Donuts that leave a bad taste in the mouth

I was watching the TV last night when an advertisement for Donut King appeared on the screen. It was one of those weird drifting text and bright colours sort of ads, only moderately offensive. Or so I thought - for five seconds in the middle of this garish landscape of eye-blasting pink, none other than Pauline Hanson graced the screen, endorsing the fine doughy goodness. Then the ad continued for a while as though nothing had happened...
It took a little while for me to process this. I had to confirm with Ann that what I saw actually happened. Her face was a mixture of confusion and horror, and I needed no further proof than that...

Pauline Hanson seems a strange choice to give an endorsement. Even if you supported her, most people view her with contempt, their opinions of her ranging from idiot to criminal to racist nut.
On the same night, we witnessed One Nation founder David Oldfield alongside moderately well-known celebs on Survivor.

At what point did Hanson and her ilk achieve acceptable celebrity status? Are things so desperate that bigots behind past controversies have to be dredged up to inpsire commerce? Perhaps people have forgiven or forgotten the things that these people represent. I sure haven't.

As Ann put it, "I can't buy donuts from a white supremacist." Neither can I. I'm afraid they just don't taste very good when sprinkled with racism.

Tristan Miller

I'm really bad at this, 12/09/2006

A great period of upheaval appears to be drawing to a close, at least on the local scale. My immediate family have upped and left this fair state, for other pastures, be it Melbourne or the Northern Territory...whilst I have endured yet another house move. These things happen I suppose. My brother invited me to loot his house after his departure, as there were many things that he and Tessa did not get time to dispose of, store or Tetris into their car. It was a strange experience, picking through an empty house that still held the presence of its previous occupants. Everything about it reminded me of the events that transpired there over the years; memories like waking up on the kitchen floor after the most horrendous election party (with the hot Liberal sun shining in my eyes), brotherly backyard boxing bouts, more drinking, or just hanging around - these were all vividly replayed in my mind. The occasional relic of childhood dotted the landscape, a few in places too obscure to be seen by anyone in a hurry to get out of there. If it wasn't for the random bits and pieces scattered throughout the entire house, I doubt I would have felt much, but everywhere in there held reminders of the way of Sam and Tessa, which is something I will miss being around so often.
That said, I scored some pretty good gear while I was there, including booze, a printer, and many metres of extension cords and power boards. Some things are lost, but others are gained when things change one way or another. So although I miss my family a lot, I know that the times we are together will be all the more incredible.
That's all I can say at this time,

Tristan Miller