In an Internet age news travels fast. I can be sitting in the middle of the Netherlands and within moments learn about events happening far away on an Australian TV show. I even shared a video with my companions about it not long after it occurred.
I refer to the now infamous but all too predictable Stalinist assault by rent-a-crowd lefties and students on the ABC debate show Q&A. I of course have written about this atrocious show far too many times already. It pretends to be a legit debate show but is nothing of the sort.
It is a hothouse of leftism pure and simple. Any conservatives who might happen to get on are mere token conservatives, and they are always greatly outnumbered by the host, by other panellists, and by the audience. So the Stalinist attack on the show last night was not all that surprising really.
And host Tony Jones basically just sat there and did nothing to make it stop. Imagine if a group of screaming conservative protestors sought to disrupt the show. They would instantly have been set upon by security, and hauled off. But this sordid episode by the manic lefties was allowed to drag on and on.
You can see the incident here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND290z2kr2o
Of course this was not the first time a conservative was attacked while on the show. Recall how the then Prime Minister John Howard was set upon, and had a shoe thrown at him by a leftist ranter and railer. But we should not be surprised at such assaults I guess.
And already we have lefty commentators defending the disruption, predictably on the pages of like-minded rags such as the Sydney Morning Herald. But much more sane voices know what a travesty this was. It is the usual reaction of the loony left: shout down anyone you disagree with, all in the name of tolerance and acceptance of course.
It is the hate brigade in action. This is how they always operate. They will scream and shout down any opposition, and prevent any other points of view from being heard. All in true Stalinist fashion. It is early days yet, but commentators with a bit of sense are already discussing the episode.
Andrew Bolt for example had this to say:
Last night’s shambolic Q&A proves:
– just how easy it has been for the Left to infiltrate the Q&A audience, often claiming to be conservatives. At least two of the first three questions came from people who identified as Socialist Alternative speakers. Then the show was interrupted for several minutes by at least half a dozen sympathisers, chanting slogans and unfurling a banner. Other questioners sounded like fellow travellers. So much for the vetting. Q&A claimed the audience comprised Coalition voters 47 per cent, ALP 38, Greens 9. Utter rubbish.
– how foul a world would be led by socialists like these students. They were rude (one shouted “liar” at Christopher Pyne, misrepresenting Pyne’s opinion), they repeatedly heckled Pyne and shouted him down, they ended all discussion for several minutes by chanting and forcing Q&A to break transmission, they demanded others pay for their privileges, they lied in claiming our education system was only for the rich. Abusive, selfish thugs with no respect for the opinions of others. The kind of people who created the Gulag Archipelago.
It is the totalitarian instinct made manifest.
Yes quite so. These folks shout all day about freedom and tolerance, but they refuse to show it to anyone else who dares to differ with them. But at least this episode may have some good effect: another article speaks about how the ABC may have to actually rethink the way they do their show – at least in terms of audience selection:
“The ABC will review its procedures for choosing audience members for Q&A after student activists’ chants forced the live show off air for several minutes on Monday night. The ABC will also apologise again to the education minister, Christopher Pyne, a panellist on the program who was the subject of much of the protest.”
We will see if any changes of substance will happen. I am not holding my breath here. Years of leftist intimidation and bias on the ABC simply feed this Stalinist mindset and culture. If anything, we can expect to see more of it. The radical left does not know how to properly argue and debate – it only knows how to terrorise and bully all those who do not share their point of view.
I would be checking to see if their teachers are teaching them right out of the nazi brownshirt handbook, then charge the lot with facism.
Find the names of every one of them and make sure it is advertised so they never are allowed into any position where they hold any power over others. These facists are dangerous to the core.
Neil Waldron.
In a way it was funny as it showed the audience “vetting” and “lack of bias” on Q and A for what it really is!
Just like the conservatives that try and speak at American universities but need body guards and get shouted down during their speeches (but far leftists like Howard Zinn or Noam Chomsky never do). Charles Krauthammer
“I was gratified by the show of intolerance because it perfectly illustrated my argument that the Left is entering a new phase of ideological agitation — no longer trying to win the debate but stopping debate altogether, banishing from public discourse any and all opposition.”
The solution to the ABC’s debacle the other night was easy – if they were privatised they could’ve just gone to a commercial break. The remaining audience on return (mysteriously having some empty chairs amongst them) might’ve been more interested in reason and tolerance.
But the producers of the show only have themselves to blame. I’m glad I never watch that garbage – the format of that show is woeful. It would more accurately be called ‘Free-for-all-talk-over-the-top-of-each-other-promoting-increasing-big-government-intrusion-on-your-life’. An hour long recording of fingernails on chalkboard would be less painful than the constant leftist assault on the intellect from Q & A.
The only difference between these ninnies on Q&A and the lefties in positions of power is the manner in which they try to stifle freedom of speech and expression; one by “direct action”, the other by oppressive regulation and legislation. The intent is the same. Mick Koster.
I watched the snippet the once, and to my eye I would swear it was all a setup anyway. The cameraman seemed to find the hecklers on cue, which seemed a little convenient. Also, how did they ‘sneak’ the banner in anyway? If it were as simple as in a bag or wrapped around a body, then there ought be serious questions asked about the security. I find it hard to believe a producer or someone did not know the banner was coming in.
Also, Tony Jones did not seemed surprised or perturbed at the intrusion. He could have at least feigned shock.
…Christopher Pyne, a pannelist on the program who was the subject of much of the PROTEST. The words “communist vitriole” are more apt than PROTEST, but the pinko, lefty ALPBC downplays and softens the language, methinks delibertely.
In the closing minutes of Q & A on Easter Monday night an audience member presented an elegant question about the significance in the 21st century of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Not surprisingly the panellists didn’t respond directly to the question although someone mentioned the possibility of being born again! It was a rare moment of clarity amidst the persiflage, worth watching.
Yes Bill, I agree that we should not hold our breath about the ABC and changes after a possible review of procedures. The ABC claims to be fair and give equal time to various sides on a matter but people such as Tony Jones has developed a way of cutting people off and allowing a strong bias to the left, not to mention the sort of people who are there as the panelists to answer the questions. I actually watch it from time to time to see what arguments are put forward for the many anti-Christ agendas. I think Chris Pyne did well to stop speaking to draw attention to the uncivilised and rude behaviour of some of the audience. I think anyone with sound convictions has to be brave to go on that show. The performances and songs they put at the end sometimes are woeful – the one who called himself a clown – was indeed just that the other night.
What those “protesters” did was by far the best thing about the show, because it showed the true nature of the show. It just shows how irrelevant the ABC really is. Just privatise the ABC and see if it will survive. I will shed no tears if we lose the ABC.
While the conservatives may be in the minority on Q&A, they usually outclass the lefties in terms of intelligence, patience and common sense. Maybe they should be flattered it takes two lefties to equal one conservative.
While the conservatives may be in the minority on Q&A, they usually outclass the lefties in terms of intelligence, patience and common sense. Maybe they should be flattered it takes two lefties to equal one conservative…
I refer to the now infamous but all too predictable Stalinist assault by rent-a-crowd lefties and students on the ABC debate show Q&A. I of course have written about this atrocious show far too many times already. It pretends to be a legit debate show but is nothing of the sort.
I would be checking to see if their teachers are teaching them right out of the nazi brownshirt handbook, then charge the lot with facism.
Find the names of every one of them and make sure it is advertised so they never are allowed into any position where they hold any power over others. These facists are dangerous to the core.
Neil Waldron.
In a way it was funny as it showed the audience “vetting” and “lack of bias” on Q and A for what it really is!
Just like the conservatives that try and speak at American universities but need body guards and get shouted down during their speeches (but far leftists like Howard Zinn or Noam Chomsky never do). Charles Krauthammer
“I was gratified by the show of intolerance because it perfectly illustrated my argument that the Left is entering a new phase of ideological agitation — no longer trying to win the debate but stopping debate altogether, banishing from public discourse any and all opposition.”
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/375544/thought-police-patrol-charles-krauthammer
The solution to the ABC’s debacle the other night was easy – if they were privatised they could’ve just gone to a commercial break. The remaining audience on return (mysteriously having some empty chairs amongst them) might’ve been more interested in reason and tolerance.
But the producers of the show only have themselves to blame. I’m glad I never watch that garbage – the format of that show is woeful. It would more accurately be called ‘Free-for-all-talk-over-the-top-of-each-other-promoting-increasing-big-government-intrusion-on-your-life’. An hour long recording of fingernails on chalkboard would be less painful than the constant leftist assault on the intellect from Q & A.
The only difference between these ninnies on Q&A and the lefties in positions of power is the manner in which they try to stifle freedom of speech and expression; one by “direct action”, the other by oppressive regulation and legislation. The intent is the same. Mick Koster.
I watched the snippet the once, and to my eye I would swear it was all a setup anyway. The cameraman seemed to find the hecklers on cue, which seemed a little convenient. Also, how did they ‘sneak’ the banner in anyway? If it were as simple as in a bag or wrapped around a body, then there ought be serious questions asked about the security. I find it hard to believe a producer or someone did not know the banner was coming in.
Also, Tony Jones did not seemed surprised or perturbed at the intrusion. He could have at least feigned shock.
…Christopher Pyne, a pannelist on the program who was the subject of much of the PROTEST. The words “communist vitriole” are more apt than PROTEST, but the pinko, lefty ALPBC downplays and softens the language, methinks delibertely.
In the closing minutes of Q & A on Easter Monday night an audience member presented an elegant question about the significance in the 21st century of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Not surprisingly the panellists didn’t respond directly to the question although someone mentioned the possibility of being born again! It was a rare moment of clarity amidst the persiflage, worth watching.
Yes Bill, I agree that we should not hold our breath about the ABC and changes after a possible review of procedures. The ABC claims to be fair and give equal time to various sides on a matter but people such as Tony Jones has developed a way of cutting people off and allowing a strong bias to the left, not to mention the sort of people who are there as the panelists to answer the questions. I actually watch it from time to time to see what arguments are put forward for the many anti-Christ agendas. I think Chris Pyne did well to stop speaking to draw attention to the uncivilised and rude behaviour of some of the audience. I think anyone with sound convictions has to be brave to go on that show. The performances and songs they put at the end sometimes are woeful – the one who called himself a clown – was indeed just that the other night.
What those “protesters” did was by far the best thing about the show, because it showed the true nature of the show. It just shows how irrelevant the ABC really is. Just privatise the ABC and see if it will survive. I will shed no tears if we lose the ABC.
While the conservatives may be in the minority on Q&A, they usually outclass the lefties in terms of intelligence, patience and common sense. Maybe they should be flattered it takes two lefties to equal one conservative.
While the conservatives may be in the minority on Q&A, they usually outclass the lefties in terms of intelligence, patience and common sense. Maybe they should be flattered it takes two lefties to equal one conservative…