tcpip: (Default)
Diary of a B+ Grade Polymath ([personal profile] tcpip) wrote2006-11-13 08:15 am

Iraq, U.S. Elections, Novel and Various Events

Dr Daniel Mandel, of the history of department at the University of Melbourne, made claims that the west didn't really support Saddam. The editors of The Age had the good sense to publish my reminder to him this morning.

Iraq, as we all know in el-jay land, featured highly in the U.S. mid-term elections where the results were a thumpin' for the pro-war forces and the quagmire they have put themselves into. What is also worthy of mentioning is was also the first ever election of a self-identified socialist to the U.S. senate.

My novel, The Outcast Girl, is going well although I am a little behind in the NaNaWriMo recommended wordcount. Historical fiction does have its own difficulties, especially when one is including anthropological hermeneutics. The experience is very much making me want to take another visit to Java and Bali.

Various other events of the last week include re-presenting my talk on Open Source Economics at Linux Users Victoria on Wednesday, once again dovetailing with Jon Oxer's Pragmatic Idealism presentation. On the lagamorph front, Astaroth rabbit has lost his balls but has recovered without incident. On Saturday, [livejournal.com profile] caseopaya and I travelled out to the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley, specifically to visit the William Rickett's sanctuary. Appropriately Joel Wright of the NTEU gave a good presentation at the Unitarians the following day on the Stolen Wages campaign.

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 12:25 am (UTC)(link)

Ah yes, Muslim congress member I remember that now.

Thanks for the FreeConservative board link. They weren't happy were they? :)

For our own part Australia has decided to abolish multiculturalism

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20697488-601,00.html

[identity profile] a-carnal-mink.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 01:59 am (UTC)(link)

For our own part Australia has decided to abolish multiculturalism

Oh dear, so we are. *reads*

"In a move seen as a shift in emphasis away from fostering diversity and towards increasing integration and responsibility among migrants, the government is canvassing alternative words to describe how ethnic communities harmoniously integrate into Australian society."

Heh. I suggest "New Australian". That seems to grasp the concept they're going for, doesn't it? "We were here before you, so you just sit down and be quiet until the next pleb in line comes along, then you can say this to them with us!"

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 02:09 am (UTC)(link)

*ding* *ding* *ding*

We have a winner!

[identity profile] catsidhe.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
We could try "polyculturalism".

Just saying.

[identity profile] jahbulon.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
Or how about Conformity Enforcement?

Oh don't you start ;-)

[identity profile] tcpip.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 06:46 am (UTC)(link)

That was an amusing discussion.

[identity profile] jahbulon.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
WE ARE AUSTRALIANS
YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED
CULTURAL PERSISTENCE IS USELESS

[identity profile] tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
EXT! TERM! IN! ATE!

OH, SORRY, MAL! FUNC! TION!

[identity profile] catsidhe.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
YOUR UNIQUENESS WILL BE DISCARDED IN FAVOUR OF OUR OWN.

[identity profile] jahbulon.livejournal.com 2006-11-13 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
Hahahaha... I'm going to be PUNished for laughing at that.