David EdwardsIs Goodes a Protected Species???
June 24th 2008 03:16
Much has been made in the media of whether Adam Goodes is a protected species, with his upcoming tribunal decision looming as "D-Day" for Goodes. Not since the demise of the Tasmanian Tiger has there been such a public outcry for support of one of our most endangered and symbolic mammals.
If Goodes is to serve a suspension for the most ineffectual, harmless and slightly embarassing attempt to bump off the opposing player last Saturday afternoon, then the AFL is treating the endangered Goodes with the same contempt that Rugby Union player Scott Fava of the Western Force showed towards the native "quokka" that he and fellow team-mates enjoyed passing around whilst inebriated at Rottnest Island late last year.
Insuadibilis Bonus - the latin translation for "Adam Goodes", is a thriving species, with over 200 consecutive games to its credit. To mark this species as endangered is ludicrous, as it is prolific in its given environment (the sporting field). Mutiple "Brownlow" medals, ability to play in various positions, and with the height and athletic ability to serve its necessary functions in the wild (possessions, soft-ball "gets", 'inside 50' disposals) show that the Insuadibilis Bonus is primed for many more years of top-grade football, pending suspensions.
But assuming that Goodes is on the endangered species list - it is important to look at the appropriate legislation; the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Commonwealth). Schedule 1 defines a native species as "One which is indigenous to Australia". As Goodes is an Indigenous Australian, we must tick this box. However it also states that; "The species must have been present in Australia before 1400". This is arguable, as Goodes is in his late 20's, but if we take the entire Goodes family to be "the species", then it is certainly applicable.
If Goodes is indeed deemed to be an endangered native species, then SportingMind requests that the appropriate bodies take action. This would involve the public nominating Insuadibilis Bonus to the Endangered Species Scientific Sub-Committee, citing the AFL tribunal as a threat to the existence of said species. The ESSS would forward recommendations to the Environment Minister (Peter Garrett), who could propose amendments to the ESPA (Endangered Species Protection Act 1992), thus listing Goodes as endangered. The Tribunal would possibly then face Federal repercussions from its treament of the species - as this is a matter of "National Environmental significance" (Munchenberg, 1998).
The AFL must continue to treat Goodes as an endangered species, because its survival depends on its calculated and deliberate efforts to pose no threat to its existence. Goodes is a valuable part of the AFL ecosystem - much like the food chain where minor organisms such as blue-green algae, plankton etc serve as food to fish and other water creatures, in turn providing food for larger fish and ensuring the survival of sea species in general. To apply the analogy painstakingly further, Goodes provides great flow out of the midfield - therefore providing larger creatures such as Barry Hall with excellent service in the form of marks, leading to GOALS.
As well as being an important part of the AFL ecosystem, Goodes is also a national emblem, much like the Koala or the Kangaroo. When i think "Australia", i don't think about the aforementioned marsupial ambassadors, i think of Insuabilis Bonus, a mammal which surely encapsulates all that Australia stands for. Its sporting prowess, its success in a team environment, its Indigenous heritage, etc. SportingMind proposes that Goodes even replace the current species on the 20 cent coin; the platypus. A leaping Goodes would be a nice touch, and possibly a memento to the Indigenous community, particularly in the aftermath of Kevin Rudd's "apology".
Whilst SportingMind jests heartily with tongue firmly in cheek (and does not mean to be in any way condescending), it is important to protect our native species with our utmost vigour. If Goodes gets suspended for his actions last Saturday, then we can lament the loss of our most prized and important native species - the Insuabilis Bonus. Australia will never be the same again.
-SportingMind
If Goodes is to serve a suspension for the most ineffectual, harmless and slightly embarassing attempt to bump off the opposing player last Saturday afternoon, then the AFL is treating the endangered Goodes with the same contempt that Rugby Union player Scott Fava of the Western Force showed towards the native "quokka" that he and fellow team-mates enjoyed passing around whilst inebriated at Rottnest Island late last year.
Insuadibilis Bonus - the latin translation for "Adam Goodes", is a thriving species, with over 200 consecutive games to its credit. To mark this species as endangered is ludicrous, as it is prolific in its given environment (the sporting field). Mutiple "Brownlow" medals, ability to play in various positions, and with the height and athletic ability to serve its necessary functions in the wild (possessions, soft-ball "gets", 'inside 50' disposals) show that the Insuadibilis Bonus is primed for many more years of top-grade football, pending suspensions.
But assuming that Goodes is on the endangered species list - it is important to look at the appropriate legislation; the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Commonwealth). Schedule 1 defines a native species as "One which is indigenous to Australia". As Goodes is an Indigenous Australian, we must tick this box. However it also states that; "The species must have been present in Australia before 1400". This is arguable, as Goodes is in his late 20's, but if we take the entire Goodes family to be "the species", then it is certainly applicable.
If Goodes is indeed deemed to be an endangered native species, then SportingMind requests that the appropriate bodies take action. This would involve the public nominating Insuadibilis Bonus to the Endangered Species Scientific Sub-Committee, citing the AFL tribunal as a threat to the existence of said species. The ESSS would forward recommendations to the Environment Minister (Peter Garrett), who could propose amendments to the ESPA (Endangered Species Protection Act 1992), thus listing Goodes as endangered. The Tribunal would possibly then face Federal repercussions from its treament of the species - as this is a matter of "National Environmental significance" (Munchenberg, 1998).
The AFL must continue to treat Goodes as an endangered species, because its survival depends on its calculated and deliberate efforts to pose no threat to its existence. Goodes is a valuable part of the AFL ecosystem - much like the food chain where minor organisms such as blue-green algae, plankton etc serve as food to fish and other water creatures, in turn providing food for larger fish and ensuring the survival of sea species in general. To apply the analogy painstakingly further, Goodes provides great flow out of the midfield - therefore providing larger creatures such as Barry Hall with excellent service in the form of marks, leading to GOALS.
As well as being an important part of the AFL ecosystem, Goodes is also a national emblem, much like the Koala or the Kangaroo. When i think "Australia", i don't think about the aforementioned marsupial ambassadors, i think of Insuabilis Bonus, a mammal which surely encapsulates all that Australia stands for. Its sporting prowess, its success in a team environment, its Indigenous heritage, etc. SportingMind proposes that Goodes even replace the current species on the 20 cent coin; the platypus. A leaping Goodes would be a nice touch, and possibly a memento to the Indigenous community, particularly in the aftermath of Kevin Rudd's "apology".
Whilst SportingMind jests heartily with tongue firmly in cheek (and does not mean to be in any way condescending), it is important to protect our native species with our utmost vigour. If Goodes gets suspended for his actions last Saturday, then we can lament the loss of our most prized and important native species - the Insuabilis Bonus. Australia will never be the same again.
-SportingMind
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Comment by Captain Carnage