Skewed priorities in Left’s selective anger

Joe Aston — a sometimes-­controversial columnist for the national business daily Australian Financial Review — recently did something that ought to have been seen as not controversial at all. He simply went to work, as he usually does.

Reaction to this was explosive. Aston was denounced online by his colleagues at Fairfax Media, publisher of the Financial Review, and endured a campaign of online abuse from unionists and their supporters. It’s still under way today, more than a week after the fateful event.

Aston’s crime, you see, was to go to work while most of his Fairfax colleagues were on strike over the company’s plans to cut 120 journalist jobs.

Leftists can be remarkably intolerant, when it suits them. Aston’s mild announcement on Twitter — “Grateful for Fairfax Media colleagues remaining behind (= abiding by the law) to produce the news for our readers. We’re not all on strike” — produced the sort of rage usually only reserved for Coalition election victories.

“You’re exactly the kind of ‘hero’ who would applaud apartheid police beating protesters for ‘upholding the law’,” seethed ACTU chief of staff Ben Davison. “Extraordinary that anyone could be proud of this betrayal and cowardice,” declared unionist David McElrea. “Scabs are one rung above kiddie-fiddlers,” railed another.

As the strike’s end loomed, former Fairfax columnist Mike Carlton — funny during the ’80s, not so funny in his 80s — anticipated ongoing hostility: “I imagine Fairfax journalists will have a warm welcome for the scab Aston if he shows his face this morning.”

Aston dealt with it easily enough. “I am not a scab,” he wrote in response. “I am turning up to work for my employer, as per my contractual obligations, and I am declining to participate in an unlawful strike organised by a union I’m not a member of …

“Meanwhile, weeks before they cover — independent, always — a federal election to be fought on the issue of union impropriety and thuggery, all of Fairfax’s reporters in the Canberra Press Gallery are out on a wildcat strike.”

Good point. Of course, there is one way Aston could have won the admiration of his colleagues and fellow leftists. There is one way he’d have guaranteed they would be making ­excuses for him rather than condemning him as a scab. There is one way he’d have leftists calling for his motives to be understood, and for his actions to be considered in the broader context of global events.

All he needed to do was convert to Islam and kill a few people. It’s just that easy. Our leftist friends would never dare use such strong language against Islamic terrorists, not even when they slaughter nearly 3000 people.

Within weeks of September 11, 2001 (pictured), Fairfax’s Peter Fitz­Simons set the tone for the next 15 years of pathetic leftist grovelling.

“We are sorry,” the former rugby union player-turned-republican dress-up pirate wrote.

“We are desperately sorry that the world has now moved to the point where it is on the edge of an abyss from which there can be no return.

“We accept that such hate as drove the planes into the World Trade Center towers can only have come from incredible suffering and we are desperately sorry for that suffering, even if we are yet to come to grips with its specific cause.”

That “specific cause” still eludes the likes of FitzSimons, mainly because they simply refuse to consider it. Might it be self-inflicted? Something to do with Islam, perhaps?

Interestingly, the left’s latest tactic is to completely erase September 11 from any terrorism analysis.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/skewed-priorities-in-lefts-selective-anger/news-story/1a6e3488e4139935172eda78485c863d

;D ;D ;D ;D

you can smell the desperation

John Smith wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 11:38am:

;D ;D ;D ;D you can smell the desperation

All I can smell right now is Nacho's. The microwave just dinged. BTW, you have no problem with this guy being attacked simply because he went to work instead of participating in an illegal strike organised by a union in which he is not a member? Hmm, maybe it's not the nacho's you can smell but your own bile surfacing at the back of your throat?

According to the Left, simply turning up for work in order to get paid and not fall behind on the mortgage and be able to buy groceries makes you a scab, a supporter of apartheid, a coward, and just one rung above a pedophile. I can think of far worse people in the world who would be one rung above a pedophile, and a guy simply turning up for work isn't one of them. But he is one rung above those people attacking him and those who support his attackers.

Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family.

stunspore wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:04pm:

Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family.

So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty!

stunspore wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:04pm:

Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family.

He's not a member of the Union.
He went to work, as per his contract.
The rest of what you say is noise.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:22pm:

stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. He's not a member of the Union. He went to work, as per his contract. The rest of what you say is noise rubbish.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:15pm:

stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty!

Right.  Exactly.  Union members paid for representation.  Those who are not in the unions get the same payrise without needing to negotiate, without needing to "put out", without needing to take actions (e.g. strikes) to enjoy improved conditions. 

stunspore wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:57pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:15pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty! Right.  Exactly.  Union members paid for representation.  Those who are not in the unions get the same payrise without needing to negotiate, without needing to "put out", without needing to take actions (e.g. strikes) to enjoy improved conditions.

Union membership is not compulsory, nor should it be, so your argument is pointless.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 11:53am:

According to the Left, simply turning up for work in order to get paid and not fall behind on the mortgage and be able to buy groceries makes you a scab, a supporter of apartheid, a coward, and just one rung above a pedophile. I can think of far worse people in the world who would be one rung above a pedophile, and a guy simply turning up for work isn't one of them. But he is one rung above those people attacking him and those who support his attackers.

come on ap.. they have come a long way.. since the days of cement boots...... ::) ::)

lets be honest.........I laughed when I read where Aston said he doesnt care if they call him a scab..

hilarious

now we understand why the lefties on here call everyone who disagrees with them childish names..

they still use the term "scab"....

what a joke they are....living in the past and using threatening tactics to get their own way.

I bet half of those who walked were afraid NOT TOO.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:58pm:

stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:57pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:15pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty! Right.  Exactly.  Union members paid for representation.  Those who are not in the unions get the same payrise without needing to negotiate, without needing to "put out", without needing to take actions (e.g. strikes) to enjoy improved conditions.  Union membership is not compulsory, nor should it be, so your argument is pointless.

they claim they are worried about job losses....

so thats right take away earnings from the boss..

good way to keep people on the pay roll...

it makes sense to some.!!!


the unions have lost their way.....to do this in times like this when not only are jobs disappearing...

there is nothing new on the immediate  horizon job wise....

so kill the job you already have..... ::) ::) ::)

why not.

... tough titties --- you wanna be a contracted scab and stab your mates in the back - be prepared to cop the flak.....

cods wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 1:50pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:58pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:57pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:15pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty! Right.  Exactly.  Union members paid for representation.  Those who are not in the unions get the same payrise without needing to negotiate, without needing to "put out", without needing to take actions (e.g. strikes) to enjoy improved conditions.  Union membership is not compulsory, nor should it be, so your argument is pointless. they claim they are worried about job losses.... so thats right take away earnings from the boss.. good way to keep people on the pay roll... it makes sense to some.!!! the unions have lost their way.....to do this in times like this when not only are jobs disappearing... there is nothing new on the immediate  horizon job wise.... so kill the job you already have..... ::) ::) ::) why not.

Let me get this right... if you strike to protect jobs under threat from mechanisation etc.... you are taking money out of the starving boss' mouth, the same boss who will cop a hefty remuneration either way anyway ... but by striking to preserve jobs for the boss and many others as well as the boss.... you are wrecking jobs?

Bizarre.. simply bizarre.......?  Would you prefer they appeal to his generosity and g od nature?  ;D  ;D  ;D

cods wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 1:50pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:58pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:57pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:15pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty! Right.  Exactly.  Union members paid for representation.  Those who are not in the unions get the same payrise without needing to negotiate, without needing to "put out", without needing to take actions (e.g. strikes) to enjoy improved conditions.  Union membership is not compulsory, nor should it be, so your argument is pointless. they claim they are worried about job losses.... so thats right take away earnings from the boss.. good way to keep people on the pay roll... it makes sense to some.!!! the unions have lost their way.....to do this in times like this when not only are jobs disappearing... there is nothing new on the immediate  horizon job wise.... so kill the job you already have..... ::) ::) ::) why not.

Let me get this right... if you strike to protect jobs under threat from mechanisation etc.... you are taking money out of the starving boss' mouth, the same boss who will cop a hefty remuneration either way anyway,and who is actually creating a situation where he will join the losers since he is creating the unemployment that means fewer papers etc will be purchased ... but by striking to preserve jobs for the boss and many others as well as the boss.... you are wrecking jobs?

Bizarre.. simply bizarre.......?  Would you prefer they appeal to his generosity and good nature?  ;D  ;D  ;D

cods wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 1:42pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 11:53am: According to the Left, simply turning up for work in order to get paid and not fall behind on the mortgage and be able to buy groceries makes you a scab, a supporter of apartheid, a coward, and just one rung above a pedophile. I can think of far worse people in the world who would be one rung above a pedophile, and a guy simply turning up for work isn't one of them. But he is one rung above those people attacking him and those who support his attackers. come on ap.. they have come a long way.. since the days of cement boots...... ::) ::) lets be honest.........I laughed when I read where Aston said he doesnt care if they call him a scab.. hilarious now we understand why the lefties on here call everyone who disagrees with them childish names.. they still use the term "scab".... what a joke they are....living in the past and using threatening tactics to get their own way. I bet half of those who walked were afraid NOT TOO.

You mean for decades now those filthy unwashed journalists have been using cement shoes to get their way?

;D  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 11:40am:

John Smith wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 11:38am: ;D ;D ;D ;D you can smell the desperation All I can smell right now is Nacho's. The microwave just dinged. BTW, you have no problem with this guy being attacked simply because he went to work instead of participating in an illegal strike organised by a union in which he is not a member? Hmm, maybe it's not the nacho's you can smell but your own bile surfacing at the back of your throat?

you should stop eating that crap ... no wonder you're such an idi ot . Wow, A union got upset with a worker who didn't strike ... my gosh, who ever heard of such a thing :D :D ... would you cry as much if the employer got upset with a worker that striked?  Or is it only when unions get upset that you have a problem.

Stop proving what an  id iot you are with every post. You should try to say at least ONE thing each day that doesn't prove you an idi ot

Grappler Truth Teller wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 1:56pm:

... tough titties --- you wanna be a contracted scab and stab your mates in the back - be prepared to cop the flak.....

Umm, how is he stabbing his mates in the back???  :-?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 4:06pm:

Grappler Truth Teller wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 1:56pm: ... tough titties --- you wanna be a contracted scab and stab your mates in the back - be prepared to cop the flak..... Umm, how is he stabbing his mates in the back???  :-?

You know what I like about baseball?  The team that works together..  benefits together...... am I right?  But when one man  let's down the team.... everybody suffers.. am I right?  Right!

https://d.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1403463126ra/10096372.gif

Currently which side is hurting themselves more?  Would think from the publicity that Abbott is providing, the libs are damaging themselves.  Probably not enough to lose an election though.

Wonder why the lib supporters aren't crying about the loss of their favourite party leader.  Must be hard holding it in (like diarrhea) while having to publicly supporting the party.

Front row seat of Left eating their own

You do know that there are still Liberal senators walking around with an Abbott drum stick in their front pocket ?

Dnarever wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 5:20pm:

Front row seat of Left eating their own You do know that there are still Liberal senators walking around with an Abbott drum stick in their front pocket ?

and his photo down their shorts :D :D

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 12:58pm:

stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:57pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:15pm: stunspore wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 12:04pm: Hmm..  How would you feel if you spent hours/days negotiating your own salary/wage packaging and then your boss provides the same conditions afterwards to someone who didnt' put in the same time/effort?  The time you put in to negotiate is valuable hours that could be used for paid hours/billable hours/unpaid hours to spend with family. So you think that those people who are attacking their colleague over at Fauxfacts actually played a role in negotiating their wages and conditions and were actually present in the room while those negotiations took place? Just how delusional are you, sir? By the way, the hours spent in negotiations by Union organisers and representatives ARE paid for with Union members' dues and other sources of income from the Union. They certainly don't provide that service free of charge out of the goodness of their heart, you numpty! Right.  Exactly.  Union members paid for representation.  Those who are not in the unions get the same payrise without needing to negotiate, without needing to "put out", without needing to take actions (e.g. strikes) to enjoy improved conditions.  Union membership is not compulsory, nor should it be, so your argument is pointless.

It's not pointless: you just don't accept it!

Until you can poke a gun through the internets and demand people stop having a point of view you're just a tryhard fascist who had a very big affection for  daddykins!!

Grappler Truth Teller wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 1:56pm:

... tough titties --- you wanna be a contracted scab and stab your mates in the back - be prepared to cop the flak.....

Hear Hear

Joe Aston is not someone I would be defending....

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/rear-window-columnist-joe-astons-attempts-to-defect-to-news-corp-are-over/news-story/ff1223f8992330f7242a9e6e529615ea

::) ::) ::)

John Smith wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 5:21pm:

Dnarever wrote on Mar 28th, 2016 at 5:20pm: Front row seat of Left eating their own You do know that there are still Liberal senators walking around with an Abbott drum stick in their front pocket ? and his photo down their shorts :D :D

http://i66.tinypic.com/fc4u4o_th.jpg

philperth2010 wrote on Mar 28^th, 2016 at 9:09pm:

Joe Aston is not someone I would be defending.... http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/rear-window-columnist-joe-astons-attempts-to-defect-to-news-corp-are-over/news-story/ff1223f8992330f7242a9e6e529615ea ::) ::) ::)

So he doesn't have the right to go to work free of abuse?

when Fairfax was slashing jobs throughout their profitable country businesses these Union Thugs didn't say a word.. not one squeak out of them...

now that THEIR jobs are on the line in THEIR non profitable side of the business they are squealing like cut pigs...  ::)

they also ought to be cutting the welfare media jobs throughout the ABC and other Tax Payer funded useless media outlets...

The bloke sold out his work mates and has no morals what so ever....It is no wonder the Lib fan boys are cheering him on....


Quote:

It was Aston, not Diary, that broke confidentiality about pay discussions with The Australian. Aston used the so-called job offer, which never eventuated, as leverage for a pay rise at Fairfax in a year when his colleagues are resorting to strikes after being offered close to nothing for salary increases. Indeed, he was so loose-lipped about his discussions with The Australian that word of it came back to us numerous times. We first asked Fairfax Media’s news and business group director Sean Aylmer in June whether Aston had used an imaginary job offer from The Australian to negotiate a higher pay rise at The AFR. Aylmer didn’t deny it. He wrote back: “Congratulations on the column. On Joe, I won’t comment on anyone’s remuneration.” When yet another senior Fairfax executive complained last week that Aston had done well financially following discussions with The Australian, we thought it was time to set the record straight. Text messages sighted by Diary show The Australian was only prepared to offer Aston a 25 per cent pay rise, taking his salary to $225,000 cash plus superannuation etc. Aston had made it clear he was more than happy to leave Fairfax. But he wanted $400,000, which was rejected out-of-hand. While there were informal text exchanges, no formal offer was ever made to Aston. The discussion stopped with his absurd request for a salary of $400,000.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/rear-window-columnist-joe-astons-attempts-to-defect-to-news-corp-are-over/news-story/ff1223f8992330f7242a9e6e529615ea


::) ::) ::)

philperth2010 wrote on Mar 29^th, 2016 at 7:30am:

The bloke sold out his work mates and has no morals what so ever....It is no wonder the Lib fan boys are cheering him on.... Quote: It was Aston, not Diary, that broke confidentiality about pay discussions with The Australian. Aston used the so-called job offer, which never eventuated, as leverage for a pay rise at Fairfax in a year when his colleagues are resorting to strikes after being offered close to nothing for salary increases. Indeed, he was so loose-lipped about his discussions with The Australian that word of it came back to us numerous times. We first asked Fairfax Media’s news and business group director Sean Aylmer in June whether Aston had used an imaginary job offer from The Australian to negotiate a higher pay rise at The AFR. Aylmer didn’t deny it. He wrote back: “Congratulations on the column. On Joe, I won’t comment on anyone’s remuneration.” When yet another senior Fairfax executive complained last week that Aston had done well financially following discussions with The Australian, we thought it was time to set the record straight. Text messages sighted by Diary show The Australian was only prepared to offer Aston a 25 per cent pay rise, taking his salary to $225,000 cash plus superannuation etc. Aston had made it clear he was more than happy to leave Fairfax. But he wanted $400,000, which was rejected out-of-hand. While there were informal text exchanges, no formal offer was ever made to Aston. The discussion stopped with his absurd request for a salary of $400,000. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/rear-window-columnist-joe-astons-attempts-to-defect-to-news-corp-are-over/news-story/ff1223f8992330f7242a9e6e529615ea ::) ::) ::)

1. He is not a member of the Union, and so is not obligated to take part in the illegal strike. He is obligated to turn up to work as per his contractual obligations to his employer - Fauxfacts.

2. The strike is illegal.

3. THE STRIKE IS ILLEGAL!!!

4. He has every right to go to work free from harassment or intimidation, as does anyone whether they are Unionists or not.

5. THE STRIKE IS ILLEGAL!!!!!!

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Mar 29^th, 2016 at 6:48am:

when Fairfax was slashing jobs throughout their profitable country businesses these Union Thugs didn't say a word.. not one squeak out of them... now that THEIR jobs are on the line in THEIR non profitable side of the business they are squealing like cut pigs...  ::) they also ought to be cutting the welfare media jobs throughout the ABC and other Tax Payer funded useless media outlets...

The media business is struggling because (a) they're losing money from being sued and losing so often that their lawyers now make more than Fauxfacts does, and (b) readers are leaving Fauxfacts in droves because their reporting lacks truth, as has been proven numerous times in Court.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Mar 29^th, 2016 at 8:20am:

readers are leaving Fauxfacts in droves because their reporting lacks truth

yeah,  that must explain the poll results on just that very question ... if people don't trust fairfax, then they aren't even using the smellegraph for toilet paper.:D :D :D 



http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/trust2-copy.jpg