George W. Bush: A Symptom of Disease By Charles Sullivan 01/12/07 "Information Clearing House" Sometimes you look around and wonder how things could have gone so wrong so quickly. America has become the antithesis of everything she purports to be. We are the greatest purveyors of violence the world has ever known; the largest weapons dealers on earth; and death and misery are our principal exports. Everything is for sale here, even men's tormented souls—at least, those who still possess them. Our imperial leader, an impish little man with clear sociopathic symptoms, is incapable of empathy for the struggles of the common people, as those born into wealth and privilege often are. The man with his finger on the nuclear detonator is mentally ill, incapable of remorse—a fact that should terrify every world citizen. I do not say this out of malice or to demean the president; it is simply a statement of fact based upon quantifiable evidence that any student of psychology would easily recognize. The fact that such a misfit could ascend to the presidency is testimony to the effectiveness of the capital system. Under capitalism, political power is not derived from the people, as would be the case in a democracy; nor does it not flow from the bottom up—it matriculates from the top down. It is really quite simple: The men and women who are in office were put there by people with immense wealth to represent the interests of the wealthy, to make money for them. And that is exactly what they are doing. In many ways, George W. Bush is the perfect man for the job, if one understands what his real work entails as an emissary of the ruling class. He possesses all of the qualifications the vocation requires: callousness and indifference to the needs of others, the absence of conscience, truncated mental capacity; the inability to reason and to analyze; the incapacity to admit wrong doing; a penchant for cruelty that includes the enjoyment of inflicting pain and torture on others, as well as a powerful sense of nobility and entitlement that stems from being born into wealth and privilege. He is also a pathological liar. From the president's sickly perspective, the admission of failure is equivalent to a declaration of weakness and indecision, which explains his inability to change course, even if it means the destruction of America. Thus he has no guilt about sending thousands more men and women to kill and die in Iraq. You see, the president's mind is defective. It does not work like the minds of normal human beings. Corporate America placed George W. Bush in the White House to wage endless war; to bankrupt the federal treasury to the extent that few social programs will survive, and virtually all of our tax dollars will go into supporting the military industrial complex. The people who put him in office intend to end public ownership of the commons, as well as all government programs that do not directly benefit the wealthy. Let me clarify what this entails. If Bush and his handlers prevail in the class struggle, all social programs of value to the middle class and the poor, including Social Security, will be privatized and run for profit. The National Parks, National Forests, and all public lands will be privatized, and divvied up to private vendors such as the Disney Corporation. The public school system, like the public airwaves, will become for profit entities to serve corporate interests. Educating our children will be of secondary importance to the profitability of the corporations managing the schools. Every public service will be transferred to the private sector in order provide more wealth to corporate America at public expense. We see the foundations of privatization being laid in Iraq by the war profiteers. Billions of dollars in stolen wealth are being hauled out of Iraq by the very same corporations that lobbied for war. War is money and in America money is power to control the political process. It is a vicious cycle that will not end until the people recognize it for what it is and rise up against it. Certainly no man of conscience or integrity could so easily betray the people of America he is sworn to serve. That is why George W. Bush is the right man for the job and he is abetted by a compliant Congress acting under the influence of corporate lobbyists. But the president and his accomplices in Congress are only symptoms of a more pervasive disease that deeply afflicts our political system—capitalism. Class war is being waged simultaneously on many fronts and the dough keeps rolling in. Sources: Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President, Justin Frank, Harper Collins, 2004 Charles Sullivan is a photographer, free-lance writer and social justice activist residing in the Ridge and Valley Province of West Virginia. He welcomes your comments at csullivan@phreego.com.

 

From:	GODDESS OF JUSTICE Resist, Rebel, Revolt (V)
Date:	Dec 26, 2006 8:12 PM
Subject	CALLING ALL IRAQIS :)
Body:	To my dear Iraqi friends, salam and season's greetings* :) I am looking to do interviews on the current situation in Iraq through the eyes of the Iraqi people. The aim is to give you a voice, inform and educate the masses, inspire fellowship between the East and West, and help create peace. Once completed it will be put to "Love Voice" (Iran) and "Banshee" (America) magazine, posted on my various websites and possibly sent to some Australian newspapers. You may remain anonymous if you wish. Please get involved in making sure the world doesn't forget Iraq or the precious people that continue to suffer there, please help me to help you in any way that I can. Let me know if you're interested in participating, it would be much appreciated. EMAIL: glitterspree@hotmail.com or mdaviesfahy@yahoo.com.au Yours sincerely xox Your Friend Maree :) CARPE DIEM.. Sieze the day and "be the change you wish to see in the world" Gandhi Peace, Fellowship and Justice <3 Believe it and achieve it! (V)

From:	*GODDESS OF JUSTICE* Carpe diem! (V) <3 xox
Date:	Dec 9, 2006 10:56 PM
Subject	HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BOY? HELP FIND DANIEL MORCOMBE
Body:	Please help find missing Australian school boy Daniel Morcombe. http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/ It's been 3 years now since he disappeared (feared abducted). http://www.mako.org.au/danielmorcombe1.html Somebody out there knows where this boy is... and what has happened to him. If you have any information in regard to his whereabouts ring: Possible suspects: It would be greatly appreciated if you could forward this bulletin to as many people as possible, hopefully someone out there will step forward and provide the information the police are looking for.

BE RIGHT BACK*

From:	Horse Richard
Date:	Nov 5, 2006 7:10 AM
Subject	NJ Governor petition
Body:	Click here to sign my NJ Governor petition!

Hi everyone! Over the weeks a lot has happened and I have had some pretty major revelations... not least that it is time to get my act together again... and focus on what's really important... you know.. get my priorites into perspective...which I have, however it is an ongoing process. But I am back on my mission in the fight for global peace, fellowship and justice... and I am over my self-absorbed sad crap (although I matter too sure and yeah I still feel bad, but there are millions and millions of people suffering heaps worse than me and being tough, even inspiring... these are the real angels and this is what I care about)... I want to help people, I want to end the injustices going on this world. I want there to be no reason for tears other than joy and appreciation for what one has... WE SHOULD SHARE...No more needless death... no more poverty... NO MORE WAR!! No more tolerating the lies and destructive criminal actions from our oppressors.. No more abuse or murder!!! Life is precious for f*cks sake... we are lucky if we even have it... I have toyed with mine for way too long and am now again... steppin up and getting active. Join me... we can make this world great... we can help people... we can save the planet, we've just gotta do it! You guys and ladies are the best... my gorgeous family who love me so much, are always there for me, are proud of me (although I think a select few worry sometimes... sorry... but I'm never going to stop caring or my peace and goodness mission)... I got my irrepressiveness from my parents! You Guys rock! And my friends the gorgeous peace angels, rebels, survivors, activists, inspirers and comedians of the many nations... I love you soooo much!! Not least a heartfelt Salam to my friends in Afghanistan and especially shaku maku to my friends in Iraq... my prayers are with you and Iraq always... you are true champions in my eyes... if you can do it.. I can do it.. And if I can do it... I'm gonna make damn sure everyone else does too (NO FEAR, DO YOUR BEST, APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE GOT, BE SELFLESS, INSPIRE AND HELP OTHERS)... I will never forget Iraq and all of us across the globe that care will do whatever it is that we can... It is way past time your suffering endend.

 

To all my friends and those that I have yet to interrogate or force my sweet self upon hahaha... you are wonderful and I totally adore you! Thanks so much for being there for me, encouraging me, waking me up, collaborating with me, believing in me and tolerating me... You make me so happy and when I'm not... you're there for me... in fact... you have even left me to get a grip myself on occasions when I have needed to... hahaha thanks for that too... I am blessed to know you all, have the opportunities I do and I am grateful and I intend to put them to good use. Also to my friends who care, try and those that inform... thank you from all of us in the world, keep up the good work... YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND NEVER GIVE UP!!! GOOD MUST PREVAIL GODDAMNIT!!! God is all goodness and created this world... as if goodness can lose against the piss ant that is evil! Huh?? Nah... LET'S DO IT! AND DEMAND A BETTER WORLD! We are responsible after all... it's our job... WE ARE THE AUTHORITIES!
 
\:D/ Hope to speak to you soon!!! Lots of love xox Your friend always xox Mareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..... \:D/
THE GODDESS OF JUSTICE: Ms World Leader (PHD to be) :D

Also... yes this book has nearly come to an end... thankyou so much for the beautiful comments... they really mean the world to me and make me feel really cared about and remind me that my efforts are worthwhile... NEVER STOP... hmmm 50 000 a day will be just fine hahahaha \:D/

 

PS: If any of you ever lose me in all the fairy dust, need me or wanna track me down.. my mail and messenger details are MSN: glitterspree@hotmail.com and YAHOO: mdaviesfahy@yahoo.com.au

PPS: Those with dishonorable intentions need not bother unless there is the potential that my brand of psychotherapy and interhumancommunication could be of a positive benefit all round... Or perhaps I may profile you :D hahaha ... I know there is at least one person in my mail box that is on the backburner for a study... so think about that (not my friends hahaha)... for the silly psychopaths and authorities out there... I am so aware, don't for one second think I'm naiive. It's only the regular humans I can't figure out hahahaha... On that note, have a lovely day... and HAPPY INTERNATIONAL LOVE DAYYYYYYYYYYYYY! xox MWAH xox from Moi*

 

Take care and keep smiling! xox
PEACE, LOVE AND WORLD UNITY.. BELIEVE IT AND ACHIEVE IT!

Declaration of FREEDOM

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all HUMANS are equal in their right to exist, and that WE ALL by existing in Life itself, are ALIVE with undeniable and INHERIT BIRTH RIGHTS. Among these are Freedom in Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. In order to secure AND ensure these rights, Governments CAN BE instituted among the PEOPLE, understanding that ALL government derives its AUTHORITY from the CONSENT of the PEOPLE.

Whenever ANY Form of Government, becomes destructive to the freedom of and in life, it is the RIGHT AND MORAL DUTY of ALL the PEOPLE to alter AND OR to abolish it. And if desired, to institute a NEW form of Government, laying its basic principles and organizing ALL government’s authority and powers in a form, as to ALL PEOPLE, seems most likely to ensure and protect the Safety and Happiness of the goverened.

 

From:	GODDESS OF JUSTICE
Date:	Oct 21, 2006 12:42 AM
Subject	"TRUTH IS JUSTICE IN ACTION" Benjamin Disraeli
Body:	Thank you for this... it's a heartbreaking tragedy... the state of this world... peace, fellowship and justice! BELIEVE IT AND ACHIEVE IT! ----------------- Bulletin Message ----------------- From: WAKE UP! Date: Oct 20, 2006 11:47 PM The Second Treatise of Civil Government 1690 "That the aggressor, who puts himself into the state of war with another, and unjustly invades another man's right, can, by such an unjust war, never come to have a right over the conquered, will be easily agreed by all men, who will not think that robbers and pirates hhave a right of empire over whomsoever they have force enough to master, or that men are bound by promises which unlawful force extorts from them. Should a robber break into my house, and, with a dagger at my throat, make me seal deeds to convey my estate to him, would this give him any title? Just such a title by his sword has an unjust conqueror who forces me into submission. The injury and the crime is equal, whether committed by the wearer of a crown or some petty villain. The title of the offender and the number of his followers make no difference in the offence, unless it be to aggravate it. The only difference is, great robbers punish little ones to keep them in their obedience; but the great ones are rewarded with laurels and triumphs, because they are too big for the weak hands of justice in this world, and have the power in their own possession which should punish offenders." John Locke - 1632-1704 - http://www.constitution.org/jl/2ndtreat.htm === Read this newsletter online http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/ RSS FEED http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/rssfeed.xml News Syndication You can include the headlines from this newsletter on your own website free of charge http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/syndicate.htm === Number Of Iraqi Civilians Slaughtered In America's War? As Many As 655,000 http://informationclearinghouse.info/article15266.htm Number of U.S. Military Personnel Sacrificed (Officially acknowledged) In Bush's War 2787 http://icasualties.org/oif/ Cost of America's War in Iraq $335,699,824,535 See the cost in your community http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=182 === After Pat’s Birthday By Kevin Tillman Kevin Tillman joined the Army with his brother Pat in 2002. Pat was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. Kevin, who was discharged in 2005, has written a powerful, must-read document. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15365.htm === Medics beg for help as Iraqis die needlessly By Jeremy Laurance Half of all deaths preventable, say country's medics Reconstruction seen as disaster More than 2,000 doctors and nurses are killed 18,000 more leave the nationEven the most basic treatments are lacking. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15368.htm === At Least 15 Killed As Shiite Militia Seizes Control of Iraqi City : The takeover of Amara by the militia, the Mahdi Army, was a broad act of defiance against the authority of the central government, which has been trying to impose order and curb sectarian violence. The incident also raised questions about whether Iraq’s militias can be reined in. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15362.htm === Three U.S. occupation force soldiers killed in Iraq : Three U.S. soldiers killed in separate incidents in occupied Iraq during the past 48 hours, the U.S. military said in statements on Friday http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/20/content_5229120.htm === Iraq 'hiding true casualty figures': THE Iraqi Government has told medical authorities not to reveal to the UN the true extent of civilian casualties in the country's conflict, French newspaper Le Monde said today. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15361.htm === Patrick Cockburn: Hospitals now a battleground in the bloody civil war : Iraqi hospitals are dangerous places. Policemen and soldiers carry their wounded comrades into operating theatres and demand immediate treatment, forcing doctors at gunpoint to abandon operations on civilians before they are completed. http://comment.independent.co.uk/commentators/article1904932.ece === The End of Maliki?: Will a Coup Unravel Iraq http://www.tomdispatch.com/indexprint.mhtml?pid=130805 === Former Top Bush Administration Official Calls For Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Iraq: Richard L. Armitage — who served as deputy secretary of state from 2001-2005 — is advocating a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. From the New Jersey Express-Times: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/10/20/armitage-iraq-withdrawal/ === Are You Afraid?: Watch his haunting observational film that explodes the myth around the claims that the Iraqis are preparing to take control of their own country. Contains some strong language. Flash presentation http://www.guardian.co.uk/video/page/0,,1927660,00.html === White House Resists Major Course Change in Iraq: President Bush will resist election-year pressure for a major shift in strategy in Iraq, the White House said on Friday, despite growing doubts among Americans and anxiety over the war among Republican lawmakers. http://...com/y639nm === A Soldier's Duty? The Ehren Watada Story: Video: On June 22, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the unlawful Iraq War and occupation. For the first time since 1965, the military is prosecuting an objector for his opinions. He faces over eight years in prison - over six years for First Amendment speech alone! http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15366 === Eight Afghan workers executed: Gunmen ambushed a car carrying Afghan civilians working on a remote U.S. military base in eastern Afghanistan and killed eight of them execution-style, a police official said Friday. http://...com/wuyzf === NATO Occupation Forces Accused of Executing Afghan Civilians: "When they saw my son in wounded condition, they shot him and killed him in front of my eyes." http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15364.htm === Bombers hit Afghanistan ahead of major holy day: A suicide bomber killed an Afghan soldier and wounded seven more in an eastern province bordering Pakistan on Friday, the army said. http://...com/tjkp3 === Marine killed in occupied Afghanistan named: The MoD said Wright, 22, died on Thursday when a suicide bomber blew himself up next to a vehicle in which Wright was patrolling in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand. http://...com/y37fbr === Assassination attempts on Afghan leaders spike: Taliban adopts tactics seen in Iraq in bid to undermine government http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15332540/ === War pimp alert: Regime Change Only Solution for Iran, Israeli Expert Says: The Iranians "need to fear" the consequences if they continue in their nuclear pursuits, Olmert said, adding that he did not discuss specifics of what Israel would or would not do. http://...com/y7lbow === ‘US might consider Iran strike’: With North Korea threatening more nuclear weapons tests, officials in Washington have placed the option of a military attack back on the table as they consider ways to prevent Iran from developing atomic weapons, experts say http://...com/u2jb2 === War pimp alert: Ultimately, the U.S. will Attack: Attacking will not provide a fundamental solution to the (nuclear) problem...only delay it. In order to bring about a halt to the nuclear program, there has to be a regime change (that) can take place...in less time than it takes the regime of the ayatollahs to obtain nuclear weapons." http://www.infoisrael.net/cgi-local/text.pl?source=4/b/iv/181020061 === Ahmadinejad: Attempts to strengthen fake Zionist regime doomed to fail : Addressing the supporters of this corrupt regime, he said, "As an option, I recommend you to comply with your claims to democracy and let the Palestinians determine their own destiny through a free and legal election. http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0610208270162424.htm === Force may be needed to guard Lebanese airspace -UN: U.N. peacekeepers may at some point resort to force to prevent repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, the commander of the U.N. force in southern Lebanon said on Thursday. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19275977.htm === Palestinian Prime Minister unscathed after militants open fire on his convoy in Gaza : Haniyeh had just finished making a speech at a Gaza mosque, where he said that his movement would reject any moves by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to call fresh elections or sack the Islamist government as a way to break a political deadlock. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/777447.html === Why Israel should grab Hamas' truce offer: Hamas is the only party now in Palestine that has the legitimacy and the capacity to enforce a truce with Israel. Such a truce would likely generate strong pressures from its Palestinian constituency to keep moving in the direction of a permanent peace agreement. http://...com/yy96xf === Peace Now: 43% of illegal squatter camps are built on stolen Palestinian land : According to a survey by Peace Now, some parts of 75 of the 102 outposts in the West Bank are on private Palestinian land. The survey, carried out by the organization's settlement monitoring team, found that the total area of the outposts is 16,196 dunams, out of which about 43 percent are on private Palestinian land (6,986 dunams); http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/777212.html === Talks Could Lead to Israeli Approval of Illegal West Bank Squatter Outposts: Illegal squatter outposts in the West Bank would get official government approval under a deal Israel's defense minister is working out, government officials and squatters said Thursday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/19/AR2006101901835_pf.html === Furor Over Carter’s South Africa Analogy : Use of the word — apartheid — and some of the book’s content are quickly leaking out, and Jewish Democrats were scrambling this week to limit the impact on closely fought congressional races only weeks away. http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=13147&print=yes === Jewish political partisans in U.S.: In their campaigns for the Jewish vote on Nov. 7, Republicans are pitching support for Israel and anti-terrorism, as they have for years. Democrats are reminding voters of the party’s traditional support for Israel but are emphasizing health care, keeping church separate from state and supporting reproductive rights, as they have for years. http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?intarticleid=17180&intcategoryid=3 === No more N Korea nuke tests - China: North Korea's Kim Jong-il tells Chinese envoy that Pyongyang is not planning to conduct further nuclear tests. http://...com/y7bpqq === South Korea prepares for attack: The South Korean army shot missiles at targets during a firing demonstration to prepare for military aggression from North Korea. http://...com/yxv7ur === N.Korea ship being tracked by U.S. intelligence : The “CBS Evening News,” quoting U.S. intelligence sources, reported that a North Korean ship possibly carrying military equipment banned by U.N. sanctions had left that country for an unknown destination. http://...com/wbbnj === Seven in Ten Americans Favor Congressional Candidates Who Will Pursue a Major Change in Foreign Policy: U.S. Public Wants Less Emphasis on Military Force, More on Working Through U.N. A Majority Supports Direct Talks with North Korea and Iran http://...com/tmr2g === CIA approached terrorism trial defendant about job as spy: A former university professor charged with plotting to bankroll Hamas terrorists was once asked by the Central Intelligence Agency if he wanted a job as a spy, his attorney told a jury Thursday. http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/politics/15800916.htm === Video: Chinese Shoot Tibetan Pilgrims: Footage of Chinese border guards shooting Tibetans on pilgrimage to the Dali Lama in India. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15369.htm === Nicaragua's Ortega Could Win in First Round: Former head of state Daniel Ortega is the clear frontrunner in Nicaragua’s presidential race,. http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/13514 === William Blum: Operation Because We Can: For 27 years, the most powerful nation in the world has found it impossible to share the Western Hemisphere with one of its poorest and weakest neighbors, Nicaragua, if the country's leader was not in love with capitalism. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15367.htm === Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Accuses Bush Administration of Blackmailing Other Countries Over Contested UN Seat: Guatemala has won every round of voting but has failed to secure the needed two-thirds majority. http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/20/1434200 === Britain to defy US over UN resolution on arms trade : The UK is next week expected to push through the United Nations a resolution to open the way for a landmark arms trade treaty, in spite of opposition from the US, Russia and China. http://www.guardian.co.uk/armstrade/story/0,,1926722,00.html === The limits of liberty: We're all suspects now : Ten years ago, the novelist and polemicist Henry Porter would have felt silly speaking out about human rights in Britain. But that was before the most fundamental assault on personal freedom ever undertaken. Now, he argues, it's time we woke up to reality http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article1902830.ece === The International Committee of the Red Cross "concerned" over US anti-terrorism law : The president of Swiss-run humanitarian body, Jakob Kellenberger, said that there were questions over its compliance with the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war. http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/swissinfo.html?siteSect=105&sid=7179717 === Court Told It Lacks Power in Detainee Cases: The administration has formally notified the U.S. District Court here that it no longer has jurisdiction to consider hundreds of habeas corpus petitions filed by inmates at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15363.htm === John Yoo: Sending a Message : Congress to courts: Get out of the war on terror: The military commission bill, which President Bush signed into law on Tuesday, most of the press and the professional punditry missed the big story. In the struggle for power between the three branches of government, it is not the presidency that "won." Instead, it is the judiciary that lost. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009113 === Congress' shameful retreat from American values: None of the men and women who voted for this bill has any right to speak in public about the rule of law anymore, or to take a high moral view of the Third Reich, or to wax poetic about the American Ideal. Mark their names http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0610040035oct04,1,2100411.column === Fear-mongers running rampant: Most elected federal-officials think "we the people" do not need the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Why? We have a president who, with a signing statement, declares the laws of the land do not apply to him. How can this happen? http://...com/yeq2xl === Padilla Was Drugged, Threatened by Authorities, His Lawyers Say : - Lawyers for accused terrorism supporter Jose Padilla say U.S. authorities drugged him with LSD or PCP, filled his cell with ``noxious fumes'' and threatened to slash him with a knife while he was being held without charges. http://...com/ykwa5s === Most of U.S. spending monitors sacked: Most private contractors keeping tabs on billions of dollars in governmental spending for the U.S. House Appropriations Committee have been let go. With about 60 investigators gone, the shakeup leaves only 16 full-time employees in the unit, USA Today reported. http://upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20061020-115849-8276r === Peace & Joy Tom Feeley === Liberty can not be preserved without general knowledge among people." (August 1765) John Adams

5 THINGS/PEOPLE I HATE...

1. George Bush 2. Michael Jackson 3. Having my heart broken 4. Lies 5. Human suffering

 

5 THINGS/PEOPLE THAT COULD MAKE ME DIE LAUGHING...

1. Donald Rumsfeld's speeches aka his Zen Poetry 2. My friend The Mome 3. Angry Ape 4. The Great Aquarian 5. Silver

 

5 THINGS I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT

1. My children 2. My friends/Family 3. Justice 4. Iraq 5. Stopping Abuse

 

5 THINGS I REQUIRE IN A DREAM PERSON

1. True friendship 2. Adoration 3. Honesty 4. White-heartedness 5. Understanding

 

5 THINGS I DESPISE ABOUT THE HUMANS

1. Capitalism 2. Egotism 3. Ignorance 4. Cruelty 5. Lack of empathy

 

5 THINGS I CHOOSE NOT TO LIVE WITHOUT

1. My lovely significant other... my beautiful baby girl computer 2. My lighter 3. My friends 4. My mission for a better world 5. My desire to be perfect

 

5 GOOD THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I always try to be the best I can be or better at least 2. I always try to be there for people and make myself as freely available to them as possible 3. I am very loving and affectionate 4. I am deeply empathetic 5. I am a Great Aquarian who is open and honest

 

5 THINGS THAT SUCK ABOUT ME

1. I can be naiive 2. I can be my own worst enemy 3. I can be insecure 4. I have really high standards 5. I procrastinate with important things I do not want to do... even if they're life-threatening holyf**k!

 

5 THINGS I THINK ARE JUST HOT/GORGEOUS/AMAZING/DAZZLING OR FASCINATING

1. Emo stuff!!!! 2. Anything of the sky 3. Serial Killers and Psychopathology 4. Terrorists and Terrorism 5. The Middle-East

... and of course my friends who I love so much!

 

 

 

 

 I would like to know what others think about the legalisation of prostitution. I am against it because I believe it endorses human exploitation, infers that the sexual abuse of women (men and children) is socially acceptable and perpetuates the problem of the female gender being regarded as sex objects. The sex trade is all about profiting from the misery and desperation of others, surely our government should not cash in on this problem but rather offer other options to those that choose this path. To utilise this industry is depraved and I do not believe that the government are acting in the best interests of sex workers, when it is not unheard of for them or other major executives to simply class dalliances with 'hookers' as a leisure activity, perk of the job or as a gift to associates.

There is a lot of ignorance surrounding prostitution and it's players, not least that we are talking about people not commodities! Prostitutes are feeling humans with problems and put themselves through an ordeal every time they take a client, they must disassociate throughout their day to survive their line of employment and live a life of worthlessness. It is a sad business where people sell their souls to survive and rather than promote it, the problem should be addressed not capitalised upon. Furthermore let us not forget for one second that there are children selling their bodies on the street and legalisation means less police inquiry into the activity within brothels, therefore 'invisible children' are less likely to be found or saved.

Australia's moral stance on prostitution is embarrassing in terms of our image overseas, I have a lot of international contacts and the two main questions I get asked are in regard to Australians being racist and tolerant of prostitution. By embracing prostitution as a legitimate community money making venture and service, we are showing signs of a very sick society indeed and one who takes advantage of those in need of assistance, support and guidance.

 

"Thirty years ago the family was held up as a symbol of the social order, structured in terms of norms and roles" (McDonald, 1997, p.27) it was a sacred and important institution within society. Nowadays the benefits of the family invoke debate as social changes have created a dysfunctional home-sphere that perpetuate the inadequacies of society. To begin we shall review the importance of the family as an institution, questioning its' necessity for the orderly function of society. Secondly we consider changes that have occurred within society, focusing particularly on the repercussions of the 1960s Women's Liberation Movement and the shifting roles of women within the home. In closing we consider the negative aspects of the family, examining the repercussions of toxic attitudes inherent in many Australian homes.

In Australia today "the greatest source of happiness and well-being is thought to be a loving family" (Sargent, 1983, p.58), it is in fact a source of socialisation for a reproducing labour force. The Nuclear family, considered the "basic unit of socialisation" (Simpson, 1994, Encarta ‘99) has been disintegrated by various transformations and fractured into extended, symmetrical and dysfunctional groups. "The traditional family unit has become outmoded with a decline in stability and loss of parental authority" (Aspin, 1997, p.244), governed by media dogma there is an increasing trend toward individual autonomy. In potential, the family foundation is imperative for the manufacture of moral, well-balanced and socially adept members into the community.

The family's ability to progress as a functioning unit is achieved through the application of roles, each member serving a purpose within the framework. The patriarchal household persists and is dominated by the bread-winning authoritarian father. Meanwhile the mothers' role as "unpaid domestic labourer and provider of food, care, sex and socialisation" (Sargent, 1983, p.59), is shifting with the elevating status of women and "resulting in a re-organisation of family responsibilities" (Western, 1983, p.320). Children are subordinate, obstructive possessions that help with household tasks, disciples of "the values of obedience and acceptance of authority which are important for the maintenance of the status quo" (Sargent, 1983, p.112).

The necessity of a disorganised and increasingly dysfunctional system like the family is questionable in the orderly function of society. "The family is disintegrating, becoming more materialistic, more mothers are working and neglecting their children and marriages are breaking down at an increasing rate" (Bennett, 1992, p.50). Optimisticly the family mettle remains stubborn in many homes that impart values of commitment, betterment and humanitarianism. The family will adapt yet may not survive its' "deinstitutionalisation" (McDonald, 1997, p.27), success will reside in parental ability to "provide members with protection, security" (Simpson, 1994, Encarta ‘99) and stabilisation in a challenging and ever changing society.

The family institution specialises in the production of conformist, "docile and pliable workers" (Sargent, 1983, p.59). From birth children are taught to respect authority and do as they are told, "they are to be seen and not heard, just as workers are told that they are paid to work, not to think" (McDonald, 1997, p.27). Transferred from home to the education system and depending on gender, youngsters are fostered toward work or careers in domesticity. The government promotes the family because it "maintains, renews and provides for the reproduction and care of the future workforce" (Sargent, 1983, p.59), not to mention it secures the economy in its entirety.

Throughout history many events have consequented change in family patterns, industrialisation and urbanisation for example, but it was the 1960s Women's Liberation Movement that "began shaking the foundations of the family by attacking the role of women within it" (Haralambos & Heald, 1983, p.325). Women realised their worth, embraced their potential and accepted the challenge of self-determination, however unforseen repercussions of feminism have left the family unit in disorder. Housewives are demanding equity within the home as housework and child-care division are still a particular issue of discontent. "Rising expectations of personal gratification, eased legal grounds for divorce and increasing employment opportunities have contributed to a rise in divorce rates" (Simpson, 1994, Encarta ‘99), child neglect and matriarchal guilt.

The impact of feminism has generated an influx of working mothers, "captivity in a world of domestic affairs" (Sargent, 1983, p.115) abolished as women now have a voice and a choice. Unfortunately for some children, work precedes duty and many mothers have delegated their maternal role to the local Day-Care Provider. The business, convenience and government support of child-care allows women freedom and financial independence, regrettably "the proportion of married women in the workforce is spectacular" (Clements & Gidlow, 1978, p.202) with fewer children afforded the luxury of a normal upbringing. "It is essential for mental health that youngsters experience an intimate and continuous relationship with their mother" (Haralambos & Heald, 1983, pp.372-373). Sadly this opportunity is lost to Day-Care children who frequently spiral into delinquency and unstable relationships. Day-Care is a synthetic and unstable foundation, although many carers protest they "do a better job raising the kids than the parents do, providing quality attention, good nutrition, outings, education and structure in their day" (Anderson, 2001).

Children fortunate enough to be raised at home by their natural parents do not escape dysfunctional indoctrination. The "traditional family arrangement acts as a mechanism to maintain and perpetuate existing social inequalities" (Aspin, 1997, p.244) like gender suppression, child abuse, violence and racism. Further negative aspects of the family include the continuance of poverty and illiteracy through modelling dysfunction and low aspiration. Once the foundation of a functioning society, the family is fracturing and in threat of ruin. Priorities are confused in the home-sphere with many parents choosing their ambitions and materialism over consideration of the stability of the seeds that sow society.

In conclusion, the family is a vital institution because it houses and sustains the socialisation and confirmation of future society. The nature of the world in which we live is born from the family unit, therefore we must take responsibility and be diligent with raising its' children. We must do our parental duty at home, being supportive, encouraging, inspirational and educational. As role-models we must impart wisdom, teach empathy and positive values that discipline against violence, intolerance, bigotry, racism and sexism. It is imperative Australians raise their children to reach goals, right wrongs and care for their fellow humans for they are the caretakers of the environment and future leaders of generations to come.

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Anderson, Loretta (Day-Care Provider), August 20, 2000.

Aspin, Lois J. (1997) Focus on Australian Society, 2nd edn., Addison Wesley Longman Australia, South Melbourne.

Bennett, Raymond (1992) Australian Society and Government, 5th edn., M. M. & B. Book Company, New South Wales.

Clements, Kevin & Gidlow, Bob (eds.) (1978) The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology-Symposium on the South Pacific, Vol. 14, No. 2, Sociological Association of Australia and New Zealand, Christchurch.

Haralambos, M. & Heald, R.M. (1983) Sociology-Themes and Perspectives, University Tutorial Press, Slough.

McDonald, Kevin (1997) Pressing Questions-Explorations in Sociology, Addison Wesley Longman Australia, South Melbourne.

Sargent, Margaret (1983) Sociology for Australians, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.

Simpson, Ida Harper (1994) "Family" in Encarta '99 [CD-ROM]. Available: Microsoft Windows.

Western, John S. (1983) Social Inequality in Australian Society, The Macmillan Company of Australia, South Melbourne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 2 (6 March 2006)

 

This is my second year at University and I am absolutely thrilled to be here, I feel very fortunate for the opportunities that are presented to me and I am enthralled by the information I am taught. I have found the key to happiness and change through acquiring knowledge, and believe that through studying I will be better armed to fight injustice and forge world peace. I have realised the importance of responsible citizenship in the global community and think that I can make the world a better place if I face my fears, and actively address issues. I have decided to be a friendlier, less close-minded and more helpful person in society and toward the world at large, hence I feel like a part of the community which is nice but more importantly I feel empowered!

As a Christian I follow Kant's Deontology and my ethics are based on God's law, however what drives my actions on a daily basis are the words of Gandhi "be the change you wish to see in the world". From my perspective we live in a time of war and uncertainty created by American imperialism versus global terrorism, large-scale violence is erupting everywhere while religion or racism divides nations. I find it hard to sit here and do nothing while the conflict, murder and misery escalates so I seek knowledge and do whatever I can to help until I can figure out how to do more. As illustrated within the Chaos theory, I believe that even the smallest contribution can emanate in great change:

The flapping of a single butterfly's wing today produces a tiny change in … the atmosphere….So, in a month's time, a tornado that would have devastated the Indonesian coast doesn't happen. Or maybe one that wasn't going to happen, does. (Stewart, 141)

If I alone can't end war I can create peace, by being the voice of reason and through uniting the world's people.

 "IMAGINE.... a chain of people,

Linked arm in arm,

Wrapping around the world,

Protecting it from harm" (Eini, 2006).

 

WEEK 3 (13 March 2006)

 

After years of frustration I feel like I have finally arrived at a place where I can be party to the wheels of justice turning and I am so glad, because I cannot sit idly by while there is injustice and suffering in the world. In line with the categorical imperative in Kant's principles of ethical formalism, I too believe I have a moral responsibility toward my fellow humans and should model virtuous behaviour. I am very aware that my words and actions impact on others, hence I am very careful with what I say, the choices I make and how I treat people. I feel strongly about my role as an Australian Christian woman and Mother, believing it essential that I do my best every day to inspire, support, nurture and inform those around me, especially children because they are tomorrow's society.

I have scanned various forms of media over the last few weeks and the common theme that keeps recurring is lots of reporting and little action toward solutions to the world's dilemmas. News broadcasts like sports commentary so it is no surprise that most Australians are apathetic and inactive humanitarians, simply swept up in the latest drama until the next tragedy unfurls and then fades from our minds. The Black Eyed Peas aptly describe the state of the world in these so called civilised times and put forth a fair question in their song Where is the Love:

Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity

Whatever happened to the fairness in equality

Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity

Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

(Timberlake, 2005)

Perhaps imperialistic governments, ignorant war-mongers and terrorists should step up and heed these words before using bombs to enforce democracy or violence as a means of being heard, for it will never result in peace but simply widen the rifts and add to the global body count.

 

WEEK 4 (20 March 2006)

 

This week we studied the development of moral and ethical behaviour, it was really interesting because I am fascinated by human and criminal conduct. I thought the learning and developmental theories were particularly enlightening, I agree that human beings are shaped mainly by their environment, influences and life experiences. Due to my beliefs I treat children with respect and am very careful with how I raise my own, mainly because I feel that as our future society children must be treasured, protected and socialised responsibly. I am adamant that many serial and child killers such as Fred West, Edmund Kemper, Ed Gein, Jeffrey Dahmer, Mary Bell and Eric Smith would never have taken the path or lives they did had they been brought up properly in the first place. Each of these killers were subjected to abuse or neglect as children, had it been prevented so perhaps may have been the suffering they caused others and which characterised their entire lives.

We also touched on the subject of declining morals, which is something I care very deeply about because the importance of morals, principles, tact and diplomacy have been impressed upon me since birth by my Father. It's been reported in the media lately that Australian children's manners are declining and they're not saying please or thank you as much as they used to, I think it's fair to say that parents can be held primarily responsible for this phenomenon. Society is suffering from moral decay but it all begins in the home and is perpetuated by institutions like schools, the government and the media who have no interest in promoting morality because it doesn't reap a profit. In juxtaposition schools put more effort into enforcing conformity than they do teaching good values to their students, religion is no longer an authority in society and many parents are relatively absent in their children's upbringing. Nowadays it is often the case in Australian families that both parents are working and the children spend the majority of their waking life raised in the synthetic environment of Day Care, where parental bond, nurturing, imperative socialisation and adequate moral guidance is lost. Teenagers do not have the boundaries they once did, have too much independence, many are handed life on a silver platter and virtually raise themselves with very little life experience, their ethics formed by the dogma of the media.

 

WEEK 5 (27 March 2006)

 

Studying social justice has impacted upon me personally and my life profoundly… considering the lottery of my birth, the barriers I have had to overcome and how long it has taken me to get here I feel very proud of myself, strong and unstoppable. I feel inspired, driven by a sense of duty to make worthwhile changes in the world, my self-esteem is much greater and I am acting in a more professional manner. It is a bit of a struggle for me to think globally but act locally, because I tend to think big and want to tackle major global injustices such as fraudulent democracies, wars, genocide, human trafficking and child pornography. However social issues like inequality, domestic violence, child abuse and bullying to name just a few examples are all just as important to me… I wish I could fix all problems and it frustrates me that I can't! There are so many dilemmas that need solutions, such a great deal of human suffering and multitudes of career options to choose from, but I believe I must be careful with the direction I take because like a utilitarian I want my efforts to result in the most overall good. So far I have achieved a lot in a short time by extending myself and have made friends in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, UAE, Morocco, America, Nepal, Haiti, Ghana, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Australia.

I have formed alliances with these people, learnt a lot and gained a much greater respect for the human race, not to mention humility and appreciation for how well I've got it in Australia in comparison to others in utter poverty and war zones. Getting to know people of other cultures has not only dispelled my preconceived notions but in conjunction with studying Australian sociology, it has started me thinking about the positive points about how other societies are run and the possibilities for better ways to live. It has occurred to me that perhaps Australian society would benefit if it was dictated by a different set of rules such as were enforced in earlier times, for example the " … Code of Hammurabi (c. 2000 B.C.), which mixed secular and religious proscriptions of behaviour" (Pollock 2004, 97). Aboriginal customary law also appeals to me and I think that if all Australians were closer knit, aspired to a moral code involving the ten commandments and made demands for a more advanced democracy, society would be a better place. The world like life is what you make it and action does make a difference, I have found this to be true because my small contributions have helped unite global citizens, prevented domestic violence, encouraged women and assisted in ridding the Internet of paedophiles and child pornography.

I have achieved publication in an Iranian peace magazine twice now and it is an honour to get the opportunity to educate others, I feel like a bigger person, more accomplished and with a broader world view which I am very thankful for. What has surprised me on my journey of ethical awareness and social justice, has been the general reaction from my family who I thought would be most proud of me. Some members have been really encouraging but others have accused me of thinking I'm better than they are, are paranoid about my dealings with the Middle-East, terrified I'll run off to Iraq or targeted by 'big brother', which incidentally turned out to be true to a degree. In all due respect some of my family are ignorant, racist, hold you back and are perpetrators of tall poppy syndrome, it amazes me with my background that I have even gotten this far in life but thankfully I have fortitude and will let nothing stand in my way! I've noticed in my various discussions that if you knock Australia or take too much interest in other countries, people get very defensive and challenge your national loyalty… they even tend to disassociate with you and think of you as a bit of a traitor. Most people think it's really 'cool' and respectable that I study social justice, however my age gets mentioned to me on the odd occasion which I find surprising because although I'm 39 I still feel young and I don't realise age as a barrier… yet.

WEEK 6 (3 April 2006)

 My definition of 'the good life' changes depending on whether I'm thinking about myself or others whose situations are worse than mine. It comes down to money and national security really, because if you have it your aspirations will be different than those that do not. I am blessed because I do not live in civil chaos or have bombs raining down on my home, but my family is one of the 5.5 million relative poor in Australia so our life is a daily struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table. Usually I try to be big about my situation and remember that I am more fortunate than those that are starving, are dying or being persecuted but today I am fed up… I am human and everyone's got a limit! I think the thing that is really wearing down my tolerance for life and poverty is that I cannot afford a phone at the moment and my beloved Internet has been cut off! This drives me insane because it really affects my studies, international activities and I have lost all contact with a precious young friend in Iraq who I fear has been killed.

Because I am worried, miserable and negative right now I would have to say that my version of 'the good life' would be the ability to pay my bills and have the finances I need to do simple things like buy my Husband a birthday present on Sunday. Futuristically speaking my idea of an idyllic life would be one that was characterised by freedom, peace, security, equity, kindness, respect, happiness and purpose. One day I want to own a self-designed home at Mt. Glorious with a private art room and have my own office in a city skyscraper where I will hopefully sit at night with a Scotch, in my little black suit doing lots of good work helping people. A 'good life' doesn't require lots of money but it helps, I find my attitude to wealth changing because previously I didn't want it whereas now I think I could do a lot of good if I had the resources. For instance I would have the Internet on and my education wouldn't be hampered, I could give my family a wonderful life, open up refuges and pay for people's plane tickets out of violence stricken nations.

WEEK 7 (10 April 2006)

 This week we looked at ethics in public life and considered the notion of a 'just society', which from my perspective would be one where people are treated equitably, fairly under the law and have equal access to valuable resources and opportunities. Furthermore parents would share child-rearing and domestic responsibilities equally and workers would receive pay pertaining to their job requirements not their gender, ethnic origin, race or age. For example professions that are high-risk, pre-empted by years of study or have long shifts should be paid higher than jobs that require little education, skill, dedication or effort. Obviously important positions such as those held by the police, armed forces, and security personnel, doctors and teachers deserve greater rewards and compensation than checkout assistants, aerobics instructors, pop stars and Australia's sporting heroes.

In the study guide's tutorial activities we were asked the question "are we born with a 'sense of justice' or is it taught to us?" I would have to say that if it were a natural inclination everybody would act righteously and there would be no crime or unfairness, however since there is and all people have varying ethical standards it must be taught or adopted behaviour. Children are generally taught the difference between right and wrong from an early age, but as they get older humans tend to form their own judgements, values and belief systems which in turn they pass on to their children. While a person's sense of justice may be based on parental indoctrination, moral foundations change as children become adults with independent thought and some instilled values may become rejected for a more personalised code of ethics.

WEEK 8 (24 April 2006)

In the discussion forum the students talked about the differing ethical approaches in relation to justice in society. Various theories of punishment were debated in regard to creating and maintaining a good society, however I tend to favour the utilitarian process of rehabilitation because although I don't consider it a punishment I do think it's progressive. As a Christian my view is that while humans do make mistakes they deserve forgiveness, therefore the element of clemency in rehabilitation appeals to me and is not only logical, but fair and justifiable except perhaps in the case of paedophiles. Interestingly at the start of the course I considered myself a deontologist, but I can now see that I am also quite the virtue ethicist and although originally I was opposed to the utilitarian way of thinking, I realise that sometimes it is necessary. Utilitarianism is an ethical approach that is particularly useful when dealing with dilemmas where there are large numbers of people involved, such as in wars and natural disasters.

A punishment philosophy I have always disagreed with because of my stance against vengeance was retribution, but in certain contexts it does have it's place and can be utilised to establish some form of "moral balance". The deontological standpoint of retributivism asserts that an eye for an eye is fair punishment, which until recently I thought was malicious and ineffectual, nonetheless a life sentence is apt penance for murder and in Saudi Arabia the threat of cutting off hands does stem thievery. The utilitarian method of deterrence can work but usually only in symbiosis with religious or spiritual authority, there has been little evidence to prove neither incapacitation alone nor even the death penalty effectively prevents crime. Imprisoning law-breakers may protect society in the short term but in the long run many criminals come out of jail more hardened and better criminals, for those that commit violent crime incapacitation does not address the issues that caused the act therefore how can it be prevented in the future. In contrast the idea of restitution for criminal behaviour may be advantageous in making amends to the victim or by benefiting the community at large. Depending on the crime remuneration to the victim may serve as some form of atonement, but if not the agent of bad behaviour has the opportunity to turn their act around and do some good for society in terms of a service.

Community service is an operative concept because it enables those citizens that choose to harm society to help society as their punishment, however it could be made more effective if an eye for an eye approach was adopted alongside rehabilitation. For example an alcoholic drink driver might have their license revoked, be forced to attend a psychiatrist, alcoholics anonymous meetings and work in a hospital ward of drink driving victims for a period as punishment but moreover enlightenment which may lead to less likelihood of re-offending. Conversely restorative forms of justice such as community conferencing have proven to be quite successful in dealing with youth crime and placating the victim and their families, by having the perpetrator face up to their victim the injured parties have the opportunity to understand, heal and possibly forgive. Of the various ethical approaches to social justice, the one that would be most useful to addressing the current problem of whether it is a good idea to pull troops out of Iraq is interestingly the one that caused the damage in the first place, act utilitarianism. "The 2003 Iraq war was justified by the argument that it will save the lives of countless American citizens from some future terrorist acts and also protect Iraq citizens from a brutal dictator, but there is no question that in order to bring about this good end, innocent Iraq citizens died" (Pollock 2004, 34). It is obvious now that approximately 38 thousand civilians have died for nothing and the country is embroiled in a virtual civil war, from a utilitarian standpoint perhaps the best course of action would be to withdraw the 'coalition of the willing' who have only served to fuel the situation

WEEK 9 (1 May 2006)

I was reading The Courier-Mail today and was really surprised to come across an article about forced removal of adornments from children's gravesites, what particularly struck me was the insensitivity of placing the deadline on Mother's Day. The council's argument supporting this action was that objects may get broken and harm maintenance workers and that " … some of these things are not in keeping with the solemn nature of the setting" (2006, 15). I found it unbelievable that the council would be more interested in aesthetics than concerned with alleviating grief or celebrating life, particularly for parents suffering the death of an infant. Of the items considered offensive, brightly painted headstones were not dangerous and made people feel better so I can't see where the problem lays, shouldn't priority be put on paying respects and mourning a loss, not the decor. I found it saddening that parents left night lights for their babies so they wouldn't be afraid of the dark yet are being made to remove them, it's obvious that these people are still very protective of their children so it is cruel to force parents to abandon them. I can only imagine how distressing that must be and how angry they must feel at the State Parliament for this decision to clean up Caboolture Lawn Cemetery in such a heartless way.

WEEK 10 (8 May 2006)

As we near the end of the course I wonder if a just world is possible with all the obstacles in place, our leaders not really wanting it and God being the almighty dollar ruling decisions for humanity. I know we can tackle the small issues in hopes of bettering the future but I think it's going to take a long time before real justice prevails across the globe. Structural inequality in Australia obviously must be dismantled if we want a fair society without poverty, but will those that pull the strings allow it or are we fighting a battle that can never be won? I hope that I will never give up my mission to make the world a better place, but for the first time I am wondering if in the greater scheme of things I will eventually meet a brick wall and should not even bother. I don't want to submit to the seemingly endless barricades and it is not in my nature to be apathetic so all I can do is keep going, seek justice and do my best to gain the credentials I need to enforce it.

I don't think I fit in very well with my fellow students in the discussion forum because my ideas conflict with theirs quite often and I get the impression that I come across as anti-Australian and cynical, I was even accused of living a sheltered life! I admit I do take issue with the Australian way of life but over the months that I have been getting to know other cultures I have come to appreciate my country more and take some pride in it. Even though my ancestors are Irish I am honoured to be related to the original caretakers of this land through my Husband and two of my children, and I see now through the eyes of Middle-Easterners that Australia is a wonderland to be cherished. I feel blessed but at the same time saddened however in my search for social justice, my studies have inspired me to reach out to war torn nations but I am frustrated as to how I can help and make a real difference. I have gained illumination, seen humanity at it's best and suffering at it's worst, faced shocking lessons and found a road to peace and love, but how can I reciprocate to the extent that I want to and meet the needs of desperate brave admirable people? We study social ethics and the justice system but how can make people like George Bush Junior and John Howard act sanely, humanely and truly democratically when we are merely citizens, how can we stop wars, terrorism and genocide… that's what I want to know!

WEEK 11 (15 May 2006)

For the community service component of my ethical journal I really wanted to help Iraqi and Afghan refugees settle in Australia, specifically because I care about their plight and also I hoped it might alleviate the helplessness I feel for my friends in the Middle-East. Unfortunately my agoraphobia prevailed and so I am going to discuss my on-line volunteering activities instead which consequently I realise are quite significant, am extremely passionate about and can only hope to do more of as time goes by. For approximately a year I have been very active on the Internet trying to bring the world together on a crusade for social justice, endeavouring to learn and teach as much as I can and inevitably this has completely changed my life and seemingly touched others in a positive way. Consequently it has also destroyed my marriage but I feel that it has been worth it because international misperceptions have been quashed, cultural gaps bridged, I have been able to help the truly desperate and met the type of people I need in my life. My worldview has expanded incredibly, as has my vocabulary of international salutations; I have become enriched with the lore of other cultures and long held ideologies, particularly in regard to the situation for women in the Orient have been reshaped. It has been a worthwhile mission getting to know the world's people, fashioning collaborations and inspiriting others has resulted in the formation of tight bonds, an honoured position as international coordinator for Women's Empowerment Australia and my writings have been published on the Internet!

However my efforts on the Internet have also opened my eyes to the reality of paranoia, censorship and repression when you try to inform the masses about injustice or mix with people deemed suspicious, especially Middle-Easterners at this time. I have had sensitive information disappear for no apparent reason off my web site, my groups have been shut down as if they never existed and my web-log is occasionally monitored by US officials, which is concerning but since my intentions are ethical I refuse to be quietened. I believe people should know what is going on in the world, the wrongs that are being committed and the suffering that exists so that we can enact change upon these things, not turn a blind eye to our fellows because it is inhumane and irresponsible. I also feel very strongly about paedophilia and child pornography on the Internet, when I first discovered it I was extremely upset because I have endured sexual abuse myself, however I harnessed my distress and now use it to drive me forward to stop this kind of cruel exploitation. I refer most of my complaints to the Australian Communications and Media Authority and in turn they pass it on to relevant law enforcement officials, so far I have managed to help shut down the web-sites of people who exploit baby rape and disrupted the activities of child pornography traders. As frustrating as it is to not be able to fix all the world's problems in a day, solutions can be found through empathy, education and action, mores there is a possible road to peace through understanding, tolerance and collaboration yet we must try for deeds speaks louder than words!

WEEK 12 (22 May 2006)

Interview with Fady Hadid (Student, age 22) - Situated in Baghdad, Iraq. Date: 25 May 2006. Time: 11:20PM via MSN Messenger.

Ethical dilemma: Due to the present situation of a civil war either existing or erupting, do you think that it would be beneficial or detrimental to the Iraqi people to pull the troops out of Iraq?

DAVIES-FAHY	When America bombed Baghdad in 2003 did the Iraqi people feel that they were being liberated or attacked?
Mr Hadid	Most Iraqis were happy to be saved from Saddam's regime, and actually you can see that on their faces when they were welcoming the American troops while they were entering Baghdad and toppling the statues
DAVIES-FAHY	How did you feel and how did you cope with the bombing?
Mr Hadid	Also, the troops were so friendly with the Iraqi civilians
Mr Hadid	Personally, I still remember how I felt the first night of the bombing... actually, I was prepared psychologically for it... it was just another war
DAVIES-FAHY	God...
DAVIES-FAHY	Shortly after however, did you feel safe that the American forces were occupying Iraq?
Mr Hadid	No, but we weren't threatened by anything then... you know, that's what started to make the Iraqi people mad... "Occupation" is a tough term in our society. And in any society!
DAVIES-FAHY	Fair comment
Mr Hadid	I still remember that we used to invite the American soldiers to drink tea with us and have a chat... some people even prepared meals for them...
DAVIES-FAHY	Did the troops continue to respect and protect the Iraqi civilians?
Mr Hadid	Yes, they were so professional, and most of them behaved with good manners
DAVIES-FAHY	I ask because I heard stories of Iraqi women being raped by British soldiers and there was the Abu Ghraib abuse
Mr Hadid	You know, most of them truly believe that they are here to help us and they worked and behaved according to that belief, which is good
DAVIES-FAHY	Yes... that is very good but over 38 000 civilians have been killed over weapons of mass destruction that never existed!
Mr Hadid	That's right.... Well about raping Iraqi women... I've never heard of that... I know that the British soldiers are even more professional and strict than the American ones but what happened in Abu Ghraib was outrageous! But let me remind you that the Iraqi prisoners face more terrible things with the hands of the Iraqi security forces
DAVIES-FAHY	Really, even now?
Mr Hadid	Yes
Mr Hadid	Then the American troops changed their strategy towards the Iraqi people, since they started to get attacked unexpectedly... and they started to be more hostile just to protect themselves
DAVIES-FAHY	Why do you think the Iraqi people (or insurgents) turned hostile?
Mr Hadid	…So now, I can't even be near an American soldier, or I'll be killed, 100m is the minimum distance between the two of us... while we used to drink tea together
DAVIES-FAHY	On a rating of 1-10 what would you say is the proportion that the American invasion has secured peace and safety for the Iraqi people or on the same scale how much are things worse than they were before?
Mr Hadid	They just can't trust us any more… 1 for securing peace and safety
DAVIES-FAHY	Do you think looking back to before the invasion, that life for Iraqi civilians was better or worse?
Mr Hadid	Well, it's very hard to tell... it was worse in some aspects and it was better in other aspects. Like, if we were still under Saddam's regime I wouldn't be talking to you right now. If we consider the current situation as a temporary phase, it's better now
DAVIES-FAHY	Why were Iraqis not allowed to use messengers, I understand that communications and news were suppressed from the people, is that correct? Why do you think this was so?
Mr Hadid	Yes, it was a part of that suppression... to filter and control information... to be in power...
DAVIES-FAHY	I remember reading somewhere that one of the first things the Iraqis wanted to know upon the American arrival was news about the outside world, is this true... did they really have no idea what was going on outside of their nation?
Mr Hadid	No that's not accurate... but for instance, we could only watch Iraqi TV... so just after the fall of the regime, all people ran to the markets to buy satellite receivers to get the world's TV channels.
DAVIES-FAHY	If you had been caught using a messenger under Saddam's rule, what might have happened to you?
Mr Hadid	Well, it wasn't possible for me to install the messenger and run it, because they had this firewall that prevented it... but even if I could, the secret police may have come, captured and interrogated me
DAVIES-FAHY	Is it true that Saddam minced people who didn't do things his way?
Mr Hadid	Absolutely
DAVIES-FAHY	Unbelievable! How did you deal with such a life?
Mr Hadid	Well, personally... I didn't have any problems with the authorities... like we say here "walking next to the wall"...
DAVIES-FAHY	But didn't you find it hard to accept that such authorities exist, other than in horror stories?
Mr Hadid	Yes, it was difficult... people were horrified here... living in constant horror... but what to do... when some rise to try to make a change, they get repressed and killed or imprisoned
DAVIES-FAHY	Yes... true. Since then the Iraqis have had to deal with suicide bombings, hostage taking and civilians being murdered randomly, you must feel like you're living on a knife edge constantly
Mr Hadid	But we have to live with that; we have to continue living our daily lives in spite of the terror that we face in the streets everyday
DAVIES-FAHY	You're an inspiration! There is debate in regard to the current situation in Iraq, from what I can tell there is civil chaos but Western governments are hesitant to accept or proclaim there is a civil war going on. As an Iraqi civilian in Baghdad what is your view?
Mr Hadid	That depends on the definition of a civil war... what is happening here is some militias are terrorising civilians according to their identity and religion... we haven't reached the point where civilians carry weapons and fight each other as in Lebanon's civil war, but I'm afraid it might reach that point
Mr Hadid	Since most of the Iraqi Shiites and Sunnis are following their clerics now, and the latter are not leading the people to the road of tolerance, peace and understanding
DAVIES-FAHY	At what rate is the situation escalating, for the average Iraqi civilian it seems that it is not even safe to exist any more.
Mr Hadid	It's not, it's hard and complicated, for example, I have a college-mate who lives in Dyala (or Diala), which is a provenance that lies north-east of Baghdad, he comes from a Shiite-Sunni family, but last week they found a hand-made bomb just in front of their house, but his father was quick enough to defuse it by cutting the wires... then they had a death threat because they're Shiites so they had to leave the city and now they're homeless, living in a friends house
DAVIES-FAHY	As a non-religious citizen you must find it incredibly frustrating!
Mr Hadid	Life is unbearable here, but we have to live it
DAVIES-FAHY	Do you think at this point that it would be a good idea for the troops to withdraw from Iraq or a bad one?
Mr Hadid	It's a bad idea, because the Iraqi security forces are not ready yet to take control of the security situation here.
DAVIES-FAHY	Yes, I hear that the Australian army are trying to train them and apparently they're hopeless and treating their training like a joke... surely they must understand the severity of the situation they and their people face?
Mr Hadid	Well the Iraqi forces are also corrupt and I'm talking here about individuals, like, they only joined the forces just to earn money and accept bribes, and they're not serious about getting a proper training or fighting for Iraq's security and since they are all like that, the American (or other nationalities) trainers started to feel the same too... not being serious about the training and just doing it for the money
Mr Hadid	So, you can see that most of the Iraqi forces are young, untrained, unexperienced, don't know how to deal with various situations and on top of all, corrupt
DAVIES-FAHY	Do you feel that there is any hope for Iraq and if so... what could be done to help her long-suffering people? What could other nations do to assist in alleviating some of the problems?
Mr Hadid	There's always hope but it will take time and unfortunately, a long time, because it's in the nature of the Iraqi society to be stubborn, so they didn't accept to benefit from other nations' experiences of how to deal with such situations, so they will learn that in time...
Mr Hadid	They will realise sooner or later (unfortunately later) that they're supporting the wrong people for running the government and to be representatives in the parliament. So the solution will take a long time, and it should come from the Iraqi people themselves
DAVIES-FAHY	In the meantime Fady, what hopes do you have for the future?
Mr Hadid	I hope that Iraqis would understand and realise that Iraq is big enough for all of us, it's our home and we should take care of it. I hope we can live in peace and tolerance with each other and with other societies and cultures around us, and I hope that violence gets demolished from the Iraqi streets and minds
Mr Hadid	Iraqis have big potential and they can do much, but the blindfold should be torn off so they can see what's ahead of them and start rebuilding our country
DAVIES-FAHY	In closing Mr Hadid, do you have any final remarks or words of wisdom that you would like to share with the world at large?
Mr Hadid	I hope people from the other side of the world understand that what we are facing here is just a temporary phase and what you see on the news about violence and all does not represent the typical Iraqis. Just give us the needed time to heal our wounds and start building our new civilisation

 

 

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