Although some many criticise the Rudd Government for not including the words "evil," or admitting any wrongdoing that could cause legal liability, one must say that this gesture is remarkable and unprecidented in over 200 years of Australian history. The official apology reflects that morality and conscience will triumph over greed and selfishness. The Howard government has exhibited shameful greed and selfishness not just in refusing to give an official apology to the aboriginal community, but also in offering government legal assistance to "defend" the dignity of Communist Chinese leaders Jiang Zemin and Luo Gan, facing lawsuits in the NSW Supreme Court, accused them of massive human rights abuses. Australia is a democratic country that historically had opposed communist tyrany and promoted democratisation this is just so un-Australian. Let's also not forget that "dignity" also carries a meaning to uphold human rights.

Dear Rainier,

One of the great problems facing Australia's rulers since the arrival of the First Fleet had been the question of how to deal with the country's original inhabitants.

Unfortunately, the solutions developed had little basis in understanding and were founded on ignorance. It is hoped now after
this apology that all Australians can at last acknowledge the depth and strength of Aboriginal culture so that our culture and theirs can co-exist far more justly, peacefully and productively in the future than it has in the past.

Blackfella, whitefella
It doesn't matter, what your colour
As long as you're a true fella
As long as you're a real fella
We need more brothers if we're to make it
We need more sisters if we're to save it
Are you the one who's gonna stand up
and be counted?

....... Warumpi Band.

Leigh, it looks like you and me might be standing alone, but that makes the debate an even bout.

Banjo “I hope the scheme is successful and in fact am quite prepared to give up the proposed tax cuts if more money is needed to ensure success”

Speak for yourself Banjo, when it comes to “spending money” I know I do a better job of it than government.

I would observe for all the rhetoric the statement which leads the article

“This does not make the current generation responsible for past policies but acknowledges that many Aboriginal people suffered.”

It might not presume we are “responsible” but it still presumes we will be burdened with the financial responsibility.

A healthy future for Australia lies in assimilation and not racial segregation through differential citizen rights or entitlements.

Oh Foxy, based on your last post it sounds as if you agree with me.

We are all individuals and whilst I might have been born in UK I am, by choice and by being tested and accepted, an Australian.

What a great day. I was cynical thinking this would be all show from the ALP as a substitute for action. We shall see. It is the first step.

But the emotion, the sense of hope;it was just fantastic. All those years of activism, agitation and struggle have now borne fruit. And what a great victory over the irrelevancies in the Opposition and their bilge barnacles on this website.

Let's go further down the road to reconciliation. Recognise the genocide and recompense those generations we stole. Recompense the descendants of those whose land we stole. Stop the invasion of the Northern Territory.

Don't give us tax cuts. Set up a reconciliation fund, and put in the $31 bn. And add future tax cuts to it.

Foxy, yes, i think thats the general idea. I wish brother George Burrarrawanga was still with us, especially today.

Passy, Yes, today standing with my Aboriginal and non Aboriginal brothers and sisters, people I have known for over 30 years in some cases, it all made the struggles worthwhile, certainly much more than at any time before.

"The official apology reflects that morality and conscience will triumph over greed and selfishness" Well put Richard!

Kipp, you're my kind of Ozzie, good on ya!

RussellMarks, Yes his speech was a shocker! Just shows how out of place weasel words infused with mean spiritedness are on occasions like this. It was a good reminder of why we tossed Howard out.
I wonder if he (Howard) watched the broadcast? Prehaps it would have been too much for him, poor thing!

To Marlene, Chris,Aka, Lev, and all above, thanks for your inspiring words. This day was about people like us and all the people we care about.

You and me and the Administrations. We have an opportunity to do something relevant. It is difficult when a society has been divided as we have.

It is not negative to see hear and feel the diversity of our nations feelings.

It is what happens when you don't face the pain. A pain that has been brewing under the skin of everyone, be it they support the present governments directive, or not.

I have lived here in Cape York. I am serious about the conditions, and the need to do things progressively, to build capacity upon a solid platform.

In terms of community we have to start all over again.

Our social and cultural economic capital was hung out to dry. (no community resources) The blame is with us, as citizens, for allowing it to happen.

This trust we need is a numbing sensation. The one we fear... as the issues have been "circled" so many times previous.

Can we focus as a nation to get to the "basic" core.

Can we succeed "together" without sabotaging ourselves?

I deeply appreciated Mr Rudd Governments work.

I appreciated the descriptive parts of Mr Brenden Nelsons speech, and flinched where "some" of those sentences failed.

I felt for those who turned there back, as I felt for Mr Nelson "the person" ... knowing how much it took to continue.

I am glad in principal that many (out of line) on both sides got into trouble... for their less-than-conduct or sensitivity.

We can not run before we walk... we need to learn. as a nation and this is the "problem". It is @ ground level with those having the experience..

I say lets not be scared of voices... we can't afford to smoother the goodwill.

We need to hear eachother, have some courage and learn to practice "learning" with respect... so we can extract confidence, without oppressing the marginal peoples within this country, we all say, WE LOVE.

http://www.miacat.com/
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