Peter FitzSimons will have you believe he is on a moral quest to save us from the relentless stream of betting advertising that is muddying the minds of our children.
He will claim that he is risking his reputation by speaking out against the wealthy, powerful bookie, Tom Waterhouse, who is currently suing FitzSimons for defamation over a series of inarticulate, CAPS LOCK-laden rants in his weekly Fairfax column.
FitzSimons has made a career, of sorts, out of polarising public opinion.
His belligerent style of writing dares you, somewhat violently, to either side with him or against him.
He doesn’t care what you think, as long as he gets to have his say in a public forum.
The back page of the Sydney Morning Herald is FitzSimons’ soapbox; his pedestal from which he is allowed free reign, under the auspices of his editor, to wax lyrical on any subject he should so desire.
From Anthony Mundine to Michael Clarke, FitzSimons will paint said public figure in whatever shade he pleases, urging the reader to come along and join his human conga line of hate (or love, depending on the subject).
“Yes, I wasn’t mentioned in ‘FitzFiles’ this week!”
Don’t get me wrong: I hate the over-exposure of Tom Waterhouse as much as the next guy. His crap-licking visage grates me no end – and there is no doubt that the ubiquity of sports betting advertising on TV is harmful to future generations, who will see this as the norm should it continue.
FitzSimons is to be commended for calling on the government to remove loopholes that allow TV networks to spruik betting odds under the guise of sports commentary.
But FitzSimons is a victim of his own vanity, presenting this battle as a popularity contest.
His career is not on the line; he doesn’t stand to lose everything.
His court fees are being paid by Fairfax, which means it isn’t really ‘Fitzy vs Waterhouse’, as he’d like it to be. He shouldn’t slant the argument his way.
If he wants to take on Waterhouse, then perhaps he should cough up the fees – then he’d earn some real respect. Who wouldn’t back a columnist (I’m reluctant to call him a journalist) over a scurrilous bookmaker?
If FitzSimons had an element of finesse about his writing – which he doesn’t – then he wouldn’t be in the situation he is in.
He would have neatly made his point while avoiding a lawsuit. This argument should be met with reason, not rancour. But then again FitzSimons, a former rugby union lock, has never been noted for his subtlety.
I’m torn. On one hand, I am glad that someone is taking a direct challenge to Tom Waterhouse’s overt efforts to cash in on an obvious loophole, on the basis that it is damaging for children to be exposed to constant gambling advertising.
But on the other hand, I don’t like the way FitzSimons is positioning the battle.
One gets the feeling that FitzSimons likes to insert himself into his writing.
I haven’t read any of his critically acclaimed books on Australian history, but I hope he managed to avoid using the personal pronoun when recounting the heroics of Australian WWII soldiers in his best-selling tome Tobruk.
Perhaps these are the battles he should stick to writing about.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
When studying micology, never forget the underlying mycorrhizal association ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eKqs7GJ0jdY#!
k-boy
Guest
Fitz is totally right. All the criticism of him misses the point. The gambling is a fungus and should be removed completely from ALL sport. Tom Waterhouse is the son of a crook who is the son of a crook. The whole lot of them are among the worst examples of humanity in our society. The community should ostracise these scum, but in reality they will be surrounded by arse-kissers and gold diggers who don't have the education or intelligence to see the damage they do to their own society. GO FITZ!!
Django
Guest
Dave, just cough up your fiddy. Well done Fitzy. I laid a bet in the 2011 AFL Grand Final for the Cats to win by exactly 43 points at great odds. After a very dubious umpiring decision affording Collingwood a goal for a kick that clearly hit the goalpost, I had a very sandy vagina when the final result was Cats by 38pts!!!!!!! To flush the sand, I rang and informed the AFL of my concerns on the following Monday. The AFL told me that gambling was my problem not theirs, fair nuff you might argue. I then pointed out that under their own rules it was really a 43 win AND that with multiple teams having sponsorship from gambling/gaming organisations it may well be read as being sus' by viewers. AFL response was that is not our concern!!!!!!! Get TW off the sporting programs. Get TW off the airwaves altogether. Keep an eye on his Wiki page too, it gets edited often.
Skaps
Guest
Hi Dave, Funnily enough two of the main points that you raise in your defence are addressed in your 'About' page on this website. I find it difficult to understand how you could possibly maintain your remark that Peter's writing style will ensure further law-suits in light of the fact that you proudly claim that you are the "Chief Editor of the fledgling, lawsuit-provoking satirical sports website, The Public Apology". Seems kind of hypocritical doesn't it? And then in your comment below you state that you "aren't a sports writer by profession and don't pretend to be". Interestingly enough you specifically characterise the website that you edit as a "sports" website and your six most recent articles on this website are sports related. Lucky your editor is a good sport and the website put up the donation on your behalf.
Ken Mason
Guest
I fully support Fitz in his argument with Waterhouse. Betting on sport is a fungus that needs to be tightly controlled, if allowed at all. Waterhouse is bred to feel he is some sort of royalty. But he is only part of the wider problem which was thrown into the mix by the RSL State President's tirade against the "pokie-palace" clubs. All perfectly correct and absolutely the truth. So when are WE..the public, going to get the rules WE want, in place, and being enforced. How long do we put up with the bullshit. Go Fitz. ps The red bandana is a no. K-boy
Syd
Guest
Got to love a blogger bagging a best selling author and journalist with a reputable newspaper. Tell us about your accomplishments Dave.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Same here danni ~ my 8 year old granddaughter has asked what betting & gambling are as a result of that heinous advertising. The one positive is that I get the opportunity to explain about parasites in nature and society.
danni
Guest
I have 3 children and one of them is a sport fanatic. Today (27th april 2012) he has come out with one of his drawings about all his favourite players in the league. It also displayed his favourite commentators "sterlo" and "johnsy". The bit that disgusts me the most is that he has also drawn in the bottom right hand corner "Bets on money Tom Waterhouse". Both my husband and I DO NOT bet , and am saying to anyone that thinks this does not "influence" children in anyway, you are WRONG. My son is 7yrs old. Tom Waterhouse should not be allowed to be advertised in this way, just like cigarettes are banned for advertising, same principles apply. Peter Fitzsimons you have my full support, I hope your court case goes very well, and thankyou for speaking out about this matter.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Fitz has much more to say in the SMH online today ~ well worth reading In sum, your submission is a joke, your industry is a painfully poisonous parasite on Australia's arse, and I will, I daresay, see you in court. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/waterhouses-submission-is-a-joke-thats-not-funny-20130424-2ieyc.html#ixzz2RQZnj1qm
johnb747b
Guest
I mostly read Fitzy's stuff. His current piece on the US Masters is excellent. However... I rely much more on a mix of the roar and 'Offsiders'. Gerard is in my view the best sporting commentator in Oz, possibly the world. My gripe is that 'Offsiders' should be extended to one hour. I've written to the ABC about this and they've said they'll think about it.
Horizontal
Guest
Great Comments. Enjoyed the differing opinions. I am an avid SMH reader but he is one of the few I never read. I find Fitzsimons (is that how you spell it) a narcissistic, bombastic goose but I agree with him this time. Get betting banned from TV. Its going to addict the kids if left uncontrolled!
Kevin O'Reilly
Guest
Twenty years ago booze and ciggies dominated all forms of sports. Legislators in their wisdom threw these social evils off our screens. Gambling is the 21st century equivalent! TW is not doing anything illegal: we need the NRL Fox Sports and Channel 9 to cut ties with all gambling outlets. I for one am no longer watching League again while ever gambling is connected to the telecast. A pox on all their houses!!
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Newmatilda provides an interesting viewpoint (one quote from page link) ~ When we look at the kids lining up in admiration in front of this well-suited baby millionaire, I think we may be gutted about what Waterhouse is telling us about the fundamental flaws of hero worship. http://newmatilda.com//2013/04/09/when-kids-go-mad-bookie
yewonk
Guest
if you go to the fairfax store and read through fitzs articles you will find the bulk of what will make case.
yewonk
Guest
in in part agree with you gambling in this country was entrenched long before tw ads, sure tom is a part of it now but the other bookies who have taken money from thost they well knew addicted are laughing all the way to the bank at his being singled out. this is why its a mistake to single out an individual and make personal attacks on his character while claiming to be against gambling advertising. anyone seen the romantic tab ads? i dont think fitz takes channel nine to task anyway.
uPelican
Guest
Gambling and Rugby League don't mix. The fans should should stand up and hose the sewer rats out of the place. Feeding off mugs. Its a disgrace. It nearly destroyed the cricket.
Mumof2boys
Guest
Not sure where you are based Nostradamus but its not 8pm here, game has been going 8mins and Tom Waterhouse is all over it. Glad my boys are in the back room, not watching the game.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Plus 1. I don't remember sighting an apology in the press ,although he was hardly R Crusoe.Others(in the media) perhaps should have hung their heads in shame.
B.B.Banderas
Guest
No..! You say "adults can do what they like" and I agree . So why can't I get two or three thousand dollars out of an ATM on my Credit card every day - limited to $1,000 - but I can phone Tommy and use it to get $5,000 Credit or more every day up to my limit of $20,000.
B.B.Banderas
Guest
I believe you forgot the real culprits Mango ie. David Gyngell,ch9 and that Grant "goose" from the NRL. ...Go Hard Fitzy...it's a Disgrace...! ...No contract with Channel 9 = No TW. .....Have a good hard go at "Gyngell's Gugular" (sorry J) before you attack "Tommy's Testicles" my friend.