Australia's future as a radioactive superpower.

After a recent email from a good friend referring to the release of radioactive material into the drinking water of a South Australian uranium mine, I was immediately provoked to join the current debates that are embroiling politicians and citizens alike.

Nuclear energy emits very little carbon dioxide, and is claimed to be the most viable "clean" energy [sic] available to meet a power hungry nations needs. This must also be balanced with the fact that nuclear waste, the possibility of accidents or terrorism and the destruction of valuable areas are major concerns to all.

I am afraid to say that with Mr Howard's biased Nuclear Australia Inquiry and the fact that about 25% of the worlds Uranium is found in Australia, we mightn't have too much of a say in this matter. It is of course vital that we as citizens look at both sides of this issue and find the common ground on which to demand from our Government.

Green Energy such as integrated power grids, solar, wind and tidal power generators should and will be the future of our countries power supply. These energies are renewable and sustainable. These technologies are advancing rapidly yet their implementation is not large scale, and by no means could we ween ourselves off coal straight onto these clean sources.

The industrial juggernaut that rules the modern age is excited at this new interest in Uranium because they will certainly be the main benefactors. As we all or should all know, when large industries want the world to head in a certain direction they customarily get their way, leaving Governments and nay-sayers in their wake. To repel this push towards uranium is a colossal task, so we must think carefully about where we put our political energies because an ill thought unfocused resistance to a large industry push would be impotent.

More than 25% of the worlds uranium is found in australia, surely it would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to export and use such a precious natural resource. The Australian people have relied on the windfall of coal and this is another opportunity to boost our economy. The prospect of increasing our Uranium exports also brings the question of whether it is viable to enrich uranium locally and export as a value-added product thus creating jobs and increasing profits as enriched uranium is of course much more valuable than the raw product (just ask Iran). All of these factors weigh heavily on the Governments mind, and should not be overlooked by the rest of us as all Australians will benefit economically.

There are other options to consider when thinking about our nuclear future. Thorium is a radioactive metal that is less volatile and easier to mine than uranium. It is safe to produce energy as it requires a particle accelerator to split the atoms thus removing the threat of accidents or meltdowns. The by products of thorium, the waste if you will are actually no more radioactive than coal ash, which also has low levels of radiation. Another benefit of thorium is is can be used together with spent uranium rods and during the fission process harnesses their energy and leaves them much safer for disposal. Thorium Power Inc. is currently testing Thorium reactors in Russia. These Thorium Plants know as ADS are specially designed and not much greater in expense than a standard Nuclear reactor, although it must be noted that most current Nuclear Reactors cannot be retrofitted with this new technology. This fact makes Thorium Reactors look economically unfeasible for some countries already using Nuclear Energy to a large scale. However this is a great opportunity for Australia as we are still in our Nuclear infancy.

I feel it would be ignorant of Australians to oppose the expansion of our Uranium mines and increasing our exports through enrichment.
Saying this Australia should by no means begin building standard Nuclear reactors as we have the opportunity to use Thorium and even the possibility of buying spent uranium to use within them. The Governments proceeds from uranium exports should be invested into the research and implementation of renewable energy sources. Such a large investment into this area would make us a world leader in Renewable energy and eradicate our dependance on other sources of energy, which would also be of economic benefit. To blindly oppose the industrial juggernaut is of course futile, but if the Left can concentrate their efforts into a viable compromise for a Green Australia, with clear and defined goals a truly great compromise can be made.

Buddhism, terrorism and "Strayans"

It seems that using this blog format has influenced my writing towards the more serious side of my writing talents. Over a month traipsing around the Thai countryside has given me plenty of new ideas and subjects for this genre of writing, but to jump straight in would probably bore you all to tears. As you all know I am more than a little bonkers, which usually means my travels sporadically include some strange or purely idiotic events, here are a few for your amusement.

After hearing about a Buddhist retreat in a cave nearby Trang. Daniel, Lit and myself decided a week long brush with Buddhism would do us a world of good. As we sat down and spoke to the Nuns, they did their best to scare us out of joining the retreat, with detailed descriptions (in pidgin) of how difficult this particular type of meditation is to maintain for an entire week. Naturally we were rather perturbed at this. After some discussion we basically let it get to us and ran away. I had a cigarette in my mouth within minutes (there was a cigarette and beer shop conveniently located 10 metres outside temple grounds). I am ashamed of myself a little, but there is no denying I am not ready for a week of constant meditation from 3 am to 11 pm. That would obviously require some serious mental resolve.

On the run from Buddhism we decided to get away, partially because we didn't want our friends in Trang to find out we chickened out. We went to Hat Yai, a city about 2 hours away and enjoyed most of the un-Buddhist pleasures, Hollywood films, McDonald's burgers, perving at beautiful women, and of course beer and cigarettes.


A visit to Koh Lipe was next on the cards, part of a beautiful archipelago close to Malaysia. After a couple of nights I found a bar that didn't close at 8 pm like the rest. It was in this marble and stone open air bar, completely out of place amongst bamboo huts and thick jungle, that I met someone straight out of a bad American "road trip" novel. With a blonde quiff/mullet that looked like a cross between the styles of Elvis and a female softballer, a deep southern accent that also resembled Elvis and a confident stagger that suggested that he had been very drunk for at least a month. After introductions I soon came to realise my participation in the conversation was not needed other than to prevent him from talking to himself, which is a strange feeling for me because normally its me who is talking at people. It turns out he was sleeping on the beach and spending all his money on beer, which explains the odour, the dishevelled state of his clothing and of course his more than apparent inebriation. He then showed me some scars he had picked up due to falling down regularly, and told me how he had cauterized each one with a lighter to avoid infection. That got me wondering as to his sanity. Eventually the conversation changed to the subject of my then new blog, and the politics that it entailed. Not being known for tact or holding back my opinions I came straight out with a comment about what I was to find out is a very sensitive issue for this man. "The protests in France are working, public nuisance is a mild form of terrorism. Terrorism works sometimes."
As he held me by the throat with his beetroot red face millimeters away from my own, he growled a short story about himself in Iraq, dragging his colleges smoldering bodies out of a car, I thanked the architect of the bar for designing the large stone table between us and in true pacifist style put up my hands and said something along the lines of "Terrorist's or freedom fighters, its just a word mate". He released me as I said this, what I said must have worked because he was coming around the table to get closer to me, maybe he wanted a hug, unfortunately for him I was in the next few milliseconds to decide it was time for bed, and I would give him his hug another time. I ran home in the dark for some exercise.

Weeks later I encountered another person whom you could only describe as a complete and utter wanker. My second night in Chiang Mai, with no intention of drinking or misbehaving, I decided the FA cup semi-final between Middlesborough and West Ham was the only thing on my to do list. Drinking water and watching football just seemed wrong to me though, and I quickly concocted a sub-plot to liven up the evening a little. Drinking water and watching football in the dodgiest girly bar in town, while ignoring all advances made by bar girls would certainly be more entertaining. Now I know what you are thinking but I assure you I entered such premises for the pure amusement of confusing these poor girls by completely ignoring them and drinking water (this is quite possibly the first time they have ever seen such a thing in their careers). After the football, my team losing of course, I turned to leave to be confronted by a young man, with his hands attempting to explore the interior of one of the girls skirts, only to be denied, and I was overcome with a wave of cynicism, my face wrinkled into an obvious display of disgust which I directed at him.


"Hey how ya goin bro?" he bellowed in a thick western suburbs of Sydney accent, he obviously hadn't picked up the heavy vibes I was sending his way as I walked past.

"I'm alright" I said slowing down my stride only fractionally.

"Where yoo from mayte?" Shit I thought, I really don't want to talk to this guy, a walking, talking stereotype of the misogynist Australian male.

"Did yoo say Straya, nice one bro I'm from Straya too." I then switched my brain to automode as we exchanged travelling pleasantries and all I recall is that he is getting married when he returns to Oz.

After questioning his moral fibre, and then having to explain the meaning of the term moral fibre, he got a bit aggressive, and told me to fuck off. I happily obliged and failed to inform him he was about the take home a Kathoey (lady boy).

Politically emasculated

The new industrial relations laws have been passed through parliament and have now taken effect. These laws cut the power of unions in favour of individual workplace contracts. They scrap the national award system, and are opposed by 6 State Premiers and the "Leader" of the Opposition, who claim it to be a repeal of the Australian "fair go".

Half a million people marched the streets in capital cities against the erosion of their social rights. Peter Hendy the chief exec of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry aptly pointed out, "They haven't even got a majority of the union movement membership to turn up, let alone anything more than a fraction of the Australian work force,".

Whether you for or against these changes, you cannot deny that the people affected by the changes have not done enough to stop them. The working class in Australia are allowing themselves to become an impertinent factor in policy making. With Trade Unions all but dead there appears to be no group or organisation effectively lobbying for workers rights. The Australian working class has allowed itself to be politically emasculated by the Howard government.

The shit kickers as they refer to themselves as, are the people who need to instigate change in the country if only to serve themselves.

What can they do? Of course the impending court battle is the front line of the issue but real change begins at the grass roots.

Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world." and I agree, they must stand up and be heard as citizens, not palmed off as vacuous football fans or vapid pub frequenters. If you have been, nice to meet you.

Perhaps the answer is that they just don't know how to protest. A group of 10,000 orderly protesters in town square shouting and chanting over a megaphone just doesn't seem to get heard. Worldwide millions walked against the Iraq war but to no avail. This form of protest seems futile in todays world.

I suggest they follow the French example. The French youth, who are currently protesting against laws similar to those planned by our own government are striking, blocking train stations, bus terminals and causing havoc in the streets. The whole world is looking, and now the government will be listening. Public nuisance works for them and they have been doing it since the last French revolution in 1789.

Steve

Inaugral Blog

Good Morning Ladies and Gents,

Yes thats correct, I have finally decided to attempt to keep up with the fast moving world of the internet. Blogs, podcasts and anything with an .xml are keeping my mind active at the moment.

School has finished, well for teaching anyway. I am still contracted until the 31st of March, so I am required to come to school which currently resembles a ghost town.

The interesting political situation that has arisen in the Land of Smiles is something I have been following closely. Lets start from the beginning shall we.

Disclaimer: Although I have done my best to keep informed of the facts, the following is the situation as I understand it. The facts conveyed are not claimed to be exact. This is merely a guide for you, if you wish to know more follow the links.

The Man:

Thaksin Shinawatra, the second richest man in Thailand also happens to be the Prime Minister. He was the owner of Shincorp. This company was considered a national asset as it provides the majority of people with there telecommunications needs. During his reign as PM, he changed a whole lot of corporate laws to favour himself in business deals as well as friends and family. He is also implicated in numerous other scandals, such as missing bomb detectors at the new airport. (Just see the new US State Department Human Rights report)
The whole thing stinks of corruption.


What he did:

Last year Mr Thaksin decided to start an offshore investment company called AmpleRich Pty. Ltd. Apart from its rather suggestive name it didn't actually do anything in the way of investing or otherwise... Until recently that is. Mr Thaksin and the other share holders of Shincorp (his children) decided to sell Shincorp to AmpleRich, but luckily because they sold it at the low low price of 1 baht per share (about 65 baht below valued price) they managed not to pay any tax. AmpleRich then sold these shares at their agreed share price of around 70 baht each to a Singaporean company. Leaving Mr Thaksin 70 billion baht richer and avoiding any form of tax whatsoever as there is no captial gains tax on the sharemarket here. There is much more to it than this, but thats about as simply as I can put it for now.


The People:

At least twice a week there are protests around the country demanding the PM's resignation with crowds ranging from 10,000 people to 200,000 people. These rallies are met by a large police presence, usually having their power cut by order of the local Governor. The people of the South and Central Thailand being in a better financial position, and therefor more educated, are mad as hell and use every opportunity to complain about the gross misconduct of their PM. Unfortunately, in the North and North East of Thailand the poorer and lower educated are rallied to agree with the PM through bribes and propaganda, the media in these areas is restricted and lately some television channels (owned by anti-Thaksin lobbyists) have had there feeds cut altogether. A recent pro-Thaksin rally in Bangkok sported 200,000 people, some of whom admitted later to being paid 500 baht for their attendance.

The Election:

Because of all the trouble, the PM has dissolved parliament and become care-taker PM until the April 2 snap election, which he is expected to win again. The King is being lobbied to disallow Thaksin from rerunning as PM but to no avail. The angry portion of the public want Thaksin out, with good reason I think. There is much confusion now as there are calls to boycott the election. This is how it works, If Thai Rak Thai (Thaksin's party) are the only political party standing and less than 20 percent of the population votes, the election is void. In Trang there were 2 candidates until the opposing candidates admitted being bribed 30,000 baht to stand. Thaksin has agreed to stand down, if he does not receive at least 50 percent of the vote.

What will happen:

The boycott will not work. It is difficult for people to understand, as it is for me. Thaksin will be re-elected in a landslide just as he was last election. There is the possibility of violence after the elections, the Thai people are passionate about this issue. There has already been politically motivated murders, bombings etc.

Footnote:

On average 17 candidates are murdered during each election.


Hope you all feel a little more enlightened on Thai politics.

Oink

Steve