The War Against Terror

I have been heartened by the recent reports on TV and in the print media, of our military efforts in Afghanistan. In a true "war against terror" our military are working against terrorism and militant opponents by "making them irrelevant". By completing "backyard blitzes" throughout their area of service, the true heroes in the "war against terrorism" are an inspiration in times that are filled with despair. Whether the war is finally won or not, the people who experience the generosity and commitment of our service men and women will remember them with fondness and kindness and perhaps will join in to make terrorism irrelevant, too.

Nauru and the offshore processing of asylum seekers

The incumbent Government should immediately dismantle the program and policy of off-shore processing of asylum seekers (no matter how they arrive to Australian territories), and every political party should make it a major area of policy to do so if they were to win office. The same should be done for a national apology to Indigenous Australians. As we battle the overseas shame of Guantanamo Bay detainees, we are still left with the morally bankrupt practices of shipping our problems to other nations and ignoring the damage and humiliation inflicted on the first people's of Australia.

The Esteem of Women in Society

Shopping in Target the other day for my new son, I came across a t-shirt with the "10 reasons why beer is better than women" stenciled on it. I was entranced with the depth of insight by such wisdoms as, "beer won't complain when you put it in the fridge to cool off for an hour", or "beer won't complain if you touch another one". To be frankly honest, I was dismayed that a large chain-store such as Target would be willing to promote the degradation of women. Not only feminists, but compassionate men and women of all walks of life, are tired of the constant abuse of women throughout our society. On the flip side, it degrades men. The t-shirt displays the stereotyped disdain men have for women. In an age that is significant for it's hatreds and fears, this vision of male/female relations points us in the wrong direction. Obviously aimed at the younger end of the spectrum of the community, it belies the age-old Australian tradition of the weekend bender. Isn't it time we gave our young men and women a bolder, more imaginative vision of how the two sexes can relate? Hopefully without the need for litres of alcohol as a social lubricant. As a father of two young boys (2 years and 2 weeks) I truly hope they will grow up with appreciation for a world where men and women don't just coexist, but treat each other with admiration, respect and honour.