kwoff_id = 7556; [Cut for all kinds of triggers.]
ethics & philosophy
ideals, breaches, disappointments and inspirations
It’s a start
The Howard refugee policy is going to be partially dismantled by the new Labor government. The detention centre on Nauru will be closed, and the refugees (a few from Myanmar and many from Sri Lanka) currently held there will have… Read More ›
Ten-year-olds aren’t “asking for it”, Judge.
The ABC reports that the past two years of criminal sentences handed down to Cape York crims will be reviewed. This comes after a gang of nine teenagers and men raped a ten year old Aurukun girl. All of the… Read More ›
Daria and other rebels
In comments to Lauredhel’s post about the princessification of Dora the Explorer, Helen and I have been discussing other animated girl characters whom we enjoy. We’re both fans of Daria, whom Helen epitomises beautifully as “dry as dust”. Daria is enduring high school until she can get away to further studies outside her conformist suburban community.
What a slimy, self-regarding, small, repugnant, grub of a man
I’ve become so inured to the sight of our current Prime Minister arrogating the ceremonial duties of our Governor General that I tend to no longer be outraged. Thankfully, Ken Lovell at Surfdom is not so reticent, and his description… Read More ›
She did not feel as guilty because at the funeral she found out the girl had tried to commit suicide before
Imagine your 13 year old daughter, who has battled clinical depression and has a history of some social awkwardnesses, finds a friend online though MySpace, a 16 year old boy, who makes her feel good about herself. Imagine six weeks… Read More ›
Dirty tricks department
What does this headline, as seen in a screengrab from today’s Daily Telegraph online, imply to you? See larger image here. The bit about “election rival ‘gay’” would be more accurately summed up as “independent candidate you’ve never heard of… Read More ›
Feminism Friday: More on how Rape Jokes Just Aren’t Funny
Obviously, a lot of women feel uncomfortable about rape jokes because rape is an ever-present background threat to daily life for us, not just a bit of regrettable “bad sex”. Melissa McEwan at Shakesville has written quite a lot about… Read More ›
Charles Perkins Oration: Marion Scrymgour
[Image credit: NT Labor Party] Via Aboriginal Art & Culture, the full text of Marion Scrymgour’s Charles Perkins Oration from last week. Scrymgour is the first female Aboriginal Minister in an Australian parliament. Whose national emergency?“¨Caboolture and Kirribili? or Milikapiti… Read More ›
Legal changes to sexual assault trials in NSW?
Peter Kemp, a legal practitioner in NSW, sent me this link, noting that it has significant implications on the right to a fair trial and that there are many points of view to be considered. BARRISTERS will be refused permission… Read More ›
Hoyden About Town 