At the instigation of the moral right the Australian Government is proposing, and is about to trial a compulsory internet 'Clean Feed'.

From the outset let me say this, I fully applaud any attempt to curb the trade of child pornography; but I appear to be out of step with my Christian brethren because I do not believe that compulsory internet filtering is the answer to the proliferation of this perversion. Such material will still freely enter the country on CD’s and the like and be shared freely on peer-to-peer networks, which won’t be filtered; and even school kids know how to circumvent filtering systems.

I believe that the only way to prevent perversion is a change of heart, and censorship will do nothing. Drugs are illegal and prevented from entering the country, but they are still readily accessible! It is clear that you cannot legislate morality.

I won't even go into the technological disadvantages, impossibilities and expense of this scheme.

What this system will do, in my opinion, is to open the floodgates of thought suppression, such as exists in the repressed societies of Iran and North Korea. Political censorship may not be on the minds of this present regime, but compulsory internet filtering provides an opening to the policing of thought. We don't even have a right to know what content is being blocked! Controversial sites such as those discussing euthanasia, anorexia and suicide are among the proposals, how do the censors plan to separate pro-groups from support groups?

I believe in is religious and political freedom. How long before some of my favourite sites are rendered inaccessible to me by beauracrats and politicians who may not agree with my political or religious leanings? I do not have to remind the Church that Christian sites are already censored in Iran, North Korea and China.

It is time for the Christian Right to stop their support of this ridiculous notion, and start doing as they were told by Jesus - to feed the poor, clothe the naked, heal the sick. That is the way that we can change our society, not by imposing rules, restrictions and censorship.

Even in my town people are still going hungry and are homeless while we, as Christians, rely on the Government to do what is our God-given responsibility. If Christians were to act in a manner fitting their calling, people would be drawn to the Gospel, and the pornography trade would die a natural death.

As it is, society sees us (Christians) as a group of generally unhearing and aloof wowsers, seeking only to mandate and control.

The money being squandered on this scheme would be better spent on giving law enforcement more tools to protect children from this abuse.

Today is the 151st anniversary of the Eureka rebellion.

"The Eureka Rebellion, often referred to as the 'Eureka Stockade', is the only armed rebellion in Australia's history and a key event in the development of Australian democracy. http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/eurekastockade/

We take this pivotal historical event for granted, thinking that it was purely concerned with gold licences. We have either forgotten, or never knew, the other democratic principles  won.

It's relevant to note that the only person convicted of a crime associated with the rebellion was Henry Seekamp, editor of the local newspaper. He served 3 months for sedition.

Happy First of Christmas everybody!!!

Santa Claus is coming
and the kids are getting greedy
(wo -- it's Christmas time)
They know it's in the stores
because they've seen it on the TV
(wo -- it's Christmas time)

Chorus:
 wo wo wo it's christmas time
 wo wo baby
 wo wo wo it's christmas time
 wo yeah yeah!

You go into the forest
and you cut down all the trees
(wo -- it's Christmas time)
I know you've got a powersaw
but who  plants the seeds?
(wo -- it's Christmas time)

Chorus

It used to be the birthday
of the man who saved our necks
(wo -- it's Christmas time)
But now it stands for Santa Claus
You spell it with an "X"
(wo -- it's Christmas time)

Chorus etc
 
 "It's Christmas time" - Randy Stonehill

*yawn*

I feel so tired at the moment.

Grandson was around for most of the day.

I'm on a restricted fluid intake which sucks.

Can't think of any other news.

Take it easy all!

Dear Journal

I'm sorry that I have been remiss in my entries.

Not much has happened really since the last entry -- Let's see --

I've decided to do my HSC next year so I've been spending time selecting subjects etc.

Had a phone call from old mate in Sydney which was great.

Today Matthew (grandson) came around so we played tickling and chases - kept Tricia amused.

The horse was in the wind today
All he would do is eat and play
Not a worry, Not a care
A very pleasant life you'd say.

I'll write more tomorrow - I promise!

Today I've done nothing.
Rang mum & dad.
Tried to ring some friends but their was no-one home.
Tricia was out at a friends all day.
There was nothing on the TV.
I spent today playing around on the internet, listening to the radio.

It's raining on the horse in my backyard
His day is going slow
Still he must learn contentment
He's got nowhere else to go

There comes a time when you are confronted by the choices that you have made through your life, and you realise that you can't make new choices. You are stuck with the consequences.

Choices are made when you're too young & inexperienced to make informed decisions.

I've been reflecting on my life, and as I look back I find huge chunks are missing from it. I don't know whether they are missing due to brain damage, whether I was too drunk/stoned at the time, or whether I was simply not paying attention while it was happening.

I figure that if I can fill in the gaps I'll be able to make more sense of the things that I remember.

Does dark matter really exist?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9655619/

The horse is walking 'round my backyard.
The horse is walking slow.
He walks with no real purpose.
He has nowhere to go.