Prev
Next

No wonder our politicians treat us like we’re stupid

Tory Maguire

by Tory Maguire

02 Aug 01:20pm

Must Reads

Corby to be released - but does anyone still care? - this is a caption

Corby to be released - but does anyone still care?

67

Washington reacts to news of the Thomson saga - this is a caption

Washington reacts to news of the Thomson saga

38

You’d think she was a plant to destroy Facebook - this is a caption

You’d think she was a plant to destroy Facebook

87

Filed under: Election 2010, Kyle And Jackie O Show, Kyle Sandilands, Media, Politics, Society, Tony Abbott

84 comments

Tuning into Tony Abbott’s interview with Today FM’s Kyle and Jackie O this morning I knew it would be embarrassing - it’s just that I thought Abbott would be the one making me cringe. Not so.

Guess what ... we think you're really stupid.

Kyle Sandilands is obviously a smart man. He’s made millions out of the bogan media persona he’s built, and he isn’t the first radio shock jock to take a stereotype and flog it until it can’t get up any more.

But I still find it amazing that so many people are happy to be talked down to about how stupid they are. The Kyle and Jackie O show this morning was such a festival of ignorance it’s no wonder people like Julia Gillard think they can completely change their personality from one day to the next and the rest of us will buy it.

Here’s some of the highlights of Kyle’s “I’m as dumb as an ox” shtick.

KYLE: So, and, I know that you’re big into Jesus and that you don’t want the gays to get married and that’s all I know. What else do I need to know?

TONY ABBOTT: Well, look, these are all aspects, I guess, maybe even caricatures, Kyle. But, the important thing, I suppose, if I come onto a programme like this and I try to answer questions, well, then more people will get to know more of me.

JACKIE O: Well, I mean, obviously, you know there are a lot of people out there that are voting, but they don’t really understand all the political talk and they haven’t made up their minds yet. For those people listening, what would you say to win their vote.

TONY ABBOTT: Well, I think we need a competent government, a government which gets things done and the current government has wasted too much money and it’s been responsible for too many stuff-ups, like the pink batts programme. Now, you know, a government that doesn’t stuff-up is a good government.

KYLE: Yeah, well, that’s true. I know that the Howard, you’re the Howard mob, right? Liberal.

TONY ABBOTT: That’s right. I was a Minister in the Howard Government.

KYLE: So, they did a pretty good job, even though he never came on here and hated us, right, and he never came on here. But that’s fine. You can’t force people to do things. But that was a pretty good government, like we had heaps of cash.

JACKIE O: Yeah, that’s right.

Now for my favourite part:

KYLE: Lucky for her. You seem like an alright guy. We’re a bit dumb around here, we don’t pay that much attention to all the interest rate chatter and bank business and what have you. We are really the swingers, we’ll just go for whoever seems the coolest.

TONY ABBOTT: I don’t claim to be that cool, but I hope I am competent to run a government. That’s my pitch.

KYLE: Well, that’s cool. For that job, that’s pretty high in the cool stakes.

TONY ABBOTT: House roofs will not be catching fire under a government that I run.

KYLE: That’s important.

TONY ABBOTT: We won’t be wasting money spending a million bucks on a covered play area, which you could get for $250,000 or less. All of the waste that we’ve seen under this Government will stop.

JACKIE O: That’s a good thing, that’s got to be a good thing then.

It’s been reported Kyle Sandilands has a $1.7 million mortgage on his house.

I don’t care how rich he is, someone with a debt like that likely does “pay attention to interest rate chitter chatter.”

He’s not an idiot, but he clearly thinks his listeners are. Yet one million of them continue to tune in.

We complain constantly that politicians treat voters like they’re stupid. Considering how so many of us a prepared to pretend we are, you can hardly blame them.

Most commented

353"Gifting", "journey" and other words we hate
309Thomson didn't answer the question everyone is asking
246A big day for Thomson, who thus far is guilty of nothing...
242They must pay for one's bitter disappointments
230South Australia. It's the middle bottom bit.
230Craig Thomson speaks. Meanwhile, in Australia...
224The most laughable, err, spoof since Einfeld
224Punch on: Open thread 17/05/2012

84 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • AdamC says:

      01:32pm | 02/08/10

      I would have thought a majority of Kyle’s audience are too young to vote anyway. Why would Abbott even bother?

      Reply

    • All says:

      02:25pm | 02/08/10

      Because ,unfortunately, the brain dead listen to these shows and treat it as the real world. How often in a workplace do you have to put up with these shows gecause gen x/y are hanging off every word that 2 or 3 mindless morons are shouting at each other interspersed with fake laughter over some in house joke. Rudd knew this as do most Labor leaders, they appear on these shows rather than others that challenge the mind and ask hard questions. Get on act a tool and the vote is yours. Why? because Kyle or who ever says so. I don,t think that Abbott can lower himself to their level so it won,t work as well as when Rudd pretends to be cool and some DJ or Rove wet themselves in excitement.

    • hot tub political machine says:

      03:03pm | 02/08/10

      To be fair All, as annoying and vacuous these shows young people listen to can be…......the annoying and vacous shows that old people listen to (the parrot) are just as bad

    • Sam Newman says:

      03:41pm | 02/08/10

      So many scarey things in this…these ‘creatures’ walk among us.

      Luckily your premise is based on two clearly incorrect assumptions.

      Firstly, because someone has material possessions you assume they are “obviously a smart man”. Let me introduce you to the concept of the Cashed Up Bogan, because your story is about their King. By your definition, Carl Williams was a smart man too.

      Secondly, you assume because he claims he has 1 million listeners that they are voters. The sad reality of the idea that he has 1 miilion listeners is more likely that they are young impressionable kids.

      In a small way, we are lucky that you are wrong Tory. He is an idiot.

      But then so is Abbott for accepting the stupid idea of his minders to go on the show.

      Although Rudd was on pap moronic TV like Rove every chance he got, even he would have baulked at this horrible little man’s radio show.

      I feel dirty having even looked at his photo..

    • The Scarlet Pimpernel says:

      01:32pm | 02/08/10

      Well, that’s what happens when you give someone with an IQ of ambient room temperature their own radio show. I think anyone who listens to them is too stupid to vote, but that’s OK, because they are also too stupid to find the polling booth.

      Reply

    • Patrick says:

      02:17pm | 02/08/10

      Is that in Fahrenheit or Celsius?


      I’m thinking the latter….

    • Tails says:

      01:33pm | 02/08/10

      I totally take a fence at that. This morning, my mate said Tony Abbott is on the radio, and I looked at the radio and I couldn’t see him or nothing. Don’t call me stupid. It’s my mate thats stupid. Its his radio.
      Yeh. Whose laughing now.

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      01:55pm | 02/08/10

      I approve of this comment.

    • Lee from WA says:

      01:34pm | 02/08/10

      I thank God I live in WA, where we don’t have to put up with that moron.

      Reply

    • dale says:

      02:01pm | 02/08/10

      But he is the leader of the opposition… HA HA HA

    • Phil says:

      03:16pm | 02/08/10

      Dale, dont agree with your comment, but i will pay it

    • martin says:

      09:22am | 03/08/10

      so Kyles a moron (hard to argue that) but you thank a ficticous entity because you dont HAVE to listen to him, mmmm me thinks you may be a bit of a dickhead yourself Lee, despite your protestations to the opposite Kyle Sandilands and his equally vacuous blonde bimbo are not mandatory listening, whikst we dont live in a free world in reality, radio listening is still a free choice

    • RobJ says:

      01:36pm | 02/08/10

      “Kyle Sandilands is obviously a smart man.”

      Or rather those who consume popular media such ass Kyle and Jackie O aren’t so smart?

      Reply

    • stiffy says:

      01:36pm | 02/08/10

      ignorance is bliss

      Reply

    • Ben81 says:

      01:56pm | 02/08/10

      Yeah, I was just thinking I wouldn’t mind making millions for screwing around on the radio and not giving a crap about anything.  Dumb as a box of hammers and reading that transcript makes me cringe, but I almost can’t blame him,

    • samantha says:

      01:40pm | 02/08/10

      the audience who listen to this show is interesting to say the least….

      i bet it’s not an ab demographic is is?

      his princess wife divorced him,  and the interview on denton is fascinating too you tube it and worth having a look.

      Reply

    • Paul Neri says:

      01:45pm | 02/08/10

      I think you’re going in a bit hard, Tory. A bit of acting doesn’t hurt and the fact is ... some listeners are idiots. I heard on the radio once, and I kid you not, a (female) listener guess that the correct date for the japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour was ... 1963 !

      Reply

    • S says:

      01:56pm | 02/08/10

      The reason a million listeners continue to tune in despite Sandliands thinking they are idiots is simply because THEY ARE IDIOTS!
      So are the bulk of the electorate, at the very least most peopl are ignorant. The politicians know it, hence the campaigns are aimed squarely at the lowest common denominator. “We won’t have house roofs bursting into flames.” - he says it like Kevin Rudd lit the match. It’s that kind of rubbish that doesn’t stand up to the mildest of scrutiny, yet people (even relatively intelligent ones) parrot it like it’s true.

      Reply

    • WayneT says:

      03:14pm | 02/08/10

      A bit like Abbott will cancel Labors promised 450 Super GP Clinics, when Labor have only fully funded 3 of the 31 they promised last election.  Is that what you mean?

    • Ginger says:

      01:59pm | 02/08/10

      i’m dumber for reading that.

      Reply

    • Gregg says:

      07:32pm | 02/08/10

      I’ll give you marks for the reading and comprehension Ginger or more so comprehending it wasn’t worth reading.
      Like, with all the sympathy for Kevin getting over that surgery to remove broken knife blades, surely even Labor people would feel pity for Tony trying to have a meaningful conversation with Kyle.

      He does have that kind of Carl W. look don’t he, fat boy with whiskers!

    • MarK says:

      01:59pm | 02/08/10

      I am going to attempt to listen to all this online tonight.

      Pure gold.

      I can’t get over these lines

      TONY ABBOTT: House roofs will not be catching fire under a government that I run.

      KYLE: That’s important.

      Such a simple sentence and reply. Basically goes to the heart of the Rudd governments problems though.

      So funny that Kyle figures it is important for roofs not to catch fire.

      Also Tors you seem to suggest that Abbott did a good job on the show. Being a Lib in that setting is pretty hard. Tony is showing some very good traits and proving a lot of people wrong about his ability to communicate. His message seems to be getting out there.

      Reply

    • mickijo says:

      02:39pm | 02/08/10

      It should be headlines in every paper,“Kyle thinks it should be important for house roofs not to catch fire!”. Read all about it, should make overseas media sit up I reckon. Geez you can’t beat the brains in Oz.

    • Hamish says:

      04:11pm | 02/08/10

      I agree MarK. I reckon the questions (and answers) in that interview cut to the chase much more effectively than most of the gab fests we get on the ABC for instance.

      I think the ‘that’s important’ stuff was supposed to be a bit tongue in cheek to be fair on Jyle and Jackie O. And to be fair on Kyle, no matter how dumb you think he (or his persona more accurately) is, he’s definitely the smartest person on the show…

    • Matt says:

      02:00pm | 02/08/10

      “We complain constantly that politicians treat voters like they’re stupid. Considering how so many of us a prepared to pretend we are, you can hardly blame them.”

      I’ve got bad news: they’re not pretending.

      Reply

    • Adam Diver says:

      03:17pm | 02/08/10

      Gold. I was thinking the same thing myself.

    • Steve says:

      02:02pm | 02/08/10

      Every vote gained by this interview is worth exactly the same as a vote from the University of Sydney staff common room.

      Democracy - its wonderful.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      03:06pm | 02/08/10

      The University of Sydney staff common room is probably full of pinko lefties.

    • Hamish says:

      04:14pm | 02/08/10

      Yeah I’d say the Greens have the UoS common room pretty much sewn up. Assuming voting ability and IQ correlate is very dangerous…

    • thatmosis says:

      02:05pm | 02/08/10

      Had the misfortune to listen to them once and once was enough. They seem to have the combined IQ of a doorknob and personalities to match and people actually tune in to listen to this crap, we are doomed I say doomed.

      Reply

    • Depressed says:

      02:07pm | 02/08/10

      It’s so depressing. The worst part is, I think shows like Kyle and Jackie-O’s actually make people dumber. Their show is like happy gas. Distract and sedate the listeners. And yet people listen of their own free will.

      It’s so depressing.

      Reply

    • ibast says:

      02:56pm | 02/08/10

      Totally agree.  The guy is obviously not very smart, but equally obviously he is smarter than his audience.  It doesn’t say much for a significant portion of Sydney’s population.  This radio show is an advertisement for legalising radio standards.

    • nic says:

      02:21pm | 02/08/10

      I just spent a week back in Australia. Unfortunately Australian media is full of Kyle and Jackies/Sunrise/Larry Emdur types. Don’t believe me? Watch say Channel 9’s news and then compare it to SBS.

      Reply

    • OldGirl says:

      02:29pm | 02/08/10

      Its not a show I would listen to Tory, I have heard to many bad things about Sandliands. So no matter what politician they would no impact on me. To be honest I am a bit shocked he is still on the radio. I am bit surpised Tony Abbott would lower himself to go on air there. It’s odd I got a letter in the mail today from my local school, I don’t have any young children going there, praising Labor for the outdoor area for the children because in all this rain they have had somewhere to play and keep dry.. To Mr Abbott that may not be important but to teachers and parents who’s children are kept dry it matters

      Reply

    • Jason B says:

      03:03pm | 02/08/10

      The school would have got that anyway by submitting a request to the education department. Our school (where I work..) requested 3 undercover areas from Queensland Education and they were installed 2 months later. Shame on the school for praising a political party for doing it’s job and giving the Education Department a budget..

      BER is separate to necessary requests.

    • Adam Diver says:

      03:20pm | 02/08/10

      OldGirl are you real? I hope its someone setting us up because you perpetuate the stereotype perfectly everytime you write one of your pointless, bias comments. I mean all you need now, is to yell at kids on your front lawn and a “back in my day” moment and you have the stereotype sewn up.

    • OldGirl says:

      03:57pm | 02/08/10

      Adam Diver I am definitely real and am probably telling you what allot of old Australians think. In my opinion your the bias one. You so set in your bias Liberal point of view you can’t see the forest for the tree’s. Don’t worry about what I think, that is really important only to me. What you have to hope is that other Australians are not thinking as I am. Out of 22 million people what do you think the odds are I am alone?

    • GhostRider says:

      11:55pm | 02/08/10

      don’t be such a dork Adam Driver, your probably a kid and can’t vote anyway so why pick on the elderly? way tooo funny about the roofs, should we get it in writing?

    • Albie says:

      02:29pm | 02/08/10

      This radio show should be a crime against humanity.

      Granted, not everyone is up on politics, and not everyone follows current events with the predatory zeal of most Punch-ers. BUT. The population SHOULD be aware that John Howard was PM for a Liberal government, and that Tony Abbott was a senior minister in that Government.

      If they’re not, then having Tony go on the show is a good way to get that info across - a good way that was totally countermanded by the horrible interview typed up here.

      Kyle and Jackie-O encourage ignorance by indicating that they don’t know what Liberal means, or who Tony Abbott is. It tells the listeners - “hey, it’s not important - or cool - to know this stuff, so it’s ok that I wasn’t sure”.

      Sure, it’s *not* cool - or even necessary - to be “into” politics. It is, however, important to at least know who the main party leaders are.

      Why? Because on August 21 Australians will vote in a new government (whether it’s led by the existing party or the opposition, it’ll technically be ‘new’) - and the leader of the party that forms government will be our Prime Minister, and will be IN CHARGE of several important issues which will impact on our lives!

      If people are encouraged to ignore (and be ignorant to) something this important, then they are practically being denied their voice and their right to representation (they may vote, but clearly not with any form of intelligence if they don’t even know what the parties are).

      And that is why Kyle and Jackie-O’s show should be labelled a crime against humanity and taken off the air. Their criminal dumbing down of the Australian population will take us back to feudal times - with radio shock jocks as our lords and masters…

      Reply

    • Steve says:

      03:12pm | 02/08/10

      No,  It is not a crime against humanity.  In no way are “they are practically being denied their voice and their right to representation”

      It’s only a radio show for people who you probably don’t respect and who don’t care much about the big issues. 

      It is simply catering for an audience that you would not worry about much apart from election time when their vote counts as much as yours.

      I am enjoying the irony.

    • SkepDad says:

      02:52pm | 02/08/10

      There’s a difference between smart and canny.  Sandilands and his ilk are a canny lot.

      I know someone in radio, and have met several more.  They are not as a rule stupid people, but those who work for mainstream commercial radio are *instructed* by station management to appeal to the lowest common denominator.  No big words, lots of hee-hawing and self-deprecating dummy humour.

      The slack-jawed listeners who keep tuning in are the truly dumb ones. If people want perceptive and educated interviewing, they’ve got the ABC.

      Reply

    • Beagle says:

      03:39pm | 02/08/10

      “No big words, lots of hee-hawing”

      kind of like the Telegraph and the Sun Herald methinks

      They cater to the same demographic. Dumb, self obsessed bogans.

    • hot tub poltical machine says:

      03:01pm | 02/08/10

      I think we already knew Kyle & Jackie O didn’t have much respect for their audience – the content has been telling us that for sometime. But hey, the bogan buck is worth as much as any other buck – and its easier to earn.

      The worst part of this interview for me (though the part you pointed out was pretty bad Ms Tory) was immediately preceding it as Kyle says of Howard “But that was a pretty good government, like we had heaps of cash”…………I think that made me want to cry

      Reply

    • DD Ball says:

      03:04pm | 02/08/10

      Pop culture appeals to the young, and I don’t despise the young, and I understand why it is that they don’t enjoy following politics and the news. I want our culture to be that safe that youngsters don’t need to take on the role of martyrs as has happened in the recent past, like in WW2 when a young man risked his life to save Jewish peoples, and later became Pope John Paul 2. Some risked their lives and paid a higher price. It is precisely this ignorance that is routinely exploited by the ALP and Greens and their supporters. They make the claim that such things have been done by conservatives in the past, and point to institutions like Boy Scouts and Cadets etc. The fact is it is exploitation. Kyle does it for profit, and needs to maintain a persona if he is to keep his pop income. Gillard’s excuse may not be very different .. and she is not good at it.

      Reply

    • James1 says:

      03:33pm | 02/08/10

      What is the point being made here?  That some conservatives helped Jews, but we forget about them because the ALP and Greens like to emphasise the conservatives killing Jews?  Or are you trying to say that people are ignorant of the fact that there were conservatives in Germany that were not on the side of unmitigated evil?  In any case, I do not recall either side mentioning JP2 lately. 

      You obviously need to sleep more and campaign less, Mr Ball.

    • Press says:

      03:44pm | 02/08/10

      The oddest thing here is this one liner:
      “House roofs will not be catching fire under a government that I run”
      Well, they did, they have and they will.

      Before the batts scheme there were house roof fires from bodged batt jobs by bodgy installers. Before the Labor Gov’t there were house roof fires from bodged batt jobs by bodgy installers.

      Just there were fewer of ‘em.  Fact.

      And there will still be a risk of fire on new installs in future years, from bodged jobs by body installers, whichever Party is in Gov’t.

      Betcha.

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      04:03pm | 02/08/10

      Another Kyle and Jackie listener examines the details of a conversation and comes up short.

      Isn’t it wonderful that people actually think fires will still occur because of a failed Labor policy and then try and semantically twist a statement from the alternative PM into a declaration that he can stop roof fires - all roof fires.

      At least the op has recognised there will be LESS under Abbott. Such a shame we need to discuss it all. Which we would not be of course if Rudd as PM, Gillard as deputy and Garrett as fall guy had done their job.

      So ironic people attempt to twist a Labor failure of such mammoth proportions people lost their lives into a “gotcha” trap for Abbott instead of actually blaming the incompetent politicians who ignored warnings and ploughed ahead anyway.

    • Kim says:

      05:31pm | 02/08/10

      @MarK.  Couldn’t have put it better myself.

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      03:47pm | 02/08/10

      Tony Abbott is more powerful than God. He has guaranteed that no house roof will catch on fire while he is Prime Minister. The ability to abrogate the laws of chance and probability must be a wonderful thing…..

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      03:57pm | 02/08/10

      I take it from this comment you are a regular listener to Kyle and Jackie?

    • Hamish says:

      04:19pm | 02/08/10

      Shane, mate, it’s pretty sad that Kyle and Jackie could understand Abbott’s comment, but not you. Amazing how often people who try to sound clever end up sounding stupid.

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      04:22pm | 02/08/10

      Never have listened to the program. Above statement is based upon the transcript above: “TONY ABBOTT: House roofs will not be catching fire under a government that I run.’ A possible Prime Minister should not be making idiotic statements like this.

    • MarK says:

      04:37pm | 02/08/10

      I cannot believe you are so myoptic

      Are you seriously contending this is Abbott’s position.

      I mean really? I am laughing so hard right now what a crack up.

      PS pro tip - it is always dangerous to take annotated comments out of context before you read the full transcript

    • Sodapoppy says:

      03:58pm | 02/08/10

      Boganville is here to stay

      Reply

    • Freeman says:

      04:09pm | 02/08/10

      that’s Hilarious, Tory
      still, i’m not so sure Kyle has worked on his bogan persona or that he is ‘obviously a smart man’ despite his millions.

      Reply

    • Kim says:

      05:32pm | 02/08/10

      Can’t improve on perfection….. bogan persona that is.

    • Sven Gali says:

      04:30pm | 02/08/10

      They don’t think they’re really stupid, Tory. They know it for a fact, as proven by the evidence that a million of them continue to tune in. QED.

      Reply

    • Jason CR says:

      04:33pm | 02/08/10

      There’s only one winner…...his ex missus.

      Reply

    • Gran Depine says:

      06:21pm | 02/08/10

      Election Campaign checklist
      1. Recharge the Video camera batteries
      2. Prepare the public Dorthy Dicks question and answers
      3. Find a baby, any baby and kiss it in public
      4. Pucker up to Mr Murdoch
      5. Send a “Thinking of You” card to Mr Oakes , Mr Stokes and Mr Singelton
      6. Free beer vouchers to the Unions
      7. Prepare opening speech with a “bitch slap” to he opposition then blame a previous Government from the 1970’s for todays problems
      8. Read up on your body language and NLP techniques
      9. Give the faction minders the “She’ll be right mate” wink
      10. Don’t mention the War
      11. Line up all the stereotype electorate and place another coat of arse kissing lipstick: migrant community, Origine community, schoolies, Grey power, Nurses “F%$#@ ” the allied health staff administrators and doctors they don’t care or save lives, police, firefighters, treehuggers, State Pollies, Local Pollies, RSL clubs, shopping centres, Cooking shows and radio shows specializing in elevator music and I’m too cool for Y gen
      12. Don’t forget the gay friendly vote
      13. attend a footy game or any Australian performing well (Mark Webber) because I’m a Champ and I associate myself with champs
      14. Do a Diana Ross / Julio Inglesias duet with Alan Jones
      15. In case of an emergency break glass and do an interview with Johhny Young or John Laws
      16. If you have any money left in the pork barrel, hire Brad Pitt Ange Jolie as advocates
      17. Go back to 1 and repeat
      18. Prepare a speech or resignation
      19. If you lose…blame blame blame and use the words ” at least we got 4/5 of F&^%$ all swing against the opposition ladies and gentlemen.

      Reply

    • Bruce says:

      06:30pm | 02/08/10

      The interview was for the politically stupid. I would suggest both Julia and Tony avoid these kind of shows. The only real loosers on these kind of shows are the politicians.

      Reply

    • B. Dyer says:

      09:55pm | 02/08/10

      Speaking of stupid, Bruce, who then are the real tighters ?

    • Chris Deal says:

      07:07pm | 02/08/10

      They should have put Abbott on a lie detector. Now that would have been a show worth tuning in for.

      Reply

    • Louisa says:

      08:48pm | 02/08/10

      No Chris - they shoudl put Miss Julia on a lie detector - she tells porkies every day. Her fake hair colour tells all.

    • S.L says:

      08:20pm | 02/08/10

      What I don’t understand is Kyle is supposed to be on about 5 million per year so how come he has a 1.7 million dollar mortgage?
      What idiot advised Mr Abbott to go on that show when most of the audience aren’t old enough to vote? All the program does is entertain schoolies (90% of its audience) with toilet humor ala Doug Mulray except Uncle Doug was funny. Can’t knock a guy for making a legitimate quid like he has though. Long live the Bogan!

      Reply

    • bella starkey says:

      09:11am | 03/08/10

      spent it all on candy.

    • jen says:

      09:14pm | 02/08/10

      So I take it that no one heard on the Kyle and Jackie O show last week, when Kyle calling Tony Abbott an idiot? Is it really necessary to attack Kyle Sandilands for doing his job, i.e. talking to the opposition Leader? Is it necessary to attack him for his marriage collapse, which clearly the interview was not about this.  Doesn’t it count that Kyle and Jackie O raised the issue of gay marriage rights being equal to heterosexuals and yet Tony Abbott sidestepped this question? You’re all entitled to an opinion but if you’re going to call listeners of the Kyle and Jackie O show idiots, including myself, then I strongly suggest you do investigative work first, and listen to all the facts rather than attack. After all, we don’t live in a country who abides by the laws of shoot first, ask questions later!!!

      Reply

    • Charles Kelly says:

      10:23pm | 02/08/10

      I thoroughly applaud the Liberal Party’s initial attempt to appeal to Australia’s ignorant, uneducated, lowest common denominator - because traditionally, that’s been purely the domain of the Labor Party.

      Reply

    • Peter says:

      12:09pm | 03/08/10

      Current day politics is a race to the bottom Charles. I can’t vote for Abbott and I can’t vote for Gillard. We have no real meaningful choices in this election..

    • S.L says:

      05:18pm | 03/08/10

      Who did the Macarana on the Kerry Anne show CK? Oh that’s right a smart, intelegent conservative politician! Or was that just a previous attempt to appeal to the lowest common denominator?

    • mickey says:

      10:28pm | 02/08/10

      Kyle Sandilands is the reason…for everything

      Yep, have you got a problem? Kyle Sandilands caused it. He’s that much of a wanker.

      Reply

    • Sean Williams says:

      02:37am | 03/08/10

      I can’t imagine a main British political leader sinking as low as this. Of course, they also appear on youth-orientated programmes during campaigns these days, with mixed results, but the exchanges would never be as mind-numbingly awful as the one printed above. In fact compare the Today FM travesty to the always excellent general election coverage provided by the UK’s most popular youth pop station, Radio One http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/election/article-1267779/General-Election-2010-Now-Clegg-savaged-Radio-One-listeners-rip-apart-plan-immigration-amnesty.html

      That said, all countries have increasingly large numbers of the politically-apathetic and willfully ignorant. Which is why I will never be convinced that compulsory voting is a good thing. Beyond the fact that a true democracy should have the right NOT to vote, surely it’s for the best that the truly ignorant don’t take part. I’m comfortable with 60-70% turnouts in the UK knowing that these people were committed enough to the process to register and get themselves to the polling booth (on a working day) or fill out a postal vote. What good is served by large swathes of ‘eenie meenie miney moe’ voters who are motivated only by the desire to avoid a fine?

      Reply

    • Clare De Mayo says:

      09:43am | 03/08/10

      Thank you Sean….someone had to say it. This is Australia everyone….we are an anti-intellectual society, our gods are brain dead footballers and models who look like Bratz dolls. Most people don’t want to think, give them a slogan, a catch phrase, and they are happy.
      Please, please, lets end compulsory voting.

    • Charles Kelly says:

      11:17am | 03/08/10

      Absolutely Clare De Mayo!

      Ending compulsory voting would definitely be a step in the right direction. It would at least weed out some of the gullible idiots who favour spin over substance. People should have to pass an intellectual competency test before being allowed to vote. You have to demonstrate a level of competence to drive a car, yet any imbecile can vote - which, clearly, is MUCH more dangerous.

    • Bengeck says:

      12:07pm | 03/08/10

      @CHARLES “People should have to pass an intellectual competency test before being allowed to vote.”

      Like the USA had in the 50’s to 60’s. that worked out well didn’t it.

    • acotrel says:

      08:53am | 03/08/10

      “Kyle Sandilands is obviously a smart man.”

      And an insult to the intelligence of the voting public!

      Reply

    • The Prisoner says:

      08:55am | 03/08/10

      This Show is straight out of   Orwell’s 1984 - pass me another Soma Pill please.

      Reply

    • Nitpicker says:

      09:22am | 03/08/10

      Soma is from Huxley’s Brave New World. Orwell’s plebs had Victory Gin.

    • Ned says:

      10:01am | 03/08/10

      It’s not a case of the listeners being too young (or stupid) to vote, it’s that these two morons (Sandilands and O) are also able to vote.

      Reply

    • chris says:

      01:03pm | 03/08/10

      And you thought Abbot would be the cringe-worthy one Tory. Shame on you. A pile of the nondescript stuff I dig out from my toenails would look intelligent if put next to that pudgy git.

      Reply

    • Richele says:

      02:11pm | 03/08/10

      Wowsers. Reading that was like falling through the embarrassment tree, it just got worse with every branch I they hit on the way down.
      “KYLE: Yeah, well, that’s true. I know that the Howard, you’re the Howard mob, right? Liberal. ” That is just an insult to intelligence of Australians.

      Reply

    • fehowarth says:

      07:20pm | 03/08/10

      Will any of the contributors to this site be kind enough to kind us know if they are scared of the insulation in their roof. Have any of you been so scared that you have had it removed.  Has anyone have information of the number of people who through fear, have had there roofs inspected and the insulation removed.

      Reply

    • Rocky Raccoon says:

      01:05pm | 04/08/10

      The bloke that was standing behind me at the last election, aged in his 50s, turned to his wife and asked “which party is Kevin Rudd for again”. His wife said “dont worry it be on your paper”. Idiots.

      Reply

    • Kaz says:

      07:00pm | 05/08/10

      Too Funny…what were you thinking Tony? ah right obviously not thinking qualified you for this show.  bravo…

      Reply

    • Luna says:

      02:49pm | 16/12/10

      Oh Kyle.. enough said.

      He’s obviously gaining notoriety for his big mouth.. something that has got him in so much trouble. Ironically, when you’ve made mistakes, you learn from them. In Sandiland’s case, he hasn’t taken a leaf out of that book.

      I suppose that’s 1041’s best bet at trying to win ratings supremacy.. with Kyle’s crude vocab and insulting wit.

      Its so sad to see Hamish and Andy go.. they’re ratings kings and they do it all without overflowing obscene language or insults. They’re winners all because they’re hilarious, creative and fun ! They’re radio legends for a reason.. and Sandilands..

      Well, as they say, leopards don’t change their spots. And, Sandilands doesn’t appear to want to change his anytime soon..

      Reply
 
Comment

Facebook Recommendations

Read all about it

Punch live

Up to the minute Twitter chatter

ToryShepherd

ToryShepherd 23 May 12 12:16PM

@KevCorduroy @ceda_news Cheers, couldn't get on to them but Redmond's office helped out in the end!

ToryShepherd

ToryShepherd 23 May 12 12:12PM

Does half the population really want to close the borders?? http://t.co/cNmpV2qH

Paul Colgan

Colgo 23 May 12 12:08PM

In which Schapelle Corby is Photoshopped as Joan of Arc http://t.co/08UWH6yq

Paul Colgan

Colgo 23 May 12 12:04PM

@karalee_ yeah, have concluded same after cursory look at a few. Scary that some brands might actually use them

See all tweets

Recent posts

The latest and greatest

Schapelle has done her time

by Daniel Piotrowski

52

Schapelle has done her time

Schapelle Corby has served more than seven years in Kerobokan prison for attempting to import 4.2 kilos…

Do women need to know when to walk away?

by The Punch Team

14

Do women need to know when to walk away?

Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond has sparked controversy over her advice that young women should sometimes…

Who murdered the Arts degree?

by Lucy Kippist

183

Who murdered the Arts degree?

Have we murdered the liberal arts education? That was the final question on Monday night’s Q&A…

Nosebleed Section

choice ringside rantings

From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

Michael S says:

"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]

From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone

Change Up! says:

I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]

Light weight

Gentle jabs to the ribs

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments

A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more

242 comments

Newsletter

Read all about it

Sign up to the free daily Punch newsletter

Subscribe to The Punch RSS feed