Apparently there is a whole field of study (and a lucrative corner of the consulting industry) devoted to something called political risk calculation. The idea is that elected politicians need to stay in power for as long as possible before inevitably being replaced by another politician who also needs to stay in power for as long as possible, and so on. The thinking goes that, because there are occasionally elections, every decision and action of the politician must be assessed, even subconsciously, for this thing called political risk. That exercise is the subject of this book by Catherine Althaus: 'Calculating Political Risk'.
It's heavy going for the lay person, and unsurprisingly it reads a lot like a thesis, but there is something bizarro-world about the subject matter itself. Not that Althaus is underqualified (she is currently an Assistant Professor and has been a Postdoctoral Research fellow in Political Science as well as a University Medallist in Governance and Public Policy, not to mention worked as an official in Queensland Treasury and Office of the Cabinet).
The author starts with a very thorough discussion on the various meanings of the word risk and how it is perceived as suggesting both potential danger and reward. The definition of political risk is a slippery thing but the general consensus seems to be that it is more or less about getting voted out and the things which can lead to that fate. Althaus stresses that calculating political risk is an ongoing thing and that political successes and failures are not dependent on where the risk falls in the electoral cycle.
Apart from researching a wealth of other published works, she interviewed 111 political actors for the "primary component of how this book defines political risk calculation". The selection of these political actors may explain the insider feel of the book, they are not only politicians but include political advisors, party officials, media commentators and bureaucrats. These actors' views form a large part of the book and there is a sense that politics is more about image and perception than reality and results. The reader often gets the feeling that there really is no fixed thing which could be called good policy, rather that perception and spin decide whether an event or decision will be a risk failure or success. It often felt as if the subject matter was a serious analysis of the TV shows The Hollowmen and Yes, Minister to extract lessons for politicians (indeed, the latter actually gets a mention!).
Having set the rough theoretical parameters of discussion, a series of three case studies are examined. The idea is that a more traditional analysis of policy will sometimes differ from an analysis of policy through the prism of calculating political risk. In simple terms, the feeling one gets is: is it good policy or not? is replaced by the question did it work?, where work equates to getting away with it.
The three case studies are firstly the various State Labor governments' strategic policies (such as Beattie's Smart State), secondly the BSE/Mad Cow crisis as handled by UK Prime Minister John Major and lastly President G W Bush's use of 9/11. It doesn't spoil the book to say that the overview is that the States' and Bush broadly were successful whereas Major broadly failed under this idea of calculating political risk. Again, it seems somewhat weird to read that mad cow disease could have been turned into a political positive by someone of Beattie's ability, or that Bush's invasion of Afghanistan was a tremendous success of political risk assessment. But that is to forget the clinical nature of this study.
That clinical feel comes through particularly when a state of affairs some would call a worrying example of a failure of democracy by the media and politicians, is held up as an example of success:
The media across all the states played a prominent role in the success of the plans, because there was a consistent lack of serious critique or negativity. With the aid of a positive national and rural press and a largely uninterested and unprobing local urban media, the various plans have been used as lacquer with which to coat the governments' policy programs. They have been image-makers, catchy slogans and something to point to when critics attack the government over lack of direction or simplistic approaches to the future.
Hooray! Well done, machine!
And the invasion of Afghanistan was, apparently, a great success (purely from the point of view of calculating political risk, mind) whereas we find that the invasion of Iraq may yet turn out to be a failure. A cold blooded analysis for the purposes of this subject:
How political risk calculation factored into the administration's decision making depends on perspective. According to Danzig, there was a link between Afghanistan and Iraq, but there was also a misreading of the risks. The key link was the preference of the Bush Administration for bold action… Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had a different perspective. Foreign policy dominated his explanation of the necessity for the United States to go to war against Iraq.
The argument goes that Afghanistan was a success because Bush was the champion politician behind it but Iraq could be a failure because there were too many other players. Conclusion? Iraq may be a bad PR exercise.
From a political risk perspective, Bush appears to have been persuaded by the arguments of his foreign policy advisers, as well as by his own enthusiasm for taking a bold approach. The longer term implications, and the slow-burning nature of building peace and democracy in Iraq, offered no short-term political gains. Whether displacement of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein could ever have been a resounding political success is disputable. Certainly the handling of the decision-making process and the underlying rationale for the decision to make war on Iraq was a stumbling block for Bush. The invasion might have met foreign policy goals that had been building over the past decade but it was, overall, a poor public relations exercise (certainly from the international perspective).
It's this idea that nothing is simply right or wrong but either managed well or poorly which makes this whole subject difficult on the mind of non-reptilian outsiders. For example:
What was gained was action on the then-immediate goals of the administration in terms of the Iraq 'problem'; but again, whether this has been an overall win or a miserable loss at huge expense to the Iraqi nation and the US defence force is debatable.
This is the difficulty, in the abstract world of calculating political risk this may well be debatable. But out here in reallo-world, that debate would be the one where we also debate whether torture is a good idea, how bogus is AGW, why the earth is flat and how Saddam Hussein plotted 9/11.
Perhaps really keen students of political science will find this a rollicking good read but others are more likely to find it more than a little turgid and detached. Not that it isn't well written or punctuated, just that for those not in on the game it would be a bit surreal as a genre. Those who, like this reviewer, Althaus dubs politically cynical are not so keen on knowing the details of how the system currently works for political players as they are keen for it to work better, the way it was intended to work, ie: politicians who do things because they are necessary to improve the lives of the citizens and because the well-informed citizens call upon them to do such things.
I don't remember all the protests and petitions calling for PPP tunnel and road construction projects, for example, but of course I am cynical.
Lanyards Pose Health Risk: Researcher
A lanyard...devastating health impacts
A researcher from the Work Makes You Free Unit of the Ponds Institute has found that wearing a lanyard on a daily basis can cause significant health risks.
Dr Myers Briggs' study involved a sample selection of office workers from George Street, which has the highest proportion of lanyard wearers in the state.
His review of all literature on the subject of unecessary officious attire found that lanyards constricted the flow of blood to the brain, which while initially inducing a useful range of behaviours - including conformity, obedience, and cheerfully buying the morning coffees - may eventually have devastating health impacts.
"We discovered that if you suppress the worker's ability to think for himself for too long, the brain eventually begins to shrivel," said Dr Myers-Briggs.
Cat scans revealed that some of the study participants were already exhibiting signs of brain shrivel and worrying behavioural changes.
"A small number of the workers could be classified as zombies," said Dr Myers-Briggs.
The study also revealed that the health risks were compounded if the worker wore rectangular framed glasses.
"Rectangular framed glasses press on the temples which can promote delusions of grandeur. When combined with the zombie-like trance state caused by wearing a lanyard, you have a potentially very nasty health problem," said Dr Myers-Briggs.
Rectangular framed glasses heighten risks
Critics of the research claim it ignores outside factors such as nepotism and party affiliation that are contributing factors in the risk to health, but Dr Myers-Briggs stands by his findings.
"This is a worthwhile study given the current economic environment," he said.
"No Stadium: Give Us Decent Public Transport"
Dymo Girl Strikes Again! This is surely the last corflute standing from March's State Election (corner Gold Coast Highway And Turpin Road) [29/4/09]
Brisbane To Be Transformed Into Paradise For The Dense
Brisbane's Rupert Tower ... paradise for the dense.
The Lord Mayor has announced plans to build an exciting new high rise which will house all Brisbane residents.
To be constructed on the site of the soon to be demolished City Hall, the high rise - Rupert Tower - will create a metropolis unlike any other seen in the world today.
"The direction of our city is on the up and up," said the Mayor.
Community, sustainability, infrastructure, grassroots engagement, housing affordability, vibrant, transport corridor and the South East Queensland Regional Plan are useful words.
Each of Brisbane's suburbs will be moved to a level of Rupert Tower which will reduce and increase cultural and economic outcomes, going forward.
4.4 million people will live in the tower and God will be located on the top level. Brisbane's poor will live in the lower basement levels. Out of sheer spite and malevolence, West End will be located at B25 without lifts, parking, running water, air or electricity a market and progressive church.
Suburbs such as Sinnamon Park, Sunnybank, Indooroopilly, Morningside and Lutwyche will be located on the first 25 floors. The 'better' suburbs will be located on the upper levels. The plan will free up vast tracts of potential retail development around the city. The tower will be surrounded by a mass road and tunnel network so hoons can do donuts.
What Do Those Small, Round Lapel Pins Represent?
The late Richard Pratt ... small, round lapel pin wearer
Ever noticed that some of our politicians and business leaders wear a small, round lapel pin and wondered what it represented?
Well here at 'Spring Hill Voice' we're following this up with the experts in the field - Pin Source:
"Dear Sir/Madam,
We hope you can answer a question we have about lapel pins.
We have noticed that many politicians (as well as businessmen) wear a small white, round lapel pin, but we have never been able to see it close up. Do you know what is on those pins and what significance it has?"
Here's Looking At Uranus
Galileo...he didn't see Uranus, but he observed Neptune 234 years before its official discovery
"Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide,
No escape from reality.
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see..."
'Bohemian Rhapsody', Queen [1975]
Well last night's [27/4/09] 'Lateline' may have inexplicably given air time to Ian Plimer, who is still peddling dogma as opposed to reason, but at least brains were buzzing at Brisbane's City Hall!
Professor David Jamieson from the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne presented a talk titled: 'Galileo's invention of the astronomical telescope and his astounding discoveries: moons, stars and a new planet'.
"With two small polished pieces of glass in his innovative new telescope, Galileo triggered a revolution in the way humanity sees its place in the cosmos. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first time Galileo turned his telescope to the heavens. In the last few months of 1609 and the first months of 1610 he made an avalanche of astounding new discoveries that completely overturned the traditional views of the Earth's place in the cosmos."
It was fascinating to hear Professor Jamieson say that Galileo, a devout Christian, wanted to protect the Church from the potential damage to its dogma by the evidence of his science (or something to that effect). Of course, all good AGW deniers know that Galileo was persecuted by the church for his heretical suggestion that the earth and planets revolved around the sun. The (mostly right wing, and often religiously nutty) deniers of our current science often use Galileo as an example of the lone dissenting voice persecuted by the orthodoxy. Cripes! They're not bad are they?
It turns out that Galileo chose not to make big with his failure to explain 'paralax error' in his thoughts. Sharlatan! The numbers involved were just too huge for contemplation in an age when suggesting that the universe didn't revolve around Rome was not an option.
Anyway, all you fundamentalist scientists out there know who you are. And be warned, the Coal-Fired-Murdoch-Backed Church Of The Poisoned Mind is watching you!
Meanwhile, back on Earth in the real world, it was a fascinating lecture about real science, delivered by a real scientist with a hugely credible pedigree. If you prefer your science in stupid form, well that is a matter for you - renew your subscription to your local News Corp paper, keep listening to mindless talkback radio, make excuses until the cows come home and remind yourself that diamonds are made from Carbon so it can't be all that bad.
Ian Plimer's book - 'Heaven and Earth: Global Warming: The Missing Science'
is published by Connor Court Publishing, who are a very broad minded outfit!
(hint Cardinal George Pell, Tony Abbot, Opus Dei - they're all there!)
Free market marketing at it finest!
http://www.astronomy2009.org.au/
Food Of Love: A Shakespeare Caberet:
Media Release [The Queensland Shakespeare
Ensemble]
Feel the pulse of the forest, let it lead you through the mist
and join the celebration. On its return to Roma Street Parkland, QSE explores
the darkness, succumbs to the music, and gives you Food of Love - A Shakespeare
Cabaret.
"If music be the food of love, play on" - Orsino,
Twelfth Night
Following the overwhelming success of Twelfth Night, The Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble's latest offering 'Food of Love - A Shakespeare Cabaret' invites its audiences into the musical world of William Shakespeare. Seamlessly integrating an atmospheric score freshly composed by QSE Artistic Director Rob Pensalfini and Gavin Edwards, this highly innovative production incorporates text and characters from some of Shakespeare's most loved works, including Hamlet, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, The Tempest, Othello, and Troilus and Cressida.
"The cabaret format is a great way to showcase these works alongside what QSE does best", says director Cienda McNamara.
Creator and co-composer Pensalfini points to Food of Love's appeal to contemporary audiences, saying that "this is an opportunity to see a side of Shakespeare that is often neglected today: Shakespeare the music man! Music can transform the suffering of the soul into something that breathes, lives, and celebrates life. Music in its presence holds hope for the future as it heals the pain of the past."
This unique production has something for everyone - the excitement
of cabaret combined with the great drama of Shakespeare, performed in QSE's
trademark accessible and playful style.
All the world's a stage, life is a cabaret….so play on!
Food of Love, A Shakespeare Cabaret opens at Roma Street Parkland's
Harry Oakman Pavilion on May 7th.
Patrons are encouraged to bring their picnic blankets and enjoy the festive
atmosphere under the stars in the beautiful parkland setting (chair seating
also available). Come early and enjoy 45 mins of live music prior to show. Picnic
hampers from Deli-Oz can be ordered through OzTix with ticket purchase.
Food of Love - A Shakespeare Cabaret
The Harry Oakman Pavilion, Roma Street Parkland
7th - 10th / 14th - 17th May
8pm Thurs - Sat, 6pm Sun.
Tickets: Adults $25; Conc. / Groups 10+ $15
Book online: www.oztix.com.au or phone:
1300 762 545
For more information find us online at www.qldshakespeare.org
Dam Opposition Well And Truly Afloat:
Save The Mary River Media Release [26/4/09]
For a community that Government sources claim is starting to accept a dam, Mary Valley residents and others were showing no sign of it today.
Three years to the day since Peter Beattie's shock announcement of plans to build a large dam at on the Mary River at Traveston crossing, several hundred canoeists and supporters turned out to a "flotilla" to show their energy for battle was undiminished. Paddlers were shown lungfish breeding sites and turtle nesting sandbanks before taking part in ceremony, celebrations, speeches and entertainment.
"Today we are celebrating our community's resilience," said Save the Mary River Co-ordinating Group President Glenda Pickersgill.
"We're celebrating that we have dug our heels in and mounted a very strong case against damming this river."
"Peter Beattie may have called it 'hardly pristine', Anna Bligh may say it's been damaged by farming, but the real test has to be what lives in there now and with a number of unique species, this is pretty impressive. International turtle experts are even coming to regard the Mary as " the turtle river".
"This is why Premier Bligh was so keen not to make mention of the dam at her recent election launch. The irony is that as soon as she was elected, she claimed a mandate to build it. Many in Brisbane remember her 'delay' announcement and think it's on hold," Ms Pickersgill said.
This was the third "flotilla" on the river. After the first in 2006, Greens Senator Bob Brown told opponents to prepare for a long battle. When he visited the area in 2007, Roberto Epple of the European Rivers Network said to expect maybe a seven-year battle. From the looks of it, both pieces of advice have been well-heeded.
Dam opponents heard today of a 'milestone' legal challenge to the Paradise Dam fishway which will be heard in the Federal Court in September. The case, mounted by the Wide Bay Burnett Conservation Council and a coalition of Environment groups is significant as the Paradise fishway is intended as the model for use on Traveston Dam, should it go ahead.
"We've already won this on the science," says Glenda, "and
it's defeating itself on the economics. Sometime soon the penny will drop for
this government and they'll realise they can't cry poor to nurses and teachers
and public servants wanting better conditions while they pour more money into
the black hole that is the Traveston Crossing Dam proposal."
Flying Pig Virus
In a shocking yet unsurprising development, someone has released a flu virus which has mixed the very worst of the swine with the most dangerous aspects of the bird. Behold! Flying-Pig Virus! The "new" virus (FPV), which has absolutely nothing to do with biological warfare research or plans for world domination by crazy out of their minds neo-cons in their own final throes of financial 'end times', has emerged.
The world's hundreds of millions of dollars worth of "Tami-Flu" (as stockpiled by your Howard government) are nearing their use-by date, so rather than waste all that money and flush all those spooky pharmaceuticals down our waterways, a solution had to be found. But how?
Flying-Pig Virus heads firstly to the more respected arbiters of "News" where it is vetted and deemed too dangerous for immediate public release. "News" decides to release it first on the internet, where it can be tested for resilience to logic and analysis, before the "News" can be released to "the public" in an acceptably marketable form. The fact that it has been released on the internet renders it beyond corroboration or attribution.
Once there are a "sensationally significant" number of dead Mexicans on internet reports (usually thought to number in the thousands, but in exceptional cases in the hundreds), the "News" can be twisted and otherwise fabricated to satisfy the needs of the "Local" media.
Consumers, clients, citizens, stakeholders, concerned mums and voters are all being warned to be on the lookout for spook-mongerers who will try to capitalise on the downmarket media's fearmongering reporting on the Flying Pig Virus menace to further their own evil, dangerous, irresponsible agenda of constantly calling into question the perfectly honourable motives of "The Media".
We won't do that here at 'Spring Hill Voice'. We'll simply call them a bunch of lying sacks of shit.
You decide.
Now I've Seen Everything!
The Self Serving Checkout
I thought that life was meaningless
until the other day
when I went to buy some groceries
at Woolworths Runaway Bay
everyone was functioning
just the way they ought
provisions tossed in trolleys
a procession of conforming sorts
but when I reached the checkout
imagine my surprise
the customers were scanning
their own dunny rolls and pies
no-one seemed to care
and everyone obeyed
the instructions given by those
who'd soon be without pay
they say the system's foolproof
but I'll bet this technology
doesn't reach the poorer suburbs
because this novelty
is for the middle classes
who do just what they're told
isn't it rather Orwellian?
or am I getting old?
if customers are now
freelance checkout chicks
will we get an award wage?
or compo if we slip?
will they give a discount
to those who scan their own
through the self serving checkout
or are we all alone?
War Is Always Futile (Unless You Are Profiting From It)
The warmongers and their enablers will bang on that some wars were (or are) about fighting against totalitarianism or for freedom, and that one's nation was founded in the sacrifice and blood of battle. Yet history shows strategic killing is never clinical, is always chaotic and that war involves imperialist ambition, the acquisition of resources and the mass slaughter of young men and civilians. It is the pointless loss of life and the individual acts of bravery which should be commemorated, along with our hope for world peace.
That is the real meaning of Anzac Day and why it was established in the first place.
Lest we forget.
Gallipoli 1915, The charge of the Light Horse at The Nek, from 'Making the Legend: The War Writings of C.E.W. Bean' (selected by Denis Winter):
"Thus by six o'clock the attacks both on the Nek and by way of Monash Valley had been brought to a standstill. On no other occasion during the war did the Australians have to face fire approaching in volume that which concentrated on the Nek. From the whole face of Baby 700 and from secure positions for on both its flanks, machine-guns swept that narrow space with a devastating cross-fire. In the 8th Light Horse half of those who started had actually been killed and nearly half the remainder wounded; that is to say, out of total of 300, 12 officers and 142 men had been killed and 4 officers and 76 men wounded. The 10th Regiment had lost 9 officers and 129 men (of whom 7 officers and 73 men had been killed...The Turks suffered no loss...
So ended the feints of August 7th. For sheer bravery, devoted loyalty, and that self-discipline which seldom failed in Australian soldiers, they stand alone in the annals of their country. Not once during all this deadly fighting did the troops display the least sign of hesitation in performing what they believed to be their duty. But the difficulties of the secondary attack upon a position of extraordinary strength had been insufficiently considered by Birdwood and Skeen. For the annihilation of line after line at the Nek the local command was, however, chiefly responsible. Although at such crises in a great battle firm action must be taken, sometimes regardless of cost, there could be no valid reason for flinging away the later lines after the first had utterly failed. It is doubtful if there exists in the records of the A.I.F. one instance in which, after one attacking party had been signally defeated, a second sent after it succeeded without some radical change having been effected in the plan or the conditions. Even had the enemy's trenches been reached and entered by later lines, it is unlikely that the movement of Turkish troops towards Chunuk Bair [where the main attack was delivered and for which the operation at the Nek was to serve as a decoy] would have affected by it to a greater extent than by the onslaught of the first line. But it seems certain that Antill at headquarters did not make himself aware of the true position and, apart from the blunder in timing, it is to this that the heavy loss was mainly due. It may also be argued that the gallant White, acting as a sportsman rather than as a soldier, by leading forward the first line deprived his regiment of the control which should have been exercised over its operations. Its morale did not require the stimulus of personal leadership; and had his protest been added to Brazier's, Antill might have discontinued the attack. The grievous result was the needless loss of lives to their nation...
During the long hours of that day, the summit of the Nek could be seen crowded with their bodies. At first, here and there, a man raised his arm to the sky or tried to drink from his waterbottle. But as the sun of that burning day climbed higher, such movement ceased. Over the whole summit the figures lay still in the quivering heat.
Official History, 2:612-33"
Brisbane's "Literary" Set Visit Gold Coast
We uncultured types living on the Gold Coast are really looking forward to this inspiring and intellectually stimulating event!
The brochure states that for just $75, we writers ekeing an existence in our garrets by the sea can enjoy a "Literary Feast" at the Gold Coast Arts Centre as "authors will move between tables for each course, sharing the story behind their stories, giving a unique insight into their writing..."
'Spring Hill Voice' is particularly interested in "Author Encounters", one of which is taking place at Southport Library:
"Other people's lives: Madonna King and Sally Collings discuss the rollercoaster ride of telling stories of real people."
Wonder if their discussion will incorporate how and why it is that Brisbane's media shuts down certain political candidates (are they not "real people" with stories?) during election campaigns?
Now that's what I call a "rollercoaster ride"!
Power Bill Gone Up? Democracy MIA?: "Let Them Eat GM Bananas!"
Uncle Weird in his sulky heading off to his job at the solar plant...NOT!!!!
The State We're In with Percy Personable the People's Scribe
With the recent hike in our electricity bills, it may be time to wheel out the old kero lamp from underneath the house. And while you're at it, ask Uncle Weird if he still has any other relics of a bygone era such as Grandpop's sulky, that lopsided horse he used to curse, and some semblance of democracy.
"Queenslanders will soon be able to celebrate the real historical meaning of the Q150 anniversary," said the Head Blighty.
"Let them eat GM Bananas!" she added, as the angry hoards failed to materialise despite the best efforts of the only paper in town.
But the Opposition Dentist from the Gold Coast said the Head Blighty should remind all pissheads that they refrain from hopping in their sulkies even though they may feel invincible.
In unrelated, yet spookily connected news, Queensland's Fart Capture and Storage Unit may be on hold, but researchers at the Species Deceases Unit of the Ponds Institute have successfully created an obedient GM Banana that won't run away.
Although bananas grow really well in Queensland, Professor Panic scaled back his initial project to create a neverending banana after a batch of GM bananas escaped last November.
Professor Panic's GM Banana...bland, but obedient
"I have inzerted ze gene of ze typical couriermail reader into ze banana which renders zem incapable of cognizenze and independent zought," he said.
"It may be zat we vill have to sacrifize flavour in order to maintain control."
When asked how his research would save Queensland's bananas from the threat of tropical disease, Professor Panic laughed maniacally.
"I see dead people voting, but they don't know they're dead!"
A New Standard For Giving
"The value of life cannot be measured." Friedrich Nietzsche
From Chapter 10 A Realistic Approach in 'The life you can save: Acting now to end world poverty' by Peter Singer:
"Most of us prefer harmony to discord, whether between ourselves and others or within our own minds. That inner harmony is threatened by any glaring discrepancy between the way you live and the way you think you ought to live. Your reasoning may tell you that you ought to be doing something substantial to help the world's poorest people, but your emotions may not move you to act in accordance with this view. If you are persuaded by the moral argument, but are not sufficiently motivated to act accordingly, I'd recommend that instead of worrying about how much you would have to do in order to live a fully ethical life, you do something that is significantly more than you have been doing so far. Then see how that feels. You may find it more rewarding than you imagined possible.
I was lucky enough to know Henry Spira, a man who spent his life campaigning for the downtrodden, the poor and the oppressed. Since he never had much money, his form of philanthropy was to give his time energy and intelligence to making a difference. In the 1950s, he marched in the civil rights movement in the South. Sailing around the world as a merchant seaman, he worked for a rebel union organisation fighting corrupt union bosses. The 1960s saw him teaching in some of New York City's toughest public high schools. In the 1970s, he became an extraordinarily effective advocate for animals; among his many achievements was persuading cosmetics companies to find alternatives to testing their products on animals. When he was around seventy, Spira developed cancer and knew he did not have long to live. I spent a lot of time with him then, and in one of our conversations I asked him what had driven him to spend his life working for others. He replied:
"I guess basically one wants to feel that one's life has amounted to more than just consuming products and generating garbage. I think that one likes to look back and say that one's done the best one can to make this a better place for others. You can look at it from this point of view: what greater motivation can there be than doing whatever one possibly can to reduce pain and suffering?"
It's Time: To Get The God Out Of Government Policy
From the "foreword" by the Prime Minister to the 2020 Summit response:
"In April 2008, I invited 1,000 Australians to come to Canberra and be a part of the Australia 2020 Summit. Many others also joined in the conversation - through local summits across Australia, a youth summit, over 500 school summits, a Jewish symposium and 8,800 submissions."
Australia is a secular nation. If religious groups want to deserve recognition, they should start paying tax.
Excellent Paste Ups On Garden Street, Southport
It Is Nearly The End Of April
It appears the commencement of restoration works on the Southport Bathing Pavilion involves the placement of a witch's hat!
Battle For The Mary: Save The Mary River Media Release [20/4/09]
With dams hovering close to the 60% trigger mark, another easing of water restrictions appears imminent with the Premier stating that water restrictions for Brisbane will be further eased as soon as the dams' combined total reaches 60%, and that the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam will still go ahead.
Save the Mary River Coordinating Group President Glenda Pickersgill said, " It is hard to understand how Qld Water Commissioner Elizabeth Nosworthy can consider setting a target of 230 lpd when Brisbane was using only 130 lpd a few months ago." [It is also hard to understand why she is still the Qld Water Commissioner - Ed.]
"What recent successes can Elizabeth Nosworthy demonstrate in successfully leading large infrastructure related organisations and how is she qualified to lead a critically important large organisation that can have significant impacts on the lives of so many Queenslanders?" she said.
"Why have the target so high and reverting back to old wateruse habits when the dams reach 60%? It is all about the need to get revenue to build the flawed $9.2 billion water grid of which over $2.5 billion is planned for the unreliable and expensive, proposed Traveston Crossing Dam that Premier Anna Bligh is determined to build."
Save the Mary supporters and friends will take to their kayaks on Sunday, April 26 to mark 3 years of their fight against the controversial Traveston Dam. Once again the river will come alive with colorful kayaks and canoes, travelling downstream through the area proposed for the dam wall and ending at the Traveston Crossing Bridge.
Save the Mary Spokeperson Victor Hill said the day was to celebrate the resilience of the local community and to recognise the support from individuals and groups both throughout Australia and overseas. As the "battle" entered its fourth year, Mr Hill said it was timely to remember the observation of Roberto Epple of the European Rivers Network who said that on average, it took around seven years to stop a dam.
"Greens Leader Bob Brown also advised it would be a long fight," Ms Pickersgill said, "and we're more than ready for that."
"Twelve months ago, Murray/Darling kayaker Steve Posselt was half way through his "Don't Murray the Mary" trip. Since then he's paddled several thousand letters to Peter Garrett in Sydney and has just released his book 'Cry me a River'. Steve will be back with us on the day," Ms Pickersgill said.
The flotilla will begin at 9am but Ms Pickersgill advised allowing plenty of time to get canoes in to the water. Entry point is at 1865 Mary Valley Rd (as for previous floatillas). The flotilla will reach Traveston Crossing Bridge at around 11am and live entertainment, information and food will be available there until mid-afternoon.
Rot in hell
if people smugglers
should rot in hell
then others probably
should as well
let's start with those
who start the wars
forcing the innocent
from their shores
the morally bankrupt
in ivory towers
invading for "freedom"
and fascist power
shouldn't a country
involved in a war
of imperialist aggression
know the law?
they are refugees
from Afghanistan
escaping the occupation
how they can
the immigration laws
or why the boat exploded
are not the issue
yet the rhetoric is loaded
for the front page
forget contemplation
that humanity is more
than a collection of nations
so when I hear
that hell-talk shtick
missing the point
it makes me sick
State Aid And State Neglect
From 'The Stupid Country: How Australia is Dismantling Public Education'
by Chris Bonnor and Jane Caro:
The influence of free-market ideology, combined with the incentive of funding, certainly gave private school enrolments a boost; indeed the largest increases have taken place on in the last decade or two. But other developments in Australia had already provided a fertile ground on which to build private school growth. From the early 1960s governments began giving money to church schools, but with very few conditions attached to the gift. It is worth revisiting the beginnings of this state aid to private schools to see how and why it began, why it took a form peculiar to Australia, and how we expanded it to suit the philosophy of the (corrupted) free market. It is a fascinating study of good intentions, short-term solutions, political ambition and expediency, and the final death throes of the old Protestant versus Catholic prejudices that so bedevilled Australian society until the 1960s.
By the middle of the twentieth century, this country, like many others, was struggling to cater for the post-war population growth. Public schools were jam-packed with baby-boomers (classes of 45 were common) and state governments of all persuasions were clamouring for federal government help in funding education. Catholic schools were facing a particular dilemma: numbers choosing a life in the church were dwindling and, for the first time, Catholic schools had to hire large numbers of lay teachers and pay them. This came as a particular blow because Catholic schools were, at that time, already the poor relations of the education system. Their plight was so well known that when describing someone as drunk, it was often said he was 'as full as a Catholic school'. By way of contrast, the Protestant churches, also unable to rely on religious orders to staff their schools, resorted to charging high fees. This limited the access to wealthier families, and reflected and continued the profile of Protestant (and some Catholic) schools as prestigious high-fee schools.
The 'State Aid' debate, as it became known, was placed firmly back on the agenda when the Catholic church staged a brilliant piece of brinkmanship. Fed up with a constantly changing educational environment, and with always playing catch up with public schools, the Church in 1962 closed all their schools in Goulburn NSW. They did this specifically to increase the pressure on local government schools - who were also struggling with rapidly increaing numbers and changing education demands - and so increased the political pressure on the state government.
This spectacular method of calling attention to their schools' plight certainly achieved its aim of reigniting the debate over state aid, but it also spawned a few urban myths. It is probably directly related to this dimly remembered incident 44 years ago that so many people believe government schools could not cope if private schools were closed. The argument that parents are doing public schools a favour by sending their children to private schools and so relieving the 'pressure' on public schools is another version of this same myth. While this may have been so in Goulburn at the height of the baby boom, as we have pointed out in Chapter 1, given our current falling number of school-age children and duplication of school resources, this rationalisation is no longer universally accurate.
The 1960s saw increased support among voters and political parties for state aid to private schools. After Goulburn, both federal and state governments began supporting private schools on a non-recurrent basis - the federal government via funding for specific resources and equipment, and some of the states via per-capita grants. Political changes, unique to Australia, also boosted the prospects for private school funding. The ALP had been languishing in federal opposition for 23 long years, partly caused by the split that created the socially conservative and strongly Catholic democratic Labor Party (DLP). One of the policies that helped the ALP to eventually win office in 1972 was an odd one for a supposedly social democratic party to espouse: recurrent funding to private schools. It had created heated debate within the party itself, but ALP leader Gough Whitlam could see the political advantages in offering government funding to private schools. No doubt his particular interest was in the poorer systemic Catholic schools, because he could appeal to Catholics over the heads of the DLP.
"Rising seas, melting, glaciers and entire ecosystems collapsing right before our eyes ... you, the student sitting there in econ101 class obediently imbibing neoclassical swill, YOU must stand up right NOW and tell your professor to his face that we live in nonlinear times and that his classic models and quaint theories don't mean a damn thing anymore."
Kalle Lasn, Editor, 'Adbusters' magazine.
Flashback: Nothing's Changed
After the story of Cornelia Rau's 10-month detention stirred the Australian public into thinking about refugees and the whole detention issue, the Howard Government reacted by ordering the Palmer Inquiry. The former Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Palmer, was, in the usual fashion, given restrictively narrow terms of reference. The Palmer Inquiry was only to address the direct circumstances of the Rau case rather than the state of the system as a whole.
The Government ignored community calls for the terms of reference to be widened to cover the entire immigration detention enterprise. As a result "…the Australian Council of Heads of School of Social Work (ACHSSW) undertook the People's Inquiry into Detention."
The People's Inquiry started with no money and was run by volunteers. It had hearings all over the Country and took hundreds of written and verbal submissions. 'Human Rights Over Board - Seeking Asylum In Australia' distils a lot of that evidence and overlays it against the operation of the government policies, often carried out by private contractors with Orwellian business names such as Global Solutions Limited.
Julian Burnside QC explains in the introduction:
The purpose of the People's Inquiry into Detention is to place on the public record the impact of the policies and practices that unsettled many in Australia, resulted in criticisms from human rights organizations in Australia and abroad, and, most importantly, had a devastating impact on those directly affected. The emphasis in the report is on asylum seekers, but there are other people who are held in immigration detention and the report has included some accounts of their experiences.
The inquiry received evidence from many angles including former detainees, Australian supporters, doctors, nurses, educators, former Department of Immigration officials, detention centre employees, migration agents and lawyers. The result is chillingly matter of fact and notable for its lack of hysteria or emotion. The most gruesome side of human nature needs no applied gloss.
There are six parts: The Journey into Detention reminds the reader of all those SIEV boats, the Tampa, Operation Relex, the politically engineered misuse of the Navy and the fact that Indonesia was paid to partake in the policy.
Processing of Refugee Claims details the High Court's endorsement of the Government's power to do whatever it likes as long as it is within the constitutional bounds of legality. It also looks at the effects of the uncertainty on refugees and the involvement of the Minister and the Pacific Solution.
Part 3, Detention covers all aspects of the workings of the policy including violence, deaths, physical conditions, Government inaction, advocacy and costs. For the hard-headed 'realist' advocates of detention, the 'costs' section should be a BBQ stopper. Money was apparently no object with hundreds of millions of dollars spent for a handful of detainees and on lawyers to fight against their claims. The Pacific Solution alone cost over $1 billion.
Part 4, Life After Detention, drives home the fact that these are real humans and that these policies have terrible real and lasting effects. Part 5 covers the Post Cornelia Changes and shows that, belatedly and only half-heartedly, the Howard government made some improvements from 2006. This part covers the election of the new government but, sadly, proves that virtually nothing has really changed, "It's a matter of profound concern that the government appears to be replacing the Pacific Solution with the Indian Ocean Solution" according to a refugee lawyer in 2008, referring to the expensive new prison on Christmas Island.
The final part, A Fresh Start, is a succinct five pages prescribing what needs to be done. In summary: removing racism from the system, restoring human rights and reinstating accountability. It all seems so simple and logical and yet this reader, after nearly 400 pages of inhumanity, doubts that Australians care enough to demand that it happen.
None of this stuff was really secret or hard to inform oneself about during those years. It just seems that most Australians are comfortable with these 'others' being treated as described in this book. In one sorry tale a visitor describes how one detainee was particularly fond of boiled eggs but "[a]n officer took this boiled egg and held it above the rubbish bin and said 'You beg me for this.' He wouldn't and the officer just threw the boiled egg in the bin." That is one of the more trivial examples, there are many far worse peppered throughout the report. There are many stories of cruelty and a few of kindness, but what haunts the reader is the pervasiveness of a mean spirit unfamiliar a few decades ago.
A senior officer on 'the Tobruk' said: "I thought, Jesus, I thought we were Australians, I thought we were a great, bloody good country. On board they don't like to use the word 'prisoners' but they are. At Ashmore Reef it hit me, shit we're going like South Africa."
The cold-hearted and nonsensical brutality comes from all quarters from as high as the Prime Minister and other members of his Government, through to Departmental officers at all levels, down to the operational staff in the privately run centres. It becomes quickly obvious that this is no 'few bad apples' but an institutionalised type of bastardry from top to bottom. The 'fair go', as anything other than a catchy slogan, really is dead and buried in this country with such a minority percentage of exceptions as to be beyond resurrection.
Anyone who cared in the slightest about what was going on in those detention centres at the time will still find the details in this book chilling. Unfortunately, many people who would find this book an 'eye-opener' will never read it (or, worse, will skim parts of it and dismiss it as implausible and 'biased') because they are unable to face the real-world consequences of tough sounding policies. I believe that Australians would do well to read it, think about it and talk about it.
Unfortunately, I also believe that far too few will.
Government Launches $100 Million Global Fart Capture And Storage Unit
The Head of the Global Fart Capture And Storage Unit: Our man in New York
The Government has launched the $100 million Global Fart Capture And Storage Unit which will save the world from farts.
In conjunction with research efforts undertaken by the Ponds Institute, the Global Fart Capture and Storage Unit will capture and store every sort of fart, from silent but deadly to the arse blaster.
Despite criticism from greenies, environmentalists, hairy hippies, ne'er do wells and pesky scientists that the so-called "clean farts" technology doesn't work, the unit held its first meeting in Canberra today.
"We eat lentils, bean sprouts, tofu, so we should know how impossible it is to contain farts," said one greenie.
But the Minister for Uranium said the economy depended upon the community maintaining a high fibre diet.
"We have put all our eggs in the one basket," he said.
"And those rotten egg farts are the worst - so we must do something."
Taxpayers Breathe A Sigh Of Relief At Stink
Blighty: "There may be argy bargy, but don't you worry about that"
Taxpayers are breathing sighs of relief all over town as the Chief Blighty has given assurances that the Airport Stink project will go ahead even though it's as crooked as buggery.
"There may be argy bargy, but don't you worry about that," said the Chief.
This project is on schedule, has employed 1,000s of workers in jobs jobs jobs, and will deliver the promised congestion on our roads.
The people of Queensland were observed all around Brisbane breathing sighs of relief.
"Phew! Airport Stink is such important infrastructure - I'm so glad it's going ahead as scheduled - especially given that it's a PPP," said one Taxpayer.
Why Must The Citizens Of Brisbane Sign A Petition
To Save Their City Hall?
Did you know there is a petition you can sign to save City Hall? It's in the foyer near the marble staircase on a table surrounded by historical photos.
How outrageous to have to sign a petition to save what is probably the only historical building left in Brisbane's CBD!
And as for donating money for the restoration - get f*cked!
The Gecko
the tap of a stiletto
an echo of a gecko
the cat peers at the ceiling
my senses they are reeling
where are the fancy whitegoods?
our fisher and paykel
the Westinghouse and breadmaker
devoid of crusty toasty smell
you've left me with a heartache
plus an empty house
there's nothing left to see here
just one frolicking mouse
8.15 am Mt Gravatt On The M1 Heading North[14/4/09]
A holiday reprieve from the usual bumper to bumper at this time on a weekday
From 'A Very Public Solution: Transport in the Dispersed City' by Paul Mees [Chapter one: The Car-Dominated City and Its Discontents]:
"The congestion issue is further complicated by what has come to be called the 'Downs-Thomson paradox', named after the two transport economists who first expounded the idea. While the calculation of congestion costs in the Victorian study referred to earlier [The Victorian Transport Externalities Study EPA 1994] 'does not include possible changes in the distribution of trips, the mode of travel, or the change in routing that might occur if such a theoretical situation 'that is, not congestion' might occur', Downs and Thomson argue that changes of this kind must be considered. Anthony Downs proposed in 1962 a 'law of highway congestion' which argues that providing increased road capacity is a partially self-defeating solution, because it encourages 'triple convergence' in the form of transfers from public transport, shifts from off-peak to peak periods and shifts from unimproved to improved roads. Downs omits completely new trips that would not have been made at all, but these should also be included.
The elementary economic principle that reductions in the cost of a commodity (travel time) will increase demand for it has, however, been strenuously resisted by generations of road planners in countries like Australia and the United States. In Britain, the commonsense view finally prevailed in the 1994 report Trunk Roads and the Generation of Traffic by the Department of Transport's official advisory body, the Standing Adviory Committe on Trunk Road Assessment (SACTRA, 1994): 'Is Induced traffic a real phenomenon?...our answer is "yes". Any other response defies credibility'. Induced traffic arises from transfers from public transport, walking and cycling; the undertaking of more, or longer, trips in response to shorter travel times; and long-term increases in traffic due to land-use changes brought about by new roads (such as drive-in shopping malls, described in Britain as 'out of town' centres). Induced traffic was likely to be most important in congested situations, the Committee concluded, particularly in the case of new roads in urban areas.
New roads in urban areas will not reduce traffic congestion proportionately to the increase in road space, and may not reduce congestion at all, because the additional traffic they unleash will partly or even wholly cancel out the benefits gained. When road improvements compete with public transport the effect can be still more perverse, as Thomson argues in a development of Downs' law of highway congestion. While the attractiveness of car travel decreases as the number of travellers increases, due to increased congestion and difficulties with parking, the situation is the reverse for public transport."
Sunset Cable Beach, WA [13/4/09]
Thanks to one of our readers who's enjoying her holiday in the land of the Shadow Minister for eyepopping pearl jewellery, and the Minister for wearing no weekend tie!
Government Announces Exciting New Public Transport Initiative
Potential commuters will be beamed into outer space via the L.O.S.E.R. teleporter
The Chief Blighty has announced a $4 million public transport initiative that is set to revolutionize travel throughout South East Queensland.
The new wireless network - Laissez faire Oriented System to Eradicate Rail commuters (L.O.S.E.R.) - involves the teleporting of passengers from railway stations into outer space, where they will stay until they promise to buy a car.
"Security cameras will relay images of any potential rail commuters waiting at South East Queensland train stations allowing law enforcers to respond immediately," the Chief Blighty said.
"Saying things like 'going out to the market' means we have no intention of following up on this exciting project, but it makes for a good distraction."
The empty trains will be rented out for corporate functions, and rail commuters who can prove they have a car will be able to travel to and from Suncorp Stadium - as long as they have a laptop and sign a declaration that they will only access uncensored websites.
Call for Australia's Political Leaders To Condemn Pell's Anti-Condom Stance: Greens Media Release [11/4/09]
The Greens MP and health spokesperson has said that Cardinal George Pell's criticism of the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS puts lives at risk. Ms Rhiannon has called on Premier Nathan Rees and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to publicly distance their governments from the Cardinal's comments.
"When Pope Benedict XVI made a similar outlandish statement about condoms last month, European political leaders were quick to condemn his action," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Australian political leaders should speak out against the Cardinal's statement on AIDS and condoms. Coming from a man of authority his comments compromise the work of those committed to preventing loss of life from AIDS and endanger public health.
"In Spain, a traditionally Catholic country, the government responded by donating one million condoms to Africa, to emphasise its opposition to the Pope's statement.
"Australia's AusAID program should take similar action. This would be a most effective way to rebuff the Cardinal's dangerous comments.
"As well as Spain the governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal rejected the Pope's comments.The United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has also voiced its concerns.
"Australian religious leaders have not publicly supported Cardinal Pell's comments.
"When the Pope was in Cameroon, referring to the distribution of condoms in the fight against AIDS, he went so far as to state that 'on the contrary, it increases the problem'.
"Cameroon's AIDS infection rate is 5.5 per cent. Australia's is 0.1 per cent thanks to courageous health professionals who won government support for programs involving the distribution of condoms and clean syringes.
"Australian political leaders need to speak out against Cardinal Pell's position on condoms and AIDS.
"It appears that Cardinal Pell may be the highest profile Catholic to publicly back the widely condemned comments of Pope Benedict.
"The Cardinal's comments would please the Catholic hierarchy and may assist a Vatican promotion that Cardinal Pell is rumoured to be seeking.
"The Greens condemn a policy that puts human lives at risk," Ms
Rhiannon said.
Sack The Media Advisers
wheelin' down George Street
in your stinkin' yank tank
but what about the rest of us?
can we just be frank?
if you build a football stadium
how do you propose?
that we are going to get there
click our heels and touch our nose?
no more glorification
of corporatized sport
no more tunnels and roads
and coal exporting ports
the nurses and the teachers
would like some decent pay
at least let the oldies travel for free
on any given day
your jobs jobs jobs
was only ever spin
we want our democracy back
and you've tossed it in the bin
is it too much to ask
for some political representation
we don't give a flying f*ck
about the separation
sack the media advisers
perhaps you hadn't heard
it's time for you to govern
and give Bowen Hills the bird
"There is a solution that would put a stop to the jams, clean up the air, massively reduce the human carnage, and probably without even having to restrict anyone's car ownership. The solution is good public transport. But it would have to be public transport so good that most people would not dream of using their cars for mundane things like going to work. There would have to be tubes every minute and buses everywhere. Clean transport, safe transport with nice conductors and no chewing gum on the seats. It would have to be free if necessary, and the money saved by unchaining the cities would pay for it in no time."
From: Ben Elton's 'Gridlock'.
A Rural Autopsy
From 'Stuffed and Starved: Markets, Power and the Hidden Battle for the World's Food System' by Raj Patel:
"On 10 September 2003 at the World Trade Organization Ministerial meeting in Cancun, Lee Kyung Hae, a Korean farmer and peasant organizer, climbed a fence near the barricades behind which the trade meetings were happening. He flipped open his red penknife, shouted 'the WTO kills farmers' and stabbed himself high in his chest. He died within hours. Within days, from Bangladesh, to Chile, to South Africa, to Mexica, tens of thousands of peasants mourned and marched in solidarity, peppering their own calls for national support for agriculture with the chant: 'Todos Somos Lee' ('We Are Lee').
Lee's was an activist life. In 1987, he was a leader in the founding of the Korean Advanced Agriculture association. His Seoul Farm, in Jangsu, South Korea was built on unforgiving country, not the sort of land on which Lee's neighbours thought he'd be able to realize his modest cattle-farming ambitions. Lee went to agricultural college, where he met his wife, and then returned to start farming. He installed a mini cable-car to pull hay up the hill in winter. He started a trend in electric fencing. He poured himself into the land, and into farming. Seoul Farm became a training college, and, in 1988, the United Nations recognized him with an award for rural leadership. It might have ended happily ever after. Except that the Korean government decided to lift restrictions on the import of Australian beef. The Australian government has been a strong supporter of the cattle export industry - Australia is the largest beef exporter in the world - and the concession to increase sales to Korea was a victory not only for Australian corporations like Stanbroke and AustAg, but for the large distribution companies like Cargill Australia and Nippon Meat Packers, owned by US and Japanese interestes respectively.
The Korean government knew that the price for cattle would fall with the entry of the cheap Australian beef and so encouraged Korean farmers to make ends meet by upping the size of their herds, the extra cattle being paid for the loans. Following government advice, this is what the Lees did. But the price of beef stayed low and flat, and in order to pay off the interest on the loans, they had to sell cattle. Even shrinking their herd by a few head per month, using the cash to pay the loans, the Lees were unable to keep their land. In the end, Lee Kyung Hae lost his farm. It was the first time that anyone had seen him cry. His family found him in a cinema, in tears, ashamed to be seen in his grief."
Shears Didn't Go Click At Tree Of Knowledge: Historians
One-eyed journalism: There can be no doubt who is in charge at The Lodge
New research has revealed that the Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine was an elaborate hoax and never existed at all.
Historians Mr and Mrs Barkhut, say the Tree of Knowledge is Queensland's biggest fraud evah.
"It was a figment of everyone's imagination," said Mr Barkhut.
"But the legend behind it still historically significant, especially when you consider the dollars which have been spent on our research, and the publicity surrounding our soon to be released book - 'Rupert And Friends Want To Make It Absolutely Clear There Were No Places For Koalas to Live in Barcaldine'," said Mrs Barkhut.
Co-incidentally, a $5 million monument to the Tree of Knowledge, is to be unveiled next month, while the fact that the fairy tale tree was poisoned a couple of years ago has disappeared down the Bowen Hills memory hole.
Mr and Mrs Barkhut contend that many "true believers" might be disappointed by their research findings, but that history was always written by the victors so they could go and get f*cked.
"It is true that many shearers spilt their seed, but they also knew how to spin a yarn. Oh ha ha ha hahaha bbaaa baa baaa baaaaaaaa," said Mr Barkhut.
"What we do know, however, is that while not all Labor Party Prime Ministers care about workers' rights, they all have one thing in common, and that is cats and an unhealthy relationship with News Ltd. hacks."
According to the now discredited historical writing on the the subject, the Tree of Knowledge was planted by Queen Victoria on one of her many visits to the colonies, as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the wonder and beauty of empire.
Reportedly, she was very fond of Barcaldine, and hosted dance parties featuring various hip hop artists on moonlit evenings.
Philippines: More Legal Harassment Of Labour Activists:
Clean Clothes Campaign Media Release [9/4/09]
Authorities in the Philippines are abusing their legal system as a means to repress workers' rights. A new court case against 33 labour-rights activists and factory workers is politically motivated and aimed at suppressing labour rights in the country.
The workers, most of whom are women, are officials and members of three labour unions active in garment industries in the province of Cavite, just South of the capital Manila. They organised a strike in their factories in September 2006 to protest against the factories' refusal to negotiate for a collective bargaining agreement with the unions. Two days after their initiation, the peaceful strikes were violently dispersed by local police forces and agents of a private security company, who attacked the strikers with clubs and other crude weapons, injuring dozens of the workers.
Despite continued violence, the strikers persisted for another ten months before a group of uniformed and masked men with fire-arms entered the heavily-guarded factory compounds and threatened some of the strikers at gunpoint with death.
Following the violence, both unions issued criminal charges against the police and the security guards. Around the same time, the police also filed criminal charges against the 33 activists, accusing them of violence on the same occasion. Although the case against the police is still being investigated by the prosecutor of Cavite province, the same authority last week issued arrest warrants against the unionized workers.
The arrest warrants come at a time that the Filipino justice system seems to be increasingly used by authorities as an instrument to suppress dissent. The international community is currently putting pressure on the government to act against the large amount of extra-judicial killings of political dissidents. The authorities, especially elements from the military and the police force, are widely seen as being behind these killings.
It seems that the authorities have now changed tactics, and are starting to use the judicial system to stifle dissent, like they also do in a similar case of labour-rights activist and lawyer Remigio Saladero Jr., who currently faces arrest over a murder charge that is widely seen as trumped up by the authorities.
Truth-Telling
From 'Limits to Growth (The 30-Year Update)' by Donella Meadows, Jorgen Randers and Dennis Meadows (Chapter 8: Tools for the Transition to Sustainability'):
"We are not more certain of the truth than anyone is. But we often know an untruth when we hear one. Many untruths are deliberate, understood as such by both speaker and listeners. They are put forth to manipulate, lull, or entice, to postpone action, to justify self-serving action, to gain or pre-serve power, or to deny an uncomfortable reality.
Lies distort the information stream. A system cannot function well if its information streams are corrupted by lies. One of the most important tenets of systems theory, for reasons we hope we have made clear in this book, is that information should not be distorted, delayed, or sequestered.
"All of humanity is in peril," said Buckminster Fuller, "if each one of us does not dare, now and henceforth, always to tell only the truth and all the truth, and to do so promptly--right now." Whenever you speak to anyone, on the street, at work, to a crowd, and especially to a child, you can endeavor to counter a lie or affirm a truth. You can deny the idea the having more things makes one a better person. You can question the notion that more for the rich will help the poor. The more you can counter misinformation, the more manageable our society will become.
Here are some common biases and simplifications, verbal traps, and popular untruths that we run into frequently in discussing limits to growth. We think they need to be pointed out and avoided, if there is ever to be clear thinking about the human economy and its relationship to a finite Earth.
Not: A warning about the future is a prediction of doom.
But: A warning about the future is a recommendation to follow a different path.
Not: The environment is a luxury or a competing demand or a commodity that people will buy when they can afford it.
But: The environment is the source of all life and every economy. Opinion polls typically show that the public is willing to pay more for a healthy environment.
Not: Change is sacrifice, and it should be avoided.
But: Change is challenge, and it is necessary.
Not: Stopping growth will lock the poor in their poverty.
But: It is the avarice and indifference of the rich that lock the poor into poverty. The poor need new attitudes among the rich; then there will be growth specifically geared to serve their needs.
Not: Everyone should be brought up to the material level of the richest countries.
But: There is no possibility of raising material consumption levels for everyone to the levels now enjoyed by the rich. Everyone should have their fundamental material needs satisfied. Material needs beyond this level should be satisfied only if it is possible, for all, within a sustainable ecological footprint.
Not: All growth is good, without question, discrimination, or investigation.
Nor: All growth is bad.
But: What is needed is not growth, but development. Insofar as development requires physical expansion, it should be equitable, affordable, and sustainable, with all real costs counted.
Not: Technology will solve all problems.
Nor: Technology does nothing but cause problems.
But: We need to encourage technologies that will reduce the ecological footprint, increase efficiency, enhance resources, improve signals, and end material deprivation.
And: We must approach our problems as human beings and bring more to bear on them than just technology.
Not: The market system will automatically bring us the future we want.
But: We must decide for ourselves what future we want. Then we can use the market system, along with many other organizational devices, to achieve it.
Not: Industry is the cause of all problems, or the cure.
Nor: Government is the cause or the cure.
Nor: Environmentalists are the cause or the cure.
Nor: Any other group [economists come to mind] is the cause for the cure.
But: All people and institutions play their role within the large system structure. In a system that is structured for overshoot, all players deliberately or inadvertently contribute to that overshoot. In a system that is structured for sustainability, industries, governments, environmentalists, and most especially economists will play essential roles in contributing to sustainability.
Not: Unrelieved pessimism.
Nor: Sappy optimism.
But: The resolve to tell the truth about both the successes and failures of the present and the potentials and obstacles in the future.
And above all: The courage to admit and bear the pain of the present, while keeping a steady eye on a vision of a better future.
Not: The World3 model [a computer model created and used by the authors], or any other model, is right or wrong.
But: All models, including the ones in our heads, are a little right, much too simple, and mostly wrong. How do we proceed in such a way as to test our models and learn where they are right and wrong? How do we speak to each other as fellow modelers with an appropriate mixture of skepticism and respect? How do we stop playing right-wrong games with each other and start designing right-wrong tests for our models against the real world?
"…I asked if he had seen the great
jets fly across the sky He said
he'd seen the smallest bird
learnin' how to fly have you
seen the bridges stretched
across the bays I've seen the
smallest fish dyin' in the haze
Have you seen the massive
buildings reach towards the
sun I've seen the fields of
barreness from the work that
man has done What about the
dams and weirs that feed the
countryside I've seen the
brownness of the grass when
the dams and weirs run dry…"from 'Simple Ben' by john j. francis
Cry Me A River: Save The Mary River Media Release [9/4/09]
As the Murray River inflows slow to a trickle, algal blooms, caused by warm temperatures and lack of fresh inflows, are threatening what reserves of water remain.
With this dilemma facing communities in the region, it is timely that Steve Posselt's new book 'Cry Me A River' was launched yesterday at Brisbane City Hall.
'Cry Me A River' is one man's journey down the Murray Darling with a kayak on wheels is a civil engineer's story of how our rivers are dying.
The Brisbane's Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman was there to congradulate Steve at the book launch.
"To do this to our rivers is a disgrace," he said to the audience.
Meanwhile, Steve Posselt is challenged by the silence of many water professionals in Queensland over the controversial damming of the Mary River. Ending with a serious message to the Brisbane audience he said: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter."
Glenda Pickersgill, President of the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group who was also at the book launch said, "We urge the Bligh Government to listen to the communities from Caboolture to Rockhampton who recently voted in candidates that were against the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam."
"We need to have certainty in our lives, the long overdue Coordinator General's report on the proposal needs to go to the Federal Government for a decision so it can be stopped now and taxpayers money be spent on more reliable, sustainable solutions for south east Queensland's water supply," she said.
Some Greens Media Releases That Will Probably Never See The Light Of Day
Greens call for conduct roundtable across sporting codes [9/4/09]
Greens spokesperson for Sport and the Status of Women, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is calling for a roundtable meeting of representatives from all sporting codes to determine a universal code of conduct and educational programs to promote more positive behaviours and attitudes.
Recent days and weeks have seen a number of incidents where players from various sporting codes have disgraced themselves and their clubs with misconduct, which have included violence or aggression towards women.
"The Greens are recommending a roundtable meeting of representatives - from commissioners to captains - from all sporting codes to discuss auniversal code of conduct in professional sport," said Senator Hanson-Young.
"This code of conduct would be built around universal behavioural benchmarks and appropriate sanctions for breaches.
"We must remember that, especially in this sport-loving nation, sportspeople hold a high, role model status - and their behaviour should reflect this."
Senator Hanson-Young said education and training should also be discussed at the Greens' proposed roundtable meeting.
"It's clear from incidents that have occurred even in just the last week that better awareness raising and training is needed among our elite sportspeople," she said.
"In particular, healthy, respectful attitudes towards women need to be talked about by those at the top of their respective games to take backto the clubs."
Senator Hanson-Young said a universal code of conduct across sporting codes was needed as the courses of actions following unacceptable behaviours currently vary from code to code, and even from club to clubwithin a code.
"A universal code of conduct is needed to move forward from the lows that some sporting identities have reached this week," she said.
"While some clubs have acted swiftly and appropriately, a dismissive approach to a serious incident can normalise and reinforce unacceptable behaviours within the code and the community.
"The Greens call on the Rudd Government to facilitate this important discussion as a matter of national importance."
Australia must respect legal right to seek asylum [8/4/09]:
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has issued a reminder that it is not illegal to seek asylum, and has urged the Federal Government to treat asylum seekers humanely and with compassion by processing any claims on the Australian mainland.
Three boats carrying suspected asylum seekers have arrived on or have been taken to Christmas Island in the past week.
"It is not illegal to seek asylum in Australia," said Senator Hanson-Young.
"Any talk of 'illegal immigrants' arriving in our waters is inappropriate.
"Instability and deteriorating conditions in countries such as Iraq,Afghanistan and Sri Lanka mean that more asylum seekers are seeking assistance and protection from countries like Australia."
Senator Hanson-Young urged the Federal Government and its Immigration Department to follow through with its rhetoric of a more humane, compassionate approach.
"Immigration Minister Chris Evans must lead the charge in enshrining the Rudd Government's immigration principles in law, by introducing legislation to this effect."
The Greens also call on Minister Evans to close the Christmas Island detention facilities, and bring all asylum seekers to the Australian mainland to have their health and identity checks carried out and claims processed.
"We currently have a two-tiered system for asylum seekers, where those who arrive by boat suffer from an 'out-of-sight, out-of-mind' treatment by the Australian authorities.
"There should be no distinction between those who arrive by boat, andthose who seek Australia's assistance from offshore.
Green Flea Market
every Saturday morning
down on Riverside Drive
people gather from all around
and West End comes alive
it's called the Green Flea market
and is loved by the community
but not by those at City Hall
who just cannot let it be
co-opting and destroying
things that they don't understand
pretending that they give a sh*t
with their neighbourhood plan
in early 2007
the fences and some signs
went up around the fig trees
so we knew it'd soon be time
for a community consultation
while behind closed doors
council planning officers
were saying if you're poor
in a few years time
you won't be able to live
in the suburb of West End
'cos something's gotta give
but this saga has a history
beyond phellinus noxius
a perpetual trust at Souths leagues club
100 years for all of us
it's more than just a change of tender
consider revenge that's ideological
the hate goes back to the primitif
involving characters diabolical
so Brisbane says goodbye again
to another cherished place
squashed, crushed and sanitised
no wonder Augusten Burrowes called us vapid!
Commonwealth Unveils New Nationalised Communications Breakthrough
Australians to get plugged by the world economy with TELEtubbie
The government has made a surprise announcement regarding the future of telecommunications in Australia.
The Prime Kevin said today the creation of a new entity, known as TELEtubbie, would create jobs jobs jobs, increase productivity, boost economic growth, outcomes, and be as historically significant as the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme and the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. These fine examples - both well known as public private partnerships - were completed early and well within budget.
"The previous government's decision to privatise Telsta was a very bad idea, but nationalising telecommunications is not an option when you are an economic conservative and not a neoconservative. Applying free market principles is certainly not what an neoconservative would do, especially as Australia looks forward to being plugged by the world economy," he said.
TELEtubbie will involve a small number of companies squeezing out the last vestiges of taxpayer money, under the guise of a nation building infrastructure project. The TELE is the government part of the project which will get screwed, while the tubbie stands for the the companies who will cream off all the profits.
Senator Censorship said that the private sector was uppermost in his thoughts on considering the provision of a vital public service such as TELEtubbie.
"They also spring to mind when I'm thinking about internet censorship," he said.
While the Minister for Sailing Down The Swanee River said that the commercial terms will create a lot of interest from investors, even though a spokesperson from the stockmarket said he couldn't work out how TELEtubbie could possibly generate a return.
At a time when much of the world considers that privatization and public private partnerships are thievery of the public purse, Australia is definitely on the right track. Going forward.
In terms of the future, Australians look forward to TELEtubbie offering them a range of exciting, technologically advanced fibre up your nose megabitch wireless telecommunications options to purchase going forward
New Sex Education Website Fury, Shock, Outrage! Parents Shocked And Outraged Over Sex Education Website
Apparently, a sex education website endorsed by Education Queensland tells primary school students that abortion can be "a relief" and hormones make you "feel sexy".
We know this because:
"Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations"
"Australian Family Association Queensland"
"Cherish Life Queensland"
"The News Paper"
Told us it IS necessarily so. However, Ms Lesley Bean, from the "We Hate Family Values" collective, has exclusively told us that she believes abortion really can be a relief and that hormones really do make you feel sexy. Ms Les Bean wondered why she hasn't been given a huge amount of government funding to peddle her crazy views, but we had a limo to catch so we couldn't dwell on this point with her.
"Lordy!"
Views From Home
From Roger McDonald's book '1915' [which won the "Age Book of the Year" in 1979]:
"After the unceasing din of battle the silence of the armistice seemed to whisper. It was like being in a cave, only a cave with a painted roof where clouds hung motionless over modelled gullies and a plaster beach. The faces of men as they climbed to vantage points and dumbly stared gave the impression that this inexplicably intact landscape was no illusion, but that everything that had passed before had been. Only an hour or two ago the horizon had hovered just above a man's scalp and to gaze at it however briefly had meant death. The enemy appeared to feel the same - that bewhiskered peasant working without bitterness alongside the stringy invader of his motherland.
But the world they now saw was not the one they had stepped from brief weeks before. On finding themselves free for the first time to take a good look round they felt uneasy. Untroubled haze and immense glassy vistas - what world was it? They wore the uniform of custodians, and by forthright exercise of responsibility had won the right to a vision - but when it came it was a vision of a world that ignored their presence. Heartbreak and sacrifice revealed nothing but the beauty disdainful of effort.
From ruptured earth clambered Turkish officers in pale blue uniforms who raised braided arms to direct their burial parties or salute Australian counterparts. At intervals they too gazed acroos unruffled water to the islands of Imbros and distant Samothrace. Hitherto sunken horizons had been cranked up to show vistas undreamt of in a night where morality had one outcome only - a result so vile and narrow with its bloated and decomposing judgments that surely it would not be permitted to recur. Among stripped and shattered twigs lay a torn face, a knee, a haversack wath tatters of canvas streaming oddly out, as if in a stiff breeze. Bushes sparkled from an early shower, and a bird flew up demanding that the eye return to locate another, such ordinary events being miracles."
Shock! Fury! Outrage!: Chick Lit Found In Runaway Baby Bay Bag
An innocent Gold Coast baby... saved from chick lit depravity
Thank goodness Gold Coast babies can't read, because if they could, their innocence would be obliterated by the chick lit included in a show bag that Gold Coast mums received at the "Yummy Mummy Expo" over the weekend.
At the 'Spring Hill Voice', we wasted no time at all getting down and dirty at the expo to uncover that the opening pages of the book - "Cut Down To Size By The Patriarchy" - contains the following explicit scene of a pathetic, old newspaper proprietor jerkin his gerkin:
"He sat in his New York office overlooking the Hudson River, twinkling his wrinkly old winkle and pondering his role in reinforcing inequity and the general hopelessness of western society.
"I am partly to blame for the mess the world is in today," he thought.
But his cashew remained shrivelled...
One mum said she was shocked at discovering the book in her show bag, but that the hypocrisy was astonishing.
"Billboards and advertising which objectifies women is everywhere, but Yummy Mummy showbags should not contain chick lit," she said.
"Even chick lit that only vaguely pokes fun at the patriarchy."
The "Yummy Mummy Expo" organiser acknowledged that she had probably forgotten to organise any publicity for her event with the only paper in town.
"I am not a reader, but that's OK because the "journalist" writing this story can't even spell fazed," she said.
In related news, Antartica is melting, species are becoming extinct, you may lose your job this week and the world is on the verge of nuclear catastrophe, but some breakfast cereals have so much sugar, you'd be better off eating a donut.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Did you have any idea that some breakfast cereals had so much sugar?
Is There A Scientific Report Which Claims That Developing An Artificial Mangrove Habitat On The Broadwater Is A Good Idea?
Big Surf At Burleigh [5/4/09]
Nibbling At The Full Spectrum Dominance
The hamburger is the single most concentrated, or should that be congealed, symbol of the entire complex that is America. (173)
America is not just a place, it is an omnipresent ideology that circulates throughout the world's consciousness empowered by military might, free market capitalism and Christian fundamentalism. (Check out Jeff Sharlett's 'The Family: Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power'). America is the driving force that structures the western way of life and seeks to dominate and exploit the peoples of the world, yet Americans (and their allies) are by and large wilfully ignorant of the havoc being wrought in their name.
Ziauddin Sardar and Merryl Wyn Davies' zippy yarn 'Will America Change?', is a concise analysis of the historical origins of America's inflated opinion of itself and how this is culturally sustained through a paradigm of propaganda and self-affirmation. The book de-mystifies the myths of freedom, democracy and the American dream by revisiting historical events, which have long disappeared down the memory hole, and by taking a close look at the implications of US foreign policy.
The authors piece together fragments of facts and grabs of reality, which over the centuries have been misrepresented or studiously ignored by the mainstream media, politicians and Hollywood. For example, the conflicts in the Middle East, which are presented to westerners as complicated, and possibly unresolvable have their roots in colonialism:
The modern map of the Middle East is a contrivance manufactured from two projects for future nation-building devised by imperial powers: the Sykes-Picot agreement and the Balfour Declaration. (39)
The authors also deconstruct stereotypes, and the clash of civilizations rhetoric, which is currently being bandied about by so called Middle East experts and academics from various international think tanks, as well as in the mainstream media and on television shows whose stories and commentary are quite clearly priming us for the next military conflict:
The political analogy for the Taliban is the Nazis, and the people of Afghanistan are the Jews in the concentration camps. Opposing the Nazis was a good thing, so by analogy, a war against the Taliban must be equally justified. Once the reductive argument about the nature of Islam is accepted, there is neither basis nor need to investigate the origins of a movement such as the Taliban. (19)
If you're a Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein or Michael Moore fan, you'll enjoy 'Will America Change?' for its succinct and consolidated exploration of empire. It's also worth a look if you're not into that kind of writing/cultural commentary, but you'd like to know why you feel resentful that there is yet another McDonalds opening in your area, why you can't buy tinned Australian tuna in this country anymore, or think your head might explode if you have to sit through another American movie:
The open door of 'free trade' in the cultural sphere swings just one way; it projects power and influence outward but springs back to deter and deflect 'foreign' access. Try getting an Iranian film or a Chinese television series released in the US. Even the best British, Canadian and Australian films - which share the same language and much of the same cultural history - hardly ever play in more than a few art-house cinemas Stateside....This, while the rest of the world is suffocating under the weight of American cultural products, Americans themselves are insulated from non-American cultures. (217)
The authors also argue that the media giants are partly to blame for fostering a sense of entitlement and "knowledgeable ignorance" which should ring true to anyone following the Carrara/Islamic school saga in the Murdoch press:
On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, CBS News examined public attitudes in the wake of the failure to find WMD, an increasingly violent insurgency, and growing suspicion that the war might be unwinnable. They interviewed mothers whose sons had been killed while serving with the American forces in Iraq. One mother felt the war was a mistake. Another, from Essex County in California, argued that the war had been essential: 'If we hadn't gone to war I'd be wearing a burka by now', she asserted. This was something more than a mother seeking some desperate consolation for the loss of a child. This was an authentic voice of the coalescing of strategic and cultural rationales for the war on terror, a wholehearted belief in the concept of an apocalyptic battle with a global, civilisational enemy bent on the destruction of the American way of life that has to be opposed everywhere by any means necessary. (71-2)
This book unravels the spin of hyper-imperialism, but it doesn't offer an antidote to this parasitic way of life. And so whether or not America will change depends on you. As a citizen of Australia - you are part of the American dream - a conquered outpost whose majority of citizens are blinkered to change because their income and way of life are inextricably entwined in the system - if only on the periphery.
For most of the world's citizens, it's more than just antipathy toward the homogenizing cultural influence of America as reflected in David Bowie's I'm Afraid of Americans. It's the tangible fear of military violence and/or the obliteration of their way of life:
Almost every concern of the world, from the risks and safety of GMOs to climate change and biodiversity, from the protection of indigenous knowledge and resources to the reform of undemocratic and authoritarian global institutions like the WTO and IMF, to global justice and fair trade, is reduced by the US to a question of 'free trade' - meaning America should be free to do as it desires. (195-6)
President Obama may have said, "Yes we can" during his inauguration
speech, but was he really referring to change? He's beyond the honeymoon phase
now and I'm not seeing any evidence that Americans are beginning to acknowledge
and understand why they are so universally reviled.
Bikies Infiltrate PM's Residence
One of the Bikies who infiltrated The Lodge
Concerns have been raised on the "Barry and Friends News Ltd. Hour" today that bikies in disguise have managed to access The Lodge.
The bikies were dressed as construction workers and spent an unsupervised hour inside The Lodge dancing and singing a number of disco classics including: 'Y.M.C.A.', 'Macho Man', 'Go West' and 'Sex Over The Phone'.
The Bikies were disguised as construction workers
Appearing on the "Barry and Friends News Ltd. Hour", the Deputy Opposition Julie said the security breach allegations were very serious.
"I don't necessarily care about the safety of the PM and his family, but it's very important to please Rupert, whatever his motives may be," she said.
The "Barry and Friends News Ltd. Hour"... making the ludicrous appear valid.
Socialise the Losses, Privatise The Profits: Ker-ching!!!!
Paradoxically, as markets are given more freedom by governments, the more often they are coming to depend on government to save them in a crisis. (44)
There can be no doubt the west remains in the thrall of so-called free market philosophy. Although the excesses of neoliberalism have caused the world economy to crash, governments refuse to implement sensible measures to cope with the societal fallout. Socialism, protectionism and regulation are dirty words to the zealots who are still pushing the economic growth and consumption mantra.
Politicians in the major political parties may pay lip service to denouncing the evils of neoliberalism, yet they have abandoned any idea of allocating resources for the provision of an adequate safety net and social services. Instead, the citizens get stimulus payments and their taxes go toward bailing out companies that just can't be allowed to fail.
'In Government We Trust: Market Failure And The Delusions of Privatisation' looks at one aspect of the prevailing free market evangelism of the past few decades - that of privatisation. The authors - Warwick Funnell, Robert Jupe and Jane Andrew - have studied the privatisation of various public entities throughout the western world and maintain that for the most part, privatisation has cost countless taxpayer dollars, accountability and sometimes lives.
Part one of the book looks at beliefs, philosophies and theories surrounding
privatisation. The authors draw on the writing of contemporary and nineteenth
century philosophers and economists such as Adam Smith, Hayek, Keynes, Friedman,
John Stuart Mill, Locke, Galbraith and Monbiot to explain what privatisation
is and how and why the notion of privatisation has evolved. Part two reveals
that far from being in the public interest, the reality of privatisation - as
it has been applied in various instances around the world - leaves a lot to
be desired.
To place the flurry of privatisations over the past few decades in context,
the authors present the historical background of the rise of the modern state
and industrialisation in the early nineteenth century. Interestingly, the democratic
traditions and laws we take for granted today (and which are slowly being eroded),
were formed in the response to poor standards of living and inequity. As we
plunge into the worst financial crisis since the great depression, our elected
representatives might want to bear in mind that benevolence, in the form of
social infrastructure, often emerges in the face of self interest:
As the new class of capitalists began to supplant the aristocracy, who normally had a strong sense of obligation for the welfare of their tenants, and to deny the bulk of the population a share in the newly created wealth, governments were formed to redress some of the imbalance. In addition, the worsening living conditions which accompanied unregulated industrialisation and urbanisation eventually made it necessary for government to intervene to ensure there was a sufficient supply of educated, healthy workers to meet the needs of industry...The resulting surge in social legislation in the latter half of the nineteenth century was testament to not only the social consciences of a few influential individuals but also to the self-serving foresight of those whose position, power and wealth were most threatened by glaring social and economic imbalances. (81)
The authors indicate that in Australia, forty years prior to federation, public capital formation progressively exceeded private. Railways, irrigation schemes, urban transport, sewerage, water supply, gas, electricity, roads and banks were established, and after world war two the welfare state was put in place. In the twentieth century, most western countries nationalised their telecommunications, rail, gas and electricity. They nationalised these utilities for a reason - primarily because the public interest demands that some things should remain insulated from the free market. It was in the 1980s that neoliberalism took hold, and the west succumbed to the selling off of these public utilities and services. And the scam continues today!
A number of case studies are presented which illustrate that for the most part, privatisation of certain entities pushes ahead regardless of any misgivings in the form of official reports and outright warnings. It is often the case that the majority of citizens would prefer public utilities not be privatised - but their views are shown to have been largely disregarded.
The lack of evidence to justify rail privatisation meant that political motivation assumed greater importance...During preparation for privatisation in the 1990s, the Major government alone spent 450 million pounds on consultants, many of whom had no prior knowledge of the industry. (131)
Along with the selling off of the electricity infrastructure, the closure of pits and the 1984-85 miners strike, the authors examine the structural failures associated with the privatisation of British Rail, the collapse of Railtrack and the four fatal accidents that occurred between 1997 and 2002 as a result of the fragmentation resulting from privatisation.
Despite declaring a loss of 559 million pounds in March 2001, Railtrack's management displayed crass insensitivity by recycling 138 million pounds of the subsidy to shareholders as dividends. (149)
Yet for all the glaring stupidity and scandal surrounding privatisation, the British Labour government pressed on with the neoliberalist agenda:
The Labour government has not merely renounced nationalisation, it has extended its Third Way approach by introducing PPP schemes to other essential transport areas, including NATS and the London Underground. Complex schemes have been designed to subsidize private companies in the provision of public services when extensive experience has now proven that it would be far cheaper and more efficient to keep key capital-intensive services in the public sector. (168)
But there are glimmers of hope amid the all-pervasive push for privatisation. While the Enron debacle in California highlighted its excesses, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power steadfastly said "no" to deregulation and presents a "…successful counter example to the neoliberal dreams of the benefits to be gained from deregulation in California." (208)
Back in the antipodes, the 1998 Sydney water treatment scandal (Sydney Water was corporatised in 1995) gets a brief overview, along with the energy privatisation in New Zealand. Following the Auckland blackout in February 1998:
A full service was only finally restored in mid-April after new lines had been laid and supply cables reconnected. The delay in restoring power was a direct consequence of the zealous labor retrenchment, which meant that skilled cable staff had been lost to the electricity industry in New Zealand. (192)
The sections on the privatisation of prisons throughout Australia and the United States are chilling - especially when you consider how state governments throughout Australia are actively pursuing mandatory minimum sentences and a tough on crime agenda. Issues of accountability and quality, the quasi-judicial powers of prisons and the failure to report incidents, which may have a negative impact on performance evaluation, are disturbing to say the least.
In the United States there were 320,000 prisoners in 1980, compared to 1.4 million prisoners in 2002, and in Australia the first private prison was opened following the 1988 'Kennedy Report for the Queensland Corrective Services Commission'.
Eventually, Corrections Corporation Australia (CCA) was awarded this contract in 1989 and, under a three-year contract, the first private prison in Australia was opened in 1991 at a cost of $A22 million with a contract fee of A$9.7 million to manage the prison for the 1991 year. (233)
It's a depressing thought that rather than a commitment to education and rehabilitation that exists in Sweden, Norway and Finland:
Unfortunately, in the present political climate, there is little scope in Anglo-American jurisdictions for creatively re-imagining prisons or responses to criminal behaviour when both corporations and governments have become increasingly invested in the privatised prison solution. (235)
My only criticism of the book is that the authors use the word reform, in their examination of the implementation of neoliberal changes. To my mind reform means to improve, or make better or change what is corrupt, and so the terminology is problematic - another example of words losing their real meaning in the context of a deception.
And I found the reference to defence strangely indifferent to historical theories which argue that the causes of war are mostly related to the struggle for resources - but that's a topic for another book!:
If market considerations do become major considerations in defence, then they may deny the delivery of the services deemed necessary. If economics and financial considerations were the most important criteria in 'all' state action, then there certainly would be no war, of which the extravagance in lives and resources has only worsened as the technology of war has advanced. The market can help in making war sustainable, by ensuring that the necessary resources are used to their best advantage, but it does not decide whether or how war will be waged. The market can have a part to play in the delivery of war-time resources but does not determine whether they will be, or ought to be, provided. (99-100)
And given that clean coal technology is a con, perhaps the authors could have mentioned renewable energy technology?
The Major government wrote off 1.6 billion pounds of public debt in this very dubious privatisation, which only raised 960 million pounds, thus incurring a loss of over 600 million pounds on the 'sale'. In a very plausible counterfactual scenario, the money 'invested' to defeat the miners' strike could have been used to develop 'clean coal' technology in order to reduce, or even eliminate, carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power stations. (182)
Notwithstanding all the glaring examples of privatisation failure, judging by the recent rhetoric from our politicians and in the mainstream media, neoliberalism remains the driving force behind political dialogue and the revisionist spinners are working overtime to paint up the post world war two welfare state as a historical aberration.
Market hegemony has become so securely embedded in political and social identities that any attempt to undermine the nexus is perceived as threatening the well-being of both individuals and the social collective, and a fatuous, ignorant rejection of beliefs that have become for the most part, beyond question. (265)
At the outset, the authors point out that Australia is amongst the leaders of privatisation in the world:
By the late 1990s, the proceeds of privatisation in Australia had amounted to A$61 billion…For the years 1990 to 1996, Australia was second only to the United Kingdom in the value of privatisation. (9)
Which begs the question - who sold this free market ideology to us? Why do westerners believe so unequivocally that we must privatise public services and entities, despite all the evidence that this results in inefficiencies, worse services, corruption and often physical danger? Is it only those of us of the Sesame Street generation, who grew up in a system where education and health were deemed to be a human right and not a privilege, who can see the injustice?
Privatisation is class war. Pure and simple. Check out your latest electricity bill - the only people who benefit from privatisation are the individuals lending the money - and this book does an excellent job of proving it.
Wouldn't you prefer to live in a world where people looked out for each
other? And why is it that the "exclusive" story on this
week's 'Stateline' program about the failures in Queensland prisons failed
to mention anything about privatisation?
one nation under god
one nation under god
with maniacs in charge
they surely are not human
and have egos that are large
at the G20 summit
they have rewritten the rules
to reign in the excesses
do they think that we are fools?
another trillion dollars
and some weasel words
they say that's gonna save us
what a bunch of turds
off to church to pray
for the economy
plan another war
so we can all be free
f*ck the environment
f*ck the social safety net
f*ck free public transport
which you're never gonna get
so go to suncorp stadium
and drink some warm light beer
even though you're not quite sure
who you're supposed to cheer
we're one nation under god
so you had better pray
'cos we're waiting for the rapture
and our judgment day
When Money Turns Bad
Kevin Phillips is a political and economic commentator who was once a White House strategist. He has written myriad books, essays and articles mostly about American politics and economics - and their inevitable impact on the rest of us. He writes with an easy fluency which makes this book, 'Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism', give the lie to the mainstream assertion that 'Nobody saw this coming'.
This is the Australian edition of the book, which was first written between August and December 2007. It is clear that many people, not just Phillips, not only saw the whole mess coming but have been warning those who were inclined to listen that the whole arrangement was so unsustainable as to be destined for collapse.
It seems that too many people were wilfully involved in this disaster for it to be the accident we are supposed to take it for. This book makes it clear that far from an accident this is the obvious result of the greatest swindle ever seen. He liberally uses graphs and facts and figures to illustrate the points. The most striking thing about the numbers involved is how often they involve the word "trillion", do you know how many that is? It is almost school-yard silly, as in "I bet you a million million dollars…", but scary when brought into focus. It is exactly that: $1,000,000,000,000.00!
The current official narrative in Australia is something along the lines that the whole problem is to do with things called sub-prime mortgages, home loans made to people who couldn't afford the payments, silly banks. This notion is demolished on the first page of the preface:
Ah, but this time there were huge institutional pressures to entice as many customers as possible, reflecting the enormous profits to be made from taking mortgages and securitizing and repackaging them en masse in what became - most people now recognize these names - mortgage-backed securities and collateralised debt obligations. Lenders needed to woo high-risk borrowers for the good commercial reason that there weren't enough low-risk borrowers to meet the volume demanded by the big commercial banks, investment firms, and other packagers, all pursuing the lucrative fees. (ix)
The reason Iceland is metaphorically no longer with us is that their government was convinced to "invest" all of that country's savings in this type of scam. They are now bankrupt and they are not the only ones. All over the world money, which was supposed to be invested in boring old conservative places, has vanished because the things marked "AAA" were as safe a bet as used scratchies.
Phillips explains that this crisis is actually the cumulative outcome of many interconnected problems. Radical religion and Right wing ideology are factors but the main ones are housing, debt, oil and the US dollar. The loss of democracy and the rise of dynastic politics facilitated the takeover of governance by an enormous force called the finance industry.
There is a feature that is present throughout the history and explanation of the events in the book. Whether that feature should be described as lies or deceptions or in some other way, it strikes the reader that there is a deep and fundamental dishonesty at the root of it all. It would be interesting to hear the architects, designers, promoters and beneficiaries of the swindle refute this argument, and the record suggests that they probably would.
In the introduction Phillips explains where we are at the moment and how we got here in a neat and succinct 28 pages. Inevitably, the story includes examination of the features of decline of previous empires (Roman, Spanish, Dutch and British). The balance of the seven chapters explain the main contributing factors to build the reader's understanding piece by piece.
The second chapter charts and explains the rise of finance and the power it wields over America and most of the world. Bullnomics and Securitization follow. For this reader, the inclusion of Peak Oil at chapter five cements the credibility of the author's knowledge and authority about his subject. The fact that even venerable Financial newspapers can still refer dismissively to the theory of Peak Oil illustrates the dishonesty mentioned above, Phillips explains how crucial oil is to understanding what has happened and ties the threads together in the sixth chapter: The Politics of Evasion - Debt, Finance and Oil.
Finally, he explains the global dimensions and forces involved in the Global Crisis of American Capitalism. Having said that, he makes it clear that it is still too early to make any real predictions about exactly how bad the times ahead will get. Without glee, he presents some of the players from a decade ago:
Newt Gingrich, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, envisioned a politics in which major questions could be resolved by asking "our multi-national corporations for advice." Technology guru George Gilder theologised that "it is the entrepreneurs who know the rules of the world and the law of God." Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist, enthused, "International finance has turned the world into a parliamentary system" that allows initiates "to vote every hour, every day through their mutual funds, their pension funds, their brokers." Even historian Francis Fukuyama, normally sober, burbled that "liberal democracy combined with open market economics has become the only model a state could follow." (179-180)
To anyone who has read the Project For A New American Century manifesto or Jeff Scarlett's The Family, that roll call and their continuing influence in the world is chilling.
Phillips isn't suggesting that things are absolutely hopeless for America and the world but it is obvious that the military hubris and aggression must go if we are to have anything resembling a more gentle decline as opposed to an explosive collapse.