To bonk or not to bonk: that is the question

Inspired by the famous line in Shakespeare's play Hamlet, the line"to bonk or not to bonk: that is the question" was used in a lecture I attended a few months ago. Although the lecturer posed this question objectively to demonstrate how cultural backgrounds affect attitudes towards sex (much to the amusement of the students present in the lecture theatre), this post will specifically look at why women have one night stands and how this supposedly "enthralling and exhilarating" experience has some rather negative consequences. In particular, the arguments of Amy in her post "An Open Letter to Mad Sheila" on the Feminist Reprise blog will be examined in order draw some feminist feedback on this debatable topic.

This post raised a number of issues which I believe require me to delve deeper in order for me to really establish what my personal stance on this controversial issue is.

First of all, I totally agree with the author in terms of women having the right to exercise sexual autonomy without being labelled a 'slut' or 'whore'. I believe that this form of labelling (either made by women OR men) not only spits in the face of women who have positively contributed to society, it is also an automatic insult and ignorance of a woman's intelligence and skills - outside of the bedroom. Not only is it bad enough to hear such insults being made by members of the opposite sex, it is even more questionable when made by WOMEN ourselves. It could also be argued that such insults are 'patriarchal terms' i.e terms developed by misyoginists (aka pigs) who have a warped perception of a world where there are no equal standards between the sexes - a world where women are inferior than men; a world where women must comply with male authority. In addition, a woman's compliance or subjectivity to 'patriarchy' is also an issue questioned by the author.

Undoubtedly, a one night stand involves the act of "picking up" with the express purpose of having sex with no initial intention of entering a long-term commitment. I agree with the author on the basis that having sixteen sexual partners in two years contributes to one's decrease in self-respect for her body and detrimentally affects one's self-esteem. However, I totally disagree with her blaming 'patriarchy' for her depressive state (ie feeling worthless).

"I was playing out a script written by patriarchy, one which says that a woman is
worthless unless she has a man, and the way to get a man is to be sexually
available. I believed—because patriarchy told me so—that by acting hawt and
sexxeee* enough, I could hook a man into staying with me."

I don't believe patriarchy dictates that women are incomplete or worthless without a man. I think there is a natural and biological reason why humans are attracted to each other. Patriarchy isn't to blame: it is due to our own mindlessness or lack of exercising our own individual intelligence, caution, power that dictates the decisions we make. I don't think that patriarchy should be given a name and be made out to look like a tyrant because once women start blaming supposedly conspirated ideologies, then our taunts and anguish over our supposed subjectivity and dominance by men is the product of our own lack of intelligence - we are incarcerated by our own thoughts. Women should stop looking for excuses and reasons to justify their misguided decisions (even if being drunk is to blame) and should start being assertive and taking responsibility for their own actions instead of replaying the 'damsel in distress' scene over and over again. Blame 'I' not 'It" - admit it was a mistake (if it indeed was) or be honest and say "yes, it was I who got too drunk and had no fckn clue what I was doing." Don't be fckn mindless but admit personal fault because immediately once you start blaming patriarchy, you contribute to your own subjectivity and inferiority.

I don't think all one night stands are bad at all. Yes, there may be occassions where you didn't need a penis in your vagina in hindsight, but I think that one night stands are great when the attraction is mutual and a high level of respect is exchanged - knowing that you aren't too drunk or mindless of the fact that he is not attracted to you, however you have provided with him with the opportunity of using your body. So therefore, I must once again disagree with the author when she states:

"I justified this behavior to myself, despite how unhappy it made
me, with the Cosmo ideology that“I don’t care about love, respect, and
all that boring monogamy stuff. I just want a good regular fuck, and I
don’t really care who it's with.”

Here Amy limits respect only to monogamous relationships. Respect and connection is essential for a one night stand too! When respect is not present, then maybe one should start questioning her own values and then maybe admit that she was indeed used for solely one man's sexual gratification and that as a result, she was degraded as a woman, blah, blah, blah. Next, she should ask one very serious question: was this self-inflicted? Think again next time...

An excerpt from the posting which I believe every woman should read in order to clarify her expectations about casual sex or even as a disclaimer/warning before engaging in such activities refers to the following:

"So to the woman who really, truly, honestly says to herself, "Gee, tonight I
just want a penis in my vagina. That's really all I want, and so I'm going to go
out and find that," I say, go sheila. But the minute any other desire creeps in
there--a yen for respect, say, for human connection, or even, dare I say it, for
"good" sex from a woman's perspective--I would counsel that sheila to hold her
horses. if you want to be cared about and listened to, if you have any desire to
be acknowledged as a complex human being with an intellect and a soul, I would
venture, random randy anonymous sheila, that fucking a stranger might not be the
most effective vehicle to take you to your destination."

Before I conclude and finish this post, I would like to refer to an excellent article I found entitled "Critique of hookups doesn't reflect reality" by Adda Birnir and Basha Rubin published in Yale Daily News (03.06.2007). Here is an excerpt:

"Neither casual sex or committed sex is an
unmitigated ideal; rather, it is how we approach them and what we expect of them
that becomes problematic. "

I will end this post with words I believe are very important (excerpt taken from same article):

"If we talk about “hooking up”
more, as a society, a community, or among friends, we can develop a vocabulary,
an understanding that it is deep and profound and complex and murky for all
parties involved — but can also be enjoyable, safe and even, dare we suggest,
beautiful... we believe that the answer is not to condemn
any of the behavior.... What our generation needs is to
forge a way to discuss these issues openly and honestly with our friends, our
lovers and our society at large. Of course, there is a problem that women often
feel abused or used by their casual sexual relationships. So, let’s create an
environment where women can assert themselves and their sexual and emotional
desires without being pushed into the old categories of chaste, respectable wife
or damaged slut. "

One night stands and feminist critique: why

This blog posting is the result of about three semesters (six months) of English classes between Years 11 and 12 studying representations of gender and dissecting tonnes of material where constructions of gender were construed and at times, over analysed. Think of the provocative advertisements that challenge traditional constructions of gender (ie Voodoo advertisements) and/or reinforce traditional constructions of gender (ie the controversial Windsor Smith shoes advertisements).



Since being educated about such important issues, I have become more analytical and opinionated (at times explosive) about my reactions to 'sexist' or biased advertisements on television or in the print media. I'm at a stage of my life, where I am still developing my values and beliefs with relation to issues, some which involve me supporting feminist ideals as well as challenging or siding with alternative view points on confronting issues that women face everyday. Such issues range from 'breaking the glass ceiling' (ie climbing the corporate hierarchy), women's rights, equal opportunity....the list is endless.

However, tonight I'm particularly concerned about "one-night stands" having visited a couple of other blogs whose authors have quite openly expressed and commentated on several stances on this topic, a topic which leaves some of us tight-lipped and others more vocal.

Some of you may find critique in this posting, arguing that I am only seventeen and therefore should not be talking about such a 'taboo' topic, however, I feel that having being educated and exposed to such issues, I have a right to freely express what I think without giving a fcuk about what people may think or say.

So here it goes...(post coming soon!)

All I want is you - by u2 (Live in Milan Concert DVD 2005)

Just woke up so I need something uplifting. First thing I did, checked out youtube for 'All I want is you' by U2 (Live in Milan from their 2005 world tour).

It's actually a love song and I believe was written by Bono for his wife, Ali. The violin and guitar by the Edge in this song mystify me! I'm in absolute awe everytime I hear the lyrics to this song. Well my interpretation of the lyrics is that this man wants a woman but she's preoccupied with material things (i.e. diamonds on a ring of gold).

PARKLIFE 2007 BRISBANE

Guess what I found out about five minutes ago. Parklife Brisbane 2007 is going to be on the day before my 18th Birthday. It's an over 18s event, which means I can't legally enter - but there's always another way to get in. The line-up of DJs has got me so excited - it will be truly upsetting if I can't go. BUT I WILL GO! Someway...

I am dieing to party with:

Justice, Riot in Belgium, Kid (fuckn) Kenobi, MC Shureshock, Shapeshifter,
DJ (fcukn) Delicious (yum) and Stereo MC! Digitalism! (zdarlight) Goodwill! Muscles (last night I met a girl...we spent all summer drinking lemonade in hammocks....// Ice Creammm is gunna save the daaaaaaay)

Download ice-cream by Muscles here by right clicking, Save Target As...you know it.
I seriously want to GOOOOOOOOOO.

Visit: http://www.parklife.net.au/ for more information.

Currently, there hasn't been much said about the Brisbane event, but if I keep persisting then the website might get updated witht more information.

I seriously hope I go. It will be the best 18th birthday present EVER!

The BIG questions: Happiness, Individualism, materialism, poverty

Had brunch today. Nothing really healthy or appetising - very boring start to my day: toasted white bread, heaps of margarine and strawberry jam with a hot cup of Milo...it actually made me sick later on during the day. Hint: it involved the 'forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth' as Wikipedia describes it.

Anyways enough said, I like to read while I'm eating (well, at least when there's nothing else to stare at, apart from the walls).

I picked up the latest issue of The Weekend Australian Magazine. Flicked through a couple of pages. Went past a couple of articles - some which seemed rather 'far-fetched' especially considering I had just woken up. Hmmm. Flip, flip, flip. Next page. Bang. The words. Scribby in writing. But then after deciphering them with strained eyes, I could make out the only words spread out over two pages in capitals:

What do we mean by


Is affecting the way we live our lives?

Is the all there is?

is it a virtue?

Does exist?

The article entitled: "The Big Think" (dated 30 July 2007) discussed the link between the profession and everyday life. The discussion primarily focused on the views of some academics, or in this context, philosophers.

What grabbed my direct attention was probably the question: "Does God exist". At this stage in my life, I have spent a lot of time cross-examining what my core values and belief systems are. By inheritance (at birth), I was immediately labelled a Christian. However, after seventeen years and about three hours of that time sitting my my Human Rights and Religion lecture, I began to seriously question why I was a Christian/Catholic. Why was I a Christian? Do I really believe in the primary texts of Christianity such as the Bible and other divinities such as the Holy Trinity? During this crucial stages of 'self-discovery', from being strictly black and white about what religion I belong to, I shifted into the gray area and have since considered myself to be agnostic, ie believing in a higher power that is not necessarily the Christian's God. After a few months now, I caught myself having to rethink why I did no longer consider myself to be Christian.

This happened about two weeks ago, while I was having coffee with a friend, Kathryn. While chatting, an ambulance, sirens blazing and all was passing down the main road adjacent tto the coffee joint. In the midst of all this, I was aware of the ambulance and immediately did the sign of the cross (a habit I still do everytime I hear an ambulance drive past). This made me realise that Catholicism is truly beautiful with its dated traditions. I especially reflected on the sincerity and honesty of some the traditions that happen at mass and the Sacraments that I received while at Catholic School (ie baptism, confirmation, communion, reconciliation)....

PHUCK! i THINK I'M CHRISTIAN AGAIN!

welcome to my life! Just a bit indecisive LOL!

Ministry of Sound Sessions 4

Went to a close friend's housewarming party on Friday night. She had the party downstairs in her rumpus room. She recently moved to Brisbane after securing a job with Leighton and has since been busy working on the Gateway Bridge project (she's an engineer - WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN MALE-DOMINATED PROFESSIONS).

After a couple of champagne bottles, continuous rounds of tequila shots - I again found myself losing all inhibitions and any sense of conscience. Surprisingly, I was able to control myself - there was no table-top dancing, well at least not by me :) I stuck mainly to the area between the projector screen (great lighting) and the bar (she's got a $30,000 entertainment system - that's actually insured...) I think it was the best housewarming party I've ever been to! I met a few interesting people :) - mostly people that work with her.

I got a chance to hear and review (finally) Ministry of Sound's Sessions 4, mixed by John Course and Dirty South.







It's 2CD compilation with about forty tracks:

Tracklist

DISC ONE
John Course

1. Gossip – Standing in the Way of Control (Headman Remix)
2. House Of Pain – Jump Around (Micky Slim Remix)
3. Toby Neal – Do You Really (Want My Love)? (Hook n Sling Remix)
4. Meck feat. Dino Lenny – Feels Like Home (TV Rock vs Dirty South Remix)
5. Alex Gaudino feat. Crystal Waters – Destination Calabria
6. TCS vs Level 42 – Lessons in Love (Mischa Daniels House Mix)
7. Armand Van Helden – NYC Beat (Original 12”)
8. The Sounds – Tony The Beat (Rex The Dog Disco Mix)
9. Jürgen Paape – Take That
10. Space Cowboy feat. Nadia Oh – My Egyptian Lover
11. Green Velvet feat. Walter Phillips – Shake And Pop
12. Electro Funk Lovers – Are You A Lover
13. Camille Jones vs Fedde Le Grand – The Creeps (Electro Funk Lovers Remix)
14. The Screetch – The Screetch
15. Katie Noonan – Time To Begin (Electro Funk Lovers Remix)
16. Jesse Garcia – Off Da Hook!
17. TV Rock vs The Dukes of Windsor – The Others (TV Rock Mainroom Mix)
18. The Potbelleez – Junkyard
19. Michael Gray feat. Steve Edwards – Somewhere Beyond (TV Rock Mix)
20. Mic Newman – Rhythm To Ya Hips (Mind Electric’s Twister Mix)
21. Mind Electric – Electrify

DISC TWO
Dirty South

1. Dirty South & Paul Harris feat. Rudy – Better Day
2. Ryan Murgatroyd feat. Trisha - Funk Country (Micky Slim Remix)
3. The Migrants – I Thought That (Boris Dlugosch Mix)
4. Claude VonStroke – The Whistler (Aston Shuffle Mix)
5. Cicada – Cut Right Through (DJ Delicious Remix)
6. Axwell / Angello / Ingrosso / Laidback Luke - Get Dumb
7. Freakx Brothers – Tension
8. John Acquaviva pres. Swen Weber – First Stroke
9. Tyken feat. Awa – Every Word (Dave Spoon Remix)
10. Tommy Trash & Tom Piper – F**k To The Bass (TT Electro Remix)
11. Arno Cost & Arias – Magenta (Dave Spoon Remix)
12. Federico Franchi – Cream
13. Goodwill & Tommy Trash – It’s A Swede Thing
14. Kaskade – Sorry (Dirty South Remix)
15. Tonite Only – Where the Party’s At (Dada Life Remix)
16. Sneaky Sound System – UFO (Van She Tech Remix)
17. Klaxons – Gravity’s Rainbow (Van She Remix)
18. Wink – Higher State Of Consciousness (Dirty South vs TV Rock Remix)
19. poxyMUSIC – She Bites (Swen Weber Mix)
20. Laidback Luke feat. Steve Granville – Hypnotize (Steve Angello Remix)

To find out more, visit tthe Ministry of Sound website here.

Overall, Ministry of Sound delivered once again. Being a fan of the indie/electro/house genres, I was blown away especially by some of the electro-house monsters esp. Armand Van Helden's – NYC Beat (Original 12”)...luuurve it!

(singing)

Up town, Down town,

Turn the beat around town,

Hip hopping, beat bopping,

There ’s no stopping to the sound of the New York City beat.

Press play...

Armand Vanhelden -...

I was lucky enough to score the whole compilation - FOR FREE!

I wish I could put the pictures of the party here, but to preserve the integrity (lol) of the attendees, I will hold onto that thought...for a really long time.

Fav pieces: Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2007 Collection

Watched about half an hours worth of televisoin this morning. I don't watch television that much so it was interesting to find out on E! that Paris Hilton was released from prison, blah, blah, blah. More interestingly, I watched FTVs coverage of a couple of designers collections. I especially fell in love with a few of Stella McCartney's pieces from her Spring/Summer 2007 Collection. My favourite pieces were:


The cobalt blue and khaki colours were probably the main factors why I even noticed this collection. I'm luvin' the sexy boyfriend shirtdress (image 2) for the casual, kick-back-your-heels-and-have-a-break-approach. A perfect change to the high pencil skirts (which are great too) which created the more masculine, edgy look -women can relax this season as they will feel less inclined to do high maintenance. Women can now, at least until next season introduces its own fresh trends, enjoy the casualness of this collection.

And this pieces are quite nice, especially if you're about to head to more warmer tropical locations of this planet. Not noting any places in particular...should I state the obvious...'We need a holiday!'.

Make Poverty History: Bon is a ZeroSeven Ambassador

Meet a good friend of mine, Siobhan (aka Bon)



She's cute isn't she?

She loves to play volleyball, is very opinionated (especially in Economics classes) but is also an active global citizen in the fight against poverty. She is an official ZeroSeven Ambassador - one of 500 Ambassadors from all over Australia who have been selected and trained in order to spread the Make Poverty History message and inspire those they meet to take action to end extreme poverty.

Every 3 seconds, a child dies from a preventable disease - watch this video.



Every single day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty.

07/07/07 (hint the reason why the road trip will end in Sydney on 07/07/07) marks the halfway point to achieving all 8 of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, a plan to halve world poverty.

The MDGs were created in September 2000, amongst the largest gathering of world leaders, at the UN Head Quarters in New York and now the time has come to ensure we make those goals a reality.

The Millennium Development Goals :


Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger ;
Achieve Universal Primary Education ;
Promote Gender Equality ;
Reduce Child Mortality ;
Improve Maternal Health ;
Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria & Other Diseases ;
Environmental Sustainability ;
Develop a Global Partnership ;


Embracing this new era of global responsibility, the Australian Government has set an aspirational target* of contributing 0.7% of the country’s total wealth to Foreign Aid by 2015.

However, today the Australian government is running behind schedule with only 0.3% currently committed.

'If the Minister is as serious about increased aid as he is about effective aid then I think the two will combine to transform Australia’s role in the world of engagement with the poorest of the poor' ...Bono, U2 Frontman (on Treasurer Peter Costello).


The Government has pledged to increase aid by 2010. This effort however is only expected to lift Australia’s contribution to around 0.36% of the country's wealth. This is predicted to place Australia 19th out of the world’s 22 richest nations for our lack of generosity.

Siobhan will begin her journey to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY on the MAKEPOVERTY HISTORY ZEROSEVEN Road Trip from 01/07/07 for one week and head down to Sydney. The Road Trip aims to make a call on the Australian government to take action to end extreme poverty by taking action to increase aid to 0.7% of budget by 2015. Along the route from Brisbane to Sydney, there will be a number of MAKEPOVERTY HISTORY events, including 6 MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY concerts. This will provide regional communities, as well as capital cities, with an amazing opportunity to become involved in what is the greatest youth movement of our time.On board and lending their support in various ways are the who’s who of Australian musicians including Missy Higgins, Evermore, Little Birdy, Dallas Crane, Blue King Brown, Antiskeptic, Borne, Bliss n Eso, Guy Sebastian, True Live, Custom Kings, Bias B, Jess Mc Avoy and Symbiosis among others.

Visit her myspace page here.

She's a great photographer so at the end of the trip, she should disperse with some great shots - some of which I will post in the nearby future.

Keep the great work up Bon!

David Hicks: an analysis of one man's rights

Human Rights and Ethics Issues: David Hicks' trial Current mood: distressed Category: News and Politics





For some of you who may not know, I am studying Arts/Law at the moment at QUT. I am particularly trying to major in Human Rights and Ethics for my Arts degree.

Since I mentioned David Hicks' in the previous post, I decided to post this. It a couple of months old and I originally posted it on a discussion board on a uni related site. Anyways, you are all probably aware that the hype surrounding his case has sort of subdued, but here it goes:

*****

The David Hicks' trial has been pondered upon, in particular the human rights abuses that he has claimed to have suffered while incarcerated at the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. Here's just a brief discussion of claims of human rights abuses and how these claims (if they eventuated) breach international human rights laws and guidelines.

In an affidavit David Hicks claimed that his human rights were violated through the following (here is a summary of some of his claims):

• Ten-hour torture sessions, which involved him being shackled and blindfolded, marked by kicking, beatings with rifle butts, punching about the head and torso,



• Death threats at gunpoint and anal penetration with objects



• While in custody of American officers he was placed in a self-contained cell designed to deny all stimuli (this is a CIA sensory-deprivation torture technique) which continued for 8 months.



• Hicks experienced extreme mood swings and became suicidal.

An American attorney "found Hicks at the brink of despair...unable to comprehend
the reality of his trial..." claim of suicide supported by Moazaam Begg, a
British man formerly held at Guantanamo Bay who recounted in his book after
release Enemy Combatant: A British Muslim's Journey to Guantanamo and Back of
Hicks talking about suicidal impulses during his periods in
isolation
"He often talked about wanting to smash his
head...against the metal of his cage and just end it all"

• His head had been rammed into asphalt several times



• He was forced medication of which the identity was unknown to him including the influence of sedatives which were forced upon him.
• He was forced to run in leg shackles that regularly ripped the skin off his ankles (physical
  torture)
  
• As a matter of policy, he was deprived of sleep.

It is notable that if these statements were indeed true, the U.S. government has breached Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions which states that all military detainees are entitled to humane treatment.

On 6 December 2006, Hick's legal team lodged documents with the Federal Court of Australia, arguing that the Australian government had breached its protective duty to Hicks as an Australian citizen in custody overseas, and failed to request that Hicks's incarceration by the U.S. comply with the Geneva Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of HUman Rights. So has the Australian government done enough to protect the human rights of David Hicks? Well earlier this year, in an interview with Southern Cross Broadcasting, Mr. Howard said the following: "....let me simply say that it has gone on for so long now that we will be pressing the Americans almost on a daily basis". Former PM, Malcolm Fraser speaking at the Human Rights Education Conference of 2007, accused the Aus government of betraying Hick's rights and said that the military commission (where Hicks' trial is to commence on Mar 26) had been structured to produce a guilty verdict.
To support Malcolm Fraser's questioning of the legality of the Military Commission in which Hick's trial will be heard, it can be argued that such military commissions breach Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions as it does not amount to a "regularly constituted court aaffording all the judicial guarantees which are recognised as indispensable by civilized peoples". Also, the Int'l Committee of the Red Cross' Customary International Humanitarian Law 355 (2005) explains that courts are 'regularly constituted' under Common Article 3 if they are "established and organised in accordance with the laws and procedures already in force in a country". It must be noted that the military commission which david hicks' trial is to be heard, only came into effect with the passing of the Military Commissions Act 2006 and therefore does not amount to a "regularly constituted" court.

Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that "everyone shall be entitled to a fiar and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law". Similarly, Article 75 (4) of Protocol 1 to the Geneva Conventions 1949 also reiterates this right to a trial before an "impartial" court. Notably, under the Military Commmissions Act 2006, the military commission will be composed of officers appointed from the U.S. armed forces who will act as the jury on questions of fact and will detrmine the sentence if an accused is found guilty by them. Undoubtedly, the system lacks the necessary degree of independent to be impartial and independent. The Military Commission system, therefore, does not safeguard David Hicks' fundamental right as stated in the Geneva Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

So will David Hick's receive a fair trial? The Military Commission rules do not exclude evidence obtained by the use of moral or physical coercion exerted on a prisoner in order to induce him to admit himself guilty of the fact of which he is accused. This breaches the requirement of a fair hearing stated by Article 14 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as the fundamental guarantees provided by Article 75(4)(f)of Protocol 1.

Torture techniques: a question of human rights

Okay, fixed myself a bowl of salad (herb and garlic tuna, tomatoes, avocado, balsamic dressing..same old, same old) and decided to sit down and catch up on some current affairs by skim reading some newspapers. Exams are finally over so I guess reading newspapers and enjoying a salad you prepared yourself can be therapeutic at times.

The first article that grabbed my attention was Sally Neighbour's 'Asking the painful questions' in The Australian Inquirer (p.22).

The article gives an account of torture mechanisms and techniques that have developed over the past fifty years or so. Neighbour's article goes on to question why these torture mechanisms are still being used by the U.S. government despite being labelled as 'unreliabile' and thus, ineffective in the war against terror.

Have a look at this picture:

Most of you will probably associate it with the prisoner abuse claims that occurred at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq that caused much international controversy about two years ago. Most people who have heard only little or not much about torture techniques may at first see this picture only as a man or woman simply standing, arms stretched on what looks like a cardboard box - or even as a gimmick, something that kept the U.S. army personnel entertained in the middle of nowhere.

Upon closer examination, this photograph reveals a can full of worms, unearthing some of the most gruesome and inexcusable human rights violations that have occurred to date. Alfred McCoy, a historian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation from the Cold War to the War on Terror (click here for more McCoy's' deconstruction of these images and CIA torture techniques) adds more to this picture by citing that this photo represents two CIA foundational techniques. Firstly, the hood on the detainee acts as a sensory disorientation and deprivation technique. Secondly, his arms stretched out are intended to inflict pain upon him/herself (ie self inflicted pain).

What truly shocks me is the possible legalisation of torture techniques that could allow people such as John Howard and George W. Bush to sign a warrant issued by a judge to authorise torture. Have a look at the picture of the prisoner in Abu Ghraib again. If this person was your father, mother, sister, brother, nephew or friend, would you let this happen to them?

In Neighbour's article, the argument of well-known Harvard academic and criminal lawyer, Alan Dershowitz is used to justify 'painless' torture mechanisms that could be used by governments such as the U.S. and Australia. Dershowitz who claims to not be a supporter of torture contravenes his personal belief and states that governments should be able to use torture as long as they are done so in an "accountable, transparent way." Notably, the U.S. does not have a clean slate in relation to matters dealing with accountability and transparency. For example, no one knew that the U.S. were using torture techniques on the detainees at Guantanamo Bay until one of its own, former chief lawyer for the US Navy, Alberto J. Mora blew the whistle on the use of such torture techniques. Think of the human rights abuse claims made by David Hicks against the U.S. government and the U.S government's failure to bear the onus of such claims.

After reading this, who would you believe...a man imprisoned for over five years without a formal charge or a government which claims itself to be democratic and a signatory to numerous United Nations' human rights conventions, yet exercises a form of modern tyranny.

Onto more pressing global issues...

I was just reading the United Nation's Development Program Report entitled 'Beyond Scarcity Power, Poverty and the Global Water Crisis?

The Report primarily focuses on the issue of the water crisis, the causes and the problems experienced by the poor. The main arguments being that water is not a scarce resource, however, the poor have been sysytametically disadvantaged due to political choices.

However, what really drew my attention and something that I think would start a great discussion relates to the following excerpt (see page 3):

In the world of the early 21st century national
security concerns loom large
on the international
agenda. Violent conflict, concerns
over terrorist
threats, the proliferation of nuclear
weapons and the growth of illicit
trade
in arms and drugs all pose acute challenges.
Against this backdrop
it is easy to lose sight
of some basic human security imperatives, including
those linked to water.

The 1.8 million
child deaths each year related to
unclean water
and poor sanitation dwarf the casualties associated
with
violent conflict. No act of terrorism
generates economic devastation on the
scale of
the crisis in water and sanitation. Yet the issue
barely
registers on the international agenda.

It would be interesting if people could get involved and share some ideas or thoughts.

Winter Racing Carnival

Just got fresh pictures that were taken a couple of weeks ago at the Queensland Oaks' Day (Ladies Day). I really wanted to go because TV Rock were performing live after the races.

I wasn't going to watch the horses because I am NOT A GAMBLER. I spread the word around my friends and Zanthea (aka Zee) was keen. Got very excited but the excitement subdued and literally died when I did some research and found out from the Queensland Turf Club's website that:

(Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult exercising parental supervision).

ARGHHHHHHHHHHH. Okay, don't panic...think of someone really hard that you know that is over eighteen and will do anything for you....ANSWER: ALEX KALINOE. Made a quick call and all was settled.

Saturday June 2

Woke up early but procrastinated for two hours in bed. Called Alex at 9.45am and asked where she was: almost in the city. Oh $h!t. I did the 'it's okay, I'll be there in no time' attitude and procrastinated some more. Received a text message: 'I'm in the city, let me know when you get in'...I replied: "Don't worry, take your time...I'm still straightening my hair". Half an hour later, I discovered that the zipper on my dress had decided to end its life and not fulfil its purpose - okay, no time to moan and cry - it can be fixed. I then made a mental note to grab a few safety pins when I got into the city. Threw a pair of jeans, boots and jumper on and hopped into a cab and headed directly for the city. Met Alex at Pig N Whistle. She was all glamed up and looked puzzled when she saw how casual I dressed. Lol. I reassured her that I was going to be ready in less than half an hour: first I needed some safety pins, chicken fillets (substitute for strapless bra: ugly silicone 'fake breasts' that push your ahems up) and a quick dash to the Hilton bathrooms to change.

2.30 p.m. Four and a half hours later, I was finally dressed - thankfully, got the safety pins to sit perfectly without protruding out my back, and hailed a cab. "So where are we off to ladies". In a chorus, we both replied: "Eagle Farm Racecourse pleeeeeeeeeease!"











Thanks for an awesome day Lexy. I know you had fun too burning the grass in your Wittner heels to hits like 'Flaunt it' and 'Smack my bitch up'...good times!

I forgot that i might see so many beautiful things

I cooked my own breakfast this morning! I can't remember the last time I cooked a decent meal. It's not actually the traditional, egg benedict, toast and bacon this morning but this morning I've decided to test my agility in the kitchen by frying some kebabs , tossing a rocket salad (avocado, tomatoes, balsamic dressing) that I grabbed from Zone Fresh, New Market yesterday afternoon. I wish I could take a picture and post it here but I screwed up my memory card while holidaying in Vanuatu a couple of months ago. Pictures from that holiday too can no longer be retrieved. :(

Anyways, its raining here in Brisbane. Temperature unknown. I'm being a silent observer this morning. Despite the occassional interruption of birds whistling and 'Beautiful things' by Tiesto playing, I'm enjoying the beauty and serenity of being especially lucky to sit upstairs on the balcony. There are trees, mostly palm trees that cacoon the balcony. It's really pretty to look out - very calming especially when its the first thing you wake up to the morning. There are so many tall palms here and a number of birds usually visit them - to do what, I don't know (?). The birds are being especially noisy this morning (some kinky mating ritual I suppose), but I'd rather wake up to wildlife then to the sound of trains or worse - AN ALARM CLOCK! Thank God, I didn't set mine this morning.

Failure to launch into stress mode

Exams are coming up. To be quite frank, I do not feel any sense of urgency. I feel like the past six months have been more like trial months personally as a uni student. Life outside of high school is nothing like boarding school - people don't get paid to do your laundry, travelling to campus is no longer a walk across the street, there isn't a familiar voice that cranks over the PA system at seven in the morning to remind you that a new day has begun and it is time to wake up. Uni life involves a great deal of self-motivation and discipline. The 'D' word. Discipline. Something I lack greatly at my age. But fortunately, something I have been able to identify and label as an issue. I'm getting to know my weaknesses. It's assuring to know that I am not being absolutely arrogant of how I am living my life and that my conscience hasn't totally left me. Hmmm.