Snakes and crocodiles, crocodiles and snakes

I’ve argued in an earlier piece that Tony Abbott is not a serious man. Mr Abbott continues to provide us with evidence of this. He now claims he’s being what he calls “fair dinkum” in admitting that he doesn’t always speak “the gospel truth”.

“Late night lovers’ talk” Mr Abbott also asserts, does not hold the same veracity as what is said in the cold light of day.

“Late night lovers’ talk” is not and will never be an appropriate discourse for politicians and voters. Does he mean he’ll tell us anything to get us into bed with him, but once we’ve done it he won’t want us anymore?

Or as the Shirelles so piteously expressed it: Will you still love me tomorrow?

Lack of moral responsibility has been fully disclosed. Engage with this man at your own risk.

Anyone who enters into a relationship with someone who honestly admits they can’t be trusted is in for trouble, and they can’t say they haven’t been warned. Neither can they place blame, and demand accountability when things go wrong. This is the ultimate escape hatch for a politician: “I told you at the start not to believe me and you elected me anyway. So whose fault is that?”

Just when we thought politicians had stretched the definition of truth to its furthest limits, this time it’s Mr Abbott who shows us there is still a way to go.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd hasn’t come out and told us we can’t believe what he says. However, many of his actions could well lead us to that conclusion. Back flips, broken promises, a backing away from “the greatest moral challenge of our time,” all imply that perhaps there’s a great deal of what he says that we can’t take as “gospel truth” either.

Snakes and crocodiles. Crocodiles and snakes.

And the tinnie’s lurching.

In our culture, footballers are regarded as role models for our young. Many people are indignant when a footballer falls from grace and sets a bad example. If footballers behave badly and are seen to get away with it, our thinking goes, this gives license to the less renowned to do the same thing.

There is truth in this. When bad behaviour by someone perceived as having authority is sanctioned, that behaviour can seem less serious, even a bit of a joke, nothing to get worked up about. The behaviour becomes normalised, even naturalised. Everyone can become a little more numbed, a little less demanding about what’s acceptable and what isn’t.