The AmishThrasher

Site on Hiatus

2006-02-03T01:47:00.000+11:00

Quick Update:
Kinda Empty...

Sorry about the lack of updates the past few months, and for seemingly dropping off the face of the Earth... I've just been busy studying on, working on, and procrastinating about my thesis. Which unfortunately leaves little time for the Blog. So the AmishThrasher is on hiatus at the moment, but feel free to check through the archives (which are filled with old essays and the like) - there's heaps there to check out.

The AmishThrasher Wrap, August 7th

2005-08-07T23:29:00.000+10:00

The Great Cruisade:
One reason why we don't want Theocracy!

Well, it's time to take another nutritious bite of the AmishThrasher Wrap. This week, on the religious front, the Uniting Church gives its thoughts on Religious Vilification Laws, as well as an announcement about the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches. The Nuclear ambitions of the Environment Minister, Ian "The only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands" Campbell come under fire on the anniversary of Hiroshima, while the Greens extend an olive branch to the Nationals over food labelling laws. The Electronic Frontiers Foundation, an Internet user right's watchdog, has been outraged by US Government moves to undermine your rights, by allowing US government agents more power to pry through your digital equiptment. On the Activist front, refugee rights group the Refugee Action Collective has announced a march on Friday, August 26th, calling for long term solutions to Australia's ongoing detention centre crisis. All that and more (including a site update) in this edition of the AmishThrasher Wrap, so click through for analysis and commentary on these issues. Certainly, you can't complain that we don't live in interesting times!

The Uniting Church gives its thoughts on Religious Vilification Laws
I'll kick off this Wrap by mentioning this recent statement, by the Uniting Church (which will participate in the forthcoming 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches) on the issue of Religious Vilification Laws. As regular readers of the AmishThrasher will know, one of my pet peeves is radical fringe religious groups - be they Christian, Muslim, Juewish, Buddhist, or Hindu - who hijack their religions to promote an agenda of violence, racism, and hatred. Such messages often go against the key messages of the religions that these extremists claim to represent. These radical fringe groups have recently mounted a campaign of misinformation about Victoria's Religious Vilification laws, which help protect the right we have to practice our religion, or our choice not to actively participate in religion, in peace. After all, in the age of terrorism, what we need is understanding and co-operation. And accepting fear and intimidation on the part of extremist religious elements which seek to spread hate are part of a pre- 9/11 mindset. And it is great to see that mainstream Christian Churches, like the Uniting Church, agree with this position.

The key parts of the Uniting Church's common-sense position on the issue include:
* "The last thing Australia needs is intolerant religious groups going around inciting hatred against people of other races and religions. That is why we need effective laws against racial and religious vilification."
* "It is also time to stop the current campaign of misinformation and sabotage by fringe Christian groups, against Victoria’s racial and religious vilification laws"
* "These trifling claims are undermining the law by giving ammunition to certain religious groups who demand in the name of their own religion, the freedom to incite extremism and hate against others. But that is not the Australian way, and we don’t need it."
* "In my view reasonable Christian people - those who follow the message of Jesus “to love your neighbor as yourself” - need to be the most supportive of tolerance and respect for people regardless of race and religion. "

The statement itself is in response to a recent court decision that clarified a number of points about Victorians racial and religious vilification laws, which seriously undermine the fear campaign several radical groups have been running:

* The law is there to deal with extreme actions, those that inflame hatred of people based on their race or religion.
* The law recognises that you can hate an idea or religion without hating the people that believe in it.
* The law allows you to state, if you want to, that your religious beliefs are the one true religion and all other religious beliefs are false.
* The law does not prevent criticism of religion or religious practice, unless you cross the line of inciting hatred of the of followers that religion.
* The law does not prevent evangelism.

The statement itself is fairly short, so if you have a few spare moments, it's well worth downloading:
Click here to read the Uniting Church Statement.

Campbell under fire on the anniversary of Hiroshima
This past week has marked the anniversary of the nuclear attack on Hiroshima, as the world has contemplated one of the (numerous) downsides of nuclear technology. And it has led to calls for Campbell to reverse his stance on the Northern Territory nuclear waste dump (which he lied about at the last election), and to end the debate about Australia switching to outdated nuclear reactor technology for its power. As I said ealier, the real debate here isn't about nuclear power; its about how many of these agenda pushing pollies deserve to keep their jobs.
Click to read Senator Milne's Statement.

extend an olive branch to the Nationals over food labelling laws
This past week has marked the Greens presenting an olive-branch to National Party Senators who are willing to stand up for their conscience, in the face of government policy. They have done this by taking the side of farmers, whose farms have been threatened and undercut by cheap foreign imports. The biggest problem here is that Australian consumers often have no way of knowing whether the fresh produce they buy is grown locally, or overseas. This is one of a number of holes in our current labelling laws, on top of a number of other loopholes recently exposed by Choice Magazine (including one can of Diet Coke supposedly being 1.88 servings).

As consumers, we depend on honest product information to make an informed decision about what we chose to buy. If these laws are tightened up, we as consumers are the clear winners. Similarly, since most patriotic Australians would prefer to buy Australian Made and Owned rather than Cheap and Imported, our farmers and manufacturers - and the workers that are employed by those businesses - are also winners. And while tougher labelling laws are still some way off, this is a great step in the right direction.

The key quotes from Senator Nettle are as follows:

The Greens give 100% support to farmers who are protesting the Howard government allowing multinationals to abandon local producers and prevent consumers from supporting local produce by refusing to legislate real truth in labelling laws... Bob Brown will reintroduce The Greens Truth in Labelling Bill 2005 which requires food labelling to show the country of origin, and whether it came from genetically modified crops or was more than 0.5% GE contaminated (as required by tough European Union rules). The Greens also oppose more free trade deals which could end up like the lopsided US free trade with no barrier on US food imports to Australia but 20 pages of restrictions on Australian exports to the US.

In the Press Statement, Senator Nettle also criticised the Howard government for not just selling out farmers, but also students and workers, by stating that "At the same time as students are coming under attack so too are the working conditions of 95% of Australian workers, threatened with the loss of holiday pay, long service leave, sick leave and other entitlements which make our communities tick."
Read it here

The Electronic Frontiers Foundation, an Internet user right's watchdog, has been outraged by US Government moves to undermine your rights,
A scary article here, from technology rights watchdog the EFF, about how the US Government is using technology to further undermine the privacy of its citizens:
The Electronic Frontiers Foundation, an Internet user right's watchdog, has been outraged by US Government moves to undermine your rights.

the Refugee Action Collective
The date of the protest, like I stated earlier, is Friday, August 26th. By attending, you won't magically make Vanstone - and the bureaucrats under her watch - do their jobs properly. But what you will do is show that immigration lies are intollerable, that cases like Cornelia Rau and Vivian Solon are unacceptable, and that we are interested in the issue and will hold the guilty accountable come the next election.
the Refugee Action Collective Protest.

Vermont South Tram Extension
One of the causes this site champions is greater investment in public transport infrastructure, as well as long term planning for future transport needs. And given this, it's worthwhile mentioning the recent extention of the Burwood Highway tram to Vermont. Peter "No tolls" Bachelor, I want to make it clear, is not one of my favorite politicans; but he does deserve some credit for overseeing an important addition to Victoria's public transport network. That said, while having connecting busses to Knox adds value to the extension, it's really just a low-cost, stop-gap solution done in place of extending the tram to Knox (which has become a thriving retail and commercial hub in the outer eastern suburbs). It is also a dissapointment that the building of the Mitcham-Frankston Tollway was not taken as an opportunity to build a major outer-metropolitan radial line, connecting some of the suburbs which have been served by public transport the worst; and the Vermont South tram-line would add significant value to such a radial railway. As I stated earlier, what we need here is bold, long term planning covering public transport in Melbourne. And while this tram extension is a clear step in the right direction, there is plenty more which needs to be done.

Site Update
I want to finish up this Wrap with a quick update about the site. I've submitted a couple of articles to Rabelais, the Latrobe University student magazine, and hopefully they'll be included in the next issue of the student paper. So for those of you who are out at Bundoora, keep an eye out for it. Regardless if they are included, they will be republished here on the AmishThrasher in the coming weeks.

On a different note, last week, instead of doing a second AmishThrasher Wrap, I posted a string of Quick Updates on a number of issues. The logic behind doing this is that, rather than scanning through a post which discusses several issues, it may be easier to scroll to the issue you are interested on the front page. Unfortunately, this site has nowehere near the traffic (or comment) volume that makes this style of story so worthwhile on sites like Slashdot, or elsewhere. That said, I may post a few single Quick Updates some weeks to get a time-efficient update on to the site.

Quick Update: Date Set for RSPCA Elephant Appeal

2005-08-01T17:08:00.001+10:00

Quick Update:
Appealing for Elephants

I recently posted an article about a campaign, currently being led by the RSPCA, to block the import of Asian Elephants into Australian zoos. The problem with these imports is that the elephants to not survive well, or breed well, in captivity. Well, according to a new press release from the RSPCA, "A legal appeal to decide the fate of eight Asian elephants earmarked for Australian zoos has been set for September 26, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal ruled today." I would like to wish them good luck in their legal appeal on September 26th. Meanwhile, I mentioned in the last AmishThrasher Wrap that, on the environment, "...our Federal Government certainly hasn't been pulling it's weight. Put differently, it's been a low priority - if not outright off the agenda - which has led to a decade of missed opportunities. And it's no surprise that the man at the center of this is Ian "The only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands" Campbell... And if he doesn't either fix up his act and get his (and his government's) priorities straight, then it is up to us, voting public, to decide if we want him as our environment minister. It's really that simple." Well, intervening here would allow Campbell to do just that.

Quick Update: Moving Sideways on Refugees

2005-08-01T16:25:00.005+10:00

Quick Update:
Howard Moving Sideways

A number of human rights organisations have accused the government of moving sideways on the issue of much needed Refugee Rights Reforms in the wake of the Palmer Report. Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has lended cautious support to reforms undertaken by the Howard Government (after pressure from moderate Liberals, including Petro Georgiou) to end the detention of young children. According to their Press Release, "While welcoming today’s developments, Amnesty International Australia noted that much remains to be done to ensure that Australia’s immigration detention policy is consistent with the government’s international human rights obligations." The criticisms have been echoed by A Just Australia - a refugee activist group - who have pointed out that "The Australian Government has excised more Islands from Australia's migration zone earlier this week." In the press release, Spokeswoman Kate Gauthier states that "If the Government was bringing in genuine reform of asylum seeker policy, they would not at the same be finding ways to reduce the ability of people to claim asylum." Click through to add your comment.

Quick Update: PBS fights back

2005-08-01T16:25:00.004+10:00

Quick Update:
PBS Fights Back!

In my quest to keep the AmishThrasher up-to-date with limited time, beyond the AmishThrasher Wraps (which you have no doubt seen at the site already), I'm going to try some Slashdot style short posts, which link to interesting news and features on other websites, to open up discussion here. Anyway, in our first Quick Update, a Triple J radio show ("The Hack") has recently attacked PBS FM, accusing the Melbourne-based community broadcaster of acting in an unethical manner. Triple J apparently used the program to accuse PBS of being involved in a payola scheme, where in order for artists to be featured on its popular 'Studio 5 Live' program, the artists would have to make a donation to the station; and the station was not transparent to its listeners about this. Well, in a recent PBS FM Press Release, the community station has lashed out at Triple J's bribery accusations, stating that they "..are incorrect and challenged". The station also stated that "After we have approached touring acts to come on the show, we try and encourage them to make a contribution to cover our production costs but we do not make it conditional (ie, bands are chosen on merit). Indeed out of the past 46 performances only 9 have made a contribution and not all for the same amount. On-air cross promotion of the bands up coming performance is provided regardless of whether there has been a contribution. Where there has been a contribution the announcement is tagged 'Sponsors of PBS-FM’."

Quick Update: Asian Tsunami Relief Update

2005-08-01T16:25:00.003+10:00

Quick Update:
Beyond the Tsunami...

There are a number of updates, from various charities, on the relief work being carried out in the wake of the Indian Ocean Tsunami (which happend earlier this year). The first is from the Uniting International Mission - a charity group linked to Australia's Uniting Church - on the work being undertaken in Thailand to help the marginalised Moken community. Meanwhile, the Australian Red Cross has made an appeal for donations to help in other aid operations in South-East Asia, publishing alarming statistic that "It takes only seven days for the same number of children who died in the tsunami to die as a result of poverty in South Asia and the Pacific. This shocking statistic shows the fragile existence of so many of our regional neighbours. While those in the tsunami affected regions are receiving help, there are many others who need support." Having seen the poverty in the Philippines first hand a few years ago, this is not difficult to imagine. Click through to add your comment.

Relegation in Australian Soccer

2005-08-01T12:59:00.000+10:00

Crystal Palace:
Should Australian soccer clubs be relegated,
like Palace were?

One of the ongoing debates with Australian soccer - especially in regards to the national league - is whether Australia should have a system of promotion and relegation, like European competitions (such as the English Premier League). The debate - which has been ongoing for over a decade - has been heightened given the kickoff of the Hyundai A-League later this month, with proponents of a relegation / promotion system criticising the new national league for not implementing one, while pointing to promotion and relegation systems being actively used in some of Australia's state soccer leagues. But there are good reasons why such a system wouldn't work on a national level Australia (as it does in Europe), and it seems that some of those pushing for such a system may have a hidden agenda. That said, it may be possible to have a modified promotion / relegation system for Australian soccer.

And the reason why a 'National 2nd Division' wouldn't work in Australia is simple: Australia is a continent with a low population density, spread over a large geographic area. This is coupled with the fact that in Australia, unfortunately, soccer is a second or third tier spectator sport, ranking well behind AFL football, both rugby codes, and cricket in popularity. Even in these more popular codes, it would be difficult to viably implement such a system. To attempt to do so with soccer could potentially be devestating.

And the reason it would potentially be devestating is because of the costs involved. Beyond the travel and accomodation costs, we have to factor in the cost of flying in team and league officials, doctors, the refs, the ticketing, catering and security costs, and all the other expenses that go along with sport on a national level - it truely is an expensive business. Even our most popular codes struggle to attract television coverage beyond the elite level, as do second and third tier sports like soccer; so television rights would not be available to offset the 2nd division. Over the past decade, these costs have proven to be problematic (or even fatal) for many of the clubs in the now disbanded NSL competition. The second and third tier clubs would not stand a chance, with many successful state-level clubs quite possibly going out of business in the process.

We also have to remember that some of those who have floated the idea of a National 2nd division have a hidden agenda. Many are connected to, or support, the single ethnicity clubs which were either former NSL teams, or play at state level. A system of promotion and relegation from a 2nd division, or lower divisions, would provide a 'back door' for these teams to enter - or re-enter - the national league. My reason for not wanting these teams to return to the sport at an elite level isn't the product of WASPish racism or a denial of the important role people of many ethnic backgrounds have had in building soccer in Australia; far from it, I myself come from a Non-English Speaking Background, and one of the great aspects of soccer is its multiculturalism. The problem comes about by representing this multiculturalism by having teams which represent a single ethnicity, and where those who do not come from that specific ethnic background often don't truely feel welcome, regardless of their love of the sport. By having a major metropolitan area represented by a team that seeks to only represent one ethnic group in that city (rather than everyone regardless of ethnicity), the potential support for elite soccer is diminished significantly. It is better to have Australia's soccer tribalism defined geographically, consisting of multicultural teams representing a geographic area where anyone - regardless of ethnicity - can feel 'at home' than to constrain the sport's popularity with single-ethnicity teams.

There is a model of promotion and relegation, however, that could work in Australia. Such a model would see a designated number of 'slots' for teams based on their geographic (in most cases, state) base. So, for example, we may have 2 teams each from Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Northern NSW / NSW Central Coast, and New Zealand; 3 each from Victoria and New South Wales, and a team each from Northern QLD, and the ACT. The teams which finish in the bottom 4 places are relegated back to their state league, with the top team(s) being promoted to national league level. Teams from the Northern Territory and Tasmania could be included either by replacing the ACT slot with a 'wildcard' slot, whereby if the Wildcard team gets relegated, the NT, Tasmanian and ACT premiership teams play off for the wildcard position, or alternatively, if there's no current Tasmanian team in the league, the Tasmanian state premiers play off against te Victorian Premiers for one of the Victorian slots (thus the Tasmanian clubs are included in one of the Victorian slots), with something similar also done for the Northern Territory. Or alternatively having a 'Tasmanian league' slot in the Victorian Premier League. Similar structures at state level could ensure regional participation in the sport at state level.

If such a structure were implemented, it may also be worthwhile to adopt a licensing system similar to that which is used in the German Bundesliga. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, according to Wikipedia, "Every team in the Bundesliga must have a license to play in the league, or else they get relegated into the minor leagues. Only financially healthy teams can get the license." Perhaps rather than directly promoting the state champions, we should instead promote the highest ranked state league clubs with a national league license. Qualification for such a license would ensure that the club was economically sound enough to compete in the national league, as well as a broad, multicultural appeal, and a large enough base of support to sustain it in the national league.

What such a structure would create would be a truly national competition which incorporates the promotion and relegation system - a system which makes soccer such an interesting sport to follow - while both strengthening the state leagues (as feeder competitions) and ensuring that national league teams are economically viable enough to sustain existance in the highest level of the sport.

The AmishThrasher Wrap, July 28th

2005-07-28T11:35:00.001+10:00

Man's best friend:
The AmishThrasher

The Wrap - a weekly look at current news and events - is back. In this issue, we discuss the power of religion to help the oppressed, the new measures taken by the State Government to protect children, the Red Cross Appeal for West Africa, and calls by the Lost Dogs Home for a doggy-census. Oh, and our buddy, Environment Minister Ian "absolute categorical assurance" Campbell, is back too. All that, and more, in this edition of the AmishThrasher Wrap.Welcome to the second edition of the AmishThrasher Wrap. And in this wrap, we break the rules of polite conversation and openly discuss religion and politics.

In this Issue:

Helping the Helpless
Inspiring the Downtrodden
Helping Africa
Helping the Environment
Doggy Census

Helping the Helpless
There has been a lot of debate recently about the role of religion in society. Well, as I have previously mentioned in the AmishThrasher, chruch-backed groups, who share many values with the secular humanist community, do an extrodinary job in helping the downtrodden, both at home and abroad. And this press release - from AngliCare (a group linked to the Anglican Church) - shows how religion, and a secular state, can work together to promote a common humanitarian goal in our community:

19 July 2005
The state's largest provider of foster care services, Anglicare Victoria, today welcomed the State Government's announcement of new measures to protect children.

The Working with Children Bill 2005 will assess a person's eligibility for working or volunteering with children.

Anglicare Victoria CEO Dr Ray Cleary said the measures were welcome because they strike a balance between the interests of children and the rights of the individual.

"In welcoming the Government's initiative it is important to remember that we all must remain active and vigilant in ensuring the wellbeing of our children.

"Anglicare Victoria currently conduct mandatory police checks on all of our staff and volunteers who have direct contact with children. However we welcome a system that sets minimum standards and puts the interests of children at the forefront."

Dr Cleary said the most important task facing the Government would be educating the community of the benefits of the Bill.

"There will be those who feel the legislation doesn't go far enough and those who feel it is too invasive. Creating legislation around protecting children is an essential and difficult task that must be undertaken in close consultation with the community and service providers."

Dr Cleary said that mandatory police checks did not prevent people from volunteering at Anglicare Victoria.

"We should not assume that the Bill will prevent people from volunteering. It is reassuring for volunteers to know that agencies place the rights and safety of children first. We work with thousands of volunteers who understand the need to protect the children in our care."

The Government's decision to pay for the costs associated with volunteer checks will reduce the burden on community organisations Dr Cleary said.

SOURCE: http://www.anglicarevic.org.au/Media/MediaReleases/2005/MR20050719.htm
Children's aid organizations, I would immagine, would seem very attractive to paedophiles. The State Government deserves to be commended on its efforts to ensure that those who work with children - particularly vulnerable children - pass a background check to safeguard vulnerable children from risk.

But perhaps more interesting is that government money is being used to cover the costs of these background checks to child welfare groups - including AngliCare -who already undertake them. This is an example of a secular state working with a religious backed body to advance a common humanitarian cause; in this case, the plight of disadvantaged children. And I personally think that, in this case, it is thoroughly commendable to do so. The interraction between church and state should not be one where religious dogma - in the cloak of 'values' - are forced on to the community and thus heightening the tensions between those who chose to actively participate in organized religion, and those who don't. Rather, we need to build bridges between religion, secular individuals, and (where appropriate) the state to further the cause of social justice in our community.

Inspiring the Downtrodden
As we have seen, religion, and religious backed charities, play a critical role in keeping our social fabric together. The sad truth for many of Melbourn'e homeless is that the local church may be the best hope for both a , while for many abandoned and homeless children, charities like AngliCare is the only hope for a safe bed to sleep in at night. Both at home and abroad, religion plays another critical role - giving help to the downtrodden. And this article from the Uniting Church about the inspiration Christianity provided to overcome Indonesian oppression is a good example of this at work:

It was clear, the Moderator of the Protestant Church in East Timor wanted us to see the great statue of Christ the King erected by President Suharto in 1997 on the promontory five kilometers east and north from the centre of Dili. It was built two years before the referendum that ended the last uneasy years of Indonesian occupation.
...
Yet the power of a symbol can sometimes be turned on its creators. The Moderator of the Protestant Church in East Timor did just that. “Look closely at the hands,” he whispered through the city, “they are not raised to bless, they are held out palm upwards toward Dili. Jesus is not blessing Indonesian Dili, he is in fact questioning whether the Indonesians should leave!”

One can only imagine the way that would fizz through a community under oppression. The image was ever present to the eye during the day and lit at night, a living message read differently by invader and oppressed. It was not long before the lights at night were disconnected. But it was too late. By 2000 Christ the King had become the prophetic sign of a liberated country.

SOURCE: a href="http://nat.uca.org.au/news/stories/250705.htm
Religion is a powerful and important force in society, and the world. That's a power that can be used for both good, and evil. Those of us who are religious (of all faiths), as well as those of us who aren't, must unite to make sure that the power isn't hijacked for the purposes of evil. Those who want to hijack religion want to wage culture wars, holy wars, and further an agenda of hate; both the extremist Christian Identity nuts, and their more "moderate" counterparts. Well, this perversion of religion for evil - and the social injustice in our own society - can be defeated. But it will take an alliance of progressive people, progressive politics, and progressive reigion to do it.

Helping Africa
Speaking of global social justice, a press release from the Australian Red Cross has made an urgent appeal for funds to fight hunger in west Africa. The press release is below:

Australian Red Cross has launched an urgent appeal to assist international efforts to avert possible widespread starvation in the four worst affected countries of the Sahel region of West Africa.

The appeal will support efforts by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, aiming to raise $18 million for disaster relief.

The CEO of Australian Red Cross, Mr Robert Tickner said the situation is especially serious in Niger, where according to the UN 3.6 million people, or 28 per cent of the population, are affected by food shortages, caused by a combination of drought and the effect of last year's invasion by swarms of locusts.

'The Red Cross wants to help 222,000 of the most vulnerable people for the next six-months, through food, seed, fodder distributions and mobile feeding centres,' said Mr Tickner.

'The funds raised will be used to provide assistance in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.'

According to current UN estimates, 800,000 children in Niger are going hungry. But it is not only Niger that is in the grip of food shortages. Populations in neighbouring countries - some 2.2 million in Mali, 1.6 million in Burkina Faso and 750,000 in Mauritania are also under threat.

To donate to the Niger Emergency 2005 Appeal:

* Call 1800 811 700
* Visit www.redcross.org.au to make a secure online donation
* Send a cheque to GPO Box 9949 marked 'Niger Appeal' in your capital city

SOURCE:
African poverty has been on the agenda lately. At the recent G8 summit, the world got some eloquent spin about the need to relieve Africa's debt Meanwhile thousands attended Live-8 concerts calling for an end to African poverty. Well, the time has come for people to put their money where their mouths are. Long term solutions are great, but the truth is that there are people starving to death in Western Africa right now. The question is will you help out the Red Cross, or just let the people die?

Helping the Environment
Within weeks of his radio lies being exposed, the Environment Minister has again come under fire for inaction over climate change in a recent press release from the Greens:

The release of the report Climate Change: Risk and Vulnerability vindicates two decades of Greens political pressure and is a damning indictment of Howard Government inaction, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.

"The government, in particular this Prime Minister, is charged with intergenerational abuse – it has put self gratification for the coal industries way ahead of our obligation to secure the next generation's life security.

"When I warned about global warming on entering the Senate a decade ago, government members laughed.

"They are not laughing now. This has been a decade of failure," Senator Brown said.

SOURCE: http://www.greens.org.au/mediacentre/mediareleases/senatorbrown/260705a
Australia undeniably has the world's most beautiful and unique continent, and it is our patriotic duty as Australians to make sure that our environment is preserved for future generations. And I think most patriotic Australians do genuinely care about the environment - but at the same time, we also have busy lives to lead. The challenge for our leaders is to find simple ways where we can all make a difference, to encourage people to make a difference, and to show their patriotism to Australia by enacting laws which make the Un-Australian destruction of our environment not just immoral, but also illegal. And it needs to come up with long term, big picture planning, on issues like infrastructure, that will see sustainable economic growth which doesn't undermine our natural habitat.

And it seems that, if not asleeep at the wheel, then our Federal Government certainly hasn't been pulling it's weight. Put differently, it's been a low priority - if not outright off the agenda - which has led to a decade of missed opportunities. And it's no surprise that the man at the center of this is Ian "The only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands" Campbell. Campbell, who has . It's time for him to either encourage the Howard government to make sure that we don't suffer another decade of missed opportunities, or reconsider what he is doing with the Environment portfolio.

And if he doesn't either fix up his act and get his (and his government's) priorities straight, then it is up to us, voting public, to decide if we want him as our environment minister. It's really that simple.

Doggy Census
Those of you who know me know I'm definately a 'dog person', being the proud owner of a Kelpie named 'Tugs'. And for my fellow pet-owners and animal lovers out there, the Lost Dogs home ahs their Autumn newsletter out (it's in PDF), and it's well worth downloading and printing off. One of the interesting articles in there raises the issue of adding questions about our pets to the census:

We were delighted to see that the National General Assembly of Local Government (NGALG) meeting in Canberra last November passed the following resolution:
That this National General Assembly endorses the proposal that the Australian Bureau of Statistics include as part of the National Census, a series of questions that would indicate the dog and cat population kept at residential premises on census night.
We like it! If and when this ever happens the appropriate bodies at all three tiers of Government – Federal National and State – plus all animal welfare organisations, will be better informed, and therefore far better equipped, to deal with the many current problems associated with the welfare of domestic animals in our society.

The data revealed by such an inclusion would certainly be valuable not only to Local Councils but to most animal welfare organisations and of course to marketers of pet products and services – plus other segments of our society. It would certainly be of significant interest to us since The Lost Dogs’ Home has for years now served the community on a national basis. We are confident that our national activities will greatly expand in the not so distant future.

Unfortunately the NGALG left its run a little late for next year’s (2006) census. At the time of its conference last November the deadline for such suggestions was long, long gone. No way could it be received, considered and acted upon by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in time for the 2006 national census.

However there will be another census in 2011 and we would encourage the NGALG to persist in its efforts. We will certainly have it in mind as a project to inititate in 2007-2008. So – as the saying goes – watch this space! It makes good census!

SOURCE:

Having accurate census data will help not just the Lost Dogs home, but also the RSPCA, by helping them do their job better by allocating resources to where they are needed. It will also help governments at all levels create policy that better deals with, and protect, our beloved pets. It's time to do it!

And that's all for this week, thankyou again for reading!

- Andrew
(the AmishThrasher Webmaster)

2,000 Hits, and Time to Step Up.

2005-07-28T11:35:00.000+10:00

Kerry Packer:
He wants to own all our media.

This week, the AmishThrasher crosses another milestone, having gotten 2,000 hits. But, as we celebrate this amazing achievement, there are stormclouds on the horizon. On the table are drastic plans to shake up Australia's media industry and dramatically limit the number of voices setting the agenda. These plans have been criticised both by commentators in the independent media, like Crikey, and by the opposition. The time is coming for Australia's indepedent media - including those of us in the blogosphere - to step up to the plate; our national discourse is under threat.As it stands, 1,979 people have logged on to the AmishThrasher since the site began; and perhaps before the next chance I get to update that number will tick over to 2,000. I would like to personally thank those who have checked out the AmishThrasher and helped us reach that amazing milestone. For everyone reading this, thankyou: we could never have done it without you!

But all is not sweetness and light in the media.

In fact, for the past decade, Australia's media policy has been badly mangled and mutilated. And the man most to blame is the former Communications Minister, Richard Alston. Alston, a former Senator, became infamous for his belief that the Internet - one of the most important social, economic, and technological revelations of the past decade - was useful only for pornograhy and games. And beyond fumbling broadband internet, Alston also stumbled when it came to digital TV.

Beyond the internet, digital TV represents perhaps one of the greatest opportunities to broaden the number of voices in the media in Australia. The reason for this is that digital TV signals take up a lot less bandwidth than a traditional analogue signal - in fact, you can do 'multichanneling', where you have 6 standard definition digital signals in the same bandwidth it takes for one standard definition (PAL) analogue signal. There is also the potential for 'datacasting', where digital signals are used for world wide web-style interactive multimedia; including streaming audio and video. Implimenting these technologies with responsible legislative controls could potentially mean an exciting array of new media choices and services for consumers, while at the same time reducing cross media ownership restrictions.

Alston instead chose to sell out these opportunities to big money, old media interests. Instead of getting 6 new digital channels for every current analogue channel, we got one HD-TV and one standard definition channel clogging up the possible bandwidth (one HD-TV station taking up the same bandwidth as about 5 or 6 standard definition channel). The door was bolted shut on new media players by a ban on anyone (bar the ABC and SBS) multichanneling, underfunding of the multichanneling efforts of the ABC and SBS, and an outright ban on new players starting up new channels until 2007. Oh, and the HDTV bandwidth was given away free to the existing TV channels. Hideous limits were placed on the Datacasters - no news, no sport, and no entertainment - and the auction for the channel failed when no-one showed up. Foxtel and the old media owners (like Kerry packer) got everything on their christmas wishlists. Even Rupert Murdoch was outraged about the restrictions on datacasting - of which News Corp had an interest in investing in.

The big problem with High Definition is that, unless you have a high definition home theater system, the difference makes little difference - yet it takes up significantly more of our precious bandwidth than Standard Definition. And those who have the money to splash out on high definition home theater systems would undoubtedly also get Foxtel Digital to get the best value out of it anyway. A better arrangement would be to make Foxtel Digital the exclusive preserve of high definition, while freeing up the free-to-air bandwidth for as many standard definition channels as possible. However, instead of more variety, a mix of big media and big government largesse won out; though the vast majority of the Australian public was sold out in the process. The resulting policy is a pathetic joke.

And it is against this background that the debate over media reform is happening. Where we could, in a more competitive media environment, be able to weaken controls on cross media and foreign ownership while still preserving - or even enjoring a greater diversity of - media voices than today, Alston's fumbling has made sure that without severe reforms to our digital TV regulations, deregulation will ensure that even more power is concentrated in a much smaller number of hands.

The future of our national discourse, and the diversity of our media, rests in the hands of the new Communications Minister, Helen Coonan.

According to Crikey.com:

Page one of Tuesday's Financial Review is dominated by a story under the heading "New TV channels in media plan," which outlines the fullest details yet of the government's blueprint to change the country's media laws.

The plan is presented as a bold "shake-up of the $12 billion media industry," that will "allow" TV networks to offer viewers multiple digital channels and "give" pay TV the right to broadcast more major sporting events.

And the good news doesn't end there. According to The Fin, Communications Minister Helen Coonan intends to introduce a "diversity" rule that "would ensure there were five large media companies in each capital city."

SOURCE: http://www.crikey.com.au/articles/2005/07/27-1406-1451.html

Yet Crikey is critical about the changes that have been outlined, writing:

there are currently nine large media companies operating in the two cities that really matter, Sydney and Melbourne. Count 'em:

* Newspapers: News Limited, Fairfax (2)

* TV: Nine, Seven Ten (3)

* Radio: Southern Cross, Austereo, Australian Radio Network, DMG (4)

According to The Fin, the five-company diversity rule will be the only cross-media restriction under the government's new plan – which means that companies could own newspapers AND television AND radio in one city (subject, of course, to ACCC approval).

And you don't need to be a mathematics professor to work out the answer to this primary school arithmetic test:

Question: If there are nine companies in the market now, and only five must remain after Mr Howard's new rules are introduced, how many companies can disappear to still ensure "diversity"?
Answer: Four.

Under the government's proposed "diversity" test, four major media companies in the country's major cities could be taken over by, or merged with, the remaining companies.

This is a media reform recipe that will bury Australian democracy. It will leave the country's key markets – where all the major commentary, analysis and media influence resides – with a handful of the most powerful media owners anywhere in the world.

SOURCE: ibid.

Kim Beazley has also been critical, according to the ABC:

Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley says the Government's planned overhaul of media laws is another example of its extreme activities now that it has control of the Senate.

Communications Minister Helen Coonan is considering a raft of changes, including scrapping restrictions on foreign ownership and allowing companies to control more than one form of media in the same metropolitan market.

Senator Coonan has also reportedly proposed a forum of media executives be formed to allow them to discuss the changes.

Mr Beazley says the moves will simply harm diversity in the media.

"An essential part of democracy is diversity in the media and the media laws that were put in place by the previous government at least guaranteed a certain diversity," he said.

"It seems to me that what Senator Coonan proposes to do is to move away from that. That's not good for democracy here."

SOURCE: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200507/s1422647.htm

The time has come for us, in the independent media, to step up to the plate. We need to both be a watchdog on these policy changes to make sure that they are implimented in a manner benefitting the Australian public, and also to fill the need for new voices (especially if our media laws are mangled in favour of big media interests). For those of us who take up the challenge, there are unique opportunities in the months and years ahead. And by independent media, I mean across the spectrum: from independent and community TV, to the street press, and especially online, and in the blogosphere. And it is a duty: the consequences of inaction on civic life in an Australia with few alternative voices means a concentration in the agenda setting power of the media; and we will all suffer as a result of this.

And the message to the Coallition needs to be simple: we are watching. The Australian people have entrusted you with a double majority (even though I personally don't think you deserve it). And we are watching Ministers, like Helen Coonan, closely. And if you abuse your power to reduce the number of agenda setting voices in the media and weaken our democracy, or abuse your power in other ways, we will make sure you are never entrusted with such power again.

Ever.

Important Site Update

2005-07-24T23:22:00.000+10:00

Time:
Something I may be needing a little more of...

Well, my mid-year holidays are just about over, and this has implications for the site. Over the past couple of months, I have endeavoured to try to update the site at least once a day (sometimes more often, sometimes less). But as of tomorrow, I start back at uni and - coupled with work - I won't have anywhere near enough time to update the site everyday. Given this, I have decided to drop back how often I post articles here to maybe once a week. But there is some good news on the horizon in regards to the site too, click on for details.My reason for making this decision is simple: as it stands, this site is just a hobby. While I would honestly love to be able to earn a living by running the AmishThrasher, at this stage it isn't half popular enough to do that. Oh, and I won't get a degree when I'm done with it.

During the past week or so, you will have noticed that I've tried a number of different formats for articles, including the AmishTrasher Wrap, and my reason for trying these out is to try and find a format in which I can cover a variety of issues in a single weekly post. While on some weeks I may write a whole post on a single issue, it may also be that there are a number of things that I want to tackle. Again, given the time constraints I have, I'll see if doing more AmishThrasher Wraps and Digests (like the Public Transport Digest I did a while ago) is a better way of going about it. Given I have a fairly long commute, another thing that you may see start to appear is 'quick updates' that I put together on the bus ride to or from uni.

For those of you out there who read this site regularly, don't dispair about a lack of updates just yet. I have invited a number of my friends to contribute to the site, if they wish to do so. And if they do, I'll set up accounts for them - again, hopefully over the coming few weeks. What this will mean to you, the reader, is site that covers a broader variety of subject matter far more regularly than I could hope to provide. Personally, I think this is a very exciting development.

I mentioned that I wanted to try doing some Podcasts or video clips on the blog, which is something I unfortunately haven't had a chance to do as yet. I'm not a politician, and given this I'd liek to appologise to anyone who has looked forward to seeing these. The reason that they haven't appeared is that I need to find a good webhost upon which I can store these features. Don't worry though; I am keen to add these at some point in the future. That said, over the past month (beyond redesigning the layout of the site), I have added a number of new features, including headlines from BBC News, daily horoscopes, and a chatroom. The thing about some of these interactive features (like the message board) is that the more you use them, the better they become. My hope is that the AmishThrasher will eventually become an online community, rather than just a blog.

Over the past couple of days, I have changed the format for most of the archives covering the articles I've posted over the past few weeks so that it's easier to find what you are looking for. If you haven't checked out the archive yet, there is a lot of cool stuff there and it's well worth checking out between updates. The other sites that I have linked to - including Sterne and Anonymous Lefty - are also well worth checking out in between updates.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, if you come here and see that I haven't updated in a number of days, don't worry; the site hasn't 'gone dark'; it's just that for practical reasons I haven't been able to update as regularly as I would have liked. Like always, if you have any feedback about anything I've talked about

Iraq Today Part II: The Insurgency, and Iran in Iraq

2005-07-23T12:12:00.000+10:00

Iran:
Did we give them control of Iraq?

I noted in Part I of this series that "an alliance of Pro-Iranian Shi'ite parties is the main group in Iraq's transitional government. Al-Jaafari, the transitional Prime Minister, is a member. The Kurds - as I estimated earlier, around 20% of the population, have also done well: they got Talabani as a Prime Minister. But this leaves the 18% of the population who are Sunni but aren't Kurdish unrepresented." As I will discuss in this article, leaving 18% of the population unrepresented does have implications for the Insurgency we are currently facing. But first, given the shift in 'justification' for the war in Iraq from weapons of mass destruction to 'freedom for Iraq', a recent article at Salon.com suggests that the transitional government, and the Iraq thus far, may have resulted in a more powerful Iran. The article, by Juan Cole, is entitled "The Iraq war is over, and the winner is... Iran." To read it, you need a "Day Pass" to their site (but it's worth it). For those who can't be bothered, I will post a few key excerpts here.

The first alarming development out of having the Shi'ite fundementalist-led transitional government in Iraq is the closer ties it is seeking with Iran:

On Saturday, Jaafari made a ceremonial visit to the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini, on which he laid a wreath. In a meeting with Supreme Jurisprudent Ali Khamenei on Monday, according to the Tehran Times, Jaafari "called the late Imam Khomeini the key to the victory of the Islamic Revolution, adding, 'We hope to eliminate the dark pages Saddam caused in Iran-Iraq ties and open a new chapter in brotherly ties between the two nations.'" The American right just about had a heart attack at the possibility (later shown false) that newly elected Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had been among the militants who took U.S. diplomats hostage in 1979. But the hostage takers had been blessed by Khomeini himself, to whom Jaafari was paying compliments.

When Jaafari met the head of the Iranian judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, on Tuesday, the two discussed expanding judicial cooperation between the two countries. Shahrudi said that cooperation with Iran's Draconian "justice system" has had a positive impact on other Muslim countries. He called for Iraq to coordinate with something called the "Islamic Human Rights Organization" -- an Orwellian phrase in dictatorial Iran, a state that tortures political prisoners and engages in other acts of brutality. And he urged the Iraqi government to put greater reliance on "popular forces" (local and national Shiite militias) in establishing security.
...
The previous week, Defense Minister Saadoun Dulaimi had made a preparatory trip to Tehran, exploring the possibility of military cooperation between the two countries. At one point it even seemed that the two had reached an agreement that Iran would help train Iraqi troops. One can only imagine that Washington went ballistic and applied enormous pressure on Jaafari to back off this plan. The Iraqi government abandoned it, on the grounds that an international agreement had already specified that out-of-country training of Iraqi troops in the region should be done in Jordan. But the Iraqi government did give Tehran assurances that they would not allow Iraqi territory to be used in any attack on Iran -- presumably a reference to the United States.

SOURCE: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/07/21/iran/

These is no understating how closer ties between Tehran and Baghdad has been a gift to Shi'ite fundementalist reigime in Iran:

The Iranians hold a powerful hand in the Iraqi poker game. They have geopolitical advantages, are flush with petroleum profits because of the high price of oil, and have much to offer their new Shiite Iraqi partners. Their long alliance with Iraqi president Jalal Talabani gives them Kurdish support as well. Bush's invasion removed the most powerful and dangerous regional enemy of Iran, Saddam Hussein, from power. In its aftermath, the religious Shiites came to power at the ballot box in Iraq, bestowing on Tehran firm allies in Baghdad for the first time since the 1950s. And in a historic irony, Iran's most dangerous enemy of all, the United States, invaded Iran's neighbor with an eye to eventually toppling the Tehran regime -- but succeeded only in defeating itself.

SOURCE: ibid.

This is important to remember, given that the current justification for our involvement in the Iraq War. George W. Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard, in my opinion, lied through their teeth about Weapons of Mass Destruction. When the WMD's failed to show up, the excuse shifted to justifying that the Iraq war was worthwhile because it bought 'freedom' and 'democracy' to Iraq. Well, our idea of 'freedom' and Iran's are two very different things. Bush said it himself when he called Iran one of the world's most dangerous reigimes. While it may be noble to send over 1,700 troops and 25,000 civilians to their deaths in the cause of bringing democracy and freedom to an oppressed people, to waste those same lives to shift the oppression of those oppressed people from Saddam to Iran is a callous waste; one which our so-called leaders should be called on.

One of the worst kept secrets of recent times is that the War in Iraq was never about fighting terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, or bringing Freedom and Democracy to the middle east; it was always about oil, and geopolitical power. By inadvertantly handing power in Iraq over to Iran, Bush's poor planning has lead to a deterioration in the west's geopolitical power in the region:

The ongoing chaos in Iraq has made it impossible for Bush administration hawks to carry out their long-held dream of overthrowing the Iranian regime, or even of forcing it to end its nuclear ambitions. (The Iranian nuclear research program will almost certainly continue, since the Iranians are bright enough to see what happened to the one member of the "axis of evil" that did not have an active nuclear weapons program.) The United States lacks the troops, but perhaps even more critically, it is now dependent on Iran to help it deal with a vicious guerrilla war that it cannot win.

SOURCE: ibid.

The current situation in Iraq is the product of massive incompetance and poor planning, pushed on the Australian public by a pack of liars, and paid for in blood. The weapons of mass destruction was a lie, and if Iran is allowed to reign over Iraq, bringing freedom is a lie. And as the general public wake up to this, there will be a massive backlash against the guilty.

The question, then, is what is Iran's new-found power in Iraq doing to the insurgency? Again, the answer is chilling:

Not surprisingly, the warming relations between Tehran and Baghdad have greatly alarmed Iraq's Sunni Muslims. They know that Iranian offers of help in training Iraqi security officers, and Iranian professions of support for a united, peaceful Iraq are code for the suppression by Shiite troops and militias of the Sunni Arab guerrilla movement. Many Iraqi Sunnis believe that the Sunni Arabs are the true majority, but that millions of illegal Iranian emigrants masquerading as Iraqi Shiites have flooded into the country, skewing vote totals in the recent elections. This belief, for all its irrationality, makes them especially suspicious of Shiite politicians cozying up to the ayatollahs in Tehran. A recent BBC documentary reported that the Sunnis of Fallujah despise Iraqi Shiites even more than they do the Americans, in part because they code them as Persians (in fact they are Arabs).

SOURCE: ibid.

Early this month, and late last month, I ran a series of articles examining some of the reasons behind the current insurgency in Iraq. Well, the reasons discussed in those articles have been augmented by the transitional government in Iraq.

As you will no doubt recall, around the elections there were bold predictions that the insurgency would end after the Iraqi elections; that a democratically elected transitional government would temper support for the insurgency. And this, to a degree, may have been the case in Kurdish and Shi'ite areas: for the reasons outlined, they still don't like the American Coallition, and in some cases may still be willing to attack it, but the democratically elected government does represent them.

In contrast to this is the 18% (or so) of the Iraq population who are Sunni but not Kurdish. The Shi'ite government cutting deals with Iran clearly doesn't represent them, and they dislike the Americans (and the coallition partners) for the reasons I've outlined in that series. And, in spite of protests to the contrary by Bush, Blair and Howard (and let's face it, they wouldn't admit that the situation in Iraq has made the terrorist threat more dangerous, now would they?) this is a dangerous mix of circumstances that have been created in Iraq.

And if the only light at the end of the tunnel is an Iraq controlled by Iran, perhaps it's time we re-assessed our continued support for it.

Iraq Today Part I: Who's Running Iraq?

2005-07-22T12:57:00.000+10:00

Ibrahim al-Jaafari:
The new Prime Minister. But who is he?

From across the globe, the current situation (which Australia is involved with) in Iraq can be confusing. To help, I've decided to run a series here at the AmishThrasher covering the basics of current events in Iraq. In part I, I look at who 'won' the Transitional Elections over there, who they are, and who they represent. Given the critical importance of Iraq as an ongoing issue, if you are unfamiliar with events over there, it is well worth reading on. Note that if you are interested in events in iraq, I highly reccomend Steve Gillaird, who I mentioned here earlier, and Juan Cole, which are excellent resources on current events in Iraq.

First, to understand the balance of power in Iraq, it is critical to understand its demographics:

There are more Arab Iraqi Muslims members of the Shiite sect than there are Arab Iraqi Muslims of the Sunni sect, but there is a large Sunni population as well, made up of mostly Arabs, Kurds, and Turkomans, (Shiite 60% of total population). Small communities of Christians, Baha'is, Mandaeans, Shabaks, and Yezidis also exist. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims.

Demographic information from the 2004 edition of the CIA's The World Factbook:
* Ethnic groups: Arab 70%-75%, Kurdish 20%-25%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 25%
* Religions: Muslim 93-95% (Shi'ite 60%, Sunni 40%), Christian,Yezidi or other 5-7%

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq

In other words:
* Approximately 20% of Iraq's Population are Kurdish, who are mostly Sunni Muslims. They are concentrated in the North.
* Approximately 18% of Iraq's Population are Sunni Muslims, who are not Kurdish. They are concentrated in the "Sunni Triangle", which includes Baghdad.
* Approximately 57% of Iraq's Population are Shi'ite Muslims. They are concentrated in the South of the country.
* Approximately 5% of Iraq's Population are none of the above.

Keep these in mind, as (like I said above) it is critical to understanding what's going on Iraq.

Just for some background, Iran is a Shi'ite Islamic state. Similarly, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is a Shi'ite.

In contrast to this, most of the rest of the Islamic world are Sunni Muslims. Similarly, Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein are Sunnis. Even though nearly 60% of Iraq's population is Shi'ite, Saddam Hussein belonged to the 18% who were Sunni.

A good place to start our look into who is in control in Iraq is the election of the Transitional Government in Iraq:

In the January 30, 2005, Legislative elections, the Iraqi people chose representatives for the newly-formed 275-member Iraqi National Assembly. The voting represented the first general election since the United States-led 2003 invasion of Iraq, and marked an important step in the transition of turning control of the country over from US occupation forces to the Iraqis themselves.
...
Provisional results released on February 13 showed that the United Iraqi Alliance, tacitly backed by Shi'a leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, led with some 48% of the vote. The Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan was in second place with some 26% of the vote. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's party, the Iraqi List, came third with some 14%. In total, twelve parties received enough votes to win a seat in the assembly.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_legislative_election%2C_2005

So who is the United Iraqi Alliance; the main political alliance in the transitional coallition currently running Iraq? Well, for a start, they are an alliance of the main Shi'ite parties in Iraq. here are some details:

The United Iraqi Alliance is one of the electoral coalitions that participated in the January 30, 2005, National Assembly election in Iraq.

The alliance is made up of mainstream Shi'ite Islamic religious parties in the Iraqi Interim Government, liberal secularists, nuclear physicist Hussain Shahristani, some independent Sunni representatives and representatives of the radical cleric Moqtada Sadr, a leader of disaffected Shi'a who is suspected by American occupational authorities of having ordered the 2003 murder of Ayatollah Abd al-Majid al-Khoi. The coalition is generally believed to be supported by senior Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most widely respected religious figure in Iraq, and although the Ayatollah has offered no official endorsement, many in the Iraqi public refer to the UIA as "al-Sistani's list."

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Iraqi_Alliance

This alliance has two key parties in control: the SCIRI (or Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq) and the Dawa Party. But who are these groups, and what do they believe? First, the Dawa Party:

The Islamic Dawa Party (Arabic transliteration: al-Da'wa al-Islamiyya) is an Iraqi political organization. It is one if the main Shi'ite parties. In the lead-up to the 2005 Iraqi election it cooperated with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and other Shi'ite groups in the United Iraqi Alliance. The party is led by Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a doctor, who now serves as Iraq's Prime Minister.

The party was formed in the late 1950s by a group of Shi'ite leaders, with Muhammad Baqr al-Sadr, the uncle of Muqtada al-Sadr, playing a prominent role. It was created to combat atheistic communism and Baathist Arab socialism which were then ascendant in Iraq. While founded and led by Shi'ites it worked closely with Sunni Islamic groups and a significant minority of the group's members were Sunnis. Al-Dawa rose to prominence in the 1970s when it waged a terrorist campaign against the Iraqi government. It supported the Islamic Revolution in Iran and in turn received support from the Iranian government, especially during the Iran-Iraq War. Despite this cooperation the Islamic Republic envisioned by al-Sadr differed sharply from that of Khomeini. While Khomeini, and the SCIRI, argued the power of the state should rest with the ulema al-Dawa supported the notion of power resting with the ummah.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Dawa_Party

Next, the SCIRI:

The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) is an Iraqi political party; its support comes from the country's Shi'ite Muslim community and from their fellow religionists in neighbouring Iran. Prior to August 2003, SCIRI was led by Ayatollah Sayed Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim; its current leader is the ayatollah's brother, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.

Ayatollah al-Hakim was killed in a car bomb attack in the Iraqi city of Najaf on August 29, 2003. The car bomb exploded as the ayatollah was leaving a religious shrine in the city, just after Friday prayers. At present no group has admitted responsibility for the attack, although many believe it is intersectarian violence.

The party was founded in 1982 after the near annihilation of the Islamic Dawa Party after the latter's failed assassination attempt on Saddam Hussein. It was largely based in Tehran and during the Iran-Iraq War the Iranians recognized the SCIRI as the government of the Islamic Republic of Iraq. The SCIRI ideology was closely based on that of Khomeini, and was far closer to the Iranian model than al-Dawa supporting the control of government by the ulema.

With the fall of Saddam after the 2003 invasion of Iraq the SCIRI quickly rose to prominence, working closely with the other Shi'ite parties. The party leaders toned down many of party beliefs and committed it to democracy and peaceful cooperation. SCIRI's power base is in the Shi'a-majority southern Iraq. It still has an armed wing, the Badr Brigade, with an estimated strength of between 4,000 and 10,000 men. Its Baghdad offices are based in a house that previously belonged to Ba'athist Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Council_for_the_Islamic_Revolution_in_Iraq

A member of this Shi'ite Alliance (including the SCIRI and Dawa), which won 48% of the vote, has become Iraq's Transitional Prime Minister:

Dr Ibrahim al-َAshaiqir al-Jaafari (إبراهيم الأشيقر الجعفري) (born 1947) is the new Prime Minister of Iraq in the Iraqi Transitional Government following the elections of January 2005. He is a Shiite and was previously one of the two vice-presidents of Iraq under the Iraqi Interim Government in 2004, and the main spokesman for the Islamic Dawa Party in Iraq.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_al-Jaafari

Meanwhile, the Shi'ites partners in government, the Kurdish Alliance, have gotten their leader appointed as President:

Jalal Talabani (born in 1933), is a seasoned Iraqi Kurdish politician, who was named State President of Iraq on April 6, 2005 by the Iraqi National Assembly. Talabani is founder and secretary general of one of the main Iraqi Kurdish political parties the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) . He was also a prominent member of the Interim Iraq Governing Council, which was established following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalal_Talabani

So an alliance of Pro-Iranian Shi'ite parties is the main group in Iraq's transitional government. Al-Jaafari, the transitional Prime Minister, is a member. The Kurds - as I estimated earlier, around 20% of the population, have also done well: they got Talabani as a Prime Minister. But this leaves the 18% of the population who are Sunni but aren't Kurdish unrepresented. As a result of the "one person, one vote" system that was implemented (rather than having a quota from each major Iraqi demographic group), many boycotted the elections.

And, as we will see in Part II, the power of the Shi'ite religious parties has come to a great benefit to Iran.

Time to Help the RSPCA

2005-07-21T13:39:00.000+10:00

Where elephants belong:
The Wild!

The RSPCA, in association with the IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and HSI (Humane Society International), has launched a last-ditch effort to stop Thai elephants, which do not survive well in captivity, being imported by Australian Zoos. In a press-release on the subject, the RSPCA states that "Elephants in zoos breed poorly, with a high level of stillbirth and a very high rate of infant mortality, and also generally die at a younger age." The full press-release on the issue, in PDF format, is available here. For those of you who are interested in helping them out, information is available here.

The full Press Release Reads:

The RSPCA believes the welfare of elephants in zoos is severely compromised. The RSPCA will join IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and HSI (Humane Society International) in appealing the decision by Environment Minister Ian Campbell to approve the importation The non-government organisations will also ask for an injunction to stop the zoos from moving the elephants before the AAT appeal is heard.

RSPCA Australia spokesperson Dr Hugh Wirth said today the RSPCA’s opposition to the plan was based on serious animal welfare concerns. “There is no doubt that the weight of scientific evidence goes against expanding the current zoo elephant population,” said Ms Speechley. “In allowing this importation to proceed, Minister Ian Campbell has condemned these elephants to a life of suffering in captivity,” she said.

The RSPCA is not opposed to zoos but points to recent scientific evidence which demonstrates that elephants are not suitable to be kept in captivity. RSPCA, IFAW and HSI also reject the zoos’ claim that the plan is in the interests of elephant conservation, rather than in the interests of raising profits for the zoos involved. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) states that endangered animals can only be imported for conservation and breeding purposes, not for commercial benefit. However, despite over 100 years of keeping elephants in captivity, Australian zoos have been unable to breed even one single Asian elephant. Furthermore, there is no plan to ever release any elephant back into the wild, placing any perceived conservation benefit in serious doubt.

“Taking elephants way from their home and family groups in Thailand, and sticking them in a zoo in the middle of Sydney or Melbourne, is no way to contribute to elephant conservation,” said Dr Wirth. “The elephant is a precious and endangered animal, not a tourist attraction,” Dr Wirth said. Elephants in zoos face restricted space and opportunity for exercise, unsuitable climate, small or unstable social groups and lack of opportunity to exhibit natural behaviours. Subsequent health problems suffered by elephants in zoos include serious foot and joint complaints and obesity. Elephants in zoos breed poorly, with a high level of stillbirth and a very high rate of infant mortality, and also generally die at a younger age.

SOURCE: http://www.rspcavic.org/news_info/media_releases/mr_thailandelephants.pdf

Speaking of the RSPCA, a group that does a lot of extrodinary work in helping animals, if you are interested in helping them out, you may want to check out their Animal Art Exhibition; it sounds like a great way to spend a day, and help a great cause:
Date: 14 - 24th July 2005
> Time: Monday to Friday      10:00am to 5:00pm
               Saturday & Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm
> Location: Glen Eira Council Gallery.
                      Corner Glen Eira & Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield. Gallery Ph: 9524 3214
> Entry: Via donation

More Details at http://www.rspcavic.org/events/artexhibition.htm

The AmishThrasher Wrap, July 21st

2005-07-21T10:44:00.000+10:00

AmishThrasher Wrap:
Mmmm... souvlaki

Today on the AmishThrasher Wrap: Remember Senator Ian Campbell? He's back, and he's just shocked that anyone would lie to him, telling ABC's 4 Corners that "You know, when a guy looks you in the eye and says he's going to either abstain or walk out of the room and shakes your hand, I come from a tradition of respecting that until proved otherwise... all I know is what's happened is they promised to do one thing, and did the other, and the result is foul." Not that he'd ever do anything like that! Plus a flashback to a Ruddock quote which, in the light of Vivian Solon's deportation, is worth remembering: "And the alternative course that is offered -- and when you recognise that at the moment in detention we have something like 1,600 people and 800 of those people, almost 800 of those people, are being held for removal -- in other words, they're not refugees." All that, and more, today in the AmishThrasher Wrap!Hi, and welcome to the AmishThrasher Wrap. Like I said, I'm looking at different ways of delivering content, especially once I get back to Uni, when the time I have to put this together will be a lot more limited. Anyway, here's a quick round-up of a number of recent issues in one post:

Whale Watching
I'll start the Wrap off by talking about the ABC's Four Corners Program this week, which dealt with the recent Whaling Summit. And while I have recently criticised the Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell, for his lies in the lead-up to the last Federal election (which you can read here), he does deserve to be commended for the work he put in in opposition to Japans move to re-legalise commercial whaling, and his opposition to the "Scientific Research" loophole which Japan has used to slaughter whales. During the Program, Japan's Representative to the IWC comes off as particularly loathsome.

That said, keeping in mind the porkies he told before the last Federal Election about Australia's nuclear waste dump being on an off-shore island and that the Northern Territory was not being investigated, take a look at some of his comments during the program. For example when the Solomon Island's Prime Minister lied about abstaining from the vote, Campbell said "You know, when a guy looks you in the eye and says he's going to either abstain or walk out of the room and shakes your hand, I come from a tradition of respecting that until proved otherwise." And I agree, politicians looking you in the eye and telling lies is disgusting. But apparently, in Campbells tradition, politicians telling porkies before an election to thousands over the radio is A-okay. Another quote from the Senator was "...all I know is, what's happened is they promised to do one thing, and did the other, and the result is foul." It's funny, the people in the Northern Territory who heard you tell them there would be no radioactive waste dump in the Territory feel the same way.

The transcript is online here.

The Ruddock Quotes
Moving on, from time to time I like to post past comments from pollies when their comments get exposed for lies. Well, given the recent crisis in the Detention Centre system, it is worth going back to see what, soon after the 2001 Federal Election, former Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock was saying about the detention centre system, in the wake of the illegal and immoral detention of Australian Citizens like Cornelia Rau, and the deportation of Australian citizen Vivian Alvarez-Solon. Here's a transcript of Ruddock on Lateline, broadcast on the 19/3/2002:

Ruddock defends detention of children

...And the alternative course that is offered -- and when you recognise that at the moment in detention we have something like 1,600 people and 800 of those people, almost 800 of those people, are being held for removal -- in other words, they're not refugees.

They have no lawful basis to be in Australia.

They could be removed tomorrow if they were prepared to cooperate with us...

SOURCE: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/stories/s508634.htm

One of those people 'held for removal' - that is, waiting to be deported - would be Vivian Alvarez - Solon.

But if Ruddock was wrong that people slated for deportation had no legal basis to be in Australia, the question arises of how many of those 800 people that Ruddock had deported really were refugees? And just think, if even one of those 800 really was a legitimate refugee, we sent them back to a war-torn country where they would face persecution, and that they had risked everything to leave.

Meanwhile, given that Cornelia Rau, who was a diagnosed schizophrenic, was neither diagnosed correctly by Detention Centre officials, nor given adequate care for her condition, questions have been raised about the quality of health care (especially mental health care) in our detention centres. So what did Ruddock have to say about the state of these health services?

In relation to the others we have a duty of care which we accept and which we honour and we provide a very full and comprehensive set of medical services as well as other related services to ensure that they suffer as least as possible.

But we're not going to unwind the detention arrangements merely because people bring families and then demand with the support of well-meaning groups that they should be free in the Australian community because of potential harm that they may suffer.

This is a situation in which they have placed themselves.

SOURCE: ibid.

As the Rau case shows, the mental health services available to detainees is, at the very least, thoroughly incompetant. Did they suddenly deteriorate between this interview and when Rau was incarcerated? Or was Ruddock lied to by his own department and, for whatever reason, didn't find out for himself? Or was Ruddock simply lying through his teeth when he was saying this? Whatever the truth is, it doesn't look good for Ruddock.

And, as the interview notes, there were clear warnings by experts, as early as 2002, that things were deffinately awry in the system, especially in regard to mental health care. What did Ruddock do? Deny it, of course:

TONY JONES: These doctors are saying, Minister, there is cancer in the system.

You are not taking their advice, you will not allow them to make an independent assessment of what's happening inside these detention centres -- the state, the mental state of not only men and women but their small children.

PHILIP RUDDOCK: What we have is a number of doctors, and you've dealt with this earlier in the program, who made it their business to go and offer advice and consult with people without them very often knowing that's what was happening and who were under the professional care of other practitioners.

I don't think that's an appropriate or ethical way in which to undertake inquiries or to come to an informed view.

But we did set up an independent evaluation of all the medical service that we are operating to ensure that they are appropriate.

I'll have a report available fairly shortly which details the result of that.

I mean, I do take advice in these matters.

I take it seriously.

Detention is not intended to be punitive.

SOURCE: ibid.

I wonder what happend to Ruddock's personal inquiry? Regardless, since then, we have gotten the Palmer Report. And it's a shame that things have deteriorated - either during, or since - Ruddock's watch to the point where an official inquiry was necessary. Speaking of which, Crikey have a story about it here, where they highlight where Palmer identifies the immigration system as being “‘Process rich' and ‘outcomes poor'.” And Ruddock undeniably deserves a lot of the blame.

Port Phillip Bay and Coode Island Update
Recently, I ran a story at the AmishThrasher recommending the redevelopment of Coode Island - you can read it here (it's in the July Archives). Well, for those of you who are interested, the Victoria Greens and the Blue Wedge Coallition have a protest coming up over the issue. From the Green's website:

Despite very big questions hanging over the economics of channel deepening in Port Phillip Bay and growing community concern, the Port of Melbourne Corporation and the state government seem determined to push ahead with a nine week, $30 million plus, 'dredging trial' in the north and south of the Bay.

"Trial dredging" - due to commence as early [as the 2nd of August -] is simply the thin edge of the massive dredging operation (four times as big as has been done any where else in the world) which the Independent Panel Report stated in March this year, threatens serious and irreversible environmental damage to the Bay.

There should be a moratorium on any further dredging in Port Phillip Bay until an independent analysis is conducted of all the direct and indirect impacts and costs of channel deepening (not just the cost of the dredging operation).

WEAR RED, CARRY RED, SEE RED and join the Blue Wedges STOP THE DREDGE Protest rally,
1pm, Sunday July 31,
Greenwich Reserve, The Strand, Williamstown
(Melways 56C5)

SOURCE: http://www.vic.greens.org.au/content/

The Racist Professor
Finally, I'll wrap this up (no pun intended) with another follow-up to a story I did on Eric Rudolph, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Terrorist who was recently thrown in jail. Senator Nettle has put up a press release about Andrew Fraser; the racist accademic who has recently been featured on programs like A Current Affair, and in various newspapers for his hateful views on people from Africa and Asia. It's worth checking out.

If there were a Professor in Australia who actively supported Islamic Extremism, they would rightfully be condemned. Well, Fraser's comments actively support the positions of the Christian Identity movement; an American Neo-nazi Terrorist movement of which Eric Rudolph was a member. He deserves the same sort of condemnation.

And that's a Wrap!
And that's all from the AmishThrasher Wrap for now, though there is heaps more on the website. Thankyou for reading it!

If you think that this is a worthwhile feature, please let me know, either by leaving a comment, e-mail, or on the Message Board. Also,I'm thinking about doing something like the AmishThrasher Wrap as an e-mail newsletter - would you be interested in it? or would I be better seved in posting a number of short, paragraph longstories on the front page? Any feedback would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks,
Andrew S.

The Christian Identity Terrorist Movement

2005-07-20T11:03:00.000+10:00

Olympic Park Shrapnel marks.jpg
A reminder of what these people
are capable of.

Yesterday, the AmishThrasher featured an article on the sentencing of Eric Rudolph, the terrorist responsible for various bombing attacks, including the terrorist attack at Centennial Park during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Rudolph has been identified as belonging to a group called "Christian Identity", but who is this terrorist organisation, and what do they represent? The shocking answer, according to Wikipedia, is a disgusting mix of racist hatred, white supremacy, and justification that supports the terrorist tactics used by Rudolph. Here is some background:

Christian Identity is a label applied to a wide variety of loosely-affiliated groups and churches with a racialized theology. Most of them promote a militant white supremacist and neo-Nazi version of Christianity. Their key commonality is British Israelism theology, which teaches that white Europeans are the literal descendants of the Israelites, and that the Israelites are still God's "Chosen People". There are estimated to be about 50,000 adherents of these groups in the United States of America.

Most major Christian religions, denominations, and independent churches have denounced Christian Identity theology, and condemned the racist and antisemitic version for using the Christian Bible as a basis for spreading hate... Christian Identity groups include the Aryan Nations; Church of Jesus Christ Christian; Confederate Hammerskins; Jubilee; LaPorte Church of Christ; Kingdom Identity Ministries; and White Separatist Banner. Although they have never identified themselves as such, Westboro Baptist Church adheres to most, if not all, of the tenets of the movement.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Identity

What these religious wacko terrorist groups believe in is a disgusting, racist and hate-filled perversion of Christianity:

Christian Identity asserts that the white Aryan race is God's chosen race and that whites comprise the ten lost tribes of Israel. There is no single document that expresses this belief system. Adherents interpret the Bible to justify their ideas.
...
Interpreting the Book of Genesis, many Christian Identity followers assert that Adam and Eve were preceded by other, lesser races, identified as "the beasts of the field" (Gen. 1:25). Eve was seduced by the snake (Satan) and gave birth to two seed lines: Cain, the direct descendant of Satan and Eve, and Abel, who was of good Aryan stock through Adam. Cain then became the progenitor of the Jews in his subsequent matings with the non-Adamic races. This is referred to as the dual-seedline doctrine (the other races are considered by dual-seedliners to be descended from animals). There are other interpretations within Christian Identity, such as single-seedline doctrine, the main belief of which is that all the races are desecended from Adam and Eve, but that only whites are the chosen of God. Some believe that the Jews used to be the chosen of God and then "lost" God's choice when they failed to accept Christ, some believe they never were the chosen.

Christian Identity adherents believe the Jews are predisposed to carry on a conspiracy against the Adamic seed line and today have achieved almost complete control of the earth. (Kaplan, Radical Religion in America)

SOURCE: ibid.

Perhaps even more shocking is that this twisted ideology is used to support, and even justify, the types of terrorist attrocities carried out by Rudolph:

A relatively new tenet gaining popularity among some Christian Identity believers justifies the use of violence if it is perpetrated in order to punish violators of God's law, as found in the Bible and interpreted by Christian Identity ministers and adherents. This includes killing interracial couples, abortionists, prostitutes and homosexuals, burning pornography stores, and robbing banks and perpetrating frauds to undermine the "usury system."; Christian Identity adherents engaging in such behavior are referred to as Phineas Priests or members of the Phineas Priesthood. This is an appealing concept to some Christian Identity's members who believe they are being persecuted by the Jewish-controlled U.S. government and society and/or are eagerly preparing for Armageddon.

SOURCE: ibid.

The perverted ideology of these groups, and the support they have for adherants, like Rudolph, carrying out terrorist attacks is bad enough. Even worse, this ideology of hatred preaches, as its ultimate goal, a global race war, and are stocking up across the US to fight it:

Christian Identity believes in the inevitability of the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ. These End Times events are seen as part of a cleansing process that is needed before Christ's kingdom can be established on earth. During this time, Jews and their allies will attempt to destroy the white race using any means available. The result will be a violent and bloody millennial struggle - a race war, in effect - between God's forces, the white race, and the forces of evil, the Jews and nonwhites.

The view of what Armageddon will be varies among Christian Identity believers. All contend there will be a race war in which millions will die; many believe that the United Nations, backed by Jewish representatives of the anti-Christ, will take over the country and promote a New World Order. One Christian Identity interpretation is that white Christians have been chosen to watch for signs of the impending war in order to warn others. They are to then physically struggle with the forces of evil against sin and other violations of God's law (e.g., race-mixing and internationalism); many will perish, and some will be forced to wear the Mark of the Beast to participate in business and commerce. After the final battle is ended and God's kingdom is established on earth, only then will the Aryan people be recognized as the one and true Israel.

Christian Identity adherents believe that God will use his chosen race as his weapons to battle the forces of evil. Christian Identity followers believe they are among those chosen by God to wage this battle during Armageddon and they will be the last line of defense for the white race and Christian America. To prepare for these events, they engage in survivalist and paramilitary training, storing foodstuffs and supplies, and caching weapons and ammunition. They often reside on compounds located in remote areas.

SOURCE: ibid.

These groups are not just stocking up foodstuffs and supplies, but are, in some cases, actively forming militia cells across the US:

In some states, Christian Identity followers established or took over armed citizens' militias.

SOURCE: ibid.

It's time to call a spade a spade here: these groups are undeniably Christian Fundementalists. And, looking at the facts, these groups are undeniably dangerous terrorist organisations and need to be bought to justice. The way that they have twisted Christianity to fill an agenda of hate, violence and death is exceptionally disgusting.

The question is how many of these extremist groups - and their radical militia cells - exist in Australia? After September 11, it is a question we can't afford not to look into. Keeping a pre-9/11 mindset will mean these violent extremists. We can not, and must not, tollerate their behavior any longer; these groups, and their sympathisers, must be bought to justice.

Atlanta Terrorist Thrown in Jail.

2005-07-19T21:46:00.000+10:00

Eric Rudolph:
The face of a terrorist.

According to the New York Times, Eric Rudolph, the terrorist behind a number of deadly attacks including the attack on the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, has been thrown in jail. According to Wikipedia, "It has been alleged that Rudolph is an adherent of the extremist group Christian Identity, a sect that holds that white Christians are God's chosen people, and that others will be condemned to Hell." The crimes committed by this terrorist and his extremist group, Christian Identity, are disgusting and cowardly. Thankfully Rudolph, whose terrorist acts have seen innocent people killed, is being bought to justice. Arresting domestic terrorists like Rudolph, who has been nicknamed the "Birmingham Bomber" is a clear victory in the War on Terrorism.

Before going any further, here's some background on the crimes committed by this terrorist:

Of the bombings committed by Rudolph, the most notoriety came from the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta on July 27, 1996, during the 1996 Summer Olympics. The blast killed Alice Hawthorne and wounded 111 others. Melih Uzunyol, a Turkish cameraman who ran to the scene following the blast, died of a heart attack.
...
Rudolph has also confessed to the bombings of an abortion clinic in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs on January 16, 1997, a gay and lesbian nightclub, the Otherside Lounge, in Atlanta on February 21, 1997, injuring five, and an abortion clinic in Birmingham, Alabama on January 29, 1998, killing Robert Sanderson and critically injuring Emily Lyons. Rudolph's bombs were made of dynamite surrounded by nails which acted as shrapnel, increasing the destructive power of the bombs. The use of two bombs is a common terrorist tactic: the second bomb is timed to target those responding to the first explosion.

SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Rudolph

Well, here's an excerpt from the American newspaper The New York Times, describing him facing justice for his horrendous crimes:

Victims Have Say as Birmingham Bomber Is Sentenced

By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: July 19, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 18 - It was Emily Lyons's first chance to address Eric R. Rudolph, the bomber whose attack on an abortion clinic here in 1998 left her half-blind and maimed. And she had plenty to say.

Ms. Lyons, who had been the director of nursing at the New Woman All Women Health Care clinic, called Mr. Rudolph a coward for making a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, and said, pointedly, that the clinics he bombed were still in operation today and that his attack had transformed her into a public figure who had raised thousands of dollars for abortion services.

And she told Mr. Rudolph at his sentencing Monday morning in Federal District Court, "I have more guts in my broken little finger than you have in your whole body."

Mr. Rudolph, who pleaded guilty in April to the Birmingham bombing and three bombings in Atlanta, was sentenced to two life sentences without parole for the Birmingham bombing. Judge C. Lynwood Smith ordered him to pay $1.2 million restitution to the victims, though he acknowledged that Mr. Rudolph had no financial resources. In August, Mr. Rudolph will be sentenced to two more life terms in Atlanta for attacks on another abortion clinic and a gay club and at the 1996 Olympics.

SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/19/national/19rudolph.html

Perhaps a little disconcerting was that Prosecutors, rather than sending this guy to dry out in Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo Bay, chose to deal with this as a criminal case. Even worse, Prosecutors chose to negotiate with this terrorist:

Prosecutors had agreed not to seek the death penalty if Mr. Rudolph helped them recover more than 250 pounds of explosives he had hidden in western North Carolina, buried in the wilderness where he had taken cover while in hiding. Officials announced the deal in April, after law enforcement agents recovered the explosives.

SOURCE: ibid.

Also very scary is the fact that, as shown in the following excerpt, Rudolph was able to obtain the ingredients for this bomb in a local Wal-Mart store. Also kind of creepy is the fact he wrote 'bomb' in his Bible:

Ms. Lyons, who has been vocal in her disappointment that Mr. Rudolph would not face capital punishment, read a seven-page statement recounting the many ways in which he had worked against himself: he saved the receipt for bombing components bought at Wal-Mart; he left explosive residue all over his trailer; he failed to notice that his intended target in Birmingham, the doctor providing abortions, did not use the clinic's front door; he left the bomb in plain sight instead of hiding it in the bushes; he wrote the word "bomb" in the margin of his Bible; and, ultimately, he failed to stop women from obtaining abortions.

SOURCE: ibid.

Fundementalists like Rudolph, who hijack a religion of peace and compassion and use it to further a violent agenda of hate - to put it bluntly - piss me off. These people do not represent Christianity, its values and morals, and its spirit of compassion. As you can see, this terrorist didn't achieve his end goal, and we must make sure he doesn't. As you may recall, a few days ago I wrote the following (about people like Rudolph) right here on the AmishThrasher:

The real enemy, both for compassionate people of faith and secular Humanists alike are those who try to hijack religion to push for radical, destructive agendas. Personally, it makes me thoroughly sick when I hear someone use religion as an excuse for racism; especially when it cuts against the fundamental message of their religion. Unfortunately, even within Australia, there are numerous so-called 'religious' groups actively trying to recruit people to their hateful cause. Such groups don't put their effort into social justice, but rather they actively undermine it. The goal of such wackos is to further their agendas of personal power, wealth, and hatred. And unfortunately, both in Australia and abroad, they seem to be growing in power, while giving people of good faith a bad name.

SOURCE: http://amishthrasher.blogspot.com/2005/07/volunteers-urgently-needed-in-mallee.html

The first thing authorities in the US should do is track down this extremist 'Christian Identity' group, and all those who support it or give it comfort, and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, here in Australia we need to seek out Fundementalist Christian groups and cults which seek a similar agenda and seek to use similar tactics, and bring those groups to justice. Like any terrorist groups, they need to be thoroughly infiltrated - top to bottom - by intelligence and law enforcement officials, neutralised, and its members bought to justice. We must apply a post September 11th mindset to all religious extremism, and crack down on all these groups.

Like any terrorist group, we need to find out what it is about this group, which makes it alluring to recruits. What makes people turn out like this terrorist,

And finally, all of us who believe in social justice and humanity - whether actively religious, or aethiest - must unite. For those of us who are actively religious, we need to reclaim the name of religion in the name of peace and justice from those religious wackos of all stripes - be they Islamic extremists, or other groups like Christian Identity or the Klan - who seek to use it to propogate hate. And it is up to us to set an example of social justice, progress, human rights, and compassion. To unite and work together to build and strengthen the cause of social justice in Australia and the world, against the thugs and wreckers who seek to undermine and attack it.

We must not give in to terrorists like Rudolph.

Why does Global Arms Control Matter?

2005-07-19T17:14:00.000+10:00

Handguns:
Should they be sold
for human rights abuse?

In a good piece of news, according to Amnesty International, "In the last week, thirteen more governments have announced their support for the international Arms Trade Treaty at a UN arms control meeting in New York. The governments of Benin, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, the Netherlands, Norway, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Turkey, Uganda and the Vatican gave their support, bringing the treaty much closer to being a reality." While there is more work needed for a legally binding treaty selling or giving arms to those who want to commit human rights abuse, this is a clear step in the right direction. But why should the issue of arms control matter to ordinary Australians? Read on to find out.

Well, think about some of the horrific human rights abuses of the past few decades - the wholesale murder of civilian men, women and children in places like Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, and more recently in the Darfur region of Sudan. The thousands of innocent people killed as a result. The idea that people would commit such horrific acts against their fellow man makes me sick to my stomach. Thinking about these situations, you have to wonder where exactly these monsters got their weapons - the hundreds of guns and thousands of rounds of ammo used in these protracted tradgedies.

And the answer is points to something that is perhaps as sickening as the acts themselves: there are people who either gave these armies their weapons for some sort of personal gain, or worse, knowingly sold those weapons for profits. Somewhere out there sleeping in their mansion after selling guns and ammo to some 3rd world tinpot dictator with the weapons, while knowing that thousands of kids would be shot and needlessly slaughtered as a result. It's thoroughly immoral, and it should be illegal too: globally.

And this is what Amnesty International is trying to do with Global Arms Control.

John Howard and George W. Bush claim that the reason for invading Iraq (after the Weapons of Mass Destruction failed to show up) was to stop human rights abuses by Saddam Hussein. Well, they should get behind Amnesty International in supporting Global Arms control to ensure that no other dictator, like Saddam Hussein, ever gets the opportunity to commit such large scale attrocities ever again. Australians who knowingly sell weapons that are used to abuse human rights deserve to be thrown in jail, and foreigners - and foreign businesses - that do it should be banned from doing business in Australia. And those tough laws must be adopted worldwide.

The fact is that Global Arms control matters because thousands more people will die - like they did in Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, and Darfur, if we do nothing. It's time our so-called 'leaders' stepped up to the plate and showed their leadership in arms control.

Here's the full text of Amnesty International's Press Release:

Thirteen more governments announce support for Arms Trade Treaty

18 July, 2005 | IOR 40/019/2005
In the last week, thirteen more governments have announced their support for the international Arms Trade Treaty at a UN arms control meeting in New York. The governments of Benin, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, the Netherlands, Norway, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Turkey, Uganda and the Vatican gave their support, bringing the treaty much closer to being a reality, said campaigners today.

A number of other governments, including the EU countries, some East African states and the Mercosur grouping of Latin American states also made positive statements in favour of stronger export controls based on global minimum standards.

The proposed Arms Trade Treaty has the support of Nobel Laureates and citizens around the world. It would be legally binding and would ban arms transfers if they are likely to contribute to human rights violations or fuel conflict, or undermine development. The treaty would close the loopholes that currently exists between incompatible national arms export laws.

The new expressions of support for the Arms Trade Treaty came during a week-long conference at the UN in New York to review progress in curbing the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons under a 2001 agreement, the UN Programme of Action.

"While many governments are still failing to meet their obligations under the Programme, it is encouraging that momentum is building towards the agreement of a new legally binding treaty on export controls", said Brian Wood, arms control manager of Amnesty International.

"Governments at last seem to be waking up to the fact that hundreds of thousands of men, women and children are killed every year by armed violence. So many governments backing the treaty in just one week is a massive step towards enforcing stricter arms controls", said Anna MacDonald, Director of Policy at Oxfam.

"This is a major shift from the last UN review meeting two years ago, when export controls were barely on the table. As a result of strong campaigning from a global network of NGOs, along with the support of states including Kenya, UK, Costa Rica, Norway and Finland, states are recognising the necessity of a legally binding treaty," said Rebecca Peters, Director of IANSA.

SOURCE: http://www.amnesty.org.au/resources/newsroom/news?cid=1&pid=968

Rewarding Politicians for Incompetence.

2005-07-18T17:58:00.000+10:00

Meet Peter Beattie:
He wants to curb your freedom.

If nothing else, you have to credit the politicians for audacity. Within a week of the Palmer Report showing clear incompetance by government with mandatory detention, politicians like Queensland's Premier, Peter Beattie, have come forward to the Australian public asking us to, essentially, trust the government with even more power; this time, with a mandatory national ID card. Perhaps the most audacious aspect to all of this is that Beattie, whose state illegally held Rau as a prisoner, wants the government powers extended because of their incompetence with the powers that they already have! Beattie made the point in a recent interview where he stated that "The other thing about it, too, is we've had the problems with Cornelia Rau and the Alvarez case... Now a national ID system will have benefits in that." In other words, dangerously incompetent government departments and politicians should be rewarded with even more power, while we - the public - should be punished by being forced to give up more of our civil liberties. Really, it should be the other way around: incompetent government departments should be punished by having their power cut back, and incompetent politicians should be fired.

First, some history. In 1992, the Federal Government (under Paul Keating) gave itself (through the Immigration Department) the power to be able to detain, or deport, anyone who it thought was in the country illegally, without trial. After the 2001 Federal elections, those powers were strengthened and extended by the Howard government. The incompetence with which these powers were used by the immigration department was revealed when Cornelia Rau, an Australian citizen, was illegally arrested and detained while another Australian, Vivian Solon, was illegally deported. This incompetence with the powers the department already has been criticised in the resulting Palmer Inquiry. In the wake of this report, the guilty government bureaucracy either needs a serious overhaul, or to have their powers slashed dramatically - or both. To reward this bureaucracy for its utter ineptness with even more power would be an act of monumental stupidity.

An excuse often used to extend government powers is that if you have nothing to hide, you should have nothing to fear. Well, neither Rau nor Solon had anything to hide - they were both Australian citizens; so they really should have had nothing to fear either. Nothing to fear, that is, except for the abuse of power by a pack of over-zealous bureaucrats. And with the Australia Card, those same bureaucrats would gain access to a Soviet-style centralised government database potentially linking all your personal information, both public and private. Your right to privacy goes out the window, and the potential for abuse is enormous. Do we really want to give the same government bureaucracy and politicians that have already been shown to be incompetent that much power?

I, for one, think that it would be an incredibly stupid thing to do, which is why I don't support it.

John Howard has found a different excuse for attacking your privacy with an Australia Card, when he stated (according to The Age) that "This is an issue that ought to be back on the table but back on the table as part of inevitably looking at everything in the wake of the terrible tragedy in London." The problem is that most of the London terrorists were born and raised in the UK. Using such a large scale database would mean scouring through the personal details of millions to find a couple of dozen people, and would necessitate both a massive and comprehensivefile on everyone; resources that should be spent on human intelligence; on infiltrating and undermining extremist organisations both at home and abroad.

Howard and Beattie think we should have a national debate over whether we should introduce the Australia Card. Well, in the wake of the Palmer Report we do need a national debate, alright. But it should be a very different one to the one Howard and Beattie have in mind: the debate shouldn't be over introducing an Australia Card, but rather over how many of these pollies deserve to get fired at the next election. And how many more deserved to be fired if they pull through with this scheme.

The Challenge: How the Pollies Responded.

2005-07-17T11:51:00.000+10:00

Spring Street:
Who bothered to Reply?

One week ago (between 1:09 and 1:25 PM on the 9th of July), I sent e-mails to the ALP, Liberals, and Greens. The aim of the excercise is simple: to see what kind of responses I would get to a bunch of simple questions about their policies on public transport. Given my commentary on the delapidated and underused state of metropolitan Melbourne's public transport infrastructure, this would provide the parties with both a right-of-reply, and an opportunity to address some of the problems I had identified. It would be interesting to repeat the excercise in the lead up to the next state election to compare how much more prompt the replies are. So which of the 3 parties performed best in our challenge?

It took a couple of days for any of the parties to reply to the request: the first reply I got back was on Tuesday (the 12) when, at 12:55, I got the first e-mail back. Who was the first party to respond? The Greens, with the following e-mail (some names and e-mails have been removed):

From: xxx@vic.greens.org.au
Subject: Re: Public transport policies etc.
Date: 12 July 2005 12:55:14 PM
To: amishroadkill502@hotmail.com
Cc: xxx@vic.greens.org.au
Reply-To: xxx@vic.greens.org.au

Andrew (? surname?),

thanks for your enquiry. I have responded to the particular issues
below. I would have copied this query to our public transport
spokesperson, but unfortunately we are in the process of re-appointing
this person.

So please see if this helps. And get back to me if necessary.

On Sat, 2005-07-09 at 13:25 +1000, Andrew wrote:
> To whom it may concern,
> I would like to make some inquiries in regard's to the Greens current
> public transport policy. Here are some specific questions I have in
> regards to such policies in metropolitan Melbourne. Any assistance
> would be greatly appreciated:
>
> 1) In brief, what are the key priorities of the Greens public
>transport policies, and where is more information about it available?

Our state policies are at: http://vic.greens.org.au/content/about-the-greens/policy/Passenger Transport.

>
> 2) How do current Green policies in regards to public transport differ
> from those under the Bracks Government?

I am not able to give you this analysis, in my role. Perhaps the spokesperson can do this, once appointed. Similarly with the specific queries below.

Your patience in this matter is most appreciated.

--
??? ???
Party Administrator
Direct Email) xxx@vic.greens.org.au
From the Front Desk, Vic State Office.

Australian Greens (Victoria)
GPO Box xxxx
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
General email) xxx@vic.greens.org.au
Ph: (xx) xxxx xxxx
Fax: (xx) xxxx xxxx
Web site: www.vic.greens.org.au

NOTE: the AGV State Office is open Mon-Thur 10.00 am - 6.00 pm.
********************************************************************

In other words, in spite of not currently having a Public Transport spokesperson, the Greens were the first of the 3 parties to respond to my e-mail. While they didn't reply to any of my questions, they did provide a link to the website where they present their public transport policies. I'll have a look at these policies in greater depth later.

Anyway, less than an hour after recieving the e-mail from the Greens, I got a letter back from the ALP. Basically it was a stock e-mail simply acknowledging that they had recieved an e-mail from me, and that it was being "receiving attention" with a response coming as soon as possible. What I suspect it means is that it landed in some secretary's inbox, was deemed unimportant. and will get replies to me whenever they get around to it - if they get around to it. If they do eventually reply, I will post the e-mail here in full with comments.

So what of the Liberals? Well, thus far, no response or acknowledgement whatsoever. In thsi challenge, they have clearly performed the worst of the bunch. This really is a poor communications effort, from the State Liberals, to an active voter. Or do voters only matter before elections?

So far in our challenge, the Greens have clearly performed best, even with one hand tied behind their backs, making a genuine effort to reply to my concerns. It's appreciated. As I said earlier, if I get any more replies I'll post them, but after a week, I'm honestly not holding my breath on it. In contrast to the Greens, both of the major parties have performed very poorly - thus far - at this challenge.

Forget Nuclear Waste, Let's Dump Some Pollies!

2005-07-16T13:16:00.000+10:00

Radioactive Lies:
Another day in Canberra.

During the last election campaign, the Federal Environment Minister, Ian Campbell, promised that "The only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands. I think the reality of this is that there's no one on the mainland who particularly wants a nuclear waste dump in their backyard, and that is why we're pursuing the practical option of going to an offshore island, so the Northern Territorians can take that as an absolute categorical assurance." Less than one year on, the ABC reports that "The Federal Government has announced that a new radioactive waste facility will be located at a Commonwealth-owned site in the Northern Territory." With liars like Campbell, perhaps radioactive waste isn't the only thing needing to be dumped?During the 2004 election campaign, the Liberal Party's Federal Environment Minister, Ian Campbell, categorically assured voters in the Northern Territory that Australia's nuclear waste would be dumped on an offshore island, rather than on Australia's mainland. During the radio broadcast, he told thousands of radio listeners that:

Coalition rules out nuclear waste dump for the mainland

PM - Thursday, 30 September , 2004 18:38:00
Reporter: Anne Barker
IAN CAMPBELL: The only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands. I think the reality of this is that there's no one on the mainland who particularly wants a nuclear waste dump in their backyard, and that is why we're pursuing the practical option of going to an offshore island, so the Northern Territorians can take that as an absolute categorical assurance.
...
IAN CAMPBELL: It's going to be an Australian offshore island. I'm not going to get into the business of ruling out every one of the thousand Australian islands, we're going to get the very best scientific advice which makes it a safe, secure environment on an offshore island for the future of Australia.

SOURCE: http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1210748.htm

When a senior Government Minister promises that the only options being investigated are on offshore islands, and offers it as a categorical assurance (his words, not mine) to voters, you would think that the waste dump would end up being built on as offshore island, right? Fast forward to Friday, the 15th of July:

NT chosen as site of new waste dump

The World Today - Friday, 15 July , 2005 12:10:00
Reporter: Samantha Hawley
After months of speculation, the Federal Government has this morning announced that the nation's new nuclear waste dump will be located in the Northern Territory.
...
BRENDAN NELSON: The Keating Labor Government in the early 90s did look at a range of sites and chose the Woomera site. We spent specifically eight years building up that site. The parochialism and the efforts undertaken by the South Australian Government were such that in the end we had to abandon that site last year.

Whether these sites were considered in the early process, I'm not able to tell you. After the decision to move away from Woomera, we did examine very closely an offshore site. We looked specifically at Christmas Island, which we considered to be unsuitable for security, geological, environmental, and other reasons.

We have concurrently been looking at several sites in the Northern Territory, and we have chosen these three.

SOURCE: http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2005/s1415026.htm

It's abundantly clear that, as well as the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, this is another massive lie from the Federal Government. It is a lie on two counts - first, the "categorical assurance" that "It's going to be an Australian offshore island". The second lie is the one about "The only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands", and this is clearly contradicted by Brendan Nelson's announcement that "We have concurrently been looking at several sites in the Northern Territory, and we have chosen these three." And if the only options the Government really was persuing were on offshore island, then Nelson would have no problem saying so now. In other words, at the very moment that Ian Campbell was making those promises, his department was concurrently, actively investigating 3 sites in the Northern Territory. If Campbell, the responcibile minister, didn't know what his own department was doing in concurrently investigating the NT sites, then that in itself is sheer utter incompetance for which he deserves the sack. On the other hand, if (as I suspect) he knowingly lied to the public, then that's even worse, and he must be held accountable.

Meanwhile, John Howard has stated that "This country has enormous supplies of uranium and it would strike a lot of people as an odd contradiction that we would not allow a debate on nuclear power in Australia yet we would be quite happy under appropriate safeguards to export large amounts of uranium." (SOURCE: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10334951) Okay, how's about we start the debate with this: which offshore island will we dump the waste from these powerplants on? And if there is no island chosen for this nuclear waste dump, then we really need to debate exactly how many votes the Government - especially the likes of Campbell - deserve at the next Federal election.

According to a Press Release from the Greens, I'm not the only one angry at these liars:

Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today accused the federal government of cynical political manipulation by promising Northern Territorians during last years election campaign that there would be no nuclear waste dump in the NT but today announcing that there will.

"This is another election promise back flip that underlines the untrustworthiness of this government," Senator Nettle said.

"The Minister for the Environment Senator Ian Campbell told ABC Radio on the 30th of September 2004 that 'the only options that we're pursuing are on offshore islands. I think the reality of this is that there's no one on the mainland who particularly wants a nuclear waste dump in their backyard, and that is why we're pursuing the practical option of going to an offshore island, so the Northern Territorians can take that as 'an absolute categorical assurance' .

"Dr Nelson has made a liar of Senator Campbell.

"Territorians should be very concerned about this dump at a time when the federal government is talking up the development of nuclear power in Australia, building a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights and pushing for an expansion of nuclear power worldwide to boost Australian uranium
exports.
...
"The Greens are concerned that establishment of a dump will encourage an expansion of the nuclear industry in Australia. The nuclear industry produces the most dangerous pollution on earth and facilitates nuclear weaponary proliferation and should be wound down not expanded."

Which raises the question: why do these lying pollies, like Ian Campbell, get away with it? In many cases, because we let them. In fact, in some cases we reward the liars with bigger majorities and more seats. We, as voters, need to make it clear to these liars that their lies will not be tollerated any longer; that the liars will be voted out of power. The message to the pollies if this happens will be simple: You lie and you're fired.

Look, I can understand that sometimes things don't always go to plan. But even in such cases, politicians shouldn't make such outlandish promises about things that they know they won't be able to deliver on, and the person responcible at the very least should appologise, and then possibly step aside. That isn't the case here. As we can seen, by Brendan Nelson's own admissions, Campbell lied. And we will continue to have a lying Federal Government until they are held accountable for their lies.

Volunteers Urgently Needed in Mallee Next Weekend

2005-07-15T23:20:00.000+10:00

The Mallee:
Looking for volunteers.

According to this press release, "Drought Recovery Worker in the Mallee, Rev. Brad Harris, urgently needs four car loads of willing volunteers to help plant native trees at Sea Lake in the Mallee. The trees will make a long term difference in soil quality and prevent erosion. People from the city with a heart to support rural communities are encouraged to volunteer." For those of you who are reading this and are interested in camping, this is a great opportunity to not go camping next weekend, and at the same time also help the environment, and those who have been hit hard by drought. But even for those of you who aren't, the call for volunteers illustrates some interesting points, witin the context of recent debates in the blogosphere (read on to see why). An effort has been organized for next weekend to bring together a group of campers, from both the city and country, who are willing to plant trees in the Mallee region of Northwestern Victoria. The trees that get planted will help both the environment, by soaking up salt from the soil, and by improving the soil, will also help farmers who have been hit hard by drought. By inviting us city-slickers along, the organisers also hope to help build ties between the city and the country. For those of you who are interested in the volunteer effort (and even those of you who are not), here is the full text of the press release:

DROUGHT ASSISTANCE: URGENT NEED TO PLANT 4000 TREES

Drought Recovery Worker in the Mallee, Rev. Brad Harris, urgently needs four car loads of willing volunteers to help plant native trees at Sea Lake in the Mallee. The trees will make a long term difference in soil quality and prevent erosion. People from the city with a heart to support rural communities are encouraged to volunteer.
...
Mallee Farmers have expressed concern that their needs and problems are not well understood by city people. Offers of material aid, and of work parties, are difficult to respond to, but conservation measures needing real hands-on efforts are very much needed as farmers embrace long term Government offers to restore flora and fauna values, combat salinity and erosion, and make farming operations more sustainable.

If you can garden and walk all day, you will keep up. Garden gloves, raincoats, boots. Training in planting, lunch and dinner on Saturday and the chance to attend Sea Lake worship on Sunday will give you a window on life in the Mallee as people try to recover lost ground. The tree lines (four trees wide and 2 kms or more long) are local species planted as part of a national design to recover natural values and part of the Biolinks program to rebuild animal migration corridors to increase habitat. Two sites are prepared in this area, Nandaly and Tyrrell near Sea Lake.

Drought Recovery Worker in the Mallee Rev Brad Harris is attempting to garner support from Uniting Church people to help with the task. He urgently needs four carloads of willing volunteers to help plant native trees at Sea Lake in the Mallee. People from the city with a heart to support rural communities are encouraged to volunteer. Camp at the Manse or at Green Lake Friday 21st and Saturday. Contact Brad Harris 0417 550 822 or try 5026 3125.

SOURCE: http://vic.uca.org.au/media/releases/2005/DROUGHT_ASSISTANCE.pdf

Reading this press release, notice that the organizer for this community and environment building project is a Uniting Church Reverend. Also notice the line "... hands-on efforts are very much needed as farmers embrace long term Government offers to restore flora and fauna values, combat salinity and erosion, and make farming operations more sustainable." You could say that it's a a case of church and state uniting - to help the environment.

I mention this against the backdrop of the recent debate that was sparked by Treasurer Peter Costello visiting the evangelical Hillsong Church in Sydney, and the electoral success of the right-wing Family First party at the last Federal election. In the wake of this, some secular humanists - those who don't actively participate in religious activities - have attacked organised religion. I'm sure many of those reading this will be familiar with most of the arguments; how religion is used to justify war, or how it is used to hold the disadvantaged and underpriviliaged down.

Such arguments overlook the essential role that religion, and compassionate and truthful religious people, play in helping the downtrodden and advancing social justice in our society. Think about the countless hours put in for volunteers of a range of religious charities like the Salvation Army, the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, Anglicare, UnitingCare, the St. Vincent dePaul Society, and numerous others. Thnk about the front line advocacy and lobby work put in by numerous religious groups for a number of social justice causes, like workers rights and the environment. Think about the rallies in facor of refugee rights and against war over the past few years, which featured contingents of people from all faiths - Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddist, Muslim, and Hindu. Think of the example I discussed above, where a Uniting Church Reverend is doing thankless work for the environment and drought relief. Are their acts of conscience and compassion somehow less worthy because of the fact that those who undertake them also believe in a benevolent deity? Or is there a shared common sense of conscience and compassion with those secular humanists who, while not actively participating in any religion, also share a belief in social justice, and put in countless hours to advance the cause of social justice in Australia, and around the world?

The real enemy, both for compassionate people of faith and secular Humanists alike are those who try to hijack religion to push for radical, destructive agendas. Personally, it makes me thoroughly sick when I hear someone use religion as an excuse for racism; especially when it cuts against the fundamental message of their religion. Unfortunately, even within Australia, there are numerous so-called 'religious' groups actively trying to recruit people to their hateful cause. Such groups don't put their effort into social justice, but rather they actively undermine it. The goal of such wackos is to further their agendas of personal power, wealth, and hatred. And unfortunately, both in Australia and abroad, they seem to be growing in power, while giving people of good faith a bad name.

The time has come to build bridges and unite. To unite all people of good faith, from all good faiths, and all those of good faith who don't actively participate in any faith. To unite and work together to build and strengthen the cause of social justice in Australia, against the thugs and wreckers who seek to undermine and attack it. We can make this country a great place to live, but it will take all of us.

Together.

The Community Calendar 15/7/2005

2005-07-15T15:04:00.000+10:00

Melbourne:
What's on around this old city today?

Welcome to another new feature I'm trialing on the AmishThrasher. This is a calendar of community events in, and around, Metropolitan Melbourne. If you know of any community events coming up over the next few months (which are not listed in this calendar), or if you have a correction to make, please e-mail me (amishroadkill502@hotmail.com) the details and I'll look in to it. Like always, please discuss any feedback about it on the message board, in comments, or by e-mail. Time permitting, i'd love to make this a regualr feature at the AmishThrasher.

Friday, July 15

Infant Immunisation in the Willis Room, Whitehorse Civic Centre, 379 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, 9-10.30am. Ph: 9262 6197.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, July 16

Whitehorse Film Society presents Tais-Toi in the Willis Room, Whitehorse Civic Centre, 379 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading at 7.30pm. Annual subscription cost: $50, $45 concession for 19 films. Ph: Jenny, 9803 3003.

Boroondara Farmer's Market, Location: Patterson Reserve, Auburn Road, East Hawthorn, Time: 8:00am to 1:00pm, A $2 donation will support Foundation Boroondara and Rotary projects. For further information contact Elisa Grassa on 9278 4814.

4. International Children's Festival: 17 schools will be celebrating the 4. International Children’s Festival. It will bring all children from different backgrounds together to paint the picture of one happy family and celebrations bring together the unity of children from different races and cultures. The event itself promotes peace and harmony and we uniquely call this multiculturalism in Australia. School children from Prep – Year 8 are invited to put on a performance for the general public. Event sponsored by City of Melbourne, Aust. Multicultural Association & ATBC.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, July 17

Eisteddfod Showcase Concert: Eisteddfod Showcase concert at the Hawthorn Town Hall. Free. Commences 2pm.

Monday, July 18

Rea Woodford Awards, Box Hill Art Group Inc. 18 July – 23 July. Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station St, Box Hill. Ph: 9898 3544

Tuesday, July 19

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, July 20

Infant Immunisation Burgess Family Centre, 15 Barwon St, Box Hill North, 9-11.15am. Ph: 9262 6197.

Thursday, July 21

General Meeting Box Hill Historical Society, Strabane Chapel Hall, 29 Strabane Avenue, Mont Albert North at 8pm. Ph: 9897 4167.

Belly Dancing Classes at Box Hill South Neighbourhood House, 47 Kitchener Street, Box Hill South. Cost: $75 for 8 weeks beginning 21st July. Ph: 9898 8270.

Wesley Watercolours - Town Hall Gallery Works from the Wesley College Collection: Opening Night: 6-8pm, Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Ph: 9278 4770

Friday, July 22

Wesley Watercolours - Town Hall Gallery Works from the Wesley College Collection: 12pm - 5pm, Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Ph: 9278 4770

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, July 23

Canterbury Craft Market East Burwood Hall, East Burwood Reserve, 298-366 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East from 9am-2pm. Free entry. Ph: Sheila, 9569 8064.

Wesley Watercolours - Town Hall Gallery Works from the Wesley College Collection: 12pm - 5pm, Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Ph: 9278 4770

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, July 24

The Whitehorse Orchestra – Paddington Bear’s First Concert. Holy Redeemer Hall, Cnr York St & Mont Albert Rd, Surrey Hills. Ph: 9879 7672.

Wesley Watercolours - Town Hall Gallery Works from the Wesley College Collection: Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Ph: 9278 4770

Nunawading Art & Craft Market Whitehorse Civic Centre, Whitehorse Road, Nunawading from 9am-2pm. Ph: 0412 324 249.

Monday, July 25

Monthly Luncheon Meeting Box Hill V.I.E.W. Club, Mitcham RSL. Ph: 9836 1797.

Tuesday, July 26

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Infant Immunisation Burgess Family Centre, 15 Barwon St, Box Hill North, 6-7.45pm. Ph: 9262 6197.

Good Life Program Whitehorse Community Health Service. 7 week program from 10am-12.30. Ph: 9890 2220.

Wednesday, July 27

The Getting of Wisdom – The Musical Presbyterian Ladies’ College, 141 Burwood Hwy, Burwood at 7.30pm. Ph: 9808 5811. 2pm.

Wesley Watercolours - Town Hall Gallery Works from the Wesley College Collection: 12pm - 5pm, Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Ph: 9278 4770

Thursday, July 28

Infant Immunisation Box Hill South Family Centre, 1228a Riversdale Rd, Box Hill South, 9-10.30am. Ph: 9262 6197.

The Getting of Wisdom – The Musical Presbyterian Ladies’ College, 141 Burwood Hwy, Burwood at 7.30pm. Ph: 9808 5811. 2pm.

Friday, July 29

Surrey Music Café Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 Station St (Cnr Combarton St), Box Hill at 7.30pm. Cost: $14. Ph: 9262 6555.

The Getting of Wisdom – The Musical Presbyterian Ladies’ College, 141 Burwood Hwy, Burwood at 7.30pm. Ph: 9808 5811. 2pm.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, July 30

The Getting of Wisdom – The Musical Presbyterian Ladies’ College, 141 Burwood Hwy, Burwood at 7.30pm. Ph: 9808 5811. 2pm.

Forgotten Faces: Chinese and the Law
Drawing on the immense archival treasures of Public Record Office Victoria and the collection of the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Forgotten Faces presents fascinating photographs of 19th century Chinese prisoners, never before exhibited. Along with poignant individual stories and artefacts, these haunting photos give us a glimpse into the lives of these Chinese men who sought the “New Gold Mountain” in Victoria.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, July 31

Basic Acupressure Box Hill South Neighbourhood House, 47 Kitchener Street, Box Hill South. From 9.30am-4pm. Cost: $50. Ph: 9898 8270.

Monday, August 1

Tuesday, August 2

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, August 3

Thursday, August 4

Friday, August 5

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, August 6

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, August 7

Craft Market: 10:00am to 3:00pm, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Rd Hawthorn. Contact 9278 4444 for inquiries.

Monday, August 8

Tuesday, August 9

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, August 10

Thursday, August 11

Friday, August 12
Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, August 13
Forgotten Faces: Chinese and the Law
Drawing on the immense archival treasures of Public Record Office Victoria and the collection of the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Forgotten Faces presents fascinating photographs of 19th century Chinese prisoners, never before exhibited. Along with poignant individual stories and artefacts, these haunting photos give us a glimpse into the lives of these Chinese men who sought the “New Gold Mountain” in Victoria.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, August 13

Monday, August 14

Tuesday, August 16

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, August 17

Thursday, August 18

Friday, August 19

Open Store: Come and explore the treasures of the City of Boroondara Civic Collection in the store room with the Curator. Please note that this program runs for approximately 1 hour and people will need to stand. Participants to meet in the Town Hall Gallery prior to program - Rear Entry, Lower Level Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthron VIC 3122. Bookings are essential as places are limited, phone 9278 4775.

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, August 20

Boroondara Farmer's Market: Patterson Reserve, Auburn Road, East Hawthorn, 8:00am to 1:00pm, .A $2 donation will support Foundation Boroondara and Rotary projects. For further information contact Elisa Grassa on 9278 4814.

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, August 21

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Monday, August 22

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Tuesday, August 23

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Wednesday, August 24

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Thursday, August 25

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Friday, August 26

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, August 27

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Forgotten Faces: Chinese and the Law
Drawing on the immense archival treasures of Public Record Office Victoria and the collection of the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, Forgotten Faces presents fascinating photographs of 19th century Chinese prisoners, never before exhibited. Along with poignant individual stories and artefacts, these haunting photos give us a glimpse into the lives of these Chinese men who sought the “New Gold Mountain” in Victoria.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, August 28

Melbourne Writers' Festival: The 20th Age Melbourne Writers’ Festival is Australia's premier literary event. For ten days Melbourne will be host to authors from across the world and around Australia, including Steven Booth, John Harvey, Karen Joy Fowler, Alexander McCall-Smith and Douglas Coupland. Plus local authors including Kate Grenville, Sonya Hartnett, Jane Clifton, Delia Falconer, Robert Manne, Robert Drewe, Tony Wilson and Sean Condon.

Monday, August 29

Tuesday, August 30

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, August 31

Thursday, September 1

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates, Opening night: 6-8pm, Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Friday, September 2

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, September 3

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, September 4

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Craft Market: 10:00am to 3:00pm, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Rd Hawthorn, Contact 9278 4444 for inquiries.

Monday, September 5

Tuesday, September 6

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, September 7

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Thursday, September 8

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Friday, September 9

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Wednesday, September 14

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Thursday, September 15

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Slides & Sushi: 6 - 8pm. Town Hall Gallery prior to program - Rear Entry, Lower Level Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthron VIC 3122. Bookings essential as places are limited, phone 9278 4775.

Friday, September 16

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, September 17

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Boroondara Farmer's Market, Patterson Reserve, Auburn Road, East Hawthorn. 8:00am to 1:00pm. A $2 donation will support Foundation Boroondara and Rotary projects. For further information contact Elisa Grassa on 9278 4814.

Sunday, September 18

Monday, September 19

Tuesday, September 20

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, September 21

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Thursday, September 22

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Friday, September 23

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, September 24

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, September 25

Monday, September 26

Tuesday, September 27

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, September 28

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Thursday, September 29

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Friday, September 30

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, October 1

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, October 2

Monday, October 3

Tuesday, October 4

Free Tai Chi at Fed Square
Indulge the body, mind and soul at Federation Square with Tai Chi. A free Tai Chi class is held every Tuesday from 7.30am to 8.30am and open to everyone. Led by experienced instructors, held in the main square. Begin each Tuesday, refreshed, rejuvenated and energised! For further information on Tai Chi visit www.taichiaustralia.com.au

Wednesday, October 5

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Thursday, October 6

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Friday, October 7

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Produce Market at Fed Square
Held each Friday, the Produce Market at Federation Square offers fresh, clean, high quality Victorian produce from delicious seasonal produce to specialist year-round products. Stalls include - on a rotating basis: organic vegetables, seasonal fruit, bread, muesli, preserves, smoked trout, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, pates, dips and chocolates to name but a few.

Saturday, October 8

Town Hall Gallery Works by Ballarat University MA & PHD candidates: 12pm - 5pm. Rear entry, lower level, Hawthorn Town Hall, 358 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Several artists from the exhibition will be conducting floor talks. For exact times please contact Leisure & Culture on 9278 4770.

Books at Fed Square
Immerse yourself at Melbourne’s premier book market held every Saturday at Federation Square. Select from a range of pre-loved, new and specialized books, and with over 5000 titles on display, you are sure to find something you can’t wait to get home and read! Each week around 10-15 stallholders, whom collectively share almost 200 years experience specialising in fields of literature, gardening, history, photography and art, offer a range of books that will suit a wide array of interests.

Sunday, October 9
Whitehorse Spring Festival, Whitehorse Civic Centre Lawns, 379 Whitehorse Road Nunawading, 10am - 4pm.

INXS Idol: Selling Out a Dead Man

2005-07-14T23:54:00.000+10:00

Michael Hutchence:
Spinning in his grave tonight.

For those of you who have been reading the AmishThrasher for a while, you'll probably remember that this site began - over a year and a half ago - under the title "Truth of the Music Industry". For those of you who are newer to the site, it's definately worthwhile to click back through the first few months of the archives as there are some great posts articles about the music industry in there. Well, beyond a few sporadic reviews, I haven't posted too much about the music industry in quite a while. But given the travesty I've just seen on my TV mere moments ago, I felt compelled to write something.

There have been plenty of famous examples of selling out over the years. Like the time Metallica got short haircuts and released a shft-rock album called Load. Or the time Metallica sold out their own fans over Napster. Or the time Metallica cashed in on the nu-metal trend by releasing an album that James Hetfeld only bothered to work on 4 hours a day. But hell must have a very special place for those who internationally sell out a dead man. And, ladies and gentlemen, INXS have stooped to that new low; so low, in fact, that I'm pretty sure they've beat Metallica (well, at least for the time being anyway).

The show itself, for those of you unwilling to shill out to Rupe for Fox-8, is a travesty. Imagine Australian Idol (congratulations, you're almost there). Now imagine, instead of doing souless kareoke versions of pop songs, the Guy Sebastian wannabes are doing souless kareoke versions of Inxs songs. Oh, and the Guy Sebastian wannabes are now competing to be a 'rockstar', rather a flash in the pan pop fad who will be forgotten in 5 minutes like that Guy... well, you get the picture. And all of the would-be manfuactured rockstars - none of whom seem to want to pick up and play a guitar - even sing in the same Idol-esque faux-kareoke style.

The thing that these kids don't seem to get is that they will never be the next Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, or Jimi Hendrix; and they will never be a legend on that scale - or have any credibility whatsoever - by winning a TV kareoke show. Hell, it can take years for even seasoned musicians to be accepted as members of established bands - Jason Newstead was only ever a stand-in for Cliff Burton, and many people are still debating Hammett Vs. Mustaine over twenty years after the fact. In soem cases, fans don't buy whole band line ups; a recurring theme in the mosh at Megadeth's concert is how much more awesome it would have been for Ellefson / Menza / Freidman to be taking the stage. What chance do these kareoke stars have?

Well, there is a way to rock credibility for these wannabes. First, pick up a guitar (or a drum kit, or a bass guitar). Then learn to play it - and by learn to play it, I mean until your fingers bleed; I mean play it everywhere; I mean to the point where you can be a complete jackass and people still say "Well, he is talented". Then, find yourself a band and jam in a garage until you get some awesome songs. Then play small, smokey pubs and get screwed over by promoters. Keep playing those crappy pubs until you can get into the bigger clubs. Sacrifice everything for studio time for an independent record and pray like hell that either a more popular band decides you're talented enough to open for 'em, or that some A&R wanker picks up your album. Then tour everywhere while simultaneously getting screwed over by your record company and hope like hell your album sells. Then come back to me and ask about credibility.

Oh, and unless you're willing to die well before your own time, preferably at the peak of your career as a result of your own self - destructive behavior, don't even think about knocking 'credible' up to 'legend'.

Here's the problem : the kids on INXS Idol (whoops, I meant 'Rockstar' - how silly of me) are utterly unwilling to put in the hard work and sacrifice to make it. Because, like anything worthwhile in our culture today, these kids expect to be handed fame, fortune, credibility and legend status on a silver platter, with no work or sacrifice. Unfortunately for them, in spite of the marketing hype, there is more to rock than just a particular set of clothes in your wardrobe. Where the hype machine may be enough to make you a popstar, in the world of rock (any flavor of it) the instant success is a clear path to derision; at bsest these kids will end up the subjects of snickers and nasty jokes.

Because, at the end of the day, this whole Simon Fuller-esque production is just that: a giant joke. A stinker of one, in fact - allbeit one lined with gold. Hopefully one which doesn't lead to reality TV travesties where Idol-wannabes compete to be "the next" Dimebag Darrell or Freddy Mercury. But, then again, it takes a very special kind of sell-out to sell-out a dead man.

Public Transport Digest 14/7/2005

2005-07-14T12:50:00.000+10:00

MetCard:
Such a world class system
that it's getting canned.

Welcome to a new feature I'm launching on the site: a quick wrap-up of public transport news. First, the good news for anyone who intends on travelling to the airport via public transport: Metlink has announced a Skybus Metcard Trial whereby travellers can buy a '2-in-1' Metcard and Skybuy ticket; a good step forward in public transport integration. Unfortunately these tickets won't be available for Zone 2 or 3, and won't be available on Metcard Machines. Speaking of Metcards, they're going to be replaced with SmartCards as a new Ticketing Company has been announced - more info at the DOI. Cancellations aplenty - Particularly between North Melbourne and Essendon, and Clifton Hill and Macleod. Finally, an interesting blog advocating public transport at Melbourne In Transit. Click through for details and analysis. Welcome to the first Public Transport Digest, where we look through the good, the bad, and the ugly of commuting around Melbourne. This is a new feature for the AmishThrasher, so if you have any thoughts about tweaks I could make to it, feel free to e-mail them across. Let's start off with the good...

The Good
Skybus Metcard Trial

Metlink, in conjunction with Skybus and OneLink, has developed a new ticket aimed at encouraging tourists and travellers to use public transport for travel around Melbourne.

Currently in a three-month trial period, the new Skybus Metcard allows passengers to travel on the Skybus from Melbourne Airport to the city and then within Zone 1 on Melbourne’s public transport network, all on the one ticket.

The Skybus Metcard is a normal Metcard with a Skybus barcode printed on the back and is available from the MetShop (corner of Swanston and Little Collins Streets) and from the Skybus ticket booth at the airport.

During the three-month trial period the Skybus Metcard is available in two forms:
• 2 hour Zone 1 Full Fare Metcard with Adult one-way Skybus $16.00
• Daily Zone 1 Full-Fare Metcard with Adult one-way Skybus $18.50

Skybus staff will be collecting anecdotal feedback from customers to determine level of demand for a Zone 1+2 and/or Zone 1+2+3 version of the Skybus Metcard.

At the completion of the trial, sales and feedback will be analysed to determine the success of the product offer, distribution channels and whether further expansion is required. Skybus staff will be closely monitoring the level of demand for a Zone 1+2 and/or a Zone 1+2+3 version of the Skybus Metcard.

SOURCE: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/latest_news/latest_news_detail.php?id=1803

This is great for people who are travelling to the airport. Leaving your car at home and catching public transport to the airport seems like a good option compared to leaving your car in a long-term carpark at the airport. The problem is that the Skybus hasn't been added to the regular Metcard system, and these tickets are unavailable for Zones 2 and 3. Let's hope that these changes get rectified in the near future, and we all get a more useful and better integrated transport system.

Speaking of which, during the week I came across a blog advocating just that at advocating public transport at Melbourne In Transit I might, at some stage during the week, take a better look at that Blog and some of the ideas it raises for improving public transport in Melbourne. Suffice to say, if you have a few minutes, it's worth a look.

The Bad
The bad news is that there are train cancellations aplenty - Particularly between North Melbourne and Essendon between the 21st and 28th, and Clifton Hill and Macleod on the 23rd and 24th. Thankfully there will be busses, but it's going to be a pain for anyone who relies on public transport in the north and northwest over the next few weeks.

The Ugly
Well, at least potentially, anyway. Here's the Metlink Spin:
NEW TICKETING SOLUTION PARTNER ANNOUNCED

Tuesday July 12, 2005

Premier Steve Bracks and Transport Minister Peter Batchelor have just announced that Kamco (Keane Australia Micropayment Consortium) has been awarded a $494 million contract following a rigorous nine-month tender and evaluation process led by the Transport Ticketing Authority (TTA).

The TTA and Kamco now finalise contractual arrangements and start the hard work of designing and building a new world class ticketing solution for Victoria.

Completion of this process signals the start of a “business requirements” phase, designed to enable the TTA and Kamco to continue to work closely with transport operators, customers, special interest groups and other key stakeholders to develop the detail of the Victorian smartcard ticketing solution.

SOURCE: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/latest_news/latest_news_detail.php?id=1813
There is more spin on this at the DOI. Basically, the Metcard system has been such a 'world class' system that it's being dumped. Instead, we're getting SmartCards, on which you will pre-charge a certain ammount of cash, and the system will 'determine the best ticket for you'. This has the potential to get quite ugly for a number of reasons, however. The most obvious will be the headaches it will cause for many technophobes and elderly users of the public transport system, or occasional users.

It will be interesting to see how well this system handles, say 10x 2 Hour tickets - do you automatically go from (say) having 'used' 2 hour tickets over x days to getting a 10x2 as your use increases, or do these fares simply dissapear from the system? Commuters will need to watch the state of the 'zone' ticketing system and various weekly and monthly tickets to make sure that the new tickets aren't an excuse to eliminate these. Similarly, unless these new ticketing machines have a way of fending of vandals at unattended train stations, I wonder how it will cope with several thousand commuters whose local platform's ticketing machine has been smashed in overnight?

Anyway, that's the good, the bad, and the ugly of public transport this week; feel free to leave your thoughts.

SITE UPDATE: Notice Anything Different Around Here?

2005-07-13T12:54:00.000+10:00

Bob Dylan:
Not sure about the times changing,
but the blog has...

It's time for another site update to fill you all in on the latest news on the AmishThrasher Blog. Noticed anything different about the site since last time you visited? I'll keep you posted on what I've changed, why I changed it, plus a few hints about what's still to come (whenever I get around to it, by which I really mean "soon", and by "soon" I probably really mean never). Click through for more details if you're interested.Hi, and Welcome (again) to the AmishThrasher!

The biggest change since last time is that I've made the site a lot easier to read. One of the big problems of the blogosphere (in my opinion) is that with Blogger (and I'd imagine several other major blog hosting sites), by default the whole text of your most recent post appears on the main page of the blog. Depending on the format of the content on the site, this in itself isn't a problem; in fact, on sites which mostly consist of a short paragraph or two (perhaps with links to other stories) like Slashdot, or Guidomedia, this works perfectly.

The problem comes in when you have articles posted up which take more than a paragraph or two. Sometimes this means posting excerpts from an article posted elsewhere, and making comments about it, or writing several paragraphs, or posting a whole essay. And, as some of you will no doubt have noticed, I can be quite verbose (even when it's not a whole essay that gets posted up). By default, the whole article appears on the front page. This becomes a problem if you're interested in one thing I cover in this blog, and couldn't care less about the rest; you have to wade through paragraphs upon paragraphs of other stuff to get to what you want to read!

This is in stark contrast to a well presented magazine, or some of the more professional news or magazine websites on the internet. In the well presented Magazine, you might get a paragraph or two on a contents page telling you what the articles are about, and the page you need to flip to to read them. The same deal goes for the contents page of a well presented magazine online. With these, you can quickly scan through the articles, and either flip to the page (or click the link of the page) that has the stuff you're interested in, without having to spend time wading through the rest.

Well, doing something similar within blogger (or on another blogging site, or with another blogging program) is actually surprisingly easy - for those of you who are interested, the instructions are posted here. So from here on in, the front page of the AmishThrasher will have a short description of the article, a selected quote, or the first paragraph or two; if you're interested in reading more, click the link and read it, but if you don't, you don't have to wade through the whole article to get to what you want.

There are other perks to doing this too, like front page of the site loading a lot quicker for those of you with slow internet connections. It should also help get more accurate search results for this site too - looking through the logs, I've noticed some wierd combinations of search words which have seen people land on one of my archives pages, where I've said something in one post, and then 8 posts and 8000 words later I've used another word that they've searched for in regards to something totally unrelated. While it's great to have these people coming to the site, it really doesn't help them much with whatever it is they're looking for. By doing this, this should happen much less often.

There are a few other odds and ends in regards to the blog. There are a few other changes I'm looking at in regards to the template beyond that; I'll update you all on it when I put them in. Yesterday I got back 2 e-mails based on my questions to the ALP, Labor, and Greens in regards to public transport. As I said earlier, I'll post those up sometime soon.

Finally, why do I bother posting up these Site Updates? Well, I've noticed that there seems to be a number of people who read the site regularly. And I don't want to keep big changes in regards to the blog hidden from you, the regular reader. Posting the site updates will make sure that the decisions I make in regard to the format or editorial direction of the site are in the open, rather than decided behind closed doors (per se). By making comments to these site updates, you can contribute your thoughts or opinions to the formatting or editorial direction the site is taking.

Anyway, thankyou for reading,
Regards,
Andrew.