3 October 2008

Another look at Canberra and the Tent Embassy

| johnboy
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Overlander TV a travel video channel have been chatting to Darren Bloomfield at the Aboriginal tent embassy. It’s an interesting approach to the issues.

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OK, I just had a look at the footage. Going by the way Darren looks, and the vehicles and vans at the embassy, I would guess that the footage and interview was taken about five years ago, possibly even earlier.

It’s been a while since those caravans have been there, and if you know Darren, you would know that he looks a lot older these days.

Also he mentions the ‘sacred’ fire being going for four years. The ‘sacred’ fire was started with a bic lighter in 1998, so that would make the interview in about 2002.

Thanks WMC. Do you know if they have a specific list of ‘asks’?

Woody Mann-Caruso11:29 pm 03 Oct 08

A treaty is an enforceable agreement entered into by two or more states or international organisations. There is much debate about whether Australia’s governments could enter into a treaty with Indigenous people, and over the years I’ve seen compelling arguments from both sides. It’s a complicated area of law, but one worth exploring – if the only result is to rule a treaty out, then at least there’ll be some certainty about the matter.

Ralph said :

.

Indeed. I’m sure it doesn’t prevent the welfare cheques from flowing in.

Nope. These people don’t collect any type of welfare despite being entitled to do so.

What exactly is meant by treaty anyway? It sounds like two separate countries.

Woody Mann-Caruso10:58 pm 03 Oct 08

I’m sure it doesn’t prevent the welfare cheques from flowing in.

When the same percentage of unemployed whites work for their dole delivering essential services to themselves, as tens of thousands of Aborigines do everyday, your impotent rage will be entirely justified.

I know a couple of indigenous people who look more Kingston than Kakadu. Judging someone simply by the colour of their skin is a bit too simple when it comes to issues of aboriginality.

Indeed. I’m sure it doesn’t prevent the welfare cheques from flowing in.

The vagrants populating this embassy represent all sorts of fringe campaigns these days.

Oh, Darrens back at the tent embassy is he?

Thats a sure sign that it is Spring.

Funny how his commitment to the embassy and his people seems to wane during the colder months.

Die Lefty Scum said :

Notice the lack of comments on this story? That’s because people are afraid to say what they really think for fear of being branded racist.

Agreed

I have nothing polite to say on the matter.

peterh said :

Deadmandrinking said :

That’s funny, peter, when I visited there, there were some quite dark-skinned people talking to us.

the day that we did the touristy thing, there was not a dark-skinned person in sight, they all seemed to be light skinned. my mates commented that it was a bit strange, they expected to see heaps of dark skinned people there.

You don’t have to be ‘dark-skinned’ to be considered aboriginal. I know a couple of indigenous people who look more Kingston than Kakadu. Judging someone simply by the colour of their skin is a bit too simple when it comes to issues of aboriginality.

Deadmandrinking said :

That’s funny, peter, when I visited there, there were some quite dark-skinned people talking to us.

the day that we did the touristy thing, there was not a dark-skinned person in sight, they all seemed to be light skinned. my mates commented that it was a bit strange, they expected to see heaps of dark skinned people there.

Considering that they come from Darwin, Nhulunbuy and Katherine, it isn’t as if they are all just from one area, sure, they all were at school at ludmilla, for whatever reason, but I find that I am more at ease with their company than with several light skinned people around town here. They aren’t snobs, they don’t expect anything from anyone. canberrans should spend time out in the communities. at least it would then allow them to be considerate of their opinions re the “intervention”, witnessing the conditions first hand.

I have felt so ashamed of what these people have had to endure – I had seen the half finished “houses”, the really nasty septic tanks, and a people who have had to make the best of a bad situation. The kids are all friendly, they don’t have a problem with the color of your skin, and you find that you really don’t want to leave to come to the harsh realities of the “modern” world.

They have basic facilities, but they are largely ignored as they are on their own, something several elders informed me was a good thing. The influx of alcohol and drugs is sickening to behold.

Deadmandrinking4:20 pm 03 Oct 08

That’s funny, peter, when I visited there, there were some quite dark-skinned people talking to us.

Good point DLS – so all we have to do is eliminate the problems faced by some Indigenous communities, and once we’re all equal you can slag off whoever you want.

bugger that – not interested in the tent embassy, as i have mentioned before, many of my mates from NT aren’t either.

except to laugh at the color of some of the “indigenous” people there. in fact, a couple thought that it was a white man squatting camp, till they saw the signs….

I didn’t know we had a chewie disposal board!

Loquaciousness4:07 pm 03 Oct 08

You’re not even close to Nutter of the Month DLS:

Block caps: no
Bad Spelling: no
Incomprehensible ranty language: no
Newbie: no

You’ll just have to try harder 😉

L

Maybe the 4 minute video is a bit much to expect people to watch at work?

Not even close mate.

Die Lefty Scum3:51 pm 03 Oct 08

Notice the lack of comments on this story? That’s because people are afraid to say what they really think for fear of being branded racist. So much for freedom of speech. You can thank the lefty scumbags for that. They consider themselves the ultimate in liberality and yet they refuse to listen to any views which oppose their own. Ahhhh the hypocrisy.

Now hand me my nutter of the month award STAT.

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