Mr Barns ...By WARREN PERSOHobart's ABC 936 hit a new low yesterday morning [17/9/04] through its decision to insert Johnny-come-lately Greg Barns into its usual Friday Forum political segment. Wedged between the critical expertise of political scientists Richard Herr and Tony McCall, Barns was given a platform to once again rant and rave over the perceived shortcomings of his old nemesis, the Australian Greens. Herr and McCall were left in the bulldust as Barns trotted out his usual grab bag of political cliches, 'obsessed with trees', 'ridiculous policies', 'the One Nation of the left' 'Brown supping with John Howard' and the recurring chestnut,'Clarendon Vale the poorest suburb in Australia'. Blah de blah blah blah. Unfortunately the net effect of the entire segment was to expose Barns as well past his use-by date, devoid of constructive analysis regarding the federal election campaign and hopelessly wrestling with his political ambitions and irrelevant role as a Murdoch scribe. His faux tirade against the Sydney latte set for their 'ignorance' of Tasmanian issues was evidence of a man desperately clutching for a reasoned perspective. Greg, did you perceive this ignorance from way off in the distance or was it apparent whilst you too sipped at the table of a Paddington cafe, the weight of the world on your shoulders in the guise of what decision to make next, Libs or Dems, foccacia or pesto? ABC 936 should cast its net a little wider when selecting forum participants in future. Opt for three political scientists next time, not just two and the congealed opinion between them. Friend of Hag, Warren Perso is an acerbic social and political commentator
RAPID RESPONSE EMAIL: What do you think? Saturday, September 18, 2004 |