Ethics vs. Profit

Thanks to Beep and Dikkii for providing the inspiration. The issue of profit before ethics came up in comments to my previous and it got me thinking.

Bhopal. I probably don’t need to say any more than that, but I will. I certainly don’t need any better example however, they say it’s the worst industrial “accident” in history.

For those of you unfamiliar with the story, Bhopal (India) was host to a chemical plant owned and run by Union Carbide, a wholly owned subsidiary of DOW Chemical Company. An accident occurred there, that could and should have been prevented, that has had a cost in lives, of up to 20,000.

At about 3:30am on the morning of December 3 1984, a holding tank with 43 tonnes of MIC (methyl isocyanate) over heated and exploded, flooding the streets of Bhopal with a deadly heavier than air MIC gas mixture. Approximately 500,000 people were exposed to it in varying degrees. It is thought that up to 3000 people died initially, with the current figure at around 20,000 and still climbing, 23 years later. The ongoing effects such as birth defects, cancer, breathing difficulties, blindness and many more besides, has effected up to 120,000.

A sad indictment, not only on Union Carbide, but on the rest of the human race for not calling them to account. India simply didn’t have the balls, it wanted the resources Union Carbide provided. To everybody else it was someone else’s problem. The “International Medical Commission on Bhopal” was convened in 1993 to respond to it but by then, thousands of lives had already been lost because of it. A sad indictment indeed.

But why was the accident allowed to happen in the first place? Well, it was a simple matter of economics of course. Maintenance and safety to be precise. In order to save money, they’d cut back on maintenance crews, training and safety equipment. Cleaning was neglected because it required bits of the plant to be shut down and expensive parts that should have been replaced weren’t. Consequently, a valve got stuck, water flowed the wrong way into the system and caused serious havoc when it got into and reacted with the MIC in the holding tank. The rest is history, but I’ll just mention that Union Carbide (DOW) fought tooth and nail to avoid paying any compensation, despite the criminality of their neglect. And once they were forced to, they tied it up in funds for as long as they possibly could, adding needlessly to the suffering of thousands.

But if they had been performing the maintenance and spending the money on equipment, training and labour as the plant required, would they still have made a profit? As it turns out, yes. They just wouldn’t have made as much, that’s all, and the shareholders might have been a bit upset at the next AGM, the poor dears.

This issue has been raised over the fossil fuel industries however. Despite the fact that really, we could switch to a cleaner, cheaper and much more abundant fuel that goes by the name of hydrogen tomorrow if we wanted to, we continue to burn various fossil fuels at unprecedented rates. Trouble is that economies revolve around these things, despite the fact that hydrocarbons, whether they’re being burned or mined, cause pollution on a massively destructive scale. If there’s still profit to be made though, it’s not likely that an alternative will be available until the current resources have been raped for every cent of profit they can be raped for, and the planet along with them.

I don’t think there’s much we can do about it either. The only way to stop this mentality of “profit before all else” is by a lack of profit. That means boycotting products, etc. But can we really do that these days? Consider Union Carbide for a moment; I used to work in an injection moulding shop that made plastic car parts. We sold them to Ford and GMH who put them in their cars or sold them as “Genuine Holden Parts” but where did the plastic we used come from? Union Carbide, that’s where. They’re the world leaders in long chain polymer plastics after all. In fact, about 80% of the world’s raw material’s used in the manufacture of plastic goods comes from one of DOW’s subsidiary’s or another, whether it be here in Aus, America or China, so how do you actually manage to boycott them?

Then there’s the DuPont’s, Exxon’s, BHP’s, Mobil’s, etc. Both Dow and DuPont get a lot of their raw materials from Exxon and other oil companies and you’ll need petrol. Where does the steel come from that’s being used as re-enforcing in the footpath your local council built last week? So much for being pissed off about Ok Tedi. And so it goes.

The fact is that the multinationals are so ingrained within our daily lives, in so many of the products and services we use, that we can’t help but contribute to their profit in some way, however small and no matter how we try to avoid it. That means the only tool we have left is the share price and how can the likes of you an I effect that?

Well, I mentioned “Theyesmen” in my comment to Beep previously, but here’s another link to some of the fun they had with DOW. They even managed to announce that DOW was going to compensate Bhopal on national TV and caused DOW’s share price to drop about 20cents for an hour or so until DOW’s damage control machine was able to expose them for the charlatans they are.

It’s all good though. Try the acceptable risks calculator - find out at what point profitability will be threatened by danger to the public - and meet “Gilda, the golden Skeleton in the closet”, the Acceptable Risk mascot (that’s her in the middle with a very real DOW exec posing for a photo…oh dear…:)).

2:50 AM - 17/4/2007 - comments {25} - post comment

Our Atrocious Record II

David Hicks, a citizen of Australia, has been languishing in prison in the U.S. for more than five years, without charge. In all that time, our government has done nothing to try and secure his return to this country. Sure, there’s been a few rumblings in the corridors of power lately, what with Howard being accused of complacency and pandering to the yanks but until today, I hadn’t seen, heard or read anything that made me think there might be a chance he’d ever get home.

Then I read this. Now, I know that I can be a tad cynical and I try to take that into consideration, but in this case I just couldn’t help the thought that all this has come fairly close on the heels of a whole bunch of election speak.

As late as the 12^th of this month, Alexander Downer was saying that Hicks will not return home until he faces trial in the U.S. Today he’s softening that stance, saying he could be home by the end of the year and possibly by Christmas. Apparently he’s brokered a deal that will see David tried and sentenced before then so that he can serve the rest of his sentence here.

Now that really sucks. The fact of the matter is that he is not guilty of any crime under Australian law. Nor is he guilty of any crime under U.S. law at the time of his arrest. No, they’ve had to write new legislation and invent new crimes to charge him with, in retrospect. Our legal system doesn’t allow for you to be charged in retrospect of a new law, so why are we letting them do it? I have to admit though, the attempted murder charge for being at a training camp is my favourite. Last I looked, you actually had to be in the act of trying to murder someone before you could be charged with that. I don’t often find myself agreeing with Bob Brown, but what he says here is quite right. Tawdry politics at it’s very best. Playing with the life of one of your own citizens just to try and score points in an election year is despicable.

Still, I’m not the only one penning the odd spray, aimed firmly at our current government. Here’s one from Malcolm Fraser, himself a former great Liberal leader for whom John Howard served as treasurer. Here’s what the Victorian government is doing. At least they recognise him as one their citizens, and rightly so. Then there were Jeff Kennett’s remarks which formed the substance of my previous missive on this subject. It would seem that Mr. Howard is copping it squarely from both sides.

But today my brother found me a gem. This one, by Robert Richter, using nothing but the Hicks affair as subject matter, has managed to slander Phill Ruddock to the hilt. He even goes so far as to challenge Ruddock to sue. Trouble is that to do so successfully, Ruddock would have to prove that he isn’t being a hypocrite when he flaunts his Amnesty International membership and has been nothing but diligent and caring of a citizen he is sworn to protect, trying all avenues he could to get that citizen home, so I can’t see it happening. I urge you to read the article though. When it comes to a good bake it earns a 5 Star rating.

So once again, in order to let them know that we really aren’t as stupid as they like to think we are and that we know what they’re up to and just how sickening it is, here are those email addresses again…:)

The Prime Minister

Alexander Downer

Phillip Ruddock

Have at them with a vengeance…

8:42 PM - 18/2/2007 - comments {19} - post comment

Alternative Complacency II

Part I is here…

I thought I’d best do a bit of a follow up and actually take a look at what’s available by way of alternatives and what’s being done to make them viable.

I’ve talked a lot about solar and hydrogen fired power generation but that’s not all there is out there. These however, are simply my preferred option, mostly because I think that they are probably the most advanced, but we’re also exploring the auspices of geothermal energy as well.

I’ve also talked about cost, the economy and how I think it’s time we spent some of our hard earned in order to make something else pay. I also talked about the coal and uranium industries and the people that they support. There is no doubt in my mind, that if we were to somehow find an alternative solution overnight, which is not likely, the demise of the coal industry alone would spell economic disaster for this country. The uranium industry isn’t subject to quite the same peril. Uranium is also required to make isotopes and many other things, which is how Lucas Heights makes it’s money, but rationalisation is a real enough issue.

So now that that’s all out of the way, let’s take a look at some simple facts:

1. Being extremely conservative, it’s a fact that enough energy shines on Australia in one sunny week to power the nation for a year or more.
2. Hydrogen + Oxygen = energy and water.
3. Both energy sources are 100% clean.

Ok, that was easy so now for some tricky bits and there’s a few, so I’ll be concentrating on solar in this one and hydrogen in part 3:

1. Currently, the very best terrestrial based photovoltaic flat cell technology is only about 32.5% efficient. That means a maximum power generation of about 175W/m² - approx.
2. The sun doesn’t shine at night so you’ll need to store some of that energy.

Let’s break that down again:

1. A single 175W solar panel will cost you about $1500 and will yield, on a sunny day, 24VDC with a max power output of 4.95A @ 35.4V, so you’ll need quite a few.

We don’t really need to go much further than that, but we will. At peak efficiency, you’ll need a number of these things to run a 1000 watt electric stove. I only have a smallish one and it takes 1800W. Then there’s the fridge and all the lights, not mention the tele, the washing machine and the dryer. The average home uses about 30kW a day. If you want to work out how much you use, it’s on your bill in kilowatt hours (kW/h). Just average it out over your billing period.

2.  Batteries for storage.

Currently, there isn’t really any battery out there that will run your house for a night, including the electric stove and other appliances, unless you have an industrial sized UPS installed. The average tele for instance, that only goes into standby mode uses a constant 20 – 30W before it's switched on. Admitedly, my UPS at work will run my three phased computer room for about half an hour. That sort of energy should just about get me through an entire night at home, but then the batteries will need to be recharged. Then there's the little problem of commercial sized UPS systems costing anywhere up to hundreds of thousands and there's the issue of batteries needing to be replaced and disposed of or recycled every 2 years. The batteries are not only seriously expensive but are full of seriously toxic chemicals.

So what all that means is that at present, a self sufficient solar powered house simply isn’t an option unless you’ve got a cool million or so to outlay for the infrastructure you’ll require, and at least as much again invested to pay for the new batteries and the disposal of the old. That said though, it was only two or three years ago that you needed a cool two or three million, so I guess things are looking up.

That doesn’t mean that solar technology cannot make a valuable and significant contribution though. Multijunction flat cell technology that collects only the light that falls on it isn’t to efficient, but if you build a parabolic collector and focus it on a 0.25m² piece of the same material, you can generate about 30kW which is enough to power a number of homes. Now that’s impressive, but it still suffers from a serious lack of performance when the sun goes down.

That said however, there is currently a major project taking place in Victoria that uses exactly this technology, but on a much larger scale. Both the federal and Victorian governments have contributed quite heavily to it which is a good sign in my opinion. As you can see there, the plan calls for a 154mW (megawatt) power station that will contribute to the national grid. That my friends, is a significant contribution and will be the most significant solar contribution in the world once it’s completed. The boon here is that it helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuel technology.

The CSIRO’s National Solar Energy Centre also provides a fantastic facility that is used to demonstrate various solar technologies. The major showpiece however, is a little different to the one above. Rather than collect and concentrate light onto a photovoltaic cell, it collects and concentrate the sun’s energy, but it uses the heat to make stream and turn turbines.

The installation at that link is a demonstration only and can power only about 100 homes. Seems to me that it’s not quite as efficient as the one above, but this technology has a dual use in that it can also be used to desalinate sea water, but that’s a separate issue. The main issue here is that once again, when the sun goes down, it’s ability to keep powering those homes is seriously diminished. That doesn’t change the fact that a larger plant like this could also make a significant contribution in helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and could also help address our water issues. Trouble is that Dr. David Mills has taken his company and this technology offshore and is only leaving a small project behind, mores’ the pity. My guess is that Solar Heat and Power Pty. Ltd. didn’t get the funding because Solar Systems™ got it instead. This is a technology that has serious merit though and is being seriously considered in Europe (Germany mostly) and America(well, only in California, but you get the idea).

So what’s the answer to darkness? Well in my opinion it’s hydrogen but we’ll cover that in part 3.

Well, I hope that helps show some of the pros and cons of solar energy. But as you can see from the links scattered throughout, the technology required is still in it’s infancy at about 30 years or so. What we need is an interim measure that’s clean enough to buy us the time we need. The only serious CO₂ reducers we have are CO₂ sequestration (or “Clean Coal”) or nuclear and of those two, only nuclear is really ready to be used now. I do hope we can make sequestration viable though, because nuclear seems to me to be a little more permanent than interim, if you know what I mean…

10:35 PM - 13/2/2007 - comments {28} - post comment

Alternative Complacency

I have many aspirations for this world of ours. Some would say that mostly what I have is pipe dreams and I guess that in some repects they’d probably be right. It’s not because we’re not capable though, but because we’re to busy making money. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind making money, but I think the time has come when some of it needs to be spent.

I’ve been involved in discussions over at Tinacee’s and Snowy’s concerning alternate energy sources for the production of electricity. I’ve also spoken here about the growing problem we in Australia have with a shortage of water. In both of these discussions we collectively, have discussed some of the ideas that are currently being developed and their usefulness in meeting both our energy requirements and our growing thirst.

One of the questions that keeps coming up however, is “what are we going to do now?” This is because the one thing we all agree on is that now seems to be when we need to be doing something about it. Although we seem to be taking some begrudgingly tentative steps toward remedying our water issues with the use of recycled water, alternative ways to produce energy seem to be caught in a quagmire of speculation, heated debate and government and industry complacency.

The thing that irks me is that we have the technology to deal with both of these things, together and/or separately. Trouble is that these technologies are still very much in their infancy. But it seems to me that as soon as someone comes up with a viable idea that needs a little work, the funding dries up and they take it offshore to somewhere that will fund the research. Why aren’t we, and by “we” I mean our governments, doing something to keep the development of these ideas, technologies and the benefits they bring here?

The thing about now is that we have already proven the technology for solar collection and we have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that it can work. We can turn sunlight into energy using solar cells and we can turn water into steam using mirrors and make electricity as well as produce fresh water. We’re also pretty sure that we can produce hydrogen cheaply enough to be viable, hydrogen which can be burned to provide the heat source if the sun isn’t shining, but this technology also needs more research. They need more research because at the moment, they don’t produce quite the energy we require, although they get better all the time, but the real problem is that they are prohibitively expensive. That doesn’t change the fact that these technologies are available for use now, they are just not viable yet.

As many have said, it was only 150 years or so ago that we had no electricity at all. In less than 100 years of flight we went from crashing gliders to landing a man on the moon. This is stark evidence that we can get things done pretty damn quickly if we really want to. That makes me wonder just how quickly we could make just these two options viable if we really wanted to. 3 to 5 years in my humble opinion, would probably be quite long enough, if we can allocate enough resources to get the research completed. Once again it looks to be a simple matter of some serious logistics, but it’s not likely to happen unless we push very hard.

I think it’s interesting to note that over the last few years, funding to the CSIRO for both hydrogen production and solar energy has been reduced, while funding for research into “clean coal” and CO₂ sequestration has been increased. In three to five years it is my prediction we will have a “solution” where coal is heavily involved and I think there are a number of reasons for this, reasons that any government will wholeheartedly embrace.

1. We have a bucket load of good quality black and brown coal.
2. We make a bucket load of money out of mining, exporting and burning said coal (about $25billion)
3. An entire coal mining industry that would need to be seriously rationalised if we only needed half as much or none at all.

Number one provides employment for tens of thousands of people. Number two provides a constant revenue for the economy. Number three would cause massive unemployment in the mining sector and reduce the GDP, especially if we exported low cost solar energy to replace coal fired energy. These are all very good reasons for a government to keep the coal industry alive and very, very active.

Mining uranium to fuel nuclear power stations has similar attractions of course. We’d need to take more out of the ground which would require miners and would mean we’d have more available to sell. These two technologies, although detrimental to the environment, will definitely help keep the economy chugging along. The problem with the other two is that we just don’t know how much money they can spin and you know the saying, “better the devil you do….”

So like Tina, I’m not sure what good me having my say here in blogger-land and inviting you to make your own comments and observations will do. But it seems to me that if we want cleaner alternatives, then we have to push for them now. That means being vocal and forcing our governing bodies at all levels to realise that we’re really not as stupid as they like to think we are, that we know it can be done and that we want the research and the projects it inspires to remain in this country where their benefit will be truly appreciated.

11:06 AM - 11/2/2007 - comments {12} - post comment

Adoption

The debate has raged, the questions have been asked and answered, exemptions have been sought and denied. Finally, the battle has been won. Was it really the good fight though? Could this be just another case of political correctness gone to far? I’m sorry to say that this is one subject on which I just can’t seem to form an opinion, so you’ll have to help.

From The Age (30/01/2007):

Britain will not exempt Catholic adoption agencies from a new anti-discrimination law that the agencies say would not allow them to refuse to place children with gay couples, Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.

 

The adoption agencies will be granted a transition period, until the end of next year, to adjust to the new law, he said.

 

"Everyone is agreed that, above all, the interests of the child and particularly the most vulnerable children, must come first," Blair said in a statement.

 

"I believe we have now found a way through that achieves this and which all reasonable people will be able to support."

 

Despite the fact that there are many who obviously disagree with this decision and the fact that I can’t seem to decide, this is in fact, a very good outcome. It is important to note here that the state has prevailed over the church. The main reason adoption has been denied to the gay population in the past is mostly because of religious doctrine. Not just christian religious doctrine either. It really has had nothing at all to do with any notion that gay people can’t be good parents. That, simply put, is a fallacy.

But despite believing the above and knowing many gay people, I don’t know any that are bringing up children. This is where my quandary lies. Had I some experience with the matter, I may be able to form an opinion, however sketchy. The gay people I know are nice enough people and seem to be perfectly normal to me, but I have to wonder.

You see, I also know quite a few people who have separated after having children. All parents discuss each others children and I’ve often heard it said that this one or that one might need their father or mother. Now if you only have two mummies and need your father, how are you supposed to get that support? Conversely, if you only have two daddies and need your mother, where do find that support? Each are different and provide different aspects to the nurturing of children, or so my experience indicates to me.

So there’s the issue. In the case of a boy who needs his father, for whatever reason, or the girl who needs her mother, or visa versa usually for all the same or similar reasons, how do they cope when growing up with two mothers or two fathers. How do we know if this baby is going to need “her mother” or “his father” and place them accordingly? Do we really need to go that far? Do gay couples parent that differently than hetro couples? Well, all parents are different to an extent I guess, but I just don’t know. Would a heterosexual child growing up in a homosexual environment end up confused or unsure of themselves? Once again, I don’t know and you know how much I hate not having an opinion.

The problem, and the reason I’ve been thinking about it, is that it doesn’t really matter which side you look at the argument from, it all comes down to the kids. Are we doing what’s best for the kids? Some say we are, some say we aren’t. Those that say we aren’t, aren’t all church groups and some even seem to make reasonable arguments as I’ve outlined above. But does being gay really make that much difference when you're being a parent as well?

5:11 PM - 30/1/2007 - comments {17} - post comment

Our Atrocious Record

Well it doesn’t happen often, but I’ve found myself agreeing with Jeff Kennett. Actually, since he’s given up pretensions to be Premier of Victoria yet again, I think I’d almost prefer to have him back. Since his fall from grace, he’s been giving us the benefit of his opinion and I find, more often than not, that he’s quite sensible and certainly seems to be more honest about his reign than most politicians. Bracksy could benefit from a bit of that to I reckon.

Anyway, he made some comments yesterday that sort of hit home. He got stuck in about David Hicks. He had quite a bit to say, the gist of which was that we are all to blame for David Hicks current predicament. He said that Australia had shown "no compassion, no understanding at all" where David Hicks is concerned. Here are some more quotes that I think really speak for themselves and can’t be better said:

"Even if he committed the crimes, he has spent five years in jail — you can get less for murder. Enough is enough. We love the Yanks. We stand behind them, we support them, as we should. But for goodness' sake, we should be using our special relationship with the Americans to bring him home.

"How can you keep a man for five or six years without a trial?"

And

"Imagine if it were my son or daughter," he said. "We do more for drug runners where the evidence is clearer than for this fellow. It's a sad reflection on the period of time we're living through."

And

"You have a look at how the media and the public got involved in the campaign for (convicted drug trafficker) Schapelle Corby ... compared with this. There is a total double standard there."

When asked about the “special” relationship we seem to enjoy with the yanks now, you know, being branded as arrogant asses in certain parts of the world, he said:

"No, I don't think that's got anything to do with it because the UK has retained their strong relationship with the US, but has had all its residents returned to it."

"It's not just the Australian government. Don't absolve yourself, or myself, or any Australian citizen from responsibility. We're all guilty of compliance in the fact that David Hicks is still there ... I'm saying we're all to blame."

Well Jeff, it seems you’ve outdone yourself this time. I couldn’t possibly agree with you more. This sordid affair is a very sad indictment that shows the apathy of the Australian people in a very stark light. Like Britain, we should have been lobbying our government like they’ve never been lobbied before, and cajoling them into bringing our citizen home where he can be treated like a human being, not an animal in a cage and can get the fair trial he’s entitled to, instead of being subjected to the United States making special laws to try him under that will do nothing more than guarantee a guilty verdict in the face of very little evidence. It really is a disgusting state of affairs.

So, try some of these on for size and see if you can get a rise out of anyone. I haven’t yet, but a weight of numbers might make a difference:

John Howard doesn’t advertise his personal email address, which is hardly surprising, but there’s a form you can use here:

http://www.pm.gov.au/email.cfm

Alexander Downer can be reached at:

a.downer.mp@aph.gov.au

Phillip Ruddock’s another cagey sod that won’t publish his email address, but once again, there’s a form here:

http://www.ruddockmp.com.au/contact.asp

To keep them honest, we’ll throw in a couple my favs from the other side as well.

Kevin Rudd:

Kevin.Rudd.MP@aph.gov.au

Julia Gillard:

Julia.Gillard.MP@aph.gov.a

Robert McClelland – Shadow Foreign Minister

R.McClelland.MP@aph.gov.au

Kevin Thomson – Attorney General, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business

Kelvin.Thomson.MP@aph.gov.au

8:08 PM - 23/1/2007 - comments {10} - post comment

Introspection

 
Life is a marvellous thing don’t you think? I’m not necessarily referring to microbes on a rock, or even the miracle that is birth, although that is pretty bloody marvellous, but what happens after that. All those things you didn’t know would happen, or never guessed could be so much fun. You know, the life thingy.

I guess I’m talking about serendipity. The Oxford says; “the faculty of making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident” and it’s the “happy and unexpected” bit that I like. Well, I guess it really comes down to the “happy” bit, but unexpected is good too, unless it’s bad I suppose…:)

But there’s also those times when it’s all a bit much. You know, those times when you’re trying to face down a situation and you’re looking for an end to it all, but can see no light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how hard you squint. So what’s that you can see? Oh… Sorry, that’s the train…again…

Time can drag when life’s like this. Personally, I try to look on the bright side and when time drags, I have an answer. You know how; “it seems like only yesterday” and “ gee, how time flies”, not to mention “where the hell did all these wrinkles come from overnight!”? Well, when time drags I employ the auspices of some good old fashioned Ausie sarcasm and think “Imagine if the good times went this slowly. Make the most of it Teddyboy, tomorrow will be here all to quick…!” It was a serendipitous thought I had one day when life and work were getting me down and on the whole, it worked. An unexpected thought that made me smile. It doesn’t necessarily help with the situation, but it helps to get you through.

Then there’s the way that sometimes something comes along, purely by chance. Maybe it’s just a well spent day, or it might be an unexpected find, something you thought you’d lost, or more to the point, put in a safe place and never found again until now, but suddenly, something subtle changes somewhere and somehow life’s worth living again. Once again, it doesn’t always help with the problem or situation at hand, but somehow, now you can find the strength to keep going and get through another day.

But there’s something better even than that. Some of you will have experienced it, some will not. It isn’t something that can be engineered, nor is it something that can be contrived. It’s not necessarily something you want but then, it’s not necessarily something you don’t want either. It just happens and there’s really nothing you can do about it when it does. What is it? Well, it’s that most special of things that poems, stories and dreams are made of. You meet someone special. A gem that shines brighter than the brightest diamond and for a time, you are blinded, it’s such a beautiful thing. It doesn’t matter who you are or who they are, or where or how you meet, it just happens and somehow you know that you just have to do something about it. What you have to do exactly you can’t say, but that doesn’t matter, you’re captivated and what a wonderful thing it is.

When this happens, nothing is to much trouble. Life isn’t just “worth living” anymore, it demands to be lived. No longer are you stealing yourself against another day, trying to make the best of it, you’re waking with a smile, not a snarl and finally, you’re looking forwards, not backwards…..

Does it help with the problem or situation? Well, no. Truth be told, it probably only compounds things. But that hardly seems to matter now, does it…….?

10:39 PM - 17/1/2007 - comments {19} - post comment

The Malevolent Mufti

Well, it seems our venerated (and much maligned) Mufti can’t manage to keep himself out of trouble. He tries to assure that he’s a moderate, a real nice bloke who has nothing but concern for women in today’s society, yet can’t help but hurl insults and slander at the community he lives in. Personally I think that cancelling his passport and rescinding his citizenship of our beautiful country is the best thing we could do for the Muslim community here, especially now that he’s in Egypt. Perhaps he could go and peddle his rhetoric in the States. I’m sure they’d love this sort of stuff over there.

But let’s have a little look at his latest batch of insults:

1. There’s no democracy for Muslims in Australia.
2. Muslims have more right to the country than convicts.
3. Re-iterated his view that the trouble he caused himself when he likened women to uncovered meat was a conspiracy.
4. Muslim gang rapists get harsh sentences because Australian courts are anti-muslim.

Well, while Honest John’s been in power, there doesn’t really seem to have been much democracy for any of us. So Mr. Mufti, do us a favour and take your place in line behind those with convict heritage. We of convict heritage tend to vote with pencil and paper, not explosives and a crowd. It’s a different sort of democracy I’ll grant you, but you took an oath to uphold it.

Number 2 is a ripper. How does he figure that do you think? I mean it’s not like we live in an islamic country or anything and it makes me wonder whether this bloke is playing with a full deck. I guess considering the crap he came out with during and after the Douglas Wood fiasco I’m probably not to far from the mark. Still, I don’t think he’s going to win to many friends with that comment. Mind you, neither will Alexander Downer who said that he was South Australian “and that was never a convict settlement” (use whiney Downer voice) so it wasn’t likely to bother him. Thanks Alex. I’m from Victoria and am the progeny of free settlers. South Australia seems to have been settled by whinging sycophants, if you’re any example (apologies to any Sth. Aussies that AREN’T Alexander Downer).

Now we get back to the uncovered meat thing. A conspiracy? If there was, it included a majority of his own community, with the only exception being his daughter who stuck up for him. To be fair though, she probably didn’t want to spend the next 10 years “in her room in her house, wearing her hijab and being chaste.” Fair enough I guess. But really, if he thinks that little media beat up was a conspiracy, then he really needs to get out more. I don’t mean to Egypt so he can peddle his extremist crap, I mean out in the street, taking notice of what’s going on around him.

I don’t know about you, but personally I think they should throw the likes of gang rapists to the mob and let the mob deal with them as the mob sees fit. After reading his latest comments, we should probably have a mob waiting for him when he get’s back.

You know, it wasn’t so long ago that the islamic council told him he’d have to apply for the dole because they couldn’t afford the $40,000 allowance he’s entitled to. I think the time has come, whether they can afford it or not, to cut him off at the knees and make him take the dole and look for a real start. I can see him picking up rubbish at train stations on the “Job Start” programme. If I did though, I’d probably spit in his eye, so maybe it’s not such a good idea.

You see, he’s made something happen that’s never happened before. I found myself agreeing with Amanda Vanstone! Can you imagine my chagrin when that happened? Shees!!! Never before and never again, I vow it! Unless of course she says something like this again: “...I remind Sheik al-Hilali that if he doesn't like Australia, our heritage or our way of life, he doesn't have to come back” or cancels his passport and rescinds his citizenship. Come on Mandy, you like the deportation thing, can’t your “contractors” get it wrong for us just one more time?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot something else he said. You love this one: “…white Australians are the biggest liars.” By “white” I assume he means non-muslim. Well take a look around Mr Mufti and learn a bit of history. If you do, you’ll probably find that the original settlers were nothing like white and have been here, taking care of the place since long before your nutbag religion was conceived.

So please Mr. Hilali, take your extremist nutbag views and do what the vocal sector of your community want you to do. Don’t come back. Go back to Lebanon and take up arms, but don’t dirty or sully our beautiful country with your ridiculous ideas. We don’t need you or the likes of you and we definitely don’t need your nutbag ideas.

4:34 PM - 13/1/2007 - comments {10} - post comment

Happy New Year!

Where were you? I was at work wondering what everyone else was doing. Luckily, I work down at Southbank, overlooking the promenade and river in Melbourne. All I really had to do was look out the window and I could see just exactly what about 100,000 people were doing. I’ve somehow managed to pull this shift a few years in a row now, so I’ve come to know what to expect and when to expect it.

It’s really quite an amazing sight when viewed from only the third floor. You’re high enough that you can see quite a distance and look out over everything, but not so high that the details are lost.

The food stalls had set up down at the casino end, where the old rail bridge (now a pedestrian bridge) meets the promenade and were doing brisk business and by about 8:30, a sea of people seemed to stretch from horizon to horizon. Some strode purposefully while others milled about, trying to stake a claim to the best available vantage point along the river from which to view the fireworks, that being the main attraction. As usual, the tram lines across Queen’s Bridge were barricaded from traffic, to be used as a viewing point later on as well. It’s a good spot too, if you don’t mind a pressing crowd. It affords you a pretty good view straight up the river towards the MCG.

The area around Southbank is usually designated a dry area, but that only makes a difference when the coppers come by. You can always stash your hooch in the flowers. We don’t seem to have much trouble though. I was quite surprised this year not to see anyone passed out on the benches before 10:00. There’s usually one or two that just don’t make it.

The guys with the acoustic band that come down a few nights every week to busk have managed to get permission to play. They’re really quite good too but the bass player couldn’t be there tonight, so they were a little lacking, but in fine voice just the same, working through their comprehensive selection of new and old songs. They drew quite a crowd and made quite a bit methinks.

As the hour approached the crowd got thicker and louder and there’s that all pervading air of expectation that you just can’t seem to avoid at this time of year. Movement along the promenade slowed down as people found the best spot they could to see the fireworks. It gets difficult because it’s almost shoulder to shoulder down there at midnight.

When we were down to about 2 minutes to go, my colleague and I went and stood at the windows so we could see the fireworks. Our vantage point is fantastic for that! Then came the inevitable countdown and cheer, 100,000 voices strong. I don’t know about you, but I think that is one of the most magnificent sounds you will every hear. That many voices in unison is a beautiful thing.

What is it about the ushering in of the new year that’s so exciting though? After all, when all is said and done, it’s just the beginning of a new day the same as any other. Somehow though, this one has a certain something about it. Is it just the hope that this year might be better than the last? Who can say. Whatever it is, it’s a bloody good excuse for a party…:-)

8:28 AM - 1/1/2007 - comments {9} - post comment

Bloodless but not Godless

I was just reading about an interview with the new and somewhat surprised Prime Minister of Fiji about the coup over there. It’s rather strange, the way it’s all happened. Good in so far as it’s been bloodless, but strange. A lot of hot air and posturing, assurances that there wasn’t going to be a coup and then the guy leading the coup appoints someone else, a medical doctor in the army apparently, as Prime Minister. Strange indeed.

I read through his comments about this illegal activity being the lesser of two evils in that the old regime was horribly corrupt. “Fair enough if it is” I thought, all coups are illegal until they win and it’s always the victors that write the history, so I suppose they’ll be vindicated eventually, whether or not they’re justified now.

But then I read this; "I have this conviction that I have been called by divine authority to do something for the people of Fiji," he said.

Oh-oh… The alarm bells started quietly chiming, so I read a little more;

"I am a Christian and I go by Christian teaching.

"I hate people who talk against people who are the Hindus and the Muslims in this country. I hate to hear that.

"I often preach that from the pulpit. Hatred does not bring any good to the people."

So, you hate some people because hate doesn't do any good. Hmm... And what was that about being a medical doctor in the army? He must double as the chaplain as well. I guess that could be seen as an advantage though, in case he loses a patient.

After reading that however, the alarm bells started ringing in earnest and I developed grave concerns for the future that Fiji is about to take or more to the point, be taken on. Let’s remember that George Bush would also have us believe that it’s god and good christian ideals and principles that are his main guiding influences and he hates all those things too.

Looking for a different perspective, I found the Fiji Times (how much like The Age is that? “Your say” and everything). I didn’t really find a different perspective there, but some of the letters where interesting. Of seven, only one was in support of the military. Then I read the full article that seems to be where the above was taken from and saw this;

"What type of democracy are we talking about? Democracy might be all right for Australia and New Zealand but certainly not all right for Fiji, I can tell you that.

Well, the alarm bells set up such a cacophony as to be quite deafening at this point, I think I’m getting a headache;

“I think in Fiji we need a different type of democracy.”

"Just look at the United States - the father and mother of democracy. Look at what they have done in Iraq," he said

Exactly what kind of “democracy” that would be, he neglected to say. But I think he’s missing the point. Even George doesn’t believe in WMD’s or democracy anymore. Now he’s doing it for god because “it’s the right thing to do.”

Anyway, I’m going to take a panadol now and have a little lay down. The noise is unbearable in here…

10:34 AM - 7/12/2006 - comments {11} - post comment