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Diary of a B+ Grade Polymath ([personal profile] tcpip) wrote2010-06-22 01:58 pm

MBA Progress, Unitarian Services, World Refugee Day

Finished Economic Decision Making with the exam on Monday. Course was very heavy on elasticity, regression analysis and market structures. Have also made initial remarks towards the unit chair about a journal article on aggregate long-run production functions, as previously mentioned. When results come in I will have completed a Graduate Diploma in Management (Technology). Will be taking up Strategic Management and Contemporary People Management next semester - at which point I will have completed all the prerequisites for the MBA, with only the four electives. In theory I could complete those over the summer semester, so by February next year I'd have said qualification.

Sunday week conducted the service at the Unitarians for Jennifer Bishop of the Australian Esperanto Association. I have always liked Esperanto and not just for its political associations. The current recommendation is to promote the language in primary school as an 'apprenticeship' to second language education, which seems to be a very sensible idea. Last Sunday, Dr. Joe Toscano spoke on the need for a "new people's bank" and expressed the desire (however unlikely) to have it constitutionally established. I would like to see another Royal Commission, like the one conducted between 1935 and 1937 to determine whether the Australian banking system is an oligopolistic cartel. Next Sunday I will be giving the address on 'The Evolution of the Human Spirit', where I'll be mapping modes of consciousness to social formations.

Also on Sunday was World Refugee Day which witnessed numerous pro-asylum seeker marches around the country. Despite the drizzle a good 2,000 people turned out in Melbourne. The presence of a marching band was quite charming. Labor for Refugees was an organising group in the rally and I took the opportunity - with great pleasure and just a little pride - to meet some of the newer organisers within said group. My perennial concern is the lack of a "Liberals for Refugees" presence at such gatherings. Gaining bipartisan political support on this issue still remains the greatest barrier to success - as we can be sure that Tony Abbot - like his mentor - would quite happily milk the misfortune of others to capture fear-based votes in order to gain personal power.

[identity profile] zhenzhi.livejournal.com 2010-06-22 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
i have one word to describe my every thought and feeling about tony abbot:
YUCK.

looks like i may vote labour again instead of independant just to make sure my vote goes directly against him. god help us all if he is put in charge :-(

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2010-06-22 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, he kind of makes your skin crawl, doesn't he? If Labor can direct their guns against him I have little doubt that they will start to reach the dizzying heights they had in the opinion polls a few months ago...

[identity profile] zhenzhi.livejournal.com 2010-06-22 12:07 pm (UTC)(link)
why doesn't labour use this argument in their fight for support of the mining tax:

http://flinthart.livejournal.com/113586.html?nc=19

it makes perfect sense to me. how can one argue against it after reading?! they wouldn't even have to resort to a hatchet job on abbot. abbot *shudder* the mind boggles.... but then again, this is a population who kept howard in office for all those years :-( !

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2010-06-22 01:48 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a very good post, and expressed very plainly....

I can see the sort of things that Abbot will say and do.. "Turn the Boats Back" will be a number one agenda item. Cash for "stay-at-home" mums, like the "baby bonus". The usual moral conservative spruiks to the right audience; criticising the Internet filter for not being strong enough, ensuring no same-sex marriage rights etc.

And then he'll bring WorkChoices back.

[identity profile] nvcarnie.livejournal.com 2010-06-23 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
One of these days, I'll click on these links and read your info about the Unitarian services you so fondly speak of. :-)

Right now though, thought I'd let you know I'm still out here reading!

~Jessi

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2010-06-23 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, the plan is to include the opening words, reading, address and closing words.... The one above is just the opening words, reading and closing words - the address will come when the speaker is back from holidays!

[identity profile] tornspacetime.livejournal.com 2010-06-25 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Esperanto, woot.
My journal layout has been in Esperanto for years, but I've got no education in it myself.

Would love to hear your address.

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2010-06-25 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
but I've got no education in it myself.

Give it a go! Seriously, it is terribly easy.

Would love to hear your address.

Next journal post will include it. Might even have a link to a voice recording :)