Even Rupert Murdoch Thinks Tony Abbott Screwed Up By Knighting Prince Philip Yesterday
Is it still "electronic graffiti" if it comes from your boss?
Besides #Tay4Hottest100 almost being a thing and then not being a thing, the most ridiculous moment of this year’s Australia Day was the announcement that Prime Minister Tony Abbott personally recommended His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh — a guy with so many titles there’s a whole Wikipedia page devoted to listing them — to receive a knighthood.
Because that idea makes literally as much sense as buying Bill Gates lunch, but also because it was Tony Abbott, people reacted not so much with surprise as with a deep sigh and a slight twitching of the eye muscles.
Giving a Knighthood to Prince Philip is like giving a Beyoncé CD to Jay-Z. Surely he could just pick one up at home.
— Adam Hills (@adamhillscomedy) January 25, 2015
Wondering if Prince Philip’s Australian knighthood is a cunning plot to get the Australians to wonder what the UK royals actually do do. — Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) January 26, 2015
Anyone surprised about Abbott making such a dumb decision as to award Prince Philip a knighthood should probably start paying attention…
— Greg Jericho (@GrogsGamut) January 25, 2015
Abbott dismissed social media’s response as “electronic graffiti,” much like how a lightbulb is merely an “electronic candle”.
But with even members of his own Cabinet calling the decision idiotic, Abbott was no doubt hoping for some brave soul to rally to his defence. Usually News Corp papers could be counted on to explain how giving Prince Philip a knighthood equals strong action against jihadi bludgers everywhere, but not even they’re on board this time.
A rare moment of unity in Aussie papers today. Both agree @TonyAbbottMHR‘s princely choice is a KNIGHTMARE. pic.twitter.com/9Ejnwx0DFr
— Matt Akersten (@MattAkersten) January 27, 2015
Then came the ultimate electronic graffiti, from the man himself:
@sprocket___ Abbott knighthood a joke and embarrassment. Time to scrap all honours everywhere, including UK.
— Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) January 27, 2015
Reports the Prime Minister responded to Murdoch’s comments by burning a photo of them together while listening to Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Because Of You’ and sobbing remain unconfirmed.
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Feature image via Matt Akersten/Twitter.