This post has been floating in my head a while now.
A few weeks ago, the Australian Federal Government Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee published its report into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2009. To put this into perspective for overseas visitors to my blog, Australia has the dubious 'honour' of being one of the few (the only?) developed countries who have constitutionally defined marriage as being between a man and a woman, so the commission's recommendations - that the government review relationship arrangements so that impediments to recognition of same-sex couples are removed, but that a bill allowing same-sex marriages be knocked back - is no huge surprise.
Go a few pages into the report and the submission figures are startling. 11,000 submissions from individuals and organisations for same-sex marraige. Opposition to same-sex marriage, however, numbered 17,000 - about 1 1/2 times to the affirmative submissions. Ever since I read that section, I've been haunted by these figures.
Let me start by stating that I have not read the report in full. This post is not about the contents of the report. It is about how opposition is the easiest option - but it comes at too great a cost.
Opposition is something that has been dominating the political landscape recently, particularly here in Sydney. On a global level, opposition to the concept of anthropogenic climate change has led to scientific espionage and the creation of a series of scandals in the lead-up to climate change talks in Copenhagen. In the last month, opposition to an Emission Trading Scheme within the federal Liberal party has cost the scalp of the (moderate) Opposition leader, to be replaced with a more combative, oppositional leader. In Sydney, the premier of New South Wales found himself replaced following his attempts to defang a group of power-brokers within his own party.
Don't get me wrong: fighting for something is often necessary. When all you do is fight against other things, though, it's easy to forget the overall plan and drag others down with you in the process.
Let's bring this down to more personal level. The work I do as a producer involves a lot of risk analysis. My job is to anticipate potential roadblocks and issues, and develop strategies to mitigate them so that the projects I'm working on come to fruition. A lot of the time, I end up sounding like a Cassandra, warning people that if this doesn't happen, the world will come crashing down.
Doing this work comes at a cost. It's very easy to get bogged down in the negative all the time. It's mentally and emotionally exhaustive; there are many times I get home too tired to move.
To get out of it, I find myself often having to focus on the future, looking to better outcomes and staying my eye on positive scenarios. My out-of-work life can sometimes consist of only focusing on the good - looking for the best in everything as it is far too easy to stumble on the negative. This aspect is gratifying; I get to really appreciate the best in everything, to celebrate the wins. Especially others' wins - that can be really inspiring.
The price you pay for focusing on the negative is great. A friendly disposition can draw people in, but a sour outlook tends to push people away.
I make no preference that I always succeed at being positive. I can come across as intensely introspective. My perceived lack of quality personal time tends to leave me without the necessary reserve of genuine interest in others' lives. I would definitely love to be there more often for my friends and lovers (well, when lovers come along).
Worse than that, spending time with negative people becomes a game of diplomacy. I've noticed, for example, that often those people I know who are going through a difficult period and especially for those who constantly focus on their difficulties, there is this habit of knocking down the positives in others' lives. Spending time with them becomes a battle - when their attention turns to you, everything positive you strive for is criticised, all the good things you talk about are deconstructed to illustrate fault or depicted as personal losses.
It becomes a chore to be around these people. Even when they find something positive, you find yourself biting your tongue lest they turn on you for "not doing enough" or your "inability" to achieve as much as they do. You start to wonder why you would want to spend time with them. After a while, rather than wanting to help them, you start to feel sad or exhausted at the very thought of this negative force in your life.
So it is with these opposition forces at large. Spending too much time dealing with groups who would do anything to maintain a status quo that is too selfish, or "works" at the expense of others' misfortune ultimately comes at your own peril - and their own.
Striving for constructive solutions (such as creating a healthier, cooler world, or elevating a group of people from second-class status) is infinitely preferable to holding onto obstructive ones, even though it may be easier to oppose things in the meantime.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
dumb idea #3,938*
How about - 'let's set the slogan for the 2008 Republican Presidential campaign to the same one used by an anti-anxiety drug'?
Great move, John McCain! Almost as good as 'Mission Accomplished'...
* [Casualties in Iraq since 'Mission Accomplished']
[Huffington Post: Jason Linkins]
Great move, John McCain! Almost as good as 'Mission Accomplished'...
* [Casualties in Iraq since 'Mission Accomplished']
[Huffington Post: Jason Linkins]
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
if only madonna had been as popular when chornobyl exploded
I'm completely bemused, even if a little wary, by this latest round of celebrities sticking their noses into politics.
I mean, it was amusing when Madonna decided to save the world from nuclear waste with magic Kabbalah juice. It kinda makes sense that, as director of the STC, Cate Blanchett would be part of the 2020 summit, especially with regard to Arts. But Shakira, advising the British Prime Minister on educating the developing world?
Next up: Jordan (sorry, Katie Price) advising Thabo Mbeki on hygiene best practices for South African hospitals.
I mean, it was amusing when Madonna decided to save the world from nuclear waste with magic Kabbalah juice. It kinda makes sense that, as director of the STC, Cate Blanchett would be part of the 2020 summit, especially with regard to Arts. But Shakira, advising the British Prime Minister on educating the developing world?
Next up: Jordan (sorry, Katie Price) advising Thabo Mbeki on hygiene best practices for South African hospitals.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Piratical Discourses
Contrary to the opinion espoused in Pirates of the Caribbean, there was never a single pirate code. Being a pirate at the moment (more on this later), I guess I should stick to one of the few recorded pirate codes - that of 'Black Bart' Roberts:
1. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity may make it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
I am so ecstatic that the ALP have come into power in the Australian House of Representatives. More important, though, is the Senate result; if the Liberals don't lose their majority, then we are basically facing an untenable situation for the next three years.
I'm proud to say that I campaigned for GetUp! this weekend, in my seat of Wentworth. I don't really care that Malcolm Turnbull won again; at least we managed to get the occasional person to think through where they stood. It may take some extra time to get him out, but at least it means there's a change of government, hopefully there will be an attendant compassionate change of attitude in this country generally. It's not that I believe in Krudd; it's that I find the Liberal/National coalition and their allies on the far right and überfundamentalist side of things so utterly distasteful. I don't know if he will just be a paler version of the eyebrow man, i'm just hoping his ascension brings a little more love my way.
2. Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
I'm back on the job hunt.
My latest foray has ended before it began. Based on a pitch I made in one of my classes, one of the other students (who owns her own agency) decided to headhunt me. So far so good.
After doing some tests and a face-to-face interview, I was offered what I thought was a dream position. All I needed to see was the full job description and letter of offer, and everything was great. So I waited for it.
And waited.
And waited.
We had a few phone conversations in the meantime. First, I was meant to start working in the middle of (what is now last) week, but then that got delayed. Then, I was meant to start today.
Except she never sent the bloody paperwork over.
So, on Friday, after delaying another set of meetings, she finally called one last meeting - on Sunday at 4pm. Alright, is she sure? Yes, absolutely - see you Sunday.
I turned up on Sunday at the arranged place at the arranged time. I waited an hour before going home.
I was way too angry to talk to her, so I left it alone. I finally got a phone call from her this morning, wondering where I was. I explained in no uncertain terms that I was disgusted by such a disrespectful act.
Suffice it to say, I will not be working for this woman. Ever.
3. None shall game for money either with dice or cards.
I won on the horsies the other week. Still have to pick up my winnings.
4. The lights and candles should be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.
I have partied a little too hard this last few weeks. Time for a bit of slowing down.
5. Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
Hmm... Need to clean the house again. I don't hate you, etc.
6. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing any of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise he shall suffer death.
No risk of that one any time soon.
7. He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
No rush on that one, either.
Sticking around here as long as I can.
8. None shall strike another on board the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner. At the word of command from the quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draweth first blood shall be declared the victor.
What a much cleaner way to do this.
I have a certain friend who has misheard me a couple of times, and complaining to other friends that I am being exceedingly cruel towards them. There's two problems with the situation, really:
Thankfully, she will answer her emails, so I figure resolution of the situation will have to occur in a circular manner. You know, as much as I appreciate the delicacy of the whole thing, I find it's just easier to have your barney up front and then clear everything asap.
9. No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of 1,000. Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately.
As I mentioned earlier, I am currently in pirate land. It all started three weeks ago, when I woke up seeing double.
After five days of testing, it was determined that I have a paralysed nerve in my left eye, caused by a viral infection. Until the paralysis clears completely, I will have to wear an eye patch. So the pirate/pinkeye jokes are flowing like crazy, and I'm only starting to get used to the staring everywhere I go.
There is a definite bonus to the situation: I am meeting people like crazy. Everyone wants to know why I would be bringing pirate back, so there's opportunities abound to make new friends.
10. The captain and the quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, the master gunner and boatswain, one and one half shares, all other officers one and one quarter ugly, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each.
Hmmm... can I be quartermaster or captain? See job search, above.
I think I need to win the lottery. Maybe then I can skip the whole job search and just go straight to the next phase (start award-winnning business, sell it off for mega bucks, and then spend the rest of my life living in Sydney half the year, and somewhere else the other half).
11. The musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only by right. On all other days by favor only.
Still being confused for a Jew. This latest time, it was for living in Woollahra.
Does this mean the musos get Saturday off? 'Cause that's wrong.
[Wikipedia: Bartholomew Roberts]
[Urban Dictionary: John Howard]
[IMDB: Mommie Dearest]
1. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity may make it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
I am so ecstatic that the ALP have come into power in the Australian House of Representatives. More important, though, is the Senate result; if the Liberals don't lose their majority, then we are basically facing an untenable situation for the next three years.
I'm proud to say that I campaigned for GetUp! this weekend, in my seat of Wentworth. I don't really care that Malcolm Turnbull won again; at least we managed to get the occasional person to think through where they stood. It may take some extra time to get him out, but at least it means there's a change of government, hopefully there will be an attendant compassionate change of attitude in this country generally. It's not that I believe in Krudd; it's that I find the Liberal/National coalition and their allies on the far right and überfundamentalist side of things so utterly distasteful. I don't know if he will just be a paler version of the eyebrow man, i'm just hoping his ascension brings a little more love my way.
2. Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. But if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
I'm back on the job hunt.
My latest foray has ended before it began. Based on a pitch I made in one of my classes, one of the other students (who owns her own agency) decided to headhunt me. So far so good.
After doing some tests and a face-to-face interview, I was offered what I thought was a dream position. All I needed to see was the full job description and letter of offer, and everything was great. So I waited for it.
And waited.
And waited.
We had a few phone conversations in the meantime. First, I was meant to start working in the middle of (what is now last) week, but then that got delayed. Then, I was meant to start today.
Except she never sent the bloody paperwork over.
So, on Friday, after delaying another set of meetings, she finally called one last meeting - on Sunday at 4pm. Alright, is she sure? Yes, absolutely - see you Sunday.
I turned up on Sunday at the arranged place at the arranged time. I waited an hour before going home.
I was way too angry to talk to her, so I left it alone. I finally got a phone call from her this morning, wondering where I was. I explained in no uncertain terms that I was disgusted by such a disrespectful act.
Suffice it to say, I will not be working for this woman. Ever.
3. None shall game for money either with dice or cards.
I won on the horsies the other week. Still have to pick up my winnings.
4. The lights and candles should be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.
I have partied a little too hard this last few weeks. Time for a bit of slowing down.
5. Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
Hmm... Need to clean the house again. I don't hate you, etc.
6. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing any of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise he shall suffer death.
No risk of that one any time soon.
7. He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
No rush on that one, either.
Sticking around here as long as I can.
8. None shall strike another on board the ship, but every man's quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner. At the word of command from the quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draweth first blood shall be declared the victor.
What a much cleaner way to do this.
I have a certain friend who has misheard me a couple of times, and complaining to other friends that I am being exceedingly cruel towards them. There's two problems with the situation, really:
- I absolute love and adore this particular individual, but she won't bring the issues up with me directly; and
- She is apparently so offended that she won't answer the phone if i ring.
Thankfully, she will answer her emails, so I figure resolution of the situation will have to occur in a circular manner. You know, as much as I appreciate the delicacy of the whole thing, I find it's just easier to have your barney up front and then clear everything asap.
9. No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of 1,000. Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have 800 pieces of eight from the common stock and for lesser hurts proportionately.
As I mentioned earlier, I am currently in pirate land. It all started three weeks ago, when I woke up seeing double.
After five days of testing, it was determined that I have a paralysed nerve in my left eye, caused by a viral infection. Until the paralysis clears completely, I will have to wear an eye patch. So the pirate/pinkeye jokes are flowing like crazy, and I'm only starting to get used to the staring everywhere I go.
There is a definite bonus to the situation: I am meeting people like crazy. Everyone wants to know why I would be bringing pirate back, so there's opportunities abound to make new friends.
10. The captain and the quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, the master gunner and boatswain, one and one half shares, all other officers one and one quarter ugly, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each.
Hmmm... can I be quartermaster or captain? See job search, above.
I think I need to win the lottery. Maybe then I can skip the whole job search and just go straight to the next phase (start award-winnning business, sell it off for mega bucks, and then spend the rest of my life living in Sydney half the year, and somewhere else the other half).
11. The musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only by right. On all other days by favor only.
Still being confused for a Jew. This latest time, it was for living in Woollahra.
Does this mean the musos get Saturday off? 'Cause that's wrong.
[Wikipedia: Bartholomew Roberts]
[Urban Dictionary: John Howard]
[IMDB: Mommie Dearest]
Thursday, November 22, 2007
if only...
Fingers crossed.
If the listing has gone down, I've also included a brief screen shot below:
My personal favourite part of the review:
"* Includes a $200 000 set of executive chairs (not from IKEA!)"
[Digital Mischief]
If the listing has gone down, I've also included a brief screen shot below:
My personal favourite part of the review:
"* Includes a $200 000 set of executive chairs (not from IKEA!)"
[Digital Mischief]
Sunday, March 11, 2007
we love claudia
I realise I talk a lot about his penguinness, but that may be just because he seems to be the one who writes the most amount of copy that I can link to. There are a few other stars in the family who deserve equal amounts of attention.
Instead of harp about each of them together, I would just love to say how much I enjoy the rantings of one claudia marckx. Claudia rocks - as a friend, as one hell of an intellectual and as a frequent contributor to the SMH letters page. And she can write - albeit infrequently.
It just makes it so much easier to dismiss her inexplicable love of Clover Moore.
Instead of harp about each of them together, I would just love to say how much I enjoy the rantings of one claudia marckx. Claudia rocks - as a friend, as one hell of an intellectual and as a frequent contributor to the SMH letters page. And she can write - albeit infrequently.
It just makes it so much easier to dismiss her inexplicable love of Clover Moore.
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