Category Archive For "Current Affairs"
Israel Folau and the Hateful Intolerance of the Lovingly Inclusive
A few days ago, rugby player and Wallabies team member Israel Folau posted a quote from 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 10 on Twitter and Instagram. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce immediately claimed this was homophobic, and threatened to withdraw Qantas’s sponsorship of the ARU unless Folau’s contract was terminated. The ARU caved instantly: “We want to …
Christchurch Terror
It is important to try to understand the mass murder in Christchurch, but it is just too early to make any sound or meaningful assessment. Despite the manifesto, we do not know enough about Tarrant’s background and thoughts, and we know nothing about any of the others who may have been involved. That hasn’t stopped …
The Climate Youth Brigade
The history of the twentieth century is replete with radical groups scaring children about the future they are to inherit, and encouraging them to take to the streets to shout slogans they did not understand, to denounce their parents, and to demand political changes they could not comprehend. It is not a happy company. The …
Cardinal Pell Sentenced
On March 13th, Cardinal George Pell was sentenced to six years jail on charges of child sexual abuse. He will be eligible for parole in three years and eight months. Some people have pounced on comments at sentencing made by Pell’s defence team, suggesting that these were admission of guilt. This is not the case. …
For Whom the Pell Tolls
The guilty verdict in the trial of Cardinal George Pell is a travesty. It will be overturned on appeal, as was the equally baseless and vindictive conviction of Archbishop Wilson of Adelaide. Thoughtful commentary here from gay activist Milo Yiannopulos. Having been the priest in charge of a small cathedral, and having frequently been involved …
Flinders Chase. No to More Visitors? Why?
The campaign against the Australian Walking Company’s proposal to build eco-friendly lodges at two locations on the KI Wilderness Trail is a perfect example of the dog in the manger negativity that hurls itself at every new project on Kangaroo Island. Some of the arguments are beyond ludicrous. One was: A completely different company built …
Dead Fish, The Murray, and Blaming Cubbie Station
The problem with Greens like Jeremy Buckingham and Sarah Sea Patrol is that, being dwellers in an alternative Starbucks-half-shot-low-fat-pumpkin-latte-with-a-dash-of-organic-breast-milk-from-an-Ethiopian-shepherd-girl universe, they are completely unfamiliar with the nature they wish so desperately to save. When they do encounter nature, they are terrified, for example, Jeremy Buckingham’s horrified discovery that natural gas (swamp gas) is both natural …
Catholic History, Sex, and Cardinal Pell Part II
This is part two of a two part response to media articles (not in Australia, where the media are banned from reporting or commenting on this issue), Facebook and Twitter posts responding positively to the conviction of Cardinal George Pell on charges of child sex abuse. Part one discussed general issues about the history and …
Catholic History, Sex, and Cardinal Pell Part I
There have been several media articles (not in Australia, where the media is banned from reporting the issue), posts on Facebook, and comments on Twitter over the last two weeks rejoicing in the conviction of Cardinal Pell on charges of child sex abuse. That trial and its outcome are nothing to rejoice in. I intended …
On Jetties and Aquaculture
A couple of news articles of possible interest over the last week or so. From Portland in Victoria, Yumbah has entered the public consultation phase of its application to construct a new abalone farm in close proximity to the port facilities at Portland in Victoria. The new abalone farm will be approximately the same distance …
Retail Fuel Strike? Yeah, Nah..
I have seen a few posts on Facebook over the last week suggesting a two day fuel strike. The idea seems to be that if people don’t buy fuel for two days, the oil companies will learn their lesson, and reduce the price of petrol. This isn’t quite the dumbest idea ever. That was voting …
Independents Betray their Electors
Our Federal member (for Mayo) has been in Wentworth over the last week campaigning for Kerryn Phelps, safe-schools supporter and promoter of the early sexualisation of children. Now it is looking likely Dr Phelps will be returned, Ms Sharkie has formed an alliance with her and Cathy McGowan, and despite having promised not to support …
Fossil Fuels and Subsidies in Australia
From the end of last year but still relevant. Anyone who claims that coal mining or other resource production is subsidised in Australia is trying to sell you something.. It isn’t. Claims it is are deliberately misleading. There are no subsidies, just the same tax reductions for business costs that apply to all …
Last Word on the Mayo By-election
If you are voting in the by-elections tomorrow, who should you vote for? The key question is: “What do you want Australia to be?” When you have a clear image in your mind of what you hope our future will be, you need to compare the candidates and ask which of them has the education, …
Mayo by-election …
I note with concern the report in today’s Islander in which candidates in the current Mayo by-election are asked “What will you do for us..?” as if this should be the key factor in deciding who to vote for. I cannot fathom why anyone with any understanding of our Federal parliamentary system would think this …
Qohel Blog Author Peter Wales
