When are we as Australian citzens going to finally vote in some leaders of this country with some vision for the future, rather than just those that just lie in bed with big business happily lining their pockets while the country is run into the ground. There are so many pressing issues at hand (education, health, the environment, social equality) that require real leadership, and we’re stuck with a bunch of spineless politicians that seem to think consuming the resources of future generations is actually the best way forward? I don’t buy it, and I’m not going to join the economic rationalist bandwagon any time soon.

Don’t be fooled - there are actually a lot of better options available, and solutions to a lot of problems facing the world today. Do a bit of hunting around on the web and you’ll find a lot of information about working towards a smarter, healthier future from people with much greater minds than mine.

But wouldn’t it be great if some of our leaders stood up to be counted right now when we need them the most? Take some time to think about who to vote for next time - your country needs you!

“Plato told Aristotle no one should make more than five times the pay of the lowest member of society. J.P. Morgan said 20 times. Jesus advocated a negative differential - that’s why they killed him.” - Graef Crystal (compensation expert, 1998)

Boy I hope the British govenment give David a British passport. Even if our own government is too lame to look after the interests of one of our citizens, at least a small chance remains of securing David’s release through the British nationalisation process. It staggers belief to think the US is willing to keep people imprisoned for years on end without charge, without rights, in a legal no mans land. It’s not the mark of a civilised democratic country, and the Australian government’s attitude has been little better.

Just for the record:
• David is an Australian citizen
• David has no criminal record
• David has not been charged with any crime
• David has now been incarcerated in a cage since early January 2002
• David has not been accorded his rights under the Geneva Convention
• David’s incarceration is illegal under the Geneva Convention

I think the words of the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd and Rt Hon John Sentamu says it quite nicely:

“The American Government is breaking international law. Whatever they may say about democracy, to hold someone for up to four years without charge clearly indicates a society that is heading towards George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

The main building block of a democratic society is that everyone is equal before the law, is innocent until proved otherwise and has the right to legal representation. If the guilt of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay is beyond doubt, why are the Americans afraid to bring them to trial? Transparency and accountability are the other side of the coin of freedom and responsibility.

We are all accountable for our actions in spite of circumstances. The events of 9/11 cannot erase the rule of law and international obligations. I back the United Nations Human Rights Commission report, recommending that the US try all the detainees, or free them without further delay. If the US refuses to respond, maybe the Commission should seek a writ of Habeas Corpus in a United States Court, or at the Hague.”

I urge everyone interested in their basic democratic rights to write to their local MP’s asking them to seach their conscience about David Hicks’ unlawful incarceration. You can find out more information about David at www.fairgofordavid.org

Who said I never update my Blog. Where to begin? In a sea of information that is the internet, is there really anything new that one can contribute that will make such a blog as this worthwhile? All I can really do is offer my own perspective, for what it’s worth, of various topics that rattle my cage from time to time. Stay tuned - I hope you enjoy the sporadic updates!