Bronwyn Bishop - Surely you jest

It appears that Bronwyn Bishop has a big mouth, even bigger hair, but little or nothing in between as she too calls for a ban on headscarfs for Muslin girls in public schools. "It has become the icon, the symbol of the clash of cultures, and it runs much deeper than a piece of cloth". As deep and a crucifix Bronny?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/bishop-defends-headscarf-comments/2005/08/29/1125167579957.html

In a world of converging cultures, it seems to me that too many people are being panicked into losing the plot. If we are to have any hope of continuing to live together we need to start celebrating diversity, not censoring it.

I was fortunate enough to attend both a Jewish school and an Anglican school. Though at the time I surely didn't appreciate it, today I realize that having had exposure to two different religions at a young age made me a wiser person and more tolerant towards people of different cultures. I was also able to see how ignorant people exposed to only one faith were of others, and how that ignorance resulted in racism, or cultural supremacy as the German's might have put it.

We live in a multicultural society, and whether we like it or not it is here to stay. We need to educate children on the different cultures of the world so that they do not grow up fearing people with other beliefs or customs, some of whom might be living as close as next door. Public schools are a snapshot of the suburbs they educate, and it is surely ignorance of the highest magnitude to think that the separation of church and state means banning people from wearing crucifixes, kippahs, veils or turbans at school. You may as well try to ban them in public altogether. Just because the French were stupid enough to try it, doesn't mean we should. Different religions exist. We need to acknowledge them, accept them, and teach the differences to children, not try to conceal it from them. If kids can learn Calculus, Stoichiometry, Shakespeare and Australian history, then surely we can expand our RE classes to educate kids on all the major religions in our society today.

Celebrate cultural diversity, don't censor it.

It's a girl!

At 1.30pm today I became an uncle for the second time. My sister Judi and her husband Andrew are now the proud parents of a baby girl, Tara Lena Rotstein. Congratulations to both of you. I hope to have a picture up soon.

Dave and Stacey

Dave met Stacey in a nightclub. They enjoyed each other's company very much and at the end of the evening Stacey invited Dave to her place, where they quickly got involved in a very passionate and energetic session in bed together.

Finally, tired and satisfied, they both lay back in the bed and snuggled up close to each other.

After a short while, Stacey began tenderly stroking Dave's manhood. Surprised but appreciative, Dave comments, "Surely you can't be ready for more already?"

Stacey replies, "No, but every now and then I get a bit nostalgic, and miss the days when I had mine"

Judge explains why Korp was excluded from will

Justice Mandie QC is a close family friend, and the smartest man I've ever met. My dad often remarked that he wouldn't have done nearly as well at law school himself if it hadn't been for Philip. Now a Supreme Court Judge, his ruling in the Korp case yesterday was outstanding, finding that at a minimum Joe Korp bore "considerable moral responsibility" for the ultimate death of his wife. In what has to be one of the messiest cases in some time, it's refreshing to see some judges can still see the light through the trees and are able to make decisions that reflect the communities expectations. Innocent men don't hang themselves and orphan their own children.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/judge-explains-why-korp-was-excluded-from-will/2005/08/18/1123958182732.html

All You Can Eat

Blonde Joke

A plane is on its way to Melbourne when a blonde in Economy Class gets up and moves to the First Class section and sits down. The flight attendant watches her do this and asks to see her ticket. She then tells the blonde passenger that she paid for Economy and that she will have to go and sit in the back. The blonde replies "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Melbourne and I'm staying right here!"

The flight attendant goes into the cockpit and tells the pilot and co-pilot that there is some blonde bimbo sitting in First Class that belongs in Economy and won't move back to her seat. The co-pilot goes back to the blonde and tries to explain that because she only paid for Economy she is only entitled to an economy place and she will have to leave and return to her original seat. The blonde replies, "I'm blonde, I'm beautiful, I'm going to Melbourne and I'm staying right here!"

Exasperated the co-pilot tells the pilot that it was no use and that he probably should have the police waiting when they land to arrest this blonde woman that won't listen to reason. The pilot says, "You say she's blonde? I'll handle this, I'm married to a blonde, and I speak blonde!"

He goes back to the blonde, whispers in her ear, and she says "Oh, I'm sorry - I had no idea," gets up and moves back to her seat in the economy section. The flight attendant and co-pilot are amazed and asked him what he said to make her move without any fuss. The Pilot replied "I told her First Class isn't going to Melbourne!"

Who wants to be a Millionaire?

What a peanut!!!

Royksoff's New CD

"The Understanding"

It took a while to arrive, but I now have a copy of the new Royksoff CD, and it's as awesome as the first. While in Berlin in 2001, Sascha introduced me to the electronic sounds of this Norwegian group with their debut album Melody A.M. He gave me a copy of it, and I have listened to it more than any other CD I own over the last four years. Now their new album is out, and it's as addictive as the first. Get yourself a copy, even if you have to order it in.

For more information go to: http://www.royksopp.com/

Ouch

Who wouldn't want this job!!!

Schapelle and her Hotman

I'll be frank, and this is obviously only my opinion: I have never believed Schapelle Corby was innocent. Stupid maybe, but not innocent. My belief was formed the first day I saw her being taken into custody by Indonesian officials, and almost everything I've seen and read since has only strengthened this opinion. I believe it's a million times more likely she or someone close to her put the drugs in her bag as opposed to the defense notion that someone involved in an elaborate drug syndicate put them there.

So why am I writing about her today?

Because her Mercedes Benz driving "LA Law" style showpony of a lawyer makes me sick, and his comments today sum up why. This is what Hotman Paris Hutapeahe had to say today in blaming us, the Australian people, for letting our government "abandon" Schapelle:

"Your country, your people, always think you are the best human being (sic) in the Earth, but in fact your bloody airport, sending all marijuana to my own country, look at the Bali nine. So don't say any more that Australians are the most human law-abiders. In fact your front yard is very dirty." So, according to Hotman, it is now every Australians fault that Schapelle will not have her appeal upheld, and we are all responsible for the drugs trafficked into Indonesia. He also complained that our Justice Minister wouldn't fly to Bali to meet him even though he was in Jakarta, yet Hotman himself wouldn't fly to Jakarta for the meeting because he was "too busy". "The one who destroyed this case is the Australian Government," he says. Pathetic.

I don't believe Schapelle is innocent. At best, I'd say she was indirectly responsible. I don't believe her family are telling the truth: how can I when they've lied on national television, plus the fact that they now refer to Ron Bakir, who increased Australian public awareness of her case enormously, as the "black knight". And now I'm tired of reading and hearing about how little we've done for her, especially from a man who tried bringing an Indonesian TV star into his team to bolster public opinion. Sorry Hotman, but facts and facts alone will overturn Schapelle's guilty verdict. Your berating of the Australian government and now the Australian people only serves to diminish any sympathy I have left for Schapelle.

I wonder how many times he'll visit her in the next 20 years!

Bring your drinking shoes

Let's face facts, Europe's being run by cowards

Since the September 11 attack, and then the Bali attack, I have firmly believed the Europeans (Britain and Italy excluded) have had their heads in the sand. Read this fantastic article in one of today's papers that articulates an opinion I share.

Germany is even proposing creating an official state Muslim holiday to appease those who seek to destroy society as we know it. "Mein Gott!", it's no wonder I'm considering canceling my planned trip there in 2006!

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16110719%5E28737,00.html

Source: The Australian