My life as a bumper sticker...Be my valentine... yeah right...

I love these... check them out here...

From little things, big things grow...

Took the Children Away, Archie Roach, 2006

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. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Wednesday 13th February 2008

To quote Kerry O'Brien, journalist today 'Can't wait for the big things...'

And as always, Mez says it better...

From Little Things, Big Things Grow - Paul Kelly, Kev Carmody and John Butler - Make Poverty History

A bad case of the blah, blah, blahs...

Driving home last night in the car, I caught the last half of Peter Gabriel's and Kate Bush's "Don't Give Up". I loved this song when it first came out in 1986 (1986 - hooley dooley!), even though it always made me a bit melancholy, though the Shannon Noll/ Natalie Bassingthwaighte version was a travesty.

So I listened to it, even sang along with Kate for awhile until I found myself tearing up... why I always cry while driving the car always puzzles me, should probably avoid sad lamenting songs, though even listening to talkback and something moving will make me cry... sigh...



Well, anyway... this song reflects a bit about whats going on with me and some of those I consider mine at present, and in listening to it again today I realised sometimes my mood reflects the man's laments and sometimes I find myself taking on Kate's role of comforter, hopefully a warm place in the dark...

And I'm also left pondering why I'm so drawn to people who walk that line between light and dark... and sometimes fall...

in this proud land we grew up strong
we were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

no fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I've changed my face, I've changed my name
but no one wants you when you lose

don't give up
'cos you have friends
don't give up
you're not beaten yet
don't give up
I know you can make it good

though I saw it all around
never thought I could be affected
thought that we'd be the last to go
it is so strange the way things turn

drove the night toward my home
the place that I was born, on the lakeside
as daylight broke, I saw the earth
the trees had burned down to the ground

don't give up
you still have us
don't give up
we don't need much of anything
don't give up
'cause somewhere there's a place
where we belong

rest your head
you worry too much
it's going to be alright
when times get rough
you can fall back on us
don't give up
please don't give up

'got to walk out of here
I can't take anymore
going to stand on that bridge
keep my eyes down below
whatever may come
and whatever may go
that river's flowing
that river's flowing

moved on to another town
tried hard to settle down
for every job, so many men
so many men no-one needs

don't give up
'cause you have friends
don't give up
you're not the only one
don't give up
no reason to be ashamed
don't give up
you still have us
don't give up now
we're proud of who you are
don't give up
you know it's never been easy
don't give up
'cause I believe there's the a place
there's a place where we belong
(Peter Gabriel)