Random thoughts and observations
These striking pictures show confrontational protests by the Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN. According to Wikipedia, in Kiev there are about 300 active participants in the movement, which comprises some 20 topless activists and 300 fully clothed members.
Most of their early protests were in Ukraine, but they have since appeared in Russia, The Vatican, Paris and now in Switzerland.
I’ve heard the audio clip several times in which then Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies found it his “melancholy duty” in 1939 to declare war on Germany. It was a memorable speech, perhaps the one for which Menzies is best known, along with his adulation of the Queen (I did but see her passing by).
I’ve been working recently in the Legislative Council of South Australia. It’s in the east wing of Parliament House, which was built in 1936. The west wing was built in 1889 and the Old Parliament House dates back to 1855. From 1843 to 1851, South Australia was governed by a Legislative Council of seven members, all nominated by the Crown, who ran the colony under the direction of the Governor. The new Legislative Council of 1851 comprised 24 members, eight nominated by the Crown and 16 returned by the electors.
My cousin Lawrie sent me this entertaining video regarding an outsider’s dash for The Lodge:
Political bile takes centre stage
I don’t like the hatred that’s crept into modern politics. I’m not so naive to think that hatred hasn’t always existed, not just between parties, but within them and outside them. However, there is too much anger in politics today, as the above sign from Tony Abbott’s rally this week illustrates. Can’t people criticise Julia Gillard and her policies without the vitriol? I know John Howard faced similar attacks, but I do think it’s a relatively recent phenomenon. I attribute this to the Americanisation of Australian politics and the influence of the internet.