… but I fear it’s not time to break out the champagne yet. My feeling right now is one of relief at expectations vindicated. The Malaysia deal was immoral even before it was illegal. Today’s High Court decision that effectively prevents the government from proceeding with the Malaysia refugee swapping deal presents at least oneContinue reading “High Court quashes Malaysia deal”
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Riding the winds of change
Image by twicepix via Flickr Just as one of the biggest mining corporations canes our state government for not entertaining the possibility of nuclear power (vested interests?), we see this announcement: Japanese breakthrough will make wind power cheaper than nuclear | MNN – Mother Nature Network. Renewable energy becomes more viable and more accessibleContinue reading “Riding the winds of change”
Fooling around with themes…
It must be a sign of the Monday blah’s. A busy weekend capped off with a burst hot water system leaves one in the “spaced out” zone and difficult to focus on anything. Preparation work sits on my desk thumbing its nose at me. I just stare at it uncomprehendingly. Only one thing for itContinue reading “Fooling around with themes…”
The art of tidy/untidy…
Image via Wikipedia Last week my desk was under a motley arrangememt of piles of assorted papers, books and projects. This week it is as barren and featureless as any Antarctic waste. In a few days, I can guarantee it will once again be as it was last week. And so it goes. But IContinue reading “The art of tidy/untidy…”
Church Board Retreat
What sorts of things does a local church board discuss at it’s annual retreat? The flower roster? The need to cut the length of the Sunday morning harangues … I mean … sermons? The leaky roof? Not likely, at least not at the one I’ve been involved with today. On our agenda were: brainstorming closerContinue reading “Church Board Retreat”
Religion and republicanism in Australian politics – Eureka Street
Image via Wikipedia It’s blog-lite today as this weekend’s heavy schedule descends. Eureka Street often comes in to fill a gap at such times as it often is the medium that reflects most closely my own position (with some exceptions). I would probably want to spend some time, should it beContinue reading “Religion and republicanism in Australian politics – Eureka Street”
1 is too many
Australia’s asylum seeker detention culture is very much under scrutiny. The High Court deliberates whether it is in the government power to alleviate pressure on the system through a ‘people-swapping deal’ with Malaysia.The outcome of the case will also have an impact on some backup strategies for warehousing refugees in other off-shore centres. And inContinue reading “1 is too many”
Appealing to the ‘better angels of our nature’
As we head towards refugee Sunday, Eureka Street offers some worthy material for reflection, e.g. Improving the refugee debate – Eureka Street. It well makes the point that multiculturalism, the so called bête noir of our times is really of little account. This reflects a lunch-time conversation from which I have just emerged, where a bunchContinue reading “Appealing to the ‘better angels of our nature’”
A story in six words
“Tell a story in six words,” he says, probably guessing it can’t be done. Plutarch’s Julius Caesar did it: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” (Technically it was three words “Veni, vidi, vici.”) Descartes did it in five: “I think, therefore I am.” And such is the font of a million stories. So here’s myContinue reading “A story in six words”
What on earth are they thinking?
Why can’t our government get it right with asylum seekers who arrive by boat? The lawfulness of the disgraceful Malaysia deal is being tested before the full bench of the High Court today. This morning’s headlines in the West Australian were like a breeze of fresh air through the stench of indifference and acrimony thatContinue reading “What on earth are they thinking?”