Lost for words: my secret battle with language

DG says:

06:50am | 09/09/09

I’m not convinced that “governments need to do more in this area” and you are the perfect example.

Minor learning disabilities may make it harder for students to excel, but they do not make it impossible. All that is required is that the student puts in the effort. I too had ‘learning difficulties’ - I hid it from my school, my parents and my friends as best I could. Some teachers realised and talked to me about it, like you I could hide it in maths and science but not so in English and other language dependent subjects - despite that I went on to become a lawyer. I would be hard pressed to think of a profession that requires more linguistic or literary ability (except perhaps politics) - clearly minor learning difficulties can be overcome where the student is willing to put in the effort.

I also have a brother that suffers a similar issue, and he has managed to excel in his area.

Too often a learning disability is seen, and used, as an excuse for not doing well. Teachers are more accommodating of your mistakes to the point that they pretend that the mistakes are not there, are willing to put up with inappropriate behavior because “little Billy has a learning disability”.

A learning disability is a part of life - it is a hurdle for the individual to cross. If that hurdle is insurmountable for a student special education facilities are essential for that student. If the student insists in remaining in the mainstream they should be assessed according to the same criteria as their colleagues, not with special consideration. I was not granted special consideration at school, I certainly shouldn’t be granted it at uni, nor should I in my professional capacity.

This is not to devalue the value of special education teachers in respect of students that have more significant learning difficulties. Students with significant problems do need special attention and the existing facilities do well with the facilities that they have - I do no deny that they would appreciate more facilities, but that is not an excuse for students with minor disabilities to seek special attention.

In a final word Steven, I think you do an injustice to all of the students that have minor learning difficulties that excel despite their disability by suggesting that they need special help. I certainly agree that there are students that do need special help, but I fear that your position is one that rewards the laziness of students with minor disabilities. Instead of pushing them to compete in the real world, they are being trained to expect assistance. For some that may be the only practical option, for others it inspires a lifetime of sloth and social dependence in lieu of working hard to be self sufficient.

Kenny says:

07:41am | 09/09/09

Good on you Steve… for the article, for your honesty, for the balance you help bring to the Senate, and for championing an institution that is one of the key building blocks of our society (and not something designed to make “others” feel guilty or inadequate about their circumstances).

peterH says:

07:51am | 09/09/09

Steve, your an inspration.  If Gillard and Krudd were worthy they would appoint you as Minister for Education.  Regardless of your Independant status.  How would their factions react?

jed says:

07:57am | 09/09/09

fair dinkum. is there a time you won’t take an opportunity to get your freedom hating head out in public, steve?

steve, your learning disability is the least of my worries. I could care less about it. what bothers me considerably is your need throw money at ridiculous areas - everything to do with children and parenting has to be subsidized to buggery. how about some personal responsibility - you want children? you pay for them. then to impose government controls on us all. as long as i harm no human being, what right do you have to dictate to me what i read, watch, listen to, or put into my body?

i could go on however i’d be here forever. your policies are a litany of stinkers which should be solved by a touch of common sense and a focus on personal responsibility.

the tide will rise, steve. you’ll be washed away and those that hold their freedoms dear will rejoice. bring on the LDP!

coxie says:

08:19am | 09/09/09

I’m ‘wid-due’ Steve (as Vinnie - another Steve, too - said nearly twenty years ago). I, also, paralleled your struggle with ‘our’ native language, excelled at maths and science but failed English at the lowest possible level (F) but went on to graduate as an engineer, although I didn’t get ‘round to finishing my MBA. Keep doing what you do, honestly, please.

GC.. says:

08:21am | 09/09/09

If you got a 99 in maths, why are you pedaling a graph to all and sundry that shows CO2 and temperature on two different Y-axis scales?  If the temperature rise matched the CO2 rise, there would be 10 degrees warming over the next century; something that scientists have never claimed but that you imply they have.

Since your maths is obviously very good and you’re not a “dummy”, why are you doing this?

g says:

08:29am | 09/09/09

Steve
You are a cunning political operative indeed.

Make a little spelling mistake, spruik your disability, and distract a fickle public off issue.

What a public relations coup de tat.
What about your policies?

Don Clark says:

08:31am | 09/09/09

The fact is, Senator, whether you have a disability or not,  you are an elected representative of the Australian people.  Whether you can spell or not is not the issue. There are spelling checkers - and paid staff - to look after that.

You have all the resources and the considerable income that go with your high office. And for better or worse, for the next little while, you are in a worryingly powerful position .

So the issue is not whether you can spell your own name or not. The issue is whether your are making sensible use of all the resources freely available to you, to reach sensible decisions about the major issues of our time.

Really *big* issues, Senator. The consequences of bodgy decisions based on bodgy data and bodgy arguments - for example, sadly too many of those that you have put forward - will be with our world long, long, long after you and I are dead and gone.

Best you jolly well get on with it, Senator. You must try harder Sir. Much, much, much harder.

Helen says:

08:33am | 09/09/09

It’s nothing to do with your learning disability Steve, what dismays me is that you are a an ideologue who has been captured by the wingnut Climate change “scepticism” lobby. And you are holding the whole country’s CC mitigation policy to ransom because of it.

Stephen Pickells says:

08:44am | 09/09/09

I was impressed that you voted for the Government’s bill to stop asylum seekers in detention from being charged for the “care” they receive. I didn’t think you had it in you, and there is obviously more to you than I realised.

RT says:

08:50am | 09/09/09

I’m with others, Steve. It’s what you say that is the problem, not how you say it. I hope the next election brings you the political oblivion that you so well deserve.

Bob Spann says:

09:00am | 09/09/09

Problems with English? No barrier to being a Senator, that, and nor should it be.

We should however be worried about stupid prejudices and ill-informed bigotry, and Senator, you make up for 29% in English with an A+ in some pretty silly ideas.

We can make up for poor reading skills using other learning methods, but comprehensive pursuit of knowledge will never be achieved by selective listening. Choosing to listen to people who confirm your prejudices will never do you right and never make up for your acknowledged learning difficulties.

Stay away from people who think like you.

But good on you for a progressive step on detention costs. Keep marching left. It might even create a legacy for you.

Shane says:

09:06am | 09/09/09

Steve - swine flu, the electric wheelchair, the cast and now this unnamed condition.  Are you in the wars or just a bit too fond of using medical conditions to attract attention?

Hopium says:

09:12am | 09/09/09

I have a minor learning disability (on top of my physical disability) too. I’m a lawyer now. It’s just a small obstacle to overcome. It’s not something that should be crowed about. No ‘look at me’.

There is no excuse for spelling mistakes on official documents because of an amazing invention called “spellchecker”.

ThomasStanton says:

09:16am | 09/09/09

Steve can you not understand how much this stinks like yet another PR ploy?

All power too you if it’s not, but please always remember to respect your audience.

Voxpop says:

09:24am | 09/09/09

Like others I don’t have a problem with your learning disability but I definitely have problems with your policy and hindrance to good government.

And now knowing how very well you did in math and engineering I’m with GC - how the hell could you pass around that stupid graph with any credibility? *actually you lost whatever credibility you had*

Julia says:

09:25am | 09/09/09

Good work, Senator. It’s better to be upfront about the problems we face rather than trying to hide them.

And good on you for not letting them get the better of you and using them as an excuse not to try to be a better educated person.

Darren says:

09:27am | 09/09/09

I have great sympathy for the Senator and his obvious learning difficulty - he has great difficulty learning about climate change

Nathan says:

09:35am | 09/09/09

Steve,
Well done with what you have done in dealing with this.
HOWEVER, I do not like the idea of having the balance of power in the Senate being held by someone with learning disabilities. I also believe it could impede on your judgement when assessing possible legislation. Put simply, it isn’t in the best interest of the nation.
I do think you could excel in the private sector, but you do not belong in a legislative position.

Brad Coward says:

09:39am | 09/09/09

I often find it difficult to get words out myself.  I’ll be midway through a conversation and completely forget what I’m talking about, not be able to find the words that I’m trying to use and start to stutter and stammer.  This is worse when I’m speaking with people that I don’t know well.

Tim says:

09:50am | 09/09/09

If it does not affect your work, then how do you fail to read a graph properly?

BMJ says:

09:52am | 09/09/09

Steve,
You are in a position where your yes/no vote affects millions of Australians. You have been in the Senate for a while now. You owe it to the Australian people to show that you can at least spell fiscal. I just can’t believe you can’t spell it because of a disability. It’s not some 40 character word. It’s a word you would have come across many times considering where you work, especially with this whole “economic crisis” going on. Step up to the plate. No excuses.

Ben says:

09:54am | 09/09/09

I have never seen so much hypocrisy present in so many comments. All of you with the oh so bleeding hearts are so very quick to upbraid the community about gay marriage etc and yet when Fielding fesses up to a learning disability that would been reasonably difficult to overcome given his family’s relatively less well circumstances and your turn to stone!
As for Fielding’s beliefs, describing his beliefs as being anti-freedom or reflective of ‘wingnut’ lobby is hardly a sophisticated analysis. Obviously you hold him to a higher standard than you yourselves are prepared to adhere to.
Btw Jed, you enjoy the relative freedom to do whatever you want to yourself exactly because that freedom is relative. We structure our society and govern ourselves in a way that does check freedoms precisely because we wish to preserve the relatively freedoms that everyone enjoys.

Margaret Gray says:

09:57am | 09/09/09

Hilarious to note the Haters in comments above want Steve out solely because he doesn’t agree with them.

So predictable of the Left…the champions of free speech and democratic process.

Next.

Mark says:

09:57am | 09/09/09

Way to go Steve. Houdini and David Copperfield would be very proud of you. With a waive of your hand, all the moronic and oppresive decisions you have made on behalf of the goverment supposedly for the good of the people (sorry I couldn’t even type that with a stright face), are washed away in a tidal wave of sympathy.

I applaud your PR rep, they truely deserve a payrise.

Micko says:

10:03am | 09/09/09

I don’t want a surgeon with shaky hands, a teacher that doesn’t like kids, a mathematical illiterate designing bridges and I don’t want inarticulate members of parliament. You are clearly good at other things so it is strange that you would go into politics…you obviously have issues. Stop playing the victim.

RT says:

10:03am | 09/09/09

Margaret Grey 9:57am: so, unlike some of us here, you don’t oppose politicians whose views you don’t share, is that what you’re suggesting? Vote for them all, do you? And you’re quite happy when governments that are not ultra-right (as you seem to be) are in power? Keep ‘em coming, Margaret, they’re easy to score from.

Front Row says:

10:09am | 09/09/09

Steve,
I can’t think of anything I agree with you on, except your courageous calls on the new climate change derivatives market.
Admire your honesty on the reading/spelling thing. Before you take any crap from any of the journalists, ask if any of them know what 14 X 9 equals.
You’ll be amazed.
Front Row.

pc says:

10:10am | 09/09/09

Steve, this isnt about your learning disability, as many have mentioned, its that you represent a very small number of australians and you confuse that with a mandate to prevent the government from governing.  Most Australians - a very large majority in fact - would prefer you sat down and shut up. None of them expect you too though, we realise how that wouldnt be at all about pandering to your ego.

Lexi says:

10:10am | 09/09/09

I may not agree with your political ideology, Steve, but I do applaud you for showing that learning disabilities and difficulties affect people from all walks of life.  It removes a stigma - or attempts to.  It says it’s not always parenting or socio-economic status that determines which kids will be affected.

As a teacher who has taught kids at both extremes of the scale (gifted and talented through to brain injured students) I think it is fabulous that you have taken this opportunity to show that success has many faces.  As President Obama has said to students in his US national address to schools: “Every single one of you has something that you’re good at ... and you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is”.

Now, as someone who prides himself on securing a future for families and children, apply logic to the issue of sustainability.  You may not agree with the overwhelming science on climate change, but surely you recognise that (a) we are approaching peak oil - we need long-term alternatives (b) we need to leave the Earth for future generations in a condition that resembles nature instead of slag heaps and rubbish dumps (c) our children’s health is detrimentally affected by air pollution (d) there is something we can do about it.

Don Clark says:

10:22am | 09/09/09

Presumably some sharp-eyed, non-partisan reporter will be running an independent check of any evidence for the Senator’s self-described specific learning disability.

The disability apparently is such that it did not prevent him from being awarded two degrees.  We have had other disabled parliamentarians who have overcome much greater difficulty than some learning problem.

And as he said “this learning difficulty doesn’t affect my decision making or my intellectual capacity” 

As for his “track record in holding the government to account and analysing policy speaks for itself”. Sadly, it does Senator.

A long list of poorly reasoned positions based on poor evidence or poor understanding of the evidence. Here are just a few recent ones to mull over.

Swine flu:
Against advice, turned up for parliament in the middle of the swine flu bout…with the flu. By luck alone, plain flu. Lame. Foolish.

The Grech Affair:
Voted down for just the second time in 108 years,  a referal to Senate Priveleges Committee: Grech’s false testimony to a Senate Committee. False testimony, dash it all. Left unchecked thanks to Senator Fielding. God alone knows what lurking damage that precedent will create, in some crisis long after the Senator for Victoria has gone to oblivion.

The Global Temperature Chart:
Last and worst of the lot. He has a graph. The chart shows Temp Anomaly values (Temp now-Temp long term), but he seems to think it shows raw actual temps, falling. It doesn’t. His chart shows small, noisy, but consistently positive Temp Anomaly values that, by simple arithmetic, can only be the result of currently *rising* temperatures.

Up front:
He’s had *four years* to be up front.  Elected to the Senate for Victoria 2004, term beginning July 2005. Senator Fielding’s term does not expire until June 30, 2011. Sigh.

Sam Chowder says:

10:32am | 09/09/09

I was dislexic before it became trendy

Jay says:

10:35am | 09/09/09

Stick to religion Steve - politics is no place for those with imaginary friends.

Don Clark says:

10:52am | 09/09/09

In fairness to the Senator, I’ve made a blunder though not a fatal one. Failed to recheck my facts. On Senate Privileges Ctee (sic), he has since allowed referral (sic) of the Grech matter.

“THE SENATE Privileges Committee will investigate the behaviour of Malcolm Turnbull, Eric Abetz and Godwin Grech after the Family First senator Steve Fielding sided with the Government and fellow crossbenchers yesterday to establish the inquiry.

Senator Fielding, who voted seven weeks ago to block such an investigation, changed his mind after the level of collusion between Mr Turnbull, Senator Abetz and Mr Grech emerged last week over their pursuit of the Government in the OzCar affair.”
http://www.smh.com.au/national/ozcar-behaviour-in-the-spotlight-20090812-eie6.html

I’ll restate the main point, though, as it still stands: the issue is not the Senators apparent disability.

The issue is whether he is making making sensible use of all the resources freely available to him, to reach sensible decisions about the major issues we face. He has a poor track record: poorly reasoned positions based on poor evidence, poor understanding of the evidence and poor understanding of the consequences. He has another two years of duty in which to improve his performance.

Bitten says:

11:12am | 09/09/09

Why shouldn’t our elected representatives be held to higher standards than the average Joe Blow? I’m not flaming, I am sincerely interested in why politicians seem to think that they don’t have to display the highest standard of skills in all areas at all times? Is this something the Australian public supports?

Don Clark says:

11:29am | 09/09/09

If you mean higher standards of character and integrity, of useful work, of sensible discussion and of careful use of good information, I’d agree wholeheartedly.

I’d probably include personal behaviour, but don’t lets get started on bidets, undies,  photos, boats, trousers, grog, maces and etc, meandering back down the stream of time.

I think the real weakness is not so much the elected members, as poor preselection methods. And on all sides: the list of drones, lame hacks and utter duds is long and really quite non-partisan, at State and Federal level.

Why do pre-selection panels show such continued poor judgement,  in initial and in repeated endorsement? SImple lack of respect for the electorate? How can we fix that? Another topic, I think.
Smaller subset of the topic: can Sen Fielding’s standard of work ever be brought up to scratch in the remains of his term?

Sammy J of Brisvegas says:

11:34am | 09/09/09

A lot of the people on this blog fail to realise that this is not a column about climate change, or senate voting etc, but is a direct response by Steve on the media reaction to the spelling mistake he made yesterday. He’s come out and admitted he has a learning disability, and half the people here can’t stop going off topic, making tangential rants about religion and whinging about climate change! Who’s the one with the learning disability again?

DublinRobot says:

11:48am | 09/09/09

“No doubt there’ll be people out there who’ll say that I shouldn’t be in the Parliament given this.”
No Steve, we think you shouldn’t be in Parliament because you got elected with a tiny proportion of the vote and ill-deserved preferences, and have repeatedly demonstrated erratic decision-making and policy positions out of step with mainstream Australia - despite your propensity to cloak yourself in the repugnant mantle of family values.

EM says:

12:03pm | 09/09/09

Learning difficulty my arse.  You’re just crap at english; are you that pathetic that you just can’t accept that you’re crap at something?  You have to make up a learning difficulty to cover it.  Someone who has an engineering degree and an MBA does not have a learning difficulty.

Why don’t you man up, admit you have no talent when it comes to english and move on.

Either way you’re gone at the next election and no longer out problem, so who really cares.

Deeceer says:

12:05pm | 09/09/09

Learning disability or simply ineptitude in a subject? Mate, I was the opposite of you - top of my school in English and pretty close to the bottom in mathematics. Does this mean I have a ‘learning disability’? No, it means I was good at English and crap at maths. Unless you can point to a specific, actual disability - a real one - you’re just making excuses for a slip of the tongue. Having said that, you’ve got my sympathy for facing media flak instead of the good humour that would greet a similar slip-up by Rudd.

Max Gross says:

12:11pm | 09/09/09

Dear Mr Fielding
Given your crucial Senate seat (and minority status), when will you put Australian families first and Steve Fielding second?

Nicholas James says:

12:19pm | 09/09/09

I find it simply astounding the vehemence conveyed in responses to any of Senator Fielding’s posts. I simply think that people more often than not do a very poor job at concealing their opinions about the actual individual in their discussion of the topic on hand.

As such I feel that I must address some of these comments at greater length so not as to leave them unchallenged.

@DG

I would be interested to understand what in his discourse has led you to “fear that (his) position is one that rewards laziness of students with minor disabilities.”

From my understanding he is simply conveying the same point as you; that some need special assistance and that is what he is referring to. There are not enough resources allocated to those that are in need and it is this that he wants to see change.

@jed

Wow. I have to say, I have heard a lot of people whinging about government spending in many areas, but you, jed, are the first I have heard whinge about the government spending money on supporting parents and children, in particular children that may need a little help getting a start in a highly competitive, cut-throat society (as you have just demonstrated).
In regard to your comment that Senator Fielding’s policies are “a litany of stinkers” I would be interested to understand what specifically you object to.

Unfortunately I fear you are but another uneducated, over-opinionated individual that highlights the problem with democracy – and that say a lot.

@Don Clark

Is this another 5th hand Chinese whispers opinion? What decisions? What data? What arguments?

@Stephen Pickells

Obviously you don’t understand Senator Fielding’s platform.

@Hopium

Was it a spelling mistake on an official document? Who here has an informed opinion?

@ThomasStanton

He is a politician, what isn’t a PR “ploy”?

@Darren

First laugh I’ve had all day! Classic!

@Nathan

A learning difficulty doesn’t impede judgment. My good old dad who couldn’t spell to save himself has a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Master of Medical Education, and a PhD in Molecular Biology. He operates on people everyday and in the course of his work, is required to make decisions that directly impact whether a person dies, or not. What is your opinion on that?

I am glad that you are entirely unqualified to make decisions about legislation yourself and your theories are easily discredited by those who are.

@BMJ

I have no words to describe the ignorance of this comment.

@Margaret Gray

Whilst I am support the first component of this comment, the second demonstrates – once again – that there is a complete lack of understanding when it comes a) to the platform of Family First and Senator Fielding and b) to politics in general amongst the Australian voters.

Family First is very left on some matter, and right on others. Pigeon holing them with WWII stereotypes doesn’t work anymore.

@Mark 09:57

What sympathy? The majority of these comments are certainly not sympathetic.

@Micko

What about a surgeon with a learning disability?

@pc

A large majority? I’m interested in where you get your facts from. You don’t simply end up in his position by accident…

@Lexi

At last a well balanced comment!!

@Don Clark

Finally! Someone else supporting his argument with references!!

@Jay

Most people in most places live with a foundation of religion in all aspects
of their lives. I think you will find that in Australia we are an exception of our global society.

I have no problem with someone who clearly is of strong moral character leading a nation that needs leaders of strong moral character as opposed to married guys who bang their secretaries.

@Bitten

Are you referring to the fact he made one, albeit public, spelling mistake. Off with his head!

@Sammy J of Brisvegas

Here here.

@DublinRobot
If you have a problem with the “ill-deserved” preferences, take it up with whoever you voted for. 

@EM

Tell me about your mother…

@Deeceer

Are you questioning whether he actually has dyslexia? Astounding.

@Max Gross

I would truly love to see something to back this type of comment up; really, I would! I hate that people seem to make half a comment, just to vent, but don’t actually contribute to the debate.

Step it up people!

Don Clark says:

12:34pm | 09/09/09

Chinese whispers my foot.  See for example:
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/fiscal-impediment-may-mask-a-beautiful-mind/.

Mr Pastry says:

12:44pm | 09/09/09

Steve, there is no need to spell words incorrectly God has given us spellcheckers

RobJ says:

12:48pm | 09/09/09

“I find it simply astounding the vehemence conveyed in responses to any of Senator Fielding’s posts. “

Why are you astounded? He got 2% of the votes, he is not representative, he’s pushing the barrow for a few fringe lunatics. Were you one of the two percent or something?

Instead of being astounded maybe you should ask yourself why Fielding elicits such a response.

Sam Chowder says:

12:48pm | 09/09/09

Nicholas James@12:11
What about me

ANDIKA says:

12:48pm | 09/09/09

At least this bloke is honest.

You’d never see Rudd admit to any shortcomings of his own!

Nathan says:

12:53pm | 09/09/09

@Nicholas James

What your ‘good old dad’ has is specialist knowledge within a specialist field. Plus what has using a scapel got to do with spelling? Fielding faces a variety of fields that require a broad knowledge base. EG I cannot see any direct correlation between Alchopop taxes and school funding.
“A learning difficulty doesn’t impede judgment”
Wrong. If you have no knowledge how can you make an accurate judgement? I would hope he wouldn’t use opinion that isn’t backed up with knowledge as the basis for his decision making.
” you are entirely unqualified to make decisions about legislation”
As a voting member of the electorate I am within my rights to assume that the public servants representing me can do so properly, without any impediments.
“theories are easily discredited by those who are (qualified)”
How many members of parliament have degrees in politics?  Does your comment mean I should not take seriously those who don’t, such as Turnbull (law).

Matt says:

01:07pm | 09/09/09

Yet you managed to get a degree in engineering and an MBA despite your various disabilities.

Truly you’re an inspiration to us all, Steve.

Perhaps your brain dysfunction might explain your strong adherence to the Talking Snake Religion.

the lone gunman says:

01:16pm | 09/09/09

Reading some of the comments on this page, is just proof of the increasing incivility of Australians. We are becoming increasing rude and boorish.

Don Clark says:

01:19pm | 09/09/09

I post in good faith, confidently, directly and *without*  abuse or insult.

On posting sources:
Not an absolute necessity for cool brief comment on stuff well on the public record.

Still, I’m fond of quoting sources and do so often, more often than most, and in part out of respect for other readers.  I don’t spoon feed and I don’t cross post, out of respect. Readers sufficently interested will keep up with more than one related topic at a time.

Surely there’s no dispute that the Senator has his own staff, plus the Parliamentary Library and Research Service access?  These are entitlements of *all* members and senators.

There’s no disuputing the flu story. On the tube and in the press. But, tediously, see http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/lessons-from-ozcar-for-everyone-from-pm-to-senate-dunce-20090703-d7rg.html?page=-1

There’s no disputing the Privileges Ctee incident, either. Public record.

But let’s have a look at another relevant example. How about the recent posts of one Nicholas James:
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/do-australians-care-if-politicians-fool-around/
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/are-victorian-authorities-fighting-graffiti-with-graffiti/
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Is-beauty-now-in-the-eye-of-the-bmi/
No sources.

Sam Chowder: Cheeky sod! Like the cut of your jib, Sir!

Public Speaker says:

01:20pm | 09/09/09

So which learning disability is that Steve, would you like to tell us or should we guess. Getting a 29 in English though , not likely, as I know and every uni student past and present knows, that if you fail english you are not allowed into most uni courses including engineering (can’t write a readable report can’t be an engineer can you!!!!!!!!!). If you could not write an essay you failed uni, as punctuation etc is marked, unlike High School. Simply put Steve I do not believe you, as what you say does not add up.

DG says:

01:22pm | 09/09/09

@Nicholas James - I appreciate that my point may not be as clear as it should have been. I was simply stating that it is far too easy to throw resources at a problem and hope that fixes things.

My understanding from his article is that people that suffer the same learning disability as himself should be given special treatment. I reject that notion. He has demonstrated that some people with minor disabilities should NOT have resources thrown at them, but should be expected to perform to the same standards as other students, if they are unable to perform at that standard they should be removed from the mainstream classrooms and tended to in special facilities.

Perhaps the Senator and I have the same opinion on this point, but I understood from that piece that we should be making more effort in relation to those borderline cases - I argue that those borderline students should work harder on for themselves, rather that being taught to rely on special attention. The senator, my brother and I, along with many others, have managed to work hard and achieve without special attention.

My point is that students should achieve because they choose to work hard, not because we provide every possible resource to make sure they achieve. There comes a point where each student has to be responsible for ensuring their own education - and it starts with making those students that have minor learning disabilities choose to pursue their own education rather than adopting the hand holding approach that appears to be supported by the senator.

Those that need hand holding to function should be treated as such and should have those facilities provided. Those that are lazy or unwilling to try should, as they have chosen, be left to fall behind, they should not be given special treatment just because they have a minor leaning disability and have to work a little harder than the average joe. By all means recognise the hard work, but don’t give them special treatment UNTIL they have achieved something..

Elysha says:

01:42pm | 09/09/09

@Nicholas James, I can’t find where exactly in Steve’s post it says dyslexia is the learning disability he has. He seems to be very vague about the whole thing, which could lead a cynical person to suggest he perhaps self-diagnosed when he found he wasn’t good at English. If he had named the disability I think people would be less inclined to doubt his claim.  Either way, the guy should surely should have known the world ‘fiscal’ given his mathematical prowess and the current economic situation.

Mark says:

01:44pm | 09/09/09

I for one don’t buy this baloney one little bit. An engineering degree and an MBA, yet part of obtaining an engineering degree is the ability to write a report, and I know from my current studies at university lecturers can be particularly harsh when it comes to the written word.

So tell me Steve, how did you get a degree and an MBA without the ability to spell correctly?

I’m with Public Speaker here, and do not believe you one little bit.

What this smells of is your inability to actually do your job is rapidly catching up to you, and all you have done is thrown yourself in with people who have genuine learning disabilities to try and delay the inevitable discovery of how unfit you are for public office.

Shame on you Mr Fielding, shame on you.

Where’s Derryn Hynch when stories like this break?

Margaret Gray says:

01:59pm | 09/09/09

“...he’s pushing the barrow for a few fringe lunatics….”

Oh the irony.

And from a 7% Greens voter to boot.

Demand a referendum then.

Vote to change the shiteful preferential voting system if you feel so strongly about ‘proportional’ representation.

Until then you’re the gift that keeps on giving.

DG says:

02:09pm | 09/09/09

Public Speaker (01:20pm | 09/09/09): That’s not completely true - I failed English, yet was successful at uni.

To me many novels are simply that, novels. Nothing more, nothing less. The fact that I read a book and don’t analyse the struggles that character X faces and how that makes them grow as a person doesn’t mean that I am illiterate or that I am incapable of comprehending the ‘story’. It certainly does not mean that I am incapable of preparing an essay that is effective in making my point.

The HSC may demand that a student examine the “point of poetry” (as was asked in my HSC) when the student genuinely believes that it has no point beyond providing enjoyment, or to determine “the crucial moment of understanding for the reader” in a novel, when no such point is necessary for a person to gain enjoyment from the reading of a novel - or believes that the book was rubbish and did not provide any meaningful ‘moment of understanding”. How does this examine their ability to write an essay or make a coherent argument with the written word? it doesn’t - unless they have an opinion on the point.

For example I enjoy Hamlet. I enjoy reading the script rather more than I like watching it performed. BUT I am certainly not going to break down Hamlets relationship with his mother and how that affects his development as a man because, quite simply, it’s a load of pointless twaddle - his development as a man (based on his relationship with his mother) does nothing to affect my enjoyment of the story that is Hamlet - it is enough to understand that he and her do not see eye to eye.

I’ll grant you the point that the analysis of the relationship is assessable, but that doesn’t make it worthwhile or valuable in determining the essay writing ability of an individual. I personally find it to be a load of pointless conjecture that does nothing to further the story that could not be achieved with the most simple of observations.

HSC English, in my experience, does not assess your ability to write an essay, it assesses your ability to regurgitate the pointless (and, in my humble opinion, meaningless) garbage that some people attempt to wring from the written word - whether or not the author intended that such analysis be made.

Perhaps we should learn ENGLISH (literacy) at school and have Literature as an elective for those that wish to “follow the white rabbit”? Those that see value in the cultural influences of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn can study that work, and those that think its just a story should not be expected to write an essay giving someone else’s opinion about Huck’s growth as an individual through his relationship with Jim.

jed says:

02:17pm | 09/09/09

@Nicholas James - do you bill family first by the hour, or the job, for your pr work here?
not that FF are alone in the handout mentality. regardless, steve’s nanny state is something we should never aspire to.

Nicholas James says:

02:28pm | 09/09/09

@jed

So if I have an opinion that conflicts with yours then mine must be corrupted?

By the hour if it makes you feel better… Where’s your invoice heading?

Andrew says:

02:29pm | 09/09/09

I’m not particulary concerned that Steve Fielding can’t spell fiscal. I am concerned however that his inability to spell fiscal is what the headline is and that it is masking the fact that not only can Steve not spell fiscal, but he probably can’t actually describe what it is and what “getting fiscal and monetary policy working together” actually means.

Sure he says he has an MBA as a claim that he’s no dummy but having MBA doesn’t mean you actually understand the complexity of the economy.

derrick somerfield says:

02:29pm | 09/09/09

It looks to me that you are all suffering from having had learning difficulties.
I would fail all of you in a written English test

Dani says:

02:40pm | 09/09/09

Steve - kudos for the article and for sharing. What I want to know is - just which learning disability is it? My overt curiosity is getting the best of me and skirting the issue just seems strange - why not say it is dyslexia or give it the proper name if that is what it is?

RT says:

02:46pm | 09/09/09

derrick somerfield:  I would mark down anyone who wrote ‘having had’.

ts says:

02:47pm | 09/09/09

sorry… why do the government need to do more?  surely you actually provide an example of why they don’t?

and i think you’re fooling yourself if you honestly believe you represent ‘ordinary’ australians.  you represent a small but vocal minority of do-gooders.

What says:

02:51pm | 09/09/09

I find it troubling that you often hold the balance of power in parliament, go on so-called “learning trips” to the USA to study from unaccredited climate skeptics and have the opportunity to hold-up the entire parliament should things not go your way

RobJ says:

02:56pm | 09/09/09

“...he’s pushing the barrow for a few fringe lunatics….”

Oh the irony.

And from a 7% Greens voter to boot.”

Errr I’m not the one crying about Fielding attracting a lot of criticism. I voted Green and they didn’t get up in MY electorate, I’m not whinging about it, personally I think preferences stink and Fielding getting a senate seat with 2% and often holding the balance of power reinforces the fact that preferences stink!

“Demand a referendum then”

I already did - I was ignored… In the meantime I’ll call it how I see it, Fielding is NOT representative (well he is for a few fringe loons)

“Until then you’re the gift that keeps on giving.”

Coming from you I’ll take that as a compliment, thanks.

Helen says:

02:57pm | 09/09/09

Derrick, proper nouns need to be capitalised, as in “Derrick”. “Looks to me” should be “seems” or “seems to me”. “Having had learning difficulties”: this would mean we no longer haver learning difficulties, as it’s past pluperfect tense. Also, you failed to put a full stop at the end of your last sentence.

Written English test = Fail.

Who says:

03:10pm | 09/09/09

Wow some vitriolic comments! Massive amounts of negative energy.  Mr Fielding no doubt will be hit by the karma bus next election.

Elle says:

03:26pm | 09/09/09

So, what exactly is your specific learning difficulty, Steve? It’s certainly not in the PR Department as a more media-savvy pollie I have yet to encounter! Were you elected to be a media-whore or did your inner narcissist come to the fore when the 2% of people who voted for you got you over the line?

Tim says:

03:29pm | 09/09/09

I too suffer from a learning disability.
Although I have tried hard, I have not been able to make it as a professional golf player. It has nothing to do with my lack of ability in sports.
Please feel sorry for me.

Bill D'berg says:

03:39pm | 09/09/09

What about your skepticism on global warming? Is that due to your learning difficulty? Or were you too easily misled?

paul says:

03:54pm | 09/09/09

How the hell did you get an MBA?  Monash must be a Mickey Mouse University!

Jim says:

04:00pm | 09/09/09

You believe in creationism, so surely you believe God also gave you a learning disability as some sort of celestial punishment? Or is the ability to deal with logic another one of your many disabilities?

Michael says:

05:05pm | 09/09/09

heh Steve i know what you mean about wanting to run from the class when asked to read, I tried that didn’t work, teacher kept making me stand up and be embarrassed in front of everyone, so I ended up learning that thrown objects work much better then running away.
Skip forward a few thrown objects, few detentions, suspensions, then finally, sent off to Arndell special school Sydney, 2 years there, returned to normal school and did well, if it wasn’t for the extra resources and being sent to that school, I’m pretty sure i’d be a killer or worse.

stace says:

05:32pm | 09/09/09

Steve, my younger brother is dyslexic and my older brother an engineer, so it’s nothing personal…but it’s really a bit tiresome seeing you popping up here, dressed up in a peanut suit there, voting down legislation everywhere, when you only represent 2% of us. For the other 98% of us, you’re driving us batty. Please, I implore you. Just stop.

Your views are not our views. We don’t care if you can’t spell. We care that you can’t seem to think straight. Sometimes I wonder if you vote down legislation, simply because you want the attention.

Why is it that you can’t stop talking about yourself? Why do we have to know your every affliction? We’re not your mummy. Gee. You’ll be reporting in on your bowel movements next.

What is that called - Münchausen syndrome? Feels like Münchausen by proxy to the rest of us, believe me.

flying spaghetti monster says:

06:12pm | 09/09/09

Mr Fielding your spelling and public speaking skills are in my opinion the least of your problems.

Charlie says:

06:47pm | 09/09/09

Stace that should be “when you only represent less than 2% of us”.

Sean says:

10:17pm | 09/09/09

Didn’t seem to stop you from reading and interpreting the Old Testament.

Paul says:

10:42pm | 09/09/09

Gee, who on EARTH would have thought Fielding (whose party endorses candidates who state that Lesbians should be burnt to death) has learning difficulties? Is anyone else as surprised as I’m not?

Don Clark says:

08:32am | 10/09/09

Margaret Gray says: 01:59pm | 09/09/09
“...he’s pushing the barrow for a few fringe lunatics….”
Oh the irony.  And from a 7% Greens voter to boot.  Demand a referendum then.  Vote to change the shiteful preferential voting system if you feel so strongly about ‘proportional’ representation.  Until then you’re the gift that keeps on giving. “

A point or two.

In 2004 the Senator from Victoria won just 56,000 primary votes (0.13 of a Vic seat quota), to be elected at the 28th & last distribution of preferences that got him 1.2 quotas. Mainly ALP preferences, ironically. So in direct votes, he represents just on 2% of Victorians.  Those interested can workout for themselves what % of the total Aus 2004 Senate vote that was. It’ll be tiny. 

At the 2007 election, Family First overall attracted just 1.9% of the House of Representatives vote. The Greens: 7.8%. And who was the next smallest vote? the Nationals:  just 5.5%. 
Source: ABC Elections site, various.

Ms Gray’s concluding personal attack, couched in the language of the gutter, is a contemptible swipe that serves merely to re-inforce an earlier point: no media owner should expect to be paid for publishing foul-mouthed abuse. Full stop.

Meanwhile, Senator Fielding, on the basis of 56,000 Victorian primary votes and an ocean of misguided ALP preferences, holds an extremely well-paid Senate seat and a part of the balance of power in the Senate, until at least 30 June 2011. 

In case you’ve not quite got the point, this ordinary bloke therefore has a more than ordinary part to play in the major issues we all face. 

As a Senator,  he is duty bound - indeed, it is his sworn oath -  to serve our interests as best he possibly can.  He is given more than adequate resources to help him in his work. 

How well or poorly he *does* his job affects the interests and concerns of the *whole* country now and for decades to come.  We are entitled to expect the highest standards of work and decisions from our elected Senators and Members. 

On the evidence so far, referred to many times and on the public record, Senator Fielding has a poor track record, of poor decisions, based on poor information, and showing poor grasp of their long-term effects. 

Nobody conscripted Senator Fielding. Nobody forces him to publish his views.  It doesn’t matter much whether he can spell, or whether he has some form of disability. While he serves in the Senate - as he chose to do - it is our duty to hold him to coolly and rationally hold him to account.  If we do it well, perhaps his performance may yet improve.

Don Clark says:

08:57am | 10/09/09

“I’ve Gott a spelling chequer, it helps me rite my pro’s.” Ugh! Readers may perhaps excuse my clumsy edit, which should have read…

While he serves in the Senate - as he chose to do - it is our duty to coolly and rationally hold him to account.  If we do it well, perhaps his performance may yet improve.

Katy says:

10:18am | 10/09/09

@DG (02:09pm | 09/09/09), for that English education comment, you’re now my hero. For years I’ve failed to comprehend why schools tie up literacy qualifications with the study of literary works, especially in WA’s TEE (HSC equivalent) system where subject choice is much more limited.

I still remember asking a school teacher if students would pass an English essay/exam if they had not analysed the text sufficiently, yet had exemplary spelling, grammar and sentence structure. Her answer was no.

Personally, I couldn’t care less if the change in tense between the stanzas in a Robert Frost poem indicates regret, hope, disillusionment, or that Frost went to make himself a sandwich between writing the two lines. I’d rather just enjoy the poem for what it means to me.

Mack says:

11:32am | 10/09/09

Sorry, Steve, I DO expect elected representatives to be literate, well read and well spoken. The experience of George W shows the dangers of having someone who doesnt read (either through lack of ability or lack of desire) in office.

Paul says:

05:56pm | 10/09/09

my one question Steve, is do you read all the bills etc that come your way? or do you have to have someone read it out to you. 

Because in my opinion, you shouldnt be in the position your in unless you understand EXACTLY what your doing, and I don’t believe you can do that if you either dont understand, or have interpereted for you via a 3rd person, the information which passes your hands.

If you can read the stuff with no worries, I really dont care that you sometimes make the odd mistake in question time.  In fact, it brightens the afternoon to hear a politician say physical monetary package.

Bitten says:

05:50pm | 13/09/09

@Nicholas James - I’m not sure that your response really addresses my question at all. Do you think it did? I didn’t specifically target Senator Fielding, my question related to all politicians. When they slip up, all of them seem to wring their hands and claim that they’re only human as some sort of free pass from having any standards of learning, professionalism or behaviour (public or private). As I already stated, I am sincerely interested in whether the Australian public accepts this whining, whimpering quality in its politicians - don’t you feel you deserve any quality for the tremendous amounts of money you pay your politicians or for the tremendous amounts of responsibility and power they have?

Kathy Ink says:

11:45am | 28/07/11

Interesting that a man with such a disorder has risen to great heights in his chosen career. It just goes to show that we can all learn, it is just that the challenge is tougher, but I expect, more rewarding too!