Ross Gittins. Obviously wants to play with the big boys. Sick of being pigeon-holed into the business section, he’s now decided to do what he thinks the big boys do. Have an opinion about life in an inappropriate way.
In his article today titled, “The punters love a good disaster“, he’s launched into a tirade against the people who have opened their hearts up to those affected by Melbourne’s bush fires.
Apparently, well according to him, he has nothing against Victorians. What? Is this some sort of manly state of origin/egalitarian type comment?
He also has nothing against bush fires. Well the rest of us do. They kill people and animals, and destroy homes.
He’s sick of the “emotional extravaganza” surrounding one of Australia’s darkest peacetime weeks.
Sure, I agree the media coverage has been slapped on thickly, but as part of the national grieving process we need to feel that we’re still connected. We need to see the recovery. We need to see that the little we’ve given may just help in some little way.
Oh, sorry Ross Gittins I’ve obviously neglected to mention, in that business sense, that our donations would be tax deductible. I’m sure Ross Gittins that I should also mention that you can even earn frequent flyer points if you donate by credit card. Because that’s what’s important to you. Is it?
Okay, Grinch Gittins. You’ve had your say. People like me will trash you. You’ll gain notoriety in an Andrew Bolt climate change denying kind of way. You’ll benefit from the suffering of others in the same way that, according to you, the major media outlets have cashed in. The circle is complete.
Ross Gittins. Have a heart. Be positive. Lord knows that’s what we need in this day and age.
At the risk of getting told I’m “insensitive”, I have some sympathy with Gittins’ position – esp. the section at the end. Public attention is fixed on the bushfires disaster. And yet plenty of people are doing it tough in Australia who weren’t the bushfires. My concern is that all public attention and time and money will go the disaster in Victoria. And others will be left high-and-dry.
We are good at reacting to the dramatic (thousands of people made homeless in the space of a few days) but we are a bit rubbish at dealing with long-term, systemic problems in our society. Collectively, we have an attention span that would shame a goldfish. And our country suffers because of it.
Like many, I’ll be giving money and time to help with the bushfire effort but the challenge for me: I should be doing this stuff every week not just when there’s a big, frontpage tragedy.
Thanks for the response Matt.
I feel the way that you’ve expressed your concerns about the massive focus on the bush fire is spot on.
If only Mr Gittins had expressed his concerns with an ounce of empathy.
All the best