Julia Gillard defends Australia against the charge that it’s the ‘epitome of misogyny’
British television host Piers Morgan caught News.com.au’s eye overnight:
Morgan, a former tabloid newspaper editor, was opening an interview with Julia Gillard (and others) ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday. “In (Australia) a country that many people for a long time presumed was kind of the epitome of misogyny and sexism,” he interjected, before asking how she found the experience and the progress of equality and feminism. Gillard … whose speech against misogyny in parliament was seen around the world — was quick to defend Australia. “I think that’s a little harsh on my country because there are issues for women in politics right around the world and leading women in all industries, including … Hollywood.”
Gillard, after Tony Abbott had put a motion to have Peter Slipper removed as Speaker over crude and sexist texts he had sent to an aide, Hansard, October 10, 2012:
Thank you very much deputy Speaker and I rise to oppose the motion moved by the leader of the opposition. And in so doing I say to the leader of the opposition I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. And the government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever.
That misogyny speech has been following Gillard ever since,The Australian, September 21 last year:
Looking back on my time … I do wish I’d called out the sexism earlier.
The Australian continues:
(The speech) delivered in response to criticism over her support of then-Speaker Peter Slipper — also drew criticism, notably from Julie Bishop … At the time … Bishop called Ms Gillard’s speech a “vile slur” and demanded she apologise.
The Mocker discusses Julian Burnside’s Greens candidacy, The Australian online, yesterday:
Having long professed no interest in entering politics, he was asked this week on Sky News to explain his turnaround. “Because,” he began theatrically, gazing upwards as if expecting celestial endorsement, “the situation is desperate.” Climate change is Burnside’s burning issue. “I think if we are worried about our children and our grandchildren, let’s save the planet for them,” he added, sounding very much like the environmental messiah. You could be excused for thinking QC stands for quixotic cliches.
Walter E. Williams tackles the end of the world, Townhall website, Wednesday:
(US congressional representative) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claims that “the world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change” … Leftists constantly preach such nonsense as “the world that we live in is beautiful but fragile”, “The third rock from the sun is a fragile oasis” … These and many other statements, along with apocalyptic predictions, are stock-in-trade for environmentalists. Worse yet, this fragile-Earth indoctrination is fed to the nation’s youth … It is the height of arrogance to think that mankind can make significant parametric changes in the Earth or can match nature’s destructive forces.
Betsy McCaughey quotes Donald Trump, The American Spectator, Wednesday:
“I will be very soon signing an executive order requiring colleges and universities to support free speech if they want federal research funds” … Educators lashed out … “This is a solution in search of a problem,” claimed Terry W. Hartle … of the American Council on Education. He insisted that “free speech is a core value” at universities.