Re: [-empyre-] Re: empyre Digest, Vol 15, Issue 2

[linda carroli <lcarroli@pacific.net.au>]

it bothers me that the borders are evoked so easily and that the f-word 
(foreigners) rolls so easily from the fingertips as an accusation of 'not 
having the right kind of knowledge'. at the core, some of these issues are 
human rights issues and have broader implications for all western 
democracies than just the specific sedition laws. they are international or 
global issues. i think many people on this list will bring the australian 
knowledge to this discussion.

i support the choices tracey has made and don't think she should be 
expected to apologise for her selection of guests. i also welcome the 
comments all those guests have to make ... this is an online discussion 
list and its nature is not one of experts and non-experts nor is it 
necessarily one of foreigners and nationals. it has never been the case 
that this list lauds experts in this manner. the guests are simply people 
with something to say and what they have to say is supposed to be a 
springboard for other discussion. i also wholly appreciate the efforts 
tracey and other volunteer moderators are making to tease out and broaden 
the discussion about these issues in this environment particularly in 
relation to human rights. this has become an international list and i'd 
welcome hearing about the breadth of experience and knowledge regarding the 
extent of these corruptions of liberal democracy in this world and, as 
tracey identifies, the culture of fear which seems to stop people from 
talking about it ... cheers. linda


At 07:15 PM 6/02/2006, traceyb@byte-time.net wrote:
> Quoting severn@acay.com.au:
>
> > <Hi blakkbyrd,
> >
> > <I am responsible for putting together the list of guest this month and
> > understand where you are coming from.
> >
> > I dont think you do. I think it is extremely insulting to the members of
> > this discussion list that you can bring in two foreigners as "authorities"
> > on Australian legal issues.  How patronising can you get?
>
> There is no intention to be patronising here - and I apologise to list members
> who feel this way... my only intention was to open up a discussion about a
> topic that has serious implications for cultural producers locally and 
> globally
>
> > > A number of people from the organisations you mentioned were invited to be
> > guests but did not commit to the discussion.
> >
> > Why not? Are they concerned about making public statements regarding the
> > new legislation?
>
> Yes - I do believe this could have been a reason why some of the intended 
> guests
> did not commit..
>
> I know that as a moderator I should try and remain impartial (and I will 
> attempt
> to do this) BUT I personally can not subscribe to this culture of fear 
> that has
> emerged so swiftly and silently...If this is what is happening?? Or maybe I
> have just lived in my Canberra bubble for too long??
>
> traceyb
>
> > _______________________________________________
> > empyre forum
> > empyre@lists.cofa.unsw.edu.au
> > http://www.subtle.net/empyre
>
>
>
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