Comment on Same sex marriage campaign in the bush takes to YouTube by John Bell.
Peter. It looks like you have me sorted as a bigoted, born-to-rule white male heterosexual No voter – in no uncertain manner.
To make matters worse, I was also born an Essendon AFL third generation supporter and will go to the death as a True Believer, maintaining the faith in the Mighty Bombers. Your mind is made up. So be it.
However, your comment makes me wonder what your moral judgment is of a No voter who happens not to be white (eg Vaughan) or neither white nor male (eg Theresa)?
Do they have any redeeming qualities as No voters, or are we all No vote bigots with no empathy etc? How do you rationalise their No vote views?
I ask these questions in good faith. I am genuinely curious to learn your thoughts.
John Bell Also Commented
Same sex marriage campaign in the bush takes to YouTube
Vaughan, Malcolm, Theresa and Steve. I would like to say thank you for speaking out to vote No. Please be aware that voting No exposes you to being called a homophobe and a bigot. You will be seen as a weirdo bigoted heterosexual in today’s new world. Don’t be afraid. You know in your heart that you are not what they say you are. You no doubt have gay friends, like I do. We believe what we believe. When the Yes vote wins the day we will not be in the majority. Stay true to yourself. You must keep the faith in the face of the vitriol you will cop. That’s life.
Recent Comments by John Bell
No Medevac when climate disaster starts
The fact is that per capita head of population and national economy, Australia is taking up renewables at a rate 4 to 5 times faster than China, India, the EU, Japan or the US. Fact. And in our country that has banned nuclear power development.
Cr Melky: Mayor’s CLP candidacy, a risk for the council?
@ Curious: It is long established that local councils have become a stepping stone, the testing ground for budding state Parliament pollies.
The bigger issue is that councils around Australia are beginning to encroach more and more on the role of state government, becoming a wannabe mini parliament.
That is a real worry in a country that is already the most over-governed country in the western democratic world. More chiefs and wannabe chiefs than Indians.
Hermannsburg Mission: questions of survival
@ Jack: In 2010 I was fortunate to catch up with Gus Williams after many years.
Gus was an old friend, a fellow Feddy and a regular organiser of the Hermannsburg team to the Yuendumu Sports Weekend.
Gus talked about the school education troubles in the community. At length.
Gus held a particular view that would surprise white urban activists.
Gus reinforced for me that there were great benefits brought into the Ntaria community by the Strehlow family and the Lutheran missionaries.
To coin a saying, it is not all black and white when two different cultures inevitably come together and interact.
Warlpiri don’t want Zachary Rolfe murder trial to be in Darwin
@ Local 1: Thanks mate. Good thoughts. While we would appear to disagree on whether this should be trial by jury or by judge-alone, I think we both would agree that the integrity of the court process is paramount no matter where the case is held.
I see your point about previous contentious trials of remote community deaths and the need to be judged by your peers.
However, that is precisely why I fear trial by jury in such powder keg cases.
Trial by jury fails the pub test in such cases. Juries are highly vulnerable. I must admit that some would get a negative message if the Supreme Court held the trial by jury in Yuendumu.
I would be very worried too. But in a judge only trial, where a good judge will not be swayed by the volatile crowd, I think it would be a terrific vote of confidence in our criminal justice system.
The pressure would be on the judge to weigh up all the evidence immediately after the trial, far from the madding crowd in isolation to deliver a verdict in due course.
Reading the verdict in a packed courtroom in Yuendumu would be a supreme test (pardon the pun) of integrity and community goodwill for everyone concerned.
Such a situation would force everyone to accept that this is for an impartial judge to decide. Fearlessly. In the heartland. Focused on the evidence of all the parties. Transparently covered by mainstream media. Somehow though, I don’t think any government would be brave enough to create this scenario. A pity. In my opinion.
Hope you have a happy Christmas. My thoughts are with the accused cop and the lad who lost his life.
Warlpiri don’t want Zachary Rolfe murder trial to be in Darwin
@ Local1: I think I understand your argument. Criminal cases are usually conducted in the jurisdiction area covering the community where the alleged murder is committed.
In this case it would be Alice Springs.
But there is nothing to prevent the court from conducting the case in another physical location.
It is only a courtroom location after all.
In a judge-only trial, an appointed competent judge who applies due process and procedural fairness will come to the same decision, regardless of the trial’s physical location where appropriate security measures are in place.
I think a good judge would never ever let the surroundings affect his or her judgment.
I ask you the question: Why do you think holding the trial in the Yuendumu community would affect the judge’s decision? Can you put your reasons into words?
