[pdmunro]

I heard an interesting term on the radio today: dog-whistling.

An example, that the political commentator gave, was the recently introduced citizenship test here in Australia. The test is easy: it asks questions such as "What is the first line of the national anthem?". Even if you knew none of the answers, and even if you couldn't speak English, you could rote learn the answers in 30 minutes.** The political commentator holds the view that the point of the test is not to weed out people from becoming Australian citizens, but rather to send an implicit message to xenophobes that "We are the political party that is concerned - just like you are - about immigrants not assimilating into our culture. So vote for us!".

Another example given was President Bush's references from the Book of Revelations. Such references are only recognized by those with a familiarity with the Bible. They send a coded message to those people, that "I, President Bush, have your religous interests at heart. So vote for me!". Whereas, other listeners, not recognizing the origin of the words, simply hear the literal meaning.

So, just as only dogs can hear the frequency of a dog-whistle, these "dog-whistling" political messages only evoke emotional responses in the minds of their selected audience.
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** Here is a parody that's are much harder than the government's test! I know I would fail this one.

2007 Australian Citizenship test
1. Do you understand the meaning, but are unable to explain the origin of, the term "died in the arse"?
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2. What is a "bloody little beauty"?
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3. Are these terms related: chuck a sickie; chuck a spaz; chuck a U-ey?
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4. Explain the following passage: "In the arvo last Chrissy the relos rocked up for a barbie, some bevvies and a few snags. After a bit of a Bex and a lie down we opened the pressies, scoffed all the chockies, bickies and lollies. Then we drained a few tinnies and Mum did her block after Dad and Steve had a barney and a bit of biffo."
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5. Macca, Chooka and Wanger are driving to Surfers in their Torana. If they are travelling at 100 km/h while listening to Barnsey, Farnsey and Acca Dacca, how many slabs will each person on average consume between flashing a brown eye and having a slash?
___________________________
6. Complete the following sentences:
a) If the van's rockin' don't bother ...
B) You're going home in the back of a ...
c) Fair crack of the ...
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7. I've had a gutful and I can't be fagged. Discuss
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8. Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of a wedgie?
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9. Do you have a friend or relative who has a car in their front yard "up on blocks"? Is his name Bruce and does he have a wife called Cheryl?
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10. Does your family regularly eat a dish involving mincemeat, cabbage, curry powder and a packet of chicken noodle soup called either chow mein, chop suey or kai see ming?
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11. What are the ingredients in a rissole?
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12. Demonstrate the correct procedure for eating a Tim Tam.
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13. Do you have an Aunty Irene who smokes 30 cigarettes a day and sounds like a bloke?
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14. In any two-hour period have you ever eaten three-bean salad, a chop and two serves of pav washed down with someone else's beer that has been flogged from a bath full of ice?
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15. When you go to a bring-your-own-meat barbie can you eat other people's meat or are you only allowed to eat your own?
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16. What purple root vegetable beginning with the letter "b" is required by law to be included in a hamburger with the lot?
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17. Do you own or have you ever owned a lawn mower, a pair of thongs, an Esky or Ugg boots?
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18. Is it possible to "prang a car" while doing "circle work"?
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19. Who would you like to crack on to?
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20. Who is the most Australian: Kevin "Bloody" Wilson, John "True Blue" Williamson, Kylie Minogue or Warnie?
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21. Is there someone you are only mates with because they own a trailer or have a pool?
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22. What does "sinkin piss at a mates joint and getten para" mean?

[han]

Very funny, even though I don't know any of the answers!

[Gerben42]

Quote

  Very funny, even though I don't know any of the answers! 

Agree! No worries, mate. Hold on to your wallabie.

[barmar]

4. Something about celebrating Christmas with a barbecue? Pressies = presents; chockies, bickies and lollies are kinds of candy (chocolates, something, and lollipops). But the last sentence has me stumped; I guess tinnies are cans of soda or beer, but I have no idea what Mum's "block" is, or barney and biffo.

9. We have these in the States -- we call them "rednecks". See http://www.jefffoxwo...jod/index.shtml