the new republic in oz

Exploitation, love and justice (a bit)

2012-01-11T16:01:00.000+10:30

I have now almost finished rehabilitation from my hip replacement, and will have some time. Time to finish an essay on gnosticism, and think about my studies for this year. Time to care for a 3 year old again, regularly. Time for other exercise, trying some new recipes, doing some sightseeing, and getting back into the life of my church.

The US of A looks like it's in for some 'interesting times'. I wonder what has happened to its Constitution; it appears to have gone AWOL, and deliberately ignored by those who can afford to be without it. Come on the 99%, take back your country!! The same goes for the Middle East: countries belong to the people who live in them, not the wealthy, so called 'elites', or 'royalty'.

Will the global economy collapse? I'd quite like it if it did (knowing it would be horrific) - we need something other than capitalism, to stop exploitation of everything you can think of including people. The planet is our life system and we must care for it not only for ourselves but also for all the other life forms that live with us.

So what I want for 2012 is the end of exploitation, nothing more, nothing less. Love begets justice begets equity, fairness, and the end of exploitation. Love your neighbour as you love yourself, someone once said. These days all the people of the world are our neighbours. The message is clear - love all the people of the world as you love yourself.

On post-operative rehabilititation et al

2011-12-10T08:55:00.001+10:30

One day I might get round to writing more than I read, although I doubt it. I am in my fourth week of recovery after having a second total hip replacement in mid November. This time was a little easier, knowing what to expect, and understanding that you don't fall over when on the day after the op you get out of bed and stand for the first time. But in some ways it was harder, too. Pain, yes, but a bit different. Day time sleeps required. This week I hit a psychological brick wall where the pain, apparent lack of progress, and general frustration really hurt. No real reason, just a big black hole. But that has now passed, and I'm feeling much better. I've enrolled in Uni for next semester and planning for Christmas lunch is in progress. I have met some courageous people in rehab, and some wonderful people who care for and support them. Life is a real struggle at times, and courage is in the little things; the determination not to give up, the 'it won't beat me' attitude, the smile through the pain. We can all be, and often are, heroes.

Response to article on The Drum 5 Sep 2011

2011-09-05T15:29:00.000+09:30

Polls no indicator for same-sex marriage attitudes

writes Jim Wallace. And he's right, but not in the way he thinks he is. The poll under discussion was run by GetUp! in which members were requested to contact their local Federal MP to support gay marriage. In no way is this statistically sound, and no conclusions can be drawn from it except to say 'for those who answered the call and contacted their local MP's office this and this .......' No one can draw any conclusions about Australians in general or particular groups within the population unless it is about those who answered the call and contacted their local MP's office. And even this must be further divided into those who emailed, wrote a letter, or telephoned, and those who gave their contact details and those who did not, and those who did not give their contact details when requested to do so.

So those who Jim says must be lying about where they live are not. They have simply not told the MP's office where they live. No inferences AT ALL can be drawn, in the sense of statistical inference.

I have one question for Jim Wallace: As a Christian, how can you NOT vote for the Greens? I am a Christian. To be consistent with my faith, I must vote Green, as the Australian Greens is the only party with policies which fit in with my faith. If Jim Green thinks Jesus would have voted for his party, or the Libs, or the ALP or any other party, he is just plain wrong. And I guess I should add - imho. But I am not alone on this matter.

Wherefore art thou, soul of the ALP?

2011-09-03T11:00:00.001+09:30

What next for the Labor Party? Rambling thoughts

I am saddened by the stuff ups made by the Labor Party; not by High Court decisions, but by the Party being too quick to act and consequently making mistakes. I am angry that tabbott has people believing what he says; this is the man who said we can't take what he says seriously unless it's written and signed off. I do not understand why anyone with any sense believes anything he says.

I am angry at the shock jocks of this country - inflaming hatred and mistrust, abusing people who don't agree with them, inciting trouble with lies and half lies. AND my fellow Australians, who listen to them and do their dirty work.

So what next? Will the left of Labor get up nationally? That could be a good thing, and might result in some decent policy. I detest factions as much as I detest two party politics because ultimately it's not the people who win. The right is hopeless as well as being un-Labor, imvho.

Julia, Julia, I am sorry to say that you have not lived up to our expectations. Wherefore now, ALP? You are not the party of a fair go for all. Thank goodness for Bob Brown et al.

A fresh start perhaps

2011-07-30T11:50:00.000+09:30

Today I changed my profile on twitter. OK, OK, OK I'm retired. Forced into it somewhat. Governments need to think about that seriously when deciding people should work longer. Even if you are very good at what you do, legislation won't ensure employment. The younger generations prefer people their own age (there is evidence for this) despite the lack of experience and wisdom.

I was sad to start with, grieving for my work which I loved. And we had to sell our lovely house in a great location. That was hard. Then a hip replacement. But we are closer to most of the grandchildren, whom we love very much and can help out with, except for those who live on the opposite side of the city.

AND I enrolled in a Master of Theological Studies. I love study, learning. And I am thoroughly enjoying studying Christian theology, every bit of it. And, blush, I seem to be quite good at it. So I guess there was a reason for the forced retirement after all.

April 17 2011

2011-04-17T09:51:00.003+09:30

We have just come back from a trip to Arkaroola and Wilpena Pound, in South Australia's magnificent and awe inspiring Flinders Ranges. There has been plenty of rain in both places this year, and they are green and lush. This is most unusual for this time of year. Sounds and scenery were good for the spirit, and walks were good for the body. We had no internet or phone coverage, which was also good for the spirit. The SA government must NOT allow mining or surveying in this area.

Thank you to the indigenous people of the area, the Adnyamathanha, for sharing their country with us. It is truly magnificent. Their presence now, and for generations past, is palpable.

2011

2011-01-08T16:28:00.000+10:30

Once more so much has happened since my last post. On a personal note, I am no longer working, we have moved house, and have another grandchild.

In the world the USA sinks further into economic disaster. Wars continue. Injustice continues. Southern Sudan is about to vote for/against independence.

And then there's Wikileaks. I support what this group is doing. I wonder if democracy can be saved and oligarchy averted. For that to happen, citizens of all democracies need to re-engage with what is happening in their countries and the world. Certainly the mainstream media doesn't want this to happen, it seems.

We must learn to see the big picture, to put the pieces together so that we understand what is happening.

The Haiti earthquake

2010-01-17T19:16:00.000+10:30

An earthquake is always a terrible thing. But a massive earthquake close to the earth's surface, and close to one of the poorest countries on earth, is a disaster to which the west has contributed.

Given the history of Haiti, the interference (or lack thereof) of the west both militarily and economically, it is the west who is responsible for the poverty and consequent lack of infrastructure with which the people of Haiti have had to contend. And this has now made a disaster into a tragic and catastrophic disaster.

Give, give, give. But give to NGOs.

Once more, the birth of hope for the world

2009-12-25T09:02:00.000+10:30

Greetings. It is Christmas and time to remember that the birth of a baby symbolises the new, the miraculous, and the renewal of hope for the world. I wish the people of the world a peaceful and happy day.

A tragic day for the world

2009-12-19T16:40:00.000+10:30

So the hopes of the world have not been realised in Copenhagen. My country and others have behaved badly. There has been bullying, evesdropping, attempted bribery. But the people of the world have been duped.

It is our world, not theirs. It belongs to all people, not governments, industry, rich and powerful people. IT IS OUR WORLD (apologies for shouting). And we want it saved for everyone. And since capitalism, particularly of the free market kind, is responsible for the mess, it should take the blame and fix things up.

Once again I am ashamed of my government. But this time I am not ashamed of my fellow citizens.

umkahlil: Israeli Soldiers Play 'Sophie's Choice' With Palestinian Mothers

2009-01-26T17:48:00.002+10:30

umkahlil: Israeli Soldiers Play 'Sophie's Choice' With Palestinian Mothers

This is so totally abhorrent.

We will not go down - song for the people of Gaza

2009-01-11T17:53:00.002+10:30

A song of hope and strength for Gaza. Please listen.

From Sabbah's Blog - compulsory reading

2009-01-01T13:51:00.003+10:30

What Israel is doing to the people in the Gaza strip is appalling. This site has an excellent article and a long, but also excellent clip from you tube. Please read and watch.

Happy New 2009?

2008-12-31T16:14:00.002+10:30

Greetings

Here we are again. Has anything changed? Has anything got better? I suppose it's safe to say that some things are in the process of getting better.....maybe. There are movements in the areas of health reform in Oz. I'm not so sure about education yet though. I guess it's still early days for Kevin07's government.

Some things haven't changed and don't appear to be going to. We still need the environment to live in BEFORE we can have jobs. I've been saying that since the late 60s. Nothing's changed in that department. The economy is still more important - weird that.

Israel has just started bombing Gaza again. It is almost incomprehensible that a group of people that suffered so much in ww2 should treat another group of people so badly.

And what about Obama? What will he be able to do after shrub and co have wrecked the usa and much of the world as well? Who owns him? Wouldn't it be great if he was his own person?

Aside from the economy, politics, etc etc etc my life is pretty good. I have to make sure that I don't drown in the injustice and unfairness of the world though. And I do what I can to change things. And to keep myself up to date with what's going on.

Hope is part of the human condition, I believe. We know what happens to people when they lose hope. So let us all keep hoping for good things to come during 2009, for everyone, everywhere.

It's been a long long time

2006-09-09T15:18:00.000+09:30

I haven't posted to my blog for over a year now. So much has happened. Some of the bad things:

the war in Iraq is more of a mess than before, my heart goes out to the Iraqi people
the people of Afghanistan are worse off than they were before the invasion
much of the infrastructure of Lebanon has been destroyed
the Palestinian people are in dire straits
Bush, Blair etc continue to lie to the world and their own citizens
in Oz we see

the AWB affair,
the treatment of refugees,
the IR laws,
'national security' gone mad
public education underfunded in the name of 'choice',
public hospitals underfunded and understaffed due to a lack of proper planning for the workforce - the whole health workforce is insufficient
Ministers no longer responsible for mistakes
a lack of skilled tradespeople - lack of planning again
we still waste water and freely use non-renewable energy sources
we allow the PM and others to promote zenophobia and mistrust of Muslims
no one in power standing up for David Hicks
FOI going out the window with accountability and transparency
the new meaning of freedom: economic choice

Now that I have thoroughly depressed myself......

Here are some links to news that you won't find in our Oz press:
http://informationclearinghouse.info/ all sorts of articles; news from Iraq
http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/ inside America
http://juancole.com/ "Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion"

There are so many others worth reading. Do a 'google' and see what comes up! And so many of the good ones are Oz blogs and sites, too.

2005-02-19T14:30:00.000+10:30

Beautiful West Bay, Kangaroo Island

2005-02-19T14:28:00.000+10:30

Greetings blog world

2005-02-19T06:45:00.000+10:30

My very first post to my own blog. How daunting.

I propose to write an occasional blog on politics, philosophy, neo-republicanism, public health, public education, the common good....... . Subjects that should be of interest to all Australians as we face the ongoing running down of things 'public': things that make us a society rather than a conglomeration of individuals seeking our individual way in a highly competitive nation. And probably other stuff as well. My focus will be what is happening in the starkly beautiful country of Australia.

annieS