The Vatican has attempted to redirect growing criticism over its handling of child sex abuse by claiming that such abuse occurs elsewhere too. (This is true, but is it relevant? This can hardly be a defence.)
Sex abuse rife in other religions, says Vatican [The Guardian, via RichardDawkins.net]
A recent OECD report apparently reveals that
Australia is one of the lowest spenders on public education in the world, but directs the second-highest amount to private schools. The Australian Education Union claims Commonwealth funding to one Adelaide private school is projected to increase by around 35% by 2012, despite a predicted increase in enrolments of just four students over the same period.
Teachers say private schools get too much [news.com.au]
According to a Government-commissioned study, most 16 to 17-year-old boys admit to viewing online pornography - but they claim it’s an accident.
Teenagers watch online porn ‘by accident’ - Government study [news.com.au]
Yes. An accident. <roll eyes>
Religious lobby groups (Jim Wallace and company, we’re looking at YOU) will no doubt use the study to further prop up their feeble, hysterical and outright dishonest push for Internet censorship. Oh, speaking of which…
A follow-up report, by one of the speakers at a round table event that was supposed to address Internet Censorship:
More smoke, more mirrors [EFA]
And while we’re going to purge the entire Internet of all depictions of uncovered skin (lest our pure eyes and hearts be corrupted, and our empty heads filled with evil thoughts of… pleasurable physical activity - oh the horror!) let’s censor Australian television too. Because, apparently, there’s no “parent in Australia who is happy with the standard of content on commercial television screens.”
Tame the Tube ["Make a Stand" campaign by the Australian Christian Lobby]
(For what it’s worth, there may be many - parents and others - who are unhappy with the standard of content on Australian television… but not necessarily for the same reasons as members of the ACL.)
The next federal election could be just around the corner. While Hastings Rationals is strictly a-political we think it’s time the major parties got a wake up call from the electorate. A lot of Australians are sick of being taken for granted, having our needs ignored and generally being treated like idiots. Inaction on climate change, continuing inequity in school funding, decomposing health systems, increasing influence of religious lobby groups (and ongoing influence of major polluting industries), Internet censorship… the list goes on, and unless the voters of Australia take drastic action then nothing will change - at least not for the better.
At the next election, please seriously consider voting for minor parties. Put the major parties (Labor, Liberals, Nationals) last. Every vote counts no matter who you vote for, and if enough people demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the status quo by making themselves heard at the ballot box then eventually politicians of all persuasions will need to take notice - or find themselves unemployed. Minor parties are important. Minor parties and independents can be powerful! (Think Brian Harradine, Family First, Nick Xenophon…) You can send a message to politicians that their behaviour and attitudes are unacceptable and need to change; all you need to do is change your vote…
Below - in no particular order - are a couple of minor parties you may consider voting for. We do not necessarily endorse all of the policies of these parties, nor the comments of their representatives, but encourage you to learn as much about them as you can and make your own informed decisions. There are other parties too, and independent candidates run in most electorates at most elections. Do your homework. Google is your friend.