How many times in the middle of an intense argument with a stupid work mate have you been tempted just to smack their stupid little face. But you don’t.
In fact, you know that you can’t even touch them. You can glower and scowl and talk with a low harsh intensity.
But no touchy touchy and no raised voices.
It’s hard but being civilised and rational and being grown up demands you keep control.
Andrew Bayly didn’t. But what is good is that he knew it.
Sometimes you have to hold yourself to account is what he said when he resigned. That was a great line. Wouldn’t you love more people to hold themselves account.
Some might say that he was just trying to get urgency in getting things done. But that’s not so.
In these uncivil times we need to remember that basic courtesy and respect for others must exist.
If the strength of your argument is so strong you will not need to shake some sense into anyone.
And I think the world would be better if we had people who were not so inclined to call anyone they disagree with a moron. To threaten them if they have a different point of view.
There are some who are making political capital out of the gap between Friday's resignation and Monday's announcement. But that's just petty. He just spent a weekend pulling himself together to face the music.
Andrew Bayly has acted with honour and the next version of Andrew Bayly will be even better. He’s got a ton of experience, and he’s learnt a harsh lesson.
And you know he learnt it because he punished himself.
But he leaves a problem for the National party.
They're running out of experienced talent.
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