Senator Andrew Bartlett
Monday, November 08, 2004
 
I was reading some items elsewhere on the Web and got briefly inspired, a feeling almost inevitably followed up with a sense of despondency.

For a minute I felt what we need in politics is more imagination and less ugliness. But then I figured imagination, vision and other such grand sounding things are probably just the sort of big-picture, high-falutin' fancy pants stuff that will get dismissed or ignored these days. Look at what wins votes (let alone elections) and media coverage these days. Imagination, openness of heart and mind, exploration of different ideas and different approaches - they aren't too welcome round these here parts no more (if they ever were).

Still, in amongst my readings I've been going through the speech given by Arundhati Roy in her City of Sydney peace prize lecture. I've read it a couple of times. There are parts I agree with and parts I don't but it is good food for thought, and it might even provide some inspiration (hopefully without the despondency).

Have a look at it http://www.safecom.org.au/2004/11/arundhati-roy-peace-new-corporate.htm One line I especially like from it - "No battle is irrelevant. No victory is too small." I'm still not sure I agree with it, but I like it none the less.

(For your info, the Project Safecom site is run by a person who has played a big role in keeping information and energy flowing to assist refugees deal with their ongoing Government inflicted suffering. Well worth supporting. As he says in his blog heading, our democracy needs fixing)

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Monday, November 08, 2004
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