we're picking up the rather troublesome American tradition of radical nationalism, which brings automatically its own bigotry and intolerances. Patriotism is fine with me, but in excess it becomes xenophobia. How many times do you hear on talk radio, "I'm not racist, but...." ? that phrase alone sums up much of what is not good in our society. On the other side of that coin, i think education has led to a more general acceptance of those who make certain "lifestyle choices".

Good Question Jeff, another very Ugly fat of Australian life becoming so entrenched as to be part of our culture is the language that comes out of peoples mouths these days, it is more and more accepted for people to use the F#$@ & C#@* word, whenever and wherever they like, and younger teenagers & Children are using it. Just the other day sitting at the lights in my car, window down, 2 kids not more that 14 years old, walking across the street and yelling out to their friend "oi you F#*%ing C@#$, Where the F@%# have you F%@$ing been you C%@$#! i felt like throwing up, the language was that vile, yet many people are acceptable of it or if we do say anything it is now classed as "my rights to say and do as i please" attitude, so what more can you do, i notice now it is not just a few people you hear speaking such disgusting language now, you are surrounded by it. from all ages. some may say swearing has always been apart of our culture, but not part of every sentance!! and not so publicly,

Crikey, Jeff. You've unleashed the beast with this one. Apart form the unfortunate social trends discussed in your blog since Australia Day (drunken louts disrespecting Australia Day; tattooism; spendaholics, etc etc), there is one tendency that might be more worrying than any. The once agreeable and widely recognised trait of Australians - the laid back, 'she'll be right', no worries approach to life - has morphed into a collective attitude of 'it doesn't matter', or 'why should anyone care?'. Our lasseiz faire approach to life used to suggest that we genuinely appreciated and valued the good fortune we have, living in the greatest place and nation on the planet. Now it could be argued that we have become genuinely discontent, devoid of the real ANZAC spirit, and even devoid of the self belief tat underpins the pride of a Nation and the self esteem of the individual. Are we starting to think we are unworthy, or incapable, or that we are drifting ever further from our forefathers' rock solid values and beliefs that our self respect is dimishing at an increasing rate? I believe that this tendency, or trend, would be easily observed by people fronm other countries. It is easy to see that our self respect - our belief that we are worthy of the best, and capable of setting and meeting the highest standards in all aspects of modern life - is at an all time low. As a community, do we really ACCEPT that the flag should be disrespected on Australia Day? Or that drunken thugs should be allowed to rule the streets on Newcastle? Or that thousands of people are literally without shelter each night and day? Or that drug dealers worldwide see Australia as the most lucrative and safest market in the world? Or that tax dollar funded bureaucrats [see Cessnock Council, Newcastle Uni etc] should be allowed to squander the wealth of the people with impunity? I sya NO. I believe that we have become TOO TOLERANT of the WRONG THINGS within our society. I'm not saying we should become a totalitarian regime like the taliban ~ quite the opposite. Australia is the greatest place on Earth to celebrate freedom, human rights and the potential of the human race. In order to give that effect, we have to set - and maintain - the very highest standards in life. We are worth the effort.

AFL. a culture to despise.

I can see your point here Jeff - Australian 'culture' does seem to be headed down the tube, I blame the increasing welfare state where you can expect everything by way of Government assistance without really having to put in too much to help yourself. My better half is British (i'm an Aussie) and we spend half our life here and half in England - you will be pleased to know that we are NOTHING like england is at the moment, where it seems that only half the population actually go to work!! You would not even believe the stories I could tell you about the welfare system in the UK - and I came pretty close to dealing with it all in my job! Commenting on your experience of Aussies overseas, I tend to find that we are generally held in high regard everywhere I go. Perhaps this is because only the ones of us who actually work hard earn enough to take that overseas trip every now and then. When in England I am proud to identify myself as Australian - and I am treated much better in almost every country once they see that blue passport rather than the red UK passport I also carry. The French and Spanish particularly treat me like a mate, and treat my english friends like dirt.... Whilst we are generally regarded as the loud, big drinking ones, we are also regarded as showing great sportsmanship, whether we win or lose (as opposed to english football hooligans), we are still proud of our country (as opposed to the many Brits who can't wait to retire and emigrate), we still have freedom of speech to be openly critical (as opposed to a recent british TV personality who had to apologise after referring to the british PM as a 'scottish git'). Perhaps the best demonstration of how we are seen overseas is in the recent bushfire crisis - an English friend would simply not believe that Australians would donate over 100 million to the cause within a week to help out people we did not know! Or that pretty much all major Australian companies had provided millions of dollars/donations - especially in the current economic climate. I travel with two passport (a UK one and an Australian one) and I can tell you which one I always present to identify myself....

I couldn't agree more with the thrust of your argument Corbett. I have no understanding of why such a culture of self abuse is rampant. I came from Taree origionally, [as you will know from my comment posted on your article about ppl with tattoos]. I am at the age where binge drinking is the norm, i turn 24 next month. I am sorry to say that the majority of my friends ranging in age from 21-35, have serious issues with alcohol abuse. Not that any of them would willingly admit there folly. I came from a town where getting plastered, stoned, and knocked up was, and still is the norm. I was raised by different standards thankfully. Drinking is a major problem in this country, and it needs to be addressed. The moronic 'hero' factor as you correctly labelled them, is prolific. And sadly unavoidable. Now it's almost impossible to enjoy yourself at your local on a weekend because it's full of brain dead alcoholics in the making. People who decide they don't want to go out for a night to have a good time because they can't afford to drink have something seriously lacking in there personal education. Being sober is not to be avoided. People of a young age need to be taught early, from yr 7 and on, that you can enjoy life without seeing it pass you by through the bottom of a schooner glass. Beer goggles need to be lifted from the eyes of the youth, and we need to correct this greivous anti-social culture before it's to late. it's already prolific. people with issues need to find better ways of dealing with them. As the daughter of an alcoholic i understand this all to well. The first step to correcting this problem is through decent education. As someone of my generation it is probly surprising that i am a strong beleiver in bringing back the cane in schools. The toe rag element might then be whacked out of certain parents little darlings long before they become a problem for the rest of us! Drinking is just the result of a deeper problem.

Jeff Corbett who? the Hunters most provocative columnist? I've never read a column full of such self importance. If by 'Hunters most provocative' you mean totally narrow minded, pig headed, spouting ridiculous stereotypes then yes Mr Corbett is most provocative. It's way to easy to condem our youth just to appeal to the older readers and to place yourself on some morale high ground. The mentality of what you do is borish, childish and non-constructive to our great society. living in the UK for five years i hoped on my return archaic views like Mr Corbetts' would have no voice. This morning i shed a tear over the mess on page 8 of the herald. come on people, where is the love, we all share the same boat. Instead of judging try understanding, it's great for personal growth.

Jeff-here's a list--Pig dogs flannelette bourbon coke breach avo tongue pierce mullet hair dipshit hair fat chick mobile phone heifer bridesmaid graffiti tag ugh boot unregistered uninsured unlicensed methadone amphetamine card machine assault de facto notify DOCS chuck litter skate board etc etc.Read "Life at the bottom"by Theodore Dalrymple -there's an attempt to analyse why the British national character is coarsening-it's exactly the same in Australia (maybe not the pig dog menace)

It is not just drunken louts overstepping social boundaries, last night I was in the toiletry isle of my local supermarket with my 16y.o daughter. Two young guys were shopping together and proceeded to make, what I think any one would consider lewd, comments about the use of condoms. Obviously they were trying to get some reaction from us but I told my daughter to ignore them. Having worked with a large group of men for nearly 20 years I understand that male talk will come out at some stage but why should we have to listen to their sexual insinuations in a public place !

The blame game on blaming anyone else is as good as aussie nowadays.