Steele,

Prudent, well armed men, what would you have used, willow wands?

How are you and Paul getting on with the Pascoe genealogy?

If he hasn't got the Aboriginal ancestors that he claims then he is doing more than generalising.

Hi Steele,

Bruce Pascoe and his book 'Dark Emu' was discussed in detail on the forum a while back. The hard right detractors admitted then, as they do now, that they had not read the book, Issy has scanned it with his electric toothbrush to draw his conclusions . How they can even hope to discuss a text with any competency without reading it first is beyond me, but they do so free. I assume if its not approved reading as defined by the likes of 'Beat Up'Bolt they are forbidden from any perusal.

Hi Joe,

You were give many examples of Aboriginal farming last time around, now you again demand more. The "Yam Gardens" around early Sydney Town as described by the British Captain Hunter, will do as an example. Rebut those "Yam Gardens" of Hunter's if you can.

"How are you and Paul getting on with the Pascoe genealogy?"

Dear Issy, I have not delved into Bruce Pascoe's genealogy, but any reliance on anything 'Beat Up' Bolt might say should be taken with a grain of salt. Known to exaggerate for political purposes Bolt, many believe, including me, fabricated his past "assault" by leftest thugs in an attempt to gain political advantage, wasting valuable police time and resources. Is this more of that fabrication?

In my own case, having a strong affinity with Maori people, both here and in Aotearoa, does that make me Maori? I think not, although I possibly know more of the history, language, protocols and customs than many Maori do (the plastic Maori, as my wife refers to). More than one of the cuzzy bro's has at times refereed to me as such, not knowing I am Australian. My dearly departed brother-in-law, would refer to me as "Skippy" so I'll take that as making me Australian. I don't identify as aboriginal, although indigenous blood from my mothers side is infused into us all including me. Short of being tested by 'Beat Up' Bolt I'll just have to stay whitefella.

Just to add, my wife will speak to me in Maori, as part of my language education, something she has be teaching me for more than 10 years, alas I am a poor student. Sometimes I understand, sometimes I get the totally wrong interpretation and sometimes she gets left with a blank look from me.

I still have aroha for you my dear koroua huanui.

Now the search is on in earnest to find new excuses !

Paul,

You're kidding. How big was this yam patch ? Did Hunter write that it looked like a garden, nothing more ?

So Hunter didn't get the Message, to conceal any evidence of farming, and destroy whatever looked like a garden ? How come some writers, Hunter, probably Tench as well, Sturt, Mitchell, Lindsay, didn't get the Message ? None of them farmers, by the way, so their observations were nothing more than surmises. Any observations of large, obviously cultivated, areas of farming activity, growing enough to sustain large populations ? What did early observers mean by a 'garden' ? Why didn't they call them farms ?

Is that all there is ? A patch of yams ? How do you think yams grow wild ? Like a garden ?

Joe

Hi Joe,

I have since returned my copy of 'Dark Emu' to the library with its hundreds of examples of aboriginal farming. As this was discussed at an earlier time by us all, I do not see the need to discuss it again. You most likely can obtain a copy of the book from your local library and then you could actually read it, and then draw your own conclusions. How about it?

BTW, Steele has given you lots of leads on aboriginal farming as detailed by those advance parties of invaders. We enjoy a huge advantage over you and the hard right forum faction, having actually read the book ourselves. I'm not counting Issy's attempt at book scanning with his electric toothbrush as valid, he should have used his electric egg beater instead, far more accurate.