Australian Flag Australia Day

The ABC just can't help itself. The presenter of the "Arts and Books" show this morning was referring to "Survival Day".

Julia said:

The ABC just can't help itself. The presenter of the "Arts and Books" show this morning was referring to "Survival Day".

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The Guardian newspaper is not backward in supporting this nonsense.

Australia celebrates Australia Day today, marking 224 years since the declaration of British sovereignty and the arrival of the first fleet of convict ships. Australia remains the only Commonwealth country not to have a treaty with its original owners, and although a treaty may have made little difference to the lives of aboriginal Australians, the celebration of Australia Day on unceded land makes many non-aboriginal Australians, myself included, feel highly uncomfortable.

Along with the celebrations, there will also be "Invasion Day" and "Survival Day" protests led by aboriginal activists across the country.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentis...ginal-australians-australia-day?newsfeed=true

Julia said:

The ABC just can't help itself. The presenter of the "Arts and Books" show this morning was referring to "Survival Day".

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Hey Julia
It's all about perspective.
You don't hear the Armenians crowing the praises of Ataturk.
"Little big Horn"... "Wounded Knee".
"The High Land Clearances"...
It's all back there, It's where we all come from.

Your not against people knowing?
There'll be enough out there this afternoon pi$$ed, surely that little 'tinkle' is hardly ruining the parade. What the listening Audience 2.7% more or less? I'd be happy if jingoism was at the same rating

It's all Abbott's fault. Abbott's remark this morning that the"aboriginal tent embassy" should be closed started a riot by a mob meeting at the tent embassy, in which Gillard and Abbott were lucky to escape unharmed. They are just gutless thugs.

One of the protesters, the chairman of the Northern Basin Aboriginal nations, Fred Hooper, spoke to Sky News shortly after the politicians’ dramatic exit, explaining why they caused the incident.
‘‘We were peacefully celebrating the 40th anniversary of the aboriginal tent embassy. The opposition leader on national television made a comment to tear down something that have built over 40 years, which is sacred to us,’’ he said.
‘‘So what do you expect us to do when we're 200 yards away from the person that makes that comment? Do you expect us to say, ‘yeah Tony we're gonna do that now? We're gonna rip it down?’’’

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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/pm--...-protesters-20120126-1qj1c.html#ixzz1kYF4t4AY





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Calliope said:

It's all Abbott's fault. Abbott's remark this morning that the"aboriginal tent embassy" should be closed started a riot by a mob meeting at the tent embassy, in which Gillard and Abbott were lucky to escape unharmed. They are just gutless thugs.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/pm--...-protesters-20120126-1qj1c.html#ixzz1kYF4t4AY

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It's amazing how people hear what they want to hear. The audio comment at the smh link said Abbott called for the tent embassy to be removed. Aboriginal protester Fred Hooper in the above article said Abbott "made a comment to tear down something that have built over 40 years" "To be removed" and "tear down" are very emotive words, none of which were used by Abbott. The comments implied Abbott wanted the police to forcefully remove the tent embassy. But, this is what he actually said:

"Look, I can understand why the Tent Embassy was established all those years ago. I think a lot has changed for the better since then. We had the historic apology just a few years ago, one of the genuine achievements of Kevin Rudd as prime minister. We had the proposal which is currently for national consideration to recognise indigenous people in the constitution. I think the indigenous people of Australia can be very proud of the respect in which they are held by every Australian and yes, I think a lot has changed since then and I think it probably is time to move on from that."

It is time to move on. That is not calling on anyone to tear down the tent embassy or for anyone to remove it. He is suggesting that a lot has changed since the tent city was erected and maybe it is time for aborigines to move on from that means of protest. Implying, IMO, that the aborigines themselves should consider removing the tent embassy.

I think it was the same Fred Hooper in a Sky interview that accused Abbott of cowardice because he was behind Gillard as both exited from the building. It was quite clear from the video footage, that the police and security guards were dictating how both should exit the building. He and Gillard were doing what they were told to do. Everything I heard from Hooper today suggest he is an utter racist.

IFocus said:

Ah so you support the workers / union movement after all............

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You got me there IF. Actually I was a member of the satanic unions in a past life. It was one of those workplaces where membership, although not officially compulsory, was desirable if you ever wanted to be promoted. Not sure if this constitituted informed consent at the time. Certainly I was never made aware as a member that union funds were flowing to the ALP.

But it was all back in the days of Hawkey, who I voted for btw.

The BLF only borrowed the Eureka Flag, it belongs to the nation.

I loath what the Australia Day holiday has become in the noughties, just a bogan p-s- up.

We were discussing the issues surrounding Australia Day with our kids recently, and I wondered aloud if perhaps the celebration of Aussie-ness should be moved to another date, and if perhaps changing it to the date of Federation would lead to less trouble re Invasion Day/Survival Day etc. I'm a proud Aussie and like to celebrate what that means to me on a special day, in a quiet way, generally involving barbequed lamb of some description. My suggestion was met with horror from my sons whose main concern was that they'd lose a public holiday as Federation Day and NYE is of course the same day.

It does seem that Australia Day is losing its meaning and relevance with younger generations, and is being used more as a cause for trouble and strife than for celebrating all that is great and good in this wide, brown, wonderful land of ours.

I wonder if my hope that we'll one day get to change it to the date Australia becomes a republic will come to fruitiion? Would that have any greater relevance to the population as a whole do you think?

With you all the way there DocK.

DocK:
I wonder if my hope that we'll one day get to change it to the date Australia becomes a republic will come to fruition? Would that have any greater relevance to the population as a whole do you think?

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Absolutely it would, and I say bring it on. But still, I hope they don't declare the new republic on the last weekend before school goes back after summer holidays.