Garpal Gumnut
Ross Island Hotel
- Joined
- 2 January 2006
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Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is under fire after joking about the cruise liner disaster in which at least 11 people died off the Italian coast.
More than 20 people are still missing after the ship ran aground on rocks off the island of Giglio last Friday, and specialist divers are using explosives to blow holes in the hull in a desperate hunt for any survivors.
During an interview on Triple M radio in Adelaide this morning, Mr Abbott made light of the situation.
"This is a bit from left field mate, the captain of the Costa Concordia wants to know if you need any help with your boat policy?" the Triple M announcer said.
"Well, that was one boat that did get stopped, wasn't it," Mr Abbot replied, to laughter.
Federal Labor MP Rob Mitchell was quick to pounce on the remarks on Twitter.
"Can't believe Abbott made his childish boat jokes about the #CostaConcordia disaster when people died & are still missing," he tweeted.
"He must come out and apologise."
There's the concept of "too soon". In the same week, it's not funny. Months later it is funny. Strange but true. People are weird. So, recency is a big factor, but also depends on the size of the tragedy, whether it involves people you are close to or people you don't care about.
As an example, when Gary Coleman died, people thought it was hilarious and immediately went into joke overdrive. There was no thought for his family or friends, nor the tragedy of how his life played out. Contrast that with the death of an Australian cricketer's wife, and it becomes very, very serious and respectful, even many years later. As I say, people are weird.
I would have thought that all life was to be respected equally, but this is clearly not the case with many.
I can't agree in this case. It is nothing more than an ALP member trying to score a political point out of nothing. The ABC was the same this morning, trying to blow the issue out of proportion.
The tragedy is Abbott trying to be funny.
Agree, and with gg. Too many people being way too precious way too much of the time.I can't agree in this case. It is nothing more than an ALP member trying to score a political point out of nothing. The ABC was the same this morning, trying to blow the issue out of proportion.
I'd agree, bn, this bloke Mitchell should be a member of the mordant Greens, rather than the ALP.
That the ALP, a great party has been brought low by such politically correct members, is a shame.
Mitchell is the idiot, not Abbott for an off the cuff remark.
gg
At least he tries mate.
When was the last time you heard an ALP frontbencher crack a joke?
gg
The remarks themselves, while nothing horrendous, just show a basic lack of judgment.
Some Aussies would have had family members drown in that incident. If you think that's funny, fine. I don't. Not that I find it greatly offensive either, it's just sort of dumb. He's supposed to be a leader, not a comic.
In a few weeks time, comedians will make jokes of it, and that's fine if they need to do that to allay their own anxiety. Others will hug their dogs to relieve anxiety.
Would a joke about the Qld floods have been funny a few days after it happened? People are free to say whatever they like as far as I am concerned, but I don't have to laugh if it's not funny. Humour is a good coping strategy for life's stresses, I agree. Personally I like my politicians to show good judgement.
Mr Abbott was questioned about the incident during an interview after riding in a bicycle cancer charity event in South Australia this morning.
Describing the comment as ‘‘banter’’ he said he accepted it was probably not something he should have said.
Read more:http://www.theage.com.au/national/abbott-cruise-ship-joke-lacks-judgment-20120120-1q9cp.html
Unscripted Abbott bad Abbott
Another lopsided right wing thread bemoaning anyone critical of Tony Abbott saying something insensitive (from the bloke that referred to the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan by way of "**** happens.."), what more would you expect?
.. what more would you expect?
That the loony left will stop at nothing, no matter how trivial or nasty, to have a shot at Abbott. They are running scared.
Hey I was going to say the same thing about you and nulla, but seeing how butt hurt you guys were over Abbotts comments I didn’t have the heart (or the tissues) to offend. You lefties are such softies, all hugging political correctness and $hit.Here come the usual suspects like flies to a turd
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