Many were prepared to arm themselves
Admittedly, I’m of the political left and still maintain the rage I felt when Whitlam was illegally removed from governing Australia. I call it The Dismissal, yet have always considered it a coup.
Whitlam had faults. After all he was a man. He and his government also made some mistakes that his devotees frowned at BUT Whitlam was a statesman and carried out reforms that were almost revolutionary. He was a threat to the US and UK and he took most things in his gigantic stride.
When he made his monumental speech, there were thousands of Australians – many were known peacemakers – who were prepared to take up arms for Whitlam – after listening to radio.
I was ready to – until I considered the consequences of a civil war in Australia. I was prepared to defend myself and my family from a spontaneous attack but not to carry out premeditated violence. I only found out the extent of the rage people around Australia felt when I travelled around Australia – for work and study. No internet then. No facebook. No online leftist media. Not just a small proportion of people maintaining the rage, either. Then – or now.
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