I have a confession to make. Ever since I was young I’ve loved watching election night TV coverage. Tonight is no exception. All the graphs and talk of swings and distributions. Channel 9’s coverage even includes a “ding, ding” every time the Labor party picks up a needed seat. Is there therapy for this type of thing?
It would appear that last week Senator Helen Coonan introduced into parliament a bill aiming to grant new powers to the Australian Federal Police, allowing them to almost whimsically censor any Australian web site.
Here’s a quote from an email sent out by Dale Clapperton, chairperson of Electronic Frontiers Australia:
EFA is quite simply appalled by this Bill. It is an affront to the rule of law and will likely be used as a tool of political censorship by the police. Australia is not a police state and the police should not be the judge, jury, and executioner of Internet content.
Parliament may not sit again before the Federal election is called. This Bill is typical of the contempt with which the coalition treats the Internet and the rights of all Australians to be free of ill-conceived government censorship. Should the coalition be returned to power, this Bill is likely to become law. Remember these issues on election day.
I grow more and more unhappy with the powers that legislatures are granting authorities in the name of defending our freedoms and values. I’ve always been particularly concerned with preserving our online liberties given the immense promise of a free Internet. I don’t particularly have the time however to be as vigorous as necessary to aid in this cause directly. That’s why I am a member of EFA. I basically contribute financially so that my rights in this digital age can be defended by people with the necessary expertise and means. If you have similar concerns and interests, I urge you to consider joining the EFA or equivalent advocacy group in your country. We need organised resistance to proposals such as these, lest they continue to erode our freedoms while ostensibly defending them.
Ire and frustration. A government that blatantly employs deception and spin to enact its dubious policies. Sheer arrogance mixed with veiled contempt for the represented. A situation which I find beyond amazement, beyond understanding. The Honourable John Howard and his cronies. They do not represent me.
Now the fury. Imagine my utter amazement during this morning’s broadcast of Channel Nine’s “Sunday” program in a segment extolling the successful political career of current Australian Prime Minister John Howard, where I am witness to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, in regard (or lack there-of) to the dissenters, the so-called “left-wing” elements of Australian society.
“It makes me happy that they are unhappy.”
This line delivered with a wry grin, dripping with contempt and self-satisfaction. The absolute gall of the man to sit there, reveling in the pain and dissatisfaction of some of his constituents. I assume it must be acceptable though, these anonymous people mustn’t of voted for him in the first place. Therefore they deserve no respect. Not even the fake respect they dole out to those in the set of people who belong to this government’s sycophantic approvers.
Do not be mistaken that I will not rejoice when he and his band of liars are ousted from power and consigned to the long list of megalomaniacs of whom history does not hold in much esteem.
If any at all.
