Musings, perspectives, rants

I saw the following back in September and had meant to post it but life has a way of intefering with plans.  Better late than never:

Academic freedom under threat in Australia

Academic freedom is under threat from increased
Australian Federal Government interference in
university affairs and the country's reaction to
the "war on terror", according to the National Tertiary Education Union
(NTEU).
NTEU National President, Dr Carolyn Allport, said
that the Union was particularly concerned by the
fall-out from the Federal Government's
counter-terrorism measures which, she said,
threaten to stifle research and critical debate,
and place university staff at risk of being
questioned by the Australian Security
Intelligence Organisation. She said that staff
would also be subject to control orders or, in
extreme cases, being gaoled, simply for doing their jobs.
Ms Allport said that the potential for new laws
to stifle the ability of academics to undertake
research and engage in debate was highlighted by
the controversy over a Flinders University
researcher awarded a significant grant by the
Australian Research Council for a study on
suicide bombers. "The academic in question has
been forced to scale back the project after being
informed by the Federal Government that his plans
to interview leadership figures of several
terrorist organisations could contravene the
Anti-Terrorism Act 2005," she said.
"Academic freedom is also under attack from
mounting Federal Government interference in the
day-to-day operations of universities, changes to
the Australian Research Council and its
independent peer review process and making
funding contingent on meeting
workplace-relations-policy objectives," said Ms Allport.
"Academic freedom, including the ability of staff
to freely teach, assess, publish and research,
engage in debate and participate in professional
and representative bodies without fear or
harassment, is absolutely essential to the work
of universities and is increasingly being eroded."

The current Australian government is pandering to the paranoia (which is actually a disguise for imperialist motives) of an undemocratic American government led by liars.  I won't say what I really think of Howard...

I finished reading this succinct book which clarified the many reasons George W Bush should be impeached:

for taking the country into war under false pretences - lies, lies and more lies

for illegal wiretapping and surveillance and regarding himself as above the law

for permitting torture and again regarding himself above the law

for reckless indifference to human life – lack of response to Katrina and lack of planning in post-invasion iraq (ill-equipped soldiers meant more deaths)

for leaking deceptive classified information to cover up his lies about the reasons for invading Iraq.

Nixon was impeached for much less.  Clinton was to be impeached for merely having an extra-marital affair (and bogus claims about property).

The book ends by telling the reader what to do - push for impeachment - stand up for your democratic right to get rid of this virtual dictator.

Elizabeth Holtzman should know what she's talking about - she was involved in proceedings against Nixon.  I urge you to read it, and act.

Since the invasion of Iraq, terrorist attacks worldwide have tripled (in 2005 alone).  In 2005 the war cost USD 81 billion and is approaching USD 10 billion a month.  Meanwhile hundreds, thousands continue to die - and for what?  The man needs to be stopped, but apathy seems to reign.

Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time.  Life takes over and there barely seems enough time to think.  I feel so overwhelmed at times that I end up doing nothing.

I'm reading a book called "The Impeachment of George W Bush" by Elizabeth Holtzman.  There are some sane Americans if only others would listen to them.  The mid-term elections were heartening with the promise of some change unless all the Democrats are spineless.  Read the book - Bush's impeachment is long overdue if only someone had the guts to get it in motion. 

Hope to get back soon...