The lawyer mindset epidemic

Look no further than Peter Garrett’s backflip on US bases in Australia for an obvious, well-publicised example. Garrett answered the media’s baying charges of hypocrisy with the unelaborated remark that he had changed his mind - which is, of course, in the good ol’ politician tradition, no answer at all.

Naturally, the Libs seized on Garrett’s discomfort and the ALP closed ranks to protect their besieged celeb newbie. In a supreme irony, the only words that rang true from either side were those of Mr Turnaround himself and spinmeister extraordinaire, John Howard, who suggested that Garrett didn’t believe in his heart of hearts in his newly adopted position on American bases.

Political party machines attempt to present an image of party unity to the electorate, because in unity is strength and policy cohesion, and that’s what the punters go for - focused, of course, in the party leadership. We can’t handle dissent, or shades of grey, so forget the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Keep it simple for us simple folk out here - the jury. We need to know what we’re voting for, in black and white, right?

Well, maybe not. I know I’m not the only one out here who is heartily sick of political spin. I’m sick of politicians not answering direct questions directly: of people like Garrett forfeiting his right to express his opinion in honesty and fullness in order to protect his place in the ALP, and advance the party’s chances of triumphing at the next election under a united banner, even if that unity is a ruse.

I’m sick of people like Howard and Ruddock who take the high moral ground with righteous lawyer-speak about observing due legal process on issues such as David Hicks’ incarceration for five years without trial, while refusing to concede that the basis existed for any humanitarian concerns - let alone legal ones - over the conditions at Guantanamo Bay.

I’m sick of having the world presented to me in black and white by lawyer leadership that is all about presentation and propaganda and nothing about truth and humanity.

Bin Laden is not the enemy. Neither is Bush. And, of course, neither are lawyers per se. The real enemy is the mindset to which I have alluded throughout, that prevails in so many lawyers as an indispensable asset, that demonises one side and deifies the other, unmindful and uncaring of integrity and honour. For at the core of that mindset resides the terrorist that is the true enemy of humanity.