Many readers will have been trolled on social media, or know someone who has. The rise of social media has made trolling, which is just another form of bullying, almost an occupational hazard for some people. Journalists seem particularly at risk.
Being trolled is a pretty unpleasant thing to have happen to anyone, as my colleague Madonna King has made clear. An altogether different experience is being tolled.
![Coalition MP George Christensen joined Bill O'Chee in the 22 pushup challange.](/web/20161026060303im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/6/h/1/e/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gq9be7.png/1471398448611.jpg)
What is tolling? Well, it is when you challenge someone to do something, or pay some money, to advance a cause. It is a way of starting social media movements, and often tolling campaigns promote some very important causes.
One tolling campaign that is going around is the 22 pushup challenge. This originated in the US to highlight the number of American veterans said to commit suicide each day. The idea is to do 22 pushups for 22 days, or make a donation to support our veterans. Here in Australia, more veterans have taken their lives recently than have been killed in the entire Afghan War.
I got tolled by an Army mate of mine, Steve Anson, as well as by some friends in Brisbane.
It's a fair call, but I thought it's maybe not enough. Politicians get the task of sending our armed forces to war, but very few of them have actually get to serve themselves. So, I thought I might toll a few politicians I know to show their support for the men and women who defend our nation.
The first person I thought of was Queensland Federal MP, George Christensen. He joined me at Mates4Mates yesterday, and there is even a video of the pair of us taking the challenge together.
After he recovered from his exertions, George promised to toll some of his colleagues from both sides of politics to get in and support our service personnel.
Let's see how many of them are willing to come on board.
Back in World War I sixteen Members and Senators served in the war, some taking leave to fight while still in Parliament.
Granville Ryrie joined at the age of 50 after telling his wife "I couldn't look men in the face again, especially some of my political opponents whom I have accused of disloyalty, if I didn't offer to go."
Ryrie was wounded twice at Gallipoli, and returned to Australia at the end of the war to become Assistant Minister for Defence.
A few pushups seem a pretty light toll for our current day politicians.
And if sometimes our politicians don't seem like they're listening, maybe it's because we are too busy yelling at them to get them on board.
As for me, not only am I doing the whole 22 days, but I made a healthy donation to Mates4Mates to thank them for all they do helping our wounded, injured and ill service personnel put their lives back together.
Great work all!
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