Too much vinegar

As I was walking to the gym yesterday, I passed a young woman wearing an emerald green dress that looked absolutely fantastic on her.

I thought, bugger it, I’m going to tell her.

So I said: “You look gorgeous! I love your dress.”

She seemed really chuffed and said thank you … then I overthought the interaction all the way to the gym. Did she think I was creepy for saying that? Would a bloke get away with saying it? If I was a bloke, would she be flattered or intimidated? Is it OK for a woman to say it, but not a man?

I don’t know, hopefully she just felt pleased to be complimented. And I should just feel pleased that I said something nice to a stranger.

I’m a little sad about the way humans have been treating each other lately.

The comments section on just about every story on the internet is a battlefield, filled with anger and self righteousness.

Even the Scott Morrison evisceration is starting to get me down. At first I was pleased that he was being caned for his lack of leadership, but now I think it’s becoming base and ugly.

Conversely, I’m disappointed in the people who blindly support him and viciously slam anyone who doesn’t.

The climate change slanging match is provoking a similar reaction in me. I’ve actually started “muting” deniers and conspiracy theorists on Facebook. The issue is exposing aspects of people’s personalities on social media that risk lessening them in my eyes.

There is far too little reliance on researching facts before sharing and celebrating spurious information.

Although that IS a genuine picture of Scott Morrison waving a piece of coal around in parliament in 2017, thinking he was super cool to mock his opponents’ desire to move towards more renewable energy sources.

“South Australia has just had a blackout and, if Bill Shorten becomes the prime minister, all the lights will go off around the country,” Morrison crowed.

He proceeded to pass the coal around during question time, saying “This is coal … don’t be afraid!”

Sorry ScoMo, but we ARE afraid, terrified  by what is happening to our country this summer.

A fellow blogger who worked alongside me many years ago as a cadet journalist, Scott Pilgrim, summed it up in a Facebook post the other day: “Our PM shouldn’t become a scapegoat this summer, but for a lack of substantial policy and meaningful action ScoMo needs to be accountable, as do leaders of any political persuasion.

“I’ve read personal, ignorant and hurtful attacks on our PM over recent days. They should be ignored. They show a lack of respect. But at the same time, too many Morrison fans have wanted to throw vitriol at anyone who would dare question their beloved ScoMo.

“We live at a time where we desperately need to rediscover the place of robust, civil discourse.”

Scott added: “I hope we can move beyond Hawaiian holidays and insensitive comments and land long-term climate strategies and extremely generous compensation initiatives for fire ravished communities. I hope he can pull Australians together.”

I agree. It’s time to move past the memes comparing Morrison to the anus of a blue whale, they aren’t helping the situation, they’re just inflaming it. And Australia is battling enough real flames without adding metaphorical ones to it.

Whether you like or loathe ScoMo, the only way out is through. Australia needs to beat the bushfires, then put pressure on those in power to ensure there are measures in place so this terrible situation doesn’t happen again.

As our elected PM, ScoMo has to lead the country out of this crisis. How does he function effectively in the role when everyone keeps piling on top of him, calling him a f*#kwit? It’s not productive, although I’ll admit I smirked when I saw Bette Midler’s post slamming him.

Being called a f*#kwit wouldn’t inspire my – or anyone else’s – best work.

I have no idea what will make ScoMo listen to the voices of concern and stop telling us to shut up and be”quiet Australians” (WTF), but insults aren’t the way.

PS We got proper rain in my neck of the woods yesterday. It was WONDERFUL. Hope you had some around your way too.

Speaking of wonderful, my heart has swelled to see everyone from Pink to Vanuatu donating to Aussie fire relief. That’s a lovely reminder that comments sections don’t reflect the goodness in humanity.