Human rights and Iran

June 29, 2009 in Campaigns, Rants & Raves
Tags: ballot box, bloggers, Bloggers Unite, democracy, demonstrations, electoral commission, freedom of association, freedom of speech, global issues, government, human rights, Iran, media, politics, presidential elections, protests, rally, voters, voting

Human rights is something I am very passionate about and Iran is providing a flashpoint for global attention on human rights. I’m tempted to rant about how democracy and human rights are being trampled in Iran, but I’d rather readers think about human rights in their own countries.

Will Brimbank watchdog make a difference?

June 28, 2009 in Rants & Raves, Thoughts
Tags: accountability, ALP, anti-corruption, Australia, ballot box, Brimbank, Brimbank City Council, community services, corruption, council inspector, democracy, government, Greens, information, John Brumby, Liberals, local government, opinion, personal opinion, political parties, politics, public policy, public services, ratepayers, transparency, Victoria, Victorian Greens, voters, voting

The Brumby Labor Government now has its watchdog in place to oversea the conduct of Councillors and ensure there’s no dodgy dealings going on. If you haven’t been keeping up with this issue the state ombudsman investigated allegations of corruption, collusion and nepotism among the dominant ALP-right faction of Brimbank City Councillors.

The Birthday Party

June 27, 2009 in Rants & Raves, Thoughts
Tags: Arts Centre, Australia, Harold Pinter, Melbourne, Melbourne Theatre Company, MTC, personal opinion, recommendation, review, The Birthday Party, theatre, Victoria

I recently went to the theatre, yes the theatre at the Arts Centre, for a new production from the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) called “The Birthday Party”. I have to be up front and admit that part of the reason I went was because a good friend of mine is in the cast and I scored a free ticket. But I’m not writing this post for any other reason than to give my review of this interpretation of “The Birthday Party”.