It has been a real rollercoaster in the first week of the campaign. Robin’s Tuesday evening headline news piece – candidate in his underwear (see previous blog – seems to have stirred things up a little
Heartening is the number of people going out of their way to voice their support. Although the incumbent and Labor candidate appeared in the news story it seems Robin in his underwear were all people saw.
The downside, starting Thursday, was a surprising eviction notice based a flimsy arrears claim. It can’t be sustained, as we have a full set of receipts and records, but it might have served to divert us for a few days.
Along with the eviction notice came a series of threats and attempts at intimidation. The sad part is those threats are being aimed at our known friends as well as directly at us.
It hurts when our friends are targeted, like our Sikh neighbours. They are a delightful couple and he (I’ll leave names out) is a long time Australian who has served in the Australian military.
Apart from the turban he’s as Aussie as anyone I know. Having him called a ‘towel head’ and threatened because of what we might be doing is a concern. On the other hand, gentle as this guy is, he does know how to take care of himself.
We don’t personally do intimidation, but the consequences of our democratic rights should not flow onto others. We are not really sure where this is coming from yet, and we are not about to be dumped out of our apartment in a hurry. Still, to ensure that means time spent dealing with that threat.
The dumb part is that we can’t win this campaign. The numbers just don’t stack up in this solid conservative electorate. Our issue is to bring some key issues to the fore and generate some discussion. I guess that represents a threat to some.
4 comments:
so interesting to hear what is going on there..I thought that awful towel head phrase was just here...wow...that is striking....
so let us know what happens next ( it isn't on our news..nothing personal..our news is not even on our news if you know what I mean....)
enigma, I really didn't want to do another campaign. From my first aged 15 the treats and sleaze have dominated.
Being a political theorist is my druthers, but fighting the crap seems to take over regardless.
I don't want to get into a deep coverage of the election, but will put up some good media links.
Mainly I will be reflecting on the local campaign and its consequences.
You know you're doing something right when the threats & mud start flying. Good job of getting the people's interest & presenting key issues! Good thing you saved those receipts, eh?
d.k., sad that you become really careful because you engage in politics. I just hope we aren't diverted too often with this sort of thing.
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