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From: David McInerney <vagabond@xxxxxxxxx>
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Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 15:55:31 +0930
I would like to thank Angela for her response and I can only underline
the political aspect of this attack, which is clearly McCarthyist. And
it's not just Foucault but others, most famously the Windschuttle
attack on Toni Negri. Actually when I saw the article I groaned and
said to myself "uh, not Windschuttle again", but then I saw it was by
this English bloke.
For those list members living outside of Australia, yes, The Australian
is the most prominent newspaper and it is where academic jobs are
advertised etc on Wednesdays but it is generally hated by most
intellectuals who are not aligned with the Right for its pro-Howard
propaganda. Its role in the debates on history here has been
consistently celebratory and jingoistic in a manner that might make
even Francis Fukuyama uncomfortable.
One word might make this all fall into place: Murdoch.
Australia has been well and truly 'outfoxed' ... in many cities around
Australia Murdoch owns the only daily newspaper, the classic example
being The Advertiser here in Adelaide, although it tends towards
right-populist rather than right-elitist (that's The Australian's
niche).
best,
David
