Gerard Castles
Greg Barns’ stock in trade is holier than thou moral grandstanding. He’s been at it again.
The Editor
The Mercury
August 23, 2006
Dear Sir:
Greg Barns and Gunter Grass
Greg Barns’ stock in trade is holier than thou moral grandstanding. He’s been at it again.
In his column (last) week (Mowing down Grass) Barns argued that Gunter Grass’ recent voluntary admission that he was compulsorily drafted into the Waffen SS in the last days of WW II somehow lessened his contribution to Future Perfect, an alternative to the Forestry Tasmania sponsored Ten Days on the Island.
Grass has the courage to be honest about his past.
Would that Barns could do the same and tell the truth as Grass has done, he might begin by acknowledging in his articles his numerous business dealings with various corporations, including Parker and Partners, who boast of manipulating public opinion for corporate and government clients.
Would that Barns admit in his writings that when in the recent state election he was flushed out as being a willing conduit for the ALP’s dirt unit propaganda, his defense was, “so what.”*
But then Gunter Grass has established a global reputation exactly for his bravery and honesty, even at the price of his own extraordinary reputation. Would Greg Barns …? But then what reputation does poor Greg have?
Sincerely,
Gerard Castles
(Curator — Future Perfect)
