ACHIEVING LASTING CHANGE PART 2

Imagine if the party branches of Labor, Liberal, Greens , Democrats, Family First and other Australian political parties combined to issue a joint statement condemning the current conflict in Lebanon and Israel. It is unlikely they would encounter much difficulty in reaching consensus on the broad issues....

Imagine if private citizens contacted a group of their friends and did the same.

Imagine if those who knew people living in Australia with Israeli or Lebanese origins (and we have a large number of the latter category in my home of inner-western Sydney!) rang and visited them to offer some degree of support and encouragement.

Imagine if Australians, of Lebanese and Israeli origins, met together to transcend what is happening in the countries they or their parents left, and instead met together to address the conflict as a common problem affecting them both indirectly.

Do you think it would achieve more on a range of levels than if we all just congregated in the street and screamed epithets at our elected officials.

For God's sake can we please just F..ing GROW UP!!! (and I say this in sadness and desperation not anger...we need to wake up and stop being so shallow and insincere.)

ACHIEVING LASTING CHANGE

POP QUIZ:

You are, like many people in Australia, distressed by the current bloodshed between Israel and Lebanon. You desperately hope it will end quickly, but realise it is symptomatic of entrenched difficulties and tensions spanning generations. Do you:

A) Lobby the Israeli and Lebanese governments expressing these emotions and pleading that they work towards tangible peace.
B) Research the causes of the current situation to help you find ways in which you, as an individual, may potentially be able to have a positive impact
C) Based on the above, express your feelings to your local government representatives, asking they, as part of the world community, seek to communicate such concerns to the above governments.
D) Join with others to pray/meditate/positively affirm for a peaceful positive resolution.

Each of which take time, thought, a proper consideration of the issues and effort!

OR

..do you do as one hundred 'geniuses' did today, which is to mob the Australian Prime Minister's car, in an obviously intimidating way (which in most other countries would result in you being SHOT incidentally!) to "demand an immediate ceasefire!"

Along with this goes yelling abuse at police, physically tussling with police and denigrating Australia as "undemocratic" for the police's containment of what was a violent, dangerous situation in a public place.

Again the issue of form or substance--taking action to achieve real change, at personal expense of time and effort, or simply impulsively and angrily confronting the nearest party available.

Demanding a ceasefire from the Australian Prime Minister--real intelligent!!

But, perhaps the goal is merely to acquire cosmetic benefit--being able to brag to your friends how committed you are to peace, as evidenced by your determination to spend an afternoon venting anger and hatred in public..(notice the irony here?) They will be impressed by how willing you are to take action, not realising the action taken is ignorant, pointless and unlikely to achieve any real benefit.

I hope to see people actually be strategic in their actions...rather than simply yelling abuse at the nearest Australian politician. It is not our government's job to wave magic wands over the Middle East after all.

Praying for some hope in all this...my thoughts are with my fellow Australians with relatives still in Lebanon and Israel.
Stu

EXAMS IN TWO WEEKS!

WEIRDNESS

Cindy Sheehan is an American mother whose son, like many other soldiers in history, was killed in combat. I can't imagine, as a parent, anything worse...but isn't it a fairly standard occupational hazard? This is why I never want my children in the military.

Seems this lady is handling her grief in blame terms...with the associated escalating psychological deterioration..

I saw this article today--she has apparently, with a group of Hollywood celebrities, declared she is on a "hunger strike..."

"When I was on a layover in Madrid on my way to Venice, Italy yesterday, the closest thing I could find to a smoothie to get a little protein was a coffee with vanilla ice cream in it... Traveling for 22 hours is very taxing under normal circumstances--but then again, when have we had normal circumstances since the 2000 and 2004 successful coup attempts that have brought BushCo into power?

I traveled from Venice to the frontier of Italy to the province of Udine which is right at the foot of the pre-Alps. I am here for a huge youth festival which includes many elements of social justice and peace work. It is beautiful and the air feels different from other places that I have travelled. It is strangely soft and gentle as is the natural light. However, there is not a Jamba Juice on every corner, so blended juice drinks with protein powder are impossible to find.

Smoothies. Coffee. Vanilla Ice Cream. How much weight does she plan on gaining during this deprivation campaign?"

Italian travel....cafe culture 'fasting'- Seems like the ultimate triumph of form over substance...

SADDAMN INSANE

"YOU!!

I said One Lamb Kebab with extra Tabouleh and Homous!!"

STEPHEN KING

"People want to know why I do this, why I write such gross stuff.
I like to tell them I have the heart of a small boy...
and I keep it in a jar on my desk."
Stephen King

Saw this quote by accident..gave me a chuckle.

Anyone genuinely familiar with King's work knows that horror is only a small component of his writing.

"On Writing" should be required reading /listening (I'm into Audiobooks as my job involves a lot of driving) for anyone interested in understanding the world of an author.

RUNNING OF THE BULLS

Be not Led into Evil by the HOFF!

http://www.esquilax.com/baywatch/

Article extract:

"He has even less musical talent than John Tesh... His television shows are unwatchable... and yet He's one of the world's most popular stars... how has He done it?

I submit David Hasselhoff is the AntiChrist... And I have the proof

How can one explain the phenomenal global success of one of this country's least talented individuals? There are only three ways.

1) Mr. Hasselhoff actually is talented, but this goes unnoticed in his own country.
2) Mr. Hasselhoff has sold his soul to Satan in return for global success.
3) David Hasselhoff is the AntiChrist.

I vote for the latter -- and perhaps, after seeing the facts involved, the rest of the world will agree.

The Facts First, the obvious. Add a little beard and a couple of horns -- David Hasselhoff looks like the Devil, doesn't he? "

This may upset many people....but I can be silent no longer!

GENERATIONS

Why do people call themselves "Baby Boomers?"

Why fixate on when someone was born instead of who and what they are as a person?

I only hear the terms "Generation X" and "Generation Y" used by the self-denoted "Baby Boomers." I don't know any of my peers who would class themselves in this way...I'd be embarrassed to!

In my workplace it is practically a Selection Criterion on any management jobs which become available! ("If you are not BB, please tick here!")

If the "Peace, Love and Tolerance Generation" genuinely seeks "that the world will be as one" to quote John Lennon ( who sang of "no possessions" yet died with $270 million!!) might I humbly suggest that they stop squeezing people into such ridiculous little categories...

PLAY 80'S STYLE VIDEOGAMES ONLINE

HOW FREAKING COOL IS THIS??????

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/80s_games/arcade.htm

My personal recommendation is JOUST---very funny game where you are basically flying on the back of an ostrich!!!

DISCLAIMER!

Love this...adapted from one of the albums by American band "The Offspring."

Ladies and gentlemen!
Welcome to the disclaimer That's right, the disclaimer.
This American apple pie institution
Known as parental discretion
Will cleanse any sense of innuendo or sarcasm
From the lyrics that might actually make you think
And will also insult your intelligence at the same time
So protect your family.
This website contains explicit depictions
Of things which are real.
These real things are commonly known as life.
So, if it sounds sarcastic, don't take it seriously.
If it sounds dangerous, Do not try this at home or at all.
And if it offends you, just don't listen to it !!

I WON A ZORRO PACK!!!

MONTEZUMAS - the best Mexican on the Gold Coast in my opinion. I recommend the Chicken Enchiladas, Chorizo Enchiladas and of course the SANGRIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I have no financial or other interest in this restaurant, other than a passion for their food!
www.montezumas.com.au)

At my last visit, given my passion for free stuff, I was very excited at the prospect of winning the LEGEND OF ZORRO promotional competition. I found out today that I WON!!

MY PRIZE: ZORRO T-shirt, cap, backpack and DVD!!!

For all I know the movie will be dead boring--but the merchandise looks kewl.

(THIS BLOG ENTRY looks like rubbish--but I am having trouble with the formatting.!!!!)

Canada: Australia of The North.

During my studies I have met a large number of Canadians. I have appreciated the opportunity of learning about their country and way of life.

If I was forced to leave Australia permanently I would most likely move to Canada. Why?

* Like Aussies, they are quieter than the Americans.
* Like Aussies, they are louder than the English.
* Like Aussies, they are less opinionated and more flexible in their views than these nations.
* Canada is a huge country with a small population like Australia.
* My cousin Bob (once removed) lives on Vancouver Island.
* Carla is going back there soon.
* They have a cooler accent than the Aussies.
* My wife wants to go skiing every winter- where I live currently the snow is about 1500 kilometres away!
* Their government has a better and more impressive website than the Australian government.
See for yourself:

CANADA http://www.canada.gc.ca/main_e.html
AUSTRALIA http://www.australia.gov.au

....but we do, I believe, still whip the Canadians in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games...though both flog the "eggs and chip for dinner" British EVERY TIME!!!!

Individual, Social and National Wellbeing

" We offer no affront - on the contrary we have nothing but the warmest human compassion - toward those whom fate has compelled to live upon the bounty of the State, when we say that the greatest element in a strong people is a fierce independence of spirit. This is the only real freedom, and it has as its corollary a brave acceptance of unclouded individual responsibility. The moment a man seeks moral and intellectual refuge in the emotions of a crowd, he ceases to be a human being and becomes a cipher...

The idea entertained by many people that, in a well-constituted world, we shall all live on the State is the quintessence of madness, for what is the State but us? We collectively must provide what we individually receive.

The great vice of democracy - a vice which is exacting a bitter retribution from it at this moment - is that for a generation we have been busy getting ourselves on to the list of beneficiaries and removing ourselves from the list of contributors, as if somewhere there was somebody else's wealth and somebody else's effort on which we could thrive.

To discourage ambition, to envy success, to have achieved superiority, to distrust independent thought, to sneer at and impute false motives to public service - these are the maladies of modern democracy, and of Australian democracy in particular. Yet ambition, effort, thinking, and readiness to serve are not only the design and objectives of self-government but are the essential conditions of its success."

Sir Robert Menzies, Australian Prime Minister in The Forgotten People.

Man, I want to go to SPAIN!!

Like a lot of people with British heritage, I have a lot of European ancestors.

My great great grandmother was Spanish. I love the language (I can even sing DE COLORES in Spanish) and seriously want to travel there one day.

Any country which has traditions involving such things as running away from bulls and throwing tomatoes at each other has won me!!

To seek Justice and to Love Mercy

How to respond to issues of justice in our world today???

In my life I have heard so many words spoken.

I have had arguments, proposing solutions to issues, demanding redress for injustices the continued existence of which I could not tolerate.

I have grappled with issues for most of my life which, it seems, the majority of people consider unimportant. I have changed and rechanged my opinions, and in reflecting on that fact questioned whether I am misguided, naive.....even deficient.

My brother, Murray, was born with a severe physical disability. His intellect, personality and spirit remain unaffected, His body places him in a situation of significant dependency upon others. He is an inspiration to me in his tenacity to live as much of LIFE as he can.

As a young child I saw people stare at him...at US...in public. Children sometimes laughed and pointed. Elderly Catholic ladies would cross themselves as we passed, and I saw mothers pull their children close, seemingly to protect them from contamination.

I could not understand why. He was my brother, we loved each other and enjoyed each other's company.

A " keen sense of justice" to quote a family friend led me to a career in the welfare sector. There I saw human beings at their very best and very worst. I witnessed realities one cannot discuss in a social setting.

Now thirteen years later I have seen the hypocrisy of champagne socialists, who self-righteously declare their commitment to justice and sharing, from within their frantically-protected affluence.

I have ALSO been saddened and frustrated by my nation's (Australia's) "tall poppy syndrome" whereby many assume anyone successful does not deserve it.

What can we then aspire to..if we fail to help those in need except in our words, while discouraging each other from reaching for the stars to fulfill their potential? A recipe for mediocrity and discouragement.

As a kid I was called Mr Chatterbox. I am tired of talking now.

I do not want to impress anyone--with these words...my intellect...or anything else about me.
Similarly I am not interested in grand sounding "deep and meaningful" conversations which have little substance, only massaging the ego of those participating in them.

I refuse to worship celebrities, particularly billionaires who parade others' giving as their own, marketing themselves and developing quasi-religious personality cults. ---------->


I crave reality.....people truly knowing themselves and each other. Thankfully I have been fortunate to meet people carrying a spark of authenticity, standing out in sharp contrast from those around them.

I hesitate to get into huge discussions about the 'big issues' as I used to. Some family members and friends consider this a positive step. I am finding that though I stop talking about the many issues that I see hurting my nation and my race...these issues do not go away.

I cannot ignore human suffering. I am human too.

My "keen sense of justice," it appears, remains. I must it seems find ways to use it constructively without merely adding my own plaintitive voice to the clamour of such voices around the world.

When I speak...my prayer is that my words will both MEAN something AND ACHIEVE something.

Watch this space.

LES CYBERHOMMES DANS LA PARIS!

BURGERS A GO GO

I could seriously murder one of these burgers about now.

(Hi to Rod by the way--I don't care what your wife says, you are far slimmer and fitter than this jolly gentleman!!)

DR WHO THE NEW SERIES

"Doctor Who" is the longest running science fiction television series in history, having debuted in November 1963 on the day John F Kennedy was killed.

After sixteen years off-screen the new series has re-won the imagination of many like myself who loved it as a kid, but now find the old, low-budget episodes a bit tacky to watch.

My favourites enemies of all time, THE CYBERMEN, return in a few episodes within the next few weeks.

A lot of people ridicule "DOCTOR WHO" but the countless television episodes, books and audio series have a lot to capture your interest.

Who is the Doctor?

A member of the nobility of an alien society who renounced the privilege and power of his complacent peers, seeking to use his immense intellect and access to advanced technology to fight injustice throughout time and space.

Check it out--ABC Saturday nights at 7:30pm