Politics
2011
Femicide in Ciudad Juárez
Wednesday, October 19 2011
“Quiero que ustedes investigen algo polemico para hacer un debate” my Spanish conversation teacher announces to the class. She asks us to prepare a debate on a contentious issue in Mexico to practice our Spanish. On the board she lists the usual suspects; the drug war, abortion, gay marriage, indigenous rights (perhaps not so usual in this private Mexican university) and finally “women in Ciudad Juárez”. A scuffle for juicy topics ensues, and ultimately two other Australian students and I find ourselves with the topic we know least about. But that’s okay. We have faith that JSTOR and our Mexican friends will provide.
The Independents
Wednesday, October 19 2011
Within politics there are limitations inherent in toeing the party line and it is of interest when a politician decides to rise above rather than succumb to conventional party confines. Three federal MPs who have done so and assert individualism are Labor member Kelvin Thomson, minor party leader Bob Katter and independent Andrew Wilkie.
Significant moments in Australian political history
Wednesday, October 19 2011
Lego playsets coming soon…
After the Intervention
Monday, September 5 2011
In 2012 the first phase of “the intervention” will be complete. In 2007 the Commonwealth Government shocked the nation by suspending the Racial Discrimination Act to implement the policy. The derailment of “self-determination” sparked a new debate in Indigenous affairs. But what did the intervention set out to achieve, was it successful and what can we expect in the future?
Affirmative Action
Monday, September 5 2011
Shaun Khoo and Amy Jenkins go head to head to decide if affirmative action is a help or hindrance to the women of UMSU.
Synchrotron: The Cutting Edge on a Knife's Edge
Wednesday, August 17 2011
In 2007, the Australian Synchrotron, located close to Monash University, Clayton, was awarded initial joint funding between the Commonwealth and Victorian State Governments of $100 million to cover the five years until 2012, giving an annual budget of $20 million. In May this year, the Victorian State Government announced its budget for 2011-12.
Katter in a hat
Monday, August 15 2011
Beneath a sweltering sky one Sunday in June, Bob Katter faced a bustling media pack with his tan cowboy hat, a proud peace sign and a simple reason for launching his new political party.
Feminism for Men
Monday, July 25 2011
Feminism sometimes provokes hostile reactions from men, partly due to the fact that it is poorly understood. Anti-feminist groups periodically pop up online, and I frequently find myself in conversations with men having to defend feminism against an anti-feminist rhetoric that is dismissive and largely unconsidered. Often, men who buy into this rhetoric reject feminism too quickly. The following pointers may be helpful for men to remember when thinking about feminism.
Super PACs: Constitutional Corruption
Monday, July 25 2011
I’ll admit it; I am often overwhelmed by U.S politics. Congress? Obama-care? Sarah Palin? Isn’t she that chick from 30 Rock and Mean Girls?
Sense and Femininity
Monday, July 25 2011
People talk about my image,
like I come in two dimensions,
like lipstick is a sign of my declining mind.
- Ani DiFranco “Little Plastic Castle”