Posts Tagged victoria
Jumping for blood
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 3 September 2010
What kind of state leadership permits a racing body to continue a “sport” on the expectation of three cruel, senseless animal deaths per year? Probably the kind that’s driven more by electoral pragmatism than moral courage. Animal cruelty is a crime, eliciting stiff penalties on conviction and widespread condemnation. Our cars carry bumper stickers about pets being far more than Christmas presents, and responsible parents teach their children to protect and care for animals. Perhaps Messrs Brumby and Hulls could explain to those families why horses are different when entertainment and money are involved. I sure can’t.
While we wait
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 28 August 2010
Shame about the desal construction crew having to down tools in the big wet. Maybe they could build an ark while they wait?
Indigestion
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 27 July 2010
Metro’s Twitter feed must be one of the least digestible reads in Melbourne. I literally cannot recall a day since subscribing when there hasn’t been at least 2 or 3 tweets about delays on one or more train lines, usually due to a failure in some component of the transport network’s worn out infrastructure. Now we’ve the had the “morning from (transport) hell”, and if anyone’s surprised it won’t be the longsuffering commuters who subscribe to transport updates.
Now would be a very good time for Messrs Brumby and Pakula to come clean. Please, no more spin, fudging or blame shifting. Let’s have some straightforward transparent honesty. Something like “We admit that we and our predecessors, left and right, have failed to invest in public transport. It won’t be a quick fix, but if elected … ” Who knows, it might even win some votes on shock value.
Myki money
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 15 June 2010
I recognise it’s not common to confess to a criminal lifestyle through a letter to this most respectable of broadsheets. However as a regular user of Myki on a tram (an illegal activity, it seems), my fear of prosecution is minimal. For each time I brazenly offend by touching off, Myki accepts my money without question. So how about it, Myki? I’ll ‘fess up to my felonious conduct if you admit to benefitting from the proceeds of my crime.
Myki music
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 19 March 2010
The Comedy Festival could hardly be more timely. With a little creativity, even the Brumby government could still get Melbourne commuters chuckling .. and maybe even voting too.
I propose “Myki – The Musical”. To save a quid state cabinet members could sing the roles themselves. They’ve been so off key lately, no one would notice the mistakes. And at least we’d be entertained. Here are some seed thoughts to get things moving:
• Opening scene: John Brumby attempting to touch on, only to find his Myki account $350m in the red.
• enter Steve Bracks (guest appearance), Octopus card in one hand, Oyster card in the other, singing “We did it our way”.
• backdrop: a series of ghostly black and white video clips of Peter Batchelor, Lynne Kosky, Jean Ker Walsh and Claus Jensen (carrying a bulging money bag) – all played in an endless loop.
• closing scene: Martin Pakula tries to touch off, tries again, gives up, and uses a Metcard.
The show could be performed live at Fed Square, and beamed to screens on station platforms. A gold coin donation from every frustrated traveller should see Myki in the black. After the show we all have a good laugh. Then the premier buys drinks and brings back the connies.
Choose your weapons
Posted by eN0ch in Faith, Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 28 September 2009
Apparently Rob Hulls stands guilty of protecting unenlightened disrespect, hatred and religious prejudice in this state. But then again, the undercurrents of this debate reflect a far-from-helpful use of language.
A discussion in which only the most negative, emotion-charged vocabulary is permitted has little chance of being conducted with reason or equanimity, and thus still less chance of an “enlightened” outcome. Our gracious legislators, it seems, are permitting religious organisations to continue to practice “discrimination”. So – it’s intrinsically bad but we’re letting you do it anyway?
One person’s “discrimination” is another’s common sense. Every day job candidates are screened according to their capacity to support the company’s values or mission. Someone with radically socialist views on wealth distribution is unlikely to be made Telstra CEO, should they apply. Would that be “discrimination” or just sensible? An outstanding cricket coach is unlikely to coach an AFL side. A radical pacifist would be passed over for military field command. No one cries “prejudice!”
Rethink the vocabulary, and an intelligent debate may be possible.
Any water up there?
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 1 September 2009
Looking for water, eh Tim? Well I guess it’s the desal afterall. (Glad you’re back anyway.)
Ready to jump
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 30 July 2009
Jumps protesters ejected from parliament | Herald Sun
From the TV footage, the protesters looked ready to jump the barrier
None so intolerant
Posted by eN0ch in Faith, Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 29 July 2009
Peter Costello is right (Opinion, 29/7) – not a statement I’ve commonly made. “According to these (state government) lawyers, a religious conscience leads to prejudice.” This surely is the fundamental absurdity of the entire so-called “anti-discrimination” proposition currently levelled at the religious school sector. When in the history of this nation have Christian schools proven to be training grounds for young sociopaths? Where is the practical evidence that children educated at such schools turn into intolerant adults? With no evidence on offer, we face the real possibility of legislated social change on the basis of unsubstantiated theory. Did someone mention blind ideological prejudice?
More might be said. For instance, there’s the crafted use of charged language. What was once freedom of choice – a pillar of liberal democracy – is now cast as “discrimination” if exercised by the wrong crowd. If applicants for a position are screened according to their commitment to a company’s culture and values, that’s good management. If a religious body does the same, that’s prejudice.
The inanity might be highlighted by some parallel propositions:
- Let’s call it “discrimination” when a major political party declines to endorse a candidate of contrary political persuasion.
- Let’s call it “prejudice” when the ADF refuses to grant field command to a confessing pacifist.
None so intolerant as tolerance crusaders.
Welcome to Victoria
Posted by eN0ch in Letters, Politics and society, The Age on 28 May 2009
I hear there’s a new sign at all our state border crossings and airport terminals: “Welcome to Victoria – The Quarantine State”