On Race Relations

Barack Obama spoke about race-relations in the USA yesterday. Here is a transcript of this address, and links to some reactions in the US. [courtesy of the New York Times], and I can help but wonder if we need to see similar sentiments spoken and talked of in Australia today as we seek to close the gap.

From the American Pew

More than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood to join another religion or no religion. [U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, via NYT]

On the US Election.

Senator Barack Obama’s speech after the Feb. 12 primaries. There's just something that grabs me about his fresh and optimistic idealism.

Kristof [NYT] on the dynastic question.

Beijing 2008

The 'Genocide' Olympics. [NYT]

[Speilberg follows his conscience]

Sorry

While words are not enough on their own; they are a powerful first step. If today we honour and express remorse, then tomorrow a united parliament must act to reduce the gap. Below is the text of our parliaments' apology:

"Today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations – this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."

Speeches from this morning (APH):
The Hon Kevin Rudd, MP, Prime Minister
The Hon Brendon Nelson, MP, Leader of the Opposition.

Against Happiness...

Eric Wilson laments the effect of happiness on art. [via ALD]

"When we, with apparent happiness, grab hard onto one ideology or another, this world suddenly seems to take on a static coherence, a rigid division between right and wrong. The world in this way becomes uninteresting, dead. But when we allow our melancholy mood to bloom in our hearts, this universe, formerly inanimate, comes suddenly to life. Finite rules dissolve before infinite possibilities. Happiness to us is no longer viable. We want something more: joy. Melancholia galvanizes us, shocks us to life.

Melancholia pushes against the easy "either/or" of the status quo. It thrives in unexplored middle ground between oppositions, in the "both/and." It fosters fresh insights into relationships between oppositions, especially that great polarity life and death. It encourages new ways of conceiving and naming the mysterious connections between antinomies. It returns us to innocence, to the ability to play in the potential without being constrained to the actual. Such respites from causality refresh our relationship to the world, grant us beautiful vistas, energize our hearts and our minds."

Vision(s) for Australia..

Here's an interesting and encouraging article mentioning what many people have been up to over the last few months.

One host told me her meeting in Balmain - of people ranging from a full-time mum to teachers and a banker, none of whom was a member of a political party - expressed relief that there was a means of talking to government. "There was a general feeling of not wanting the Labor Government to go the same way as the Howard government and stop listening to people," said this host.

That a bunch of "basket-weavers" thinks this way might be scoffed at in Canberra, but the same views came from groups in Rooty Hill and Thirroul, Dubbo and Woy Woy, in Tenant Creek and Alice Springs, Kalamunda and Kununurra, Caboolture and Nambour. Some people drove for an hour to participate, which suggests a level of engagement significantly beyond what is required to simply "click" an online petition.If you want to have your say, GetUp! are running a campaign about "the people's agenda" where you have a chance to rate the issues which are important to you. [Priorities for the new Government]. Interestingly GetUp have alsobeen running a campaign for people to have a say in the 2008 Budget (NB: this closes tomorrow). It will be interesting to read the speeches when Parliament resumes on February 12th this year.

On America

A happy new year, maybe - I was really intrigued by this article about American attitudes to 2008, and wondered what a similar survey would reveal about us?

Postscript: Here's a similar article about Britain.

Here's another site to watch, if like me, you are intrigued by the real life drama of the American Presidential Race.

As the dust settles...

Wow, who would have thought the cricket would cause such a stir, and it is a shame that we struggle to remember the five days of great cricket (from both the Indians, and the Australians). Certainly less feeling would have been stirred up had the test been drawn.

While I do agree with a lot of the sentiments in Peter Roebuck’s piece (; – I’m not entirely convinced that Ponting should be sacked. Without question, given his piece in The Australian, Ponting needs to take a deep breath and develop a greater understanding of how the ‘spirit’ Australia plays the game in is seen outside of their own dressing-room (see these pieces from Cricinfo, the BBC, and The Age); because as the team has been quoted as saying, “perception is reality”. It’s interesting to read past Australian players such as Neil Harvey and Geoff Lawson’s comments.

Here’s a few pieces from the Age with a great suggestion of what should happen (after we all take a deep breath). I also should note that Ponting’s piece in today’s Australian does give hope that the team has learnt something from this episode.

Hopefully we’ll get back to talking about great cricket after the third test begins on Wednesday in Perth.

Questions...

While we were in Melbourne, I saw quite a fascinating book: What are you optimistic about?, put out by Edge, in the books they pose a question, and then ask a number of 'thinkers' to provide an answer, after looking at their website, I discovered they pose a question each year.

The three recent questions were:

:: What are you optimistic about, and why? (2007)
:: What Is Your Dangerous Idea? (2006)
:: What We Believe but Cannot Prove? (2005)

And the question for 2008 is: What have you changed your mind about? Why? I'll have to have a look for these here.

~~~~

Incidentally, in case you were wondering 2008, is the International Year of Planet Earth, the year of the Potato, and the year of sanitation.

Technology at the Cricket...

So summer comes around and with it the newspapers turn their attention to the errors of those in the chair (perhaps, more often than the errors of those at the crease, or on the court). I’m a traditionalist; I prefer to have the umpires make the decision. Human error is part of sport, the error of the players and the errors as the umpires, and even perhaps the error of a batsman walking; and a fielder saying I’m not sure I caught it. I guess I also like the what-ifs too – if Symonds or Ponting be given out earlier would it make any difference in the end.

Given Symonds comments yesterday (paraphrased as – “I was lucky, I was out”); I wonder if all of the captains of the test playing nations should get together and create a code of conduct – claiming catches, encourage players walking if, like Symonds, they know they were out.

It is quite interesting seeing players stand their ground, while appearing to know they are out, and eventually leaving cursing when they are given out (when they aren’t). I was encouraged when during the Sydney test Ricky Ponting expressed doubt over a couple of catches, which encouraged me a touch more than his behaviour when he was eventually given out.

Perhaps along with being a traditionalist I’m also an idealist. Maybe I need to get over this romantic notion, seeing sport has entered into a professional era, and the money involved has increased, the spirit has walked.

The road to The White House

One of the many things that The West Wing has taught me is that there is a long (and tough road) before gaining your parties nomination. We saw the first steps today with the first Caucus (in Iowa), leading up the ‘Super Tuesday’ (Feb 5). Obama gained 37% of the vote with Edwards and Clinton getting about 30% each. While the nomination is by no means decided, its would be quite a moment if Barack Obama was to gain the Demorcrat Party's nomination (here's an op-ed from the NYT, with Obama and Clinton's speeches).

While the actual nominee will be declared at the conventions during August (Democrats) and September (Republican) hopefully the picture will be clearer before then.

Perhaps surprisingly though, looking at the polling data – it looks like Clinton is most likely to get the Democratic nomination (over Obama), and Huckabee or McCain the Republican nomination.

If Clinton was to get the nomination (and of course win the November election) – would it be the closest we’ve been to a dynasty in U.S. politics – with the previous Presidents being: George Bush Snr- 1988-1992; Bill Clinton - 1992-2000, and George W. Bush - 2000-2008?

I was surprised to hear that in January 1992, Clinton had around 3% of the vote at this stage in 1992 – and we all know what happened.

.. and I think, I found, what I’m looking for ;-) …

So, here’s my second post about the year which was 2007, and this one is about music. Here’s a few CD’s which I don’t consider in my year's best (best of's, soundtracks, and reissues). In December, I bought Christmas Songs [Jars of Clay], which is a collection of Christmas carols (some of the less frequently heard ones), and original songs, and yesterday, I found (after looking in a few too many shops, and being told by a Melbourne shop-assistant "I was dreaming" trying to find it) the Deluxe re-issue of The Joshua Tree (which includes a bonus CD of b-sides, and a DVD of a concert from Paris in 1987), and on the soundtrack front – Once.

Moving on, my favourite albums released in 2007 are: Cassadaga (Bright Eyes), Neon Bible (The Arcade Fire) and In Rainbows (Radiohead) Young Modern (Silverchair), and Brooke Fraser’s Albertine can count here. A number of CD’s released that I would like to hear but haven’t yet include: Time on Earth (Crowded House), Rise Up (Abby Dobson), Sky Blue Sky (Wilco) and Our Love to Admire (Interpol) are among them.

So here’s my top five of 2007

(5) Young Modern – Silverchair
It is good so see one of Australia’s great bands return – and Young Modern is quite impressive (and eclectic collection of songs, with a variety of influences).

Stand out tracks: Reflections of a Sound, Straight Lines, Waiting All Day

(4) Neon Bible – The Arcade Fire

Quite an impressive follow-up to Funeral, and I would almost rate it above Funeral. Its quite an impressive collection of songs, and one which flows from the first track to the last. I’m seeing The Arcade Fire at the Enmore Theatre later this month, and I’m really looking forward to it, as I keep getting told how special their live shows are.

Standout tracks: The Well and the Lighthouse, [Antichrist Television Blues], Intervention

(3) In Rainbows – Radiohead

I was hoping for a new album from Radiohead during 2007, and I have to admit by the middle of the year, I thought 2008 was more likely. Then there was a flurry of news with the news that In Rainbows would be available for download on October 10. It was possible that the hype surrounding the CD would lead to disappointment. But needless to say my first impression was really positive. It is perhaps a cleaner and more accessible record than some of their more recent cds.

Standouts: All I Need, Videotape, Nude.

(2) Albertine – Brooke Fraser

I’ve written about this CD before. So I won’t repeat myself here – but I find Brooke’s songwriting to be rich, insightful, and challenging. I’m looking forward to seeing her develop as a musician and songwriter.

Standouts: The Sound of Silence (Cover – on the Deluxe edition of Albertine), CS. Lewis Song, Shadowfeet

(1) Cassadaga – Bright Eyes

Another artist who was one my list at the beginning of the year – and after the fantastic “I’m Wide Awake…” I had high expectations. I was not let-down. There is something unsettling in a young artist delivering such moving and evocative music. I had no idea that Conor was 27~!! It is a rich collection of songs touching on America. Cassadaga goes back towards a country type song, and in amongst a number of great albums released last year Bright Eye’s Cassadaga is my favourite.

Standouts: Four Winds, No one Would Riot for Less, Lime Tree

Five Songs for 2007
:: No one would riot for less – Bright Eyes
:: All I Need – Radiohead
:: Drifting Further Away – Powderfinger
:: Albertine – Brooke Fraser
:: Wave of Sorrow – U2 (released with the reissued Joshua Tree), is a gem.

Best Australasian album of the year
Albertine – Brooke Fraser

Favourite gig of the year
The Frames // Metro (August)

Favourite “new” Australian artist of the year
Abby Dobson (Rise Up)

Favourite “new” artist of the year
During 2007, through Skin and Bones, I got into the Foo Fighters for the first time.

On the horizon…
I’m excited about the release of Accelerate (the new studio album from R.E.M.); and Here is What it is (Daniel Lanois). A new album from U2 is on some anticipated released calendars but I’m not optimistic given the four years between All that ... and How to... but we’ll see.

~~~~~

And for another year end list try: here, here (and here).

the i-window to the modern soul?

While it has long been said that the eyes are the window to the soul, in this day and age, it may well be the screen of the ubiquitous iPod or any other MP3 player.

You show me your iPod, I'll show you mine [SMH]

Enchanted Afternoon

We went and saw Enchanted yesterday. As I mentioned earlier, we thought that it might be the best of the bunch released (and to hazard a guess I think The Golden Compass will have the highest opening ticket sales).

Without giving too much away, it was a somewhat fun spin on a fairy tale. I really liked the opening (and closing) sequences using a pop-up book. The film is quite sweet, and really picked up once the action had moved from the fairy-tale world to “our world" and I guess shows how 'story-book love' lasts in the real world.

Though it was a Disney film, I did not expect the musical numbers which turned up. Some of the sequences were classical ('Happy working song': including the animals of New York cleaning an apartment; and 'That's How You Know').

While Enchanted was certainly aimed at a younger audience, there was more than enough to entertain and humour us. So, I reckon give it a shot.

~~~

See this article from The Australian, to find which films the Boxing Day audience went to.

Movies: Boxing Day...

One of our Christmas traditions (since 2002 - when the first Lord of the Rings film came out) is to go as a family and see a film on boxing day. It was quite easy at first, we saw the three Lord of the Rings films, then Phantom of the Opera (2005), in 2006, we saw The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. After having a look at the films this year: Atonement, The Golden Compass, Enchanted, Alien vs Predator: Requiem and Two Days in Paris. Though some of them won't work Alien vs Predator (yuck~!), and we thought that Atonement might be a little bit serious for Boxing Day, so we decided to have an Enchanted afternoon, which should be great fun.

~~~~

I'm looking forward to see how 2008 shapes up; 2007 was the year of the "sequel". The Spiderman, Shrek, PotC, and Ocean's franchises had version 3.0 released, and were mostly disappointing (as for me, was The Simpsons'.

Though I think I've seen more films this year, the standouts were: As it is in Heaven, Once and Amazing Grace.

~~~~

On a completely different topic, there's a fascinating article describing how Australian's use their annual leave in today's Herald, and it certainly rings true for me. I certainly haven't taken my four weeks leave this year, and the barriers described are not alien to me. There is certainly a need to "work hard" at resting.

Random links..

:: Online campaigns …
Here’s one successful online campaign, maybe we can see more of these on (cough) more important (cough) issues, it will be interesting how activism will work online with the popularity of facebook.

:: Princess Myth…
Here’s an interesting article about the Disney princess myth.(via ALD). Today's Herald also had an interesting article the ‘Princess Myth’.

~~~~~~

Idealism..

I read an interesting piece in the Herald by Hugh Mackay reflecting on an Essay competition for Year 5-12's, the theme of which was What Matters? Mackay wrote in the article that the theme running through many of the entries, including Erin's (the winner): "was the idea that we ourselves, though our own behaviour, are helping to shape the kind of society Australia will become. It is encouraging that read that many young people are also engaging with the question what kind of place is Australia going to be in the future, and what are we going to do about it?" Mission Australia regularly produce a survey of youth (what the value, what worries them, who they turn to for help, its an interesting read).

Here's how Mackay ends his article:

Whether you choose to become a teacher, a politician, a nurse, an engineer, an accountant, a scientist or a carpenter, you'll also be a son or daughter, a sister or brother, a friend, a neighbour, perhaps a husband, wife, father or mother.

You'll also have clients or customers, colleagues, a boss. The way you handle all those personal connections, in all those contexts, will help to determine the kind of society we will become.

Of course, some of you will make huge cultural, scientific or political contributions to the future of Australia; some will turn out to be leaders and visionaries who inspire others on a grand scale. Some will educate us, some will amuse us, some will help to explain us to ourselves. Most of your contributions - like most of ours - might seem less spectacular than any of that, but here's what really matters: the way you respond to the needs of strangers, the way you listen, the way you take other people seriously.

Many of you already know all that. The greatest disservice the rest of us could do you would be to infect your idealism with our weary cynicism.

[Aside: Mission Australia also have a blog which is also worth a read]

And, on a completely different note:

Santa nailed to cross to protest against Xmas commercialism (courtesy of The Age)

Modern Carols

Tonight, I’ve been sitting watching the Carol’s in the Domain, and it got me thinking about the carols we sing. I was reminded of a sermon where one of our pastors read (halfway) through a list of countries which will experience conflict over the Christmas period (Source: International Crisis Watch). Peace on earth certainly doesn’t ring true these days.

Jesus this song you wrote
The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on Earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth?
This peace on Earth
Peace on Earth – U2 (All That You Can’t Leave Behind, 2001)

I Heard the Bell’s on Christmas Day was one song that he did like, which quite coincidently a few days earlier I bought Jars of Clay’s CD Christmas Songs, which included it. I am quite struck by the last two verses:

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong, And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

~~~~

December 2, 2006

At the beginning of December Fiona and I headed up the mountains to Leura to celebrate our 1st Wedding Anniversary, 2007 has flown by. It was great to be able to head away for a few days in the Blue Mountains.

I can’t say how awesome it is to come home, after work, or seeing a friend and seeing her smiling face (or her cute sleepy stir and murmur hello). I especially love how we have ended each day together in prayer, for each other, and for our church, and for the world.

While we have certainly had our ups and downs, I would not trade them for the world. I am incredibly blessed to have Fi’s unconditional love, encouragement and companionship, and to likewise be able to love, and support her, as we travel through life’s valleys and pastures together.

The choice is ours...

As I'm sure you are all aware, the Federal Election is on Saturday.

I have read a few pieces comparing each party's platform (from a 'Christian' perspective) and the links are below.

:: Australia votes [Australian Christian Lobby]

:: The Make Poverty History Report Card (This site focuses on issues relating to the Make Poverty History Campaign). [Thanks Byron].

:: Centre for an Ethical Society (about the CES)

:: Christian Values Checklist

+++

Personally of the above, I recommend the Australia Votes site, and the CES list above the Christian Values Checklist, simply because it compares the parties across a broader range of issues. There's a thread about the Christian Values Checklist worth a read here. I was intrigued that though the Green’s responded to the CES questionnaire they declined to respond to the one sent out by the ACL (see the ABC’s Religion Report transcripts of Nov 7 and Nov 14).

+++

This letter made me feel pretty sad; there's more here.

+++

I quite like the House of Reps calculator on the ABC Election site.

~~~

[..] Another birthday

I was caught thinking this morning, that this time next week I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying 30 is old (because its not); it just has sneaked up on me.

This time last year, I was preparing for my marriage to Fiona, our wedding was just over 11 months ago, and I cherish her companionship, friendship, and love as we continue to grow closer to our Lord, and each other.

This time 5 years ago, I was preparing to change churches, and move out of home for the first time (and did at the beginning of 2003), and this October, was six years at the SPRC.

This time 10 years ago, I was looking forward to seeing U2 live for the first time (and did in February 1998: their PopMart tour).

This time 15 years ago, I was settling into Australia, (we’d moved in 1990)

This time 20 years ago, well I can’t really remember anything of note (given I was 10);
though I’m looking forward to the reissue of The Joshua Tree this December. It should be noted that 20 years ago ... New Zealand were World Champions in something.

This time 25 years ago, I may have been [just] taller than my brother.

This time 30 years ago, my parents were in, or had just returned to NZ from, Canada. [what to me might have been a galaxy far far away?]

+++

This time next year… who knows what God’s got in store for us, but I do want to make the most of each day we have.

This time in 5 years … No; I actually don’t have a one, three, or five year plan; I never really had a list of things to do before I was thirty either, which I suppose is just as well now.