Independent Minds Matter
MOHAMAD ABDALLA: Western media was quick to associate the Boston murders to the fallacious fact that the brothers were ‘devout Muslims.’ This means, by extension, that Islam is to blame, again. By definition, a ‘devout Muslim’ is one who abides by the laws and dictates of Islam, including the command not to murder. Islam is explicit in its prohibition of the killing of any innocent human whether Muslim or not, during times of peace or war. Islam declares that the killing of … [Read more...]
BEN WILSON: Friday nights from March to September were always hallowed nights in the Wilson household. When I was in high school I would tear down Spring Hill after band practice finished at 4:30, stop in at the Myer Centre Woolies for a bag of Twisties and a two litre coke, and then jump on the 5 o'clock bus home where I would sit on the floor of Dad's bedroom while he lay on his bed, stuffing my face with chips while the epic battles of the early 2000s were fought out on his 10 inch television … [Read more...]
ANGELA RANKE: The Great Gatsby is due to hit the big screen in May. Ever since I read the book by the same name back in high school, the GG has held a special place in my heart. When I saw the trailer in the cinemas recently I sat reverentially in my seat and shushed my friend into a respectful silence. As Big Kev would say "I'm excited!". Here's five reasons you should be too: 1. Baz luhrmann - the man who introduced the world to Moulin Rouge and Strictly Ballroom is bringing to life … [Read more...]
CHRISTINE BARTON: There’s only one day of the year we can pull, and get away with, the most outrageous, outlandish, and absolutely crazy practical jokes and hoaxes imaginable; April 1st. The origin’s of April Fool’s Day are uncertain, but have been traced back as far as 1392, in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Others believe it stemmed from the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar, which was ordered by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, while others see it as a celebration of the turn of the … [Read more...]
ANGELA RANKE: So Sunday is Australia’s Neighbour Day. For those of you who don’t regularly peruse government websites, “Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community, bringing together the people next door, across the street or on the next farm for a beer, a barbie or just a cuppa. “Held on the last Sunday in March every year, it’s the perfect day to say thanks for being a great neighbour and for being there when I needed you most.” Now, thanking nice … [Read more...]
SARAH BRIGDEN: Workplace bullying is not a topic that is commonly discussed. One widely held view is that such a notion is the product of a “molly coddled” society, dreamt up by those who wish to wrap us all in cotton wool. Nevertheless, it was enough of a problem for the Gillard government to propose a system to allow victims of workplace bullying to make complaints to a national body, rather than state workplace safety authorities. According to an article in the Sydney Morning … [Read more...]
DAVID FORDE: Based on the latest leadership challenge that wasn’t a challenge and the public reaction, the federal election on September 14 is a foregone conclusion. If we even try to ignore that latest debacle and just went by the polls – and they are generally accurate when averaged over a period of time – it is also over if it is a contest between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott, which it now seems destined to be. Some blame Kevin Rudd (and his supporters) along with the media. Of … [Read more...]
CHRISTINE BARTON: Public outrage has broken out on the social media-sphere, following the departure of everyone’s favourite ‘yummy mummies’ on My Kitchen Rules. The TV war between feisty contestants Angela and Melina, and Ashlee and Sophia, has been slammed on social media sites like Facebook, with some users even going as far to comment that the Channel 7 hit show promotes “bullying and racism” and is outright “disgraceful”. The rivalry between the Asians (as they have become … [Read more...]
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KIMBERLEY VLASIC: Have you ever imagined your phone vibrating in your pocket? Do you compulsively check Facebook and Twitter? I grow anxious if I leave the house without my iPhone and, despite my best efforts to resist the temptation, check Facebook at least once an hour. This condition has reached the point where I sometimes find myself frantically searching for my phone only to realise I am in fact on the phone. Idiot. As a journalist in training, I justify these compulsions by … [Read more...]
