Wanderings

Compulsory Internet "Clean Feed"

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:11:39 GMT

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.

OK, OK

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 03:10:28 GMT

So I'm still alive

Khat

Sat, 10 Dec 2005 05:52:12 GMT

Khat (the cat) was neutered yesterday. I was reminded of a joke.

A man is walking along the street when he comes upon a shop displaying watches in the front window.
Deciding that he could use a new wristlet watch he walks in and asks the shopkeep for a look at the latest watches.
"oh, I don't sell watches" says the shopkeep, "I castrate cats".
"Then why do you display watches in your window?" asks the man.
"If you castrated cats" replied the shopkeep "what would you display in your window?"

25 years

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 01:08:24 GMT

John Lennon, 25 years ago today. What a tragic waste.

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 23:52:12 GMT

The little horse has gone away
but it's only for a holiday
he's gone away to eat and play
and he will be back one sunny day

It's hard to describe the weather without him.
Today is sunny and hot with storm predicted for late afternoon.

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 03:53:35 GMT

I have lost my muse. My little horse left yesterday for a holiday.

At least he should be happy there.

Sun, 04 Dec 2005 03:50:08 GMT

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.

The First of Christmas

Thu, 01 Dec 2005 00:34:07 GMT

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

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 09:54:06 GMT

*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!

Boring weather

Fri, 25 Nov 2005 04:42:43 GMT

The weather in Grafton ..

The little horse
is wet again.
It's not fit out
for horse nor man.

He suffers from Seasonal Affected Disorder I think.

Watched "The Village" on DVD today - interesting. Unexpected ending.

I'm sitting here now, listening to the radio (2JJJ) and searching my head to find something about my life that's interesting enough to write down today -- someone tell me what's going on.

Dear Journal

Thu, 24 Nov 2005 10:21:26 GMT

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!

HO HUM

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 10:15:29 GMT

Ho Hum.
Big Dog had another exciting day.

BWAAAAHAHA

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 01:18:55 GMT

S	Saintly
T	Tender
E	Enchanting
P	Peaceful
H	Helpful
E	Earthy
N	Noisy

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 07:15:06 GMT

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

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 04:21:03 GMT

'Tragic' is a word that's bandied about, and can be applied to most things these days....
Roy Slaven

Rock Rulz OK

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 03:05:55 GMT

I love rock and roll, acid, metal, thrash, punk - ROCK. Am I alone??

I turn on the TV and all I see is pretty boys and pretty girls singing pretty songs; or attitude filled black artists doing their rap and hip-hop.

Ridiculous cartoon frogs and crocodiles that keep real musos off the charts.

It's time we got back to the roots of blues and rock, pounding rhythm, thumping bass, screaming lead guitars,power chords.....

Petition your TV station!

A Satisfied Mind

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 00:09:55 GMT

Well life is not too bad :).
I have a lovely wife, good kids, and friends (who are too far away).
I live in my own small home which, like everyone else, I'm struggling to pay off.
I can afford to eat (inexpensively), and even afford the (very) ocassional beer.
I get bored, but generally I guess that I'm a satisfied man.

Now, if the demons just stay away.

Growing Up

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 00:03:38 GMT

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.

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:21:35 GMT

Does dark matter really exist?

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

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:21:49 GMT

I've been thinking a lot lately - I always do - but nothing makes enough sense to write down. The meds keep me drowsy and so I can't think as well as I would like to.
I have decided that I definitely don't need to be taking all of the tablets that I'm taking.
I know that I don't suffer from epilepsy and the tablets that I take for it not only cause drowsiness but also dizzy spells - why do you have to find out the side effects for yourself???

Sun, 09 Oct 2005 05:12:57 GMT

The corn is as high as an elephant's eye?

Alice Cooper

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 03:19:39 GMT

I don't want to see you go
I don't even want to be there
I will cover up my eyes
And pray it goes away

You've only lived a minute of your life
I must be dreaming, please stop screaming

I don't like to hear you cry
You just don't know how deep that cuts me
So I will cover up my eyes
And it will go away

You've only lived a minute of your life
I must be dreaming, please stop screaming

STEPHEN!
STEPHEN!
I hear my name!
STEPHEN!
Is someone calling me? I hear my name!
STEPHEN!
That icy breath that whispers screams of pain!

I don't want to feel you die
But if that's the way that God has planned you
I'll put pennies on your eyes
And it will go away
See?

You've only lived a minute of your life
I must be dreaming, please stop screaming

Stephen....
Is someone calling me? No....
Stephen....
I think I hear a voice--- it's outside the door!
STEPHEN!
I hear my name!
STEPHEN!
Is someone calling me? I hear my name!
STEPHEN!
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
STEPHEN!
WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHAT DO YOU WANT?

STEPHEN!
STEPHEN!
STEPHEN!
I hear my name...

Alice Cooper -- Welcome to my nightmare

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 12:54:05 GMT

The sky is clear
The horse is blue.
He's feeling low
and I am too.

The little horse can't jump the fence,
his legs are very short,
so he stands around all day
lost in dismal thought..

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 09:27:29 GMT

The weekend's past for little horse.
He's been left to his own devices.
Free to let his long mane down
and indulge in his chosen vices

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 09:24:36 GMT

Spent some days in Sydney
the town from whence I come.
Travel dull.
Sojourn great.
Dad's 80th,
Mum's 70th,
Joel's 21st,
Mum & Dad 25th wedding anniversary.
Saw my old friends -
- hadn't seen in 25 years or more.
Loads of fun.
Old stories.
Reminiscing.
Happy times.
A few (too many) beers.
Laughing.
Travel home dull.
Coming down off high.
Mild depression.
Getting over it.

Love to all.