Mediocre writing, populist subject, little meaningful research, poorly presented all round. The kind of article I expect to encounter in an inflight magazine, worthy of little more than a desultory flick-through before proceeding to something of more merit.

Yawn factor? Medium high.

Odd. If you dislike Canberra that much, why on earth spend 20 years working and living here? Myself, I would just move to somewhere I would rather live.

CV from the ABC’s Drum Unleashed, where he’s written several politics-themed essays. His photo makes him look like a nice Santa Claus kinda fellow.

Dr Norman Abjorensen is a lecturer in political science at the Australian National University and author of John Howard and the Conservative Tradition (2008) and Leadership and the Liberal Revival (2007).

On a related note have you ever noticed that Sydneyites tend to bash Canberra far more than Melbournites? I’m not sure what that means, but its just something I’ve noticed.

Johnboy should invite the good Doctor to Riot-ACT.

DeadlySchnauzer said :

On a related note have you ever noticed that Sydneyites tend to bash Canberra far more than Melbournites? I’m not sure what that means, but its just something I’ve noticed.

I assume it’s a result of the cognitive dissonance arising from the fact that they continue to live in Sydney.

I normally enjoy Norm’s writing but this article is just a collection of tired old cliches and unsupported assertions. Disappointing. Certainly not the Canberra I know.
Maybe he needs to get out more. Intersting fact – he used to wrk for Vicki Dunne as a staffer in the Assembly.
I liked this comment by Olaf following the article.

“Menzies had recounted to his family how, one evening, the Hotel Canberra had refused him a meal when he arrived tired and hungry from a delayed train because the dining room had closed. It was just 6.15p.m.! “

A fat prick conservative politician was deprived of his dinner in the 40s. For shame Canberra.

It’s not as bad as I was expecting. Unfortunately, there were some pretty solid points made as well.

The references made to Menzies are interesting in that Norm doesn’t explore the reasons why Sir Bob went from deriding Canberra to promoting its cause. Wouldn’t have suited his rant I suppose. Of course, any city created in the manner that Canberra was is going to attract its fair share of critics. Over time, however, as the city does develop a soul and identity of its own, those critics should lessen in numbers.

I think the bit about rushing for a carpark or a fuel bowser is a load of cobblers. If such a phenomenon does exist I can’t see it being any better or worse here compared to any other city in Australia.

In regards to his restaurant critique, that’s probably bang on. Highlighted by the hole the closure of Anise has left in the local fine dining arena.

I’m sure Norm will stumble across this RA thread at some point, so, just to follow his cue, the joke is on him because he lives in Struggletown.

DeadlySchnauzer said :

On a related note have you ever noticed that Sydneyites tend to bash Canberra far more than Melbournites? I’m not sure what that means, but its just something I’ve noticed.

Probably that Sydney is full of vajayjays!

DeadlySchnauzer said :

On a related note have you ever noticed that Sydneyites tend to bash Canberra far more than Melbournites? I’m not sure what that means, but its just something I’ve noticed.

Actually having spent quite a few years in Sydney and some time in Melbourne. I would say neither talk about Canberra much except when referring to politicians i.e insert Canberra for politics.

I have have noticed that some Canberrans spend a lot of time airing their issues with Sydney and talking up Melbourne even though they haven’t lived in either city.

Aww, poor Normy. Maybe he just needs a good public cry, and then he can get on with his life.

Lazy writing at its best, pandering to old stereotypes and cliches with a few lies and half truths seems to pass as journalism these days.

Besides, Norm lives in Queanbeyan. Enough said.

Kerryhemsley said :

Actually having spent quite a few years in Sydney and some time in Melbourne. I would say neither talk about Canberra much except when referring to politicians i.e insert Canberra for politics.

I have have noticed that some Canberrans spend a lot of time airing their issues with Sydney and talking up Melbourne even though they haven’t lived in either city.

There’s probably something in that, similar to the tendency for New Zealanders to think that we obsess over their country to the same degree that they obsess over ours.

Incidentally, I’ve lived in Sydney and have a hard time imagining that Melbourne could be worse.

london sucks.

astrojax said :

london sucks.

Lords has a 2m slope on it and they have moved it 3 times.
If it is not raining it is cloudy and overcast 10 months of the year.

Maybe teaching reverse pscychology his parents backed the car over his head when he was a child and it’s just his way of saying he misses Canberra