ratting
Chris who used to comment regularly on signposts - when we only had half a dozen readers has a letter in the age today.
When ‘ratting’ is the right thing to do
PICTURE this: We are at a party in the outer suburbs, a group of young blokes full of youthful confidence and fired with testosterone. The leader of the pack, let’s call him George, is a large and powerful young man who has commanded the loyalty of the group through his strength and bravado. He has led us on a number of adventures over the evening, some skirting the edge of the law, but we have come out relatively unscathed so far and stronger friends because of it.
George, who has more than a few too many, is seeking co-adventurers for some early morning excitement on a stretch of nearby highway that has just the right combination of bends and straights to make an excellent raceway. Do I jump in the car and continue the adventure? If I don’t go will I be ratting on a valuable friend?
When our friend is drunk, be it with alcohol or power, and the course of action they have chosen is ill-conceived, then, Mr Howard, “ratting on an ally” ( The Age, 26/1) is undoubtedly the correct thing to do.
I think most of us agree with the PM that mateship is a core value of Australians — but it does not trump our obligation to act in accordance with our broader Australian values, including the sanctity of human life.
Participating in an escalation of the bloodbath in Iraq simply because we don’t want to “rat on an ally” is the most trifling of reasons for participation. Shame on you, Mr Howard.
Chris Padgham, Warrandyte
January 30th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Ratting on a friend for drunkedness is easy. But trying to nail them for being drunk on power is more difficult. It’s a lot easier for them to sober up and appear humble.
January 31st, 2007 at 11:23 am
I have no problem with ratting - at least in some circumstances. The taboo on ‘ratting’ has also arisen recently with the issue of water restrictions - I’ve seen so many letters to the editor decrying the fact that neighbours are dobbing each other in. I have no problem with this either - water’s a valuable commodity, particularly in rural areas where people rely on it for their livelihood. I am outraged by city dwellers using it to wash their cars and water their newly-planted lawns - as far as I’m concerned, it’s basically theft. I’m with Chris all the way.
February 3rd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
test