Nelson’s departure: teargate

Jonathan Green — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:38:49 +0000

It’s close enough to an axiom of journalism: read or watch reports on something with which you are vaguely familiar and you’ll realise what error-laden, generalised, distorted, liberally twisted rubbish is peddled in the name of news. Well, most times. I watched the Nelson presser this afternoon, go to woe, and yes there was one tear. A single drop perched just beneath the inner corner of the right eye, rolling no further than the cusp of Nelson’s cheek. He popped it out when Mrs Nelson the third (I think it is) said some nice things in praise of her man. And there, he said, digressing momentarily, is a little insight into the reality of the political life, an existence so hard and determinedly brutal that the smallest hint of affection prompts a sudden tingling burst of tear(s) and a blush of emotional effusion. How sad that is.

Anyway, there was just one tear, quickly mopped aside. It was enough to make the lead on the ABC evening news, some gush on a tearful farewell. Through the afternoon it featured in gleaming closeup on Fairfax websites. I’d be prepared to take money on its being featured in the morning press.

Good grief. There was only one, and it didn’t in any way represent the moment. But it suited some confected view of the story, never mind that it was at odds with the broader reality, and it starred. How much modern news is like that? The selective harvesting of fact and image to fit some abstract notion of actuality.

Nelson, in fact, bore himself with dignity, said the right things, and said them with crisp purpose. How dull.

Brendan gets warm and wet

Jonathan Green — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:00:51 +0000

Amazing how you warm to these people in their death throes. Apparently Nelson spoke brilliantly this evening. Full of passion. Feelings at full unimpeded flow. Who knew! This is a gutsy move. His best move. A crap hand played with bold decisiveness. For once. Once Costello declared it looked like Turnbull’s for the picking. But Nelson hs made the best of it. Catch his suntanned foe flat footed. Go for broke. The ultimatum has been given: vote me back and half the cabinet – the disloyal blabbermouths – will go. I’ll get tough on the Rudd ETS and soft on gay marriage. Quelle combination Brendan. something for everyone: homosexual unions and a dead planet. Turnbull is said to have the numbers, though all is fluid. Could Costello be dragged from his bed at the 11th hour? Stay tuned.

Jonathan Green » Nelson

Nelson’s departure: teargate

Brendan gets warm and wet