue that needs attention, but taking the emotion out of it, he ended up looking a bit foolish.

[Disco Demons 92]

Let's hope Eddie McGuire can land himself in hot water again,,,

[Hannibal 5,814]

What some of us don't like and some of you don't understand, is that without the incident with a 13 year old girl I doubt Goodes wins the award. Declaring a 13 year old girl as "the face of racism in Australia" was outrageous by Goodes. The girl stated post the event that she didn't even know Goodes was indigenous. She was merely yelling at a big man with a big black beard running towards her. Who am I to call her a liar. And even if she knew what she was doing her treatment was appalling.

Whispering Jack is quick to use the racism card and throw around words like intolerance. There may be prejudices on this site and there may be some in this thread, but some simply don't agree with the decision to grant this award on the back of chest beating about a teen's foolish comments.

There's far too much discussion in society highlighting our differences. There's far too much discussion about what divides us. Those that think they're enlightened often only reinforce the divide. The quicker this country moves forward without so much concentration on colour, background, or guilt for the sins of the past, the better off we'll all be. Don't forget the past, but embrace the future. Promote unity.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Hannibal

[jazza 1,323]

Yeehaw...

Clearly you are more interested in outrage than facts.

All the attention at the time was VERY sympathetic to her and all the talk was about education rather than attacking her.

As WJ correctly pointed out, it's "Australian Of The Year", not 'Scientist Of The Year", or "Community Person Of The Year" etc.

The focus you're putting on defending an event that so harshly shows the way racism is so ingrained in "our" culture just proves you have no understanding of the actual point.

Just ban this guy. I'm all for heated discussion and copping my fair share, but no one wants this rubbish here.

And that's why you should be banned. Thinking equality and human rights are "ideals" that you seem to not agree with, rather than rights.

Also for sprouting redneck rubbish on a footy site.

Good footy thread this!

Too many threads, not enough mods.

As much as I strongly disagree with a number of these posts.

Is it not Australian to express ones opinion?

interesting to see a thread started and when opinion goes down a unknown path,some people want the thread shut down/moved

good morning ,

btw WJ,ablett was at the tennis ,so you missed out on seeing him at GC training

Edited January 26, 2014 by jazza

[Pink Freud 326]

What some of us don't like and some of you don't understand, is that without the incident with a 13 year old girl I doubt Goodes wins the award. Declaring a 13 year old girl as "the face of racism in Australia" was outrageous by Goodes. The girl stated post the event that she didn't even know Goodes was indigenous. She was merely yelling at a big man with a big black beard running towards her. Who am I to call her a liar. And even if she knew what she was doing her treatment was appalling.

Whispering Jack is quick to use the racism card and throw around words like intolerance. There may be prejudices on this site and there may be some in this thread, but some simply don't agree with the decision to grant this award on the back of chest beating about a teen's foolish comments.

There's far too much discussion in society highlighting our differences. There's far too much discussion about what divides us. Those that think they're enlightened often only reinforce the divide. The quicker this country moves forward without so much concentration on colour, background, or guilt for the sins of the past, the better off we'll all be. Don't the forget past, but embrace the future. Promote unity.

Your opening remarks for which you have incidentally provided no proof whatsoever, belies the rest of your argument and its conclusion.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

.

. The quicker this country moves forward without so much concentration on colour, background, or guilt for the sins of the past, the better off we'll all be.

I reckon Goodes would agree with you. Empowering a group of people to realise opportunity and rise above a victim mentality. He has refused to be tagged as a second class citizen by anyone, so he should.

In essence that is what I believe that Goodes and good indigenous leaders are about. Goodes has risen to the top of the heap as a footballer on merit and he wants his people to be treated and treat themselves as first class citizens, not victims.

If nothing else Goodes is an excellent example to young indigenous people and can be held up as a person who has achieved at at high level in his chosen field and he may just inspire others to do the same.

Edited January 27, 2014 by jabberwocky

[Hannibal 5,814]

Your opening remarks for which you have incidentally provided no proof whatsoever, belies the rest of your argument and its conclusion.

Did you not see the word "doubt" ? Clearly that insinuates no proof, but merely instinct. Comprehension issues.

The publicity generated by that "incident" and Maguire's subsequent comments in my view gave racial intolerance (and Goodes) a tremendous profile.

I'm not suggesting it's all he's done in the community.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

Whispering Jack is quick to use the racism card and throw around words like intolerance.

Card trolling, Dr Lecter?

[McQueen 17,864]

It's the attitudes and behaviours of people like this fella Everett that ultimately hamper the process. The continued reference to "Invasion Day" is an insult to the community that wants equality for all of us.

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/aboriginal-activists-slam-adam-goodes-australian-of-the-year-award/story-fnj4f7k1-1226810912514

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

It's the attitudes and behaviours of people like this fella Everett that ultimately hamper the process.

There'd have been no process without the persistent pressure of the Aboriginal people over decades, and the critically important support of the unions at Wave Hill in the sixties. You can whitewash history, but whitewash washes off and the truth always reemerges. Without pressure there is no process.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I'm referring to almost every media article who is reporting on his award has the picture of him pointing at the 13 year old.

But of course instead of discussing the topic why don't you just insult me again, I'm sorry, how old are you? Not old enough to discuss a topic without throwing insults and tantrums.

Have a nice day

You made a sarcastic remark, gesturing that the reason he won his award was because of that incident.

Dig a bit deeper Jarka. He, like many throughout the country and including the other candidates are trying to implement positive change in our society. The fact that you even needed to make that remark is what's most confusing. Do you want attention?

Easy goes on that one 'steve'. Argue your point, this has nothing to do with it.

edit: Steve Jordan just turned 57, looks like all over 40's can't be that bad.

Yes, I got a bit fiery. However I do feel that the older people are, the stronger their beliefs become about certain issues and therefore the less they'll go searching and less they'll accept to see or view things from another perspective.

Not everyone, but many.

(Happy birthday to the great man Steve)

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

next time someone insults me I'm going to have a big old sook about it to the entire country and then I'll be Australian of the year, sweet