Let's Make 2015 A Better Year Than 2014

As we reflect on 2014, we are left with a sadness about a world in conflict in so many countries. Now there is nothing new in that, except now, the impact of those conflicts are much closer to home than many of us have ever experienced.  As a result, new hostilities and hatreds have become more evident on our own shores. Our political divide became more hostile as well. Further fracturing us as a society, as the community of Australia.  

But as we look ahead to the new year, we are presented with a completely blank canvas.  It's a chance to reflect on the failures of the year gone by and to commit to making changes to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.

Life is a gift. It's the greatest gift that is given to all of us, regardless of our colour, our race or our beliefs. For most of us, living in our country, we have so much to be thankful for. Our health, our surroundings, our family, our friends and most of all, our freedom.

It's so easy to become desensitised and to some degree isolated from what is happening in other parts of the world. And, to condone, reject or simply ignore the atrocities that we see, based on our own biases, prejudices or interest.  We have the good fortune to live in a developed country. Many don't. Many are faced with a daily battle to simply survive as they fight against others (including western governments and businesses) for control of their lands, their resources and their rights to follow their chosen paths.

These people have different beliefs, customs and practices to us, but are they really any different?  In truth, they are not. We all have the same genetic code and origins. Our needs for survival are the same; clean air to breath, food to nourish and sustain us and shelter from the elements.

For many who live in our country and who have called this their home, they also have family and friends who are still living in countries in conflict. Where death and destruction is an everyday event. To fear for ones loved ones must be dreadful.

So as we enter 2015 we have the opportunity to show we care about our fellow humankind. That means people in all countries and with a special place for those who are fighting to survive against tyranny and injustice. It also means those people should care about me and my well being.

If we all start to care a bit more about others than we do about ourselves, the world would be a much better place. We can't change the whole world, but we can start here, at home. We can start by judging people on who they are and what they do rather than on where they came from, what they believe or what party they support. It's not the total solution, but it's a start and what better place to start than the beginning of a new year. All the planetary alignments are positive, as we come out of years of conflict to move into a period of harmony. The rest is up to us.

Happy New Year.

Self-interest Serving Self-Interest

Poll results, highlighting that a majority now prefers a man who has a record of moral failures as long as your arm as their preferred Prime Minister over a family man, with solid religious principles got me thinking about moral decline. 

The Moral decline in business started when Human Resources Professionals convinced management to brand people as "Human Capital"..

People then became overheads not assets to be traded and discarded at will. When business sacrificed their community obligation and made, the shareholder the priority over keeping people in work. Even worse is when businesses fail despite the efforts of the workers and those leading the business (and who presided over the failure) walks away with massive handouts and the employees a pittance.   

The moral decline in democracies started when politicians realised that people would vote for those who gave them the most with little regard for the cost or long term viability. And, when people realized they could manipulate politicians into keep giving them more and more, or they would lose their jobs, even if that means voting for politicians with low values and no interest in the long term viability and prosperity of the country.

The moral decline in society started when people realised they could get whatever they wanted now, (on credit) despite their inability to pay and when they could no longer pay off their debt, someone else would pick-up the tab.

And, more and more people discovered they could manipulate the system, not work and someone else would pay for them. 

When people had children and put their hands out for more and expected others to help pay for them. 

Just a small sample of self-interest, serving self-interest!!!

   

Fake Sheik Haron & the Litany of Failures

Fake Sheik Haron (Haroon): Governments (past and present) and the courts have questions to answer over their action or non action over hostage taker Haron. We have a right to be angry and we have a right to answers. As a community, both have failed us and as a result three people are dead (including Haron's ex-wife). And, whilst I don't wish to cause alarm, we have a need to know how many potential Sheik Haron's are walking free within our community as a result of similar failures.

As has been reported in our local papers Iran warned our Govt's about fake Sheik Haron. As you would expect 'Iran' has been critical of Australia in light of the events of this week (see attached report) They should be. As a country we've failed them as well.

In 2007 our local Muslim community asked the then Govt to investigate Haron, who had caused concern within the community here. "The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has urged Sheik Haron - who ambiguously claims on his website to be a "small soldier" - to identify himself and stop exploiting freedom of speech to attack mainstream Australia under the banner of Islam." (From The Australian 28, January 2008)

The courts added to the litany of failures in allowing this man out on bail not once, but multi times despite the seriousness of the crimes he committed. And despite the requests by police and prosecutors to keep the lunatic behind bars. Our police, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors are also victims of the court failures.  

It appears multiple requests for action have been ignored and despite the evidence and requests from Iran a con-artist and fraudster was granted asylum in this country. A con-artist and a fraudster who went on to become a fake Sheik, an accessory to murder and a rapist is given license to walk free in our streets.

I have no idea why repeated warnings and requests were ignored. It's hard to comprehend that a person with such a dubious background can be afforded so many liberties despite the evidence against him.  On all counts this is a collective ultimate betrayal of us as a nation, of the families left to grieve and of the Muslim community. It must never be allowed to happen again. And we must continue to demand answers.

Iran News:

http://217.25.54.55/en/News/81430222/
http://217.25.54.55/en/News/81428520/

Some earlier local articles on Haron: (copy and paste to read)
2007 - http://austrolabe.com/2007/12/06/the-fake-sheikh-haron/
2007 - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/sheik-faked-to-stir-up-ill-feeling/story-e6frg8yo-1111115203676
2008 - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/call-to-probe-mystery-shia-cleric/story-e6frg8yx-1111115413357
2009 - http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/10/23/give-us-a-break-the-fake-sheiks-not-worth-the-effort/

University Reform Policy

I can see nothing wrong with the Government paying for ads to tell the electorate what they are doing.  It would be preferable not to have to spend the money, but it isn't an election year and given the following, what's the alternative?

We have a media who fail to tell the truth and appear to have a campaign to deliberately muddy the waters. We have an opposition who have lied about the impact of the proposal, and who have stuck their heads in the sand for years with regards to our inability to keep funding from the public purse. We have people like Senator Lazarus, who won't even meet with the Education Minister to discuss the proposal including amendments!!! And, we have an overwhelming plea from the university sector  to support the proposal because without the necessary change they are in deep trouble.

The Government has a responsibility to inform. They haven't been able to get their message across because of the above. We have opposition parties who just block regardless and we now have a stalemate.  Something had to give to get common sense back on the table and if advertising is the best option, go for it I say.  As for the naysayers in the media, opposition and independent groups, if you had done your job, rather than politicking, lying and obstructing the Government wouldn't be forced into going down the advertising path. So if you want to blame anyone for the money being spent on this activity blame yourselves.