Don Bradman the Giant in the land of Lilliputians.
S.Benedikt
majority of Australians why such river of media diarrhoea and the supposedly
national mourning frenzy over the death of one man who used to hit a hard
ball with a piece of wood ions ago . The man had a good and privileged life
so why so much sadness?
All of you Lilliputians, wood-stick and hard ball-lovers should celebrate
his life not his death. Ah, all day radio talk, TV follow up on the stories,
interviews would bring down the best of us listening to that crap dished by
mournful shiftbrains in overtime.
Why don't you grow up and celebrate our scientist and artists - persons that
have made significant contribution to your life and this beautiful land?
So what do we here from the media overdrive?
That the man was the greatest - the best! The best what?
Willow tree growers & but manufacturers champion - self marketing guru?
Hung on - they alleged that he was catholic busher, a bigot - but on the
latest evidence that was found not to be true.
Did you watch Lateline on ABC? They sad he was a 'Mason'..
We learn that he was a 'good gun loving bible bushing Protestant who fought
English on the cricket pitch so that Australia would become independent from
that pommy trash. But, and however, he was a very strong Royalist'.
Now can you explain that to all the Lilliputians?
He must have been everything to everyman and specially to our dear Firer -
sorry - our Prim Minister - considering that our PM JH first act as supremo
was to the glory of cricket and Dons personality cult and it looks like it
will be his last before his departure into obscurity after next November.
I have never heard so much crap in my entire life as suivant the death of
this one ordinary man, stockbroker, honourable person, but just a member of
a cricket team that did well once upon a time and for that was elevated to
heights out of all proportions as a national hero by his countrymen who had
nothing else to do but watch this most disreputable and boring slow withed
game played by England and its colonies.
Now it is time to put the Giant in the land of Lilliputians to rest and for
the wise to wake up.
S.Benedikt
The mind is personalisation of your brain!
That is if you have left any...
Mosley Jones III <mos...@YAMAGEEaussie-culture.net> wrote in message
news:3a99cc2e$0$26...@echo-01.iinet.net.au...
| I followed advice from Sir Donald Bradman. I read a book called "The
| Biography of Lord Louie Mountbatton". A book that I still remember, and a
| book that many should read. From reading that book I took a interest in
| Australia's destiny, and therefore politics.
|
| Bradman to mean represents a Australia that is now under attack. An
| Australia in far contrast to today's lacking morals and self pity.
|
| He should of lit the Olympic torch in my mind. At least he was still with
us
| to see it.
|
| The Dons Death marks the end of Australia golden times. A time when
| Australians were proud of who they were, a time when we never doubted our
| identity, and our culture. A time of gentlemen. Maybe our Prime Minister
is
| the only icon we have left of that great time for Australia.
|
|
Peter
"S.Benedikt" <benedik...@hotkey.net.au> wrote in message
news:3a9a...@news.iprimus.com.au...
> Hung on - they alleged that he was catholic busher, a bigot - but on the
> latest evidence that was found not to be true.
> Did you watch Lateline on ABC? They sad he was a 'Mason'..
The oldest surviving Galipolli veteran is a 'Mason also. Soon to be
presented with his 80 year medal.
But that is by the by. What was your inference at the 'Mason comment?
Damo
Bet Bradman didnt piss in the ashtray at 6pm closing time after lining up 12
schooners of bier, eh?
"S.Benedikt" wrote:
Wonderfull, benedikt.
S.Benedikt
Peter <sky...@earthling.net> wrote in message
news:3a9a687d$0$24...@wodc7nh0.news.uu.net...
Sorry it wasn't my inference it was said on the Lateline that 'DB was Mason'
and that this was discussed in a book about him I believe an Biography.
S.Benedikt
I am stronger than the fate!
Because no one can change it.
Denis Wright
> With all due respects to the man in question. It is incomprehensible to
> majority of Australians why such river of media diarrhoea and the supposedly
> national mourning frenzy over the death of one man who used to hit a hard
> ball with a piece of wood ions ago .
On this matter you clearly don't speak for "the majority of
Australians." But have your fun anyway. The fact is that he represented
a tradition in sport that probably has passed completely with his death.
What is true and what people have built around the legend is not really
the issue. But if you had not grown up with that tradition then I
wouldn't expect you to understand that.
Denis
Peter Lucas
"Hunter" <hun...@vianet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3A9BD18C...@vianet.net.au...
> Peter Lucas wrote:
>
> > "Damo" <boon...@vianet.net.au> wrote in message
> > news:3A9A6B74...@vianet.net.au...
> > > AussieCro speaks for Australians abuyt Australians yet again...
> > >
> > > Bet Bradman didnt piss in the ashtray at 6pm closing time after lining
up
> > 12
> > > schooners of bier, eh?
> > >
> >
>
> To understand Damo's post you'd need to know a bit about our friend
> AussieCro/S.Benedikt. He has all sorts of brilliant claims such as when he
> first came to Australia the Aussies would come and watch him and his croat
> friends from their cars afraid to go near them, they were like lions and
we
> were like sheep..... and all us Aussies were so concerned about our
alchohol
> that at closing time we'd line schooners of "bier" up on the bar and piss
in
> the ashtray rather than leave them behind... etc.etc.etc. (there were
plenty
> more....). I think Damo was merely pointing out how delusional this moron
> is....
Okey doke. Thanxs for the info.
I haven't met a good Croat yet. Not likely to either.
S.Benedikt
Denis Wright <dwr...@metz.une.edu.au> wrote in message
news:1eph9dn.2qo...@digimodem-10.une.edu.au...
I did not and do not intend to speak for the majority of Australians but I
am part of the majority.
Only 10-20 % of Australians follow or are part of that tradition you speak
of and I am not part of them. Although during my sons school days back in
60-70's I use to stand in to assist teachers on sports days supervising
Cricket games. It used to annoy me to see majority of effort and school
sport founds going into constantly improving Cricket grounds while our
school was badly in need of Arts and Craft room. I used to fight on the
school council with other members for the founds to be allocated for that
purpose but found it incomprehensible that all of the school council members
at the time were against the idea of Arts and Craft room but dizzily pro
Cricket when only 50 students (all boys) out of 800 were involved in school
cricket. It took us two years with a few professionals, architects and other
parents to design and build Arts and Crafts building with part of the money
we raised and the rest from the school allocated founds.
All the school students were thenceforth having Arts and Craft classes in
the new building. I was proud of the fact that we have broken the silly
tradition for the benefit of the majority of students but I still continued
to assist the teachers on sports days supervising cricket games.
I am surprised therefore that you Denis would adopt such narrow minded view
of things when I can see by your writing that you are intelligent person and
should have fully understood that the article I posted to this n.g. was
critical of inordinate time the media and some politicians devote to the
subject of cricket and the man they made into 'cult of personality' possibly
with ulterior motives to divert the public attention from more serious
issues we are confronted as a nation. Sadly the way the public fell for it
deserve the name I have coined for the occasion 'the Giant in the land of
Lilliputians'.
Yes I do recent the constant reference to the Don as the 'greatest
Australian' and 'Australian Hero' when all he was, was Greatest Australian
Cricketer and possibly a decent fellow human being that is if we discard
the media reported controversy of his past - I wouldn't know, but I do know
that there are at least a dozen Australians who made 10 fold greater
contribution to the society and the world who usually don't rate a mention
from the mouths of those media and political philistines.
Our Prime Minister view of the greatest Australian is a very narrow one as
is his contribution to the well being of Australian people favouring
exclusive minority of the corporate sector and his mates while presiding
over 35% of Australians on the brink of poverty he totally ignores and
feeds with mensonges and more lies from his exclusive hideout of scoundrels
in Canberra.
Have a nice day,
S.Benedikt
S.Benedikt
Peter Lucas <sky...@earthling.net> wrote in message
news:3a9d0076$0$14...@wodc7nh6.news.uu.net...
I don't think you would be let into the company of good Australians with
such bigoted point of view.
The world is made of all kinds of people. I don't know what is your
definition of good and bed people? Australia is made by people from divers
backgrounds and I am privilege to be associated with many including
Australians with Croatian heritage whom I find hard working and caring
people. I keep away from ratbags from what ever background they come from
and I am not likely to be associated with self confessed illegal substance
and alcohol abusers, drug peddlers, bigots racist, anti-Semites and a few
others pertaining to the social sower like the two above you so graciously
have thanked for the 'info'.
And about those two Hunter & Damo? Let see - Damo alias Damian Parish once
known as Siko self confessed drug user who only recently in this n.g.
insulted all Australian Police Officers by suggesting that they do not
belonging to humans is hiding behind all those alias perhaps to hide or
advance his other extra curriculum activities, I don't know which, but
members of our Law enforcers would certainly like to know. If you wish to
find more about this individual who ever he is you only have to follow his
alias posts-threads over a few years back.
These to Hunter and Damo it appears usually act in tandem and they refer to
'AussieCro' as 'delusional moron' - 'non worthy Australian' because the name
suggests Croatian heritage. To me 'AussieCro' suggest a person who is
honouring his adopted country Australia and shows pride in his/her Croatian
heritage. As for what he or she has written about some experiences in
Australia seems to me is purely anecdotal and no offence was intended to
Australian people as such.
Anyone remembering 6 o'clock closing time in 50-60's will know they were
strange drinking habits by comparisons with today. It is unfortunate that
young people often suffer generational amnesia. Therefore it is good that
some of the observations of our past are so recorded.
If you follow Hunters contribution to news groups you will find that he has
never come up with an original idea or a subject opinion for discussion
instead he randomly choose individuals he criticises and most often
denigrates with personal insults.
The two Hunter & Damo are 'The Pests from the WEST' that is all they will
ever be - IRRELEVANT.
And you or anyone else who wishes to take their info or their diatribe for
granted deserves it.
Have a nice day,
S.Benedikt
The Mind is personalisation of your brain!
S.Benedikt
Peter Lucas <sky...@earthling.net> wrote in message
news:3a9bc302$0$14...@wodc7nh6.news.uu.net...
|
| "S.Benedikt" <benedik...@hotkey.net.au> wrote in message
| news:3a9a...@news.iprimus.com.au...
| >
| > Peter <sky...@earthling.net> wrote in message
| > news:3a9a687d$0$24...@wodc7nh0.news.uu.net...
| > |
| > | "S.Benedikt" <benedik...@hotkey.net.au> wrote in message
| > | news:3a9a...@news.iprimus.com.au...
| > | > Hung on - they alleged that he was catholic busher, a bigot - but on
| the
| > | > latest evidence that was found not to be true.
| > | > Did you watch Lateline on ABC? They sad he was a 'Mason'..
| > |
| > | The oldest surviving Galipolli veteran is a 'Mason also. Soon to be
| > | presented with his 80 year medal.
| > | But that is by the by. What was your inference at the 'Mason comment?
| > |
| >
| > Sorry it wasn't my inference it was said on the Lateline that 'DB was
| Mason'
| > and that this was discussed in a book about him I believe an Biography.
| >
|
it?
Because the debate on the media brought it up and I am annoyed of such
inordinate amount time given to the subject with so much contradiction that
it is difficult to conclude what the man was - a saint - a monarchist
English Australian - a Mason - a Protestant catholic busher - a Australian
Hero - the greatest Australian or what else?
But could he really be all that? So he must have been everything to all the
people.
All you have to do is write your own thicket to his hearth or yours true
believer. Make up your mind.
S.Benedikt
Denis Wright
> I did not and do not intend to speak for the majority of Australians but I
> am part of the majority.
Ah.... now that's a different matter! I am part of a majority too but I
don't try to speak for them so much as try to understand what they are
feeling.
> Only 10-20 % of Australians follow or are part of that tradition you speak
> of and I am not part of them.
And I respect your right not to be, though I am not sure what your
figure of 10-20% refers to - are you saying that this is the percentage
of Australians who enjoy cricket?
> All the school students were thenceforth having Arts and Craft classes in
> the new building. I was proud of the fact that we have broken the silly
> tradition for the benefit of the majority of students but I still continued
> to assist the teachers on sports days supervising cricket games.
Good for you, seriously. I also don't approve of vast sums of money
being spent in one area when others demand it.
> I am surprised therefore that you Denis would adopt such narrow minded view
> of things when I can see by your writing that you are intelligent person and
> should have fully understood that the article I posted to this n.g. was
> critical of inordinate time the media and some politicians devote to the
> subject of cricket and the man they made into 'cult of personality' possibly
> with ulterior motives to divert the public attention from more serious
> issues we are confronted as a nation. Sadly the way the public fell for it
> deserve the name I have coined for the occasion 'the Giant in the land of
> Lilliputians'.
Well, I am not sure what was narrow-minded about it. People respected
Bradman for his cricketing genius but also because he stood for a
tradition that said that on the field, you play by certain rules, and
off the field, you have a responsibility towards the people who look up
to you. Nor do I feel that Australia is such a Lilliputian culture - it
has a great deal more richness and variety than ever, thanks in no small
part to its post-war immigrants in particular. If you are going to
attack the priorities of a country then you need to target very
precisely where the problem lies, and it is not with the adulation that
Bradman received. In many respects he deserved it, the "legend" that was
built up round him notwithstanding.
> Yes I do recent the constant reference to the Don as the 'greatest
> Australian' and 'Australian Hero' when all he was, was Greatest Australian
> Cricketer and possibly a decent fellow human being that is if we discard
> the media reported controversy of his past - I wouldn't know, but I do know
> that there are at least a dozen Australians who made 10 fold greater
> contribution to the society and the world who usually don't rate a mention
> from the mouths of those media and political philistines.
Maybe they have to die before they get recognised.... Look, there's
something in what you say and adulation for the sake of adulation is not
very productive, but Bradman represented an entire era in sport that is
worthy of celebrating. Naturally some will go over the top in doing it,
but I guess when you said "it is incomprehensible to the majority of
Australians...." then you were making a claim that you can't
substantiate unless you asked each of them.
> Our Prime Minister view of the greatest Australian is a very narrow one as
> is his contribution to the well being of Australian people favouring
> exclusive minority of the corporate sector and his mates while presiding
> over 35% of Australians on the brink of poverty he totally ignores and
> feeds with mensonges and more lies from his exclusive hideout of scoundrels
> in Canberra.
Couldn't agree with you more, though it comes down once again to the
criteria you use for defining greatness. Bradman's could well be the
Australian name most known throughout the world for two generations at
least, and known with respect and affection. If that were the only
criterion then he has strong claims to being the "greatest Australian".
However, according to how *I* would define "greatness", I don't think
that Bradman would be my pick for the greatest Australian, but that's
another matter entirely. I think you are confusing two issues (one about
Bradman and one about Australian priorities), and in attacking the
adulation that Bradman received, you don't really help the cause of
getting the balance right.
> Have a nice day,
Have a good one too....
Denis
RT
Wonder who our greatest marbles player was.
State funeral? Flags at half mast? Black arm bands?
Denis Wright
> Wonder who our greatest marbles player was.
>
> State funeral? Flags at half mast? Black arm bands?
Aha - but our greatest marbles player doesn't immediately come to mind,
does it? (In 1958 it could well have been me...) Whereas no-one in
Australia would wonder about who was the greatest cricketer in
Australia.....
This is getting boring. Anyone for marbles? Where's me dib bag?
Denis
Hunter
conversation with himself. Posting a message, then posting a reply as someone
else, and then posting a reply to this as himself again trying to make it look
like people agreed with his crap. (He even got quite irate when pulled up on
this until it was pointed out to him that all 3 posts came from the same IP at
which point he shut up and vanished for a time.)
Hardly a credible source, now as for some of his claims about Australia
unfortunately Deja News is no more and the Google people haven't bothered to put
the complete database back online again (perhaps this is why he's back) but if
he's still babbling his shit when they do people may find some of his previous
sad posts quite amusing. (Look for AussieCro, one of his other aliases, from
memory that's the name he posted most of his laughable shit from). The general
gist of his posts led to Croats being superhuman and the rest of us Aussies
merely being a sad bunch of peasants in comparison. (And we all know how
delusional fucked up views like that are). Merely take a look at the subject of
this thread to find out his true opinion of his fellow Australians (I'm assuming
he started with this thread, crappy google news searcher seems to indicate that,
but it's hard to tell with such a crap search system).
(Quite like your blatant hypocrisy by the way benedikt. Accusing me of
denigrating via personal insults (which is quite appropriate when dealing with
morons like you) and then continuing on to do the very same yourself. But you
always were a clown weren't you....)
"S.Benedikt" wrote:
>
> <blah blah blah eventually getting to the following babble>
Damo
AussieCunt - Aka Steven Benedikt Wrote :
> > <blah blah blah eventually getting to the following babble>
> > And about those two Hunter & Damo? Let see - Damo alias Damian Parish once
> > known as Siko self confessed drug user who only recently in this n.g.
> > insulted all Australian Police Officers by suggesting that they do not
> > belonging to humans
Well, Don't ever confuse me with someone that thinks they do.
Never met a good copper - so sue me. I don't intend on meeting any either. Two faced
shit bags the lot of them.
> > is hiding behind all those alias perhaps to hide or
> > advance his other extra curriculum activities,
*Thats Right* (trey parker again)
Go to http://damo's.drugs.forsale.com/DamoLikesDrugs.html
and find the hidden link to my real secret drugs_for_sale page!!! REALLY!!!
> > I don't know which, but
> > members of our Law enforcers would certainly like to know.
Fuck the pigs, and fuck you too, benedikt AUSSIECRO_TWO_FACED_BASTARD haha
> > If you wish to
> > find more about this individual who ever he is you only have to follow his
> > alias posts-threads over a few years back.
To when I was pulling you up for speaking shit, and feigning support for yourself by
posting as different people in reply to your posts?
Hehe, and you couldn't get your stupid (yet imaginary no doubt) lawyers to do shit
either you useless cunt.
> > These to Hunter and Damo it appears usually act in tandem and they refer to
> > 'AussieCro' as 'delusional moron' - 'non worthy Australian' because the name
> > suggests Croatian heritage.
No, it's coz you speak shit mate. Simple as that. Could care less what your fucken
name is.. Small minded racist prick.
> > To me 'AussieCro' suggest a person who is
> > honouring his adopted country Australia and shows pride in his/her Croatian
> > heritage. As for what he or she has written about some experiences in
> > Australia seems to me is purely anecdotal and no offence was intended to
> > Australian people as such.
Call yerslef AussieCunt then, coz you're still as much of a cunt as you always were,
you cunt.
<snipples> shit you're a sad prick, Steve.
S.Benedikt
Damo! Nothing to say but insults. If what you say comes out of your head it
is serious - symptoms of schizophrenia or merle words of irrelevant social
misfit.
Please urgently seek medical help.
Or change your alias from Damo to Dumbo, light a joint and you may even
fly.
Have a nice day,
I am who I am and you are a DUMBO.
Damo <boon...@vianet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3AA1D89C...@vianet.net.au...
S.Benedikt
you have just proven it.
As usual nothing intelligent to say or contribute but personal insults; a
signe of deteriorated mind due to excesses, abuse of alcohol and illegal
substances.
My advice to you, go and get help with your friend Dumbo before it is to
late.
I am an Australian with great affinity with my lend - it is a symbiotic
relationship of mutual respect.
You are totally irrelevant to all and everything, but you are and have right
to be, what you are.
So go and have a nice day in your own patch of paradise and don't let your
irrelevance deter you from joining the rest of humanity.
That way you may find your sanity.
S.Benedikt
The Mind is personalization of your brain!
Hunter <hun...@vianet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3AA0D52E...@vianet.net.au...
Damo
"S.Benedikt" wrote:
> Now look whom we have got here.
Get fucked.
> Damo! Nothing to say but insults.
Go suck an egg, you pervert.
> If what you say comes out of your head it
> is serious - symptoms of schizophrenia or merle words of irrelevant social
> misfit.
Bah, stick it up yer arse.
> Please urgently seek medical help.
Fuck you...
> Or change your alias from Damo to Dumbo, light a joint and you may even
> fly.
Parrot - AussieCunt sounds much better.
Perhaps it's not quite accurate tho - maybe CroatianCunt would be more precise.
Damo
> As I have said the Hunter and Damo with all those aliases act in tandem and
> you have just proven it.
> As usual nothing intelligent to say or contribute but personal insults; a
> signe of deteriorated mind due to excesses, abuse of alcohol and illegal
> substances.
> My advice to you, go and get help with your friend Dumbo before it is to
> late.
Wow, poor stevo really doesn't like us... What an unfortunate little croatian
clown he is.
Sad little bitter migrant.
Just relax and enjoy yourself... Stop talking shite and no one will bother you..
You *can* stop talking shite, cant you???
> I am an Australian with great affinity with my lend -
Yes, we feel you are having a lend of us at times, also.
> it is a symbiotic relationship of mutual respect.
Pervert.
> You are totally irrelevant to all and everything, but you are and have right
> to be, what you are.
How beatle'esque.. Let it be, Let it be... etc. etc..
Just where are those words of wisdom, however...
> So go and have a nice day in your own patch of paradise and don't let your
> irrelevance deter you from joining the rest of humanity.
> That way you may find your sanity.
Well, thank you very much but fuck you with a corn cob.
> S.Benedikt
> The Mind is personalization of your brain!
You make those up, don't ya, poindexter?
Hunter
> Now look whom we have got here.
> Damo! Nothing to say but insults. If what you say comes out of your head it
> is serious - symptoms of schizophrenia or merle words of irrelevant social
> misfit.
I notice you ignored my reply Benedikt (or is it AussieCro tonight???). When it
comes to multiple personality disorder you well and truly take the cake (I mean
replying to yourself to try to lend some sort of legitimacy to the crap you
babble really is pretty sad....)
> Please urgently seek medical help.
> Or change your alias from Damo to Dumbo, light a joint and you may even
> fly.
Try to know something of what you're babbling and you may sound less like a
clown.... Joints making you fly???? Does your "bier" make you fly????
> Have a nice day,
>
> I am who I am and you are a DUMBO.
Very clever, next week we'll try our A-B-C's shall we?
Hunter
> As I have said the Hunter and Damo with all those aliases act in tandem and
> you have just proven it.
> As usual nothing intelligent to say or contribute but personal insults; a
> signe of deteriorated mind due to excesses, abuse of alcohol and illegal
> substances.
> My advice to you, go and get help with your friend Dumbo before it is to
> late.
Delusional as ever benedikt. Pulled you up on your previous deceptive practices,
which involved the use of aliases incidentally, (and what other alias have I
ever used by the way you lying cunt??? this is the same name I've used all along
for more years than you've been around (and if you mean why don't I use my real
name, you're reason enough in yourself you mad bastard).... but speaking of
aliases, you're the only person I know to hold a conversation with your alias in
this group and then threaten legal action when caught out on it - but I note you
don't contend that point), pointed out that you are still oozing your views of
your "fellow" Aussies even in the subject of your posts, and brought up the fact
that you're a complete tosser in your claims of how your "fellow" Aussies acted
back in "your day"... If that was too much for you to contend with just say
so... (I must retract my previous statement that you didn't even bother to reply
though, you just fell flat on your face when you did).
> I am an Australian with great affinity with my lend - it is a symbiotic
> relationship of mutual respect.
And again in English?
> You are totally irrelevant to all and everything, but you are and have right
> to be, what you are.
Which is better than you and your high and mighty "better than the rest of the
Aussies" viewpoint. I actually consider us all to be equal until someone proves
themselves to be a fuckwit (as you have done).
> So go and have a nice day in your own patch of paradise and don't let your
> irrelevance deter you from joining the rest of humanity.
> That way you may find your sanity.
Get back on your Valium, you're foaming at the mouth again dude.
> S.Benedikt
> The Mind is personalization of your brain!
Pity you don't have a brain.
S.Benedikt
program I am glad that you came around to my view of media manufactured
mythology.
S.Benedikt
Denis Wright <dwr...@metz.une.edu.au> wrote in message
news:1epnboy.xyv...@arts-98.une.edu.au...
Denis Wright
> Well Denis reading your post on aus.media.watch re ABC Stewart Littlemore
> program I am glad that you came around to my view of media manufactured
> mythology.
If it makes you feel good to believe that was my point, that's fine, but
it wasn't. My original point was that Bradman's death ended an era in
Australia, in more than cricket. I didn't comment at all, as far as I
remember, on the media's coverage of the event. In fact, Littlemore
himself made my point - that it's all about winning now, and not about
true sportsmanship. If you look at everything that Bradman has said and
done, you must agree that he regarded that quality as more important
than winning. It's a quality that has indeed all but gone, as Slater
demonstrated in India with his disgraceful behaviour on the day of
Bradman's funeral.
Denis
Leonard Low
As a chap who was born too late to experience The Don's prowess first-hand,
I have wondered somewhat as to how a *cricketer* could possibly have been
such an important fellow as to "end an era" with his death.
Surely there have been many more noble Australians born to this land - those
who have lived and died for this nation must have as much worth as one who
played cricket for it. I should like to know how much worth we put in our
great achievers in other fields of merit - medicine, science, literature -
compared with our sporting heroes.
It is difficult for me to imagine Don Bradman as anything more than a
cricketer, albeit one remembered for his extraordinary integrity and
ability. How do Sir Don's achievements fit into the larger picture of
humanity?
Denis Wright
> As a chap who was born too late to experience The Don's prowess first-hand,
> I have wondered somewhat as to how a *cricketer* could possibly have been
> such an important fellow as to "end an era" with his death.
"An era" in sport (not just cricket) was what I had uppermost in mind -
when people played with certain ideals in view and regarded them as more
important than winning. But it was also the last gasp of that era best
represented by the early postwar period and the 1950s - not a grand era
or a noble one, but an era of the dominance of the Anglo-Saxon view of
the world in this country in particular - you know, what John Howard
would dearly love to return to!!! Like I said, nothing to do with
nobility, but an era nevertheless.
> Surely there have been many more noble Australians born to this land - those
> who have lived and died for this nation must have as much worth as one who
> played cricket for it. I should like to know how much worth we put in our
> great achievers in other fields of merit - medicine, science, literature -
> compared with our sporting heroes.
That point has been made over and over again and I don't see anyone
disputing it. If we respected those values more, then the universities
wouldn't be in such a parlous state as they presently are. But there
were good qualities in people like Bradman that were worthy of respect
too, and let's not forget them while accepting that in the grander
scheme of things, other people have been much more important to our
society or to the world.
> It is difficult for me to imagine Don Bradman as anything more than a
> cricketer, albeit one remembered for his extraordinary integrity and
> ability. How do Sir Don's achievements fit into the larger picture of
> humanity?
By some criteria, not very significantly. I'm not arguing with you; that
is a legitimate comment, but the fact remains that he was a phenomenon
whose abilities surpassed his own medium, simply because there would
hardly be a person in Australia who does not know who Bradman is and
what he represented.This isn't a case of being all misty-eyed, it's just
stating a fact.
Denis
--
Dr D. Wright
Classics, History and Religion
University of New England
Armidale NSW 2351 AUSTRALIA
S.Benedikt
| Leonard Low <lennyan...@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
|
| > As a chap who was born too late to experience The Don's prowess
first-hand,
| > I have wondered somewhat as to how a *cricketer* could possibly have
been
| > such an important fellow as to "end an era" with his death.
"End of an Era" by the glory of the game "Cricket" for ardent cricket
followers, yes! For the Nation, No! Now waht percentage of Austarlians fit
into the 'ardent cricket followers' may be disputed but on all the evidence
past and presnt the 10-20% to me sounds resonable.
Therefore "End of an Era" for the Nation is media manufactured mythology.
|
| "An era" in sport (not just cricket) was what I had uppermost in mind -
| when people played with certain ideals in view and regarded them as more
| important than winning. But it was also the last gasp of that era best
| represented by the early postwar period and the 1950s - not a grand era
| or a noble one, but an era of the dominance of the Anglo-Saxon view of
| the world in this country in particular - you know, what John Howard
| would dearly love to return to!!! Like I said, nothing to do with
| nobility, but an era nevertheless.
Yes I recall 1963 much publicised Bradman's game with Menzies close by at
all times. His minders thought it would be a vote catcher directed at
majority of Australians considered passionate cricket followers. They
discovered later that it wasn't so as Menzies government was returned at the
next elections by a small margin 'Donkey vote'.
John Howard may suffer the same fate and most probably may be returned at
the next elections by majority of ONE.
Here the old cliché works well "you can full some people some time but not
all the people all the time".
|
| > Surely there have been many more noble Australians born to this land -
those
| > who have lived and died for this nation must have as much worth as one
who
| > played cricket for it. I should like to know how much worth we put in
our
| > great achievers in other fields of merit - medicine, science,
literature -
| > compared with our sporting heroes.
|
| That point has been made over and over again and I don't see anyone
| disputing it. If we respected those values more, then the universities
| wouldn't be in such a parlous state as they presently are. But there
| were good qualities in people like Bradman that were worthy of respect
| too, and let's not forget them while accepting that in the grander
| scheme of things, other people have been much more important to our
| society or to the world.
No one is disputing Bradmans good qualities here (although some time in the
past a controversial individual) but what he did he did for himself and not
for the Nation or for advancement of humanity (playing good cricket or
signing 5000 cricket buts for a shilling a piece).
|
| > It is difficult for me to imagine Don Bradman as anything more than a
| > cricketer, albeit one remembered for his extraordinary integrity and
| > ability. How do Sir Don's achievements fit into the larger picture of
| > humanity?
They don't for humanity!
They do for the passionate cricket followers and for the likes of
politicians and media's ulterior motives.
|
| By some criteria, not very significantly. I'm not arguing with you; that
| is a legitimate comment, but the fact remains that he was a phenomenon
| whose abilities surpassed his own medium, simply because there would
| hardly be a person in Australia who does not know who Bradman is and
| what he represented.This isn't a case of being all misty-eyed, it's just
| stating a fact.
He was a phenomenon manufactured by the media's mythology.
And here I will put this subject to rest as it is occupying inordinate time
in our lives, a time wasted. It is 6 AM and I am going to pick some grapes
in my vineyard.
All of you may you have equally a nice and productive day.
S.Benedikt