An open thread where you can, at your weekend leisure, discuss whatever you like.
Larvatus Prodeo is an Australian group blog which discusses politics, sociology, culture, life, religion and science from a left of centre perspective. more»
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- Saturday Salon 54
Robert Merkel, joe2, Kim, joe2, Brett, Kim [...] - Obligatory Obama acclamation & McCain Veep selection thread 22
charles, Robert Merkel, Katz, Kim, Emma in grade 12 english class, Craig Mc [...] - On the futility of arguing about Hayek, or what's in a name? 20
GregM, Emma in grade 12 english class, Adrien, Kim, Adrien, Kim [...] - Hidden Queensland: Griffith REVIEW 35
Ziggy, Kim, Ziggy, Mark, Brian, David [...] - Feminism good for families 50
Megan, Adrien, Kim, Laura, laura, Megan [...] - Advance Australia Fair? 23
Adrien, alister, Adrien, Adrien, Nick, carbonsink [...] - Obama's convention speech 26
professor rat, Robert Merkel, clarencegirl, Tyro Rex, Darryl Rosin, Shaun [...] - Privatising democracy 17
daggett, Evan, SJ, Tom Round, Bernice, joe2 [...] - OECD in league with communist teacher unions 53
Bingo Bango Boingo, Kim, Emma in grade 12 english class, Bingo Bango Boingo, Alastair, Angharad [...] - Another for the word nerds 33
Andyc, Ambigulous, shiftaling, Pavlov's Cat, Cerveza de Baca, laura [...] - Senate Economics Committee reports on Medicare Levy Surcharge Bills 21
Anthony Peterson, Adam, David, Adam, derrida derider, Chris (a different one) [...] - Emissions trading and rent seeking: round two 25
Peter Wood, dk.au, FDB, Roger Jones, Roger Jones, FDB [...]
Recent posts
- Obligatory Obama acclamation & McCain Veep selection thread
- Saturday Salon
- Obama’s convention speech
- OECD in league with communist teacher unions
- Guest post by Ben Eltham: Useless pack of Bankers
- Privatising democracy
- On the futility of arguing about Hayek, or what’s in a name?
- Too early to tell
- Which party does Morris Iemma think he’s leading?
- Forget political narratives, here’s a media narrative
Could a successful coup d’etat be staged at 10:30 on a Friday night when all our fearless ASIO’s are glued to Spooks on the box?
Since sex is half of what is discussed here, heres some interesting (and amusing) topics of discussion that occured this week in the real world…
Is being asked “do you like lesbians” the same as (or comparable to) being asked “do you like black people”?
Your significant other kissing someone of the same sex should not be counted as cheating because there is no actual attraction and therefore no competition - no reason to feel threatened (this assumes neither is significantly bisexual). Discuss.
Evil Treasury Casino capitalist cabal $800 poorer, Mark $800 richer. Goodnight!
A look at the findings of successive Australian Election Studies since 1987 reveals an interesting trend in public opinion on gender equality and on access to abortion.
Every AES contains a question on each of these topics. On the first question, respondents are asked whether social changes intended to provide equal opportunity for women have gone “[much] too far”, are “about right” or have “not gone [nearly] far enough”. The results over time have been as follows:
GONE TOO FAR: 25.8% in 1987; 21.2% in 1990; 18.3% in 1993; 17.6% in 1996; 12.1% in 1998; 11.0% in 2001; 9.5% in 2004.
ABOUT RIGHT: 54.7%, 52.3%, 48.0%, 50.7%, 56.3%, 51.1%, 50.3%
NOT FAR ENOUGH: 19.5%, 22.6%, 33.7%, 31.7%, 31.6%, 37.9%, 40.2%.
On the issue of abortion, respondents are asked which of the following options they support: “Women should be able to obtain an abortion readily when they want one”; “Abortion should be allowed only in specialcircumstances”; “Abortion should not be allowed under any circumstances”; “Don’t know”. The results over time have been:
OBTAIN ABORTION READILY: 38.6% in 1987; 50.3% in 1990; 56.1% in 1993; 53.5% in 1996; 50.3% in 1998; 57.6% in 2001; 54.2% in 2004.
ONLY IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: 65.0%; 39.5%; 34.7%; 37.0%; 39.8%; 32.5%; 34.7%.
NOT ALLOWED: 6.4%; 6.0%; 4.8%; 5.5%; 4.6%; 4.1%. 4.0%
DON’T KNOW: NA; 4.2%; 4.4%; 4.1%; 5.3%; 5.8%; 7.3%.
These figures would seem to have significant implications for a number of fashionable pub theories and media theories about Australian social and political attitudes, viz;
1. At least on gender issues, the evidence does not support the notion that the Australian public has become more socially conservative in recent times - quite the reverse, in fact. The “hard” anti-feminist positions have become increasingly marginal.
2. There is little evidence that a public backlash against socially progressive policies on gender/family/sexuality occurred around the time of the 1996 election and contributed significantly to Labor losing office.
3. Insofar as these figures lend themselves to any conclusions about the assertions of Elizabeth Meryment and her correspondents about a rise in sexist attitudes in society and a loss of feminist ideals and consciousness amongst young women, they suggest that such assertions are not well founded. However it would be necessary to conduct serious empirical sociological research into the attitudes and life-choices of young women to be able to settle the issue.
One can also conclude that the tendency of the media and politicians to base commentary on gender/family/sexuality issues (and public opinion thereon) on impressionistic analyses, anecdotal evidence and media fads leads them into constant and serious error.
“At least on gender issues, the evidence does not support the notion that the Australian public has become more socially conservative in recent times - quite the reverse, in fact.”
Well it may be that with an increasing trend to viewing a woman having a child as merely a technological choice (contraception, abortion,IVF)the community now accepts that as totally her choice. The cultural spinoff may be that increasingly society views that choice as her responsibility and hence the tightening of sole parent welfare payments is seen as logical. Certainly MSM has been giving solo mums(particularly those with multiple kids to multiple dads) a bit of a flogging recently. Also there has been a move to relax fiscal responsibility by the natural fathers, where they have been shut out of parental responsibility.(push for changes to Family Law Act here)
I have a confession. Easts are f**king crap this year. I am only glad that my recent move to Brisbane prevents me from witnessing this slow motion car wreck in close up. First time in ten years out of the 8. I only hope that next year the team can put the dissappointments of this year behind us and get their confidence and form back.
Speaking of the media’s habit of “impressionistic analysis”, I’d raise that in terms of their approach to the Collins Class submarine as well. First the early design problems are to be expected in such complex weapons systems - essentially the first vessel in a new class is a prototype anyway. The recent report (revealed today) of safety problems is worrying only if the RAN isn’t doing anything about it. The media doesn’t seem to fully understand how potent this weapon system is the many capabilities it gives us that we would not possess otherwise. Likewise they don’t apparently understand that such important platforms require a certain level of secrecy regarding their capabilities.
Instead the media runs with the well worn script of “dud subs” - a script that I must point out was positively encouraged by this government as a way of scoring cheap political points against the opposition. Absolutely unforgivable behaviour. Especially when the members of the national security subcommittee of cabinet, which included those governmen members making these misleading statements, would have been perfectly aware of their full capabilities.
Lunch is less than an hour away, Naomi. Be strong.
Alternatively, I suspect Herr Bahnisch would permit you a little Pinot Gris [”I ain’t drinking no fucking merlot!” - sorry, more Sideways than Sideshow] at any time.
Paul: the fulcrum of your assumption is that abortion and the attitudes to it are part of a ‘gender issue.’ That is a contrived assumption. I would argue that the rise in acceptance for no-questions-asked abortion actually evidences the ratcheting up of a right-wing, utilitarian, consumerist - if you like, ‘conservative’ - worldview.
Hmmn. CL, as a woman, I beg to differ. Abortion rights is a central gender issue. So is sex education, contraception, and child care.
Until men can get pregnant, abortion will always be at least partly about gender issues, because only women have wombs.
I’m also a little tentative about talking about abortion in consumerist terms. I think it’s a mischarecterisation of women who have abortions to suggest they do so in a throw-away manner.
Ironically, the idea that pregnancy is women’s business only was a hallmark of the old sexism. If pregnancy is none of blokes’ business, they needn’t feel obliged to attend birthing classes or the delivery room. Oui? And shouldn’t sex education (a women’s issue??) include informing girls of how traumatising abortion really is? Why are feminists colluding in the Victorian censoring of such facts?
Anyway, I’m off to play. It’s good to be alive - even more so after tonight’s revenge against the Boks one hopes.
That was a glorious finish for the Bombers, Naomi. Why couldn’t they have played like that, oh… for the rest of the season?
Next week, Essendon vs. Sydney. Should be a good match, as Sydney will want to come back after their inevitable loss to Adelaide. I don’t think I can watch.
…
Nice gravatar, CL. I’m glad the fashion is catching on. Tony, observa?
Comments here look a bit silly since Robert installed the new plug in and you get a huge question mark in tahe corner if you don’t hvae a gravatar. I’m quietly pleased with mine. And it’s symbolic: Furtwangler facing right but conducting with his left hand. Nice. (Actually he conducted with his right; the photo is the wrong way around.)
The question mark is a big incentive to get a gravatar, Rob!
Naomi, at the moment, I’d be inclined to advise being teetotal.
Friday night whisky sours followed by gin, lime and sodas = good. Saturday afternoon hangover = bad.
Still, I had a nice night. Got bored about 9.30 and went out to the Alibi Room, had a few drinks with some locals, made obligatory drunken phone call to ex who lives up the road to see if she wanted to come and have a drink (answer = no), went to the Casino and met my friend C who’d been at a gig, won $800 on blackjack, went over the road to Jorge for drinks, spent a few hours talking philosophy next to C’s bike before she rode home.
C.L., I always pictured you as a blonde.
Bombers defeated the much-fancied Geelong by 13 points last night.
My poor pussy cats
Hopefully they can hang in there for the next few rounds…
Rex,
The Yanks are very big fans of the Collins class Subs.
If warfare happens to brakout between the two chinas the Yanks want the subs up there to keep the chinese navy inside their harbours never to come out whilst the subs are lurking around!
Given this is now public knowkedge there must be immense pressure on Asutralia from China.
Mark, does that mean that people who do not have gravatars lack gravataras?
One could reasonably make that assumption, Homer.
Homerkles,
The ? means you’re only half-gravatarsed.
does that mean if thisd blog was on Jupiter all the gravatars would fall off because the gravatary is so much greater but on the Moon they would fly to the top because the gravatary is so much less?
Your tone may be pax, but you’re not new, Homerkles, and apparently a lunatic to boot. You’re punning has gone to the birds, and deserves to be buried in a graviary.
subtlety isn’t your forte, is it Homer? your puns have the efficaciousness of a sledgehammer deployed on a feather.
Peter Ransen emerges: “…been on the slurp since the election.”
Well Jason I do prefer gravytar on my steak and spuds
Bugger. I just tried to post a link to the Temple Of Peace in Toowong Cemetery. Found it on Saturday biking through the cemetery. The comments monster ate the original submission so I’m not going to bother to re-type this information. People in interested in the Wobblies may want to take a look. More photos at the URLs provided.
I just want to note that Lefty Tim came out as a fan of the 2005 premiers, the Parramatta Eels, on BB tonight. He has my vote (I heard this second hand - I was watching Mythbusters).
QLD Nats leader on T3 sale: “There’s no putting the feathers back on the chook if you get it wrong.”
Nice try Lawrence, but still way too coherent to kickstart a Joh II phenomena.
Try something more like “once you’ve put the turkey on ice, its too late to count chickens”
The Queensland Nats need to take heed of Joh’s warnings about straddling barbed-wire fences.
C.L., Paul’s assumption is based on the reasoning that women ought to have control over their own bodies.
Naomi, I hope your cold’s better. I’ve managed to fight an incipient one off. I assume your succumbing to amusement at Homer’s puns was a byproduct of a headcold?
Also hope you’re feeling better, Naomi!
I thought I’d have a stab at Nic’s discussion topic, since no-one else has.
No idea! Depends what the context is (I’m kinda assuming from the next bit that it’s sexual?)…
Why are they kissing? Presumably it’s more than a peck on the cheek if the question arises. Therefore there must be an attraction. Unless people are playing spin the bottle BB style or something.
Are Homer’s puns adult? I must be missing some subtle double entendres!
Thanks, Naomi. I popped in because I needed some cashflow as Griffith, being a University, won’t pay me til the third week of August, despite having started work last week. It’s not gambling though - I resist all temptations to try my luck and play strictly according to a combination of blackjack odds-maximisation strategies and mystic tips imparted by old Chinese ladies about what’s favourable.
Yes, that’s the thing with Nic’s question!
Indeed, I did, Naomi, thank you very much. No significant adventures, just a bit of bushwalking, lots of reading and sunbathing and swimming. And shoe-shopping.
And on my return to Vegas around lunchtime, I discovered that there’s a local oompapah band playing on Sundays in my local park. Kinda good, surprisingly!
Indeed! Online country town near Lismore is a favourite topic for spam comments!
To be fair to them, they were a proper band with flutes and stuff (what’s the name for a band like that - aside from a High School band) - but were very proud of their new tuba!
Kinda cute, though, and lots of people took advantage of the beautiful sun to sit in the park and have a listen.
Apparently, they’re a local community band - and just do it for fun. Which is nice.
Message to John Howard about Barnaby Joyce - be alert and very alarmed about Bundaberg rum crazed Quincelanders!
Just noting that Kim has put up a post on this, should anyone wish to discuss matters Barnaby or Bundaberg rum.
Kim, it’s a marching band. MMmmm… John Philip Sousa.
Mark wrote:
“Griffith, being a University, won‚Äôt pay me til the third week of August, despite having started work last week.”
Mark, based on long experience as a sessional employee of Griffith, I must advise that this is a best-case scenario.
I had a friend doing casual tutoring at UWS who had to go on strike with the other casual tutors before any of them got paid at all, last year.
As I noted elsewhere - teaching in 94 in “Major’s Bwitain” we didnt get paid for three months - till a sessional law lecturer and barrister actually sued them.
We had to sue for our wages.
And you can expect to see more of this in a workplace near you!
Well, I’ve worked there before so hopefully it’s just a matter of reactivating my personnel details on the system. Hopefully.
If you live in Sydney and feel like a quiet night out get along to Kelly’s on King in Newtown at 7.30pm for the monthly blogger meet-up. Not one of those muchos grande Grogblogging productions, just a very friendly and low key few drinks and maybe a little pool. Upstairs. Don’t need to be a blogger, even if “just” read ‘em …
Der link ist kaput.
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