ITV - John Pilger - John Pilger wins 2009 Sydney Peace Prize

Another person who, like Chomsky, maintains his passion for justice and telling the truth, as he witnesses it, despite the slings and arrows of those with a vested interest in the status quo, including many other journalists who justify their own lack of commitment to real journalistic principles by pretending Pilger's too extreme, if well-intentioned.

What is Medicare Select?

Need to keep our eye on this one. It's another idea for getting away from the dream of universal health insurance, provided through our tax system, seriously wounded (if not mortally) by the medicare rebate. They're pulling out the old line about competition making for a better product. Remember privatised and deregulated banks, phones and utilities? Putting essentials into the private sector inevitably drives up prices and reduces access - duh! they're driven by profit after all!

What is Medicare Select?

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Sea of Hands | ANTaR - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation

Sea of Hands | ANTaR - Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation

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The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com

On the topic of one of my many soapbox issues (economics & economists) this New Matilda article hits the spot. I've constantly been amazed that seriously good money is paid to 'professional economists' who constantly miss the signs of what is coming that wtp (we the people) see from our armchairs. Worse, they always say "No one saw this coming!". Yes, we saw it coming! Why didn't you?

The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com

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Private Health

We are not immune from the 'spin' that is currently sending people into the streets in USA. The government subsidising of private health insurance favours those who can afford the insurance costs over the needs of the rest of the population - while expecting those not privately insured to pay for it. Those of us old enough to remember the introduction of Medibank (Medicare) will know that the Liberal Party then vigorously opposed it.

"‘Medibank’ was the most controversial element of Labor’s reform program, being opposed all the way by the Opposition, the Australian Medical Association and the private health funds... Rejected three times by the Senate, the Bills were eventually passed by 95 votes to 92 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on 7 August 1974." from 1974 CABINET RECORDS – SELECTED DOCUMENTS; Abstract: Medibank - Implementation.

Since, it has remained a minefield for politicians seeking to get rid of it. That hasn't prevented subsequent governments - including Labor - chipping away at it while professing their commitment. All of the changes have been made with the patently untrue assertion that they would make it better and 'fairer'. How can moving us more and more towards a US style health system be fairer, given the mess that country's health system is in?

Private management of public essential services inevitably further disadvantages the most economically and socially disadvantaged in society because the private sector is driven by profit.

According to Kenneth Davidson, in The Age this morning: "But in the popular imagination - reinforced by politicians who need a scapegoat for their funding decisions - it is maladministration of public hospitals and Medicare that are seen as the root of the public health crisis." The poor have to pay so the rich can stay healthy

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Thousands rally against Obama Government

'We the people' are our own worst enemies! Honestly! Can you believe that these people are rallying AGAINST better health care? Why would anyone take the word of big business - happily engaged in screwing ordinary people since forever - ...against common sense? You can't get them to rally against poverty and injustice but they stream into the streets to oppose benefits! Are we sure there's no other planet with intelligent life to which we can migrate? I'm about over this one.
Source: www.theage.com.au

GetUp! Blogs - Save the Homelands

If you want to have the cathartic experience of a good weep - and I recommend it for the body and the soul (releases pent up tensions in both) - have a look & listen to these aborigines and imagine their history and hope. If you're not already involved in the campaign to save their homeland rights, perhaps you'll be moved to become so.

CAV Resource Centre - List of Scams

CAV Resource Centre - List of Scams

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Care2's Race To Save Baby Seals

Care2's Race To Save Baby Seals

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Screenings in Australia | The Age of Stupid

Screenings in Australia | The Age of Stupid

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Ambulance Services Campaign Success

It's always nice to see a good outcome from activism. Below is an email following the Ambulance Service campaign, in which I - along with many others - participated. I didn't have to spend a lot of time to be active in the campaign in order to experience the shared sense of achievement at its success. I heartily recommend 'desk chair' activism to all those with an interest in living in a fair and socially just world. Check out my links if you're inspired to get into action.

Response Time! latest news: Your support has been vital in winning a safer ambulance service

Dear friend,
Together we have won a safer ambulance service.
Late last night, the government finally agreed to 10-hour rest breaks and fairer wages for paramedics.
Proper rest breaks will make life safer for ambos, and safer for the public.
Many paramedics are convinced that someone would have died unnecessarily because of fatigue.
Your support over the 15-month campaign has been crucial in making this government wake up and address fatigue.
Your emails, petitions, calls to the Health Minister, to talkback, to friends and to family have all played an important part in saving people’s lives.
Fairer pay will also make our ambulance service safer, by helping to attract new recruits and to retain the incredibly skilled and experienced ambos we already have.
In a few weeks, ambos will be voting on this new agreement.
Although you may not be able to see it, you have not only made a real difference to hard-working ambos quality of life, you have helped save lives.
On behalf of all our dedicated ambos, and the public of Victoria, I thank you very much for your support.
Steve McGhie
Ambulance Employees Australia

Protect Australian citizens from the death penalty

Protect Australian citizens from the death penalty

Just another cog in the machine

Solidarity Forever (Pete Seeger)

Tuesday News

I have to preserve this one for posterity:

CANBERRA, ACT - After running a thousand errands, working hours of

overtime, and being stuck in seemingly endless gridlock traffic

commuting to and from their jobs, millions of Australians were

disheartened to learn that it was, in fact, only Tuesday.

"Tuesday?" Canberra resident Doris Wagner said. "How in the hell is it

still Tuesday?"

Tuesday's arrival stunned a nation still recovering from the nightmarish

slog that was Monday, leaving some to wonder if the week was ever going

to end, and others to ask what was taking Saturday so goddamn long.

"Ugh," said Wagner, echoing a national sense of frustration over it not

even being Wednesday at the very least.

According to suddenly depressed sources, the feeling that this week may

in fact last forever was further compounded by the thought of all the

work left to be done tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and, if

Australians make it that far, possibly even Friday, for Christ's sake.

Fears that the week could actually be going backwards were also

expressed.

"Not only do Australians have most of Tuesday morning to contend with,

but all of Tuesday afternoon and then Tuesday night," National Labor

Relations Board spokesman David Prynn said. "If our calculations are

correct, there is a chance we are in effect closer to last weekend than

the one coming up.

Reports that this all has to be some kind of sick joke could not be

confirmed as of press time.

Isolated attempts to make the day go faster, such as glancing at watches

or clocks every other minute, compulsively checking e-mail, hiding in

the office bathroom, fidgeting, or reading a boring magazine while

sitting in the waiting room, have also proven unsuccessful, sources

report.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which oversees the

official time of Australia, is flatly denying that it has slowed or

otherwise tampered with Tuesday's progression.

"The current Tuesday is keeping apace with past Tuesdays with no more

than one ten-thousandth of a second's variation at the most," NIST

spokeswoman Dr. Geraldine Schach said. "However, I sympathize with the

common consensus that this week has already been a colossal pain in the

neck."

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao released a statement addressing widespread

speculation that it might as well be Monday for all anyone cares.

"We understand this day has been tough on many of you, what with

meetings mercilessly dragging on and an entire stack of files still left

to organise," Chao's statement read in part. "Yet we urge Australians to

show patience. The midweek hump is just around the corner, and we have

strong reason to believe that Saturday will be here before you know it."

"Go about your lives as best you can," the statement continued. "Do not,

we repeat, do not take a sick day, as it'll make the rest of the week

that much harder to endure."

In the meantime, citizens are doing their best to cope with the

interminable week, though Tuesday is still hours away from ending.

"The more I try to speed it along, the longer it almost seems to take"

said Dale Bouchard, a Sydney-based broker who has been waiting for today

to be over since it first began earlier this morning. "Honestly, today

could not have come at a worse time this week."

In the meantime, the latest wristwatch consultations indicate that it is

somehow still Tuesday, if that makes any sense at all.

Wedding report

There's no hope of doing justice to it here but I write some thoughts to share some sense of the event.

Last Saturday (10 January 09) my beloved son Erin married the love of his life, Karen.




Everyone was thrilled for them. The weather was perfect, the day went without a hitch and the ceremony was truly beautiful. For those who wondered if I would ever get 'the frock' (and feared the awesome eventuality of a naked 'mother-of-the-groom') I did indeed get 'the frock' - and the shoes and the bag and the haircut! I have to say I looked gorgeous, LOL. I needed to, to complement the mother-of-the-bride in her lovely grey satin with grey lace coat with subtle pink tones.

The frock shopping was probably the final straw for my poor back. I found my ideal outfit 1 week before the wedding (yes, I know I cut it fine) but 2 days of looking finally broke my spirit and my back, LOL. I've been dosing up on heavy-duty pain killers ever since and assuring the doctor that it will get better without other interventions :(. Without Tesa and Anna I doubt I would have been equal to the task; they dutifully trudged around a million shops with me to find exactly the right thing.

Saturday dawned with beautiful sunshine and no hint of rain; it fulfilled that early promise to make the outdoor wedding ideal. The ceremony was held at the Fairfield Amphitheatre and, if you've ever seen it, you'll be very impressed that the bridal attendants and the bride all descended the stairway from hell, to arrive in one piece at the central 'stage', where the celebrant performed one of the most beautiful wedding ceremony's I've ever heard.

She prepared for this by doing several (3 I think) interviews with the kids, asking about their history together, their feelings, what was important to them, etc. She told me how impressed she was with Erin, that he was the most 'forthcoming' groom she'd ever had, articulate and open about his feelings and emotions. Karen, of course, was the same (she's such a treasure). They in turn were very impressed by her ability to capture their feelings and wishes in her text. They were very keen to acknowledge their family and friends as important 'participants' in their relationship. That was very touching for those present.

The photographer was also a winner. She had such a great attitude and was obviously keen to ensure there were pictures reflecting the relationships and happiness of the day. Her attitude was friendly and caring, fitting right in to the mood and the spirit. Very important when it is such a tiring process for all involved. While all the photos were being taken, many of those attending the wedding but not needed for the photos, went down to the boathouse for refreshments while waiting to go to the reception. It is such a fabulous park and venue that they will be inspired to go again, I'm sure.

The wedding party looked sensational! The bride wore a long white satin dress with the most beautiful lace top, encrusted with tiny pearls (I'm not very good at this fashion stuff, but it 'glittered' and 'shone') and silver shoes. Lovely. The bridesmaids - Amanda and Lizzie - wore short length royal blue, silk with chiffon and looked fantastic. Eddie, the proud 'father-of-the-bride' was splendid in black suit. In addition to the appearance of all, they were remarkable for their management of those steps.

The groom's party was equally resplendant. Black suits with the groom in cream tie and the attendants in grey ties. With their black patent leather shoes and their pale rose boutonnieres, they were indeed a handsome crew.

Following all this, it was off the the Ivanhoe Art Space for the reception. The hall was decorated with flowers (a selection of my 'take home' - referred to below - pictured) done by bridesmaid Lizzie who is also an extraordinary florist. I couldn't do justice to descriptions, because (as with my fashion knowledge) I know next to nothing about flowers, although there were roses included :). I was fortunate enough to get a couple of bouquets to take home at the end of the night. My vases have never had it so good!

The evening was mc'd by another great friend of the couple, Elva and she did a fabulous job. She's also the one who supplied the delicious desserts (along with her 2 sisters - they look so alike there's no mistaking the relationship - who are in the catering/event business together) and a whole bowl of chocolate was almost the least of the indulgences!

After the introductions of the parents of the couple (including my brother Terry, who played such a crucial 'locus paternus' role in Erin's life - don't expect correct latin please, LOL) and the bridal party, everyone got down to serious socialising. Karen and Erin had foregone the traditional table arrangements in favour of finger food and mingling. I must say it was great to see people moving freely around the space, socialising and meeting new folk. The food was great and varied. About an hour or so into the festivities, the cake was cut and speeches made. I had the great honour of giving the parents speech and David, the best man, made a speech and led us in the toast. His words were very moving and it's great to see a man express his love for his friends. Everyone was impressed with him and, having known him and David, the groomsman, since they were boys together with Erin, I felt entitled to feel very proud of him and of both of them for their performance over the day :). Erin made a touching and humorous speech, followed by Karen's complementing amusing words, to round off a great effort by all.

Around 11 pm we farewelled the happy couple as they got into their white stretch limo and headed off to the Windsor for the night, before flying out to Thailand Sunday afternoon. Then the friends and family wound up the night by doing the cleanup and leaving the hall immaculate. What a team! Erin and Karen are blessed in their friends. Mother-of-the-bride, Vicky, was there to the end, doing what she'd done (for weeks before the wedding, I'm sure) dealing with all the details, making sure transport of gifts was arranged, picking up last minute or forgotten items, etc. She was an amazing help to Karen, I know, and to everyone else. I don't know where she gets her energy.

A truly heartwarming wedding day for all involved.