Lie
SBS TV has just shown a documentary on General Douglas MacArthur which referred to the atom bomb as ending World War II. That statement is perhaps the worst lie inflicted on humanity (because it's so widely believed): that we had to burn 64,602 civilian men, women and children at Hiroshima and 34,000 at Nagasaki to end the war in the Pacific.
In 1943, Japan sought peace terms from the US through Sweden, and again in 1945, twice in two months through Russia at Emperor Hirohito's direction, actually offered surrender. All this before we had even heard of atom bombs.
Where did I learn this? Communist papers? Japanese sources? Peace movement propaganda? No. From American books by American historians in the US Library of Congress — available in our State Library.
We should not enshrine two of history's worst mass murders in a halo of virtue, that is to end the war. The Allies deserve Japan's apology for Pearl Harbor; Japan deserves ours for killing more than 100,000 needlessly.
Simon Bracegirdle
Kelvin Grove Qld
The M word
One part of the backlash against feminism and women's rights is the employment of "once-were-feminists" by the Murdoch and Fairfax media empires. These columnists know that their bread is buttered by singing the virtues of sexism and inequality.
Bettina Arndt is typical. In the Melbourne Age (January 31), Arndt questions whether Patrick Rafter deserves the Australian of the Year award because he is (shock, horror!) an unmarried father-to-be. Arndt says that personal choice in lifestyle decisions is a good thing, but then utterly contradicts this: "... we are not just talking about the effect of adult decisions on their own lives. These choices can also affect children. And when it comes to the welfare of children, there's very good reason to start mentioning the M word."
Arndt has dusted off the classic "But what about the children?" argument to insist on the moral superiority of marriage over cohabitation where bearing children is involved. This argument has consistently been used to deny women the right to work, to an education and to access public life. "Think of the children" really meant "Stay in the kitchen!".
To support her argument, Arndt quotes British academic Patricia Morgan's book Marriage-Lite — the Rise of Cohabitation and its Consequences. It sounds like the typical fare of right-wing sociologists: not marrying means more separations which means more poverty, domestic violence, etc.
Arndt admits that Patrick Rafter, his partner Lara and their child to be are not likely to suffer these problems given their privilege and (important to Arndt) Rafter's "values gained through growing up in a strong nine-child family". But she worries about the example he is setting for potential parents.
Pauline Hanson has openly attacked single mothers as a scourge on society. Arndt is doing the same, albeit in a veiled way. Arndt and the backlash against feminism go together... like a horse and carriage!
Rohan Gaiswinkler
Newtown Tas
[Abridged.]
National pride
Not all Australians felt proud on Australia Day. Many callers to radio stations that day expressed shame about the Australian government's treatment of refugees and its One Nation-like policies.
I attended my citizenship ceremony on the 26th, where Sydney's Mayor expressed: "We should not only be proud of our beautiful city and our great BBQs on Sundays, but we should also be proud of something that can't be seen and can't be touched — freedom. Freedom is a great virtue of this country and we are glad to open our arms to those who need most, as a great multicultural country."
As soon as he finished his disgraceful statement, I heard a bunch of "Yeah, right!" and "Do you wanna tell that to the refugees?!" from the crowd. Many chucked the Australian flags we'd been given back into the envelope.
There are many people who are greatly disappointed at the government. We can see that clearly in the protests that are happening more and more often, and are also increasing in size. On Australia Day, many people wondered how the government can spend thousands of dollars on fireworks, parades and so on, but can't use that money to provide refugees a place in the community and English classes to help them integrate into "the great country of Australia". Maybe it's something to do with a reborn White Australia Policy?
Luisa Ara
Castle Hill NSW
Final solution
Is John Howard's Pacific Solution the Final Solution for asylum seekers?
Gareth W R Smith
Canberra
Volunteer firefighters
The article by Jim Green on the NSW bushfires [GLW #476] was well written and well researched. However, great praise should have been given to the volunteer firefighters, who did a magnificent job. This was an important omission.
In my view, this article should have appeared on the front page and "Argentinians revolt against globalisation" on another page. As our aim is to win the support of the general public, the starting point should be activities in trade unions, local government and various public organisations so that the public can identify them with their basic needs and interests. There is no other way.
Bernie Rosen
Strathfield NSW
Nimbin Mardigrass
This year, 2002, is the Tenth Mardigrass year and already a lot of talk and planning is happening.
If you have suggestions, ideas or offers of help for the big weekend in Nimbin, May 4 and 5, please contact the Hemp Embassy on phone/fax (02) 6689 1842. We're keen to have local involvement wherever possible, including food stalls. Local groups could do their year's fundraising in one weekend! And locals will be given priority.
Other areas of Mardigrass that need energy are the parade, music and entertainment, HEMP forum, finance, security and rubbish. We need lots of volunteers, who, from experience, can really enjoy themselves. Please contact us.
Michael Balderstone
Nimbin Hemp Embassy NSW
From Green Left Weekly, February 6, 2002.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.