Lest we forget.

While we should all know we should take at least a few minutes today to think of those who experienced atrocities that, thanks to them, people like me can't fully comprehend, I think we should also take some time to reflect on the men (used intentionally in place of people) who brought war to humanity.

No war is necessary. The actions of some force others to react militaristically yes, but no war is necessary. If human beings were more human and less animal, then we would not know of war. Our history would instead be overwhelmingly checked with negotiation, compromise, empathy and the true meaning of the word humanity.

Today is regarded as a day for remembering and showing respect for those that were the pawns of war. We should also make it a day where the instigators and propagators of war are remembered and condemned for their actions and ultimate greed.

Catholic Weddings.

I attended my first Catholic wedding ceremony on the weekend. While it was enjoyable from the point of view of seeing two friends from high school get married, I couldn't help but take notice (and offense) of the language and procedures of the thing.

I could probably count the number of wedding ceremonies I have been to on one hand, with all up until now being distinctly irreligious. It now seems a bit naive, but I kind of thought that an irreligious wedding was now the default with a conscious decision being needed to have a religious wedding. I am not exactly sure why I thought this, most likely due to my biased experience.

The most interesting thing to me was that the whole ceremony was unbelievably sexist. The priest (right title?) very rarely actually addressed the bride. It was very clear that the whole thing was about the groom 'taking a wife'. Why does any woman put up with this? Maybe just this ceremony was particularly sexist, I don't know.

Another thing, I didn't realise that you could use the phrase 'Christian Law', as in 'Do you promise to bring future children up to obey Christian Law?'. Two things, why doesn't the child get a choice? The thing hasn't even been born yet and it's religion is already determined? And isn't that an insult to the word 'Law'? Doesn't Law strive to be just and fair (admittedly sometimes failing in practice)? How can someone call archaic instructions based on mysticism, xenophobia, homophobia, gynophobia, metathesiophobia and racism 'Law'?

Political Prisoner.

Not really.

I have decided to join the Australian Labour Party along with my friend Tanya. I guess you could say there are a lot of motivating factors as to why someone like myself would join a political organisation. It is an election year in Australia and I think that all people who are politically aware in any way shape or form would agree that it is a particularly important one for Australia.

So why the Labour party? Well, is there a choice? My personal beliefs and values line up much closer to the core principles of the ALP. I do see the Liberal party as a hostile threat to the future of Australia which surely reaffirms my choice. And why not a minority party such as the Greens? I do strongly support the mission of the Green party and consider them essential to the political landscape in Australia. I don't however believe that my opinions or ideas would be particularly useful to the party. The key Labour/Liberal struggle of Employee/Employer and Proletariat/Bourgeoisie (thanks Marx) is also more inspiring to me personally. Nothing against Green issues, of course they are important as well.

It's early days for me politically though. While I do consider myself to have been casually politically minded for the last few years, I have only been to one formal Branch Meeting :)

For the immediate future, the biggest thing I hope to get out of this new commitment is an increased knowledge of policy in Australia and policy implications. Particularly in economic policy as I would sincerely like to understand this black magic so I can dissect the political spin disseminated by the Government.