Sorry Politics and Rogue's Birthday

[tcpip]

It was a long time coming, but the Federal Australian government has finally apologised for the Stolen Generations, one of the three main recommendations of the "Bringing Them Home" report initiated in 1995 and completed in 1997. News of the action was reported worldwide; Al Jazeera, the BBC World Service, front page news on The Hindu, The New York Times, Libération, The People's Daily, Pravda...

::rising fury::

The consequences of loss of sovereignty, land theft, unpaid wages, and the stolen generation, are the primary causes of indigenous impoverishment today. Aboriginal people have a life expectancy of under 60 years, 25% less than average. The rate of rheumatic heart disease is 5-10 times the national average and responsible for 1/4 of all deaths. They suffer 4 times the average incidence of Type II diabetes, 8 times the level of kidney disease, 5 times the level of drug-induced mental disorders, 20 times the level of chlamydia infection and 20 times the level of gonoccocal infections. Less than 40% of aboriginal Australians complete year 12, compared to the national average of 75%. Only 22% have vocational or higher education qualifications compared to the average 48%. A mere 4% have a bachelor's degree, compared to the average 21%. Aboriginals are 11 times more likely to be in prison and make up 1/5 of Australia's prison population. They are twice as likely to be victims of violence, they have 3 times the national unemployment rate, they are 6 times more likely to be homeless and 15 times more likely to live in improvised dwellings.

In this context, I felt quite angy with Tony Abbot's comments that the government was incompetent because it had been consulting for "weeks if not months". Or the comments of the National's leader Warren Truss that it was "trite" and "lacked substance" - and when the question of substance, that is financial compensation, was raised, Liberal leader Brendan Nelson claimed that there should be no financial compensation because no fund could erase the pain. Yeah, but some compensation could erase some pain. No wonder he's at 9% as preferred Prime Minister.

::deep breath::

In more personal news, Rogue the rat had his third birthday on Valentine's Day and went to one the local pizza/pasta establishments who don't mind his presence (outside, of course). He received a serve of King Island chocolate mousse which he thoroughly enjoyed. According to the Rat Behaviour site, this puts Rogue at 90, and recalculates our other lads at 69 for Vagabond at his passing, 72.5 for Harlequin, and 82.5 for Monte. A clever scientist explains in simple terms why one should be pro-rat.

Comments

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

I am , in fact, more than angry at Abbott and Nelson.

They don't care if they cause more harm, as far as I can tell.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

As far as I can tell (apart from the fact they probably believe it themselves) they did it for the politics. They still have to appease the racist right in their party and to be seen as an oppositional party.

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

...and that is more important than right action, than mindfulness?

Well, of course I don't agree with that :-o

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

To those that power is more important that morality, yes, it is the effective thing for them to do.

Of course, when they misjudge how the rest of the population feels they end up with 9% approval :-)

These are good days. Relish them.

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am :-)

I love that Rudd is doing everything he said he'd do.

As I went to a High Anglican girls' school I'm not particularly surprised...I thought I was seeing that in him pre-election.

It must be knocking the socks off a lot of vaguely-political people.

Of course, I want *more*, but also know how upsetting major changes can be for many.

(I may be kinky, but do not value power over morality, you know :-)

[angel80.livejournal.com]

I couldn't stand the constant grief of having pets that died so frequently!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ah believe me, they're still worth it.

Since becoming a rat fancier I certainly understand the Hindu story that they're actually people reincarnated in a rodent's body to pass on an important message before reaching Moshka.

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

of course tony abbot and cronies did SO much towards reconcilliation and reparation didn't they! *NOT!!!!!*

they are just complaining because they were so wrong, and it's glaringly obvious just how wrong they were!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

As I said in another thread, Abbott needs to be hit with an irony bar.

Abbot and Nelson

[splodgenoodles.livejournal.com]

But hang on, if compensation won't help erase the pain, and nor will an apology, what will?

Oh that's right, taking away welfare payments, sending in the troops and taking away the permit system... Sanctimonious prats.

But I suppose you can't become an effective opposition that fast - they've had to change their tune on so many things it's going to be a while before the new tune sounds sincere.

[madame-mage.livejournal.com]

*Ooooo's and ahhhhhh's over Rogue*

OH my goodness what a sweet little old man he is!! *strokes his wizen old face carefully*

Im feeling it, I adore Ratties, I know they don't live for long, but the joy they give and the unconditional love, PLUS the intelligence puts the dog to shame.

and whats best? they don't BARK.

Bless your old boy, may he live for months more..

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

and whats best? they don't BARK.

Mind you I do have a couple of serious bites from one of our recent boys.

Not that it's really his fault; he was suffering an ear infection at the time, so he was a bit short of temper and, of course, he wasn't aware of what was causing him the pain.

Now he's turned into a big sook.

[cluebyfour.livejournal.com]

Dr Nelson used his speech to warn against judging actions of the past by the standards of the present

He seems to be missing the point. Kidnapping is morally wrong, as is slavery, theft and murder. That it was acceptable (or even legal) at one point, or done with "good intentions" as he claims, doesn't change its immorality.

I wonder how they'll handle the compensation question. Here slavery reparations have been ruled out because the slaves have long since died, but the Stolen Generations are rather more recent.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Regardless of whether or not people who are directly affected by slavery or kidnapping are alive, some still benefit from the decision and some still suffer from the consequences. For this reason I have troubles with "one generation" limit.

[ironed_orchid]

paracelsus made a really neat comment on the day about Nelson taking a morally and culturally relativistic position. Which is, you know, the complete antithesis of Howard's position on Australian history.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest that's a political tactic. Now on the backfoot they've adopted that approach; in the Howard years they could claim an absolute moral position.

Nelson wasn't apologising to aboriginal cultures, he was apologising for his ideology!

[ironed_orchid]

Well, Howard was a moral absolutist only when it suited him, too. Didn't seem to have any problems with lying when it suited his purpose.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

One of my favourite URLs over the past few years...

http://www.alp.org.au/features/lies.php

[cluebyfour.livejournal.com]

It needn't be just "one generation", but over time the picture of who has benefited and who has suffered becomes much fuzzier. All the more reason for the Australian government to take some sort of action now, when the effects of the crimes are more obvious and compensable.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Which is probably the reason why they wish to avoid the "problem" of compensation and would prefer the tide of history to wash away their claims...

In fact that's exactly what one judge said in a local land claim.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/1999/9.html

[laptop006.livejournal.com]

I think the best way to approach compensation would be to create a fund *solely* devoted to funding activities that *pass*on* Aboriginal culture to future generations in an attempt to *save* things that still could be lost.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Except, the most important thing to aboriginal culture is land.

[ironed_orchid]

Argh! Fuck Abbott. What did he do to make amends when the libs were in power? Oh, right....

It's just typical opposition tactics to say that it's not good enough, or going far enough, when after so many years it feels like a miracle that the official apology happened at all.

/vent

Thanks for links to overseas media. Nice to get different perspectives.

[ninboydean.livejournal.com]

My girlfriend had 2 rats. They were sweet, but never really bonded with people. As a self-proclaimed rat fancier, what do you say? do some rats just not bond, or is it how people are with the rats that changes that?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Hmm... it's important to spend time with them every day, especially when they're young. They can pick it up later but it's a slower process.

[mia76.livejournal.com]

Awww... Happy birthday Rogue! =)

I had no idea less than 40% even graduated for high school (why is that? Is school not free in Australia?). And 3x the national unemployment rate.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Rogue's pretty cute, isn't he?

School is free, but not compulsory after year 10. So many leave in favour of employment in unskilled labour, or living off welfare benefits. The high school system has been never integrated well with aboriginal cultures and many resent having to be there.

[mia76.livejournal.com]

Wow. I don't understand that because I live under a different system 1st grade-6th grade is elementary school, 7th-9th grade is junior high and 10th grade-12th grade is high school. What does 11th and 12th grade consist of that you get to skip it?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

What does 11th and 12th grade consist of that you get to skip it?

Usually preparation for university.

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

No wonder he's at 9% as preferred Prime Minister.

9% - and generous at that!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It's about the same number that voted against aboriginal constitutional ammendments in 1967 :-)

[tempusfrangit.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday Rogue! :D Oldie, but goodie. :D