We are both proud and thankful for our vibrant democracy. But what a shame about the abysmal calibre of our politicians. Staying in power or getting in power seems the primary preoccupation of all our current crop of politicians.
Where is the vision, the honesty, the principles, the humanity, the humility, the protection of our weak and needy, the recognition and praise of good for Australia – irrespective from whence it comes? Where is the calibre of politician that makes us believe that they work for us, the constituency whom they represent, and who will lead us to a better life for ourselves and our children?
Our democracy may be robust, but it produces a brand of tarnished and inferior leaders that make us ashamed and depressed.

The Private School sector is complaining, understandably, about Labor’s undertaking to cut funding to rich private schools. Some from the private school sector have been quoted as stating that without the funding, they will have to increase fees. They fail to state that these fees are required to fund the astonishing infrastructure and services that some of these schools offer. It is wonderful that they offer these services, but they are services that benefit only those children whose parents can afford to send them there. Why should the public fund the services and infrastructure for those parents who send their children to private schools: they get the benefit from those services and facilities; so let them pay for them?
They further argue that parents of students in the private school system often make considerable sacrifices to send their children to such schools or that they put great value on a good education. True. But is the implication therefore that parents who send their children to government schools don’t make sacrifices or don’t value education? What an incredibly elitist and insulting attitude.
If parents do not want the services and facilities offered by the government education sector, then that is their prerogative, and they are entirely free to send the children to any educational system they wish. But don’t ask those who don’t get the benefit from those private facilities to fund them.

There is no doubt that Israel is legitimately concerned about it security. There is also no doubt that Israel’s fence is in part, built on Palestinian land.
In an attempt to reconcile both sides’ concerns, Israel should build a second fence essentially along the pre-1967 boundary but leave the existing fence in place until there has been five clear years without any terrorist activity.
After five years, the parts of the disputed fence unilaterally come down or they remain – the trigger are acts of terrorism (or lack of) – not political positioning from either side.

The Age, January 4, 2005

The tragic tsunami has encouraged most religious leaders to encourage their flock to maintain their faith. Yet the challenge for people of faith of whichever religion is not that they believe , but what do they choose to do as a result of that belief.

When their religion preaches love yet seems to allow or condone hate, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches mercy, yet seems to allow or condone cruel intolerance of fellow man, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches goodness, yet seems to breed greed, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches kindness, yet seems to breed insensitivity to the plight of billions, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches tolerance, yet seems to breed intolerance, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion promises redemption, yet seems to deliver misery, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches inclusiveness, yet seems to practice profound exclusionism, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches justice, yet seems to be unjust, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches honesty, yet seems to be dishonest, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches the sanctity of children, yet the representatives of some of those religions prey on young children, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches the sanctity of life, yet some knowingly sit idly by while millions of people die under their noses, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches morality, yet some hide the immoral practices of their representatives, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches the honour of their representatives, yet their representatives sin by their own standards, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches their role as servants of God, yet they defy their God's 'message' in order to ensconce and protect their sinecure, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

Having faith is admirable, even when that which you have faith in is indefensible: what you do through your faith however, is more important that faith alone.