Musings….

Yes well I have been busy of late, what with the Handfasting and all.

I noticed how angry my last post was, and it has made me realise something: that Howard and his cronies are back at it again, using policy to divide the nation, and create anger and fear amongst the electorate who care.

I’ve been doing a lot of soul-searching recently, and whilst I came to the realisation some time back that a lot of the time, people with some insight have been reacting to the actions of our so-called ‘leaders’, I haven’t been embodying my own insight, and have been reacting to outrage.

Well, no more. These times demand action (not re-action). And they also demand that people stand up and speak their minds without any prompting. A bit like when Al Gore made that little movie – now that caught the conservatives off guard, and they were the ones reacting.

I have read a very very good essay in the last month. It was published in the last edition of the Quarterly Essay, written by David Marr. Titled “His Masters Voice” it is a refreshing piece of journalism and records how the current PM in this country has basically destroyed debate in the media (and how Australians have allowed it to happen).

The sad thing is I have witnessed the same tactics employed at so many levels of our community – the saddest example of this is what I personally witnessed in a volunteer-run community group. Not only did the management committee of this organisation systematically perform acts of intimidation and bullying towards members, but they also effectively gagged any debate on issues amongst members using the same methods which Howard has used in the past. (see the essay…).

I’ve also noticed how this is a theme running through a lot of our literature and other cultural items (like movies, TV shows, etc).

The trick is not to react, but to act in a positive way. Ignore the behaviour that you want to eradicate (that was Skinner’s theory) and don’t feed it any energy – because that is what is sought: to distract us from our own personal tasks and goals.

And so too do I.

I don’t know whether or not this blog will continue, or in this form. I have other things to focus on. More webs to weave. But it has been fun. I’m sure I’ll see you around….

Mitakuye oyasin.