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| 'Dignity of the Office' | |
Only a day after Johnny (been-to-London-to-visit-the-Queen)
Howard returned to Australia, your ABC reports that Governor General
Dr Peter (now-it's-safe) Hollingworth has stood aside as the
Queen's representative in Australia while allegations that he raped a women nearly 40 years ago
are dealt with. This is a pretty safe commitment. With no forensic evidence, and only
here-say evidence from a woman who didn't even know what year it occurred and
who has since committed suicide, even the average feminist would think twice
before getting out the scissors. The case has a afro-american's chance in the
KKK of succeeding. So what's the future? The case will be thrown out, or at the worst will
return a not-guilty verdict, and the GG will appear vindicated, but what then?
But Johnny (bob-each-way) Howard's remarks raise questions
The Prime Minister says Dr Hollingworth has told him that his greatest
consideration in deciding his long-term future will be protecting the dignity
of the office of Governor General.
Not being reinstated after being vindicated of the accusations which caused
the standing down would hardly be protecting the dignity of the office of
Governor General, would it? Therefore a vindication would require
reinstatement. But it also leaves Johnny's options open, in case he (or
Elizabeth (II) Winsor) reasons differently. The Queen is not concerned with petty colonial politics or a bunch of
Anglican priests worrying about old age and thinking they are only as young as
the person they are feeling - she has a responsibility to preserve the Monachy,
and the 'dignity of the position of Governor General' is pretty central to
continuing her family's tradition of control. Johnny is a staunch royalist, and
doubtless pulled the forelock when Her Majesty demanded it. Regardless, at worst Peter Hollingworth leaves office as a man falsely
accused. Meanwhile Simon (normally the loser) Crean has made a good
point - asking why the Prime Minister is acting now, when he's known about the
rape case since December. Presumption of guilt or innocence is not the point
here - if it is important enough to stand down now, it was important enough to
stand down in December - whether Lizzy's royal subjects knew about it back then
or not. This round has to go to Simon (the republican) Crean. And the other person about to come under the spotlight in this affair?
Geoff (the bruiser) Clark who, also facing court over rape
allegations, has been called upon to step down. If it is appropriate for a GG
to stand down until old accusations of rape are dealt with, then surely it is
appropriate for the head of ATSIC. Unless there are relative cultural
considerations which make this different? But the mere suggestion that Geoff Clark has more in common with European
descendent's than Aboriginal ones would be cultural
genocide. And faced with genocide, who could criticize an overzealous urge
to procreate?
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