Views in Verse on Aussie democracy! (or is it?)

We like to think that life in 'the olde penal colony' is about as 'liberated' as it gets these days.

And, I guess, no-one is complaining either. But perhaps we just don't. Complain, I mean. We make the decisions these days ...don't we? We have 'personal rights'...





I say this after mulling over this weeks debate on ABC's Q&A program. (No, not bloody Clive - that was the week before!).

The subjects debated were as many and varied as always ...given they are 'thrown into the ring' by the crowd.

A few common threads did come together however around the opening and the closing topics: 'assisted suicide' and 'abortion'. It was clear to all and sundry in the studio that the very 'personal' nature of these matters really called for 'personal' decisions.

Paul Kelly (the revered journalist & feature guest on the program) very soberly reminded the passionate throng in closing that these matters are not 'personal' but are matters that have to be decided by 'society'; interesting choice of word as this gathering appeared to me to represent a very good cross section of 'society'.

What he meant of course was that such social mutterings indeed need to be ratified by our government and the processes that underpin it. Thereby the influences that control it - policy, strategy, media, churches, conservatism, vested interests, lobbyists, short term thinking, Eddie Obeid, Clive Palmer, or ...indeed, failure to make that "courageous decision, minister" (ex 'Yes Minister' BBC TV series).

The subject didn't come up. But I can't help but throw 'gay marriage' into this mix as well. Being supplementary to these matters in that 'we - persons in society' would love to change the 'status quo' of this matter as well. However we cannot influence it at all either, as our politicians are too busy 'rabbiting on' about matters that quite frankly no-one should really need care about at all (eg: a budget - due process - duh!).

Kevin Rudd campaigned in 2007 on a 'for gay marriage platform' and yet then lost interest as soon as he was elected. Julia Gillard, in going forward with it, dismissed it summarily as "not happening on her watch".

So, it kind of takes me back to where we started with the convicts and the imperial masters way back in our colonial days. There is only one group making decisions and it sure isn't the convicts. But hey we 'convicts' make our own decisions these days ...don't we?

Is this democracy? Perhaps, I'd better start this again. I don't think it is.

What the hell is wrong with our political system? More to the point ...what is right with it? All this current comment re '24x7' media is becoming increasingly pertinent - no one is game to make a decision as someone out there mightn't like it.

There is a new factor here we bring - 'social media'. We can influence, but we can't change. Maybe we just have to try a little harder. Our regimental cigar smoking 'masters' also need to find a way to deal with it (other than the ostrich approach) as it isn't going away soon.

This current senate stand-off with the budget is relevant in only one real way; we elect these people and give them a mandate to make decisions. They need to be able to make them or we really will have a society in crisis and everyone will have to just make their own 'personal' decisions.

But somehow I think that is what is happening anyhow! So why the hell should people feel guilty over making their own personal decisions then worry about getting thrown into jail for doing so?

Bloody stupid eh? But what would I know ...and what right have I got? ...my forefathers were convicts. I've paid taxes for forty years though. Mmm ...perhaps I'd better start over.

Might start a senate party campaigning on 'personal rights'.

PS: Clive, you'd better stop watching the headlights soon 'laughing boy' or you'll get run over by a mighty big truck (perhaps you feel you are bathing in a spotlight!) You should know Aussies don't suffer fools for too long mate!

Right of Passage

It's your time 

Lovely boy

your hard work's almost done

Acceptance wasn't easy

in a school designed for some

Your progression has been honest

Your plans so well thought through

Adulthood came quickly 

from your trials

Yet it'll take time

Lovely boy

to see a fairer state

In a society
designed just for some

Why do politicians we elect

hide so well from truth?

Can we allow this 

mere 'opinion on the run' ?

Own the space

Lovely boy

look to those who lead

Accept things that can't be changed

yet fight for what you need

Equal rights are there for all

no matter how it sometimes seems...
Don't let anybody
keep you

from your dreams!!!

Forwarded from my iPhone - Grahame J Flynn

Views in verse on the one great single class society

 Australians - whatever it takes ...together! He who chooses to talk and not act will not be rewarded afterwards.

Views in Verse on the one great single class society



Joe Hockey has long been lauded as a key contender for leadership of the Australian Liberal Party given he has appeared in the past 'electable' in the eyes of the Australian public. Son of a migrant - common appeal - easy going style - no pretension to grandeur.

Now he gets the Treasurer's job: fails to sell his first budget, can't legislate it, unable to collaborate on it, no alternative floated and yet ...amongst all of this he is 'writing a book'. And then ...despite the carnage around him he ...goes ahead and formally launches the book. So in the space of a few weeks he has gone from being Joe, everyone's mate, to Joe the Treasurer given to 'hubris' (something Australian voters will not tolerate!).

In this same space of time, Julie Bishop - another of Abbott's senior ministers, formerly a twenty year practising lawyer, and probably not seen as warm to the electorate because of her stern demeanour; in the meantime. she simply gets on with her Foreign Affairs role.

The first major challenge she has in her role, the loss of 28 Australians over the Ukraine. Julie Bishop simply goes out and successfully takes on Vladimir Putin. In doing so, represents to the world how we as Australians like to be seen to support each other. No need to promote herself. She just went out and did her job as best she could. Australians love to see their representatives 'doing the hard-yards' as they do themselves in their own work every day.

We see ourselves as a single class society working together as one - there is no room for 'hubris' in getting things done - chest beating doesn't pay - all uphill from here Joe!

Good luck! Get some new advisers!

The Rose, the Sun and the Sea

She was the kindest of woman

her beauty long lost to the sun

She came to this port as a stranger

for the love of "a wayward one"

Most thought:

 "he'd since died a sailor"

Put it down to his 'late father's bent'

But back to this headland

she'd return each day

Early ...without relent

After this vigil

She'd walk through town

Shoulders thrown back as she'd go

Watching out 

for new arrivals

the coachman's brow would lo'

In the early years 

neat and composed

Never missing the odd chance to talk

Her appearance waned

with each new year

yet purpose still clear in her walk

She'd stop and she'd chat

to the waifs and the needy

A port town carries it's share

Helping out at the sailor's home too

Plenty of work to do there

She also worked hard for a living

under the Milliner's shop

Until one grey morn'

when the Constable announced:

"her rounds had come to a stop"

It seems the Squire

from a nearby cove

had called that very same day

With ghastly news 

that a body was found

Floating ...face down ...in the bay

Her funeral was said to be touching

All of the children were there

Even the seamen 

made their way up the hill

with flowers ...to rest in her hair

The Mayor declared her (to be)

"of good breeding"...

who came to us 'through the back door"

Describing such situations as "travesties..."

"...such things shouldn't happen at all"

Most would have noticed too

a stranger there...

Sitting amongst the throng

A refined old woman...

Who said not a word...

In a short while she was gone

The Landlord later noted:

"personal things were taken...

...right to the very last one"

All that was left 

in his seaward loft

Was a rose...

...now bleached by the sun.

Forwarded from my I pad - Grahame J Flynn