Progressive patriotism and vision

June 19, 2025

Regardless of the efficacy of Albanese’s stated positions at the NPC, I agree with John Menadue. But Patrick Gourley noted something in his article about the weasel words and waffle that has now become a staple of political oratory on both sides of politics. While Dutton’s speech and delivery was completely boring and moribund, the PM’s speech was laced with this rubbish.

I’m sick of hearing politicians and others talk about “actively responding” or “actively listening”. Sorry, but what the hell does that mean? Is it assuring the targeted audience that they are not “inertly listening” or “inactively” doing something? It’s as ludicrous as the statement “lived experience”. Show me someone who has “dead experience” and I’ll accept the former as valid.

Equally worthy of the BS label are the usual; “reach out”, use of the word “cohort” repeatedly, calling everything a “space” (attention: NASA, “how’s things in the ‘space space’”), businesses being “shuttered” (what the hell was wrong with “shut” or “closed”?).

My late dad, who was well-read, theorised that it was just a way of weak management, setting themselves apart as some sort of club, to intimidate or confuse. Being a bonafide leader, he never used that crap.