Referendums Are Serious Business - They’re Not About Vibes or Feel Good

In a few months from now, we must cast our ballots to decide whether or not to include an extra chapter in our constitution. This isn’t something that we should take lightly, because it is a very important undertaking.

There are two parts to this vote. One being to recognise our indigenous history. The second the Voice to parliament. I know of very few people who have an issue with part one. The second part, however, concerns many of us.

This is not a minor change based on a feel good vibe. Nor is it about showing compassion or having a heart. A voice to parliament enshrined in our constitution is a substantive measure. A measure which will change governance and which will change forever the way parliament and the executive government works. It is naïve to say it won’t. 

A constitutional amendment depends on words. For that reason, we need to have a better understanding of effects of the proposed wording. To do that requires more information from the government, such as what exclusions (if any) apply. What the Voice can consult on and with whom and why and requires full disclosure of the proposed legislation; not after the vote, but before. Why? Because it is those very words that will lead to the creation of this new and important institution, the Voice and how it operates. 

Before we go to the ballot box, we are required to assess the Voice in terms of the constitutional powers it has. To not do that is irresponsible. Therefore, we can not allow others to dismiss us because those people who say we don’t need to look at the words or assess the words are engaging in deception.

It is not fair nor is it reasonable for the Prime Minister to state that the government will work out the details after we have voted yes. In fact, it is dishonest. 

This change has the potential to affect all of us in some shape or form. Based on what we have been told to this point, we can’t even determine what that might be. If we get this wrong, it isn’t like voting in a bad government where we can fix the mistake and vote them out in three years. Once a constitutional change is made, it is there forever or until such times as a new referendum is held in an endeavour to correct the mistake. So future generations also have to live with the decision we make.

We have one chance to get this right for all concerned, so let’s make sure we have all the information required to do that.

SEBASTIAN’S STORY …

 

For most of us, we have been battling one of (if not) the longest period of difficulty in our lives. Sadly, there appears to be no quick end insight. As a result tensions are high and relationships are strained. Life on social media is a battle-ground and society is fracturing. With that goes the spirit of goodwill and as we like of think in Australia; mate-ship. With that in mind I write this tribute to a very unique and lovely little cat, we could all do with learning some lessons from. 

 

Sebastian passed away on August 8, 2000. Big deal, I hear you say the cat died, it’s sad, move on. However just like people, animals can have a profound effect on our lives. Sebastian was one who had a very profound effect on mine. The reason I want to tell you about Sebastian is this – he can teach us about about trust, forgiveness and caring, something that we desperately need at this time. 

 

Sebastian was a stray and he started hanging around our house. He was a sad little thing; a typical feral cat. I left food out for him, but all attempts to approach him failed. 

 

One day, I noticed he had an enormous abscess on his head. Something had to be done, so I called my vet, and he gave me a pill to put in his food to knock him out. Seb took the pill, but all it did was slow him down. My neighbour, my husband and I chased him around for hours trying to catch him. In the end, I think poor Seb just dropped from exhaustion and I caught him and off we went to the vet. 

 

I mentioned to my vet, that it looked like Seb had been in a number of cat fights because of the damage to his ears. My vet explained that the damage wasn’t caused by other cats it looked deliberate. He said there were other signs someone had tortured him; my stunned silence followed. Seb had his head treated, and I had him de-sexed at the same time. I told my vet we would keep him, assuming we could tame him. I collected Seb the following day, and brought him home. He settled in straight away and appeared content. He enjoyed good food and a warm bed, but was very wary of us. It took a while for him to feel safe. 

 

Seb turned out to be a gentle soul. Whilst he tolerated me, he loved Richard. Richard said it was “male” bonding because I had Seb snipped; funny haha. But it was Seb’s behaviour toward other animals that really struck both of us. 

 

We had a near neighbour who had two beautiful Himalayan cats. They were stunning animals, but sadly, their owner had them declawed. To make matters worse, during the holidays when their owners went away, the cats were simply let loose to fend for themselves. They were totally defenceless. My next-door neighbour and I fed them and provided them with places to sleep, but Seb was their protector. Seb shadowed them everywhere. He protected them from a rather vicious cat from across the road. As well as protecting them from dogs and even from my own cats. He even stood his ground if I went near them. He made sure they came to no harm. 

 

We are very lucky to have a lot of birds in our garden. Sadly, the tomcat from across the road saw them as snacks. Seb would drive the interloper away, but Seb never touched the birds himself. In fact, he would lie in the sunshine whilst the birds hopped around him. It was fascinating to watch and most unusual behaviour for a cat. 

 

We learnt a lot from Seb. He taught us about forgiving. So often today, we hear excuses from offenders that it is all the fault of others who have mistreated them in the past. Well, little Seb had been tortured by humans, but he put his trust in us. Whilst he was wary of other people, he never ran away and hid. He could have remained feral, like so many people do but he didn’t. 

 

Seb taught us about caring for those who couldn’t look after themselves. Not the usual behaviour of a mere cat. And, he taught us about trust and about love. 

 

Seb was a gift. He was a nuggety little chap with the most amazing, knowing eyes. Sadly, he developed a cancer that was untreatable. It was one of the saddest days of my life to end his life. He was very much in my thoughts yesterday on the anniversary of his passing, as he has been every year since. I loved him and he will also have a place in my heart. 

 

To Sebastian, gone but never forgotten.

 

This story has a little more meaning. On August 8 this year a dear friend lost her much loved cat. Tiny was 21 years and 3 months old. I’d like to think that little Sebastian was waiting on the other side of the Cat Rainbow Bridge to guide her home. ♥️♥️

 

If COVID was a Hoax

“The self-reinforcing cohorts of the collectively unhinged, have become especially salient in the era of social media.” I think that’s a great comment and so true of sites like Twitter. They have swept even previously considered sensible people up in the paranoia that abounds. The mere mention of anything Covid related stirs them out of their foxholes and off they go. 

So if Covid were really a hoax, what would it require to off pull the greatest hoax the universe has ever endured off? 

First it would involve a secret deal between every global leader on every continent regardless of their political ideology and regardless of their self motivation and their personal ambitions. Conservatives, Socialists, Marxist, Communists, Fascist all agreeing to render the greatest hoax ever. Even in your wildest imagination can you imagine that’s the case? Let’s not forget we’re talking about a group of people who haven’t agreed on anything or collectively coordinated their plans on anything that affects the planet. 

Second. It would also involve doctors in Geneva at the World Health Organisation. Now I know many people are suspect of WHO. However, add to this Govt health experts, and thousands of medical experts in hospitals all around the world conspiring with data scientists, virologists etc to produce a fantastic flow of fake information. Let’s not leave out the research scientists and the pharmaceutical companies who are developing and manufacturing the vaccines. They’d all have to be in on the hoax as well. If you believe the conspiracists, the vaccines are just a way to insert a chip that will be a mechanism to control us. 

Third. Then add to that the media if you’re still convinced everything politicians and scientists and health workers appear to be saying is fake hence they’re making it up. Just try to imagine what it would require to create an even more amazing capacity on someone’s part to control the world’s media and the internet. 

Millions and millions of people in on rendering the greatest hoax ever on the global population of the world. And what possible purpose could it serve? A mass take over if you believe the conspiracist. By who exactly isn’t always clear? Although one person on Twitter has claimed endorsed and resourced by the CCP.  Just let that sink in. Every country in the world buying into a global take over by the CCP!! When the rest have figured it out no doubt it will be equally as fanciful. 

Freedom and Rights

I don’t know who wrote this. It was posted on Facebook as Author Unknown. It’s too good not to share. I agree one hundred percent with the author. 

I am reading about people claiming their freedom is being taken away from them because they have been asked to wear masks. They say they won't pay any fines associated with not wearing one. Although I don't agree with their statement regarding the removal of their rights, I totally understand how people are being influenced by the media and some of their peers to believe that they are being done wrong by.

For those of you who fall into this category, there are a few more things you should consider to maintain your rights.

You should decline the Government's offer to assist with Jobkeeper, Jobseeker or the $750 bonus payments because your right to financially struggle will be taken away from you if you accept these payments.

You should decline your bosses offer to keep you on part time because you will lose your right to join the thousands in the Centrelink line whose bosses couldn't make them that offer.

You should pay full childcare fees because paying a reduced rate takes away your right to fully support your decision to work while your child is cared for by someone else.

You should return to the workplace rather than work from home because being told to work from home takes away your right to work in a real working environment.

You should hire a private tutor for your children because teachers now working 12 hour days to remotely teach your children takes away your right as a parent to have your children taught the way you feel you are entitled to.

You should decline to accept treatment for yourself if you end up with Covid 19 because accepting treatment takes away every right you thought you had by refusing to wear a mask.

Unfortunately that should also apply to every friend or family member you pass the disease on to as allowing them to accept treatment for your choices takes away your right to make those choices in the first place.

Most importantly, you should start apologising, and possibly saying goodbye to, the people in your life who may suffer and/or die as a result of you wanting to exercise your rights because waiting until it's too late to apologise takes away your right to show how sorry you are while they were still alive.

Up until this pandemic, I thought I lived in a world that was progressive, intelligent and relatively safe within the confines of my Country.

Sadly I was mistaken as I now know that stupidity and naivety can take away my rights.

To watch my children raise their children in a safe world.

To see my Grandchildren grow up.

To see the world through travel.

To race my walking frame against my husband and his.

To sit with him in our 80s and reminisce about the wonderful life we had together.

To breathe without struggling in my final days.

To die a death where I can be surrounded by my most favourite people in the world rather than in a hospital surrounded by medical staff holding an IPad where I may be able to glimpse my family with tears rolling down their faces.

Or MOST DEVASTATING OF ALL, being one of those people watching my family member dying in a hospital room and thinking all I want to do is be with them and hold them as they take their last difficult and painful breath.

It's a mask. Not a gas chamber. Not a firing squad. Not a noose around your neck.

And not the ventilator that may be the alternative. Surely you can manage to be grown up about it and exercise your right to be a responsible member of the society we are struggling to see a future in.

If They Were REALLY Serious About Climate

In business if you want to make big improvements you tackle the big problems that will deliver the best results first. Doing this delivers you the “best bang for your buck.” 

If climate change is the greatest threat to mankind as some claim it is, why aren’t all the resources & the billions and billions of dollars raised not directed toward fixing the big polluters first? Using global funds given to organisations like the UN to facilitate a rapid migration to sustainable and renewable solutions. In doing so achieving a significant reduction in global CO2 output. Example the global community assisting China to make a rapid shift to renewable and sustainable power. If we just funded the top five using global funds to finance their transition, the positive impact would be significant. If mankind is on the brink that would make a lot more sense than the piecemeal approach that we have now. That is unless the real agenda is more about making money, moving to a new world model and controlling, rather than enabling which many suspect with some justification it appears to be.

Why aren’t those countries and climate activist who are bullying us and demanding we just stop coal mining and close our coal fired power generation (wrecking our economy and leading to massive instability) advocating for a different approach?  They would achieve a much better result than the minuscule (in a global sense) reduction we’d achieve. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be transitioning to sustainable and renewable solutions to achieve a cleaner environment, we should. There are many benefits for us in doing that, improvements in health being one of them. 

It would be fair to say however that if many of the global activist and global organisations feeding off the climate alarmist industry addressed the real issues, they’d make themselves redundant. No more gravy train, no more power, no further usefulness and that’s why they won’t do it. 

I believe in cleaning up the environment. That’s nothing knew I’ve always believed that well before it became a ‘fashionable’ cause. However, we need to be sensible about it and not throw ourselves over the blasted cliff doing it. Nor should we be bullied into throwing ourselves off a cliff by those with vested interests. 

Remember this: 

“Isn’t the only hope for the planet that the industrialized civilizations collapse? Isn’t it our responsiblity to bring that about?” -~ Maurice Strong, founder of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

“We’ve got to ride this global warming issue. Even if the theory of global warming is wrong, we will be doing the right thing in terms of economic and environmental policy.“ ~ Timothy Wirth, President of the UN Foundation