Comments on: An Atheist Female Prime Minister Of Australia! http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/ The Thinking Man's Glamour Model Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:05:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: David http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-2009 David Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:22:34 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-2009 I think Kevin made a big mistake taking on the miners. I think Kevin made a big mistake taking on the miners.

]]> By: Sachiko http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1986 Sachiko Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:40:35 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1986 <a href='#comment-1985' rel="nofollow">@Brad</a> - Well we already trust the government to ban inappropriate books, magazines and videos - and nothing more. This just extends the same laws to the internet, and as I said, there will be an independent ombudsman overseeing it. For some reason, the internet seems to provoke people into paranoia and even hysteria that just doesn't apply to other media. This is just another slippery slope argument, which I always hate: if something becomes a problem, you deal with it then. It is illogical not to do something that might otherwise be beneficial, just because it <em>may</em> become a problem later. @Brad – Well we already trust the government to ban inappropriate books, magazines and videos – and nothing more. This just extends the same laws to the internet, and as I said, there will be an independent ombudsman overseeing it. For some reason, the internet seems to provoke people into paranoia and even hysteria that just doesn’t apply to other media. This is just another slippery slope argument, which I always hate: if something becomes a problem, you deal with it then. It is illogical not to do something that might otherwise be beneficial, just because it may become a problem later.

]]> By: Brad http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1985 Brad Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:49:10 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1985 Sachiko, while banning kiddy porn sites and known terrorist sites is all good and nice, I like to believe that one thing leads to another and allowing a government to step even as far as you are allowing them to step is what I would consider to be placing far too much trust in a government that does not deserve to be trusted. allowing them to take an inch will embolden them into thinking they can take a mile. It is just simply foolish to think that the internet filtering will end there. Filtration should be handled on the home level at the discretion of the computer's owner. A more appropriate measure would be to introduce legislation that would force computer vendors and OS manufacturers to include an easy to use filtration software suite that the user could, once again at their discretion, enable and configure without too much trouble. A national filter is just insane. Sachiko, while banning kiddy porn sites and known terrorist sites is all good and nice, I like to believe that one thing leads to another and allowing a government to step even as far as you are allowing them to step is what I would consider to be placing far too much trust in a government that does not deserve to be trusted. allowing them to take an inch will embolden them into thinking they can take a mile. It is just simply foolish to think that the internet filtering will end there. Filtration should be handled on the home level at the discretion of the computer’s owner. A more appropriate measure would be to introduce legislation that would force computer vendors and OS manufacturers to include an easy to use filtration software suite that the user could, once again at their discretion, enable and configure without too much trouble. A national filter is just insane.

]]> By: Sachiko http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1983 Sachiko Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:55:54 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1983 <a href='#comment-1982' rel="nofollow">@Brad</a> - I have to say: from what I know about the facts of the internet filter proposal (rather than the media beat-ups), it seems to me that most people are seriously overreacting. It will just restrict the kind of thing that's illegal in every western country anyway (e.g. bestiality, child pornography). Form memory, at this stage they only have a list of 140-odd sites that will be filtered, and there will be an independent ombudsman overseeing it (to make sure the government doesn't use it to censor political material, for example). So quite frankly, I don't have any problem with this proposal at all. @Brad – I have to say: from what I know about the facts of the internet filter proposal (rather than the media beat-ups), it seems to me that most people are seriously overreacting. It will just restrict the kind of thing that’s illegal in every western country anyway (e.g. bestiality, child pornography). Form memory, at this stage they only have a list of 140-odd sites that will be filtered, and there will be an independent ombudsman overseeing it (to make sure the government doesn’t use it to censor political material, for example). So quite frankly, I don’t have any problem with this proposal at all.

]]> By: Brad http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1982 Brad Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:18:59 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1982 Too bad Australian politics are still irrevocably screwed up, more so than american politics. At least we don't ban games and movies. We also have measures in place that actively stop the implementation of a internet filter (go go 1st Amendment!) Some one needs to tell the Australian labor party that China and Germany are two very bad role models to follow. Too bad Australian politics are still irrevocably screwed up, more so than american politics. At least we don’t ban games and movies. We also have measures in place that actively stop the implementation of a internet filter (go go 1st Amendment!) Some one needs to tell the Australian labor party that China and Germany are two very bad role models to follow.

]]> By: Sachiko http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1981 Sachiko Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:29:19 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1981 <a href='#comment-1980' rel="nofollow">@Chris</a> - I pretty much entirely agree with you. That's why I supported Rudd, because I agreed with his policies for the most part. I did have some small disagreements with him though, and I do think they can be at least partly attributed to his religious beliefs. Where Julia Gillard seems to me to be better than Rudd can also I think be attributed to her religious beliefs - or rather, the lack thereof. As for sustainable population, I think this is a no-brainer as far as it goes. We can indeed support more people here, but we have to be more careful about how we do it, and how quickly. The brand new minister for sustainable population has already cited certain areas of Australia that are really crying out for more people, so we need to encourage people to go there, instead of our overcrowded capital cities. I also very strongly believe in immigration (after all, I am an immigrant myself) - I think we should actually be reducing the birth rate to keep the population sustainable. Politicians keep talking about the need for more young people to support the ageing population, but this doesn't take into account the fact that the cost of raising children is far higher than supporting pensioners, and unemployment remains the highest amongst youth. I really think skilled immigration is actually the best way to give us the workers we need: that way we're helping other countries with their own population problems, while we benefit from their skills practically for free. It's win win for everyone. Oh, and welcome to my blog Chris - I'm glad you enjoy reading it, and looking at my pictures as well. ;-) @Chris – I pretty much entirely agree with you. That’s why I supported Rudd, because I agreed with his policies for the most part. I did have some small disagreements with him though, and I do think they can be at least partly attributed to his religious beliefs. Where Julia Gillard seems to me to be better than Rudd can also I think be attributed to her religious beliefs – or rather, the lack thereof.

As for sustainable population, I think this is a no-brainer as far as it goes. We can indeed support more people here, but we have to be more careful about how we do it, and how quickly. The brand new minister for sustainable population has already cited certain areas of Australia that are really crying out for more people, so we need to encourage people to go there, instead of our overcrowded capital cities. I also very strongly believe in immigration (after all, I am an immigrant myself) – I think we should actually be reducing the birth rate to keep the population sustainable. Politicians keep talking about the need for more young people to support the ageing population, but this doesn’t take into account the fact that the cost of raising children is far higher than supporting pensioners, and unemployment remains the highest amongst youth. I really think skilled immigration is actually the best way to give us the workers we need: that way we’re helping other countries with their own population problems, while we benefit from their skills practically for free. It’s win win for everyone.

Oh, and welcome to my blog Chris – I’m glad you enjoy reading it, and looking at my pictures as well. ;-)

]]> By: Chris http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1980 Chris Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:05:23 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1980 While I agree that it is good that we have an athiest PM who is not afraid to admit it, I have always been less concerned with the religious beliefs of our politicians than their policies. A Christian (or Jewish or Muslim) politician that espouses economic and social policies I agree with (or who can mount a convincing argument about why they are good for the country even if they hurt me individually) will always get my support. I never supported Howard, not because of his religious beliefs, but because of things like Work Choices. I did however (and I still do) support the GST - but I also supported it when Keating wanted to introduce it in Hawkes first term. As for Gillard, "sustainable" population growth is certaining a good marketing statement, but Australia is a large and rich country. We have lots of space - and provided we develop the infrastructure and do so with one eye on the ecology, we can and should support a larger population. I support a more humane treatment of refugees. I don't support the "tow the boats back" approach of the Liberals (or some Western Suburbs Labour politicians). I support a Resource Rent Tax on mining - calling it a Resource Super Profits Tax is a mistake. Labour needs to get out and sell this for what it is - Australia taking a larger share of the profit from our dirt that is suddenly more valuable. And yes, Tony Abbott as PM is the stuff of nightmares. If Julia Gillard can keep that nightmare at bay better than Kevin Rudd, I am OK with her taking the leadership. You have to win before you can implement your policies. On a side note, keep up the good work Sachiko - I don't always agree with you, but I always love to read your blogs - and look at your pictures :) While I agree that it is good that we have an athiest PM who is not afraid to admit it, I have always been less concerned with the religious beliefs of our politicians than their policies.
A Christian (or Jewish or Muslim) politician that espouses economic and social policies I agree with (or who can mount a convincing argument about why they are good for the country even if they hurt me individually) will always get my support.
I never supported Howard, not because of his religious beliefs, but because of things like Work Choices. I did however (and I still do) support the GST – but I also supported it when Keating wanted to introduce it in Hawkes first term.
As for Gillard, “sustainable” population growth is certaining a good marketing statement, but Australia is a large and rich country. We have lots of space – and provided we develop the infrastructure and do so with one eye on the ecology, we can and should support a larger population.
I support a more humane treatment of refugees. I don’t support the “tow the boats back” approach of the Liberals (or some Western Suburbs Labour politicians).
I support a Resource Rent Tax on mining – calling it a Resource Super Profits Tax is a mistake. Labour needs to get out and sell this for what it is – Australia taking a larger share of the profit from our dirt that is suddenly more valuable.
And yes, Tony Abbott as PM is the stuff of nightmares. If Julia Gillard can keep that nightmare at bay better than Kevin Rudd, I am OK with her taking the leadership. You have to win before you can implement your policies.

On a side note, keep up the good work Sachiko – I don’t always agree with you, but I always love to read your blogs – and look at your pictures :)

]]> By: Daniel de Culla http://www.sachikospace.com/english/2010/06/an-atheist-female-prime-minister-of-australia/#comment-1979 Daniel de Culla Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:17:38 +0000 http://www.sachikospace.com/english/?p=308#comment-1979 Lovely¡ Atheism is Life. To believe in god is death. Lovely¡ Atheism is Life. To believe in god is death.

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