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September 20, 2005

Is he suicidal?

The last time a NSW politician was this insensitive, he ended up on suicide watch. At the very least it was political suicide. I cannot believe that someone in such a position would behave as reported in Sartor: My white derriere needs whipping:

Of all Frank Sartor's gaffes over the years, this was the worst.
Yesterday the Planning Minister publicly apologised, admitting he had "stuffed up" after he told the Aboriginal Housing Company's chairman, Mick Mundine, on radio to "bring his black arse" in to talk about a dispute over the redevelopment of the Block in Redfern.
The Premier, Morris Iemma, reprimanded his minister, with a spokesman saying he had left Mr Sartor "in no uncertain terms as to his views about the comments". While Mr Mundine accepted the apology, he said Mr Sartor made a "bad mistake" and would not be drawn on whether Mr Sartor should resign.
....
During the interview on Koori Radio, Mr Sartor was asked about his stand-off with Mr Mundine. Both have traded open letters about their fight over the company's plans to build 62 homes in Redfern.
"I'm glad he wrote this long letter - got him off his backside for a change. He won't like that much, but I should say that to him more. Get off your backside, Mick, and bring your black arse in here to talk to me about it," Mr Sartor said.

I admit to having been insensitive (I got thrown out of Starbucks for ordering a "long black"*) but I would not be so stupid as to suggest (a) that Mr Mundine (or anyone else - other than a politician) sits on his backside most of the time and then (b) refer to his black derriere. Both suggestions were offensive and the least Sartor could do would be to get off his arse and offer to resign.

[* Note that this phrase is not considered inappropriate in Australia - it means a double expresso. In an Aussie coffee shop you can order a short black (expresso), long black (double), short white (expresso with milk added), white (coffee with milk), cappuccino, latte, etc. Note that we do not normally sell coffee with "cream" - and why do Americans think that white powder is "cream" anyway?]

Posted by Ozguru at September 20, 2005 10:00 PM

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Comments

"long/black"? So this horse goes into a bar, and the bartender says, "Why the long face?"

Posted by: Old Horsetail Snake at September 21, 2005 03:50 AM

"I hear the gentle voices calling, Old Black Joe."

[Ed: Link made clickable.... the article is worth reading....]
Old Black Joe

Posted by: guambat stew at September 21, 2005 02:54 PM