I'm with John Pilger on bombing tactics

Thanks John Pilger.  You always help me to keep my focus.  See his article on New Matilda here.

Much as my heart screams for us to bomb the crap out of the Islamic State because it oppresses innocent and largely helpless people who would love to be able to just live their lives, I know that it doesn't help and that those same innocents will be maimed, killed, orphaned, widowed or otherwise devastated by bombs.  I also want to bomb the US and its allies (us included) and the Israelis, all of whom are committing their atrocities. 

Unfortunately, that wouldn't work either, it would only make things worse.  Also, I might get killed which would not serve peace at all.  There's the point!  You rarely cut the head off the serpent in these actions.  Look what happened when the US suffered bombing.  The whole damn world got pulled in and bombs have been raining down on so-called terrorists ever since but there are more terrorists than ever.  We are, effectively, breeding them.

Difficult as it would be to achieve, it would be great if the so-called West could stand back and let countries and regions alone. Of course, that would need to include not supplying weapons and 'advisers'.  They will not do that of course because, like every tyrant in history, they want to own the world.  'They' at this particular point in history is the USA but just about all of 'them' in the alliance of the 'West' have had their turn and they still hear echoes of glory after all this time.  Perhaps that's why they ride the coattails of the current top dog.

Is there any hope that we the people can just not play any more.  I'm pretty tired of being a pawn on this gigantic board, where it's really hard to follow the game properly.

Blood for Freedom - a taste of the poet

Free eBook translated to English

EPIPHANY

I know

You own the world

The dagger

The whip

The hanging robe

The entourage

The Policemen

The Guards

Hunting dogs

I know your strength

Your army

Your horses

And your men

I know your shadow

When it falls on the objects

It destroys them

I know your eyes,

And what is between them

Of Betrayal

But

I also know my heart

And I

Pity you.

Abdul Karim Sabawa

http://abdulkarimsabawi.com/2014/08/29/blood-for-freedom-a-collection-of-poems-from-palestinian-poet-and-author-abdul-karim-sabawi/

Misogyny alive and well in video games

I came across the story of one woman's experience in the gaming world today and it reminded me to speak about that world - briefly, as I'm not an expert - to express my support for women in gaming and those who speak out in support of them.

Video games have been a niche market up until relatively recently thus are yet to be fully explored as a base of misogyny.  Now that world is becoming more and more mainstream and games are an art form in the view of many participants and interested parties (me included). The field is very much an adult environment, despite the popular notion that it's all about kids, however, kids are operating in that environment and doubtless being influenced by the online interactions and commentary.

Women gamers playing online are subjected to almost casual sexism and misogynistic assumptions, statements, even threats.   I am not a gamer myself (I don't have the coordination and reflexes for it, not to mention the memory) but I hear about the female experience from my son and particularly my daughter-in-law, keen gamers and commentators (http://blackpanel.com.au/) and other sources that I come across.  Mind you, at my age you tend to know it anyway because that's just the ongoing history of women moving and acting in the world.

When sites & critics speak out about misogyny, they tend to become targets.  This discourages and frightens many who, although they don't agree with the bad behaviour, don't want to be confronted themselves.  If we're silent in the face of this we're part of the problem.  We need to speak out when we see this going on because overwhelming the offenders with disdain is a powerful tool and the more who speak the more isolated those offenders become.

Here's an example of a critic's page:  http://www.feministfrequency.com/
Here's a tale of her backlash experience:  http://www.feministfrequency.com/2012/12/tedxwomen-talk-on-sexist-harassment-cyber-mobs/

The importance of pursuing war crimes in court

Given the unwillingness of powerful countries to have their actions examined in the press, let alone in the International Criminal Court, there needs to be a way to drag them into the ICC whether they like it or not, whether they acknowledge its jurisdiction or not, even if they refuse to comply at all.  Let's face it, given the choice, most criminals would not go to court to answer for their crimes.  So how come the world gives choice to the worst criminals of all - those who commit atrocities in the name of their state and its people.



The world may have turned a blind eye to the Nazi atrocities until after it was all over but that is no reason to repeat the deliberate blindness with Zionist atrocities.  Zionists do tend to overlook the fact that the Jewish people were not the only victims of Nazis, although that doesn't lessen the horror.  They are all crimes against humanity and the perpetrators and victims are all people with an equal right to life and liberty.



We MUST find a way to hold ALL STATES (not just the Africans) accountable to the world's people for the treatment of our human family.



Palestinian leaders poised to join ICC in order to pursue Israel for war crimes | World news | The Guardian

Relying on the Constitution to protect us?

I'm sometimes surprised that people think the Australian Constitution protects us.  The only things that protect us are our willingness to stand up and be counted for social and legal rights, for ethical and fair behaviours, for compassionate treatment of all life AND the ability to unite together in those battles.  Among the things we must do:

• REFUSE TO BE GUIDED BY OUR FEAR OF 'OTHER';
• REFUSE TO ACT ON OUR OWN WORST INSTINCTS;
• REFUSE TO REMAIN SILENT IN THE FACE OF ETHICAL WRONGS;
• PROTECT WHISTLEBLOWERS; 
• OPPOSE GOVERNMENT SECRECY; 
• OPPOSE CORPORATE OWNERSHIP OF OUR PARLIAMENT;
• INFORM OURSELVES AND PICK OUR SIDE.  

Most of all, take responsibility for our actions or, more to the point, our inactions.



House of Representatives Factsheet: The Constitution

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz - Watch Free Documentary Online

This is a 'MUST WATCH' film. It is happening every day and if you're not against the ptb (powers that be) and their misuse of their power, you are part of their army, turning your 'guns' on the innocents who are trying to save the world. I do not believe it is an exaggeration to say that this is a life and death battle for world freedom and information is our ammunition. To get involved you can start right now to OPPOSE THE ACQUISITION OF METADATA! I need protection more from my government and the corporations that control it than I will ever need from terrorists.

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz - Watch Free Documentary Online

Money's a funny thing... or is it?

I think many, if not most, of us are suspicious of banks and other financial institutions.  If we're not, in my view, we definitely should be.  Certainly those involved in all the "Occupy..." movements are not just suspicious; they know the top 1% (or whatever percentage it turns out to be) are crooks and evil to boot.  I make no secret of my own feelings on this, having preached that the world is run by 6 or 8 people my whole life - which is an allegory for the very small number of people with real and total power, to whom the rest of us are virtually lower forms of life to be manipulated with carrots and sticks.  So, no, money isn't funny, nor is it what we think it is.  Like shares, it is illusory.  For the real powers that be, the trick is to have many people having at least enough to survive so they won't be on the bottom and will always be able to aspire to upward mobility, no matter how likely or unlikely that might be.  Those on the bottom will be so busy surviving they won't be able to do much to change things.  If revolution happens it will usually be replacing one dictator with another and going nowhere near my '6 at the top'.  For an interesting view, have a look at this article in The Guardian: The truth is out: money is just an IOU, and the banks are rolling in it

Happy St Patrick's Day

I have to declare my complete indifference to St Patrick the person - not even sure how real he was, especially his rep for ridding Ireland of snakes, considering how many seem to remain to this day - however I am a great fan of celebrating St Patrick's Day, the day he died, which I think of as Ireland Day.

When I was a young Catholic girl, attending a Catholic school in a poor neighbourhood in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne, St Pat's was a big deal.  There was preparation and rehearsal to march in the parade in the city.  In those days (way back in the fifties) poor kids didn't get into the city routinely.  Nor did many qualify for being in the marching group for our school group.  The nuns who taught us were "Sacred Heart" and they were used to finer things, so many had a tendency to be snobs.  The kids whose parents could afford new uniforms every year, blazers, berets, etc., and who contributed to the school funds, were the most likely to be chosen.  To be fair, marching in step wasn't really my 'thing' and I was inclined to deliberately double step and try to get others out of step too but I sure wasn't the only little devil who mucked about.  St Patrick's day was much more fun watching from the sidelines.

My real interest in St Pat's Day came when I became more political and realised the pride of having Irish ancestors on one side and French on the other, so I have been able to boast that I come from long lines of revolutionaries on both sides.  I named my son Erin after the Isle of Ireland so we always remember justice is always worth fighting for.

Happy St Patrick's Day....  Justice for Ireland!

Leave Tasmanian Forests Alone!

The Abbott led coalition government appears to have a slash & burn attitude to Tasmanian forests.  This state, with vast areas still in pristine condition despite generations of effort at destruction, seems to be a challenge to conservative thinkers and actors.  They seemingly cannot bear that there is land not ploughed, mined, logged or otherwise exploited for profit.  Mind you, non-monetary profit doesn't count, nor does profit from gentle tourism.  Government ownership (i.e., ownership by the people) is abhorrent when there are big-business profiteers being deprived of opportunity, especially attractive is overseas or global businesses profiting from our resources.  It hardly makes any sense but then, I've never found sense in a lot of conservative thinking. A very good article: Why Does The Coalition Want To 'Unlock' The Forests?

HAPPY LABOUR DAY VICTORIA & TASMANIA.

I know there are lots of people who have never been able to join a union because they live in countries where they don't exist, however, people do join unions in countries where they can be arrested, tortured and even killed - not to mention 'disappeared' so their families lose even the certainty of their death and a body.  Why would these people take these risks?  They take them to achieve even a small portion of what we take for granted in Australia.  Not only should we be celebrating what we've achieved through unionism (and joining if we haven't) we should be prepared to hold our ground against the regular attacks on our hard won rights; we should also be fully prepared to get at least our words of support, petitions and any means we're able behind the countries where they fight to have unions.

Follow the link to get some idea of what unionism can be blamed for:  

Working Life - On Labour Day, an apology of sorts

Happy International Women's Day

International Women's Day brings back memories of marching through Melbourne's streets, singing, chanting, encouraging by-standers to join in and sharing the joy of action with each other, including my sister and our brothers.  It was genuinely wonderful and I wish I could do it still, however, there are many younger and fitter able to take the place of those who can't do the physical protesting any more.

Sexism in different forms and at different levels is obviously flourishing in Australia.  We have had ample proof of this in all arenas from political through social to political over the past 12 months, previous to that and, unfortunately, we anticipate continuation.

Even if we achieve total success at home, the world offers such challengers for women that we won't be resting in my lifetime, nor in that of my son I fear.  That is another reason why it is so important to focus on ALL women, not just ourselves.  While standing up at home, we must remember to stand up for women across the globe.

https://unwomen.org.au/about-us/un-women
http://www.dvrcv.org.au/support-services/national-services
http://www.african-women.org/about.php
http://www.cawinfo.org/

Heaps of sites around to inform oneself of the situations faced by women around the world.

Why do "Most Australians think Schapelle Corby guilty."?

 According to the Sydney Morning Herald:  Most Australians think Schapell Corby guilty

There has been NO case proven against Schapelle Corby and she did not receive a fair trial.  These are indisputable facts in my view and the view of many experts.  Whether one likes her or not (although, again, how one could know her well enough to like or dislike her with only media sensationalism to go by, I don't know) has nothing to do with whether she is guilty.  It is a prosecution's task to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in our system and I assume in Indonesia as well.  This was clearly not done, hence she is innocent.  If she was guilty it would be a sign of mental deficiency because there is no point or profit in smuggling marijuana INTO Bali!!!!

Did people learn nothing from the Chamberlain case?  At least read some non-mainstream reporting  before deciding someone's guilty.


For example, the series by Gerry Georgatos (WLP)

"Optic Nerve" surveillence program spying on ordinary people: DemocracyNow Report

"The latest top-secret documents leaked by Edward Snowden reveal the National Security Agency and its British counterpart, the the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) may have peered into the lives of millions of Internet users who were not suspected of wrongdoing. The surveillance program codenamed "Optic Nerve" compiled still images of Yahoo webcam chats in bulk and stored them in the GCHQ’s databases with help from the NSA. In one six-month period in 2008 alone, the agency reportedly amassed webcam images from more than 1.8 million Yahoo user accounts worldwide. According to the documents, between 3 and 11 percent of the Yahoo webcam images contained what the GCHQ called "undesirable nudity." The program was reportedly also used for experiments in "automated facial recognition" as well as to monitor terrorism suspects. We speak with James Ball, one of the reporters who broke the story. He is the special projects editor for Guardian US."

"Operational Security Is a Charade" (NewMatilda)

 Whatever makes people think we don't have right-wing fascist thinkers (and actors) in the military? There's no surprise in Campbell's behaviour; he is destined for greater things obviously. Interesting read:

'Operational Security' Is A Charade | newmatilda.com

minimum wage - ACTU Australian Unions

"Australian Unions fought for the minimum wage when it was established
more than a century ago and today 1.5 million workers rely on the annual
wage case run by unions."

minimum wage - ACTU Australian Unions

Killing renewables softly with endless reviews

The ridiculous ongoing drama attacking renewables and the targets to reduce 'old technologies' effects on our planet and climate, is so patently about preserving market share for oil and coal companies that it's hard to imagine anybody can actually be fooled by it.  

Nevertheless, the battle rages with the profiteers making the most noise and government capitulating to their demands, thus we have the government making the arguments on behalf of the polluters while also subsidising their life-threatening, planet-destroying greed.  The article link refers to yet another process with this same aim.

WTP (we the people) need to unite and seriously challenge the corrupt PTB (powers that be) to show them that we will not accept politicians who are in the pockets of big business.

Petition | Free the 23 workers locked up for peacefully protesting. Drop the charges & raise the minimum wage. | Change.org

Petition | Free the 23 workers locked up for peacefully protesting. Drop the charges & raise the minimum wage. | Change.org

Workers around the world are protesting Cambodian embassies on Monday
10 February to demand the release of 23 activists seized during
demonstrations in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh in January.


The detainees, which include trade union activists and garment
workers, were incarcerated after peaceful rallies on 2 and 3 of January
were met with brutal force by Cambodian police, which opened fire on
demonstrators leaving four people dead and 39 injured.

Labor accused of besmirching navy honour over call for burns inquiry

 The Abbott government would be tedious and ridiculous, if it weren't so dangerous, in its 'anti-Australia' and anti 'our brave servicepeople' attack on anyone who wants to know the truth of what's happening in our name.



Labor accused of besmirching navy honour over call for burns inquiry

The Global Intelligence Files - List of Releases

The Global Intelligence Files - List of Releases



This site is worth a serious look, e.g.,:



"The material shows how a private intelligence agency works, and how they
target individuals for their corporate and government clients.
For example, Stratfor monitored and analysed the online activities of
Bhopal activists, including the "Yes Men", for the US chemical giant
Dow Chemical. The activists seek redress for the 1984 Dow Chemical/Union
Carbide gas disaster in Bhopal, India. The disaster led to thousands of
deaths, injuries in more than half a million people, and lasting
environmental damage."

Schapelle Corby is innocent – part 9 – the abominable silence. By Gerry Georgatos | The WikiLeaks Party

Schapelle Corby is innocent – part 9 – the abominable silence. By Gerry Georgatos | The WikiLeaks Party

Second release of secret Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement documents

Second release of secret Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement documents

Another move for corporations and their stooges to run the world and overrule Governments & individual rights.  This is a very important issue and is being largely ignored by the mainstream media.  We will regret it if we do not inform ourselves and make our voices heard.