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WHY OPPOSE ASSIMILATION AND SELF-DETERMINATION ?
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In determining oneself, why should assimilation not be considered a possible option ? I suspect our good friends at OLO chose that title.

The original title of the CLMR discussion paper of A.M.Dockery was "Culture and well-being; the case of indigenous Australians".

If we accredit Darwin's theory of the evolution of the species, there can be no doubt that one must adapt in order to survive. Strong or weak is not the question.

The problem we all have to face is can we adapt ?

Some of us can and some of us can't. Some of us are lacking in intellectual capacity and do not understand the changes. The train comes and goes and we are left standing on the platform. Some of us are either inhibited or, inversely, excited by psychological impulsions that, sometimes, prevent us from doing what we should, or, conversely, precipitate us into doing what we should not.

As Darwin explained, that is the natural selection process.

The aborigines lived isolated from the rest of humanity for 50 000 years in a vast, rich country full of natural resources that satisfied their every need. Apart from regular, moderate seasonal rhythms, there was no change. There was nothing for them to adapt to. Until the British government invaded their country by deporting 165 000 criminals from their homeland as forced labour during the slave trade. British white slaves.

The impact of that event was far more brutal than the ice age hitting the dinosaurs, causing extinction of the species. It is a wonder there are any aborigines left at all.

How do you bridge an evolutionary gap of 50 000 years in one foul leap ? That's a phenomenal performance.

In my view, the one's that don't make it are the normal human beings, like you and me.

I feel it's only right for someone to give us a helping hand to get by as well as we can. Like those diggers from the first world war we celebrated, year after year, until there were none of them left.

> How do you bridge an evolutionary gap of 50 000 years in one foul leap

with a Constitution comprising women's and men's legislatures presided over by elders accompanied by courts of women's and men's jrisdiction, Banjo Paterson.

factor in constitutional democracy and no-one is left behind.

indigenous Australians enjoy the miracles of material culture while mainstream Australians enjoy the peace, prosperity and sustainablily, so illusive for so long, that smart government provides.

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@ DEAR WHISTLER,
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Reading your post brought back fond memories of that well-known figure, the chiropractor, of bygone days, who used to roam the countryside on his horse and buggy selling his famous elixir. It could cure anything and everything: a sore throat, a strained back, a pimpled face, a pain in the belly, falling hair, constipation, migraines, lumbago, impotency ... you name it!

I must confess I feel tempted to buy it just for old times' sake. Unless you are giving it away, of course! In that case, would you mind if I took two - one for my sister as well ?

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Banjo Paterson, you may obtain free samples when the wise custodians of the Federal Parliament host a Constitutional Conference on smart government, comprising a Women's Caucus in the Senate and a Men's Caucus in the House of Representatives.

Banjo,

Whistler is clearly beyond the irony of snake oil salesmen. Fanatics generally are.

Womens caucas. Or is it Womyns?

Does a woymns caucas mean I would not ever have to take instruction from a womyn again?

Nuttier than a fruitcake.

> Does a woymns caucas mean I would not ever have to take instruction from a womyn again?

yes, PaulL, those of your gender you elect will do the negotiations for you in a constitutional democracy.