I have never been required to produce a weekly column for any newspaper, so it is difficult for me to appreciate the pressure associated with filling the space. However, your last SUNDAY SUN has given me some indication in the form of the column The Moore Things Change by Carl Moore.

Mr Moore’s first 188 words were just a little anecdotal fluff, followed by the next 156 where he invoked the memory of the late Gladstone Holder as his now too familiar a crutch.  

Finally, he arrived at his topic – Too Big To Apologize – dealing with Sir Roy’s unfortunate remarks that were delivered at this year’s May Day celebrations.

It particularly troubled me when he stated that calls for removal of the accolade of knighthood

and revocation of his seat in the Senate were silly and then went on to criticize Sir Roy’s “careless talk”, also pointing out the cliché “to whom much is given, much is expected”.  

From those two positions, it would appear that Mr Moore was arguing at cross purposes. I was one of those who called for the removal of the knighthood and the revocation of his Senate appointment precisely because I believe that much was expected from him after he had been given so much.

As an Independent senator, he is expected to uphold the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and in this regard, I am referring specifically to the section that speaks to discrimination against a person because of race, place of origin, political opinion, colour or creed.  

Sir Roy should never have seen his role as whipping up the masses, using race and place of origin as irritating factors.

Unlike Mr Moore, I cannot excuse bad behaviour because that is what is expected from a trade union leader on May Day. I suggest that attitude displayed by Mr Moore is patronizing and condescending.  

I have come to expect a higher standard of reasoning from Mr Moore. I am used to his calling for better behaviour in this society.

Is he saying that we can excuse unacceptable behaviour from someone because of his station in life?

I will put Mr Moore’s column down to writer’s fatigue and leave it as that.

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