Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id GAA22167 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Wed, 6 Mar 2002 06:40:04 GMT X-Authentication-Warning: cheetah.nor.com.au: Host 252.digital.ppp.telstra.dataheart.net [202.147.129.252] claimed to be green-machine Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.20020306172816.0073ad00@pophost.nor.com.au> X-Sender: jeremyb@pophost.nor.com.au X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.1 (32) Date: Wed, 06 Mar 2002 17:28:16 +1100 To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk From: Jeremy Bradley <jeremyb@nor.com.au> Subject: RE: Rumsfeld Says He May Drop New Office of Influence In-Reply-To: <570E2BEE7BC5A34684EE5914FCFC368C10FB98@fillan> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
At 12:31 PM 5/03/02 -0000, you wrote:
Snip........
I don't want to stir up the Aussies on the list, but there seems to be two
>diametrically opposite views about aboriginals in Oz, either the traditional
>colonial one of disdain and control (evidenced by Prince Phillip's spear
>throwing comments the other day- oh we Brits are so proud...), or a
>guilt-ridden over-celebration and over-estimation of their culture and
>capabilities (a bit like those pro-native americans who refuse to accept
>that the Anasazi might have been ritualistic cannibals as the archeology
>strongly suggests).
>
> Vincent
>
Vincent
Egotistical, barbaric colonists came here to Australia a mere 214 years
ago. They disobeyed their King, International Law and their instructions
from the Colonial Office; not to mention their Church.
In that short span of time they and their 'civilised' descendants caused so
much damage socially and environmentally that it is a tragedy of
inconceivable proportions. I have had the opportunity to live with several
'tribal' groups and I have no hesitation in assuring you that these are
civilised people in any sense of the word. It is a part of the process of
inter racial conflict to denigrate those whom you would dispossess. It is a
shame that to speak up on their behalf is to invite such as yourself to
indulge in name-calling, but you are not the first and you won't be the last.
Yes, at times (and under special circumstances), some of the Australian
peoples also participated in what may today be thought of as 'uncivilised'
practices, but they never plundered or massacred like their invaders and
they did live sustainably. If we can learn to do likewise, I will be
impressed by that too.
Jeremy
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