Kicks and kisses
Dear Editor,
In recent years, conservative commentators have taken to spraying insults at those with whom they disagree. Personal attacks now pose as rational discussion, particularly in the news media. Even so, I did not expect to see in ABR a personal assault disguised as a review of my book Allied and Addicted (July-August 2007).
What a great ad feminam title Michael Wesley chose: ‘Screeching to the converted’. Would he have used it about Clive Hamilton or Robert Manne or Julian Burnside? If not, he proves the truth of an argument in my book: that habits of mind have revived in Australia which we tried to abandon forty years ago. I had not expected one of Australia’s rising younger academics to exhibit them. But now, it seems, academics too resort to sexism and condescension, kissing up to the powerful and kicking down the powerless, just like our government.
Continue reading for only $10 per month.
Subscribe and gain full access to Australian Book Review.
Already a subscriber? Sign in.
If you need assistance, feel free to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you are an ABR subscriber, you will need to sign in to post a comment.
If you have forgotten your sign in details, or if you receive an error message when trying to submit your comment, please email your comment (and the name of the article to which it relates) to ABR Comments. We will review your comment and, subject to approval, we will post it under your name.
Please note that all comments must be approved by ABR and comply with our Terms & Conditions.