Wednesday, April 04, 2007

I'm shocked!

Steve Maharey's unparliamentary f--- you faux pas is fascinating.

You see, I would never say it. I don't think it, let alone say it. I mean, I do think f--- off sometimes, in an impersonal way, especially regarding the tenth telephone canvasser of the day, local government bureaucrats, radical feminists, and tailgaters.

But f--- you is quite different from f--- off. And I am bound to wonder on what other occasions the Minister finds an opportunity to use it. During caucus maybe? Today's outburst could even be a case of resentment transfer. Perhaps he really wanted to direct his conspicuous bitterness toward the head honcho whipster, although unlike Dover Samuels, Clayton Cosgrove and Damien O'Connor, Maharey probably does want to vote for the anti-smacking bill.

In which case maybe it is all the dissenters in his electorate he has been muttering f--- you to in his mind.

If you aren't in the habit of thinking or saying them, these things don't just slip out. The really strange thing is I am not sure whether he has gone up or down in my estimation. Touchy-feely goes feral. Sounds like the next Lynley Dodd book.

4 comments:

mojo said...

I'm shocked too ... to use words like that without passion, in a petulant, hurt & defeated manner, gosh... & if this is an example of (child) management without slapping, then, how awful... indicative of someone well versed in control by 'emotional blackmail' ... simply awful.
But 'resentment transfer?' Where do you find these words Lindsay?

Cactus Kate said...

I agree Lindsay.

Even in my worst moments I would never say "fuck you" in front of a client or other staff member less so with my Boss watching. Which is analogous to what Maharey did.

T'was very unprofessional.

mojo said...

Aha Lindsay, I see it 'runs off the tongue' of the 'prickly succulent' pretty readily after all.
But then there's probably something comforting about that.

Lindsay Mitchell said...

'Resentment transfer'? I made it up. Sounds like the sort of psycho-babble concept a wet like Maharey would use to excuse his 'slip of the tongue'.