When I was about fourteen or so, my mother said to me something like, 'Love, why don't you do something with your writing when you finish school; maybe be a journalist or something?' In the manner of fourteen-year-old girls who are being offered advice by their mothers: I shrugged and mumbled, and stared at the television. If there is a Heaven, and you're watching over me, Mum, I did become a novelist and blogger, but not a journalist. If you could see the sludge at the bottom of the swamp that passes for journalistic pieces these days, Mum; you'd be proud I did NOT pursue that career. Of course, back then, people who wrote for the newspapers actually had to have a skerrick of writing ability and perhaps some integrity to back up their convictions. Not so much these days.
Today I read something that just encapsulates what is wrong with journalism, and the Society of the Perpetually Outraged these days. The language in the article wasn't actually terrible, per se, but the tone and the theme, as well as the ideas presented, totally fellate pustulating camel penises. I will share a link to the odious article herewith:
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/problem-with-magistrates-lecture-over-womans-inappropriate-court-outfit/news-story/77b6c6e0d3f72569ebcefccfc6969fbd?utm_content=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=EditorialSF&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_source=News.com.au
This truly is one of the most stupid things I have read in a long time. In a nutshell, a female defendant rocked up to Sutherland Local Court yesterday, to defend charges of drink driving. The defendant wore a pair of frayed denim shorts that were brief enough to be mistaken for underpants. The defendant's butt cheeks were hanging out. If your bum is trying to eat your shorts, then you probably should limit the venues to which those shorts are worn; maybe the beach, or the swimming pool, or your own backyard when doing some gardening. Places where the shorts should not be worn are places that command a degree of respect, such as church services, job interviews, and what was that other one? Oh, yes: COURT APPEARANCES!!!!! If you're appearing in a court room, you must show respect, and it's that simple. I have been advised against wearing a sleeveless shirt and had it suggested I wear a light jacket to cover the shoulders. In case you're wondering, I wasn't the defendant; I'm a former paralegal. I cannot believe this person's solicitor didn't offer the appropriate advice. There is, of course, the chance the woman appeared for herself, giving credence to the old adage that the lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.
Yeah, the disrespectful attire got up my nose somewhat, but nowhere near the degree the article did. It went up my nose and down my throat, like the condoms those stupid kids were snorting in that online challenge a while back. The journalist said the magistrate's actions in castigating the defendant's attire amounted to 'slut-shaming, plain and simple.' Madam Journalist, the only thing 'simple' around here is YOU (oh, and the nutjob of a defendant who, at thirty-seven years of age, didn't have the sense to dress appropriately for a court appearance).
The article conflated the magistrate's decrying of the defendant's outfit with the criticism received by Serena Williams for her choice of sportswear on the tennis court. Lady, this isn't even comparing apples to oranges. It's like comparing a stale Sao biscuit to swimming laps at the pool; there is NO correlation whatsoever. I really hope you warmed up your muscles prior to those stretches you took.
News.com.au really should consider testing the quality of the water in the office water cooler, if this is what is being passed as an article with any merit at all. Truly, I would have been embarrassed to have written such misinformed bilge. If the writer did any research beyond switching on a computer, she might realise that just about every pamphlet or article advises people who are anticipating a court appearance to dress in respectful attire, and anybody with more than one brain cell to rattle around in his or her cranium knows that a tight t-shirt, bum-excavating shorts, and sports shoes minus socks is really not respectful at all.
I try not to let things get to me, but reading that article made me roll my eyes so hard, I swear I blacked out!
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