“SBS presenter Scott McIntyre has been sacked from the broadcaster after posting a series of comments about Anzac Day on Twitter that were described as “inappropriate and disrespectful”.”
Sydney Morning Herald – April 26th, 2015
Don’t get me wrong, Scott McIntyre put his thoughts and ideas behind ANZAC Day on twitter in what can be easily labelled as ‘inappropriate’. However, that is the malice that we apply from the context of the words he chose to include in 140 characters.
But are the ideas behind his comments worth discussing? Should we debate why the term ‘ANZACary’ has recently appeared? How do we overcome the very quick gut-reaction of demonising anyone questioning ANZAC Day? Where on the ‘inappropriate scale’ do we place Mr McIntyre’s comments relative to some of the content of this solemn page: http://anzacdayselfies.tumblr.com/?
Can we even have an open discussion when the anonymity of social media allows otherwise proud and patriotic Australians to open up a can-of-social-whoop-ass on anyone who questions the most holy of Australian & New Zealand days?
A snippet of the social media response from an Australian Veteran based Facebook page. One of many ex-soliders like myself follow.
As an ex-solider (Australian Army) who has served to ‘protect the freedom’ of Australians in a recent war (Afghanistan) with similar ‘Australian-freedom-related outcomes’ to past wars/campaigns (Eg: Iraq, Vietnam, Gallipolli), ANZAC day sits very oddly in my mind.
Now, a quick disclaimer:
I remember lives lost in service of our country (including those I served with personally) every day.
I will not forget.
This year I attended my local Anzac Day Dawn Service in Epping NSW and it makes an interesting and hopefully comparable case study to many metropolitan areas in Australia.
Epping Dawn Service Pictures Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph, April 25th 2015.
Epping-Eastwood, NSW is composed of a dwindling 50% Anglo-Australian population. One only needs to read the names on the WWI catafalque of the lives lost in this area to know that it must’ve been 100% Anglo-Australian in 1914 when the locals signed up. However, direct descendants of those lost would only make up a small percentage of the remaining population.
The 2011 Australian Census has 24.4% of the population of Epping alone being a migrant from an Asian country (China (11.7%), South Korea (6.6%), Hong Kong (6.1%), India (4.6%)).
Walk around these bright, beautiful and wonderful multi-cultural suburbs in the day time and you can definitely back up that census with both visual and olfactory observation.
During the Dawn Service, where we commemorate and respect the sacrifices made by previous Australian’s who helped make what our nation is today, I looked around. On observation alone I’d say that the non-Anglo community that live in high numbers in the surrounding area must have contributed less than 5% of the crowd, however this was a subjective observation, I did not poll the crowd present at the time to back this up.
I don’t have the answers to why not. Whether it’s the Christian focus in the service that drives people of another faith away, or whether they feel they don’t belong there because they had no ancestral link in this country…I can only guess, but I’d still love a national discussion about it. I’d love to look around and see the Australia Day multi-cultural crowd at the ANZAC Day services.
It was a chilly morning but my heart was warmed seeing a representative of the Asian sub-continent population in the RAAF cadets present at the parade. Also considering the time of day and temperature during the pre-dawn service I think he had the best and most sensible ‘lid’ for the occasion.
Note the young Australian on the far left.
I’ve taken the time to ‘re-publish’ Scott McIntyre’s words into what I think are idea’s worth discussing or even just considering, without labeling a publisher of such thoughts as “unpatriotic” or accusing them of “desecrating the graves of our war dead with their unpatriotic words and/or ideals”.
Scott McIntyre Tweet Nr 1
A small number of Australian & New Zealand soldiers allegedly behaved inappropriately and conducted acts which would have been deemed illegal if conducted on home soil. Eg: Theft, Sexual Assault etc. These acts can also be fitted under the theme of ‘War Atrocities’. Unfortunately, many Allied war atrocities have gone unpunished, as history is often written by the victor. We (Western Powers) have certainly prosecuted many war criminals and put them on trial at The Hague (eg: Slobodan Milošević, Death Camp Nazi’s etc.).
Post-War is like that.
Scott McIntyre Tweet Nr 2
Atomic bombs (aka Weapons of Mass Destruction) were detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki towards the end of World War II by the United States as part of the Allied Coalition. In hindsight it was deemed an unnecessary and tragic action as history will tell us Japan was on the back foot and the war was coming to its end soon regardless. Other outings by Allied air forces which in hindsight were also deemed ‘extreme’ include the bombing of Dresden and Berlin (my father loves visiting the Lancaster Bomber at the Australian War Memorial, “G for George”, as he was bombed by it as a baby in Berlin).
Of course, the Axis powers also conducted ‘civilian’ raids themselves (eg: The Blitz, WWII Japanese bombing of Darwin etc).
War can get like that.
Scott McIntyre Tweet Nr 3
At times, parts of the low socioeconomic community, who may not have as high standards of education as other parts of the Australian community (“poorly-read” as Scott puts it), unfortunately utilise alcohol as a way of managing with their circumstances. In some instances this is mixed with gambling with poor results. Alcohol is known to play havoc with mental processes including memory, which may cause the user to forget why they were drinking to begin with (eg: commemorating ANZAC day). These instances are very noticeable to the rest of the public especially when fueled by out-group intolerance, a fear and misunderstanding of those whom they don’t regularly involve themselves with. This is what I think Mr McIntyre referred to as ‘nationalistic’
But remembering wars can get like that.
I can understand why this is happening, before I deployed to Afghanistan with the Army, I had similar out-group intolerance due to lack of education and understanding. I received much of my exposure to the Islamic faith via front pages of printed media giants, needless to say I was biased. It was until I was lucky enough to work side-by-side with Muslims (interpreters and Afghan Army soldiers) in Afghanistan, fighting against ‘extremists’ whose ideals can hardly be called Islamic. I asked questions, they happily gave answers, and with that I was educated and experienced first hand what that religion is about and I’ve now come to respect the Islamic faith and its followers.
It took an open mind and open dialogue for this to happen, of course being stuck on a hill surrounded by the enemy also helps you get along.
Scott McIntyre Tweet Nr 4
Much focus has been placed on the Gallipoli campaign and the 8700 Australian lives lost, as it was our first war outing as an Australian nation. Unfortunately, as it is with war, it was with a country with whom we had no direct quarrel and posed no direct threat to our country. However, as it is with war and alliances, these things often happen, and still happen to this day (Eg: Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq).
War is like that.
The many actions and heroic acts of other campaigns and indeed other wars are often overlooked. An ABC Radio National poll conducted this year (2015) found that its listeners (presumably a well educated bunch of Aussies) thought that Gallipoli received too much focus during ANZAC day commemorations. Australia’s first WWI casualty was actually well before the 25th of April, 1915. Lieutenant William Chisholm was killed on 27th August 1914 in France (where we lost over 46,000 Australian lives), not to mention the Australian lives lost on September 1914 during the Capture of Rabaul and the HMAS Sydney and SMS Emden engagement.
http://www.navy.gov.au/history/feature-histories/capture-rabaul-and-sydneyemden-engagement-1914
Prioritising focus on events where Australian lives are lost is difficult at best. Every life is valuable and precious. Perhaps we should focus on where we are now and whether we still contribute our lives to similar causes with similiar results.
Queen Elizabeth said it best:
“To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”
War, in hindsight, is like that.
I believe it is best we seriously consider every conflict we devote our forces to. Especially consider the outcomes of previous (including similar) conflicts that we have sent young Australians to.
I believe every ANZAC day in Canberra, those standing in front of the Australian War Memorial during the Dawn and National Service should every now and then turn around 180 degrees, look at the big house on the big hill and ask those inside, “was it worth it?”.
ANZAC Parade in Canberra, Australia.
Where Mr Accountability and Mrs Consequence live on the same street.
Final disclaimer & Personal ANZAC Day Message:
I cringe as I’m about to blow my own trumpet… but I write the following only to appeal to those about to label me as un-Australian, a Traitor, or perhaps some sort of Anti-Australian Anarchist.
I’m biased. This is the blog of a proud flag-loving Aussie.
I’m a descendant (mixed-breed mongrel) of Serbian, Lebanese and Italian ancestors, I am the son of a German migrant (also known these days as a “boat person”), who ended up fracturing his neck, injuring his spinal cord, becoming a partial quadriplegic whilst serving with the Australian Army, who chased down and married an Australian nurse tending to the war wounded at Concord Hospital in Sydney.
I’m one of four boys, 3 have served either in the Australian Army (a Soldier and an Officer) or with the Australian Army in Iraq and Afghanistan (one as an entertainer/comedian, see http://www.danilic.com/tag/afghanistan/) , the other one …well he flies Aussies over those places as a QANTAS pilot.
I discharged after Afghanistan and spent my earnings (your tax dollars) on an education and now I’m a Physiotherapist. I chased down and married a Registered Nurse, I help rehab (and also living my life through the life of) those who are much better at sport (& Politics) than me!
I hope in some small way my family has helped make this Commonwealth of ours, renowned of all the lands.
Yes I’m a proud Aussie. Whilst I’m not particularly proud of my service in the military and the deployment I partook in, I’m certainly proud of my fellow ex-serviceman, my friends, my family and my service out of the military.
I’m also extremely proud of those who served alongside me. They are some of the brightest minds and most professional soldiers I’ve ever met, many who served multiple combat tours in multiple theaters away from their families and loved ones. Many of who were not recognised and respected by the Army for their unique service and have since discharged, re-trained in a trade and are now side-by-side with you in the community without saying a word. A trained eye can spot these ‘characters’ as they say the best thing (and sometimes only thing) you can take away from the Australian Defence Force is the ‘Character Building’.
Furthermore I salute you who remain in the service despite the hardships constantly endured by you and your families. I particularly acknowledge the clandestine intelligence and special forces services, for it is these men and women whose great deeds are not advertised, whose mission is never complete, and whose support is only amongst each other and behind closed doors. In 50 years when your work is declassified, I hope you are of good enough health to toast in your public praise. Until then, every ANZAC day, I will have a quiet beer in your honour.
Lest We Forget.
Late edit (29/4/15):
Nowhere in the above piece do I comment nor condemn on the action taken by SBS against Scott McIntyre. Nor do I state that his dismissal is against ‘freedom of speech’. Since this post various news networks and Mumbrella have referenced this post (http://mumbrella.com.au/petition-launched-to-save-sacked-sbs-reporter-scott-mcintyre-as-afr-journo-tweets-in-protest-289653), most have assumed that I have commented on the action taken by SBS and that I directly stated that the backlash against Mr McIntyre’s comments goes against freedom of speech. Careful reading of this blog with an open mind would allay that from happening.
It further illustrates that the fine details in any discussion regarding ANZAC day will be clouded over by emotion and presumption.
Thank you everyone for you comments on Twitter, Facebook and on this post.
Regards, Nick Ilic
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Nick Ilic Chora, Oruzgan, Afghanistan 2007/2008
The Author with a local Afghan Army commander in Oruzgan, Afghanistan in 2007/2008. A local fighting for freedom inside his own country.
Hi Nick, I believe that we can actually debate these provocative themes but not in 140 characters. As you have been able to do here, with the right form of media, you can use the right language to portray a sensible position for debate and offer a right of reply with some depth. McIntyre may have been encouraged by his employer to engage with his viewers but he appears to have badly misjudged how emotive his very brief comments could be. Discussions on these sort of issues is necessary…lest we forget and the evil that humanity is capable of will be perpetuated.
Discussion takes time, unfortunately we are always in the hurry and don’t like to dig to deep into ‘why’ things are happening. Thanks for your comments and open mind.
The chilling effect on freedom of expression when you are sacked for voicing an opinion (right, or wrong) is immense. It shuts down debate. If Scott is wrong, let’s debate why he’s wrong. Not shut him down. If we can’t exercise freedom of expression for fear of economic sanctions (i.e. having your livelihood taken away) then I really do wonder why we fight wars in the first place.
We unfortunately rarely discuss the ‘why’, it takes time and mental effort, we’ve become accustomed to the short snippets on the ‘what’. Thanks for your comments and open mind.
It is a little known fact that Parliament House can be opened completely so the War Memorial is visible from the Prime Minister’s Office (well the Foyer of the PM’s office at least).
The reasoning behind this architectural masterpiece is that the PM should reflect on the need for a War Memorial before committing Australian troops to battle.
Perhaps it’s not so much that Australia should be looking back at the big house on the hill asking “Was it worth it?” but rather that it’s temporary occupants should utilise it as designed and, looking forward, ask the question “Is it worth it?”.
Great comment and spot on with the architectural point.
Should We have a debate? Of course! On or near Anzac Day? No! The lack of regard for honest diggers, their families and descendants that continue to suffer the horrors of war is foolish at best and criminal at worst! Should he lose his job? Of course! Being in the public eye is a privilege – with that privilege comes responsibility!
In response to that, one can only say, that a lot of patriotism for Anzac Day is perhaps only shown around that time, with little interest or willingness to discuss issues about it any other time … by most anyway. Want to get an important point across, then there is really only one time you can logically do so. We fought and fight for Democracy, but so few truly understand what that means. Politicians would love to give us rose colored glasses, when it comes to viewing the past, but sadly many wear their own anyway. That in no way should diminish the respect and sacrifice of those who served our country and ideals. We should never forget and we should always be grateful, but we should also never forget that there is another side to the horror of war and serving masters with agendas, who don’t necessarily have our best interests at heart and make mistakes or don’t act with appropriate integrity and vision to prevent them.
Lovely read and thank you for sharing… I want to give you my feelings towards Anzac Day as an immigrant, and perhaps it may be the same for others, in regards to not attending commemorations or public parades.
I migrated to Australia in late ’87 as an 8yr old girl well aware my parents were searching for safety and peace. Chile was a troubled country with military power as a result of Dictator General Pinochet, backed by the CIA/USA to overthrow a left wing democratic elected president.
Australia has given us peace & Im forever thankful to be here and call myself an Aussie Chilean very proudly. However the effect of war although I was young; has always been difficult to bare. Australia is indeed a lucky country, because it has not suffered the atrocities of war like many migrants have lived through.
I have much respect and sympathy for all diggers, because they choose to put their lives on the line for their country and fellow men. However due to the sorrow I feel, having lived through war & experiencing first hand the atrocities it can deliver:
I cannot bring myself to celebrate and be joyful on a day were war is brought to mind. Because war is ugly for every one involved. However I allow my children to wear a poppy & respect the fallen soldiers as well as those living because they deserve to be honoured and respected. That does not mean that I agree with war.
I Hope this gives you a possible insight as to why majority of of Anzac Day spectators are Anglo Aussie.
Thank you so much Carolina for sharing your experiences. It is people like you that I want to hear from. I hope your family finds peace and solidarity in our country.