Australia has a refugee problem. This problem consists of people who claim to be refugees coming into the country and just EXPECTING the government to accept their cry for asylum.
The Australian Government has decided that the best way to combat these "so-called-refugees" is to lock them up until they end up in a mental institution then give them a temporary visa that states, as soon as the government can find somewhere else to send them, they have the right to deport them there!
I know the immigration department claims it is making it easier for those in detention centres to get a visa and get out, but this is ridiculous! By the time they are possibly getting this new visa, they have already been in detention for too long! Then, once they have this new visa, they must deal with the prospect of being kicked out as soon as the government deems it fit for them to go back to their country. If I were these people, I would DEFINITELY be worried that the government might decide that its safe to go home too soon.
Perhaps I shouldn't be critising the place I'm hoping to live for the next couple of years. But I'm happy to stop critising when they stop treating refugees like criminals!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Monday, July 18, 2005
Bono & Me (part 2)
So in my attempts to bring about world peace, i've taken to dressing like Bono. The more people that look like him the more peace we can inspire. (that's how it works, right?)
Friday, July 15, 2005
Scalping
What is happening to this world??
In my home town of Boise, Idaho a woman has scalped, thats right SCAPLED!, a teenage girl.
It appears that the teenager offended the woman in some way and she made plans to remove the teenage girl's mohock. When she didn't have a raser for the job, she took out her knife and decided, "heck, why not take the whole thing off!" So off came the hair AND skin!
Okay, it may not have happened like that, but i'm appauled!
It is said that humanity is only 2 meals away from barbarianism. After an action like this, i'm starting to think they might be right!
In my home town of Boise, Idaho a woman has scalped, thats right SCAPLED!, a teenage girl.
It appears that the teenager offended the woman in some way and she made plans to remove the teenage girl's mohock. When she didn't have a raser for the job, she took out her knife and decided, "heck, why not take the whole thing off!" So off came the hair AND skin!
Okay, it may not have happened like that, but i'm appauled!
It is said that humanity is only 2 meals away from barbarianism. After an action like this, i'm starting to think they might be right!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Watch for falling rocks
Top 7 things i hate in the World:
7. Hatred
6. War
5. Corupt Politics
4. AIDS
3. Poverty
2. Death
1. Selfishness
Top 5 Things I love in this World
5. Dreams
4. Love
3. Hope
2. Forgiveness
1. Compassion
The list of hates is long, but i believe the list of love is 10 times stronger. It is through our hopes, dreams, forgiveness, and compassion that the world can be change. It is our choice to make the effort. Will you?
7. Hatred
6. War
5. Corupt Politics
4. AIDS
3. Poverty
2. Death
1. Selfishness
Top 5 Things I love in this World
5. Dreams
4. Love
3. Hope
2. Forgiveness
1. Compassion
The list of hates is long, but i believe the list of love is 10 times stronger. It is through our hopes, dreams, forgiveness, and compassion that the world can be change. It is our choice to make the effort. Will you?
Friday, July 08, 2005
Bush & Justice?
In the wake of the London bombings US President George W. Bush, speaking at the G8 summit, told reporters: "We will not yield to these terrorists, we will find them, we will bring them to justice."
But what would the justice be?? Would it be the kind of justice that is currently being served at Guantánamo Bay?
It seems that this is the only sentence that Bush EVER says. He is always claiming to "not yield", "find", "bring to justice". But let's think about this. Has those responsible for the World Trade Center attacks ever really been found? Short answer, no. Has he brought anyone to justice?...Well...No. (note: torture is not a form of justice). Has he yielded? No, he has instead spread terror and fear throughout the middle east and brought stronger prejudices to the West.
Lastly, I would like to point out that London is not the territories of the USA. Bush has no right to be the police for another country. Let England do what it wants to do as far as "justice" goes.
But let me add this one thing to the USA and to England...Please remember that Torture is NOT a form of justice. I support the need to capture and prosecute those responsible, but do so with mercy and love. Let this set us apart from the terrorists.
But what would the justice be?? Would it be the kind of justice that is currently being served at Guantánamo Bay?
It seems that this is the only sentence that Bush EVER says. He is always claiming to "not yield", "find", "bring to justice". But let's think about this. Has those responsible for the World Trade Center attacks ever really been found? Short answer, no. Has he brought anyone to justice?...Well...No. (note: torture is not a form of justice). Has he yielded? No, he has instead spread terror and fear throughout the middle east and brought stronger prejudices to the West.
Lastly, I would like to point out that London is not the territories of the USA. Bush has no right to be the police for another country. Let England do what it wants to do as far as "justice" goes.
But let me add this one thing to the USA and to England...Please remember that Torture is NOT a form of justice. I support the need to capture and prosecute those responsible, but do so with mercy and love. Let this set us apart from the terrorists.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Live 8
Did anyone see the Live 8 concerts the other night? Sadly, I was only able to watch the highlights of them due to the lack of cable television here in the dormitory.
Wow! I couldn't believe so many bands, so many people, so much money was spent, just to get the G8 to take notice that there are starving people who could benefit from some fairer trade.
I suppose the next few days will determine what happens. Can we actually begin the process of making poverty history???
I pray we do!
Wow! I couldn't believe so many bands, so many people, so much money was spent, just to get the G8 to take notice that there are starving people who could benefit from some fairer trade.
I suppose the next few days will determine what happens. Can we actually begin the process of making poverty history???
I pray we do!
Friday, July 01, 2005
Make Poverty History
I'm sure you've heard of the movement. It's been in the media for quite some time now. Its the big campaign to pressure the G8 into increasing aid, drop the debt, and make fair trade laws. Honestly I'm praying that it works. I would love for the poverty we see in so many countries to be eradicated.
Will it work? I don't know. A friend of mine constantly says that the debt is just figures on a page, meaning nothing. I don't know. I tend to think that removing the debt of these countries,(most of whom are in debt because at one time they were run by one of the G8) is the right thing to do. It seems that it would free up much of the funds that are currently just going back into the pockets of the richest 8 countries.
But will it work?? I still don't know. It has potential. But humans are corrupt. Corrupt governments can sneak a "little off the top", and the people will still be suffering.
In the end, I suppose it depends on a lot of individual humans. Will they sacrifice their greed for a better world?
Support Make Poverty History
Will it work? I don't know. A friend of mine constantly says that the debt is just figures on a page, meaning nothing. I don't know. I tend to think that removing the debt of these countries,(most of whom are in debt because at one time they were run by one of the G8) is the right thing to do. It seems that it would free up much of the funds that are currently just going back into the pockets of the richest 8 countries.
But will it work?? I still don't know. It has potential. But humans are corrupt. Corrupt governments can sneak a "little off the top", and the people will still be suffering.
In the end, I suppose it depends on a lot of individual humans. Will they sacrifice their greed for a better world?
Support Make Poverty History
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Humiliation
Bob Ellis, an award-winning Australian columnist, wrote an article for AdBusters in which he suggests that the photo of Saddam in his underpants is a rouse by the Americans to humiliate him and make his followers stop supporting him. He points out many of the weaknesses of such an act, suggesting that this will only hurt the American's cause not help it.
He further comments that humiliation is part of the American culture. From Little league to Spelling Bees, Americans are all about the winners and losers.
My qualifications on this matter are limited, but present. Having grown up in American culture, I never remember thinking in sole terms of winners and losers. Humiliation was never part of my discipline or culture, thus, his conclusion that humiliations is entirely based in the American way of life, I feel is a bit harsh.
While humiliation makes great public entertainment, it does not win friends. Growing up, I remember valuing friends more than winning. But then again, it is possible that I was a unique case.
I'll accept that. Both my parents have worked to create a culture where their children would learn to empathise with others. They probably succeeded more than they planned.
My empathy leads me to feel for Saddam. I don't like or agree with the kind of horrors that he supported and carried out, neither do I like or agree with the kind of horrors that GW Bush supports and carries out.
War is never pretty. Loss and shame will be felt on all sides before it is over. History will be our ultimate judge. Today, my generation judges the Vietnam war with skepticism and shame. Will tomorrow's generation feel the same about this war?
He further comments that humiliation is part of the American culture. From Little league to Spelling Bees, Americans are all about the winners and losers.
My qualifications on this matter are limited, but present. Having grown up in American culture, I never remember thinking in sole terms of winners and losers. Humiliation was never part of my discipline or culture, thus, his conclusion that humiliations is entirely based in the American way of life, I feel is a bit harsh.
While humiliation makes great public entertainment, it does not win friends. Growing up, I remember valuing friends more than winning. But then again, it is possible that I was a unique case.
I'll accept that. Both my parents have worked to create a culture where their children would learn to empathise with others. They probably succeeded more than they planned.
My empathy leads me to feel for Saddam. I don't like or agree with the kind of horrors that he supported and carried out, neither do I like or agree with the kind of horrors that GW Bush supports and carries out.
War is never pretty. Loss and shame will be felt on all sides before it is over. History will be our ultimate judge. Today, my generation judges the Vietnam war with skepticism and shame. Will tomorrow's generation feel the same about this war?
Something different....
Last night I sat through another conversion story told by an aspiring minister. He told how his life was saved from sex, drugs, and alcohol and he was brought to a life of servitude to Christ. While interesting and occasionally inspiring, I hate those conversion stories. They remind me how inadequate my conversion is. No, not inadequate, boring. My conversion story is boring.
From the first moments I can remember, I remember knowing that God was real. I knew He was because I talked to him constantly. I used to pray when I was playing on the play equipment, running around the field and in the dark in my room. I told Him about the monsters under the bed that I was scared of, and He reminded me that monsters under beds aren’t real. I told Him my desires for the day, He told me to have fun. When I was 11, I was baptised into the church. From then on, I still told Him everything. I told Him about boys I liked. I told Him about my dreams, I told Him my excitements. Then I started high school.
This is the part of the story that, if it was a typical conversion story, I would tell you I got pulled into drinking, drugs, and sex. But in this story, it didn’t happen. While I may have been interested, to varying degrees, in all of those things, I didn’t participate in any of them. Maybe it was because of my belief system, maybe it was my desire to be different to all those TV teenagers whom I despised, maybe it was God. I think it was a combination of all of these things. I never touched any of these “usual” sins.
This isn’t to say that life was easy. Being a teenager is hard and not always much fun! I found myself constantly trying to figure out who I was supposed to be in this world. Matters weren’t made easier when my parents hit, “mid-marriage crisis”. Life was hard. How can you control all the feelings inside? How can you get those feelings and hurts outside yourself? Then a close family friend died and I lost the plot. I sat in my room for hours and hours on end; staring at the ceiling. No, this isn’t the part where I start doing drugs. This is the part where I realise the vast amount of things I don’t like about the world, about my parents, and most of all, about me. I told God everything. I told Him I hurt. I told Him I was angry. I told Him I didn’t like things the way they were. He whispered, “I know.”
This isn’t the part where things get easier. In fact, from this part onwards, they get harder; more friends die, friends leave, parents, well, parents are parents, and I fall in and out of love several times. I’m not going to gloss over these heartaches by saying, “but at least I had God.” Because while I did, those times didn’t feel easier because I had Him. Looking back, however, I can see that it was through His intervention and planning that I made it out in one piece.
So the big thing I had to overcome was my teenage years, and let’s be honest, as hard as they can be, most people survive them. My conversion story does get more interesting from here on, though. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your view, there isn’t any sex, drugs or rock-n-roll in it. What happened was a fulfilment of many of my childhood dreams. I had dreamed of travelling outside my native country. I dreamed of seeing places that no one I knew had ever seen. I wanted to see Paris, London, Sydney, and many others. Thus far, all my dreams from childhood have been fulfilled. Now I have new dreams and I know that my story will continue, more dreams will be fulfilled, more dreams acquired. I don’t keep God around just in case I get into trouble. I don’t keep Him around at all. He chooses to be with me, and I choose to share my life with Him.
So there you have it, my conversion story without any conversion. I told you it was boring.
From the first moments I can remember, I remember knowing that God was real. I knew He was because I talked to him constantly. I used to pray when I was playing on the play equipment, running around the field and in the dark in my room. I told Him about the monsters under the bed that I was scared of, and He reminded me that monsters under beds aren’t real. I told Him my desires for the day, He told me to have fun. When I was 11, I was baptised into the church. From then on, I still told Him everything. I told Him about boys I liked. I told Him about my dreams, I told Him my excitements. Then I started high school.
This is the part of the story that, if it was a typical conversion story, I would tell you I got pulled into drinking, drugs, and sex. But in this story, it didn’t happen. While I may have been interested, to varying degrees, in all of those things, I didn’t participate in any of them. Maybe it was because of my belief system, maybe it was my desire to be different to all those TV teenagers whom I despised, maybe it was God. I think it was a combination of all of these things. I never touched any of these “usual” sins.
This isn’t to say that life was easy. Being a teenager is hard and not always much fun! I found myself constantly trying to figure out who I was supposed to be in this world. Matters weren’t made easier when my parents hit, “mid-marriage crisis”. Life was hard. How can you control all the feelings inside? How can you get those feelings and hurts outside yourself? Then a close family friend died and I lost the plot. I sat in my room for hours and hours on end; staring at the ceiling. No, this isn’t the part where I start doing drugs. This is the part where I realise the vast amount of things I don’t like about the world, about my parents, and most of all, about me. I told God everything. I told Him I hurt. I told Him I was angry. I told Him I didn’t like things the way they were. He whispered, “I know.”
This isn’t the part where things get easier. In fact, from this part onwards, they get harder; more friends die, friends leave, parents, well, parents are parents, and I fall in and out of love several times. I’m not going to gloss over these heartaches by saying, “but at least I had God.” Because while I did, those times didn’t feel easier because I had Him. Looking back, however, I can see that it was through His intervention and planning that I made it out in one piece.
So the big thing I had to overcome was my teenage years, and let’s be honest, as hard as they can be, most people survive them. My conversion story does get more interesting from here on, though. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your view, there isn’t any sex, drugs or rock-n-roll in it. What happened was a fulfilment of many of my childhood dreams. I had dreamed of travelling outside my native country. I dreamed of seeing places that no one I knew had ever seen. I wanted to see Paris, London, Sydney, and many others. Thus far, all my dreams from childhood have been fulfilled. Now I have new dreams and I know that my story will continue, more dreams will be fulfilled, more dreams acquired. I don’t keep God around just in case I get into trouble. I don’t keep Him around at all. He chooses to be with me, and I choose to share my life with Him.
So there you have it, my conversion story without any conversion. I told you it was boring.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Attack
Many of you who read this site, probably have never heard of Schapelle Corby, but it is because of her high profile court case that relations between Indonesia and Australia could fall apart.
Corby was arrested in Bali several months ago when 4 kilos of marijuana was found in her boogie-board bag. Due to the fact she left Australia via Sydney airport, it seems unlikely that she was attempting to smuggle drugs into Bali. In fact her defense team made a good case for baggage handlers using her bag to smuggle drugs into the country.
The Indonesian courts, however, did not see things her way. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. This was a devastating blow to her and many of her sympathisers here in Australia.
Last Friday, someone in Australia attacked the Indonesian Embassy. An envelope containing an unknown bacteria was sent to the embassy. In response to this, Australia has upped its security at the Australian embassy in Indonesia.
Sadly, this seems to be the way of the world. When one person is mistreated, retaliation occurs which incurs more retaliation. When will the violence end? It is terrible that Ms. Corby was sentenced for so long, but one must be glad that the Indonesian government didn't push for the Death sentence (which was their right).
Life rarely happens the way we want it to but we must keep our wits about us. How can we as a human race ever hope for peace if we are constantly seeking revenge? Peace must begin with me taking responsibility and control of my actions. That is the only way to stop the violence.
Corby was arrested in Bali several months ago when 4 kilos of marijuana was found in her boogie-board bag. Due to the fact she left Australia via Sydney airport, it seems unlikely that she was attempting to smuggle drugs into Bali. In fact her defense team made a good case for baggage handlers using her bag to smuggle drugs into the country.
The Indonesian courts, however, did not see things her way. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison. This was a devastating blow to her and many of her sympathisers here in Australia.
Last Friday, someone in Australia attacked the Indonesian Embassy. An envelope containing an unknown bacteria was sent to the embassy. In response to this, Australia has upped its security at the Australian embassy in Indonesia.
Sadly, this seems to be the way of the world. When one person is mistreated, retaliation occurs which incurs more retaliation. When will the violence end? It is terrible that Ms. Corby was sentenced for so long, but one must be glad that the Indonesian government didn't push for the Death sentence (which was their right).
Life rarely happens the way we want it to but we must keep our wits about us. How can we as a human race ever hope for peace if we are constantly seeking revenge? Peace must begin with me taking responsibility and control of my actions. That is the only way to stop the violence.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Did you know?
World Debt Day. Sure it has already happened and most of us have moved on (if we even noticed it at all) however, I must highlight a few points.
In the 1980s UK Bands got together for a project entitled "Band Aid". This project raised over 200 million dollars for Ethiopia famine. Unfortunately this money was only able to cover the monthly bill for the debt of the country. While this was helpful for the month it was sent, Ethiopia is no better off today than it was 20 years ago.
This is a great reason why the world bank needs to start canceling the debt of third world countries. The countries can not afford to pay the bills AND pay to import food. These countries have already paid back the money they've borrowed but the interest of that money is still hurting them today. For the sake of a few million dollars the World Bank lets millions, even billions of people die. Is this fair? Is this worth it?
Consider Terry Shivo. Her family, her government, spent thousands of dollars to keep her alive. For the sake of a dollar, the World Bank allows a person to die. For the western Christian world to let this happen is an outrage. Take a stand, write to your local government and ask the cancellation of the debt of the poorer countries.
for more information visit: TearFund
In the 1980s UK Bands got together for a project entitled "Band Aid". This project raised over 200 million dollars for Ethiopia famine. Unfortunately this money was only able to cover the monthly bill for the debt of the country. While this was helpful for the month it was sent, Ethiopia is no better off today than it was 20 years ago.
This is a great reason why the world bank needs to start canceling the debt of third world countries. The countries can not afford to pay the bills AND pay to import food. These countries have already paid back the money they've borrowed but the interest of that money is still hurting them today. For the sake of a few million dollars the World Bank lets millions, even billions of people die. Is this fair? Is this worth it?
Consider Terry Shivo. Her family, her government, spent thousands of dollars to keep her alive. For the sake of a dollar, the World Bank allows a person to die. For the western Christian world to let this happen is an outrage. Take a stand, write to your local government and ask the cancellation of the debt of the poorer countries.
for more information visit: TearFund
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
In Honour of
In honour of Wold Debt Day, i would invite everyone to click this link.
http://www.sun.com/one/
It is a powerful message. As Nelson Mandela said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. . . . Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure".
Don't you think it's time we used our power?
http://www.sun.com/one/
It is a powerful message. As Nelson Mandela said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. . . . Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure".
Don't you think it's time we used our power?
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Sudan
You know, whil i consider myself a strong activist, i must admit that my knowledge is limited to only what i can find in out-of-the-way places, at least most of the time.
On the news the other night, i saw a 10 sec clip on a war in Sudan. If it wasn't for the fact i had heard about it from Amnesty International previously, i would never had known what they were on about.
Here is a brief overview provided by Amnesty International:
The government of Sudan responded by allowing free rein to Arab militias known as the Janjawid (guns on horseback) who began attacking villages, killing, raping and abducting people, destroying homes and other property, including water sources and looting livestock. At times government troops also attacked villages alongside the Janjawid, and government aircraft have been bombing villages sometimes just before Janjawid attacks, suggesting that these attacks were coordinated. The links between the Sudanese armed forces and the Janjawid are incontrovertible, the Janjawid are now wearing uniforms provided by the army.
With this war on, women and children are bearing the butt of the conflict. With Rape the weapon of choice for this war, the women suffer.
How can the world not be involved? Why don't we pay attention? Could it be that the world sees Sudan and sees little to gain financially by helping?
I have heard it said that Idealism sells. If we can show that with little improvements we're saving the world than we will do it. I'm not sure. Maybe that works for some, but i think most are more interested in the lining on their own purse.
On the news the other night, i saw a 10 sec clip on a war in Sudan. If it wasn't for the fact i had heard about it from Amnesty International previously, i would never had known what they were on about.
Here is a brief overview provided by Amnesty International:
In February 2003 a new armed opposition group, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) took up arms against the government, because of what they perceived as the lack of government protection for their people and the marginalisation and underdevelopment of the region. The support base of this armed group came mainly from the agricultural groups in the region. Shortly afterwards another armed group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) emerged.
The government of Sudan responded by allowing free rein to Arab militias known as the Janjawid (guns on horseback) who began attacking villages, killing, raping and abducting people, destroying homes and other property, including water sources and looting livestock. At times government troops also attacked villages alongside the Janjawid, and government aircraft have been bombing villages sometimes just before Janjawid attacks, suggesting that these attacks were coordinated. The links between the Sudanese armed forces and the Janjawid are incontrovertible, the Janjawid are now wearing uniforms provided by the army.
With this war on, women and children are bearing the butt of the conflict. With Rape the weapon of choice for this war, the women suffer.
How can the world not be involved? Why don't we pay attention? Could it be that the world sees Sudan and sees little to gain financially by helping?
I have heard it said that Idealism sells. If we can show that with little improvements we're saving the world than we will do it. I'm not sure. Maybe that works for some, but i think most are more interested in the lining on their own purse.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Identify
i've been reading Isaiah lately. It has struck me that all my life i have accepted that all the good stuff was written for me but the bad stuff was written for someone else. I mean, i honestly try to follow God. I try to do his will...so doesn't that automatically make those good verses for me?
Take for example, isaiah 3: 10-11:
Take for example, isaiah 3: 10-11:
10Tell the innocent how fortunate they are, for they shall eat the fruit of their labours. 11Woe to the guilty! How unfortunate they are, for what their hands have done shall be done to them.
I don't consider myself innocent. In fact, i think i'm far from it. Television has robbed me of most of my innocents, curiousity, and stubbornness have taken the rest. So what part does that leave me then? The guilty. I am guilty and the verse clearly states that what i have done to other will be done to me. Thus, it is a warning to me to be careful how i treat others, but not just the others i see.
By buying clothing i know has been made in sweatshops i dirty my hands. I help poeple take advantage of the poor. This will come back on me.
There are lots of verses that talk about the poor. I've often thought of myself as poor...but the truth is, i'm part of the richest 6% of the world. I have more money, education, healthcare, and other benefits than 94% of the world. 63.3% of the world survive on less than $3 AUD a day. This means that there is literally billions and billions of the world that are significantly poorer than i am. Now what on God's green earth would make me believe that i am poor??
It could be the advertisements that are constantly telling me i need more. I could be the mentality of keeping up with the Jone's. It could be television that tells me i'm always poorer than the average family. It could be all of these things. But i am not a subject of the advertisers. i am not a subject of the television. I am a subject of God's and as such i should be looking at life through His eyes and not anyone elses. This reminds me that i have a big responsiblity when it comes to my wealth. My responsiblity is to those who don't have it, to share it responisbly, and not to waist it on things that won't last.
Our life is not our own.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Hate vs. Peace
"When you find peace within yourself,
you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."
Mildred Norman, The Peace Pilgrim
----------
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
we belong to each other."
Mother Teresa
----------
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
----------
"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encouragesthe tormentor, never the tormented."
Elie Wiesel
----------
Baha'i Faith:"Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself."
Buddhism: "Hurt not others in that you yourself would find hurtful." --Udana-Varga 5:18
Christianity:"As you wish that men would do to you, do soto them." --Luke 6:31
Confucianism: "Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you."--Analects 15:23
Hinduism:"Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." --Mahabharata 5:1517
Islam: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." --Sunnah
Judaism:"That which is hateful unto you, do not imposeon others."--Talmud, Shabbat 31a
Wicca:An ye harm none, do what ye will."--Wiccan Rede
-------------------
Are we all that different??
you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."
Mildred Norman, The Peace Pilgrim
----------
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
we belong to each other."
Mother Teresa
----------
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
----------
"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encouragesthe tormentor, never the tormented."
Elie Wiesel
----------
Baha'i Faith:"Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself."
Buddhism: "Hurt not others in that you yourself would find hurtful." --Udana-Varga 5:18
Christianity:"As you wish that men would do to you, do soto them." --Luke 6:31
Confucianism: "Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you."--Analects 15:23
Hinduism:"Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you." --Mahabharata 5:1517
Islam: "No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself." --Sunnah
Judaism:"That which is hateful unto you, do not imposeon others."--Talmud, Shabbat 31a
Wicca:An ye harm none, do what ye will."--Wiccan Rede
-------------------
Are we all that different??
Turn it in
I was listening to triple J's program Hack last night. There was a report on a new plagiarism prevention system that been incorporated into Universities around Australia. It is an American company called Turnitin. How it works is, a university pays for a license to use this company's program. Then the Uni can send in essays, assignments, whatever, to this company. They will check it against all the other essays, assignments, whatever, in their database and make sure it has not been copied from somewhere else. Hmm...Sounds okay, right? Wrong.
The intellectual rights of a paper belong to a student. Thus having a company KEEP a copy of the student's work and then use it to make more money is wrong...Unless of course the student agrees to it. This is where it gets hairy. Every student must sign a statement for each paper they turn in that says this is their own work and that the school can check it for plagiarism. This statement, essentially gives turnitin the rights to keep the paper and make money off of keeping it while the student gets...NOTHING. But a student can not complain about this because, they MUST sign the statement if they want their paper marked. This seems a bit wrong to me.
On the other hand, I don't really want other people copying my work, so...What is the solution?
any ideas?
The intellectual rights of a paper belong to a student. Thus having a company KEEP a copy of the student's work and then use it to make more money is wrong...Unless of course the student agrees to it. This is where it gets hairy. Every student must sign a statement for each paper they turn in that says this is their own work and that the school can check it for plagiarism. This statement, essentially gives turnitin the rights to keep the paper and make money off of keeping it while the student gets...NOTHING. But a student can not complain about this because, they MUST sign the statement if they want their paper marked. This seems a bit wrong to me.
On the other hand, I don't really want other people copying my work, so...What is the solution?
any ideas?
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
I am an activist
I am an activist. I wasn’t always this way. Maybe it was the social justice class I took a while back. Maybe it was hanging out with friends who cared about what was happening in the world. Maybe it was my own research into environmental and humanitarian issues. Or maybe it was a combination of all these things.
The point is, I’ve found myself getting into more and more trouble over my beliefs.
At Christmas, I offended my mother by refusing to wear a pair of shoes she had bought me until I found out whether or not they can come from a sweatshop. She felt I was being rude for not just accepting the gift. I think she was very hurt by it.
I also offended a woman I stayed with during the holidays. I made it clear I thought America should be pursuing peace instead of profit. She thought I was not paying attention to all of the facts and turning my back on my Christian upbringing. We were both so angry at each other by the end of our “conversation” that we were both crying.
The other day I firmly rebuked someone for throwing paper out instead of putting it in the recycle bin. I think they felt I was invading their personal space and telling them what to do. I probably was, but it was for a good cause!
Recently I was asked to name some of the most important things in my life. I named environmental and humanitarian issues as two of my real passions. I was then asked if I had given them to God. To be honest, I hadn’t. I had heard of giving God things like, relationships, time, energy, etc. But these are REALLY BIG issues. I’ve never prayed for world peace or to save the rainforest.
My friend says its all useless because the world’s coming to an end anyway. She says no matter what we try to do, its all coming to an end and therefore, our efforts are pointless. I suppose she has a point. Why clean the house yourself, when the maid service is on the way?
I gave it some thought. I thought about it long and hard. I came to a conclusion. I don’t agree.
God is supposed to be a BIG God. He’s supposed to be able to tackle even the biggest problems, right? Someone once told me,
“Don’t tell God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!”
My friend is right, “God is coming soon”. But He’s been coming soon for quite some time now. And while we wait, we shouldn’t trash the waiting room or abuse other people in that room.
I guess all this should bring me to a closing paragraph. What are my conclusions? I’m still an activist. I’m still likely to offend you by telling you off for knowingly buying products made in sweatshops. I’m still going to take my paper (and yours if you’ll let me), to the recycle bin. But now, I’m more willing to pray for peace or for God to save the environment. I know it sounds funny. I mean, even I laugh when I read it, but hey, what can it really hurt?
The point is, I’ve found myself getting into more and more trouble over my beliefs.
At Christmas, I offended my mother by refusing to wear a pair of shoes she had bought me until I found out whether or not they can come from a sweatshop. She felt I was being rude for not just accepting the gift. I think she was very hurt by it.
I also offended a woman I stayed with during the holidays. I made it clear I thought America should be pursuing peace instead of profit. She thought I was not paying attention to all of the facts and turning my back on my Christian upbringing. We were both so angry at each other by the end of our “conversation” that we were both crying.
The other day I firmly rebuked someone for throwing paper out instead of putting it in the recycle bin. I think they felt I was invading their personal space and telling them what to do. I probably was, but it was for a good cause!
Recently I was asked to name some of the most important things in my life. I named environmental and humanitarian issues as two of my real passions. I was then asked if I had given them to God. To be honest, I hadn’t. I had heard of giving God things like, relationships, time, energy, etc. But these are REALLY BIG issues. I’ve never prayed for world peace or to save the rainforest.
My friend says its all useless because the world’s coming to an end anyway. She says no matter what we try to do, its all coming to an end and therefore, our efforts are pointless. I suppose she has a point. Why clean the house yourself, when the maid service is on the way?
I gave it some thought. I thought about it long and hard. I came to a conclusion. I don’t agree.
God is supposed to be a BIG God. He’s supposed to be able to tackle even the biggest problems, right? Someone once told me,
“Don’t tell God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!”
My friend is right, “God is coming soon”. But He’s been coming soon for quite some time now. And while we wait, we shouldn’t trash the waiting room or abuse other people in that room.
I guess all this should bring me to a closing paragraph. What are my conclusions? I’m still an activist. I’m still likely to offend you by telling you off for knowingly buying products made in sweatshops. I’m still going to take my paper (and yours if you’ll let me), to the recycle bin. But now, I’m more willing to pray for peace or for God to save the environment. I know it sounds funny. I mean, even I laugh when I read it, but hey, what can it really hurt?
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Video
Some of you may notice that i've got a video playing on this site. What do you think?
Like the song?
Hate the song?
Like the idea of a video?
Too distracting?
Let me know...i'm always interested in new ideas.
btw: if you do like the video idea, check out kristin's picks for another video clip.
Like the song?
Hate the song?
Like the idea of a video?
Too distracting?
Let me know...i'm always interested in new ideas.
btw: if you do like the video idea, check out kristin's picks for another video clip.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Revolutions
I'm sure you've heard of the American revolution, you've probably also heard of the French revolution and possible even the Industrial revolution. So why am I about to embark on a long rambling essay on what a revolution is? Simple, some people (including my history lecturer) doesn't seem to know. This is not to say she's stupid or anything, many leading Historians disagree on the meaning. But as Allen Steele says, "Perception is reality".This leads to the question, "what is my perception of revolution?" Well, here it is:
Revolution is a change in beliefs or thinking that causes, or attempts to cause, a new way of life to emerge, either culturally or politically. This change can take place over any number of years so long as there is not a lapse in movement of growth.
So by my definition I can count the current social and ecological awareness movement a revolution, right? I'm not sure. Because while it is a movement that is looking to change the way of life and politics for everyone around the globe, it isn't always an organised movement and it isn't always moving in one direction. Sometimes it takes an extreme approach while other times it takes a very moderate or even conservative step (usually backwards).
Hmmm...I guess I need to do some more research. I really HAVE to be able to define this better.
Revolution is a change in beliefs or thinking that causes, or attempts to cause, a new way of life to emerge, either culturally or politically. This change can take place over any number of years so long as there is not a lapse in movement of growth.
So by my definition I can count the current social and ecological awareness movement a revolution, right? I'm not sure. Because while it is a movement that is looking to change the way of life and politics for everyone around the globe, it isn't always an organised movement and it isn't always moving in one direction. Sometimes it takes an extreme approach while other times it takes a very moderate or even conservative step (usually backwards).
Hmmm...I guess I need to do some more research. I really HAVE to be able to define this better.
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