Australia the Internet “King Canute” – censor this

Save the Net

 

Well-meaning official moves to filter the internet as it’s received in Australia are set to cause major problems without achieving very much at all.

The Social Activism site GetUp is leading a push to get the regulators to do what is effective and not what may seem politically expedient.

click here to visit GetUp’s campaign page

Meanwhile Greens Senator Scott Ludlum is trying tol get some sense from the Government on the Broadband Fiasco after Telstra only threw half a hat in the ring and Optus cried foul.

Broadband tenders must put public interest first

The Australian Greens are concerned the public may be the real losers  under the new National Broadband Network and are calling on the federal government to explain how it will protect end-users from price hikes, as tenders for the project close today.

“Privatisation of essential public services is not the answer when you want the public interest to take precedence over shareholders. Broadband is an essential service that should be run for the public, by the public and it is a key plank in delivering Green collar jobs and the green economy.” said Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Ludlam.

“Telstra is demanding an eighteen per cent return on investment to operate a natural monopoly – consequently some analysts are saying there’s potential for broadband prices to increase by 50%.”

“That would be a slap in the face to consumers who were promised an accessible and affordable broadband network at last year’s election,” said Senator Scott Ludlam.

“During the course of Senate hearings into the NBN tender process, we heard from virtually the entire telecommunications industry that Telstra has behaved aggressively and litigiously in its incumbent position, and the NBN process must not entrench this behaviour.”

Senator Ludlam raised the issues with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in Senate Question Time today. He asked how consumers would be protected from price gouging and whether the new Communications Consumer Action Network had been involved in the tender process.

Minister Conroy declined to answer the question directly.

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0417 174 302

Australian Federal Police forced to get real re David Hicks

The Australian Federal Police have apparently reacted to public/media pressure and stepped back from their standing orders to monitor every move and motive of illegally detained australian David Hicks

This may clear the way for the Guantanamo Bay survivor to speak publicly about his experience.

Well Done to the Australian Greens, Liberal Petro Giorgiou, the community network GetUp and others who spoke up for justice.

As you’ll see from the AFP media release on their website and pasted below – the Feds won’t comment further.

This is the agency under a huge dark cloud over the Haneef debacle and other  politically tainted events under John Howard’s “leadership”

David Hicks’ Control Order not to be renewed

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Media Statement

On the 21 December 2008, the current control order in respect of Mr David Hicks expires.

Following extensive consultation with a number of agencies, the AFP has decided it will not be seeking a further control order in respect of Mr Hicks.

The AFP has today advised the Attorney-General and Mr Hicks’ legal representative of its position.

The AFP will not be making any further comment in relation to this control order process.

I noticed on CNN Asia’s website that one blogger said he wouldn’t lose any sleep over Hicks’ plight, totally missing the point that it’s not about David, it’s about all of us.

Perhaps his snoring may disrupted if he read and had the wit to understand that great piece of writing that begins ” First they came for the communists, and I said nothing…:” ( full text via Wikipedia here )

 

Greens push for change over David Hicks’ muzzling post-Gitmo

Greens Senator Scott Ludlum has renewed calls for changes to our Jackboot Justice system, much as Human Rights Doyen Geoffrey Robertson QC did in his recent ABC Lateline  interview.

There is reason to pursue the Australian lawmakers from the discredited Howard regime who legitimized the US shame of “Gitmo” just as moves are underway in America to pursue the legal attack dogs who set up Guantanamo and sanctioned torture and “rendition”

The Human Rights Judge also pointed out that Australia’s lack of a Bill of Rights means this sort of travesty is possible in the future if another morally bereft PM feels so inclined. ( see link to his interview on lateline on this blog or just click “Geoffrey Robertson QC” in the tag cloud on the left )

Today Senator Ludlum released the statement pasted below;

Thursday, 20 November 2008
Hicks case shows need for anti-terrorism review

The public gagging of David Hicks should be ended and Howard’s heavy-handed anti-terrorism laws reviewed, according to Australian Greens Attorney General Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks today told members of online lobby group, Get Up that he is fearful a new control order will be imposed on him by the Australian Federal Police, and this will prevent him from being able to move forward in his life.

“Control orders are infringement of basic human rights and incompatible with Australia’s broader democratic culture,” Senator Ludlam said.

“Control orders are just one example of some of the draconian and extreme aspects of the anti-terrorism laws the Howard government rammed through the Senate after 2001 – and are yet to be reviewed by the Rudd Government.”

“The laws were passed without any safety net or mechanism for review. Unfortunately, David Hicks is feeling the consequences of that flawed process today. The Rudd government needs to support an independent review so that we can be assured that the rights and freedoms of Australians are not being eroded.”

Last week the Greens supported a Bill initiated by Liberal backbencher Petro Georgio to review the forty pieces of anti-terrorism legislation. The government voted against the measure.

Senator Ludlam has also questioned the legitimacy of David Hicks’ initial sentence.

“David Hicks was subject to an illegal and illegitimate military tribunal process on foreign soil. He was held for five years without charge, the principles of natural justice and rule of law were disregarded and the Geneva conventions were not complied with. The legitimacy of his conviction is therefore in doubt, even more so as the US President-elect Obama has indicated his intention to close Guantanamo Bay. David Hicks has a right to closure and should be allowed to move forward in his life.”

“The control order should not be extended and David Hicks should be afforded the same rights as any other Australia,” said Senator Ludlam.

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0417 174 302
senator.ludlam@aph.gov.au  |  http://www.scottludlam.org.au  |  http://www.greensmps.org.au

Australian Guantanamo prisoner speaks out on GetUp

Illegally detained aussie David HICKS has broken his silence as he tries to recover from his years of suffering in Gitmo.

See the video here and get involved so abominations like George W Bush’s Guantanamo Bay “prison” won’t happen again.

This is not anti-US, but pro justice and the morally bankrupt John Howard regime is as much to blame for his treatment as Dubya’s was.

Click the link to hear what’s going on.

https://www.getup.org.au/campaign/WereAfraidNot&id=435

What has Ben Cousins got to do with Social Justice?

Here in Australia there are many serious Social Justice issues, especially for Indigenous people and migrants, but what has one of our “fallen” heroes got to do with SJ?

It’s about mental health – here we have a young man who’s acknowledged having an addictive personality and having used illegal substances – and he’s been widely villified by booze swilling, pill popping people in “authority” and the commentariat.

Yesterday he had draconian drug testing requirments put on him to allow his return to australia’s most popular sport and has been shamefully rejected by his old club.

The guts of it is this – drug abuse ( including the big killers, alcohol & nicotene ) is a mental health problem and Ben has worked harder to recover his “sobriety”  than he ever did while captaining his team, winning a grand final or the game’s highest honour.

To treat him like a criminal, when no conviction has ever been recorded and when he’s had the courage to disclose his illness, is simply unjust. That’s especially true in a sport where alcohol sponsorship and a culture of booze and womanizing remain endemic.

How about breathlyizing and drug testing the administators and club officials who’ve put this extra and disproportionate weight on this young man’s shoulders, basically to cover their own butts in the face of pressure from a media that’s also riven with boozers, misogynists and drug takers.

Now, Ben’s a big boy and can speak for himself, but my concern is this, if Ben can be treated like this, how can an “ordinary” person hope for social justice if they have mental health/susbstance issues.

Who is going to disclose a problem and seek much needed help when it’s clear that doing so is likely to cost them their job and the esteem of their community.

So if you care about social justice – spread the word that substance abuse is a mental health issue – NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND jeapordises their life and career by abusing substances, legal or illegal

If we can’t give genuine heroes like Ben the much vaunted australian “fair go” –  what hope is there for the rest of us.

 ( by the way, in the “war” on drugs, how many drugs have we killed?  It’s a %^$*ing health problem, not a criminal issue ) 

Our society is like a bad doctor, we bury our mistakes.

New Online Conference & File Collaberation tool from Perth

Perth has some great internet/comms companies ( the recent success of “Buzzbox” cheap VoIP from a normal phone line for example see http://WWW.thebuzzcorp.com/  ) and now Vistime has something cool and productive to offer global business – see below for a basic idea and weblink to 21 day free trial.

I hope to interview the team from Firmware Technologies and will post the audio ( possibly video as well) in the near future

 

Vistime is a software product that allows a licenced user anywhere in the world to invite colleagues, clients or any number of nominated participants into a secure interactive online conference.

The application allows all involved to simultaneously view and interact with documents and images through a simple and common interface whilst maintaining control and security.

Vistime enables all users to share and interact with more than 50 industry standard file formats including 3D models, images and PDF documents.

http://www.vistime.com/product.html

If you have products or services that are really useful – please contact me if you’d like an interview. I’m not interested in being a PR conduit, but if your work is of general interest or helps bring people together, let’s talk.   ( email, voicemail & Skype contact details in sidebar bottom left ) 

 

Murphy’s Law Muzzles Mighty Google Voice Search

The Google Voice Search mentioned here last week still hasn’t appeared in Apple’s iPhone Apps store ( A place I love )

Wired worked out why as you’ll see by clicking below

http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/11/apple-forgets-t.html

I do like the Apps store more than I should – and some of it is really useful, not just fun – I highly recommend iTalk and it’s computer companion iTalk Sync for recording quality audio on iPhone and wifi’ing it to your PC/Mac.

The other big App for me is FRING – Skype and many other comms on iPhone no matter who your carrier is.

QC expects action on human rights from Barack Obama

Respected Human Rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC  ( see story below on his visit to Perth for UN HR anniversary ) has told Australian ABC’s Lateline that he expects a change in the US approach to human rights when Barack OBAMA takes over as US President next January.

He has also predicted sanctions and possibly charges against US lawyers who advised the BUSH ( dubya that is ) regime on issues such as torture and the shameful goings on at Gitmo.

In a 15 minute interview with Tony Jones he also lamented the lack of a Bill of Rights in Australia and foreshadowed challenges to the US occupation of Mauritian territory known as Diego Garcia and the displacement of its Indigenous people.

The Rhodes Scholar and celebrated Silk also highlighted the stupidity we spoke of here recently of martyring people like Hambali and the other Bali Bombers.

see it in full here
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2422192.htm

I wasn’t aware ’til tonight that the island of Diego Garcia was held back from the Independence granted to Mauritius by Britain and then given to the US to use as a strategic base during the cold war. The locals, who are a distinct race apparently now live mainly in poverty on other parts of the Indian Ocean Archipelago

It’s a shame that Geoffrey’s dinner speech in Perth is so expensive, but I figure that the top end of town could probably do with his wisdom and experience, and the big bucks will aid Amnesty’s ongoing battle against abuse.

I hope to speak to the good QC in the next day or so to bring you more

Geoffrey Robertson QC in Perth for Human Rights, Amnesty International.

This is no “hypothetical”- Geoffrey Robertson QC is coming to Perth on behalf of Amnesty International- see the media release below.  

Indigenous peoples, displaced people, immigrants, gays, political and other prisoners, those dealing with mental illness and many other groups of people have yet to enjoy rights most of us take for granted – and females in all groups are struggling even more than the males. 

This is just one event, so check the Amnesty website for how you can make a difference by thinking globally and acting locally.

Geoffrey Robertson QC

Join Amnesty International and the United Nations Association of Australia at Perth Town Hall on 8 December to celebrate the 60thanniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

 

 

Speaking at the dinner is renowned human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC, who is a distinguished jurist member of the UN’s Internal Justice Council, author, and creator of television show Geoffrey Robertson’s Hypotheticals. Mr Robertson has been counsel in many landmark cases in constitutional, criminal and media law in the courts of Britain and the commonwealth. 

The event will be hosted by media personality Mary Kostakidis. Ms Kostakidis was a member of the management team that developed SBS Television in 1980 and was the first woman appointed to present a national prime time television news bulletin in Australia – SBS flagship World News, which she presented for two decades. 

2008 is a landmark year in the global campaign to make human rights a reality for all people. It marks 60 years since the birth of its guiding document – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

On 10 December 1948, countries around the globe joined together to recognise that ensuring every person’s rights was the key to founding freedom, justice and peace in the world. The Declaration confirms the acceptance of these 30 rights and is the driving force behind all of today’s human rights standards. It is described as the most translated document in the world. 

Human rights are yours to enjoy, yours to protect.  Celebrate with us! 

Date: Monday, 8 December, 2008 

Time: 7.00pm for a 7.30 pm start. 

Venue: Perth Town Hall (corner of Hay and Barrack Streets) 

Tickets: $175 per person or $1,700 per table of 10 (includes dinner and drinks) 
To book, visit www.bocsticketing.com.au or call 08 9484 1133. 
Regards, 
Caroline Shepherd
Media and Public Affairs Coordinator
Amnesty International Australia
Ph:  (+612) 8396 7611
Mobile: (+61) 403 650 226
Fax:  (+612) 8396 7677
Locked bag 23, 
Broadway NSW 2007
Visit 
http://www.amnesty.org.au/
 

Australian Greens urge Grass Roots action for Local Governments

It was encouraging to hear Kevin Rudd in the US pledging to take Local Governments “seriously” ahead of today’s meeting of Mayors et al in Canberra.

This is a unique opportunity to create a better future through common sense change in all 3 tiers of Government.

The scope of the Environmental and Economic catastrophes facing us may well counterbalance vested interests and inertia.

 

And as WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlum ( see today’s media release below ) has made clear there is good evidence to suggest that both crises can be effectively addressed by focussing on truly sustainable industry.

Monday 17^th November, 2008

Green agenda for Mayors’ Summit

The Australian Greens say infrastructure, broadband and constitutional reform must be on the agenda today, when the first Mayors’ Summit kicks off in Canberra. 

“Today’s summit presents a rare opportunity to develop a shared response to the environmental challenges we face,” said the Greens Spokesperson for Local Government, Senator Scott Ludlam.

“A national approach to green infrastructure is well over due. It’s not enough for government to just pump money into building more roads. Public transport needs a helping hand. With petrol prices continuing to soar, providing a more affordable transport alternative would give both the environment and consumers welcome relief.”

“There’s a need for coordination across all levels of government to link this public transport to energy efficient housing infrastructure. This would create clean and green housing nodes for the sustainable cities of tomorrow.”

“There are also black-spots in terms of access to broadband and in some regional communities in particular, this leads to exclusion from employment and a range of other opportunities. Discussing how these gaps can be filled, should be high on the agenda for today’s meeting,” Senator Ludlam said.

Senator Ludlam also said constitutional amendment is important to ensure that local government is guaranteed a direct revenue source, independent of the states.

 

For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0401 843 851

 

Robert Simms

Media Adviser to

Senator Scott Ludlam

Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia

Sitting weeks: Tel: 02 6277 3467 | Fax: 02 6277 5821
S1.36, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Non-Sitting weeks: Tel: 02 6277 3566 | Fax: 02 6277 3185
SG111, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Mobile: 0417 174 302 

www.scottludlam.org.au

 

 

Wikileaks reports on Mormons Vs Gay rights ( human rights that is )

I am and always have been heterosexual, but I can’t believe some people still don’t recognise that homosexuality is NOT a “life choice” or “lifestyle.”

The science is indisputable; gays, lesbians and transgender people are that way because they are born with physiological and brain function differences that are real, as real as the differences between heterosexual men and heterosexual women.

To deny people the right to marry and be “normal” legally is outrageous.

If the reports ( see wikileaks link below ) are right about the Mormon Church’s role in turning back the clock, then God’s punishment is awaiting them.

Anyone from any religion will tell you that the creator made ALL of us, not just the nice appearing young men in white shirts who disturb our peace by visiting our homes uninvited.

Surely the historic experience of Mormons should inform their views on minority groups who are marginalised, villified and ostracized.

see the story below on the link between Mormons and the anti gay rights lobby in the US

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormons_tipped_scale_in_ban_on_gay_marriage

WIKILEAKS also has stories other media won’t or can’t print and is well worth a look and possibly your support as a haven for whistle-blowers who risk their lives for truth.

Australia’s “Pyramids” still under threat – time to Stand Up for the Burrup

The First Australians came to this continent from Africa tens of thousands of years ago and left a legacy of carved stones and rocks on the Burrup peninsula that pre-date the pyramids.

The Australian and West Australian Governments have allowed mining companies to smash and move these absolutely irreplacable heritage items.

Visit www.standupfortheburrup.com and join the global movement to protect and research one of humanity’s oldest inscribed legacies. Below are the Latest 10 ”Stand Up for the Burrup” events

MUST BE
WORLD HERITAGE LISTED

Mob 0190 Greece 10/11/2008 Acropolis of Athens One of the most famous World Heritage listed sites in the world is The Acropolis of Athens, a limestone outcrop upon which are the remains of historical temples and sanctuaries, one of which is the Parthenon, a temple sacred to the goddess Athena, Protector of the City. Although there are many acropoleis (acron-edge, polis-city) in Greece, this one in Athens, because of its dominating position and its commanding beauty, is simply known and recognized as The Acropolis.  Oh, that West Australia’s Burrup Peninsula Rock Art was as well known and internationally recognized – here is a site of extraordinary cultural and historical significance – and our Stand Up crew at the Acropolis is helping bring it to world attention.  Mob 0189 Turkey 10/10/2008 Göreme – Cappadocia Rock When travelling to Turkey, one must not miss the Fairy Chimneys and other magical cave structures of Cappadocia, originally homelands of the Hittites in the late Bronze Age.  The site is evidently on the UNESCO World Heritage list.  But did you know that they are pre-dated by the powerful rock engravings of the Aboriginal people of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia by at least 20,000 years? – and so desperately in need of World Heritage listing too… Mob 0188 England (Norfolk) 12/10/2008 Hanworth Common The villagers of Hanworth Common fought for the rights to their common when these were threatened by a developer. After a lengthy and expensive fight through the courts, the commoners won their case. The grazing of cattle on the Common now continues as it has done for hundreds of years. In the Domesday Book it was recorded that there were 24 cattle in Hanworth.  Those who stood up to save Hanworth Common are in full support for the fight to save the Burrup.  Mob 0187 USA (NY) 25/8/2008 New York City – Times Square, Blue King Brown – Touring USA Blue King Brown is a Melbourne based blues/roots award winning band who loves the big sound and is not afraid to jam and improvise. With its solid following it is no surprise that it has a high rotation on Triple J. The band members like to travel to as many places as they can and their grassroots politics travel with them. Their support for human rights and ethical issues gains them even more of a following.  There is overseas interest in Blue King Brown now, which means that the players ethical interests can be aired worldwide. Hence this Stand Up in Times Square, New York City, which the band displayed while on their recent USA tour. Blue King Brown is bringing the plight of our Rock Art site, the Burrup Peninsula, WA, to a new larger audience.  Mob 0186 Saint Lucia 28/4/2008 Saint Lucia A lesser visited West Indian island is the astonishingly beautiful St Lucia, a lush tropical delight which is 27 miles long and features twin peaks of over 2000ft, and fascinating Sourfriere drive-in volcanic crater!  St Lucia has an interesting history a component of it being that it is also called “Helen of the West Indies” because, like Helen of Troy its control by nations was switched so many times, in this case England and France.  It is of course a tourist’s paradise and our Stand Up here is conducted by passengers on a visiting cruise ship. They are fully aware of the damage done to and impending desecration of the premiere Australian Rock Art site, the Burrup Peninsula, a national treasure which truly deserves World Heritage listing. Mob 0185 Turkey 15/9/2008 Istanbul – The Sultan Ahmed Mosque Europe is geographically linked to Asia by Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul which straddles the Bosphorus Strait. With such a strategic location it has been associated with major political, religious and artistic events for more than 2000 years.  Remnants of settlements from 6000 years BC have been discovered. Its rich history is marked by numerous surviving buildings and remnants of ancient sites and some of these are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  Istanbul is a fitting place to see the 100th International Stand Up for the Burrup demonstration urging the addition of the Rock Art of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Mob 0184 Bulgaria 8/9/2008 Nesebar The city of Nesebar in Bulgaria is sometimes called the Pearl of the Black Sea, its geographical position being ideal for a tourist destination. It is also rich in 3 millennia of history. The ancient part of the city is located on an isthmus (cape), the Old Town as it is known has been restored and has been World Heritage Listed by the UNESCO for its abundance of historic buildings.  The Rock Art at Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia represents a remarkable historic and cultural heritage and our Stand Up here in Nesebar helps raise awareness that The Burrup must also become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Mob 0183 France (27) 30/8/2008 Corneuil near Evreux – World Music Festival On the 30th of August 2008, the MUSIK DU MONDE festival took place at Corneuil in Normandy. This festival of contemporary and traditional music offers a wide range of styles (hip-hop, metal, rock, folk…) and involves local groups.  The association A.A.I.S. 27, which is supported by the association “Ensemble a Corneuil”, gives amateur, emerging and veteran artists the opportunity of exhibiting or performing on the stage while laying the stress on global conservation. Every participant, whether volunteer, artist, exhibitor or visitor, wished to show his or her support to the ancient Burrup land by proudly wearing the tee-shirts.  The public was particularly interested in the information display about FARA’s struggle and in the petition which FARA had made available to participants and visitors alike. Mob 0182 Australia (WA) 22/8/2008 Fitzroy Crossing (Kimberley) Three generations of Wagners and friends did a Stand Up for the Burrup at Fitzroy Crossing while exploring the amazing area of the Kimberley in northern Western Australia.  Professor Hermann Wagner and his family from Bavaria, Germany were overwhelmed by the majesty of the landscape and by the beauty and deep spirituality of the ancient rock art they saw there.  What a tragedy it is that the West Australian Government has failed to acknowledge that the rock art of the Burrup is of inestimable value to human kind and worthy of protection from the ravages of industrial development. Mob 0181 Romania 27/8/2008 Tulcea Tulcea in Romania is the town of the Danube Delta, the largest and best preserved delta in Europe.  It covers more than 5000 square kms. As well as the flow of the Danube into the Black Sea there are countless lagoons, channels, small lakes and marshes – giving refuge to and supporting the 1200 species of plants and trees, and a rich diversity of fauna including 300 species of birds and 45 species of fresh water fish. For these ecological reasons some areas of the Danube Delta are under the protection of UNESCO’s World Heritage listing.  We urgently need protection of our Rock Art at the Burrup Peninsula in NW Australia. This sensitive area must be also World Heritage listed to ensure the proper care of our outstanding historical and cultural site. www.standupfortheburrup.com

The WORLD IS WATCHING and LISTENING

Friends of Australian Rock Art Inc.
City West Lotteries House – 2 Delhi Street – West Perth WA 6005 – AUSTRALIA

Google & iPhone use speech recognition to increase accessability

I often check http://www.macdailynews.com/ and today found the following New York Times story 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/technology/internet/14voice.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Brings the welcome news of voice recognition on the iPhone through new Google technology.

Yahoo & Microsoft also provide voice recognition, and this story of Google’s big move suggests that the technology exists now to make devices more accessible to people with visual or other disabilities.

All we need is to let developers know their work is needed to create programmes for those missing out on the new abilities provided by technology to connect network and seek fellowship.

Great to see bionic limbs and a camera for the visually impaired featured in last week’s Time review of techno breakthroughs.

Please let me know any info or links you may find on devices that provide accessibility for the visually impaired or with other disabilities.

I hope to have the “Ethnic Ability” radio Blog up and running soon and it would be great to have contributors of links, info, articles, audio,video etc to share with people globally. ( see EDAC link in sidebar )

Sorry the Blog’s been blank for bit – assignmments to mark, practising new programmes, hosting and family have let you enjoy a break from my rants

And all the best to friends and family of Matt and Stacey who’ve enjoyed the iPhone slideshow ( password protected, sorry ) of the best wedding I’ve been to in decades.

Bali Bombers – any killing is wrong

This blog post  http://jacqueliehanafie.wordpress.com/

and pasted below resonated with me – what do you think? 

I woke up to the news that the three Bali bombers had been executed by firing squad overnight. Given that I am strongly opposed to the Death Penalty in ANY case, the news of this last execution made me feel sick to my stomach – to say the least. Suffice to say, this does not mean I condone terrorism or the acts of the bombers; but in line with universal human rights, I do not concur with this form of punishment. Sure, lock them up and throw away the key. But how does an eye for an eye, a life for a life, avenge the actions of the condemned?

Julian McMahon is a barrister. He has represented numerous people on death row, including Van Nguyen in Singapore, George Forbes and others in Sudan, and works with a number of Melbourne barristers defending Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan from the Bali 9.

I have read hundreds of articles pertaining to the Bali bombers, but this one stood out to me. It was taken from the Herald Sun on 7 November, a day before the executions. It represents my views completely. Well done, Julian McMahon.

Silence from our leaders is not good enough

Where are our leaders? What is happening? In the next day or two, three men are going to be executed by our nearest neighbor, Indonesia. The men deserve severe punishment. But why are Australian leaders, Federal, State, religious and community, being so quiet? Not one voice is speaking up, saying the men should not be executed.

It is too late to speak up after the executions. We are not weak. We are not aggressive. We are friends with Indonesia. We have principles and ideals and should speak up. If principles are worth anything, lets defend them even though its hard. 

Our leaders are not at liberty to stay silent and pretend that these executions are ok. With other Australian lawyers, I have clients in Asia on death row. 

We know that the Asian media and politicians demand consistency from us. If we ignore these executions which obviously affect us as a nation, while later demanding the right to save Australians, we lose legitimacy. 

I have read every name at the Bali memorial. I feel deeply for those victims. Every time I go to the prison in Bali, and I was there last week, I think of my family and hope they don’t suffer such losses. 

But killing 3 more people to avenge those already killed does not honour those names carved in granite. It adds nothing. To dignify their names, we should call for humane but severe punishment – a life in prison, without access to journalists, removed from society. That is always enough punishment. 

I walked away from Van Nguyen’s execution knowing that it was an exercise in futility – that dreadful sense of a person being destroyed, the destruction planned for, practiced over and over, pointless. 
To see his mother, his brother, their friends at the minute of their loved one hanging is to realize that pre planned killing is fundamentally backward. Making people suffer is not what we as a nation are about, even if they deserve it. The suffering of victims does not go away, no one is brought back. We just have another corpse. Resorting to premeditated ritualized killing, and pretending vengeance or disgust or hatred or contempt is justice, is in truth failure. 

Our leaders, State and Federal, and religious, oppose the death penalty. Well, let them say so when its hard, like this Bali bombers case. The region is watching. At law, our country has signed up to international covenants and protocols opposing the death penalty and calling for its abolition everywhere. 

Last December at the United Nations, Australia strongly opposed the death penalty calling for an international moratorium. Last week on Melbourne radio the Prime Minister confirmed his personal and party’s long standing universal opposition to the death penalty. 

If an Australian was about to be executed in Asia, these policy positions would be proudly proclaimed, and relied upon as a strategy to save his or her life. We do not expect our political and community leaders to jump up and down at every execution everywhere.

But the execution of the Bali bombers, like many other executions including of Australians, calls for more than silence. As neighbours and victims and people affected, we have rights and duties. As investigators who helped catch the criminals, we have a say. It will be too late to speak out once the prisoners are shot. 
 


http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24616008-5000117,00.html

Australia – Health Professionals needed, but leave your Down Syndrome child at home – an exclusive by Perthnow’s Paul LAMPATHAKIS

Disability sucks,but some politicians and bureaucrats suck even more.

The denial of a woman’s right to stay here in Perth is based on open and official discrimination and cannot stand.

That she is a much needed professional and that her child will not be the only down syndrome child in the state are actually beside the point.

The Point for the Immigration Minister is that the point is now media and community pressure – so PLEASE register your complaint at his website’s contact email http://labor.com.au/people/email/evans_chris.php – and pass this on to your friends and colleagues at home and abroad to do the same.

I’m sure he’s a nice man and has nice people working for hium, but what’s being done is NOT nice.

Thanks to award winning journalist from the Sunday Times and PerthNow Paul LAMPATHAKIS for the story 

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24622247-2761,00.html
 ( also pasted below )

( congratulations to the Sunday Times team for last night’s journalism awards, Colleen EGAN and Joe SPAGNOLO joined Paul in being recognised for outstanding work that has seen them subject to incredible pressure from the powers that be  - though I can’t remember any of them ever complaining about the cost to them and their families )

Click the audio below for my interview with Journalists spokesman David COHEN earlier this year on the unprecedented police raid that followed one of Paul LAMPATHAKIS’ other stories.

Police raid on the Sunday Times – hear from David Cohen – Media & Entertainment Alliance-on-2008-06-09-at-2121

 

Paul Lampathakis

 

November 08, 2008 06:00pm

 

EXCLUSIVE: A HIGHLY regarded British midwife working in WA is being forced out of Australia because her Down syndrome child is considered a financial burden.

The woman, who works at Joondalup Hospital and is described by fellow staff as “one of the hospital’s best” , has waged a legal battle with the Federal Government since 2002.  

Her application for permanent residency was rejected that year because the Government viewed her child as needing health or community services that would result in a “significant cost to the Australian community”. 

After unsuccessful appeals and court hearings, the family has applied to Immigration Minister Chris Evans to intervene. 

But a spokesman for Senator Evans could not say if this would happen - even though The Sunday Times understands the mother has only weeks left. 

The woman did not wish to be named or interviewed, fearing retribution by the Government. 

But one outraged supporter said: “This country recruited her to come here and work due to an acute shortage of midwives. She is one of the best nurses in the unit, she has contributed widely to the hospital and the general public. 

“(She has) wasted thousands of dollars on court cases to try to overturn the Government’s stupidity.” 

Family support group Down Syndrome WA labelled the Government’s stance “discriminatory and disgraceful”, calling on Senator Evans to grant the family residency. 

Group spokeswoman Jan Gothard said the Immigration Department should examine cases individually, rather than just assume those with Down syndrome would be a burden, when many led independent lives. 

Dr Gothard said the WA case and another recently - where German doctor Bernhard Moeller was to leave the Victorian town of Horsham after the department classified his 13-year-old Down syndrome son a burden on taxpayers - were the “tip of the iceberg”. 

As well as those already in Australia, many potential skilled migrants were also being denied entry for the same reason. 

“Nobody, whether they’ve got Down syndrome or not, can guarantee they’re not going to be a cost to the system,” Dr Gothard said. 

“Nobody can guarantee they’re not going to get lung cancer, or liver disease, or need a heart transplant. 

“Is there not a potential cost for somebody who smokes all their life? Is there not a potential cost for someone who’s overweight?”

She said the Disability Discrimination Act protected people with disabilities living in Australia, but not during migration. 

Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton called on the Rudd Government to show “compassion” and allow the WA family to have permanent residency. 

“In this country we’re desperate for good health professionals,” he said. “It would be a tragedy to lose the skill and expertise that this person has brought to the local community.”

Great story from Fairfax colleagues – Google Street View brings ‘em out of the woodwork ;*)

check this out for how new technology affects “ordinary” people 

http://www.watoday.com.au/news/technology/biztech/street-theatre-on-view/2008/11/06/1225561016564.html

A screen grab from the Google Street View images taken along Sampsonia Way in Pittsburgh, US

Report on disability affecting Perth people from Culturally & Linguistically Diverse backgrounds – by Systemic Advocate Zeliha Iscel from West Australia’s Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre on her weekly programme “Ethnic Ability”

Click the audio link below for a report and interviews from West Australian advocate Zeliha Iscel from EDAC.org.au

zeliha-iscel-on-ethnic-ability

more audio from a remarkable 2 years of broadcasting and advocacy

http://www.edac.org.au/radio6eba.html

Zel is now also working with Australia’s national Ethnic Disability group – more on that and a new dedicated blog to follow.

” I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. ” Helen Keller

Barack Obama – just found this link to a collage of newspaper front pages

thanks to crikey.com.au for the following link

http://obama2008.s3.amazonaws.com/headlines.html?source=cmailer

it’s a massive collage of frontpage stories in the wake of the historic US. Presidential vote

the cynic in me is just waiting for the media to turn from adoring to damning – let’s hope the new President doesn’t get swamped by disillusioned folk who find out he CAN’T actually walk on water…but hang on – has anyone actually seen him NOT walk on water :*)

Please leave a comment – a tip for those new to blog reading

Please don’t be put off by the words “no comment” at the end of a post  - that just means none have been posted yet.

Just click that link ( “no comment” or “comment” ) and type your thoughts, including websites, blogs or other info & resources you think appropriate or useful.

This blog will be richer for your input, and you don’t have to be of like mind to contribute as all respectful views are valuable.

and finally, it’s almost exam time for my students at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle and I look like being back at ND next year, so any input of ideas and resources for students studying radio and broadcast journalism would be welcome.

cheers    tony

abc radio story on the abilities of “disabled” people

Thanks to all the 6PR listeners ( 6pr.com.au ) who’ve visited after sharing the night with me – you are an awesome group of people.

Those advocating for people with a disability may be interested in a great piece from the abc’s “the world today” programme today http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s2413311.htm

It echoes the amazing work done by Perth’s own Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC)

in providing training and opportuinities to make short films ( some of which have garnered awards! )

see http://www.edac.org.au/vicinityfc.html

Also, I was lucky enough to work with EDAC Systemic Advocate ( and friend) Zeliha Iscel, who has just taken up a new post with the National Advocacy group, on a programme to teach radio presentation skills to disabled people from an Culturally or Ethnically Diverse background.

see http://www.edac.org.au/pdf/Empowerment08.pdf

By the way, having dealt with PTSD/Depression these p[ast 8 years and being the son of a refugee, I am actually in the same cohort as those I’ve been teaching and advocating for – if not me then who?

And let’s remember that mental health issues are part of the disability spectrum, so that includes the many new australians left traumatised by their life experience before coming downunder, and they need our help.

Please  feel free to leave a comment or share stories info and contacts to aid the growing advocacy push for some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

I welcome all input and links/subscriptions and look forward to making a difference in the post-Bush era.

 

cheers

tony

talkback radio – a story on Australia’s ABC

Listener and friend Eric Carwardine was good enough to share this article on talkback radio, enjoy

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2410940.htm#transcript

You’re welcome to check out this list of web/news articles I’ve enjoyed learning from and noted over the past year or 2

There are about 402 entries in the notebook page below, many are likely to be of interest to people interested enough to visit this blog.

http://www.google.com/notebook/html?nbid=BDQO8IgoQ96-lyKsi

Computer That Reacts To Thought A Lifeline For Brain Injured

ScienceDaily (2008-11-06) — People who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and who are unable to speak or move are being given the first chance to communicate using just the power of thought — and a laptop loaded with sophisticated algorithms.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081105191855.htm#

Please share this with any and all advocacy groups and philanthropists you know, a little money for this project would go a long way to giving some dear people a better chance at fulfilling their potential.

By the way, local clinical work/research here in Perth by Dr Neil Beck suggests Neurofeedback techniques can play a major role in recovery for people with head injuries.

It works with the brain’s natural  “plasticity” to develop new neural pathways.

I’ve also found Neurofeedback helpful for PTSD and Panic – a lot more efficacious than those damned SSRI’s

btw… I’ve often been called a “bleeding heart”   – well, if a heart’s not bleeding, it’s dead, and that’s OFFAL!!!

Record “phone” interviews outside the studio

I’ve been using Skype and Call Recorder on my Macbook for quite a while now to record phone interviews for radio and the web.

The interview in the sidebar with Lyn Mahboub was recorded that way and broadcast on 882 6PR.

Professionals, amateurs, students and geeks can all do the same whether on a Mac or a PC.

PC users can use the free Pamela software on the Skype website which also ha s alot of cool features.

I’ll post more on this later including some howto info in text and when time permits I’ll use snapz pro to record a tute. There are some videos out there, so please share if you’ve found some good ones.

I’m filling in for Chris Ilsley on air at 882-6PR hosting talkback ( 6pr.com.au for streaming audio ) from midnight tonight thursday ’til 0500 friday Perth time ( UTC + 9hrs )

You can call from anywhere in the world on +61 8 922 11 882 and as there’s no producer overnight I’ll answer it myself.  For those outside australia or on expensive mobile plans I am able to take your number and call you back – so please join in or just listen.

The overnight listeners here in Perth are an amazing group and all the other stations are on pre-recorded material, so we’re the only live game in town

I just fill in these days and will be back on deck there just before christmas for a bit of a stretch, keeping the good folk company.

Nothing’s taboo as long as you’re respectful – so join in.

By the way, my friend and former student Iain Fraser has been good enough to subscribe to his old buddy’s blog – great to be back in contact mate

And thanks to friend and colleague Zeliha Iscel from the radio programme ” Ethnic Ability” who sparked my interest in blogging with some questions 3 days ago. We’ll be working together on a blog to advocate for our peers and I’ll post details here as we build it.  check out ethnic ability audio at;

http://edac.org.au/radio6eba.html

I’m also very keen to link up with other bloggers advocating for a better approach to treating depression, panic and anxiety – hassle me anytime.  ( for a free 20 minute guided imagery track visit; http://serve.tony.googlepages.com/guidedimagery   )

cya tomorrow & goodnight

Obama offers hope

No matter what your politics, nationality, ethnicity or faith – you had to be impressed by that acceptance speech.

I remember JFK’s speech when I was a little boy and have revisited it often as an adult, and I believe Barack Obama’s words will echo longer and louder.

My fear is that cynicism, racism and just plain inertia from the established powers could snuff out the flame of hope lit today in a second, or starve it of oxygen over time.

Now is not the time to hang back and see how he goes in the US, but to get involved in positive change in our own countries and own ways because this is, as he said, is just a chance to make a change for those who follow us.

If you’re viewing this amazing event through the jaundiced eyes of liberal versus conservative, left versus right, it may take you some time to readjust your vision, but don’t be afraid, it’ll get better.

I don’t know about you – but the call and answer “yes we can” didn’t feel cheesy or reek of pop psychology at the acceptance rally – it just reminded me of the old adage for the sign on the gates of hell ” abandon hope all ye who enter here “

So if it’s alright with cynics and the partisan, I’m rapt we took door number 2.

Election USA – best coverage at a glance on BBC – Obama leads McCain

TV, Radio and the web are flooded with coverage and I’ve found there’s a lot of blab but little easy to absorb detail.  The easiest for my brain is the BBC page with the vote tally constantly updated;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

What do Muay Thai kickboxing, the Australian P.M. and Photojournalist Chris Gillham have in common? They all feature in my test posts of audio, video and still pics below :)

I was asked to check out blogging services by my friends at West Australia’s Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre and found wordpress was the best in all objective reviews.

I have only been working the blog since monday, but I’m mightily impressed with it.  Look forward to a variety of posts and media, polls and some amazing opportunities to collaberate with others on very cool and much needed “people” stuff.

This Quicktime movie is a slideshow of some iPhone pics from ringside at a great Muay Thai Tournament I co-compered with Chris Korner for promoter Phon Martdee.

I just used iPhoto and the Ken Burns effect in slideshow, the music is guitar mixed with loops in Garage Band

Slideshow of iPhone pics from Muay Thai Kickboxing Tournament

►

The audio below is from my fill-in shift on Perth’s radio 882-6PR in drive-time with soon-to-be Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the delightful newslady is Nicole Bailey.  ( I’m filling in late nights over summer, on from midnight perth time thursday/fri am 6pr.com.au for streaming )

Australian PM Kevin Rudd reads headlines on 6PR pre-election

The Pics are by photographer, journalist, webmaster and long-suffering friend Chris Gillham ( click the link in the sidebar to see more of his amazing pics and other work on his excellent site )

© scribeworks

Iguazu Falls ©scribeworks

Reuters reports on Immigrants’ Mental Health by Michael Kahn

This research backs common sense and may be of use for those advocating for people from Culturallyand Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

Please note there is a growing understanding/acceptance that mental health issues are part of the overall category of “disability” yet many advocacy groups ( edac.org.au excepted ) still shy away from mental health as a human condition worthy of advocacy or interest.

The stigma of mental health problems remains overwhelming – more on this and comments welcome in future posts.

here’s the reuters piece…

By Michael Kahn

LONDON (Reuters) – Immigrants to Britain are more likely to suffer serious mental health problems than the native population, but strong family and community ties may help to protect them, researchers said on Monday.

Previous studies have shown a higher risk of psychoses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder among immigrants facing discrimination and alienation, but the new findings pointed to surprising variations among different ethnic communities.

Social factors rather than genetics may explain the differences, said Jeremy Coid, a researcher at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London who led the study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry .

“Maybe instead of thinking about risk we need to think about what is protective,” Coid said in a telephone interview. “There may be some kind of protection from living in a close community.”

Coid and his colleagues studied 484 immigrants aged 18 to 64 living in three inner-city neighbourhoods of East London, an area that has historically been a first stop for new arrivals. All developed a mental disorder between 1996 and 2000.

The ethnic subgroups included white from countries including Ireland and continental Europe, black Caribbean, black African, Asian from the Indian subcontinent, and all other groups including Chinese, other Asians and those of mixed ethnicity.

The researchers found an overall elevated risk for immigrants and more specifically that some groups seemed less affected by the hardships new arrivals often face.

Immigrants from the Indian sub-continent were only 1.3 times more likely to develop psychosis compared to the native population, suggesting that community ties and family bonds may offer protection against discrimination based on things like skin colour, the researchers said.

White immigrants to Britain were two times more likely to develop psychosis, while black Caribbean new arrivals were four times more likely to suffer in this way.

(Reporting by Michael Kahn; Editing by Maggie Fox and Keith Weir)

ABC australia reports new Committee member for UN Disabilities

abc.net.au carried this story that will give some hope for people with disabilities who long to be represented by a peer ( not a peer of the realm! )

For more info on advocacy for disabled people please visit http://www.edac.org.au and listen to some great interviews by Zel ISCEL in the “radio archives”   section

The story from ABC is below

Australian professor appointed to UN disabilities committee

Posted 1 hour 2 minutes ago

Map: Sydney 2000
The former Dean of Law at the University of Sydney has been appointed to the United Nations Committee for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Professor Ron McCallum, who is totally blind, says he is humbled to be one of 12 independent experts appointed to the committee, which will consider the progress of countries meeting their obligations in areas including non-discrimination, transport and communications technology.

He says the convention will play a pivotal role in focusing the United Nations on the plight of disabled people.

The Federal Government says Professor McCallum’s election is a major achievement which has come at the first meeting of countries to ratify the Convention.

Australia Interest Rate cut – Horse racing Biggest Day in Oz

The Australian Reserve bank has today cut the official benchmark by 75 basis points

( 3 quarters of 1 per cent )

in an effort to stimulate the flagging housing market and build consumer confidence.

That should be the big news story today, but it’s not. The Melbourne Cup is called the “Race that stops the Nation” and it has.

A big part of our society still has lots of cash and doesn’t mind handing it over to bookmakers, while those on fixed incomes or who’ve missed the effects of the mining boom.

For me, the sense of unreality about the economic crisis is heightened by the almost religious devotion to betting on the Cup… I’m sure Nero was laying a bet while  Rome property and share markets fell apart.

There’s more to say, but I’m off now to watch the race – “go you good thing”