journalese belittles the real thing

Just when I thought the media had learnt to respect the meanings behind journalesic metaphors they start again. We were spared - as far as I know - the tradfitional "Blues are in enemy territory" when NSW went to Brisbane for State of Origin 2 recently. Unfortunately I heard it last night or this morning with reference to Australian netball heaviweights' going to New Zealand "into enemy territory" to spy on the New Zealand team's preparations ahead of this year's AvNZ netball tests. Enemy Territory is in Iraq and Afghanistan where SOLDIERS and other DEFENCE personnel stick their LIVES on the line just so you reporters and your donkey headed sub editors can write some crap that sounds heavy and knowing and important. Enemy territory is not on a sporting field or oval or netball court. Enemy territory is Gallipoli and Flanders and Tobruk and Vietnam and Kokoda where people DIED. Enemy territory is where SOLDIERS are sent by politicians where they would not send their own children. Enemy territory is where the ENEMY tries to KILL you. Enemy territory is NOT where there is a ball and cheerleaders in spivvy short uniforms and drunken yobbo louts yelling out "aussie aussie oi oi oi." Enemy territory is where only the PROUD deserve to be.