Archive for December, 2008

Middle-East Madness

31/12/2008

An opinion piece:

The Federal Government must strongly condemn Israel’s attack on Gaza.
It seems unusual that all acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard has done is call on both Israel and Hamas to reinstate their truce.  Israel’s attack on Gaza is a blatant act of aggression and shows incredible disregard for human rights.
South Australian Democrats MP,  Sandra Kanck, has stated ““Shelling mosques, hospitals and universities is simply not kosher and Australia should be firmly stating that to Israel.”  I agree totally.
Surely, some leadership can be shown from our Federal government on this issue.  Australia must stand up for human rights.  We must stand up for humanity, justice and truth.
The targets have been civilian targets, including police.  I realise that Israel has issues with Hamas and feels they have a right to defend themselves.  But this is not defence of Israel.  It is an offensive and an attack on civilians in Gaza.
Palestinians are just as much a part of humanity as Israelis.  Surely, there are people on both sides who are prepared to say “Enough is enough – STOP!”
The late Don Chipp, who had visited the region on a number of occasions, referred to being able to “smell and taste the hatred that exists between Jew and Arab.”  Are these people really so unable to recognise the humanity of the other side?
Chipp had also described war as “the ultimate obscenity.”  I totally agree

We need leaders who can strive for peace.  Israel, Palestine and America must find a way to sit down together as Egypt, Israel and America once did.

Australia too must show some leadership on this issue.

Darren Churchill

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Rallies Against Internet Censorship – 13 December 2008

30/12/2008

Just over two and a half weeks ago, I attended the “Sydney Town Hall Protest to Stop Internet Censorship & Filtering.”  It was good to hear speakers such as the Eros Association’s Fiona Patten and people from the Digital Liberty Coalition.  The event was interesting and drew quite a bit of media attention.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t be in two places at once.  So, I was unable to physically attend the “Stop the Clean Feed – Canberra Rally” being held for the same purpose, in City Walk.

I requested to the organisers that a brief statement from me be read at the Canberra rally.  It was read by Nathanael Boehm.  My thanks to him.

( Photo and further information can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyeska/3103800739/ )

My statement read as follows:

“I believe censorship is evil. The idea of censorship is abhorrent to anybody who believes in basic freedoms. It is far too easy for censorship to become a tool of control by totalitarian governments.

There is only one exception and that is the protection of children from excessive violence, child pornography and things that incite racial hatred and violence.

You cannot legislate morality. It is the right of every adult to decide for themselves what they can and cannot view.

Parents and schools should have access to a system of filtering to protect children at their discretion. But there should be no mandatory censorship.

It is the right and responsibility of all individuals, especially parents, to determine for themselves and their families what is acceptable. It is not appropriate for governments to adopt the role of “Big Brother” in protecting the community from some known or unknown danger as determined by those governments.”

Darren Churchill

President, Australian Democrats (ACT Division)

NathanaelComments from members of the ACT Democrats attending the rally said it went well.

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