Wednesday, November 21, 2007

From the Campaign Trail

As we count down to a possible change of government across the tasman, I thought I would share this gem from the campaign trail.

Australian Labor leader, Kevin Rudd, has been busy appearing on Rove and student radio etc - to appear to be down with kids. But unfortunately it turns out that Rudd is still just a 50 year old conservative Christian at heart - and like Rowan Atkinson in Four Weddings and Funeral can't bring himself to say 'condom'.

Asked on youth radio network 'Triple J' whether he supported condom use as a safe sex message for young people he broke out an absolute corker example of bureaucratise.

"In terms of effective aids prevention mechanisms, contraception along the lines you described are appropriate," said Rudd before doing a silly giggle.

Good grief. Wouldnt "Yeah absolutely" have been a better answer?

Still, it should be all on for young and old this weekend. Labor are well ahead, but my only fear is that they will over-capitalise in their safe seats, and not pick up enough votes in the marginals. I guess we will see on Saturday night (well the early hours of Sunday morning).

3 comments:

gus said...

Personally I think it was quite a smart answer. To have just agreed with what the host said would mean that he agreed condoms are effective for safe sex, which they are not. He said they are appropriate for aids prevention, which they are.

beetlebum said...

Its a terrible answer to that audience. Its a classic case of using too many words when one or two would have done. Im more criticising the language rather than the message per se.

But anyway - isnt AIDS prevention the greatest 'safe sex' issue - and if condoms are effective in preventing AIDS, then doesnt that make them "effective for safe sex"?

gus said...

safe sex campains make teens think that condoms protect them from catching STDs (or is that STIs?!). But the reality is that they do very little in prevention and only offer a little more, if any, protection than nothing at all. Its scary that so many governments are not doing more in the way of informing teens and adults of the downfalls of condoms.

still, it is pretty funny that he couldnt bring himself to say the naughty word 'condom'. His pillow talk must be AMAZING to hear!!