Trolling of Albo’s happy day so despicable, so predictable
Politics has always been a brutal affair, but in this country there was once at least a fig leaf of decency to it. Public figures would be attacked and their character trashed, but there has always been an unwritten rule that some things were beyond the pale – namely families, partners, periods of grief, or poor health. If you had to put it on a cue card, it would be pretty simple: Steer clear of anything involving births, deaths and marriages.
In fact, there are countless examples of politicians privately reaching out to their opponents in times of both crisis and joy to offer their condolences or congratulations.
That’s what makes a decent democracy. That’s what makes a decent country. And that’s what makes the attacks on Anthony Albanese for the joyous act of asking his partner to marry him so utterly, despicably low.
Like so many low acts, this seems to have originated in the bowels of social media. A horde of trolls – with whom we are sadly now all too familiar – bombarded the Prime Minister’s account with vitriolic abuse.
“Is this to distract us from you being complicit in genocide?” was just one typical comment. “Engaging in genocide AND marriage – how ambidextrous!” was another.
And also: “How romantic. Against the backdrop of the genocide in which you are entirely complicit, the massacred bodies of children our bombs blew up, the endless war crimes of our ‘friends’ – what a gorgeous day for you both.” And so it went on. It’s like the trolls had a proforma letter.
Apparently no one is allowed to get married or experience any happiness as long as there is war in the Middle East. But it wasn’t just the anti-Israel brigade sniffing out a conspiracy.
Over on 2GB, Ray Hadley had his own theory.
“Call me suspicious, but isn’t it funny how it’s been determined on this very day when he’s under more pressure than Clive Palmer’s belt buckle?” he said. “He could have done it last week, he could have done it three months ago, he could’ve done it in three months’ time.”
So according to the feral Left, it was all a distraction from the war in Gaza, and according to the feral Right it was all a distraction from immigration detention. Maybe they’re both right.
Or maybe it was a spur-of-the moment thing: “Hey, baby! I’m in a bit of hot water at the moment. Can you say you’ll marry me so the government can get a quick bounce in the polls?”
To his great credit, 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham quickly attempted to move on, but it was too late. Even the Daily Mail, a boots-and-all news site that is far from a friend of the Labor Party, branded Hadley’s claims “alarming”.
In a supreme irony, Hadley is now on a unity ticket with the social media trolls he once railed against.
By dragging the PM’s personal life into a political brawl, an experienced and, in some quarters, respected broadcaster has shown himself to be no better than the basement dwellers who will use any base weapon to suckerpunch those they hate.
Of course by way of disclaimer, many 2GB listeners will be aware that Hadley likewise blindsided me with blustery on-air threats that never eventuated.
But I am not so much concerned with that. There are far more important things in life – such as births, deaths and marriages.
And anyone who doesn’t have the decency to respect them in public life will find little comfort in any life that is to follow.