I have just fallen in love with a couple of new cartoonists. So what? you say. Well.... They are from New Zealand, the traditional enemies of Australia (just because we decimate them in sport and they decimate us in human rights quality).
But anyway, here's a sample of the three or so cartoonists:
I may be seeing much less ofyou than I do even now. I have decided to begin studying in earnest and will only allow myself vox as a reward
However, I am writing this sitting in school after a P&L test so... I don't know if I will be able to keep it up. The test has made me hate Paul Kelly - Politics Writer for The Australian.
He wrote an article (yes, I know it was in 1998!) about the mandate of political parties and he got it completley wrong.
He argued that only the party elected to government (thus with a majority in the lower house) has a mandate to rule and perform the will of the people. This is absurd. Surely anyone elected to a position by the people has the right, nay the duty to enact their agenda once in office? If not then what is the point of the opposition? What is the point of an opposition without the right, and the capacity, to challenge? For example, The Whitlam Government was dismissed fairly much because the opposition blocked supply (i.e. The Budget) in the Senate. I am not promoting what they did (as I hold Whitlam and his government in some esteem), however, as the old saying goes "I will fight to the death for their right to do it!"
As a party elected to senate majorityit was their duty to block anything they deemed may be detrimental for the states, the people or the coutnry as a whole - this was and is the purpose of the Senate. All of the minor parties have just as many rights as every other party. They may not have the power (which is shown by their lack of huge election results) yet they have the right!
What are some charitable causes that you support or would like to support?
Charities... hmm....
Unlike the oppinions that some people hold of me I am not an entirley self-centred person. I beleive in helping humanity through changing society.
In regards to charities I find it necessary (as does Ricardo Semler - the great reformist CEO) to ask why?, Why? about their goals, Why? about the way they achieve them and Why ? about their underlying methodology.
In terms of charities I support I generally go for those that attempt to minimise human suffering - and I steer clear of the religious charities (who knows where that money will go? People, sacrifices will help you!).
- Australian Red Cross Blood Service - This charity is more a necessity. Without blood our hospitals fall into a constant state of undersupply and heh, we might be in there some day!
- One Laptop Per Child - A fantastic concept, combining technology and education and helping governments fulfill their responsibilities.
- Mediciens Sans Fronteries - These are the guys that go into conflict zones and other dangerous places and administer healthcare. Much respect.
- UNHRC - Whilst this is not really a charity and the council itself is not particullarly good, the people employed under its auspices and working in places such as Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Slovakia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea et al. are amazing. Once again, a multitude of respect decends upon them.
- Child Fund International - Goes without saying really....
