Solstice, Unitarians, Asylum Seeker Tragedy

[tcpip]

Seasons greetings to all and best wishes for the great variety of justifications used for this period of the year. For my own part, I've spent the past two days a little under the weather with a chest cold (yes, it's midsummer, bleh). Planning an evening visit to Jenny P's hanukkah, followed by a day visit to Brendan E., some simple fare and our usual tradition of zombies. On topic, txxxpxx must be thanked for hosting their biennial christmas party which was - as always - a sumptuous evening. As another example, the Melbourne Unitarians held a good end-of-year concert with about one hundred people and performers in attendance - and over $1000 raised for Hanover Welfare Services.

It has been a few weeks with a modicum of Unitarian activity, which must include a visit to the home of the good Rev. Dr. Ian Ellis-Jones whilst in Sydney and delighted to discover we share a mutual interest in the philosopher John Anderson. This was followed with a visit to the North Sydney Unitarian congregation, Spirit of Life, the following day where Ian gave an address (PDF) on Buddhism.

On the subject of caring individuals, some 180 people are missing as a boatload of asylum seekers sank off Java on its way to Australia. It is predictable that in the wake of this tragedy not only has the language changed from "illegal immigrants" to "asylum seekers", but also there have been calls to reintroduce offshore processing (Malaysia, Nauru etc). Whilst it is true that offshore processing does act as a deterrent to asylum seekers (the numbers certainly show that), it is quite something to suggest that this be conducted in a place where asylum seekers have no minimum legal rights, although I do note that Nauru is now a signatory to the UN Convention - times have changed. It is particularly frustrating to watch the events reach a political impasse.

Comments

[txxxpxx.livejournal.com]

:) Both birdie & 'phant have found suitable branches on this year's tree. Thanks for coming along. See you when we get back from Thailand.

[kingtycoon.livejournal.com]

I am vastly in envy because I only just now realized you are living through summer and not the bleak great lakes winter. Regardless of all other matters affecting your life you should take comfort, deep comfort, in your Southern Cross fortunes.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I have good long memories of what used to be a huge Christmas gathering at Oma's house--lots of rooms and space for people to sleep over, many usually empty beds, which also means plenty of space for the giant feast that would typically ensue. It would involve everyone going to church and stuff.

There is nothing wrong with the way it is now; lots of different people, including four Jews and four Zoroastrians and one mr_figgy, can still get together with the rest of that half of the extended family--and this time, in the confines of a Montessori school with tables and chairs moved around to suitable places. The other-half gathering is okay, too, though that place should honestly not even pretend to be a German bar/restaurant given its menu--still nice to see people.

And apparently the festivities continue on Sunday; smaller group back at the Montessori school.

[grailchaser.livejournal.com]

Agreed. And I hope they don't reactivate Nauru. I heard some pretty darn poor things about the place the last time it was up and running.