Dear Joe,

May I politely suggest that you actually read
Prof. Bain Attwood's "Telling the Truth about
Aboriginal History."

Foxy,

Nice of you to set some reading for Loudmouth, instead of addressing what he and Big Nana have raised.

While you declare that you are a 'researcher', that word can cover a multitude of unscientific shortcuts and sloppy science,

http://theconversation.com/when-good-intentions-arent-supported-by-social-science-evidence-diversity-research-and-policy-54875

Thanks, Leoj, I liked that conclusion:

"Most advocates, policymakers and social scientists may not be aware of sharp divergence in their claims about diversity. Yet, policy based on sound social science should be a shared goal. Without understanding the causal relations in society that this research helps identify, policymakers lower the odds they’ll reach their targets. Policy based on myths and hunches has little chance of success. To achieve evidence-based policy, all parties should take a close look at what diversity research has produced so far. Rather than selectively featuring congenial results, they should work together to untangle diversity’s complex effects on group and organizational performance."

If a cause is just - as I have always believed the Indigenous cause is, on the whole - then it must be able stand up to robust - and evidence-based - discussion. Otherwise, we will keep barking up the wrong tree.

Joe

Joe (Loudmouth),

Yes, I agree.

To add, IMHO, everyone to watch very carefully how the 'Mythbusters' go about their testing. Then be assured by what Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman say, that everyone can be a scientist and they show how it is done.

Leaving history to one side for the moment: I'm sure the Government spent taxpayer money to ask Aboriginal people what form they thought recognition should take, and when they offered up their views - which they were asked for - the Government just turned around said 'thanks, but we know best'.

Which seems like a lot of expense just to be patronising. Surely they could have just said 'well clearly we know what is best for you darkies, so we'll save ourselves the bother of pretending to be interested' at the outset, and saved the taxpayer a few bucks?

Dear Toni,

You've summed it up rather nicely.

Thank You.