Sorry Today

[maharetr]

black_samvara and I went into the city this morning to watch the apology. Originally I think it was meant to have been held in the Convention Centre, and then they shifted it to a large (woefully too small, which was excellent to hear) tent on the Esplanade. Apparently they underestimated numbers so much that even the premier had to stand outside and listen. The newspaper said there was going to be eight large screens, but only one was on.

We were some of the last allowed in, and it was standing room only, although I nudged a few people to sit down so more people (read: me) could see. Being part of a crowd like that was amazing, and well worth getting up so early for.

Aside from the 'little' hiccups (the intro speeches talking right over the first part of the apology, the out-of-synch sound) I was deeply impressed with Kevin Rudd's speech. Calling him the PM is still mighty weird. Having positive connotations with the acronym is going to take a while.
This? Is an awesome way to start that. Bravo to the speech writers, and to Rudd's delivery. I was pleased by the serious tone, with touches of humour that made the crowd in Perth laugh wryly. There was spontaneous applause, too.

Compare that to Brendan Nelson's speech. My god, what were they thinking? It didn't help that I'd watched Nelson drag his feet over agreeing to apologise, and then complaining every step after, but I was so impressed and pleased at the slow clap that started up part way thorough, when we realised it was going down hill and only getting worse. It was one of the best 'we as a united group protest what you say' I've ever seen. When we stopped clapping, I'm sure I heard it continuing over the radio audio for a bit, so I'm thinking that it started in Canberra, and we in Perth heard it and joined in, which is frankly too cool for words.

After I got to work, I looked up the rest of his speech, and I just cannot believe they thought that was okay to say in that time and place. Nelson's speech summed up as "we're...sorry? because you people elected a new government who then said it, and forced our hand? But the invasion intervention was justified! It was an emergency! that's been going on for ten fucking years, that we did nothing at all about until it was an election year." Which... no. Perth, I am honoured to be part of the only city whose response was to turn of the broadcast. Although the cynic in me wonders if it was turned off because the crowd was in an enclosed space, and therefore could have hit tipping point that much faster than a crowd out in the open air.

Either way, Liberals, you fail so hard. This new Labor country? You win.

Also, as a side note, is anyone else faintly disturbed by the use of the term 'war cabinet'? I get that Rudd wants to convey that both sides of parliament are putting aside party differences to work towards a common goal etc, and that it's probably only actually happened during a war, but we really need a new term.

Comments

[madradish.livejournal.com]

Calling him the PM is still mighty weird. Having positive connotations with the acronym is going to take a while.

I totally agree with this. It still gives me a little shiver of happiness when I think about it. :)

Wish I could've been there in the city with you guys. I only found out you were going afterwards. It must have been amazing. :)

[maharetr.livejournal.com]

It was pretty spectacular. I wish you could have been there, too! See you tomorrow night, or definitely Saturday ;)