I have Google set as my homepage, and like any good interwebophile (is too a word!) I have it customised to my tastes. This includes a black and white backdrop (very sophisticated), clocks for around the worldand news headlines.
Apparently today's top story here in Australia is the so called 'sex scandal' of the Premier of South Australia.
Quick lesson in government for those non-Aussies out there: the Premier is the head of state for Australian states (eg. Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia). Whilst there are six territorial 'states', there are only six Premiers, because the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory are technically not 'states'.
Mike Rann, now Premier of South Australia (SA), has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a woman working as a waitress in Parliament House a year after he became Premier. He was not married at the time, although it appears that the woman, Michelle Chantelois, was. She accuses him of asking to kiss her, asking him for her measurements so that he could buy her underwear, and having sex on his desk.
Unsurprisingly, Premier Rann denies the allegations. He is now married and admits to a friendship with Ms Chantelois, and that his now wife knew about the friendship at the time. But he does not admit to any further relationship between himself and Ms Chantelois.
Again, unsurprisingly, Ms Chantelois has sold her story to the media. Two media outlets known for their 'hard hitting coverage' (read sensationalised BS) have paid for her story, which apparently today has hit news stands.
Each time I've opened up my browser today (which admittedly, is more than a few times), a new development in the saga has occurred. 'SA Premier to address allegations'. 'Rann arrives for meeting admist sex scandal'. Play by play, Premier Rann's day is being broadcast to me in one liners.
And each time I read a new headline, the same question crosses my mind:
Who gives a flying f***?
I understand that when you go into public office, your private life comes under scrutiny. The higher the office, the closer people look at you. The public will generally forgive you many things, because (generally) they understand that even politicians are human (or human-like spawn of the underworld). But they are held to a higher level of accountability and a higher standard of morality. And woe betide the politician that lies - "I did not have sexual relations with that woman".
But come on. Six years ago Mike Rann was a 50 year old divorcee. If the allegations are true - he met a woman who he liked, and he attempted to woo her. Sure, if she was married, and he knew she was married, it perhaps wasn't the best choice on his part. But he's only human.
How does this impact on his ability to do his job? So what if he shagged her in his office? If my sources are correct, this happens on a daily basis across the globe. Right now some high powered politician, businessman, lawyer, engineer, accountant or someone is shagging his/her wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/lover/mistress/toyboy on the desk. Rumours abounded in my school that it was happening between my principal and deputy principal regularly. Did it make my principal any less of a principal? No. Probably it made him a bit of a legend to the boys at school - the deputy was thought to be a bit of a hottie. But our school was still one of the most prestigious government schools in the state, maybe even country, and much of that success was attributed to the principal.
Ultimately - why should any of us care what happened between Mike Rann and Michelle Chantelois six years ago? If it impacted or continues to impact his ability to do his job, then yes, we should care. If he lied about it then or continues to lie about it now, then yes, we should care. But if it's just a bit of gossipmongering, why pander to it?
What would you say if a complete stranger came up to you, pointed to a random guy on the street and said 'Oh my gosh, you'll never believe this, but six years ago that guy had sex with me in his office'. I know what I'd say.
'Good for you love, but I don't give a flying f***.'
Nor should we all.
Apparently today's top story here in Australia is the so called 'sex scandal' of the Premier of South Australia.
Quick lesson in government for those non-Aussies out there: the Premier is the head of state for Australian states (eg. Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia). Whilst there are six territorial 'states', there are only six Premiers, because the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory are technically not 'states'.
Mike Rann, now Premier of South Australia (SA), has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a woman working as a waitress in Parliament House a year after he became Premier. He was not married at the time, although it appears that the woman, Michelle Chantelois, was. She accuses him of asking to kiss her, asking him for her measurements so that he could buy her underwear, and having sex on his desk.
Unsurprisingly, Premier Rann denies the allegations. He is now married and admits to a friendship with Ms Chantelois, and that his now wife knew about the friendship at the time. But he does not admit to any further relationship between himself and Ms Chantelois.
Again, unsurprisingly, Ms Chantelois has sold her story to the media. Two media outlets known for their 'hard hitting coverage' (read sensationalised BS) have paid for her story, which apparently today has hit news stands.
Each time I've opened up my browser today (which admittedly, is more than a few times), a new development in the saga has occurred. 'SA Premier to address allegations'. 'Rann arrives for meeting admist sex scandal'. Play by play, Premier Rann's day is being broadcast to me in one liners.
And each time I read a new headline, the same question crosses my mind:
Who gives a flying f***?
I understand that when you go into public office, your private life comes under scrutiny. The higher the office, the closer people look at you. The public will generally forgive you many things, because (generally) they understand that even politicians are human (or human-like spawn of the underworld). But they are held to a higher level of accountability and a higher standard of morality. And woe betide the politician that lies - "I did not have sexual relations with that woman".
But come on. Six years ago Mike Rann was a 50 year old divorcee. If the allegations are true - he met a woman who he liked, and he attempted to woo her. Sure, if she was married, and he knew she was married, it perhaps wasn't the best choice on his part. But he's only human.
How does this impact on his ability to do his job? So what if he shagged her in his office? If my sources are correct, this happens on a daily basis across the globe. Right now some high powered politician, businessman, lawyer, engineer, accountant or someone is shagging his/her wife/husband/boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/lover/mistress/toyboy on the desk. Rumours abounded in my school that it was happening between my principal and deputy principal regularly. Did it make my principal any less of a principal? No. Probably it made him a bit of a legend to the boys at school - the deputy was thought to be a bit of a hottie. But our school was still one of the most prestigious government schools in the state, maybe even country, and much of that success was attributed to the principal.
Ultimately - why should any of us care what happened between Mike Rann and Michelle Chantelois six years ago? If it impacted or continues to impact his ability to do his job, then yes, we should care. If he lied about it then or continues to lie about it now, then yes, we should care. But if it's just a bit of gossipmongering, why pander to it?
What would you say if a complete stranger came up to you, pointed to a random guy on the street and said 'Oh my gosh, you'll never believe this, but six years ago that guy had sex with me in his office'. I know what I'd say.
'Good for you love, but I don't give a flying f***.'
Nor should we all.
The only part I give a flying f*** about is the very public and salacious nature of the revelations and the impact these will have on Michelle Chantelois' children.
ReplyDeleteNot something she seems to have factored in when she decided to go so very public on something that is no-one's business outside of the two adult relationships concerned.
Fair call. I do feel for the kids, and even for the ex-husband (kind of).
ReplyDeleteBut that is never what the media is interested in - only ever the salacious headlines and whether or not they have the power to get someone sacked.