tcpip | ANZUUA Conference in Sydney, Isocracy on Facebook

caseopaya and I returned yesterday from the ANZUAA Conference in Sydney, which was opened by Bob Carr, former state premier. I managed to get a few moments with him after his presentation and told him that although I was from the left of the party, I appreciated his intelligent approach to issues. We had a chat on my various influences (e.g., georgism, mutualism) and I expressed agreement with his support of Bill McKell and conservation interests. He was interested in my association with Unitarian-Universalism and on, on departure, turned around after several steps with the parting words: "Don't leave the Labor Party". Despite our significant differences, I take that as an endorsement on my activity.

Other speakers at the conference included poet Mark O'Connor speaking on population issues and the environment (as he often does) and provided a fairly convincing argument. Other speakers included Alan Clarke from Street Mission, and the new chairperson on the association (and former Anglican) Rev. Peter Ferguson on "Sacred Heresies", with the Sunday service conducted by Rev. Ian Ellis Jones. There was of course various plenary sessions which adopted a new constitution. My own contribution on said matters was well received, such as ensuring that Ministers did not get a special delegates position, web policy and technologies and making sure that incorporation was accepted. Also spent some time with John Maindonald; seeming that he has recently written a book on the R statistics package which we use at work I suspect there will be further contact.

Whilst in Sydney caught up with

missmilky and partner on Friday night, and on Sunday caught up with

v3nu5 and partner as we went to The Ritz Cinema to watch Surrogates, not a bad film, and on Monday spent a lazy afternoon in the good company of

angel80. Visited elder radical Bob Gould briefly and Black Rose Anarchist Books, where I picked up a copy of Medevev's Samizdat 2; the latter is particularly good reading from libertarian and dissident socialists in the Soviet Union.

Just before leaving Sydney, I sent out a group invitation to people to join Isocracy on Facebook, which is possibly best described as a "left-libertarian" or "libertarian socialist" group, combining the best elements of the modern traditions of liberal, socialist and anarchist thought. Within three days it has over 80 members; quite a good result. It certainly alerts me to how many people are using FB compared to other social media.

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I like Bob Carr.
have meet him several times in work related roles and he was always very nice and friendly to us security members, even stopping for a chat whenever he got bored of all the wheelers & dealers.

sounds like a very interesting conference over all.

Yes, that's certainly true. There's a level of genuineness about him which I haven't seen much of in politicians. He certainly hasn't let his ego run away with him even by holding higher positions.

This said, I disagree with suggestion that the Labor party should drop even nominal association with socialism, with his opposition to the legalisation of heroin, his opposition to a Bill of Rights (strangely contradictory to his adoration of Jefferson's comments in the Declaration of Independence) etc. But he does raise intelligent points which anyone who supports such things must address. I am better for reading his work.

he certainly is a genuine person and does lack a lot of the ego that swallowed up a lot of his local party members.

I don't keep up with the faction stuff any more but a party needs balance in order to represent all the kinds of people who support them.
And at least he gave intellectual reasons for his support and opposition to things, not just the party-line or half believed moral imperatives held by the majority of his voters.

Well that factional part is true as well. Bob Carr was in the sort of NSW mould that was the same as Neville Wran. He was a member of the right because he was conservative, because he was anti-socialist (in terms of the word, anyway), and thirdly because it was a path to power. He certainly wasn't interested in the sort of grubby politics that both his predecessor (Barrie Unsworth) and successor (Morris Iemma) engaged in.

true, always take the path that will take you to the top if that is your goal.
Never cared much for Iemma.
Meet him a couple of times and he always seemed greasy.
Not mean or nasty like a lot of polis I've met, just kinda like a used car salesman. Slick and unclean. Makes you want to wash your hands after you shake his.

You seem to have had the opportunity to meet quite a few Premiers in your time. How did that happen?

I once worked as a security guard and a bodyguard (both private and diplomatic), so been to a fair few functions and private parties and had a chance to meet lots of politicians and such figures over the past 11 years.

as well as having friends who know them and being introduced socially to some of them.

Hmm.. I seem to recall you mentioning that once upon a time.. If only walls could talk, eh?

they'll be thrown in jail for breach of the Security Act. :)

He sounds interesting .
I suppose you've seen this -
http://community.livejournal.com/anarchists/2605962.html

Only just then!

I do like the idea of Christian Anarchy, especially when conducted with the right motivations. Of course, it is not necessarily Christianity, but rather any moral sense which takes a principled and universal position higher than that being demanded by the State.

One of my favourite essays of all time must surely be Tolstoy's "The Kingdom of God Is Within You"

ANZUUA Conference in Sydney, Isocracy on Facebook

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