Rossi (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deathpixie) wrote2002-02-04 05:52 pm
deathpixie) wrote2002-02-04 05:52 pm
On an even keel
Feeling neither overly angsty, nor overly happy, which is a welcome, really, after the rollercoaster ride my emotions have been on lately. A nice, neutral feeling - work was okay, neither great nor horrible (that's saved for Wednesday), BRM's in a good enough mood to have communication with for a change, and nothing has occurred to me with enough force to be worthy of mention. Which all makes for a rather dull LJ post, which will be a relief for my regular readers. *grins*
There are plans afoot for a movie tomorrow night with Julie and Leanne, and my tai chi class starts on Wednesday. And I've got another swim planned for tomorrow morning - Tuesdays and Thursdays will work nicely, I think. Pete also told me to request my leave without pay for the trip soon so it gets approved, which I'll sort out tomorrow - I have to ask for a day off for GASP, any way. And sort out my actual leave amounts - Di has stuffed things up, since there's only 14 days rec leave on my pay slip. So, not a lot to talk about, really.
There are signs, small but hopeful ones, that the general population is starting to realise how draconian the current immigration policies are. More and more politicians are speaking out against the detention centres, often contrary to the policy of their party leaders, and more and more people are turning out at protests and meetings. And the government has gone so far as to release unaccompanied children and some families from the camps. A recognition that maybe a detention camp surrounded by razor wire in the middle of the desert isn't the best place for children. Think of the camp where the Taliban prisoners are being held, and you're not far off Australia's detention centres for "illegal immigrants" (otherwise known as refugees).
It's not a solution, but a sign, of sorts.
This whole business - and the re-election of The Gnome on a racist platform - has really made me lose my sense of pride in being Australian. As a nation we're not hugely patriotic - there's not much tendency to wave flags or chant slogans unless it's at a sporting event of some kind - but we're proud of being Aussie. We may put ourselves down and belittle our achievements, but should someone else do the same, we'll hit them like a tonne of bricks. So seeing my beloved country show its ugliest side, and revel in it, has left me wondering why I love it so much in the first place. Not a good feeling, for someone who becomes Uber-Aussie in the presence of foreigners.
There are plans afoot for a movie tomorrow night with Julie and Leanne, and my tai chi class starts on Wednesday. And I've got another swim planned for tomorrow morning - Tuesdays and Thursdays will work nicely, I think. Pete also told me to request my leave without pay for the trip soon so it gets approved, which I'll sort out tomorrow - I have to ask for a day off for GASP, any way. And sort out my actual leave amounts - Di has stuffed things up, since there's only 14 days rec leave on my pay slip. So, not a lot to talk about, really.
There are signs, small but hopeful ones, that the general population is starting to realise how draconian the current immigration policies are. More and more politicians are speaking out against the detention centres, often contrary to the policy of their party leaders, and more and more people are turning out at protests and meetings. And the government has gone so far as to release unaccompanied children and some families from the camps. A recognition that maybe a detention camp surrounded by razor wire in the middle of the desert isn't the best place for children. Think of the camp where the Taliban prisoners are being held, and you're not far off Australia's detention centres for "illegal immigrants" (otherwise known as refugees).
It's not a solution, but a sign, of sorts.
This whole business - and the re-election of The Gnome on a racist platform - has really made me lose my sense of pride in being Australian. As a nation we're not hugely patriotic - there's not much tendency to wave flags or chant slogans unless it's at a sporting event of some kind - but we're proud of being Aussie. We may put ourselves down and belittle our achievements, but should someone else do the same, we'll hit them like a tonne of bricks. So seeing my beloved country show its ugliest side, and revel in it, has left me wondering why I love it so much in the first place. Not a good feeling, for someone who becomes Uber-Aussie in the presence of foreigners.
Er, I agree with you, but ...
Re: Er, I agree with you, but ...
Remember: A picture is worth 1000 words, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
--Hex
Re: Er, I agree with you, but ...
Re: Er, I agree with you, but ...
Something I find curious - people say 'they're criminals, they must be detained', yet our justice systems, for the most part, bend over backwards to avoid jailing people. Because of the stigma it cause, the harm it does. The detainees haven't even been given the chance to defend themselves, they're just picked up and locked away. Their 'crime', I guess, is not being Us.
Re: Er, I agree with you, but ...
Sadly, you're absolutely right on that score. I have this terrible desire to hit John Howard and George W. with a Big Stick until they listen to reason.
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I'm with you.
My patriotic fervour... never particularly fervent... has cooled noticeably lately. I'm getting to the point where I can't even watch the news, because I have too many nightmares. :( I just let mum and Dia tell me the most important parts.
I am *ashamed* of my country for the first time. I've been mad at it, embarrassed by it, and slightly fond of it, but never ashamed of it before. It's not a pleasant feeling. Not only is the Evil Gnome kissing up like mad to President Bush - who is, no offense intended to the Americans hereabouts, a COMPLETE LOONY - but he's happily perpetrating the same ignorance and racism right here at home. It's wrong, and I hate it.
At least people are starting to realize it, though. It restores some of my faith in humanity to see people pulling back, and saying hey, whoa, that's going too far. I just wish more people thought that way.
*hugs Rossi* It'll get better. It has to...
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So now you have an idea of how I've felt for the past year or so.
~M.
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(Anonymous) 2002-02-08 01:24 am (UTC)(link)-Acetal