Dear David,

If we want a durable peace, a peace built on something
other than war we need to consider how to construct
societies based on something other than the nation
state and its monopoly of violence. That may have been
the primary motivating factor behind the creation of
the European Union.

An attempt to foster inter-dependence and reduce the
significance of national frontiers in order not to
experience war in Europe ever again may have played
a strong part. The decision of the United Kingdom to
withdraw from the European Union and restore its
national sovereignty might suggest that the international
goal might be a Utopia.

But as Oscar Wilde wrote in "The soul of Man under socialism,"
a map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth
even glancing at... Progress is the realisation of Utopia."

Dear David,

My parents managed to survive WWII. They experienced
life under the Soviet Regime. I feel for both the
Ukrainian and the Russian people. I would not wish
another World War for anybody.

Dear Foxy,

At one time the nation state did not exist. At one time ant hills did not exist. I don't expect that ants can move on to form a structure better than the ant hill. There is a chance that humans may do better than the nation state. If we can I don't expect to see it.

I feel sorrow for all who suffer.

Dear David,

An ant-hill that is destined
to become a giant ant-hill
will definitely become one.
No matter how many times it
is destroyed by elephants.

Nigerian Proverb.

Talking about not only boring TV - but
bad and misinformed TV.

A scare campaign has been gathering momentum for some
time in the conservative media.

People are being told that - the Voice to parliament will
dictate policy - not true.

People are being told that elite interests are behind
the Referendum. False again.

People are being told that the Voice
threatens the integrity of the constitution. Again a lie.

This is the false information that is being spread by
conservative commentators, mostly in the foreigner owned
Murdoch media.

News Corp has been the unofficial mouthpiece of the NO
campaign against the Voice. What a shame that the Murdoch
media is still allowed to have a monopoly on the media here
in Australia. People need to hear much more from diverse
voices. The same old bleatings, lies, and drum beatings are wearing
a bit thin. More equity and fairness and truth-telling is needed.

What I find most frustratingly boring is how the same news is re-presented over and over.
I watch ABC news at, perhaps, midday, and throughout the rest of the day, exactly the same news is re-broadcast.,
Even after midnight.
Rarely is there any up to date news.
So news is a once a day event for them?
Surely there must be later news events requiring comment?
Does under-staffing prevent updates?

Add to this the apparent inability of ABC 'presenters' to ask questions of those they interview, and you have a broadcast which is painful to listen to.
I have commented on this elsewhere.
Essentially, presenters make long speeches, and don't always include an actual question.
If I switch to commercial channels, I get endless advertising.
This is a lose-lose situation.

The ABC advertises too, which is really unacceptable.
They pretend it is not advertising.
They pretend it is 'announcements'?
The person listening or watching knows better.