Hi Individual,

I swore to myself that I would try like buggery to keep away from negatives, only report the positives. But Christ it's difficult when there is so much idiocy and brainlessness around.

Yes, I've also puzzled over how such incompetents can get appointed to powerful positions. And sometimes from one to another, after they've done sufficient damage. I think it has something to do with Labor Party suck-holing, at least down this way. And that utterly opportunist practice of appointing people because - so the whites think - the person has a 'name' in the community.

Vice versa, it seems that Indigenous organisations devalue performance, initiative, analysis and friendly criticism, in favour of loyalty.

So someone can be an utter clod, and do absolutely nothing all day, day after day, and as long as they say nothing, do nothing, just suck up to the boss, they'll be okay, and have secure, long-term careers, perhaps going on to greater things and becoming a 'leader' themselves. Or at least, an 'elder'. But if you disagree with an Aboriginal 'leader', then that's the stone-end, you're out.

There is almost a sort of psychosis about it. I had one boss who threatened to come around and punch my lights out; of course, that was the end of my contract there. All I can say is I'm glad that they didn't have the power to execute disagreeable staff-members. Christ, some of them would have liked that. They remind me of Orson Wells in 'Catch-22', when he was advised that no, he couldn't order someone to be shot: brilliant scene, too close to the bone.

Meanwhile, many more young Indigenous students are battling their way throught their studies, 90+% in mainstream studies, than ever before. You live in hope :)

Cheers,

Joe Lane