The goodies keep coming

I keep thinking this has been an enormous year for a political junkie, then remember the last three have been pretty full. Partly political, totally emotion perhaps, these are the last two bits I’ll share before Christmas.

The Whales

Okay, it sounds a bit tree hugging, but today we celebrate a welcome reprieve from Japanese plunder of our Southern Ocean whales. Howard’s halfwits, those dregs from the former government, were incensed that Rudd’s government might risk diplomatic relations with Japan just to rescue whales.

I’m not sure how these people live there lives, but for the majority of Australian, who live on the continents coastline, the slow build up in whale populations has become almost personal.

Year by year now we see these magnificent animals move north up our coastlines from the chilly southern waters. The move north during our winter, hugging the coast as they go, to give birth to their young in safe waters.

On the trip back south they shelter in inlets and harbours, often close to large populations. We not only get to see these animals playing and nurturing, we actually track and have names for many of them now.

There is a strong body of scientific research and a growing emotional attachment to the whales. Japan claim scientific research too, but they say they need to murder 1,050 of them to carry out there research.

The Rudd government took a soft approach to the problem, simply threatening to monitor and record the killing activity, in preparation for a strong legal challenge. Obviously Japanese official recognised the threat of recorded evidence is more powerful than diplomatic games.

Of Kids and Goths

I can’t say I really understand kid culture, but then I’m an adult and it is not my place to understand. I know many of us are saddened by self destructive behaviour and that has become synonyms with tribal groups like Goths and Emos.

A couple of things this week reminded me of the complexity of most social groupings. Nothing quite like seeing a humerous approach to dealing with their own issues.

First was a tee shirt I saw down the street, sported by one of those pale skinny kids dressed in black with funny hairdos and body piercings. It read:

Be happy Emo Kid!

The second was my young friend Jake, of the Army cadets’ story recently. Jake is telling his Goth friends a few jokes now. Like:

Did you hear about the ice addict who committed suicide when his stash melted?

Did you here about the emu who was depressed because he didn’t have arms to cut.

Okay, sick, but really heartening that these kids are talking about issues and dealing with their own.

I’m not going anywhere, and will be around the blogs. I just need a mental break from producing for a few days. Have a wonderful Christmas.