Most Australians were appalled and disgusted by the horrible revelations made by the four corners program. This program exposed the government sanctioned abuse and torture of children in detention.
Some Australians however reacted in a very different way. They took to Parliament to try to water down our anti-discrimination laws. I am so ashamed that some Australians reaction to seeig Aboriginal children tortured was to try to remove the limited protections they have under the law.
It should be noted that our anti-discrimination laws are only ever used in the most heinous and public of cases.
We can see a few familiar faces behind this pro-racism push.
There is Cory, who made a name for himself with his homophobia, but he seems to be spreading his prejudice around. Cory has loudly attacked the freedom of speech of his victims, when those victims accurately describe his attacks as homophobia. It should be noted that he did not seek to change the fact that the big religions are exempt from most anti-discrimination laws.
And we cant forget Pauline ruler of One Nation, who has made racism and bigotry her platform as a professional politician. Pauline is well known for her attacks on freedom of speech and expression.
Roberts of One Nation seems to be a conspiracy theorist. I think the fact someone voted for him means we need a re-think of our voting system, like at least making information on the candidates available to the voting public.
I cant see much information on Brian Burston, being that he is pro-racism and willingly joined One Nation we can probably assume sadly, that he shares its other bigoted views.
Rod Culleton is another One Nation member, i cant see much about him, other then he claims to have helped farmers against the banks, and has had a larceny conviction annulled. One wonders as he is with One Nation, if he would support farmers of another race, religion or sexuality?
These people and their pro-racism reaction to the Dondale kids expose sicken me. If they are your government representatives please let them know we need to strength anti-discrimination laws, not weaken them.
By now everyone should have heard about the abuse of children uncovered by the ABC Four Corners program. The short of it is that children held in detention centers in the Northern Territory of Australia are being abused and tortured for years with knowledge of the minister in charge. The government responded to public pressure by announcing a royal commission into the matter, but many are not happy with the terms of reference that this RC has been given. As an example the fact that many of the children being tortured are Aboriginal was not mentioned as needing addressing, in addition to the commission being limited to only the Northern Territory institutions.
It should also be noted that the victims are suing the state institution and the Northern Territory has shamefully decided to counter sue, this is not how we should handle abuse victims.
We are disgusted in this abuse and have to wonder what is wrong with people to be able to do this kind of thing. Lets have a look at some of the possible influences that may have led us to this.
We know of the old saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and of the scientific studies showing that this old adage is indeed true. So more oversight, regular and independent review of footage, regular mental health checks for both inmates and staff, both might help in reducing instances like this in the future.
These particular instances of abuse obviously have a racial element, and with the rise of racist groups in Australia we really do need to clip this in the bud. People need to know it is not OK to abuse others due to their race. There may not be much we can do about the rise of racism in Australia, but we can educate our children, and continue to point out the racism of white supremacist groups. We can perhaps employ Aboriginal staff in centers where there are a large number of Aboriginal inmates.
We need to stand up for the rights of children, when we have politicians attacking an anti-bulling program in out schools. When we have our Prime Minister bowing down to pressure from these politicians we cant be surprised when bullying of children is seen as acceptable in our society. You might think its just dandy for these people to fight for the bullying of LGBT children but what happens when its not just differences in sexuality, what happens when they turn their attention to race, gender, or class?
Both major political parties in Australia favor offshore imprisonment of refugees. Refugees have been falsely imprisoned, abused, and killed in these camps. The refugees in these prisons are men, women and children. Can we be so shocked that our treatment of non Australian children influences our treatment of Australian children?
This expose comes at the same time as George Pell, who has long
been believed to have covered up pedophile priests within the church, faced more
allegations of child abuse. We have chaplains in schools replacing skilled school counselors. We seriously need to keep church and government as separate as possible, when once respected institutions, that some still see as having the moral high ground, are complacent in abuse of children.
We have hate groups and government ministers arguing that all Australians shouldn't have equal rights. When it seems acceptable to vilify and discriminate against innocent Australians, is it any wonder that basic human rights are being violated?
Australia has a lot of work to do, we have a lot of damage to repair. This shame belongs to all of us, and you have an important role to play. Please stand up against racism, homophobia, sexism and the abuse of children, if we lose our humanity who knows where this could lead, it has already gone too far.
Choose empathy and respect, instead of ignorance and hate.
Demand that every case of juvenile detention be investigated. Demand any accusation of abuse is investigated and the perpetrator charged. Demand the victims receive counseling, legal representation and proper compensation.
Dismiss and charge the minister and all who knew of this abuse.
Pauline Hanson a professional politician from the One Nation party. One Nation has racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and unconstitutional policy. Hanson herself has a long history of racism towards Aboriginal Australians, Asians and her latest target are Muslims. She has been consistently prejudiced against LGBT Australians. She is popular among 'low information' voters who see her calculated fear mongering and oversimplified "solutions" as common sense.
Pauline Hanson recently took a film crew unannounced to an Aboriginal art exhibit presumably to try to fool gullible people into thinking she was not racist.
Murrandoo Yanner is an Aboriginal community leader who defended his people and common decency by saying what most Australians are thinking. He was having none of her nonsense and colorfully told her where to go saying:
'-You picked on Aboriginal people. Now you are kicking the Muslims around, you are just a racist redneck with your red hair, Go
away, go back to Ipswich and your fish and chip shop, you're
disgraceful, you are intellectually dishonest and you are not welcome
here.'
Unfortunately only part of the exchange was caught on camera. But we see Mr Yanner defend his people and then go on to defend Australians freedoms. As Hanson walked away not wanting to publicly address her behavior the crowd applauded Mr Yammer. Perhaps she didn't expect Aboriginal people to be there or didn't expect to be called out on her past behavior, in any event she couldn't get out of there fast enough. If i truly believed Hanson was just ignorant i would hope that this episode might show her how her abuse effects real people. But I don't think she is just ignorant, she has had many years to educate herself and to see how her abuse effects people, yet she seems to continue to offer scapegoats and illogical over simplified 'solutions' to 'problems' she herself often exasperates. Sadly we will see other racists try to twist this around and defend her racism. But i have an admittedly naive hope that some of her followers may see this and actually look into her past racism and realise discrimination and prejudice is not the answer.
Cory Bernardi has a long and vocal history of homophobia. He denies he is a homophobic of course, i am not sure what definition he has invented in his head but he surely fits every definition of the word i have ever seen.
For those who don't know lets do a little history lesson of this radical far right politician and his extremist views;
Equal rights:
Bernardi shamefully opposed the 2008 same sex relationship equal treatment bill in the senate. In 2012 Bernardi made the outrageous claim that marriage equality would somehow lead to bestiality. Bernardi attacked what he termed "non-traditional families" in 2014, making the far fetched claim that they create criminal boys and promiscuous girls. In 2016 he viciously attacked the safe schools coalition, a program designed to help schools reduce bullying and the lesson risks of youth suicide by creating a safe and inclusive environment. Bernardi hypocritically advocated against a homophobic hate preacher, going so far as to say: "At some point we will all have to confront the truth about where the inspiration for the hate speech comes from." It seemed the irony that he himself is a homophobic hate preacher was lost on him. Most recently he has called on the government to break their election promise to have marriage equality vote before the end of the year, he went on to call equal rights a 'fringe issue'.
Refugees:
2011 Bernardi unbelievably claimed that Australia paying for the funerals of refuges seeking asylum in Australia was "wrong".
ABC:
Bernardi has called for a review into the ABC's funding, despite the fact the ABC at the time added to media diversity and was an important resource for regional Australians. (the ABC was an independent government owned commercial free station)
Domestic violence:
in 2014 Cory Bernardi shockingly declared that 'There are times when it is appropriate for a man to put his partner in a headlock.' If that wasn't enough he has also directed others to a pro-rape blogger.
Conspiracy Theories:
* In 2007 he claimed that climate change was not caused by human activity.
* He has constantly insinuated, despite all evidence to the contrary, that allowing gay couples equal marriage rights would somehow harm children.
* He makes the wild claim that Christianity is somehow under attack in Australia, despite a majority of politicians being Christian and Christianity being exempt from many anti-discrimination laws, and the freedom to practice religion being enshrined in our constitution.
* He is under the delusion that his views are "common sense" and that the majority of Australians support them.
* He has made the stunning claim that there is a major death industry that promotes abortion as a means of contraception despite any evidence of this industry existing.
Of course these are not the only outrageous things he has said or done, he seems to be constantly attacking someone or against something, with single parent family's, foster families, non-Christians, blended families, non- married couples, dead refugees, women, moderate- Christians, the constitution, multiracial families, children, inter-generational households, and environmentalists, all drawing his ire at some point.
But he saves most of his hate for innocent LGBT Australians, who simply want the same human rights that he (has due to him being born straight), the same rights he selfishly guards from them.
I am sure within a week there would be more to add to this incomplete list, but for the reasons listed here alone.
For the fact that he is a politician and should be responsible enough to educate himself on issues that he is ignorant in, before speaking out against them.
And for those brave souls who have their tin-foil hat securely fastened to their head and can stomach the complete lack of common sense you can always get this kind of rubbish straight from the bigots mouth, so to speak.
No really that is legit his website, you have been warned. In fact i would recommend you go to the Cory Bernardi Makes Baby Jesus Cry facebook page instead.
I used to think TIME was a reputable magazine and source of news. I had placed it into the same category as National Geographic, ABC, or Huffington Post. This was until my partner posted on Facebook this article entitled Australians Are Trying to Decide if It’s O.K. to Swear at Sheep.
What this TIME article is glossing over and trying to trivialise is the PETA expose of the widespread abuse and mutilation of sheep in the Australian wool industry.
How the 'TIME Staff'' could watch those videos and read that report and then write a story without expressing disgust at the physical abuse, astounds me. The story focuses on swearing at the sheep, and does not address the seriousness of the other abuses uncovered.
I have contacted TIME for an explanation and asked for those TIME staff to be fired or make a public apology and am awaiting a response. If i had a TIME subscription i would be canceling it.
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and
Biphobia
May 17
The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and
Biphobia (TIDAHTB) was founded in 2004 to bring attention to the violence and
discrimination experienced by LGBTI people internationally.
According to their website the TIDAHTB is now celebrated in
more than 130 countries, including 37 where same-sex acts are illegal, with
1600 events reported from 1280 organizations in 2014. These mobilisations unite
millions of people in support of the recognition of human rights for all,
irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.
The date of May 17th was specifically chosen
to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s sensible decision in 1990 to
declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
The White House released an official statement on May 16th 2015Statement
by the President on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
Michelle and I join our fellow
Americans and others around the world in commemorating the International Day
Against Homophobia and Transphobia tomorrow, May 17. We take this
opportunity to reaffirm that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
rights are human rights, to celebrate the dignity of every person, and to
underscore that all people deserve to live free from fear, violence, and
discrimination, regardless of who they are or whom they love.
We work toward this goal every
day. Here at home, we are working to end bias-motivated violence, combat
discrimination in the workplace, and address the specific needs of transgender
persons. Overseas, I am proud of the steps that the United States has
taken to prioritize the protection and promotion of LGBT rights in our
diplomacy and global outreach.
There is much more to do, and
this fight for equality will not be won in a day. But we will keep
working, at home and abroad, and we will keep fighting, for however long it
takes until we are all able to live free and equal in dignity and rights.
-------
I have not been able to find a statement from Australia's prime minister Tony Abbot. He has however expressed much homophobia in the past sating things like; Homosexuality challenges the "right order of things", homosexuality makes him "feel a bit threatened", he is responsible for outlawing gay marriage in the ACT and was front and center at the gay hate anti-marriage equality rally.
Brisbane City Council however, announced that
Story Bridge lights will be rainbow coloured tonight in support of IDAHOT.
PETA launched a campaign showing hidden camera footage of the outrageous animal cruelty performed upon sheep, by Australia shearers.
The reaction on social media was universally moral, most people were shocked and disgusted by the treatment of the animals.
Then there was accusations that PETA had abused the sheep in the photo, to which PETA responded that they had not mutilated a sheep to match the abuse seen in the video but instead used a prop that mimicked the abuse without endangering any animal.
To this amazingly enough some individuals actually found fault with that, saying that PETA should have used a real mutilated sheep!
The disturbing video is here:
For those who do not wish to watch the abuse, know that the video shows Australian shearers beat, punched, stamped on, kicked, mutilated and threw sheep around as they sheared them. At no point does anyone step in and tell the perpetrators to stop, showing it is common practise.
Wool Producers CEO Jo Hall when talking to the ABC said the industry was always improving, than went on about how the industry should use social media to try to 'out media' the negative image caused by the expose. She seems to imply that because PETA used a prop in the media photo, that somehow PETAs refusal to abuse an animal for the photo, negated the footage they had filmed. She claims the industry is really serious about animal welfare. No where in the interview does she speak about stopping abuse like shown in the video.
WoolProducers President Geoff Fisken said in contrast to the CEO that, the behavior shown
in the video was “unacceptable and unsupportable.” “We are shocked and
appalled by the footage,”.
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce a Nationals party member, came out accusing PETA of lying about and besmirching the industry. He does not address how he come to the conclusion that the video is somehow false, and does not present any evidence to back up his claims. He notes that the sheep used in the photo media campaign was a prop, i am not sure where people are coming from with that, its silly, PETA are hardly going to mutilate an animal for a photo, and there hardly going to steal one from Australia that has been mutilated and keep in suffering until it can get to the photographer for the photo.
He goes on to attack Vegans, Americans, he praises genetically modified plants, seems to say he doesn't want to stop global warming, he goes on to talk about naked press conferences for some unknown reason.
He says:
"These are our animals. If someone plays up in a shed and brutalises an
animal, you just sack them on the spot, it's just not accepted" Now i don't see that in the video, i don't see that in the PETA report, i am sure if that had happened the landowners would have said, the industry would have said. He goes on to again accuse PETA of lying but still does not address the video or offer any evidence.
After many government ministers expressed their disgust at the video and dismay at Joyce s blame shifting, in a remarkable turn around, Barnaby Joyce did come out and say that his government "did not condone the mistreatment of animals" and he "had no doubt the images were disturbing."
Those that are actually appalled by the cruelty and wish it to stop include, The Shearing Contractors’ Association of Australia, Australian Farm Institute, Victorian Farmers Federation, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (RSPCA), Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Australian Capital Territory Primary Industries Minister.
In conclusion we can see from the response that, certen members of the industry think the problem is that the abuse was reported and not that the abuse occurred. We can also see the political party line of blaming the messenger.It is similar to what happened when the UN asked Australia to stop torturing refuges, and our PMs response was to say Australia was sick of the UN telling Australia what to do...Its blame shifting, its shooting the messenger, its arresting the whistle-blower, it has to stop, as it serves no real good.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
PETA are an organisation that fights for animal rights, through education, investigations, research, rescue,
legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest
campaigns.
The Nationals; I am informed that once upon a time the National party stood for people in rural and bush Australia. Now however they have allied and formed a 'coalition'with the 'Liberal' party, and since then it is believed that they only act as vote revenue and toady's to the 'Liberal' party. The Nationals members have said ridiculous things such as, sodomy causes budget woes for government, legalizing marriage equality would prevent straight women from marrying, women should not be in the workforce, etc, etc. They seem to be a hotbed of homophobic, and racist sentiment. The Liberals; Its hard to know what to say about them, firstly they are not actually liberal and are in fact a far right wing political party. While formerly in government they did implement laws to make gun ownership a little more sensible. However nowadays, it has been said they are for bigots rights, against anti-discrimination, racist, treat refuges appallingly, want nurses out of nursing homes, have broken almost every election promise they made, are incredibly homophobic, have removed the right to marry from some Australians, record every Australians internet history, close down women shelters, are anti-environment, stop funding to feeding the homeless campaigns, are against the internet, are misogynistic, etc, and it would be near impossible to argue against such comments.
