Lev Lafayette's journal

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.