Australia - PETER MOORE: Looking back
PETER MOORE: Looking back
Peter Moore
01Jan08
NEW Year's day! A difficult day to write on because really there are only two directions to go in; recap the year that's gone or make soothing, optimistic and inspirational comments on the year to come.
Are the expressions ``between a rock and a hard place'' or ``caught between the devil and the deep blue sea'' bouncing between your frontal lobes like a demented pinball machine? Despite being a ``my glass of wine is half full'' type guy I find the first option depressing and the second almost vapidly twee.
I say this with a feeling that while materially life goes on apace, I'm unsure whether the human condition has advanced one iota over the past year. Did we have less poverty, war or general mayhem and more love, consideration and respect for others last year than the year before?
Will we have less of the first and more of the second this year? Unlikely, but no doubt we will have shinier cars, faster computers, bigger televisions and more conspicuous consumption while simultaneously depleting fishing grounds, chopping down acres of forests and generally buggering up the environment. Jesus, I should have stayed in bed this morning! No matter let's have a go anyway.
One highlight of last year for me was the implosion of a tired and wan Liberal government finally being held to account for its lack of sensitivity and inability to recognise that its version of reality was at variance with that of the electorate. This allowed Kevin Rudd to assume the reins of the country for Labor and while we will have to wait to see if he is the `real deal', expectations are justifiably high.
Obviously the Cats winning the flag is right up there and not just the winning but the way they did it: Grace, poise, just a touch of humility backed by iron-clad confidence sums up the achievement, as Tom Harley led from the front and by example. I must apologise to Tom because when he was first made captain I considered him to be a compromise appointment as neither Cameron Ling nor Paul Chapman were quite ready for the task.
I was wrong as he is everything a captain should be and I fully expect him to lead Geelong to another successful year _ perhaps even another flag.
On a personal level I'm still alive and had the satisfaction of seeing a much-maligned and media-savaged English rugby side defeat an `unbeatable' Australia in the semi-final of the World Cup, making a month of no sleep worthwhile.
This year there will be two main issues, one national and one local. Nationally the much anticipated apology will be given to Aborigines and will cause much debate for some reason. I personally think it's a waste of everyone's time but we might as well get it over and done with. It will have the advantage of removing one more excuse from their litany of reasons as to why they can't assimilate, integrate or basically just get on with life.
It might even make Aborigines consider that the solution for their problems actually lies with them and not in an apology that 80 per cent of the population has no interest in.
The council will continue to provide headlines as the `beautification' and updating of the CBD continues to raise the ire of traders and shoppers alike, creating traffic mayhem and making the suburbs more attractive by the day with their free and ample parking.
However, the big local issue will be combating the forces of evil in the shape of the anti-fluoride Nazis but I'll deal with that in the next couple of weeks. Have a good one!
Peter Moore
01Jan08
NEW Year's day! A difficult day to write on because really there are only two directions to go in; recap the year that's gone or make soothing, optimistic and inspirational comments on the year to come.
Are the expressions ``between a rock and a hard place'' or ``caught between the devil and the deep blue sea'' bouncing between your frontal lobes like a demented pinball machine? Despite being a ``my glass of wine is half full'' type guy I find the first option depressing and the second almost vapidly twee.
I say this with a feeling that while materially life goes on apace, I'm unsure whether the human condition has advanced one iota over the past year. Did we have less poverty, war or general mayhem and more love, consideration and respect for others last year than the year before?
Will we have less of the first and more of the second this year? Unlikely, but no doubt we will have shinier cars, faster computers, bigger televisions and more conspicuous consumption while simultaneously depleting fishing grounds, chopping down acres of forests and generally buggering up the environment. Jesus, I should have stayed in bed this morning! No matter let's have a go anyway.
One highlight of last year for me was the implosion of a tired and wan Liberal government finally being held to account for its lack of sensitivity and inability to recognise that its version of reality was at variance with that of the electorate. This allowed Kevin Rudd to assume the reins of the country for Labor and while we will have to wait to see if he is the `real deal', expectations are justifiably high.
Obviously the Cats winning the flag is right up there and not just the winning but the way they did it: Grace, poise, just a touch of humility backed by iron-clad confidence sums up the achievement, as Tom Harley led from the front and by example. I must apologise to Tom because when he was first made captain I considered him to be a compromise appointment as neither Cameron Ling nor Paul Chapman were quite ready for the task.
I was wrong as he is everything a captain should be and I fully expect him to lead Geelong to another successful year _ perhaps even another flag.
On a personal level I'm still alive and had the satisfaction of seeing a much-maligned and media-savaged English rugby side defeat an `unbeatable' Australia in the semi-final of the World Cup, making a month of no sleep worthwhile.
This year there will be two main issues, one national and one local. Nationally the much anticipated apology will be given to Aborigines and will cause much debate for some reason. I personally think it's a waste of everyone's time but we might as well get it over and done with. It will have the advantage of removing one more excuse from their litany of reasons as to why they can't assimilate, integrate or basically just get on with life.
It might even make Aborigines consider that the solution for their problems actually lies with them and not in an apology that 80 per cent of the population has no interest in.
The council will continue to provide headlines as the `beautification' and updating of the CBD continues to raise the ire of traders and shoppers alike, creating traffic mayhem and making the suburbs more attractive by the day with their free and ample parking.
However, the big local issue will be combating the forces of evil in the shape of the anti-fluoride Nazis but I'll deal with that in the next couple of weeks. Have a good one!
posted by Bill at
10:15 AM
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