Democracy, just don’t spoil it
MARRIAGE SURVEY
NOW that the High Court has ruled that the Government has the power to solicit the opinions of all Australians in this matter, it may be a disappointment to those who had hoped for a different ruling, but at least we will have reliable figures as to those who support it and those in opposition. Democracy at its best. Please do not let us despoil that by hurtful remarks by either camps. remain the mixture of successful, unsuccessful and abusive that they have always been, with good or bad consequences for any children. Those with specific religious beliefs will continue to live according to their beliefs. What will change if the Yes vote ‘wins’ and Parliament at last does its job? First, people who currently feel excluded and vilified will feel accepted. Second, same-sex families will receive the same legal consideration as ‘conventional’ families. What is so terrible about that? Yet in the current debate the venom flies. No one is asking religious institutions to conduct marriage ceremonies, nor do we ask people to be something other than they are. Perhaps it is an ideal to have a male and a female parent in a loving family, but sadly that doesn’t reflect the community. When I stopped teaching 20 years ago one in five children came from broken homes and I’m sure that is higher now. Marriage breakdown isn’t often harmonious and there are many children used as weapons by parents in their disputes. I would prefer to have happy children loved and nurtured by parents of same sex or by one parent than traumatised by violent or hateful couples. As for the Good Book, it was compiled 2000 years ago. There’s also a lot of excellent rules we choose to ignore, thou shalt not kill being one of them. Live and let live. Embrace our differences and have tolerance for those who are different.
Make up own minds
I SUGGEST the Government ban all advertising for Yes or No vote for same sex marriage and let people make up their own mind.
Stormy weather
SHOULD the next storm surge wipe out Okehampton fish farm, Tassal should ask Mayor Kent for compensation
Nation building ideas
HYDRO Tasmania’s plan to develop up to 15 pumped hydro sites and two more Bass Strait cables sounds great. I suggest Rob Sitch from the ABC’s Utopia as a feasibility consultant.
Different agenda
IF SAME-SEX marriage is all about equality, then why isn’t equal pay for women on the same agenda.
No podium finish
HARD to believe that our federal government is considering taxpayer’s money to prop up a geriatric coal-powered power station. It would be similar to paying the worst performing athletes to support our Olympic bids.
In the frame
INSTRUCTIONS for photographing a thylacine: (a) coat lens liberally with vaseline (for that soft focus look), and then (b) stand well back (to capture lots of ambience). Voila, fuzzy atmospheric blur.