Latest news with #Disrespect
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Backlash erupts over Pauline Hanson's Acknowledgement of Country stunt in Parliament - so do her critics have a point?
A group of senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country inside the federal parliament have been sharply criticised. The four One Nation politicians took the action in the Senate chamber when the statement of respect was read out as part of the traditional ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday. Cabinet minister Clare O'Neil lashed the Pauline Hanson-led party, saying it was disappointing their action became a point of focus, despite the shows of unity earlier in the day during Welcome to Country ceremonies. This afternoon in the Senate, every One Nation senator stood with me to turn our backs on the divisive and increasingly forced Acknowledgement of Country. 'It was disrespectful and rude and childish,' she told Seven on Wednesday. The opening of parliament was a day to celebrate the strength of Australia's democracy and recommit to working for Australia's citizens, Ms O'Neil added. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said while it was up to the government to determine the ceremonies for the opening of parliament, and that she had listened respectfully to the acknowledgement, others had different perspectives. She also compared the One Nation silent protest to politicians who walk out of the chamber during the morning prayers and those who don't support the monarchy. 'The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can't express different views,' she told Sunrise. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Acknowledgement of Country is 'divisive' and 'increasingly forced'. But Ms O'Neil said the party still should have treated all Australians with respect. 'Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country - we've got First Nations people who have been invited to come to parliament, to extend that hand of friendship and invite us and talk about 65,000 years of heritage that they bring to our beautiful, great country,' she said. 'To treat people that way on the first day of parliament, I think, it was absolutely appalling.' Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of a right-wing culture war after a group of neo-Nazis booed a Welcome to Country address during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne earlier in 2025. This afternoon in the Senate, every One Nation senator stood with me to turn our backs on the divisive and increasingly forced Acknowledgement of Country. I've made this protest on my own for years, but today, our whole team made it clear: we've had enough of being told we don't… — Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) July 22, 2025 Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history. Mr Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former opposition leader Peter Dutton and some coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone. 'Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted,' Mr Albanese said, adding the ceremony was not controversial. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the ceremony 'set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country'. Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lamar Jackson's response to viral post reignites heated debate about his value
Disrespect is never acceptable, but we have exceeded tolerable limits. It is increasingly difficult to understand how Lamar Jackson maintains his composure. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the last pick of Round 1 in the 2018 NFL Draft, he was the final selection made by Ozzie Newsome during his tenure as general manager. Since then, he has accomplished significant milestones, earning two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and four Pro Bowl selections in his first seven seasons. He led all professional passers in touchdown passes during the 2019 season and topped the league in passer rating during the 2024 season. Advertisement Jackson's selection has proven to be incredibly beneficial for Baltimore. During the Fourth of July holiday, he used social media to advise anyone interested in handling fireworks to do so carefully. As anticipated, the post gained significant traction. However, one overly enthusiastic fan responded with a comment that was unnecessary. Lamar Jackson answers the backhanded compliment of a fan. "Don't play with fireworks, Lamar! You're the best RB we have.' It's always hard to tell the intent of one's message when we only read the words. It's impossible sometimes to gauge one's intent or tone. If we were to use past data as a measuring stick, however, one might be tempted to believe that the words of this response slight Jackson. This reads like it's less about tipping the cap to Jackson for his dual-threat ability and more of an attempt to ride the coattails of a seemingly derogatory take. Baltimore's gunslinger has proven time and time again that he can sling it with the best of them. See his aforementioned league-leading passer rating last season, but so many still offer the opposite opinion that he's more valuable as a rusher than a passer. Advertisement Regardless of where you stand on any of that, Lamar went the route of taking the high road: Classy and the typical Lamar Jackson panache there. Pat him on the back. Please keep your fingers crossed for the rest of us. We mentioned we're annoyed with the disrespect, right? We mentioned we're confused about how Jackson keeps taking the high road, correct? How does he stay so calm when the rest of us get so bothered by this? Maybe it's the professionalism. Perhaps it is his knowledge that, when you're a starting quarterback for an NFL team, this is just part of the arrangement. Most of us probably would have answered a 'clap' by 'clapping back'—credit Jackson for avoiding turning some holiday 'cheer' into a media circus. Advertisement We all understand where the jabs come from. Jackson knows that to continue validating himself, he must win playoff games and eventually a Super Bowl, but as strange as it sounds, it seems that probably wouldn't be enough to change some people's minds. No one wants to win more than Jackson. "They're going to get a Super Bowl out of me." That was the promise he made to everyone when drafted. Whether fair or unfair, postseason success and title count are the most commonly used factors in grading how well NFL quarterbacks are performing. Jackson needs to deliver on his promise. To distance himself from his peers, he needs that ring, that Vince Lombardi Trophy. Then again, the same thing can be said about Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert. How come no one disrespects them as often as the guy in Baltimore? Jackson is on the track, and attempts to discredit him as a passer are foolish. He tossed 41 touchdowns last season vs. just four interceptions. Only five quarterbacks eclipsed his 4,172 yards passing, and he lit it up through the air despite being part of the game's top rushing attack. Advertisement Lamar ranks among the elite. He destroys defenses with his legs AND his arm. Now, all that's needed is that elusive Super Bowl win. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson's viral reaction fuels fresh talk about his value
