Scotland the Brave

In all the writing and the arguments for “yes” and “no” for independence for Scotland I failed to notice a real fact and that is:

The “United” Kingdom was forged in blood on the fields of Scotland. Scotland was not really a “union” of countries.  It was a takeover.

As far as I have read it has always been very much a one sided affair until perhaps the past few years. So where does this sentimental “what we have achieved together” (Cameron PM) come in.  At least here in Australia we were not taken over in blood and cruel warfare, simply in persecution of sections of the population for reasons of religion or race.

But what really worries me because I hear the same arguments here, is the question “what will the change do for me” or “what difference will it make to me”, “what will I get out of a change”? And this I can’t understand. In wanting independence here (Republic) I am not looking for “what will the change do for me” because it won’t actually make any difference to us here in Australia in our daily lives but don’t some of these “no” people ever think about the abstract “standing on our own feet”, “being our own people entirely”, “not a subject”.  And I expect that this could be the same feeling in Scotland.

I agree, not much may change in the event of a “yes” vote but Scots will know that for the first time in over 400 years they are themselves, they are Scots, they can make their own mistakes.

And haven’t you loved the fear campaign?  “You won’t be able to return”, “the big institutions will get out of Scotland”, “Scotland will not be able to stand alone”.  And the dirty tricks – reducing the voting age to 16 and disenfranchising overseas voters.  The politics of this campaign by the “No” side have been astonishing even for British politicians.

Serious journalism

I have been a fan of Annabel Crabbe since her more serious journalistic days and stayed with her through her froth and bubble days, but her column Sun Herald 31^st August – “Inconvenient truth we all face on sex abuse” caused me to think we may have the old Annabel back.

She covered the multi cases of sex abuse (even in England) without resorting to religious bigotry and appeared to be even handed in acknowledging that “the focus is very much on institutions” as required by Julia Gillard in setting up the Royal Commission to cover all institutions and organisations, unlike her colleague a few pages back.

So – good luck Annabel.  I am pleased to have you back and look forward to more balanced commentary.  Your type of serious journalism is so easy to read – serious without heavy.

 

Marrickville Matters

As an enclosure with my copy of the Inner West Courier I received “Marrickville Matters” – and what is more, I read it.  I would like to comment on it:

Why is it assumed that everybody who receives this Newsletter knows every park, reserve, playing field etc in the area and can readily access them?

For instance – where is “Tempe Lands and Reserve”.  Where is the Camperdown Bowling Club?  Where is Arlington Reserve?

I am one of the residents of Marrickville who must, perforce, use buses and so I need to identify these and other places mentioned in Marrickville Matters.

Diversions and crook politicians

He may be a “crook” politician; his word may not be worth a brass razoo but what Captain (oh! Captain) Abbott is is a master strategist.  Forget the Budget, now we are fighting a war against terror instead and we, the stupid public, will forget all about the broken promises and the exaggerated crisis in the economy and undoubtedly, like his sainted Liberal predecessor Howard will announce weeks later that we indeed already have boots on the ground and are fighting in Iraq. 

And the unthinking public will go along with the spin as they did so many times with John Howard.  They will follow like sheep.

God protect us from political strategists because politicians won’t.

Team Australia

Team Australia…boring…boring…boring – but possibly not to schoolboys up to Grade 7.  But for the rest of us of a little more advanced age- enough…enough of the two or three word slogans delivered monotonously as if dogma, especially when we know they come from the same word factory churning them out for the past 3-4 years.

Lost audience

“Jobs to go as ABC tunes out older viewers” News 17 Aug… but what about we older viewers? Once again we are being made the scapegoats for everything that’s wrong with TV. The commercials won’t touch us if they can help it and now my ABC is turning its back on us.

If the commercials don’t want to know us surely the ABC should scoop all of us up and thus increase its audience even if we are past it – our numbers will count.

Voters beware

Regarding the proposed changes to the electoral rules in the Sydney City Council area.

Do you remember the problems brought on in Northern Ireland where until just a few years back, land holders/ property owners had a vote for those properties whereas the ordinary person had just one vote.  

 

This led to well documented inequalities and unequal pressure on the council to give just what the property/land holder wanted to the disadvantage of the ordinary voter. And this was the real problem in Northern Ireland…

 

So beware voters that you don’t give all the say in the Sydney City Council to just a few property/business owners who will often not even live there and probably may not vote as Australian citizens anyway but who will certainly look to their own advantage when they vote in the Council.

A misunderstanding – I hope

Tim Costello, did I hear you aright a week or so ago?  Did you really demand Australian boots on the ground in Iraq?

Did you consider the effect of your demand?  There would be battles between Australians and those opposed; deaths among the Islamists; death and injuries for the Australians.

Surely Tim you couldn’t want even a small part of the foregoing result.  Think again Tim and consider that we would be adding to the Australian dead and others from Afghanistan – is this worthwhile for a no-win situation?

Tell me Tim that your enthusiasm to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Mountains in Iraq did not mean what would necessarily eventuate?

When do we stop adding Australians to the dead of many wars in which we have happily followed Britain and the USA

CARPING

OK, I know I will be accused of “carping” but could the PM and Special envoy please take a valet with them on their travels.  “PM praises defence” (News 13 Aug)  A big picture of both these gentlemen, standing heads bowed besides tribute flowers, has both of them looking like they have slept in their suits.  A bad look for our top people.  Contrast this picture with the many, many, many pictures of Julie Bishop, always resplendent in selections from her extensive wardrobe.  By the way, does she have a wardrobe allowance?

Leave DJs alone

“New bosses set to tinker with DJs” (SMH 13 Aug). 

 

OK new owners “tinker” all you like but what do you propose calling the new DJs?  Certainly not “Woolworths”.  How about leaving it simply “DJs – as it has been for nearly 200 years.