RIP

Well, it was good whilst it lasted.

104 runs without wicket.

But, we have to all admit, that it's over, and it's time to get on with our lives.

I know it may be difficult for some, for others, it's much the same.

There will always be the chance to correct the misfortune over the weekend, a few years from now we might just get there.

.

.

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I am of course, talking about democracy in Australia. I'm gonna miss the little guy.

We had some good times, the voting, the freedom to protest, to dissent, all in a peaceful, respected manner. The peace will live on, but the freedoms are taking a dive.

From Brian Walters of The Age:

Last weekend our nation crossed a line
..
When we violate human rights - such as the right to free speech - we compromise our integrity as a nation, and the very basis of the democracy upon which our national security is founded.
..
Liberal democracy is built on human rights, including the freedom to vigorously exchange ideas.
Unless Parkin's treatment is a grotesque error, we have stepped over the line separating liberal democracy from more sinister forms of government.

Scott Parkin is a peace activist from Texas, a Greenpeace volunteer, a teacher, no history of violence, no association with terrorists, no advocation of violence of any kind, he has passed all security checks, he was on holiday, participating in non-violent protest tactics workshops, for groups such as Friends of the Earth, he performed some anti-war street theatre outside the Halliburton office in Sydney, he had been camping and hiking in Australia.

• He was arrested in Melbourne Saturday.
• He has been in solitary confinement since.
• His visa has been cancelled.
• He is being charged $124 a day while in prison.
• The immigration department claimed it was on 'character grounds'
• They changed the story later to 'security grounds'.
• Perhaps he'll next be charged on coffee grounds?
• He has not been told why he has been arrested.
• He is anxious, baffled, but coping 'remarkably well', he wants to leave.
• Julian Burnside QC is fucking pissed off.
• Attorney-General Philip Ruddock could apply for a certificate under the National Security Information Act that would prevent the tribunal hearing the case - if this happens, he will never know what he has done wrong, and why he was locked up

If there is a sufficient reason for this treatment, then all is well, and it would be nice for Phil to let us know about terrorist activity on our soil, especially amongst groups we may be inclined to believe were far removed from such things.

If we never find out, or if the reason given is meagre, then we have crossed the line, and democracy left Australia 10/09/2005. When industrial action protestors have to hide their identity in fear of employers, when seemingly random arrests are made, when fear of the government spreads amongst the peaceful and harmless, the line is crossed, and it's not as fuzzy as it was whilst approaching.

But, freedom is a phoenix. After The Ashes, it will always be resurrected. For now, we can all still vote without fear, just not with our feet.