Diary of an adult runaway

OMG! Heart! Crush!

Flat out like a lizard drinking (horrendous amount of documents to publish for upcoming meetings, websites to update, 5 new countries [including China] joining the organisation, help!!) but just saw this and swooned:

The article says in part:

"Australia, like most other countries, recognises China sovereignty over Tibet but we also believe it is necessary to recognise there are significant human rights problems in Tibet," Mr Rudd said. "We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue. As a long-standing friend of China, I intend to have a straightforward discussion with China's leaders on this."

Mr Rudd said there was a body of opinion around the world on Tibet and "my job is to reflect the views of the Australian people, of the Australian Government". He said it was important to work on the things that China and Australia had in common and to be frank and straightforward about areas of difference.

He repeated that all the security for the Olympic torch in Australia would be provided on the ground by Australians — which would preclude "Olympic attendants" who ran with the torch in London.

Asked for his view on the suggestion that people should turn their back on the Olympic torch, Mr Rudd said Australia was "a robust democracy and people could express their view in any way they chose".

And you know what? He said this in Mandarin! OMG, a multi-lingual PM who stands up for human rights, instead of one who sputters and panders and condescends and weasels. I heart you, Kev, I honestly heart you.

Proof positive that it's never too late to say "Sorry"

Full text of Kevin Rudd's speech:

"I give notice that, at the next sitting, I will move:

That today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

We reflect on their past mistreatment.

We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history.

The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.

We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.

We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.

To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.

And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.

We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.

For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.

We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.

A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.

A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.

A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.

A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.

A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."

Thank you, Mr. Rudd, for having the basic decency to do the long overdue.

Best way to do your laundry: drunk & gleeful

Lordie, I had such a nice little buzz on this morning as I loaded up the dryer at the laundrette. That's because I skipped down the hill to meet Jenny and Cherry for a champagne breakfast to celebrate the demise of the Howard government. Oh, how we laughed and chortled and clapped and giggled. And to hear now that Costello has fled the sinking ship, well, my day just keeps getting better!

As former PM Paul Keating wrote:

The Liberal Party of John Howard, Philip Ruddock, Alexander Downer and Peter Costello is now a party of privilege and punishments. One that lacks that most basic of wellsprings: charity.

Yes, indeed. Mr. Howard, I'm so glad to see you gone for so many reasons. Let's start with your retrospective tax legislation when you were treasurer, and carry it on through to the damage you did to industrial relations, your despicable behavior in the children-overboard affair, and your 1950s view toward women, as witnessed in your GST guidelines. Men's shaving cream is exempt from GST because it's essential, but women's sanitary products cop it because, apparently, they're not.

I can't tell you how many ways you made me sick, but I would have, if given the chance. Once I was on a packed tram on Flemington Road when your car went by on the way to the airport. I did my best to get to your side of the tram to show you what I thought of you, but alas. And every time you were in town, I found out too late. It's probably just as well. I'm just oh-so-glad that I won't be seeing much of you on TV or podcasts anymore--the neighbors were kinda getting tired of me suddenly disrupting the peace with a slew of obscenities.

Ze life, she eez good!

P.S. Mr. Rudd, you have our trust, don't let us down.

Yes!

Yes yes yes yes yes yes YES!!!

And it's about fucking time. See ya, Johnny!