Prince Philip bungled again over the weekend by asking an Aborigine: “Do you still throw spears at each other?”

Just have to respond to this, though there is no real point in doing so.

The Aboriginal Elder who was asked the question did not take offence, either at the time or later, according to all reports. Indeed, he replied that yes, it still does happen on occasion. Which it does. I think he and his community were glad to be considered important enough to be visited after years of ... insert appropriate word here. While I agree it was a stupid question, and one likely to cause offence, the "outraged native Australians" were probably those in the political and public eye who were highlighting the lack of sensitivity towards and understanding of Aboriginal culture.

Oh, and the term "Aborigine" tends not to be used by more 'educated' people, though I know not why. It is often replaced by "Aboriginal", and more and more is being replaced by the name of the individual's tribe.