The Ironbark Blog

Circa October 8, 2005

Peter Galvin

galvinpt@ironbark.info

Ironbark Information

www.ironbark.info

Sorry for the delay between updates. This site is being re-engineered, to make it user friendly, and I wish the same could be done for Canberra. Australia’s PM is turning into a monster beyond our darkest forebodings. The faintly civilised streak he displayed in the first few weeks of office has long since vanished. The corruptions of power are writ large across his tenure, although he still imagines he’s the same dull pudding he always was. A boring mind, yes, an indefatigable liar, yes, a shrewd manipulator of the electorate’s worst instincts, definitely. His drug is power.

NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST – Tuesday 15 November 2005

For more info go to http://www.vthc.org.au/ or http://www.vanguard.net.au/

NEWS FLASH

Resistance to US occupation which features daily on our television news appears not to be restricted to Muslim/Arab extremists. This clipping from The Vanguard gives another, “fourth international” perspective to the struggle. I didn’t know there was a Communist Party in Iraq!

Latham’ Lollies

Mark didn’t just spit the dummy – he spat out the whole bag of lollies!

And good on him.

The ALP is rotten to the core.

Almost as rotten as the parties now in Government.

Bring back the Socialist Left!

David Hicks and the rule of law

What is Australian Citizenship worth if you have to seek another country’s help to get your ordinary civil rights.

I have little time for a person who puts on the uniform of another country BUT that’s not the same as expecting every citizen to have the SAME moral, civil and human rights.

If a person commits a crime in the service of another country, than they should be dealt with according to the laws of that country. But in the case of David Hicks they can’t find a law – American, Afghani or Australian to charge him with. Our government’s attitude seems to be out of sight (in occupied Cuba) out of mind.

The same lawless approach to civil and human rights practised by the Howard/Ruddock Government can be seen in the case of deported American tourist Scott Parkin and the treatment of refugees in general.

GetUp! Action for Australia internet site

http://www.getup.org.au/

What is GetUp?

GetUp is a new political movement to build a more progressive Australia.

GetUp brings together like-minded people who want to bring participation back into our democracy. GetUp.org.au members use the latest online tools to act on the most important issues facing the country.

Why do we need GetUp?

After nearly a decade of conservative government, our country has changed. Millions of Australians don't like the direction we've been heading. On August 9 the Coalition government takes control of the Senate. It will have more power than any government in a generation.

The other political parties aren't providing a strong opposition, and the media is dominated by a handful of right-wing voices. People need to take politics into their own hands. GetUp provides them with a way to do this. GetUp.org.au members are building a ground-up movement of Australians who want to act, not just complain.

What do GetUp.org.au members do?

GetUp.org.au members take action. By signing up for updates, GetUp.org.au members will receive emails alerting them to new campaigns and providing ways of taking effective action. Whether it is sending an email to a member of parliament, calling a talk back radio station, or helping to get a television ad on the air, GetUp.org.au members will always be asked to take targeted, coordinated and effective action.

How can I get involved?

All you have to do to get involved is sign up to get email action updates from GetUp. It doesn't cost anything to join GetUp.org.au, and members can join and leave as they wish.

GetUp communicates with the members through email. When you sign up for updates we will ask for an email address and some basic information about where you live. We need this information to help provide specific local opportunities for you to get active.

Privacy matters to GetUp, and we'll always protect your privacy.Getup knows that our members are busy people and we will only contact you with specific opportunities for action.

Who runs GetUp?

GetUp has a small staff, who produce GetUp updates and keep the website current. GetUp.org.au members carry out the real work of GetUp. They make the calls, they send the emails and they supply the financial support.

GetUp was founded by Jeremy Heimans and David Madden, two young Australian graduates of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government who have worked at the vanguard of the new online organising and campaigning techniques in the US. In 2004, David and Jeremy helped start a national campaign on the decline in America's standing in the world under George Bush. This campaign gathered thousands of online supporters and millions of dollars in donations to support a national television advertising campaign. Prior to this, Jeremy and David worked on issues of global poverty, conflict, and development.

GetUp also has a board that advises the staff. The board includes community organiser Amanda Tattersall, who helped develop the concept for GetUp, union leader Bill Shorten, Green activist Cate Faehrmann, and technology entrepreneur Evan Thornley.

GetUp brings together progressive people from all political backgrounds and parties, but is independent of all parties and receives no government funding.

Cowboys and Tigers

Despite missing out on the finals myself, it was great to see the perennial battlers WESTS and the new chums Nth Qld make the Grand Final.

I’m now in Canterbury @ the Quarterdeck

To friends who have enquired YES I am now in Sydney in my own flat in Canterbury with my film maker student son. The block’s called the “Quarter Deck” – how appropriate with my maritime interests, and in the middle of my spiritual homeland of Bulldog country. Been there since June.

END OF THIS STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS BLOG …….. SO FAR

Peter Galvin

galvinpt@ironbark.info

Ironbark Information

www.ironbark.info

Updated: 8 October 2005