Such impassioned reprisal for Greenpeace not reporting their boat ram should have also been heard loud and clear when it was claimed (by Howard et al) that children were being thrown overboard from a fishing boat north of Christmas Island. But forgive me folks, I should be careful not to adopt a black-arm-band view of recent Australian political history.

Chek, if you didn't know I was still a member of the Liberal Party, then you're not paying attention up here in Brisbane, because everytime I write something critical of them they tend to threaten to expel me. I don't mind you being aligned with the left, just would prefer you were upfront about it instead of attacking me because you can because I am upfront about my alignments.

You might like to tell us what problems the ALP had with a "Chinaman who did not know his place." Could be an interesting story, but send it to susan@onlineopinion.com.au. I don't normally deal with your stuff, but I'd rather not have you under the illusion that I am dealing with it and bagging me. Susan makes most of the publishing decisions.

Oh, and Rainer, I expect Greenpeace to spin, but I expect journalists to catch them out.

Rainer ,you are quick to take the moral high ground for one who has touble recognising the truth.

Do I get an apology for your lies trying to associate me with ultra right wing parties? How about eating a little humble pie?

The political correctness of the left Rainer,makes liars of us all,because politicians can only allude to their true beliefs for fear of offending the sensibilitiles of some powerful minority group.It is never that easy or simple as calling someone a racist and you don't like your most powerful weapon being diffused with a few simple words.

I would like to withdraw my accusation that Graham Young lied in the article (this thread, 16Jan2006 3:41AM)

It was meant to mirror Graham's own accusation in the article title; throwing the mud back so to speak. But this was a mistake. I would normally not accuse someone of telling lies unless it was deliberate and malicious; and even then unless there was necessity. In this case, Graham’s claim was inaccurate but probably just through carelessness, not thinking that the statement applied to all charities.

The same reasoning applies to my accusation that Jennifer Marohasy lied. I’d like to withdraw that accusation too. She may have expressed what she meant incorrectly or perhaps she genuinely thinks she sees movement or a collision in those photos.

I apologise for any hurt the accusations may have caused.

For those who have also been critical of Graham’s article and are wondering why I am apologising, it’s not in my nature to be accusing people of this and that. I've been quite uncomfortable with that post. Anyway, I hold to my own standards of honesty and integrity (yes, often failing to meet them) but shouldn’t lessen them because others hold to different standards. So I am making an example of myself. Perhaps some good can come of that.

Greenpeace have got their key message across to the public. The Japanese are not killing whales for scientific research but are killing almost 2,000 whales for commercial gain when this is supposed to be banned.

The first TV recording I saw seemed clear that it was Greenpeace that was rammed.

Why people like Jennifer Marohasey claim the opposite may have more to do with their paid role as attackers of NGO activist groups rather than the actual facts.
A profile on Jennifer and IPA http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=259&page=I

..."In 2001 IPA launched what it claimed was 'an international first' when it 'started publishing a monthly corporate newsletter, by subscription only, dedicated to watching activist NGOs' [Non-Governmental Organisations]. These were, it warned, 'targeting business' and other 'organisations as never before'. This new corporate newsletter was NGO Watch Digest"

"With regard to its own funding, the IPA claims it maintains its independence because, 'Our annual budget - of about $1 million - is obtained from more than 2,000 individuals, corporations and foundations'. However, according to Sharon Bedder , 'Almost one third of IPA's $1.5 million annual budget comes from mining and manufacturing companies.' "

"With Monsanto amongst its funders, the IPA has a specific focus on 'biotechnology', saying it wants to 'combat the misinformation put out by radical groups' who oppose genetic engineering."

I too have been attacked by Jennifer Marohasey through the supposed "unbiased" articles she writes. My crime? I'm a farmer that has researched GM canola and found, contrary to publicity hype by the GM industry, GM canola has no benefit that can't be offered with non-GM, will require the use of more toxic chemicals to control unwanted volunteers, will cost far more for both GM and non-GM growers, will contaminate our consumer preferred GM-free crops and will deny consumers a choice to avoid GM products.
I just want the GM company to be liable for the economic loss caused by GM, rather than the non-GM growers as proposed - which is not unreasonable. Greenpeace just want the Japanese whalers to comply with the "no whaling" agreement - which is not unreasonable.

David,

What a great example you have set for us. Congratulations, and thank you.

Hope GrahamY takes it to heart.

Graham,

Your connection to the Liberal Party is irrelevant to my postings. As I said, it is your urging Howard to sue for defamation and my critique of Howard’s leadership that made me think that that might be a reason for the rejection of my articles. There is also the swiftness with which Kevin Donnelly and David Flint got published and the weeks it took to get mine rejected, upon my enquiry. Did theirs get an automatic stamp, and mine sent through various channels, like some boat people? (figuratively speaking only)

You should only mind if my writing passes your unpublished criteria, and it does not become you to assign me to the “left”. Just for the record I am passionate about integrity in public life, and social justice issues - not unlike some genuine liberals.

As for your invitation I will decline. First, I would feel that I am submitting myself to your whims- two rejections on current leadership issues concerning the PM, but an invitation to write on an “ethnic experience”. Hmmm, perhaps it is not an ethnic’s place to be a fully-fledged citizen – to instigate debate on leadership issues of the nation? (Jeez, suddenly when it comes to ethnic tales, my writing might be good enough to publish, if I am a good boy eh!) Secondly you can read my views in Meanjin, Overland, and Brisbane Institute Online.

I would happily write about it if I know that your integrity in rejection is aboveboard. So far it has not been demonstrated. And the circumstantial evidence to the contrary that I have alluded to remains.

Susan may make most of the decisions, Graham. But you must know what Clyde Packer had to do when he refused Kerry’s instruction to pull the TV interview with the then ACTU fellow, Bob Hawke. Just indulging in a personal note, have you seen that old film, The hireling?

Integrity, self-control(self-cultivation even), and public service, Graham!

Cheers

chek