It's a bit late for 'Virtue Signalling' isn't it?

THIS IS TODAY... I suppose that it is not all that surprising that election candidates might be unsubtle enough to indulge in a spot of VIRTUE SIGNALLING but what fools do they imagine that you are, indeed the electorate is, that anyone might swallow this stuff uncritically and vote for them accordingly.

Now that is an interesting idea – voting accordingly and uncritically – given that in Launceston about the only thing on show to do with Local Govt. is 'virtue signalling'. A cynic would spot this stuff right-up and cynics get called out and are usually misunderstood.

A wise sage, paraphrased, is quoted as saying "cynicism is just a rough way of telling the truth". A cynic right now in the municipality of the 'City of Launceston' has quite a bit see and to 'speak roughly about'.

Now take 'POWER DRESSING' for instance, and say 'the tie' or 'not the tie' or 'colour', 'baseball caps', 'lipstick', 'the suit' or 'not the suit', 'fancy dress', and oh my goodness 'shorts and a footy jumper', 'old casuals in Ravo'. etc. etc. etc. Along with 'talking heads' it's on display whenever you look.

You are well advised to be alert to the language of 'virtue' and then think critically - very critically. However, there're some who are a bit aware and are personally avoiding 'personal appearances' for 'virtue's sake' – and safety's sake.

If these 'devices' are being used you have a clue as to just what is at stake – an income opportunity typically. For the occasion, "I'm one of you" or  'I'm at one with you"and usually that is as far from reality as Lagos and New York are 'apart'. There are several expletives available for use here but I'll resist.

Then comes 'the gunnadoooz' all of which, for incumbents, is delusional fiction because if it meant anything we'd all know about it and be able to measure the progress 'in real time'. 

For the aspirants it simply signals a level of naivety commensurate with grandeur of 'the promise'. In the end all that a hapless voter can do is be aware, very, very, aware that this 'game playing' is going on and remember all that's been promised and not delivered or run a 'credibility check-cum-fact check' for most of this stuff. 

Confucius says, "He who speaks without modesty will find it difficult to make his words good."  And, Criss Jami, Killosophy tells us, “Tolerance! The virtue that makes one bite his tongue so that he can tear out his hair.”

Tandra Vale October 17 

THE COUNT TODAY 

47309

Launceston City

14970

31.64%