The highly-publicised Sydney gang rapes in 2000 were the inspiration behind this years' ABC Fiction Award winning novel, Luck in The Greater West, reports The Herald Sun.
Writes 37 year-old author Damian McDonald,
"When I was at uni I was knocking about with these guys who had come from the Middle East, it was before the gang rapes hit the papers, and one night we were out and they pretty much suggested we do that. It never transpired, and of course, I found the whole suggestion totally abhorrent, but I thought it was definitely something I could write about. When that whole thing was all over the papers, I thought, these guys have a unique voice that represents a real diversity in values and cultures around us."
Let's just recap that.
People who suggest a spot of gang rape have a unique voice that represents diversity in values and cultures.
Well, cannibalism is also pretty unique and is certainly diverse. So is paedophilia, as is stoning, torture and necrophilia. So what's your point Damian? Are you advocating gang rape? Are you saying that Middle Eastern men are more prone to gang rape? Really, we're fascinated in your insights.
Comments from some of the panel's judges, who awarded first prize and $10,000 to McDonald;
"McDonald's work was refreshingly compelling"
author John Dale
"A compelling insight into a world that Australian literature doesn't visit".
Tom Gilling, author of The Sooterkin and Miles McGinty
Other judges included ABC broadcaster Richard Fidler, and Jo Mackay, ABC Books commissioning editor.
A reminder of the 2000 Sydney gang rapes,
The Middle Eastern rapists had stated to an Anglo Australian girl during a five hour attack in which the girl was raped 25 times by 14 Middle Eastern men, "You deserve it because you're an Australian" and "I'm going to fuck you Leb style"
I'll reserve judgement until i have read it.
Here's some more cultural diversity for you Damian. Over in Saudi Arabia, a 19 year-old girl who was gang-raped fourteen times has been sentenced to 90 lashes. Yes - you read that correctly. Not her attackers, but the victim.
Her crime?
The heinous crime of being seen in public with a man who was not a relative.
90 lashes. Think about it. Cultural diversity in action.
Maybe Damian will base his next book on this case.
via Tim Blair.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Cultural Diversity in Action
Green Quote of the Day
Buying "Carbon Offsets" is the 21st-century equivalent of buying Papal Indulgences - a salve to the consciences of the deluded for having committed an entirely fictitious sin dreamed up - rather conveniently - by the indulgence-peddlers themselves
via Samizdata
Homophobic bigots disappointed
John Howard is considering legal changes to give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals in areas such as welfare, superannuation and tax.
About time.
Under current laws, married or de facto heterosexual couples without children qualify for the 80% rebate under the Medicare safety net after reaching $716 in out-of-pocket expenses between them. But same-sex partners are not considered a couple, which means their expenses have to be double before they qualify for the safety net. Discrimination in migration law, social security and tax could also form part of the reform plan, including the superannuation contribution rebate.
But news of the plan is expected to trigger a backlash among conservative members of the Coalition.
No, news of the plan is expected to trigger a backlash among homophobic bigots.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Comment Is Free - ish
I think the "offended" students are the real culprits, and the college should have had the guts to stand up to them in the name of academic freedom - and the good old freedom to laugh at ideas we find silly or disagree with.
The freedom to laugh and poke fun at things we disagree with is fundamental to freedom of thought. And freedom of thought is fundamental to education, scholarship, and learning - all the things that Cambridge University should be standing up for.
Three hearty cheers for Sue Blackmore.
Via The Pub Philosopher
Sue - i prefer your hair with the light blue down the side and the shocking pink at the front.
Golf Phrases
Next time you're out on the course, try expanding your golfing lexicon with a few of these choice phrases;
On the Tee
A Princess Di - shouldn't have taken a driver
A Dick Cheney - a wild shot
In the bunker
An Adolf Hitler - two shots in the bunker
An Eva Braun - picked up in the bunker
Striking the ball
A Heather Mills McCartney - doesn't have the legs
A Jimmy Hoffa - a great strike but a poor result
An Elton John - a fat iron
A Peter Mandelson - an unbelievable iron
A Kate Winslett - a bit fat but otherwise perfect
A Rodney King - over-clubbed
An O.J. Simpson - got away with it
A Condom - safe but didn't feel real good
A Sally Gunnell - ugly but a good runner
A Paula Radcliffe - not as ugly as a Sally Gunnell but still a good runner
A Douglas Bader - looks good in the air but doesn't have the legs
The approach shot
A Sister-in-Law - you're up there but you know you shouldn't be
Putting
A Nicole Richie - a nasty 5 footer
A Naomi Campbell - a nasty 6 footer
A Norman Mailer - an impossible read
A Robbie Williams - thought it was straight, but it wasn't
The Case For Guns in 99 Words
99 words on the case for Guns
Gun-control laws do not control crime because crimes are not committed by guns; they are committed by criminals. Criminals will always have guns because they do not obey laws, including anti-gun laws. Those without guns are easy prey for criminals with guns. Gun control encourages crime.
The right to bear arms was included in the Bill of Rights, not to deter crime, but to deter oppressive government. Just governments honor and protect the right to bear arms. Oppressive governments fear and prohibit the right to bear arms. Guns are dangerous. The only thing more dangerous is not having them.
Disclaimer; i am not pro-gun but this is a succint argument.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Teapacks - Push the button (Eurovision 2007 Song)
Eurovision Song Contest organizers said yesterday they might ban this year's Israeli entry, Push the Button, because of its 'inappropriate' political message. The song, to be performed at the contest in Helsinki in May, overwhelmingly won Israel's competition Wednesday. It is sung in English, French and Hebrew by the group, Teapacks, and seemingly refers indirectly to Iran's nuclear ambitions and its hard-line leader, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Said Kjell Ekholm, a contest organizer
"It's absolutely clear that this kind of message is not appropriate for the competition. We'll have all the delegation leaders here in Helsinki next week, and I'm sure we'll talk about this case within the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) group."
Band members describe the ban as absurd claiming it had nothing to do with Iran.
"The lyrics of the song refer to demonic and crazy rulers, and say that he's gonna blow us up to ... kingdom come,"
This is their MySpace page.
"Us Jews have always excelled at black humor to get through tough times. I'm glad to see the tradition continue, but I would rather the necessity of it disappear. "
So what's the sound?
"Nerdy Jewish Apocolyptic Cabaret Rap."
"Kurt Weill meets IDF Hip Hop Metal"
So why are Eurovision trying to ban the song?
i) It can't be because songs about the bomb are banned because
In 1982 a Finnish band entered with a song against the neutron bomb and was allowed to compete. The 1982 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Harrogate's Conference Center and was hosted by Jan Leeming. 18 countries participated, Finland came last with a protest song against neutron bombs
ii) It can't be the political lyrics because
The lyrics and premise behind the 2005 song by Green Jolly, of the Ukraine, speaking about the Orange Revolution, were overtly political.
Here are the lyrics - preprare to be outraged, scandalised, shocked horrified etc etc
iii) Is it cos they is Jewish?
Lyrics to "Push the Button"
Prepare to be outraged, scandalised, shocked horrified etc etc
The world is full of terror
If someone makes an error
He's gonna blow us up to biddy biddy kingdom come
There are some crazy rulers they hide and try to fool us
With demonic, technologic willingness to harm
They're gonna push the button
push the button push the bu push the bu push the button
Il ya plein de souffrance
Dans les rues il y a trop de violence
Et on a beaucoup de chance d'être vivant même pas blessés.
Avancement tactique de régime fanatique
Situation tragique qui me met les larmes aux yeux
And I don't want to die
I want to see the flowers bloom
Don't want a go capoot ka boom
And I don't want to cry
I wanna have a lot of fun
Just sitting in the sun
But nevertheless
He's gonna push the button
push the button push the bu push the bu push the button
The HEBREW PART
messages blow up on me
missiles are flying and fall on me too
cops and thieves run over me
jump on me, stick to me
god, god answer me god
this nightmare is too long
(In hebrew israeli style)
im hardly alive yet everyone is targeting me
it may be to early to sing that I gave you my life
wiw wiw, police
wiw wiw rescue team
here it is in the pre (pre eurovision), a song without (that is not about) peace.
red is not just a color, its more like blood
again I hold my breath in my heart
so my soul does not depart now
here is war, here is the soul
boom boom that's whats going on
between a rocket & matchet, between a witness & reporter
between scandal & abducted, between the rain and the drought
escalation getting up the stairs and catching a ride
nothing, nothing that's what everyone does
extremists push further and officers become serious
the naives are waiting, waiting for the data
and reply: everyone is helplessly hesitant
a demonic world sees us as a chess pieces
as champions with (casino) chips deciding what will be
conducted stagnantly, a boat full of water
everyone is drinking and toasting, drowning side by side
might this be too pungent, should sing a song of palms, a desert song without flags
Im still alive alive alive and if it keeps being terrifying
only then I will say
I'm gonna push the button
Via Kesher Talk and Andrew LanderyouFriday, March 02, 2007
Why Economic Freedom Matters
Memo to world electorate;
If you want plentiful jobs and a higher standard of living, vote for the party that promises you the most economic freedom.
It really isn't complicated.
The table below shows the Top 20 countries as measured by their degree of economic freedom versus their GDP per capita and Unemployment rate
Source; Index of Economic Freedom
..........................Freedom Index.......GDP per Capita.........Unemployment
Hong Kong....................1...........................8...........................4.9%
Singapore......................2...........................22........................3.1%
Australia.....................3..........................14.........................4.5%
United States................4.......................... 3..........................4.6%
New Zealand.................5...........................27....................... 8.3%
United Kingdom..............6...........................18....................... 5.4%
Ireland.......................7............................4........................ 4.3%
Luxembourg.................8............................1......................... 4.1%
Switzerland...................9........................... 10....................... 3.3%
Canada........................10...........................7......................... 6.4%
Chile..........................11.......................... 57....................... 8.3%
Estonia.........................12.......................... 43...................... 5.8%
Denmark......................13.......................... 6........................ 4.5%
Netherlands....................14......................... 15........................5.5%
Iceland.........................15........................... 5 ........................1.3%
Finland.........................16.......................... 13 .......................7.0%
Belgium........................17.......................... 12........................ 8.1%
Japan..........................18.......................... 16 .......................4.1%
Germany......................19.......................... 17 .......................7.1%
Cyprus...........................20 ...................... ..33 .......................5.6%
The Bottom Ten (large countries)
...............................Freedom Index......GDP per Capita .....Unemployment
North Korea..................157 .........................n/a .....................60% (est)
Cuba.........................156 .........................n/a ....................30% (est)
Libya............................155 .........................58 ......................30%
Zimbabwe.....................154 .........................129 .....................80%
Congo...........................151 .........................176 .....................32%
Iran.............................150 .........................74 .......................11.2%
Angola..........................149 .........................125 .....................23%
Venezuela......................144 ..........................96 ......................8.9%
Bangladesh....................143..........................143 .....................18% (est)
Syria............................142 .........................118 .....................14%
What is economic freedom?
The highest form of economic freedom provides an absolute right of property ownership, fully realized freedoms of movement for labor, capital, and goods, and an absolute absence of coercion or constraint of economic liberty beyond the extent necessary for citizens to protect and maintain liberty itself. In other words, individuals are free to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please, and that freedom is both protected by the state and unconstrained by the state.
The scores are based on ten equally weighted factors. These are;
Business Freedom
Trade Freedom
Fiscal Freedom
Freedom from Government
Monetary Freedom
Investment Freedom
Financial Freedom
Property rights
Freedom from Corruption
Labor Freedom
Memo to French electorate;
You can either vote for less economic freedom or more.
Memo to British electorate;
You can either vote for less econmic freedom or even less economic freedom.
Sorry.
Friday funny
Alibi Network is a cutting edge full service agency providing alibis and excused absences as well as assistance with a variety of sensitive issues. We view ourselves as professional advisors who understand our clients’ unique situations. We explore various approaches with our clients and implement the best solution based on each individual case. We understand your need for privacy and we are completely discreet and confidential
Call in Sick Service.
We provide clients with a cast-iron sickness alibis. We would call a place of your work for you and pretend to be your doctor /dentist or a spouse, etc. and tell your boss that you can’t come in. So you will not have to fake it on the phone!
Thursday, March 01, 2007
New York to ban the 'N' word
Jay-Z defends using the word. But not all rappers agree anymore.
Reuters report that New York City has banned use of the word nigger.
The City Council unanimously declared a moratorium that carries no penalty but aims to stop youth from casually using the word.
Supporters of the ban are taking their campaign to The Recording Academy, asking it not to nominate musicians for Grammy awards if they use the word in their lyrics.
Many rap artists and young New Yorkers toss the word around as a term of endearment or as a substitute for black, angering some black leaders who consider those who use it as ignorant of the word's hate-filled history in slavery and segregation.
Councilman Leroy Comrie, a sponsor of the moratorium, said the campaign against the word has gained strength since comedian Michael Richards spewed it in a racially charged tirade in Los Angeles.
"The Michael Richards incident really brought it to another level. It has forced people to express their outrage. Many people had been seething quietly," Comrie said.Comrie also asked TV network Black Entertainment Television to stop using the word in its shows. Representatives of BET did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A Grammy spokesman said he doubted the academy's 11,000 voting members would support any measure that might censor artists.
"They are not going to be supportive of something that excludes someone simply because they are using a word that is offensive," said Ron Roecker, vice president of communication for the Recording Academy.
Difficult one.The city resolution calling for the moratorium traces the etymology of the word from the Latin "niger," meaning black, to its first documented written use in 1786 as a term slave masters used to label their African slaves.
Use of the word by blacks exploded with the rise of rap music in recent years, and some black comedians like Chris Rock continue to use it in their routines.
Rock said politicians were trying to divert attention from real problems: "Enough real bad things happen in this city to worry about how I am going to use the word."
It is undoubtedly the most inflammatory word in the English language. But it has always struck me as hypocritical that whites are banned from using it whilst working class blacks use it liberally. Rappers like Jay-Z thrive on the word as they understand that their target audience (white teenagers) think it uber-cool if used by a black guy, even if it is too risque to be used by themselves.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a civil rights group, condemns use of both nigga and nigger.
However, no matter how offensive word 'nigger' is, it is only a word and you just CANNOT BAN WORDS.
Now dead rapper, Tupac Shakur, defined the NIGGA as an acronym:
"Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished"
Positive, and focused. Sounds alright by me.
