COVID-19 Story that will make you smile...NOT.

[Anonymous]

Some fool called this a conspiracy theory. To me a lot of valid points were made.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2020/04/15/covid-19-lockdown-a-deal-with-the-devi...

[tasfleur]

"Neither is it about whatever you happen to find offensive or not, Tas..."

That's right ... 

It's all about amicable forum discussion Icy .....  

[not_for_sale2025]

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@icyfroth wrote:

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@tasfleur wrote:

Chameleon, an offensive term is indeed in the eye and sensitivity of those it is targeted towards.

Perhaps I should make it a little clearer and compress my opinion into where the term "oldies" becomes less than complimentary or endearing.

It is when it becomes "lock up the oldies" that generates a new meaning to the intention and nastiness that is shaped around it, no more no less.

No problem with good natured and loving term of "oldies",  just a problem with "lets lock them up"

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In the bigger pictuere, the term "oldies"kind of paints a different  picture.

Lockdown the oldies,don't let them pass on their vulnerabillities, let alone the old ways, traditions, history.. Let the New World Order rewrite history without the annoying memoires of those still living.

After all, they're the only (Aus) generation that sarificed themselves in the cause of freedom for future generations. 

Lets just scorn the old whities that built Australia into such a desirable commodity that makes it so profitable for foreign investment.

I have no problem with the term "oldies"

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Personally, I kinda like the term "oldies". But I wouldn't like them being singled out whether it was worded, 'lock up' the oldies, the aged, the seniors, the ancient ones or the wrinkly generation.

Also, let's not forget some of our young men and women are currently risking their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and Sudan, to name a few places. I'm sure they too deserve recognition for their willingness to "sacrifice themselves in the cause of freedom for future generations". 

[icyfroth]

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@tasfleur wrote:

I have no problem with the term "oldies" either.   The game changer is when the term is abused and used to categorise something harmless and friendly into something harmful and not a little dangerous ..  ie "lock up the oldies".

"Lockdown the oldies,don't let them pass on their vulnerabillities, let alone the old ways, traditions, history.. Let the New World Order rewrite history without the annoying memoires of those still living.

After all, they're the only (Aus) generation that sarificed themselves in the cause of freedom for future generations. 

Lets just scorn the old whities that built Australia into such a desirable commodity that makes it so profitable for foreign investment"

That is out of context and is an over reaction.   There is no other poster twisting the subject so dramatically.

I am surprised the subject has made you so angry, there should not be such animosity ... 

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That's just your interpretation with no relation to reality

[tasfleur]

"That's just your interpration with no relation to reality"

I'm not sure what "interpration" is but I'll take it as "interpretation".

I hope you have a really good rest of the week and feel better soon ...   There is no point having any further discussion with you as your anger appears to permeate through anything meaningful here xxx

[tasfleur]

"But I wouldn't like them being singled out whether it was worded, 'lock up' the oldies, the aged, the seniors, the ancient ones or the wrinkly generation.

Also, let's not forget some of our young men and women are currently risking their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and Sudan, to name a few places. I'm sure they too deserve recognition for their willingness to "sacrifice themselves in the cause of freedom for future generations". 

That's a wonderful post not_for_sale and I couldn't agree more, thank you.

They do indeed deserve all the recognition that can be given;  they are in frightening places risking their lives every day and I hope, and want them to return to safety and their families.  How horrible it must be with the covid virus going on all around them as well, it must be a nightmare.

[Anonymous]

I guess governments are trying to pin the blame on the country that let the cats out of the bag

while they made no effort to catch them as they initially strolled passed.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Icyfroth wrote: Lets just scorn the old whities that built Australia into such a desirable commodity that makes it so profitable for foreign investment"

I must say I have never heard Australia described as a 'commodity' before.

Commodity: a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/commodity

[chameleon54]

On the subject of " oldies" I certainly didn't anticipate the reaction of some when I used the term in my post. To me it is a term of endearment towards other older Australians who have put in a hard lives work and are now taking things a little easier in their twilight years. Most " oldies " had things a lot harder than more recent generations have ever experienced including growing up through the depression and the deprivations of the WW2 years.

I roll my eyes when people whinge about the very minor inconveniences the COVID 19 virus is having on our lives and those that compare it to what the " oldies " experienced during the major wars, calling it  " our war " have simply got no idea.

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

Icyfroth wrote: Lets just scorn the old whities that built Australia into such a desirable commodity that makes it so profitable for foreign investment"

I must say I have never heard Australia described as a 'commodity' before.

Commodity: a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/commodity

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I haven't heard Australia referred to as a commodity before either, but unfortunately the word describes our current situation perfectly. To those from other countries Australia IS nothing more than a commodity.

Lax foreign investment rules mean international business interests and foreign government owned entities can purchase our land, water, bulk commodities and best companies for a relative pittance. They can then use creative accounting to ship profits offshore, not paying any tax in Australia and in other instances can ship our best produce and commodities offshore to be sold through foreign businesses with all of the profits staying overseas.

Likewise with immigration, our residency and citizenship is up for public sale. If an international business person is willing to invest a reasonable sum of money into an Australian business, they can obtain Australian citizenship. Likewise, people smugglers promote citizenship of Australia through illegal entry with support from Australians who are soft on illegal immigration as a commodity to be purchased.  

If this is not the commodification of our intrinsic social wealth and citizenship, I don't know what is.

[tasfleur]

"I roll my eyes when people whinge about the very minor inconveniences the COVID 19 virus is having on our lives"

It could be argued that thousands around the world who have lost their jobs;   businesses that have gone under who cannot ever start again;  thousands who have died and the misery associated with all of it, would never think of what has happened and is happening as "a very minor inconvenience "

Not to mention those who have lost, and are losing their homes.

What is the point making comparisons regarding the world wars and others in between, before or after.  In my opinion, it is the here and now that has to be dealt with and lived through.  It is different, but a primal war it is.

[chameleon54]

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@tasfleur wrote:

"I roll my eyes when people whinge about the very minor inconveniences the COVID 19 virus is having on our lives"

It could be argued that thousands around the world who have lost their jobs;   businesses that have gone under who cannot ever start again;  thousands who have died and the misery associated with all of it, would never think of what has happened and is happening as "a very minor inconvenience "

Not to mention those who have lost, and are losing their homes.

What is the point making comparisons regarding the world wars and others in between, before or after.  In my opinion, it is the here and now that has to be dealt with and lived through.  It is different, but a primal war it is.

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I get where you are coming from, but I still think it is offensive to past generations who lived ( or died ) through WW1 & WW2 to compare the Covid 19 inconveniences to the loss of life, hardships and deprivations of the two world wars. 

Our great grandparents sent their sons to a foreign country to face months in the trenches, many losing their lives or limbs or facing internment and starvation in primal prison of war camps. Some peoples daughters became " comfort woman " for foreign troops. Many returned servicemen lived the rest of their lives suffering post traumatic stress disorder.

Today we send our sons and daughters to the Centrelink office to receive $550 per week or $750 if on jobkeeker. 

Our great Grandparents faced war time shortages of basic food items, ration stamps and petrol rationing.

We faced eight weeks with little toilet paper.

Our great Grandparents faced the death or permanent injury of tens of thousands of young people sent to the frontline.

The death toll in Australia from Covid 19 is still less than 100 people.

Our great grandparents who lived overseas in the war zones faced the constant threat of having their homes and businesses bombed and destroyed.

We face having to re-negotiate our leases or seek extensions to pay our rent.

Our great Grandparents where sent to war often with little notice. Any work or business interests they had where gone in an instant as the call to fight for King and Country took precedent to any personal interests.

We face having to apply to banks to restructure debt,and apply for generous Government assistance and yes the loss of some income as a result of Covid 19.  

But What would I know ??? I have got 300 acres of Barley planted which is now worth virtually nothing and just sold wool for 35% less than it was worth 8 weeks ago. My mum and my wife are still in lock down and my business is under as much financial pressure as anyone else's.

WAR ??? ................By comparison its a small inconvenience..