The federal government is losing in the polls for trying to introduce a carbon tax. The carbon tax at least recognises a problem that needs urgent attention - we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which, when dug up and used to make energy, increase pollution and carbon dioxide in the air.
The Tasmanian state government is short of funds..... and is planning on closing 20 Tasmanian schools to raise a bit of cash, meaning that, apart from anything else, there will be a forced increase in the use of fossil fuels to get these children to other schools. Moreover, the remaining schools will have to be enlarged to accommodate the extra students, using more fossil fuels. Extra teachers will be required and they too will have to travel, probably from where they lived near the previous school, up to 30 minutes drive away. Then, something will have to be done with the existing schools..... and so on.
Not a single mention has been made of this in the media. I feel like screaming! But I had to laugh when a friend sent me an email yesterday putting all my thoughts into a nutshell....
An Obituary printed in the London Times
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition...
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.. If you still remember him, pass this on.
If not, join the majority and do nothing.
6 comments:
very good Kate, yes I am not sure where we should start, but maybe getting some common sense back into our lives is a good place to begin! I think all the carbon tax will do is move money around, not get to the core of the problem which is to get onto the path of using less fossil fuel.
I keep seeing that guy's four stepbrothers all over the place. It's funny cos it's true.
Good one Kate,
I have just spent an hour sitting outside the fruit shop at Mitcham, discussing this exact topic with Meg as we gathered thrown out veggies for our worm farms!!
Our only solution was to give each other a hug and say see you at the Community garden next week.
Vale common sense allright, timely post Kate.
Just been met with some ppl who run a businessf from home who have been shut down by council because of a clarical oversight. This anomoly has cost them a potential $30k in lost earnings not to mention leaving their customers high & dry.
Its little wonder so many businesses are on the market in the Huon as it just keep getting harder and harder to comply with the red tape
This is Great. Will have to share it around I think.
good to see that mckim and his cronies have backed down - after some spirited opposition from the school communities
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