The Politically Incorrect Show - 15/09/2000

[Music - Die Fledermaus]

Good afternoon, Kaya Oraaa & welcome to the Politically Incorrect Show on the free speech network, Radio Pacific, for Friday September 15, proudly sponsored by Neanderton Nicotine Ltd., the show that says bugger the politicians & bureaucrats & all the other bossyboot busybodies who try to run our lives with our money; that stands tall for free enterprise, achievement, profit, & excellence, against the state-worshippers in our midst; that stands above all for the most sacred thing in the universe, the liberty of the human individual.

[Music up, music down!]

This from the Olympics section of yesterday's Herald:

"Superman tattoo on one arm, long black hair flying behind, Jai Taurima cuts a distinctive figure as he dashes down the track & leaps into the sandpit. It is not just his athletic prowess or his looks that keep Jumping Jai in the spotlight. The Australian record-holding long-jumper has a knack for being outrageous & a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Taurima, a self-proclaimed lover of chocolate & extreme sports, last landed in hot water several weeks ago when he claimed that 'dark' athletes coming to compete in Sydney would struggle with the cold. The comment caused controversy & no doubt gave rival jumpers the motivation they needed. There is no point dismissing the 28-year-old as a loud-mouth Aussie though: Taurima is half-Maori... Last year he had a Superman-style S tattooed on his arm & he is determined to go base-jumping, even though wiser minds have urged him to wait until after the Games. And no one can stop him smoking a packet of cigarettes a day."

I like the sound of this guy - flair, swashbuckling fearlessness, a mind of his own, & no sickly false modesty.

The subject of false modesty has been discussed recently on a Mario Lanza internet site that I visit daily. Mario, who was immodest enough to say, "I am not the second Caruso, I am the first Lanza," was often accused of having a swollen head. Here's what one contributor posted:

"False modesty is just that: false. I think many of us were raised in an age when children were taught to demure when praised, not get 'big heads,' etc., so can be inclined to slap the 'fat ego' label on someone who behaves otherwise. I find a person who openly acknowledges and enjoys their prowess (in whatever area and resulting from whatever combination of natural gifts and hard work) refreshing. I think it's quite possible to do that without being obnoxious about it, and that it is much more honest. I remember a quote attributed to Mario: 'Ooooo, Mario, you sing like a son-of-a-bitch!' Don't know if he really ever said it, but I loved it!"

He DID say it ... & it was true!

Another contributor quoted actor Vincent Price:

"Mario happens to have one of the greatest voices of our time. Expecting him to be unaware of this is both unrealistic and absurd. If that's egoism, then I'm 100% for it!"

Me too. Spare me the nauseating humility of those who lack the courage of their greatness. Give me any day the audacious, formidable David Tua presenting Lennox Lewis, whom he's about to challenge for the world heavyweight boxing title, with a floral wreath to wear round his neck, saying, "This is not a peace offering; it is a declaration of war."

Or new US Open tennis champion Venus Williams, receiving a congratulatory call from President Clinton & saying to him: "Mr President, can you lower my taxes please?" She explained later: "I was really unhappy with my tax bracket. I work hard, & I want to keep my earnings."

Yes, the spectacle of the gods among us savouring their own stature, relishing their own individuality, projecting pride in their achievements, is an inspiring one. As a salute to the above-mentioned & all other unapologetic tall poppies the world over - The Free Radical Award.

(FREERAD AWARD)

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