A couple of days ago, I talked about the harm done by busybodies and assholes who proceed on the assumption that everyone they meet must be able-bodied until proven otherwise. From the San Francisco Chronicle this weekend comes an article:… Read More ›
Politics
Senate balance
We already knew from the last few years and the introduction of Workchoices and more how having a Government majority in the Senate leads to an undemocratic failure of the Upper House’s role as a House Of Review. Now we… Read More ›
Earliest and latest possible election dates
I’m answering my own question, “When’s the earliest the WA Labor Party can call an election?” Via Australian Policy Online, this APH note on Australian election timetables has pointers to earliest and latest possible election dates, both State and Federal…. Read More ›
I Can’t Believe You’re Disabled! Institutional Abuse and Vulnerability
More for the disabled-people-are-treated-lower-than-shit files: From Huffington Post, via disabled_rage: Police officer in Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office has been suspended – for dumping a man with quadriplegia out on his face. Brian Sterner was brought in on a warrant for… Read More ›
Apology and Reparation: In Their Own Words
A roundup of some background and responses around Apology Day and reparations. ~~~ “For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers,… Read More ›
Anti-schmaltz, anti-saccharine Valentine linkfest
We were concentrating on more contemporary historical matters here in Oz, but yesterday was also Darwin Day. Women in “Free” Iraq Women Behind Bars (via Feministe) How cheap is your love? What would you tell your 14-year-old self? Quote Of… Read More ›
“Sorry, but”: The apology, mutual responsibility, and self-determination
There’s been a bit of “Not today. Don’t anyone critique him today. Today is the day the PM is above critique.” The day we suspend critique is the day we confer absolute power. I didn’t go into this election planning… Read More ›
Acknowledgement and Apology
This post is being continually updated with links to commentary on the Apology Today, for the first time, indigenous people performed a Welcome to Country ceremony at the Opening of the Parliament of Australia. Kevin Rudd’s hope is that this… Read More ›
This is what we’re up against: “Ironbar” Tuckey
Wilson “Ironbar” Tuckey , the member for O’Connor, a huge rural electorate in WA, walked out on the apology this morning. Ironbar Tuckey got his nickname after he was convicted in 1967 for beating an Aboriginal man with an iron… Read More ›
Ghost rants: Archbishop edition
Image Credit: Peter Brookes from The Times Online The Ghost of Violet Socks sums up everything I’ve been trying to compose about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s latest efforts. I used to rather like the man. And the Brits are no… Read More ›
Hoyden About Town 