I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
I promise to update this again soon
*chalk snaps*
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
At the request of Joan...
There once was a girl named Joan Wee. She just bought herself a shiny, expensive necklace made of diamonds. The pen which so elegantly painted her artistic signature had barely left the receipt, when a giant thieving monkey came away and stole the necklace from her. How the monkey ended up in the store, I don't know. Anyways, she never recovered it. So to ease her anguish, she decided to drown her sorrows that night at Hyde Bar. 34 shots of Bacardi 151 later, and whilst being piggy-backed by her caring boyfriend, her stomach could contain no more. Out came the hor fun she ate for dinner that night, some of it onto the damp and puddled ground, some in her boyfriend's hair, and some of it into the box of pizza shapes her friend was holding. What a crazy drunk Joan is.
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Other Tibet
I know that Tibet's spotlight is a good thing. At the very least, now the most ignorant of people are aware that something's not right over there. Now they can happily shake their fists north towards China and take out their hate on the nearest Chinese person. They don't have to look far. There's one of us at every corner! :D
Though the one bad thing is that it's taken away any chance of Zimbabwe getting prime time news feed. And quite frankly, as bad as things might be in Tibet, point for point, the poor Zimbabweans (that how you call them?) have it much worse. Go Google Zimbabwe's recent history, or even Wikipedia it. I'm sure Wiki's misfacts can't be too far from the real truth. Hell, Mugabe's record is really that bad. Case in point: their inflation is 165,000% WHAT...THE...?!?! So how do you fix it? Why, you just create a 10 million dollar note. Problem solved! Stupid Mugabe... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7351086.stm
But its this article that just makes me plain mad... Courtesy of The Age, which I think was courtesy of the Guardian newspaper in the UK. http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/mugabes-men-take-their-revenge/2008/04/16/1208025282807.html.
Mugabe's men take their revenge
Chris Mcgreal, April 17 '08
IT IS called Operation Makavhoterapapi — Shona for "Where did you put your cross?" — and it descended on 15-year-old Privilege Chikwana as she was doing her homework.
Privilege was too young to have voted in Zimbabwe's still unresolved election but her mother did, and the men at the door suspected she voted the wrong way. So they took the child back to a school in Chiwaka village, where Zanu-PF activists were holding opposition supporters prisoner, and started beating her.
"They beat her on the buttocks with wooden rods, beat her and beat her because they said she was hiding me. Men were doing this," Privilege's mother, Faustina Chikwana, said. "When I heard they had taken her to the school, I went straight there. There was a big group of Zanu-PF, about 100. They had drums. They were singing. They grabbed me and they had a list of where we voted. That's when it started."
Mrs Chikwana and her daughter are now in a Harare hospital hardly able to move because of the injuries inflicted as a wave of state-sponsored terror sweeps rural Zimbabwe.
It is punishing voters for supporting the opposition and aims to ensure that, if there is a run-off presidential election, they do not repeat their mistake.
Also in the same hospital are others who have survived the beatings and burnings. They include Mike Mavhura, whose hands are swollen, bloodied and seared after burning grass was piled on him and his arms were broken in several places.
Down the corridor is Daniel Muchuchuti, a 62-year-old retired major from the Zimbabwean army and village head, who has broken ribs.
On the floor below is Linus Mubwanda, whose brother Tapiwa, a Movement for Democratic Change district chairman, was beaten to death in front of him.
They are from diverse parts of rural Zimbabwe and they are a fraction of the many hundreds of people the opposition says have been assaulted as gangs of armed Zanu-PF supporters under military leadership move through the countryside, using polling station returns to identify villages where support for the opposition was strong.
Many hundreds more have been forced from their homes. War veterans burned the houses of 30 families in Centenary. Those who have tried to report the attacks to the police have sometimes themselves been arrested.
Mrs Chikwana, 38, says she is not an opposition activist and that her vote is her secret. But not secret enough. There were two polling stations in Chiwaka. One raised suspicions. Zanu-PF told people that they should vote there.
"When they were beating me, they wanted to know why I didn't go to their polling station. They said to me: 'If you vote in the other place, it's secret and that means you voted for the opposition.'
"They said they knew how people voted in that polling station from the figures and it wasn't for Zanu-PF," she said.
"They said we must vote for Zanu-PF. If you don't vote Zanu-PF you must go away. They said we were selling the country to the whites."
Few people have been killed in the beatings. It would appear that Zanu-PF has learned that deaths attract attention. But there has been at least one killing. Tapiwa Mubwanda was the MDC district chairman of a village in the north of the country. He was bludgeoned to death on Saturday as his brother was beaten next to him.
"They said it was to teach us how to vote," said Linus, 58. "They said: 'It's your own fault, voting for the opposition. That's why we are doing all these things to you. When we have the run-off, you will know how to vote'."
Friday, April 04, 2008
Cautious optimism
Yay! China says that they'll re-open Lhasa, Tibet to foreigners on May 1. Why they decide to do this one night after I start looking up alternatives to Tibet I don't know. Seems like China is just way too good at pissing people off. Of course, this in no way means that I'll still be able to go there. And further to that, even if I were to go, this doesn't assure me that some passionate group of resentful Tibetans won't see my Chinese face as the perfect reason to dismantle it fist by fist, no matter how cantankerously stubborn they are towards my cries of "I'm not a Han, I'm not a Han!!" If only they knew how empathic this Chinese boy is towards their dilemma, they'd welcome me with open arms and hopefully lots of (good) food. But hey, at least things are looking on the up.
And my hip hurts for no apparent reason. Don't give me this "but you're a physio, so do something about it" crap. Until you find some cardiac surgeon that's able to perform his own bypass surgery, then come back and say it.
And my hip hurts for no apparent reason. Don't give me this "but you're a physio, so do something about it" crap. Until you find some cardiac surgeon that's able to perform his own bypass surgery, then come back and say it.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Marching on
March ended up pretty mundane and boring. Ever since the weekend away on the beach in Torquay, it's been work, eat, sleep, rinse and repeat. Throw in the occasional drink and a couple of easter bunny chocolates, along with the obligatory church services and that's been the past few weeks in summary. Probably never realised this until one night catching up with Cze-Hui, the conversation revolved around what's been happening in her life the past few weeks. Then when asked what's news with me, I struggled to think of anything newsworthy to report back.
I guess there is one thing: I have a PS3. Ha! How hilarious is that. Well technically it's Julius' but I'll claim it as my own little baby. It came as his birthday gift, the idea concocted by his girlfriend, and the willingness to fund this grand scheme by several people. It's funny how whenever you think of gifts to give to family members, you always think, "what could I use/want/need that I can pass off as a present for Mum/Dad/Julius". Voila! Hello, PS3.
And it looks like the Tibet part of my forthcoming adventure looks to be in jeopardy. Intrepid's cancelled the tour I'm doing up until June. I don't see how anything will die down until the Olympics in August which leaves two months before I set off for problems to ease. Needless to say, it's not something worth betting on. I feel for Tibet. I want the separatist movement, as the Chinese so dramatically put it, to succeed and force China to give them back independence. Yet the selfish me wants the PLA to hurry up and accomplish the more likely scenario of crushing the rebellion, so things settle down and I can go. Assuming the latter takes place, I guess going there is still risky. After all, I am Chinese. I should probably first get a custom-made T-shirt to wear whilst in Tibet which reads "I am not Chinese so please don't beat me up."
At least Nepal looks stable. But then their elections are coming up I think... Crap...
I guess there is one thing: I have a PS3. Ha! How hilarious is that. Well technically it's Julius' but I'll claim it as my own little baby. It came as his birthday gift, the idea concocted by his girlfriend, and the willingness to fund this grand scheme by several people. It's funny how whenever you think of gifts to give to family members, you always think, "what could I use/want/need that I can pass off as a present for Mum/Dad/Julius". Voila! Hello, PS3.
And it looks like the Tibet part of my forthcoming adventure looks to be in jeopardy. Intrepid's cancelled the tour I'm doing up until June. I don't see how anything will die down until the Olympics in August which leaves two months before I set off for problems to ease. Needless to say, it's not something worth betting on. I feel for Tibet. I want the separatist movement, as the Chinese so dramatically put it, to succeed and force China to give them back independence. Yet the selfish me wants the PLA to hurry up and accomplish the more likely scenario of crushing the rebellion, so things settle down and I can go. Assuming the latter takes place, I guess going there is still risky. After all, I am Chinese. I should probably first get a custom-made T-shirt to wear whilst in Tibet which reads "I am not Chinese so please don't beat me up."
At least Nepal looks stable. But then their elections are coming up I think... Crap...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Bad timing
So barely a week after I book tickets for my trip, Tibet's capital decides to descend into a state of semi-anarchy.
Wonderful...
Wonderful...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The great bowling divide
The lawn bowls league used to be a harmonious gathering of friends, both retired and non-retired. Then one day a young lady, in stark contrast to the old lawn bowler stereotype, wanted to play. Unfortunately for her she had to tackle the progressively filling schedule of work and uni. The only day she could play was on Saturday. Therein lay the problem for her, since Saturday was gentlemens' day where only the males could play competition bowling that day. Not that it was discrimination of any sort since the ladies had their day too. Tuesday was ladies' day where only the women played.
Despite this the young lady cried, "SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUALITY!!" The older women jumped on board, seemingly united by this one young voice who had the confidence to bring her opinions forward and make them be known. She took the league to court. Their main argument: males and females are equal in skill in the game of lawn bowls. Hence, the ladies should be allowed to compete with the men. Much to-ing and fro-ing later, the women were victorious and were officially allowed to play on Saturday against the blokes, much to the antipathy of the males.
"Well alright then" said all the blokes. If we can't have our day, the ladies can't have their's. So they went to the courts to argue that they should be allowed to play on Tuesday - Ladies' day. The judge ruled in their favour, and blokes began to play competition bowling on Tuesday against the ladies.
The blokes then proceeded to massacre the ladies on the scoresheets every Tuesday. Outraged by the turn of events, the ladies threw up their arms and shouted, "SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUALITY!!" So back to the courts they went where they argued and whined to the judge like petty little 12 year old girls, saying that it's not fair the males could play with them because of their physical advantage.
But then the judge stopped and thought, "Hang on. Didn't you girls argue that you wanted to play Saturdays because you're just as good as the men?" With that, the case became a no contest, and males around the bowling clubs state-wide felt a sense of both justice and satisfaction from knowing that they had shafted the evil elderly (plus one young lass) feminists.
Q: What's the definition of irony?
A: Extreme (as opposed to the normal, mild) Feminism - They preach equality like it were more important than the Bible and the Qu'ran rolled into one. Yet what they actually want is usually unfair for males.
Another thought: what's with all the Michael Jackson remakes on the radio these days?
Despite this the young lady cried, "SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUALITY!!" The older women jumped on board, seemingly united by this one young voice who had the confidence to bring her opinions forward and make them be known. She took the league to court. Their main argument: males and females are equal in skill in the game of lawn bowls. Hence, the ladies should be allowed to compete with the men. Much to-ing and fro-ing later, the women were victorious and were officially allowed to play on Saturday against the blokes, much to the antipathy of the males.
"Well alright then" said all the blokes. If we can't have our day, the ladies can't have their's. So they went to the courts to argue that they should be allowed to play on Tuesday - Ladies' day. The judge ruled in their favour, and blokes began to play competition bowling on Tuesday against the ladies.
The blokes then proceeded to massacre the ladies on the scoresheets every Tuesday. Outraged by the turn of events, the ladies threw up their arms and shouted, "SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUALITY!!" So back to the courts they went where they argued and whined to the judge like petty little 12 year old girls, saying that it's not fair the males could play with them because of their physical advantage.
But then the judge stopped and thought, "Hang on. Didn't you girls argue that you wanted to play Saturdays because you're just as good as the men?" With that, the case became a no contest, and males around the bowling clubs state-wide felt a sense of both justice and satisfaction from knowing that they had shafted the evil elderly (plus one young lass) feminists.
Q: What's the definition of irony?
A: Extreme (as opposed to the normal, mild) Feminism - They preach equality like it were more important than the Bible and the Qu'ran rolled into one. Yet what they actually want is usually unfair for males.
Another thought: what's with all the Michael Jackson remakes on the radio these days?
Friday, March 07, 2008
Booked
So it's all settled then.
On the night of October the 3rd I go to the airport, likely dragging along some poor member of the family who has to then make the hour drive home at about midnight. As the clock ticks over to the 4th, the Singapore airlines plane jets off to Singapore (you don't say!?). Upon arrival I bludge for three hours in transit at Changi. Hopefully the first flight isn't delayed because if I miss the connecting flight this whole trip is screwed. Anyway, at some time in the morning I drag myself up to another plane which takes me to Kathmandu. I arrive in the afternoon and spend the first day there by myself in one big jet-lagged ball of mess.
On the 5th I join up with the rest of the small group at some hotel, and for the next three weeks I trek through the Himalayas around the Annapurna massifs with the company of these complete total strangers, who will be all good people...hopefully.
On the 26th I arrive back at Kathmandu and join up with another small group. We then take a plane to Lhasa, Tibet and work our way south-west back towards Nepal, stopping along Everest on the way. The key word being along not on. I ain't crazy.
On the 9th of November we arrive back at Kathmandu where I spend the next two days by myself, with my friend Lonely Planet.
On the 11th of November I fly back to Singapore, where I transit for another few hours whilst wishing I could just go home, for six weeks away from your own bed, and your own pillow is a crime against humanity.
I get home on the 12th provided I am still alive.
On the night of October the 3rd I go to the airport, likely dragging along some poor member of the family who has to then make the hour drive home at about midnight. As the clock ticks over to the 4th, the Singapore airlines plane jets off to Singapore (you don't say!?). Upon arrival I bludge for three hours in transit at Changi. Hopefully the first flight isn't delayed because if I miss the connecting flight this whole trip is screwed. Anyway, at some time in the morning I drag myself up to another plane which takes me to Kathmandu. I arrive in the afternoon and spend the first day there by myself in one big jet-lagged ball of mess.
On the 5th I join up with the rest of the small group at some hotel, and for the next three weeks I trek through the Himalayas around the Annapurna massifs with the company of these complete total strangers, who will be all good people...hopefully.
On the 26th I arrive back at Kathmandu and join up with another small group. We then take a plane to Lhasa, Tibet and work our way south-west back towards Nepal, stopping along Everest on the way. The key word being along not on. I ain't crazy.
On the 9th of November we arrive back at Kathmandu where I spend the next two days by myself, with my friend Lonely Planet.
On the 11th of November I fly back to Singapore, where I transit for another few hours whilst wishing I could just go home, for six weeks away from your own bed, and your own pillow is a crime against humanity.
I get home on the 12th provided I am still alive.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Annoying patients/clients
Just because you're allocated 40 minutes for your assessment doesn't mean I have to give you 40 minutes. If all it takes is 30 minutes then that's all it takes! It's like going under the knife for a triple bypass operation that's allocated three hours, but all it takes is two and a half hours, and I wake up to tell the surgeon, "hey, hey! I'm given three hours here, so unstitch me and keep operating buddy."
In the same vein, I don't try to bargain with the surgeon to take 17% off the price because it took a shorter time. What are we? Roadside market health practitioners?!
Silly people.
In the same vein, I don't try to bargain with the surgeon to take 17% off the price because it took a shorter time. What are we? Roadside market health practitioners?!
Silly people.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Apparently this blog has a lot to do with sex
That counter on the left side of this page is pretty neat. It tells me that people actually read this shite. I feel both a sense of love and popularity, mixed in with genuine bewilderment as to why you people actually come back to hear me go on about whatever random crap is in my head at the current time. But that's not the neat thing about it. It actually tracks down what page referred the user onto my humble online abode. For most visits, there is "no referring link", because you have it either bookmarked (awww!) or you keep manually typing in the web address into the URL line, in which case, learn how to bookmark pages you idiot! But then some people have clicked on a link from another page, almost inevitably some random stranger halfway across the world, and almost always from the Google search engine. Not only does it tell me that it's from Google, but it even tells me what terms the person put into the search engine which caused this blog to pop up high on the Google results list. So what words have people put into the search engine to lead them here?
Predictably, when people type in MacGyver, drinking straw, paper clip, or combinations of those words, this blog seems to appear high up on Google's results list. Ok, understandable since that's just the freakin' title of this whole thing.
But then...
Piss straw drinking - ok, that's quite a weird fetish. Whatever floats your boat, sir.
how to build a car out of string, straw and rubber band - Hmmm... someone takes MacGyver a little too seriously
me strangle her - errr.....so I might have had a murderer come across this blog?
crazy, solo acting, nuts, I like nuts - I don't think I've mentioned anthing in this blog about my unrelenting lust for all things nuts
i have a crush on physio - so apparently someone has called their child "Physio"... those parents should be shot
sex and paperclips - woah! Ok, so the guy that's handcuffed to the bed uses the paperclips to unlock himself? 'coz if not I'm struggling to see how paperclips are used in a night of horizontal tango dancing.
But the best one so far...
controlling orgasm rubberband - I'm sorry, mate, but that CANNOT be fun for little Johnny living downstairs
More to the point, why is my blog associated with paperclip sex and rubberband contraception?
Predictably, when people type in MacGyver, drinking straw, paper clip, or combinations of those words, this blog seems to appear high up on Google's results list. Ok, understandable since that's just the freakin' title of this whole thing.
But then...
Piss straw drinking - ok, that's quite a weird fetish. Whatever floats your boat, sir.
how to build a car out of string, straw and rubber band - Hmmm... someone takes MacGyver a little too seriously
me strangle her - errr.....so I might have had a murderer come across this blog?
crazy, solo acting, nuts, I like nuts - I don't think I've mentioned anthing in this blog about my unrelenting lust for all things nuts
i have a crush on physio - so apparently someone has called their child "Physio"... those parents should be shot
sex and paperclips - woah! Ok, so the guy that's handcuffed to the bed uses the paperclips to unlock himself? 'coz if not I'm struggling to see how paperclips are used in a night of horizontal tango dancing.
But the best one so far...
controlling orgasm rubberband - I'm sorry, mate, but that CANNOT be fun for little Johnny living downstairs
More to the point, why is my blog associated with paperclip sex and rubberband contraception?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
How to spend your week's pay in less than an hour
Anaconda, the outdoor equipment and clothes shop, is pure evil! It will sneak up on you in the form of a radio ad, and a brother with a pamphlet, tempting you with its "20% off everything" sale for just one day (today). Then it dangles the proverbial carrot in front of you with its wide stock of practically everything you need before you head off on your adventure, in my case a trip that won't even be 'til October!
Then 50 minutes later, you're about $500 poorer :(
A couple of fleece jumpers, a pair of trousers, a good pair of trekking boots, and a sleeping bag that'll actually keep me warm for once.
And I haven't even bought a proper backpack, since the shoddy one I have now has a busted zipper and won't be big enough. I might end up spending more on stuff than the price of the three week trek around the himalayas.
Then 50 minutes later, you're about $500 poorer :(
A couple of fleece jumpers, a pair of trousers, a good pair of trekking boots, and a sleeping bag that'll actually keep me warm for once.
And I haven't even bought a proper backpack, since the shoddy one I have now has a busted zipper and won't be big enough. I might end up spending more on stuff than the price of the three week trek around the himalayas.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
That day
As I stuffed my face full of chicken, I caught the back end of a movie on cable tonight - United 93...or Flight 93. I can't remember the exact name now. You remember the infamous 9/11 and that fourth plane that never reached its target? Well that's what this movie was about - that plane, the subsequent hijacking, and the revolt of the passengers to arrest control of the plane and bring the hijacker terrorists down. Heard good things about the movie but I didn't see enough if it to commit to any judgements. I did catch it in time to see the climactic bit though - a *spoiler alert* gung-ho charge up the plane aisle by the desperate passengers, armed with one of those big, heavy food carts, multiple cans of soft drink, a couple of pots full of boiling hot water, and a fire hydrant. MacGyver would've been proud. Assuming the movie was factual, it was a sombre display of both desperation and heroism.
Hard to believe the whole thing was almost a decade ago. But even now, when pictures of the towers begin to crumble down, that oh so surrealistic cringe inside still happens a little. So many points are made about why so much emphasis is placed on this event, when scores more people die around the world for equally needless, yet tragically more preventable things. Yet this is the event that we all relate with more. It's certainly one of those "what were you doing when...?" moments. I was one of those that didn't catch the event before going to bed. I remember waking up to Dad urging me out of bed with apocalyptic predictions of "World War 3 might be happening". Then I trudged down to the living room half asleep thinking he was an idiot, and the first thing I see on the screen is a replay of the plane crashing into the building, followed by the thought of What...the...f$*k?! Then at school later on that day, the overflowing surrealism in everyone was apparent. I honestly can't remember anything funny, or anyone laughing at all that day. There was one topic of discussion, and only one. I along with a couple of others brought a little radio to school and at lunch would stick the headphones in and listen to the news to hear what's going on. It was just about the only time I'd voluntarily tuned in to an AM station. The school principle went on about the possibility of some students eventually going to war, and the apparent crying of a couple of year 7 boys later on that day. Apparently at our sister school, tears were flowing like fountains there.
As someone said either on the radio or the TV that day, "go home, just go home. Hug your kids. Hug your wife or husband. Hug your family."
Hard to believe the whole thing was almost a decade ago. But even now, when pictures of the towers begin to crumble down, that oh so surrealistic cringe inside still happens a little. So many points are made about why so much emphasis is placed on this event, when scores more people die around the world for equally needless, yet tragically more preventable things. Yet this is the event that we all relate with more. It's certainly one of those "what were you doing when...?" moments. I was one of those that didn't catch the event before going to bed. I remember waking up to Dad urging me out of bed with apocalyptic predictions of "World War 3 might be happening". Then I trudged down to the living room half asleep thinking he was an idiot, and the first thing I see on the screen is a replay of the plane crashing into the building, followed by the thought of What...the...f$*k?! Then at school later on that day, the overflowing surrealism in everyone was apparent. I honestly can't remember anything funny, or anyone laughing at all that day. There was one topic of discussion, and only one. I along with a couple of others brought a little radio to school and at lunch would stick the headphones in and listen to the news to hear what's going on. It was just about the only time I'd voluntarily tuned in to an AM station. The school principle went on about the possibility of some students eventually going to war, and the apparent crying of a couple of year 7 boys later on that day. Apparently at our sister school, tears were flowing like fountains there.
As someone said either on the radio or the TV that day, "go home, just go home. Hug your kids. Hug your wife or husband. Hug your family."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The necessary apology that we didn't necessarily have to make
Confused? Bear with me. Because this entire issue has the "white" versus "black" division at its core, I shall now put on my stereotypical rice paddy hat, and wear very yellow clothes to symbolize my Asian "yellow"ness. Now I am just a bystander with a relatively unbiased stance towards the conflicting factions! Just call me Mr. United Nations :D
So Australia, through Prime Minister The Ruddstar!, has finally apologized to the stolen generation of our indigenous Aboriginals. What happened back then was wrong. Hindsight is certainly a pain in the arse. Taking kids away to help them is one thing. But if anyone who doesn't acknowledge that a very large number of indigenous Aussies were wrongfully kept away from their families should be kicked in the testicles...or the female equivalent...if there is any. What happened should be acknowledged by all. And to say that we're sorry is a necessary thing. But we shouldn't have to actually say it. As tired and worn-out this phrase is, actions truly speak louder than words.
Personally, I don't think that today's white Australia should be compelled to apologize. But the reality is: it needed to be said. It's easy for me to sit here and write down my opinions to people who don't really give a shite. It's easy for white people to forehand and backhand opposing arguments to each other. It's another thing to actually be one of the stolen generation. And I dunno about you, but if I were taken away from my Mum and Dad at three, only to be reunited thirty years later without the ability to talk to them, then I would probably want an apology too. But I'd want it just for closure. I'd want it so I can move on.
The cold reality is that before any other progress is made between "black" and "white" Australia, this hurdle needs to be jumped. Now that it has been, it'll be interesting to see what happens. Black and white have never been so joined together than it was yesterday, and that was a very welcoming site. Just how long it stays that way will be interesting to see.
Let's just put aside the power of symbolism, a power that was most evident yesterday. When you take that away, saying "sorry" was all just show. The Prime Minister formally says sorry, followed by the Opposition Leader. The parliament and its onlookers stand and give a rapturous applause. People around the country gather together and hug each other. Kisses are given to each other, rain finally falls, and Connex finally decides to run trains on time. The world is put right. So tell me then, in a practical sense what exactly has changed? Nothing. The smart and intellectual John Howard was correct when he believed that actually doing something to improve Aboriginal circumstances is a gazillion times better than just muttering out a relatively hollow 'sorry'. The stupid, idiot Howard made the mistake in failing to see that a stronger unity was required for this to happen, and the only thing that would unite black and white sufficiently, would be the aforementioned 'sorry'.
As glad as I am that we are finally more united and we can finally move on, I must admit that I did shake my head in disappointment a little for the Aussie in the "white" corner. Why?
It's a crude and very extreme comparison, but what about the French people of today when they come across a German citizen. Do they blame them for the sins of some of their Nazi fathers? Do they demand an apology? Is the French government demanding an apology from their German counterparts? (I stand corrected if Germany has actually done this...Edit: An apology was made to the Jewish people so I will stand corrected...not quite the French, but the Holocaust is even higher on the shock list than just invading France!) What about the people of Darwin that were bombed by the Japanese? Australia never asks for an apology from the Japanese people of today. We even welcome them with open arms to our shores... we just ask politely not to kill the whales! (And failing that we send a bunch of hippies to endanger their lives hehehe) I fail to see why today's white Australia should bear the humility of apologizing for yesterday's white Australia. The more important thing should be that today's generation be empathetic to those who have suffered, and should do everything within their power to practically help out their fellow indigenous citizens. In the ideal world, but not in reality unfortunately, that's the most efficient solution to be had here. The building isn't going to build itself if we just say stuff to it.
Edit: This probably says it better: "I have decided to move to America at the end of this year. I'm of Jewish Heritage. My family survived the Holocaust. Yet instead of suing an entire country, we decided to simply just forgive our enemies and move on with our lives. Neville Austin, you may have been stolen, but we were hunted down, caged and murdered. "
The other potential problem with this sorry business is this. On one hand, this apology will bring people together and will thus make way for a desperately needed practical solution. On the other hand however, it just reinforces the "blacks" vs "whites" divide. The majority of white Australians, especially the youth, want to say sorry for things they as individuals didn't do. They feel compelled to apologize because they're "white" and thus represent the wrongs of those individuals before them. The race card is being played and because of that, the current hand on the table looks all the more different. If race and colour had nothing to do with this, this would be a non-issue. Think of this - a white four year old boy is taken from his 22 year old mother and father. They are not looking after their kid. They don't feed him. They don't seek any medical attention for him. They just don't care. Perhaps they even physically or sexually abuse him. (And this is in no way a generalisation of the Aboriginal community). The welfare officers come and take the child away. All of a sudden, many of us are applauding this. "She shouldn't have a child at such a young age." "She's despicable, how could you possibly treat a child like that?!" Now change this hypothetical a little and let's pretend that this family were Aboriginal. I tell you... the race card is like having the royal flush in one card. We should be aiming for a world where "black" and "white" are outdated terms. It's a funny situation this, because it's both helping this, yet it's also making it worse. In the end, the blacks will be closer to the whites that want to say sorry, but they'll be further divided from the whites that think we shouldn't apologize.
Another point. Going back onto this whole thing being a "show". Case in point - "We are sorry for taking away your children from you"... yet 300 metres down the road the exact thing is still happening. See http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23195827-5001021,00.html It's like saying, "Hey I'm sorry for calling you a 'wanker', you wanker."
Finally something that really annoyed me about what happened. And no, contrary to what some of you may think, I am not a narrow-sighted voter that just votes Liberal 'for the hell of it'. The opposition leader Brendan Nelson had a chance to make his apology speech, but many of the public and even politicians turned their backs on him immediately (I didn't see it live so I'm counting on various news reports). Firstly, his speech was inappropriate. But was it correct? Yes. For a large majority of people, it was a case of "we all thought it, he just said it". The sad truth was that white Australia back then actually did have good intentions. And indeed, it was not all bad news. Some of those taken believe they probably wouldn't be alive today had they not been taken. (See http://www.abc.net.au/alicesprings/stories/s2160407.htm) But this wasn't the case for everyone, and regardless, they shouldn't have been kept away from their families. Once again, hindsight's a bitch. Having said that, bringing up the details of all that bad history yesterday was really poor timing. Yet it's ironic how people mocked Nelson and were irate at him for bringing up the past, yet these very same people are the ones that immaturely turned their backs on him, seemingly because of his party's past views on the issue. The word 'juvenile' springs to mind. Did I ever mention that I hate hypocrisy!? Also, how come the failings of previous Labor governments to apologize (remember, they never apologized either) didn't go unpunished? On principle, people should have turned their backs on them too!
I guess too many of us follow whatever seems to be popular and never actually think for ourselves.
In a nutshell, the nation should acknowledge the wrongs of the past towards the large number of those affected. Everything practical should be done to right this wrong. (Not individual compensations though...that's an entirely different matter). Strategies should be put in place to work with the Aboriginal community (anything without their opinions/consent/approval is pointless) to work on all facets of their community that need improving, whilst respecting all their cultural wishes and desires.
Learn from the past and move on.
Sorry for making this too long. :P
So Australia, through Prime Minister The Ruddstar!, has finally apologized to the stolen generation of our indigenous Aboriginals. What happened back then was wrong. Hindsight is certainly a pain in the arse. Taking kids away to help them is one thing. But if anyone who doesn't acknowledge that a very large number of indigenous Aussies were wrongfully kept away from their families should be kicked in the testicles...or the female equivalent...if there is any. What happened should be acknowledged by all. And to say that we're sorry is a necessary thing. But we shouldn't have to actually say it. As tired and worn-out this phrase is, actions truly speak louder than words.
Personally, I don't think that today's white Australia should be compelled to apologize. But the reality is: it needed to be said. It's easy for me to sit here and write down my opinions to people who don't really give a shite. It's easy for white people to forehand and backhand opposing arguments to each other. It's another thing to actually be one of the stolen generation. And I dunno about you, but if I were taken away from my Mum and Dad at three, only to be reunited thirty years later without the ability to talk to them, then I would probably want an apology too. But I'd want it just for closure. I'd want it so I can move on.
The cold reality is that before any other progress is made between "black" and "white" Australia, this hurdle needs to be jumped. Now that it has been, it'll be interesting to see what happens. Black and white have never been so joined together than it was yesterday, and that was a very welcoming site. Just how long it stays that way will be interesting to see.
Let's just put aside the power of symbolism, a power that was most evident yesterday. When you take that away, saying "sorry" was all just show. The Prime Minister formally says sorry, followed by the Opposition Leader. The parliament and its onlookers stand and give a rapturous applause. People around the country gather together and hug each other. Kisses are given to each other, rain finally falls, and Connex finally decides to run trains on time. The world is put right. So tell me then, in a practical sense what exactly has changed? Nothing. The smart and intellectual John Howard was correct when he believed that actually doing something to improve Aboriginal circumstances is a gazillion times better than just muttering out a relatively hollow 'sorry'. The stupid, idiot Howard made the mistake in failing to see that a stronger unity was required for this to happen, and the only thing that would unite black and white sufficiently, would be the aforementioned 'sorry'.
As glad as I am that we are finally more united and we can finally move on, I must admit that I did shake my head in disappointment a little for the Aussie in the "white" corner. Why?
It's a crude and very extreme comparison, but what about the French people of today when they come across a German citizen. Do they blame them for the sins of some of their Nazi fathers? Do they demand an apology? Is the French government demanding an apology from their German counterparts? (I stand corrected if Germany has actually done this...Edit: An apology was made to the Jewish people so I will stand corrected...not quite the French, but the Holocaust is even higher on the shock list than just invading France!) What about the people of Darwin that were bombed by the Japanese? Australia never asks for an apology from the Japanese people of today. We even welcome them with open arms to our shores... we just ask politely not to kill the whales! (And failing that we send a bunch of hippies to endanger their lives hehehe) I fail to see why today's white Australia should bear the humility of apologizing for yesterday's white Australia. The more important thing should be that today's generation be empathetic to those who have suffered, and should do everything within their power to practically help out their fellow indigenous citizens. In the ideal world, but not in reality unfortunately, that's the most efficient solution to be had here. The building isn't going to build itself if we just say stuff to it.
Edit: This probably says it better: "I have decided to move to America at the end of this year. I'm of Jewish Heritage. My family survived the Holocaust. Yet instead of suing an entire country, we decided to simply just forgive our enemies and move on with our lives. Neville Austin, you may have been stolen, but we were hunted down, caged and murdered. "
The other potential problem with this sorry business is this. On one hand, this apology will bring people together and will thus make way for a desperately needed practical solution. On the other hand however, it just reinforces the "blacks" vs "whites" divide. The majority of white Australians, especially the youth, want to say sorry for things they as individuals didn't do. They feel compelled to apologize because they're "white" and thus represent the wrongs of those individuals before them. The race card is being played and because of that, the current hand on the table looks all the more different. If race and colour had nothing to do with this, this would be a non-issue. Think of this - a white four year old boy is taken from his 22 year old mother and father. They are not looking after their kid. They don't feed him. They don't seek any medical attention for him. They just don't care. Perhaps they even physically or sexually abuse him. (And this is in no way a generalisation of the Aboriginal community). The welfare officers come and take the child away. All of a sudden, many of us are applauding this. "She shouldn't have a child at such a young age." "She's despicable, how could you possibly treat a child like that?!" Now change this hypothetical a little and let's pretend that this family were Aboriginal. I tell you... the race card is like having the royal flush in one card. We should be aiming for a world where "black" and "white" are outdated terms. It's a funny situation this, because it's both helping this, yet it's also making it worse. In the end, the blacks will be closer to the whites that want to say sorry, but they'll be further divided from the whites that think we shouldn't apologize.
Another point. Going back onto this whole thing being a "show". Case in point - "We are sorry for taking away your children from you"... yet 300 metres down the road the exact thing is still happening. See http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23195827-5001021,00.html It's like saying, "Hey I'm sorry for calling you a 'wanker', you wanker."
Finally something that really annoyed me about what happened. And no, contrary to what some of you may think, I am not a narrow-sighted voter that just votes Liberal 'for the hell of it'. The opposition leader Brendan Nelson had a chance to make his apology speech, but many of the public and even politicians turned their backs on him immediately (I didn't see it live so I'm counting on various news reports). Firstly, his speech was inappropriate. But was it correct? Yes. For a large majority of people, it was a case of "we all thought it, he just said it". The sad truth was that white Australia back then actually did have good intentions. And indeed, it was not all bad news. Some of those taken believe they probably wouldn't be alive today had they not been taken. (See http://www.abc.net.au/alicesprings/stories/s2160407.htm) But this wasn't the case for everyone, and regardless, they shouldn't have been kept away from their families. Once again, hindsight's a bitch. Having said that, bringing up the details of all that bad history yesterday was really poor timing. Yet it's ironic how people mocked Nelson and were irate at him for bringing up the past, yet these very same people are the ones that immaturely turned their backs on him, seemingly because of his party's past views on the issue. The word 'juvenile' springs to mind. Did I ever mention that I hate hypocrisy!? Also, how come the failings of previous Labor governments to apologize (remember, they never apologized either) didn't go unpunished? On principle, people should have turned their backs on them too!
I guess too many of us follow whatever seems to be popular and never actually think for ourselves.
In a nutshell, the nation should acknowledge the wrongs of the past towards the large number of those affected. Everything practical should be done to right this wrong. (Not individual compensations though...that's an entirely different matter). Strategies should be put in place to work with the Aboriginal community (anything without their opinions/consent/approval is pointless) to work on all facets of their community that need improving, whilst respecting all their cultural wishes and desires.
Learn from the past and move on.
Sorry for making this too long. :P
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Welcoming the new year...in February...and halfway through it too
Not that anyone reads this thing anymore since it's gone without an update for a couple of months. But hey, I'm sure there's enough random people stumbling upon this mess of a blog to warrant reading the first five lines before moving on.
New Year's reso - I will write in this thing more often because it...it......well, it doesn't benefit me in anyway. Oh well, who says you need a reason to do things?
After almost four weeks away on a refreshing reunion to Malaysia and an eye-opening trip to China, I've returned to work only to be looking up information on the next trip. That being the trek into the Himalayas, of which I have been harping on about since about the age of three months old. Why am I doing it? Perhaps it's the travel bug flowing through the veins, perhaps it's work not stimulating the adrenaline enough, or perhaps it's a lack of actual work to do giving me extra time to burn on the internet. Revisiting every website you've ever been to since you got the internet ten years ago only gets you so far.
Will promise to write in this thing a little more often... especially if I get free time at work like now. :D
New Year's reso - I will write in this thing more often because it...it......well, it doesn't benefit me in anyway. Oh well, who says you need a reason to do things?
After almost four weeks away on a refreshing reunion to Malaysia and an eye-opening trip to China, I've returned to work only to be looking up information on the next trip. That being the trek into the Himalayas, of which I have been harping on about since about the age of three months old. Why am I doing it? Perhaps it's the travel bug flowing through the veins, perhaps it's work not stimulating the adrenaline enough, or perhaps it's a lack of actual work to do giving me extra time to burn on the internet. Revisiting every website you've ever been to since you got the internet ten years ago only gets you so far.
Will promise to write in this thing a little more often... especially if I get free time at work like now. :D
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