CairnsBlog is a courageous one-person blog that provides occasionally brilliant independent coverage of local issues in this region of Australia.

This morning it ran a strongly-worded anti-war article by Werner Schmidlin, a local peace activist, with the self-explanatory title: The futile and costly Afghan war.

The Michael Moore of Cairns isn't a Hollywood-promoted left-gatekeeper

It’s a fine article, not exactly what I’d have written myself, but thank heavens for diversity in the peace movement. Thank heavens that there is a peace movement in this country! You’d never guess it from the mainstream media.

The (latest) war against Afghan resistance fighters has now been going on for nearly twice as long as World War One. It’s a war going nowhere fast – unwinnable, futile and utterly destructive for Afghans and invaders alike.

The way forward is clearly to negotiate peace. The ‘west’ has a duty to offer reparations for an illegal invasion based on lies, followed by nearly a decade of bloody occupation. If we really want to help ‘womens rights’ in Afghanistan – or other equally noble objectives – our Governments could negotiate the terms of payments to the next Afghan Government and apply pressure that way, with carrots and not sticks.

Western troops in Afghanistan: opium production has soared since their arrival

After all, before the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the Government in Kabul had come close to eradicating opium production, a quite remarkable achievement, soon reversed after the US invasion. In return for curtailing opium output Afghanistan received modest payments from the UN and US State Department. There are also precedents for promoting human rights in this much more benign way – if that’s what we really wish to achieve.

In reply to Mr Schmidlin’s article, I submitted a comment. Although controversial, it was published in full within minutes. That’s the blogosphere! Fast and fearless!

Afghan opium production, 1994-2008

This is the debate Australians should be having via our mainstream media. We should be hearing this debate in our Parliament. But most of the mass media – like most of our professional politicians – can’t or don’t foster such debate. That’s true in Australia, Britain, Canada and the USA.

It seems the entire English-speaking world is in the grip of war mongers. They are a tiny minority of the population – yet they’ve come close to controlling our national discourse.

As it has potential relevance beyond this region of the world, I’ll re-post my initial comment on the CairnsBlog article here:

Yesterday morning I was listening to the local ABC Far North radio. Australian National University  ‘political scientist’ Professor John Warhurst came on with his weekly half hour slot.

I was so incensed by the combination of softball questions from presenter Fiona Sewell and regurgitated, conformist war-mongering spin from Warhurst that I rang the station to complain.

I asked for:

1. More balance in the ‘experts’ they select to discuss such issue – and in particular more adequate representation for the 50%+ of Australians who, according to successive recent opinion polls, oppose Australian troops being in Afghanistan (in spite of incessant war-promoting hype from the Australian mass media)
2. More opportunity for feedback, comment and criticism from the community. If Warhurst is to foist his views on FNQ for half an hour per week, why can’t we the public at least engage in dialogue with him about his views, which currently go unchallenged in Fiona’s sycophantic, crooning interviews?

My complaint got a fair hearing from the Station Manager. It remains to be seen if anything will change. Perhaps if more people call along similar lines it might?

The most outrageous Afghanistan-related lie – perpetrated by the western mass media including ‘Your’ ABC – is the lie that there was any need or rational basis for launching the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Only people in a deliberate state of denial still believe that. Nanothermitic high explosives were not implanted in three NYC skyscrapers by ‘Islamic fundamentalists’ based in Afghanistan. This is cutting edge high technology. Likewise, the cover-up of such a massive crime was clearly not orchestrated from the Hindu Kush.

The entire ‘War on Terror’ is a bogus sham. It was intended from the outset, by the Ziocons who plotted it, to suck the western world into endless conflict with the Islamic world.

Global prospects for peace and prosperity are being sacrificed for a shitty little Apartheid State (the perpetual war State of Israel). The Military Industrial Complex does well out of the racket too. For the rest of us, it’s a disaster…

That message, needless to say, is vigorously excluded from the mainstream media. If regular Aussies ever figured out what 9-11 was really about, 50%+ opposition to the war would rise to 95%+ – leaving only a rump of hard-core Zionists and their many stooges in the media and Parliament to defend the indefensible.

Many may disagree with the views I express above – but even if you do, don’t you think it would be better if they were tested openly in public debate – so the strengths and weaknesses of such a view can be properly explored?

The Australian Broadcasting Corportaion – a public broadcaster – does not exist to manage its listeners’ opinions. It should adequately reflect the diversity of views in the Australian community and provide opportunities for debate between opposing views.

As I said to the Station Manager, I’ve gone from a strong supporter of the ABC 10 years ago to someone who would prefer the organization be abolished if’t is to continue to promote pro-war propaganda and brush aside legitimate concerns and dissenting opinions about crucially important issues

Why should taxpayers pay for a sophisticated exercise in war-promoting mass deception?

Andrew Bolt: an Australian Zionist shill

I rarely bother to chase up op-eds written by professional opinion-manipulators these days. I see many of them anyway on TV or hear them on the radio. Their pro-war spin is generally predictable and easy to grasp.

Nevertheless, today I stumbled across Andrew Bolt’s odious article Don’t cry in which he lazily links (with barely any comment) to an article in The Independent. It milks the letters of a simple-minded (now deceased) British soldier in Afghanistan to his parents for all they’re worth in stirring up war-empathy.

I submitted a short comment of my own. Several hours later at the time of writing, it’s unpublished:

For your tireless service to the Military Industrial Complex and the Zionist cause, Andrew Bolt, I nominate you Australia’s Shill of the Year (there’s a lot of competition for this award, so the dishonour is notable).

The entire Afghan invasion, followed by an eight year invasion (now nearly twice as long as World War One!), was based on lies from the outset. Professional liars were needed to sell the narrative. You are one of the most persistent war-promoting liars in Australia, Andrew.

Fortunately, I don’t have to look at you in the mirror each morning. That is your pitiable reward.

A beetle needs to own six boots
Or go barefoot instead
Some beetles gnaw away at roots
While others munch on bread.

Lophostemon grandifloris: a local beneficial beetle (Source: Ken Walker, Museum Victoria)

Though beetles ride on lizards’ backs
If given half the chance
They do resent surprise attacks
Preferring sweet romance.

In many ways, you’ll find your life
Is like the life of beetle
So if you ever take a wife
Don’t lose her in the treacle.

Perhaps I’m getting too grumpy?

If so, it’s not without provocation.

This morning I switched on the local Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio channel (ABC Far North) to catch up on regional news. Presenter Fiona Sewell was on deck. All fine.

Clive Williams: at least he didn't have the gall to mention Bin Laden!

Then I learnt she was to interview Clive Williams of the Australian National University after 9am, on the topic of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is not in Far North Queensland, but I decided to listen anyhow.

The softball, reventential tone of her interview raised my hackles from the outset. Williams was introduced as an ‘expert’; the ABC up to its usual tricks…

This is Cairns, for God’s sake.  We’re not even close to Canberra, let alone Kabul. If the local ABC is going to cover Afghani affairs, how about balance? And how long will this publicly-funded institution continue to churn out war propaganda while lying by omission on subjects such as 9-11? It really is beyond a joke.

Hence my letter, which is self explanatory. I’ll publish any reply received. Watch this space…

Attention Fiona Sewell
ABC Far North,
Cairns, Queensland,
Australia

Dear Fiona

I refer to your interview this morning with Clive Williams, Visiting Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University.

Had you provided any of the following background about Mr Williams, which his own ANU webpage presents as his ‘Career Highlights’, your listeners might have been better able to evaluate his comments in context. Instead, as I recall, you introduced him with words such as ‘academic’ and ‘expert’. It’s true, as far as it goes, but they are rather bland terms in the circumstances:

Career Highlights
Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) Attaché in Washington 1990-1993; Head of Imagery Exploitation Centre 1993-1994; Director Major Powers Section, DIO 1994-1998; Director of Security Intelligence 1998-2002.

Yes, Clive Williams is an expert. He’s expert in rationalizing open-ended military occupations based on a bogus initial pretext.

I’d be grateful if you could take two minutes to watch the video featured on a recent post on my blog. It was produced by The Guardian.

THAT is the war that Clive Williams wants us to keep fighting for AT LEAST another TEN years. Another DECADE, for heavens sake!

I believe most Far North Queensland locals do not want our local ABC station serving as a part-time propaganda wing of the military-security establishment. (I’m aware that the national ABC performs this role more or less as a matter of course, but surely there are limits!)

However, as ABC Far North has now chosen to enter the minefield of Afgani/Pakistani affairs -presumably to help better inform local listeners on these weighty matters – I trust you will follow up soon with an interview about the Afghanistan war in which an informed advocate of an anti-occupation, pro-reconciliation approach to resolving conflict in that region is granted at least an equal amount of airtime as Clive Williams.

Otherwise, the local public in this part of the world have a right to ask why ABC Far North chooses to help push a minority view held by those Australians who support our continuing involvment in this war.

Please now give at least least equal voice to the substantial MAJORITY of Australians (70%+ according to statistics cited by Williams himself) who seek a rapid end to Australia’s involvement in the occupation of Afghanistan.

It's obvious 'Al Qaida' didn't cause this building to collapse, so ABC reporters don't talk about it. Why should the Australian public pay the wages of fake journalists?

Please ALSO give voice to those of us able to present compelling evidence that the 2001 assault on Afghanistan was a war launched on false premises – evidence which the ABC, to its shame, never deigns to report fairly in its current affairs coverage.

I understand that the rest of the mainstream Australian media insists on treating the public like idiots. But ABC Far North need not do the same. So, if you want to raise the issue of Afghanistan, why not also interview a prominent 9-11 sceptic on the topic? Perhaps Professor David Ray Griffin would be amenable to the opportunity? I have other suggestions if he isn’t available.

A declining number of well-informed people believe any longer that fanatical Muslims, led by ‘Al Qaida’ based in Afghanistan, managed to effect the free-fall collapse of THREE steel-framed Manhatten skyscrapers into dust and molten steel on 9-11. After all, such a phenomenon has never been observed before or since in history, absent pre-planned controlled demolition… Recall also that the Taliban Government of the day offered to extradite Mr Bin Laden if it could be presented with evidence of his guilt; that perfectly normal and reasonable request – a request any sovereign nation makes in the event of an extradition request – was dismissively treated as a casus belli by the Bush Administration.

‘NATO’s’ war in Afghanistan is being waged a long way from the North Atlantic. Afghanistan is a long way from Australia too. Even Clive Williams admitted the conflict poses no direct ‘threat’ to Australia. This war, launched on the basis of demonstrable lies, is being waged against an increasingly popular resistance movement. The chief beneficiaries of the post-2001 conflict have been drug barons, arms merchants and profiteering military contractors. Ordinary Afghanis have been and remain the principal victims.

Australians are right to reject this foul war. It’s a war based on outrageous deceptions that our own publicly-owned mass media is too conformist and cowardly (and/or complicit?) to investigate. How shameful is that!

If you must interview warmongering academics with ‘Defense Intelligence’ (double misnomer?) connections, please at least question them critically and balance their pro-war spin with opposing views.

With regards to you and all at ABC Far North, on this fine sunny day in relative paradise.

Syd Walker
Kuranda
cc. Bruce Woolley (Manager); CairnsBlog (local independent media)

Gandhi and King: most folk I know respect peace warriors, not war peddlers. Will the ABC catch up?

PS. As I have little remaining confidence that the mainstream media in Australia provides an opportunity for meaningful discussion of topics such as those raised above, I intend to publish this letter on my blog. I will, of course, publish any replies received from yourself and/or Mr Woolley.

Ventiliation of these issues in the public domain, in my opinion, is very much in the public interest – within this region and everywhere else.

It’s past time.

Spectacled Flying Fox: under the gun again?

When Governments change in Queensland, the consequence can be dramatic. There’s no House of Review. It’s winner takes all in the Legislative Assembly.

There’s a vibe in this election that the Bligh Labor Government will fall and that may well occur. Many people feel the ALP does not deserve re-election. They have a point.

But does the ‘Opposition’ deserve to be elected? Some LNP candidates are more attractive than their Labor counterparts. That’s a reason for putting LNP above Labor. An effective local member is worth a lot. But what matters most of all, in general, is the quality and approach of the State cabinet. It will drive most new policy.

The ALP has disappointed on many fronts, but there are intelligent and capable Labor politicians in Queensland. One of them is Environment Minister Andrew McNamara. This is what he said on Wednesday about the Labor Government’s ban on shooting flying foxes:

“The crop losses that were reported over this season were relatively slight, I acknowledge that some particular growers had heavier losses than others but it’s simply a matter of in the 21st century we have to go with smarter methods rather than blasting away at night with a shotgun”

Compare that with what Shadow Agriculture Minister Ray Hopper said, in the same report, when explaining that the LNP would re-introduce shooting permits.

“No animals are to suffer and it’s going to be a pretty tough one to do, but these crops must be protected and you can’t just take away a persons right from protecting their crops without proper surveys and proper things put in place,” he says.

Can Mr Hopper really deliver on his promise that “no animals are to suffer”?

Humane Society International reports on flying fox shoots south of the border:

The licenses are issued to farmers who think shooting flying-foxes helps protect their fruit crops. The fact is shooting is an ineffective method of crop protection so the flying foxes are dying needlessly and in a great deal of pain.

Very often the flying-foxes are not killed outright and are left hanging in the trees to die painful slow deaths from their injuries. Worse, they will often be carrying young, also left to die slowly and cruelly.

Scientists are warning the grey-headed flying-fox population in NSW is in serious decline and the mortality rate from shootings is a contributing factor.

Here’s a short extract from a just-published report by University of Sydney scientists, who studied the aftermath of a shooting at an orchard.

All of the flying-foxes that were collected alive and later euthanased had major or multiple injuries to their wings and considerable contusions. In the opinion of the veterinary surgeon “If no intervention had taken place to euthanase these bats they may have suffered many days before succumbing to predation, infection or dehydration and starvation”.

At least 27% of flying-foxes that were shot (not including newborn pups who were on their mothers, but not directly injured) were alive hours and at times days after being shot. This is in contravention of the definition of “humane killing” in the guidelines defined by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (2004).

Queensland Labor has done a lot that’s not good – and left undone a lot of things. But it has throttled back on the sort of redneck rubbish encapsulated by Mr Hopper’s witless remarks. Of course flying foxes will suffer if you allow farmers to start shooting at them again, Mr Hopper. Please don’t treat the electorate like fools.

"Don't Shoot"

The more crucial question for many conservationists is whether any of Queensland’s flying fox species will undergo further decline as a result of shooting. Official reports on their conservation status call for better data and smarter ways of protecting fruit crops.

Is it too much to ask that the Queensland Government in 2009 – whoever is in power – uses a science-based approach to environmental management? Perhaps it is.

If I was a flying fox, I’d vote Greens 1 – but there’s not much doubt where I’d put my second preference.

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