September 19, 2003
THE STENCH IS RISING
Introducing Margo Kingston, mescaline poet and potential Doors lyricist:
The stench is rising
the masks are sliding
the reality is emerging
in all its ugliness
our democracy is fictitious
And this is only the beginning of her hypnotic countercultural masterwork, which I’ll title “Greenwich Village 1964, With Margo In It, G’Day Wow”. The next stanza:
Public morality is dead
as is public duty.
Even personal tragedy
is fuel for big business advertising campaigns.
Hmmm. She kinda lost it on the last line there. Check out the awesome recovery, which could’ve been penned by Dylan himself:
But spare a thought
for the men and women bought
and sold before election day.
Someone has just got to put this to music. Meanwhile, having discovered her calling as a beatnik verse commando, Margo becomes ever more deeply confused about everything else. The huge Fairfax media company is now, according to Margo, just a struggling Indymedia-level collective:
Big money, big Liberal Party politics and big media are trying to get rid of us, of course, by letting Packer take over Fairfax - a media-only company. But we're hanging in there and doing the best job we can for our readers while we can.
Margo, Fairfax is big media. Ditch the analysis. Stick to poetry.
Posted by Tim Blair at September 19, 2003 04:55 AMThat stuff reminds me of the anti-Reagan sonnets (not just poems, but sonnets!) I used to write back when I was 13.
Posted by: marc at September 19, 2003 at 05:19 AMjeebus tim, i liked the margo embargo. your shooting-fish-in-a-barrel exploits degrade us both.
Posted by: adam at September 19, 2003 at 05:25 AMWe had it all,
Like John Pilger and Ted Rall.
Starring in our own loony left show,
Sailin' away to Key Margo.
Here's lookin' at you kid...
"But we're hanging in there and doing the best job we can..."
And that's the really sad part about it. This is the best she can do.
Posted by: LB at September 19, 2003 at 08:02 AMToo bad Rage Against The Machine already found a new singer.
Posted by: Ken at September 19, 2003 at 08:03 AMHow 'bout, "Gotta face like a bag of smashed assholes." far out, man
Posted by: Imam Pshyco Muhammed at September 19, 2003 at 09:00 AMReading the whole article before breakfast exercises a kind of gruesome, slow car-wreck fascination on the unprepared mind. Margo divides the world into two, eternally dualling [sic], factions:
- the forces of Good: Wesley Clark, female Booker Prize nominees, William Deane, anti-Grasso Pension Fund managers, Ross Gittins, Fairfax and...Margo
battling heroicly against
- the forces of Evil: Singleton, Carr, Leagues Clubs, Bush, Abbott, Howard, Ruddock, Packer, Murdoch...Tim Blair
It is not clear where Collingwood FC stand in this Manichean Struggle. Posted by: Jack Strocchi at September 19, 2003 at 09:17 AM
Men and women bought and sold - where's the slave market: must have a cleaning slave, gardening slave, car menchanic and cleaner slave, cooking slave, laundry slave,shopping slave.They can live in the garden shed.
Public morality - well, will someone, if they spot the freak, bump it orff.
Margo, try this : a movement who run some of the `biggest' profit earning businesses in the world,are major beneficiaries of taxation, they are into`big politics', are trying to get rid of a lot of things , are trying to usurp the liberties of many others except for themselves.
Wo are we talking about Margo? Must be the libs and `big business'.
Wrong Margo - the greens, Margo, the pol potian commie recessive gene enhanced retards Margo.
Posted by: d at September 19, 2003 at 10:34 AMI quite enjoy the irony of an inane, one sided, uninformed columnist attack the work of another inane, one sided uninformed columnist.
Posted by: Trust at September 19, 2003 at 11:02 AMTim:
I've been hearing variations of Margo's diatribes since the mid-70's as a college student.
As we say in Chicago, "here's the deal,": if her leftist views are so wonderful, why isn't the world one big group engaged in navel comtemplation.
For her to think Wesley Clark as part of the "forces of good," is laughable.
However, watch for a Hillary/Clark or Clark/Hillary '04 ticket. What a scary scene and thought.
Posted by: Joe at September 19, 2003 at 11:24 AMJoe, that is a frightening prospect.Clintallary alone is the stuff of nightmares, let alone a double act.
Posted by: d at September 19, 2003 at 11:41 AMPoetry appears to be in vogue what with the Australian's attempt (re: Waltzing Matilda) to ape John Howard at penning verse.
Posted by: Savvas at September 19, 2003 at 11:47 AMIt would work well over some death-metal- Pantera or something similar, then it would be incomprehensible as well as nonsensical.
Posted by: Habib Bickford at September 19, 2003 at 11:59 AMRegardless of her viewpoint, she is so far ahead of Timmy B as a writer that it's quite funny to see his critiques. Presumably that's part of his intent, as they're little else of substance in his ongoing anguish.
Does she really think Wesley Clark is "Good"? I must have missed that.
I have Clark in the "infinitesimally better than Bush" bracket myself. If we're going to polarise (and why the hell not?) I have Clark on the "Evil" team.
Come, you Masters of War.....
And will the real Mr Zimmerman please stand up.
I think what's the real worry re Margo is her apparent faith that Labor has a PLAN. Either she has inside knowledge, or she is barking. Or both?
Margo is not a particulalry good writer - nothing better than to be expected of someone in year nine.As for critique, thyat assumes rational argument, something lacking in Margo's diatribe.
Posted by: d at September 19, 2003 at 12:30 PMAu contraire, d. She is a fine writer.
And year 9 puts her about 3 years ahead of her peers, so it's no surprise she stands out.
Posted by: Nemesis at September 19, 2003 at 01:14 PMNemesis has "comprehension difficulties".
Does she really think Wesley Clark is "Good"? I must have missed that.
You did nemesis.
Read Margo gushing over the Democrats military saviour:
And yet, hope survives and renewal is possible.
Page 1: Wesley Clark adds grunt to fight against Bush
A four star General who's intensely critical of Bush's Iraq invasion adds his name to the list of Democrats standing for President.
Margo creams for Clark.
Posted by: Jack Strocchi at September 19, 2003 at 01:14 PMat times, Web-Diary can be dull, navel-gazing, monochromatic tosh.
of late however, it has expanded its gaze to a multiplicity of viewpoints, both in terms of subjects, and contributors.
it's an idea in perpetual flux, but it's ability to pursue a story beyond the usual 24-hour life-span is a fine one.
to be sure, there's plenty of rubbish, there are also some gems.
Posted by: chico o'farrill at September 19, 2003 at 01:19 PMShit! Wish I'da seen these lyrics before the Corvids wrapped up principle recording ... speaking of which, that atrocious bird-logo yr sporting looks disturbingly similar to the diseased one-eyed beast we found for studio voodoo purposes ...
Posted by: Matt Welch at September 19, 2003 at 01:35 PMcan someone (well, tim, since he made the call) please demonstrate how fairfax qualifies as 'big media'? is that the definition in which anyone who reaches more than their immediate family is 'big media'?
Posted by: bigmedia at September 19, 2003 at 01:36 PMRage Against Homework has a new lead singer? WTF? I thought those assholes had all retired by now. Heaven knows they made enough money to.
Posted by: Eichra Oren at September 19, 2003 at 02:10 PM"Can someone (well, tim, since he made the call) please demonstrate how fairfax qualifies as 'big media'? is that the definition in which anyone who reaches more than their immediate family is 'big media'?"
Fairfax net profit (after tax) of 125.5M for the year ended 30 June 03, fits the "big media" bill for me.
Posted by: Geoff Honnor at September 19, 2003 at 02:23 PMThe content's lousy, but what about the Web Diary design? That's so awkward to navigate.
Posted by: Anne at September 19, 2003 at 02:24 PMThis might help with substantiating Big media characterisation as well:
John Fairfax Holdings
John Fairfax Holdings Limited [ASX:FXJ] is Australasia's largest newspaper publishing group. Its mastheads include The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, BRW and The Sun-Herald. In addition, Fairfax publishes regional and community newspapers, financial and consumer magazines, and provides online, interactive and e-commerce services through f2 Network, its wholly owned internet subsidiary.
On June 30, 2003, Fairfax completed the acquisition of the leading newspaper group in New Zealand, whose publications and businesses include The Dominion Post, The Press, national Sunday newspapers, magazines, and internet and distribution businesses.
Posted by: Geoff Honnor at September 19, 2003 at 02:26 PMspleenville by name, spleenville by nature. If Tim felt he was winning his philosophical debate with Margo would he still play the woman, not the ball? Character assassination is the last refuge of those who have run out of arguments.
Not a pretty sight.
Look who else is praising Wesley Clark.
Straighten your baseball cap, Mike.
Posted by: ilibcc at September 19, 2003 at 02:47 PMBluedog,
I've already won the philosophical debate. This is the after-party.
Posted by: tim at September 19, 2003 at 03:46 PMHey Jack - it was a genuine question, but thanks for the gratuitous headkick. Please sir, may I have another. (All you've demonstrated is that you read more Margo than I do - but that's your problem...)
But this is peculiar. Wesley Clark is NOT opposed to Bush's War. To quote the man himself:
"As for the political leaders themselves, President Bush and Tony Blair should be proud of their resolve in the face of so much doubt. And especially Mr Blair, who skillfully managed tough internal politics, an incredibly powerful and sometimes almost irrationally resolute ally, and concerns within Europe. Their opponents, those who questioned the necessity or wisdom of the operation, are temporarily silent, but probably unconvinced. And more tough questions remain to be answered".
and
"Can anything be more moving than the joyous throngs swarming the streets of Baghdad? Memories of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the defeat of Milosevic in Belgrade flood back. Statues and images of Saddam are smashed and defiled. Liberation is at hand. Liberation — the powerful balm that justifies painful sacrifice, erases lingering doubt and reinforces bold actions. Already the scent of victory is in the air. Yet a bit more work and some careful reckoning need to be done before we take our triumph"
Bizarre.
Posted by: Nemesis at September 19, 2003 at 04:06 PMThe only stench I smell is the smug self-righteousness and moral self-congratulation of the pieces by Kingston and Heidelberg. Absolutely sick-making.
Posted by: Irena A. at September 19, 2003 at 04:17 PM"He also kicks Carr way below the belt.'' Job-swap with FitzSimons coming up?
Posted by: slatts at September 19, 2003 at 06:21 PMHey Nemesis : Can you provide a link to those quotes or are you talking out of your ass again.
Posted by: Gary at September 19, 2003 at 07:01 PMAh, it's always wonderful to read Nemesis' posts on Friday evenings, just when my self-restraint and self-respect are at rock-bottom: It gives me a beautiful chance to throw away the scabbard... Anyway, to business. Nemesis, you see, is one of those delightfully un-self-aware snivellers who it's always nice to pull apart. First, look at his quotation from Wesley Clark:
"Can anything be more moving than the joyous throngs swarming the streets of Baghdad? Memories of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the defeat of Milosevic in Belgrade flood back. Statues and images of Saddam are smashed and defiled. Liberation is at hand. Liberation — the powerful balm that justifies painful sacrifice, erases lingering doubt and reinforces bold actions. Already the scent of victory is in the air. Yet a bit more work and some careful reckoning need to be done before we take our triumph"
Now at his own assessment:
"I have Clark in the "infinitesimally better than Bush" bracket myself. If we're going to polarise (and why the hell not?) I have Clark on the "Evil" team."
You see, for Nemesis ideas like liberty or (not enitrely the same thing) not living under a butchering, tyrannical regime are repugnant, indeed evil. Either that, or "Nemesis" is a collective of like-minded Commie fucktards with really crappy Q.A. who don't give a rat's arse whether their postings are consistent. Whatever. Either way, he's clearly a craven loser who prefers (other peoples') slavery. Keep the postings coming Nemesis: Now that we right-wingers have won the culture wars, we can take some delight in sinking the boot into weak left-wing shits like you.
Posted by: National Party Headcase at September 19, 2003 at 08:50 PM"The stench is rising"??
Don't worry Margo, the smell is actually eminating from your fruity prose. Please take it outside.
And Margo, haven't you noticed something - like the fact that you are being paid as an employee of an ASX-listed multi-media conglomerate.
If media-capitalism is so evil, do us all a favour and quit!
But it seems that like all lefties, she is a woman of strong passions and convictions - except on pay day. The lure of "Hilmer's shilling" is obviously stronger than her beliefs are - typical lefty.
Nemesis,
This is a Margo-thread in a commentary box on Tim Blair's blogsite.
Anything less than "gratuitous head kicking" would be failing in our duty.
As for the substance of Clark's positions on the war: he is against Bush and for the war.
So what?
That proves that he is confused.
Just like Margo.
No wonder she likes him.
I am the Lizard King. I can do anything.
There, can I get a job at Margo's paper? It's psychotic enough, and also cribbed. That's apparently all the qualifications you need in journalism these days.
Posted by: The Lizard King at September 20, 2003 at 02:45 AMStench is rising
Margo is grunting
Loins are parting
A column is birthing
Plops into the Herald
All out of Charmin
Where the hell's the Lysol
In college, I received, from an income-generating standpoint, a virtually useless degree in English, with a specialty in writing. However, it comes in handy when attempting to detrmine the relative merits of another's work. I can say, without equivocation, that Margo kingston is one of the worst writers I have ever had the misfortune of reading. How can you Aussies tolerate it?
Reading her writing is like someone taking a crap directly onto my eyes. Who in the Hell thinks this is good? And mercy on your souls if she is better than your average writer down there.
BTW, the "philosphical debate" someone alluded to earlier is conducted simply by posting Margo's screed. It speaks for itself, requiring no refutation.
Posted by: Jerry at September 21, 2003 at 01:30 AMMargo Kingston wrote:
But spare a thought
for the men and women bought
and sold before election day.
Perhaps she was channeling Salt of the Earth as sung by Joan Baez:
Let´s drink to the hard working people,
Let´s drink to the lowly of birth.
Raise your glass to the good and the evil,
Let´s drink to the salt of the earth.
Say a pray´r for the common foot soldier,
Spare a thought for his back breaking work.
Say a pray´r for his wife and his children
Who burn the fires and who still till the earth
It's almost like plagiarism.
Posted by: James Fulford at September 21, 2003 at 04:28 AMWow Tim doesn't like Margo. Big deal Tim - But why doesn't the record state that you don't like anyone who doesn't follow your politically right line.
But what I really want to see is you walking into the Pitt St ADF recruiting office, where you can put your big brave balls on the line for once.
But no one should expect loud mouth Tim to do anything approaching such an act of selfless devotion to his politically right cause. Tim is one of the biggest frauds in Australia, he pretends to call himself a journalist when in fact there is no record of him actually doing a real interview with a real live person. Like most crapblogs he just copies other people's thoughts and writings and then abuses that person for not writing what he thinks they should write.
Tim, that you are such a fraud would be normally a joke, but given your desire to send other people's sons and daughters to fight wars you want to see fought, it becomes a deadly serious joke.
Your hero John Howard never went near a recruiting office in the 1960s when he was running around on campus telling everyone how good the war was.
Now decades later it's frauds like Blair who don't dare go near a recruiting office but are more than happy to see someone else's son go off war.
Now let's hear from all the ultra right retards that worship Tim, about why Tim gets an exemption from putting his big brave balls on the line.
You are a cowardly fraud Blair.
Meanwhile you better get Andrea to block my IPs again. I think it's absolutely hilarious that you block large slabs of ADSL users in western Sydney from accessing your crapblog site. Keep it up.
Posted by: whatever at September 21, 2003 at 12:13 PMhey western whatever sydney bogan! get over this recruitment thing will ya? you're freakin me out. for a while there i thought the army references were just co-incidence but now i'm concerned that you might actually like blokes in uniform.
Posted by: roscoe p coltrane at September 21, 2003 at 03:36 PMoh yeah! forgot to mention. the reason Tim can't enlist is because of his webbed feet. Leave the poor guy alone will ya?? BIGOT!!
Posted by: roscoe p coltrane at September 21, 2003 at 07:16 PMOoh, it's Big Hawk again, using another fake name. We are so impressed, Big Boy. You're such a man.
Posted by: Andrea Harris at September 22, 2003 at 12:42 AM