Over the last month in Australia, we have had two separate examples of art v child pornography.
The first was over an exhibition by photographic artist Bill Henson, which involved photographs of teenage children. The NSW police closed the exhibition and confiscated the pictures citing that they were Child Pornography. The furor involved all sides in the country - the Prime Minister branded them "disgusting", whilst the art community was saying to hold on - they were art.
Since then, the Australian Censor has ruled that they are not pornography.
This weekend, the second story broke. The NSW-government funded art magazine : "Art Monthly Australia" which featured on it's cover a painting of a 6 year old girl (painted by her mother!) naked in a seascape (it looks like the white cliffs of Dover in the background actually). Again, our Prime Minister has branded it as "disgusting" - at least he's consistent! He did state that he finds all artwork that depicts naked children as disgusting. One hopes he hasn't got any snaps of his kids semi-naked running through the sprinklers in their Queensland backyard!
Admittedly, the magazine does have some highly questionable art inside of naked children wearing jewellery - and the editors have blatantly exploited these children to fuel a debate.
The NSW government has threatened to withdraw funding of the magazine.
In both cases, however, the people of Australia have not been given the chance to make up their minds in an unbiased way. The media has shown pictures - with "offending" areas covered by a blank box.
On this, they are saying "is this child pornography or not". Most people are saying "yes" - based on media beatup and not having seen the full image.
On an issue such as this, one cannot come to a decision without seeing an uncensored image!
It's my belief that the media has been guilty of making these images pornographic by their censorship. Ten years ago, these images would have been shown uncensored, or not shown at all, as the question would not have arisen.
What has happened to the world? I'm not condoning child porn in any way, shape or form, but the media and governments have been guilty of demonising anything showing naked children, or underage children involved in a remotely sexual relationship into child pornography.
To take things to the extreme that they have been given, a picture of two teenagers kissing can cause the person who took the picture to be charged with child pornography! That means that displaying this poster available at allposters.com could get you suspected of child pornography!
Even worse, using the attitude that all images of naked or semi naked children are child pornography, means that those snapshots you have in the family album of children running round wearing only undies, or even having removed their undies and running around the yard nude could get you arrested. Heaven knows what the traditional naked toddler on bearskin rug photo would get you - probably not only an arrest for child pornography, but chased down by PETA for using fur!
Many sporting clubs and schools have even banned parents taking photographs of their children competing! What sort of nonsense is that!
So - what is pornography? I checked www.dictionary.com and their definition of pornography is: "obscene writings, drawings, photographs, or the like, esp. those having little or no artistic merit".
To me, pornography is art or writing with no reason other than to provide sexual titliation. I write erotica - yes, it contains graphic sex scenes, but they are part of the story, and serve to progress the story. I have never, and would never, write a sexual situation involving an adult and a child - it's one of the things that really turns me off.
The furore over child pornography is completely over the top - and another example of the cotton-wooling of the world. What worries me is the people who are saying "such and such is pornographic". It worries me that their minds obviously see it as such - and they're the ones that should be looked into! With the media then censoring the images, it turns them into something that is more sleazy than they are - and takes away the ability of the viewer to make up their own minds.
Yes - Bill Henson was guilty of a piece of ill-judgement, and the editor of "Art Monthly Australia" are guilty of exploiting children in commissionign these photographs and pictures in the name of "debate" - but they are right in one aspect. This is a topic that needs to be debated in an open and honest way, without resorting to wowserism or people taking a high and mighy attitude to "protect the children".
If we follow that all pictures of naked children are pornographic, then we had better get rid of all depictions of cherubs and cupid right now!
What society needs is not more laws - it's to take a step back and allow people to make up their own minds.
Unfortunately, child pornography is something that has been around for centuries, and will continue to be around. Those who find it acceptable do have very sick minds, and need to be removed from society, and removed from all contact with children. It is unacceptable. And I applaud the work done by police around the world in combating it. I feel that all ISP's need to be more vigilant about content hosted and viewed, and that immediate blocks on child pornography should be automatically put in place by them.
But, people also need to have an open mind. The levels this has reached around the world now is ludicrous - and in the effort of "protecting children" adults are guilty of depriving them of some of the joys of childhood, and turning the world from a place of wonder and discovery into a wrold of fear.
And isn't it fear that we're trying to protect them from?
As for art v pornography - you have to decide for yourself. Just make sure that you do so with all the facts, and with an open mind. Otherwise, you do yourself a disservice!
It wouldn't be 25th April without the Aussies in your midst bringing this up.
Having just gotten back from Brisbane's Dawn Service, I'd like to take this opportunity to post what's called "The Ode"
They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning
We will remember them.
This is part of a longer poem by Laurence Binyon called "For the Fallen" You can read it here: For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon
ANZAC Day isn't about glorifying war - it's about glorifying those who, when called, go to these wars. Whether as soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses, doctors and the hundreds of others who support them to do their job.
Today, ANZAC day also honours those who fought in the army of other countries as well - including those who were "enemies" of Australia. In Brisbane's ANZAC Day Parade, regiments of German, Japanese, Turkish, etc., veterans. The wreathes around the Eternal Flame in ANZAC Square contain memorieals for enemies, as well as locals.
How does this relate to Gatch? Well, some of those who went to war were teenagers. Many were as young as 14 or 15 - they lied about their age to join up.
Our favorite birdies weren't the first teenagers to have to fight - but when you think about it, it's really a horrible thing to think that throughout history, children have fought for the freedoms we now enjoy.
And so, throughout Australia and New Zealand, we bow our heads for 1 minute silence
Which new movies are you looking forward to seeing this fall?
Startust for sure and The Golden Compass.
I love good fantasy and the first one just looks great - with an original idea and a good story.
The second - well I adore the books and just can't wait to see how they translate it to the big screen.
I've been seething about this for 5 hours now - and its making me physically sick.
The two people I work with had a lunch arranged with one of our cients. Now, I really had no problem with this - it would have been nice to be included, but Admin staff rarely get to go and have the lunch/dinner thing.
What has really got me going is that it's become obvious that they never actually intended to come back to the office this afternoon. AND one of them had scheduled an interview with a new candidate for 4pm.
Nieve little me thought that as they had only booked it in the calendar for 1 1/2 hours, that was all it would be. It's not like we've nothing to do - 7 new jobs in yesterday, 1 today, so we've got work coming out our ears.
Added to this, one of the Directors has decided that the entire office needs to be re-arrangeed. By today.
Not a problem, except the consultant who has to move desks is resisting it as hard as she can - well passively resisting. Basically refusing to move. But that's easy to deal with - when the Director asks me if it's done, I;ll just refer her to this Consultant (who happens to be the Senior Consultant in the office) and she can do the explaining.
What really got my goat is that after 3 hours, I finally had to go to the loo, so put the answering machine on and ducked out. Naturally, the phone rang in the 5 minutes it took me.
It was a new candidate saying she was running late, as she was trying to find somewhere to park.
Tired to ring the girls - naturally neither one had taken their work mobiles with them. Tried the Consultant who had booked the interview - message bank. Tried the other one - she answered & I got onto the correct person.
She then had the absolute gall to ask me if I could interview this lady for her. "Was it all right?".
Of course it bloody wasn't! It's the height of rudeness (IMHO) to arrange a meeting and then have somebody else do it, because you're out socialising. (and let's be honest here - they weren't talking staffing needs al that time!)
I, naturally, said "yes, I'll do it" becasue if I said no, then it's an easy bet that she would have complained to the Directors about me not being a team player.
Now, I'd also been taking phone calls all afternoon & messages, expecting them to be back by 3pm at the latest.
This isn't the first time. They go out to visit a client, and it's a 2 or 3 hour thing (should only be one - one and a half hours) and then a couple of weeks ago went out to do some "training" and never came back (I was stuck at the office until 6pm that Friday beause neither of them had their keys, and had only taken walletts & mobiles - had to wait until one of them deigned to come back for their gear before I could pack up and go).
Yes - I was dumb. I should have just locked up and left and to hell with their stuff there.
So - am I just being whiny and stupid, or do you think that their actions are totally inconsiderate? The thing is, I know it's not deliberate - it's completely thoughtless on both their parts. I can't help but think it will get worse, as we have a new consultant starting on Monday and I can see them now being a trio and doing everything - so I'll still be in the same position.
I'd up and leave except.... I love my job. I love the company I work for and don't want to leave. And if I left, I'd forfeit my commissions (which are all from temp placements and come to about $2000 per quarter - which is what does things like helping support my mum who is on an aged pension, do maintenance on my car, and just generally buy a few "wants").
Reallly, I just need to have a huge rant. Well no - I need your help in deciding should I speak about this to my Directors? But I don't want to be seen to be whiny or jealous.
Am in a quandry and am making myself ill thinking about it.
started doing a Diploma of Business Management. Work is paying for it, and it's competency based, so I don't have to do the whole going to uni classes businesss (which is good,because I don't learn in a Uni environment).
I'm enjoying the studying - but am discovering that the assignments are driving me insane.
Now, many of you have read my fics, and some of you are regular readers of my BellaOnline embroidery site, so you know I'm a fairly ready writer.
Except for these bloody assignments.
I still have 2 questions of my first one to do, and the second one, well, I'm getting panic attacks just reading it through. I had the same problem at school. Test me verbally, and I'll come through with flying colours, no problems at all. Get me to put it in writing, and it all goes to pieces.
Added to this is the fact that for the past 6 years or so, I've been writing for the 'net, so my style is fairly concise. But then, if I can say it in 10 words, why use more?
I've been told to "read more into the question" - which leaves me going "huh??"
What makes it all worse is that everybody at work is telling me I'll breeze through the course no problems - I may do that, but the bloody assignments will kill me. I hate it when I get to the point I'm crying becuase I can't do something, and that's where I'm at now.
Added to this, is the stress that the Office isn't meeting budget, and we're under pressure to turn it around, I also have a proceedures manual for our database to write, and get a canddiate care newsletter off the ground.
And I can't defer the course, because it's been paid for and is attracting a government subsidy. I do have 2 years to complete it, but I'd rather spread it over those 2 years, rather than defer for 6 months, and then STILL have the same problems to get it done. Oh - did I mention that there are 10 modules to do?
It's completely frustrated all of my writing - to the point that I can't even write fic at all, and am also finding it hard to write the other things I need to (Bella articles, procedures manual, newsletter, etc). I've mentioned at work my dilemma, but without much luck. Everybody just keeps saying hang in there.
I hate failing at something that I know I can do - but I'm not sure what to do about this.
I love my boyfriend. He makes me feel so loved and wanted - and if only he and I were in the same place, it would be perfect. I've also discovered he has a very deeply hidden romantic streak. On 22 December, I turned 40 (although I prefer 21 and some odd months), and he had already sent me a birthday present (a beautiful Tatty Teddy and a tigger and a beanie-baby koala. At least I think it's a koala), but the day before, I had a delivery of a beautiful red long-stemmed rose that he'd organised all the way from the UK. Turned me completely into a babbling mess, and made me (again) realise why I did fall in love with hiim - over the internet and 10,000 kilometers away. My mum arrived on 19 December - and it's been lovely having her, but I am just starting to get a little weary. I never feel like I am meeting her expectations of me, and tend to stress myself out trying. But what's worse is that she's still without a job, and I can't support her as I want to be able to becaue I just can't make my pay stretch that far. I am hoping to get a payrise in the New Year - my direct manager (or will be until 8 January) wants me to go from $38K to $43K. The directors say I'm worth it, but are sticking because I'll then be getting a higher base rate than the consultants. This is ignoring the fact that the consultants are expected to earn 30% commission each month on anything over $14,000 they bill (their target is $14,000 per month). If I make a placement, I get 10% (or $1 per hour if it's a temp). I was supposed to be on bonuses based on the office performance, but (and this is the one thing that I am really annoyed about with my new job) was gypped by the then-general manager who managed to screw me and turn my "bonus" into the same commission that the other admin staff get if they make a placement as a matter of course. Anyhow, I haven't heard anything as yet on it - so will chase it up when we go back to work on 2 January. In the meantime, I'm "on call" this week for anybody looking for Brisbane office. So far, only one thing, and I'm hoping it will result in a placement today. Other than that, my job is going great. My role is being completely re-defined at present. We've got another consultant starting on 8 January, who will be the Recruitment Manager (the current one is cutting back his hours to only 2 days per week) and so with her, and the other 2 consultants, I will be able to just concentrate on the admin and ops side of the office. So over this break, I've got the task to take apart my PD and write a new one Fortunate, because my curent assignment for my DIploma of Business Management is to write a Position Description. Oh - that's the other task I have (well one of them). I have an assignment due on 9 January, so I had better tackle that as well. And finally, I have to work on a business proposal to open an office in Mackay. Holiday? What holiday?? Mum and I spent Christmas Day with her cousins in Glenview (in the Sunshine Coast hinterland). I'd not met these ones before, and they were very pleased to meet me as we're the only rellies they have. Very nice people, and I've had e-mails and phone calls from them since christmas, so looks like I'll have some more close cousins to play with. My brother and his boyfriend left on their 6 week overseas holiday on 27 December. They're spending most of it in the USA. They arrived yesterday in San Francisco and leave there tomorrow - already had a phone call from them. Then they head to Ohio for a few days with C's relatives (he's American) and then to up near Lake Eerie to a place called Peakin Peak (I think that's how it's spelled) where his family has a condo for most of the rest of the time. Then a train to New York for a few days and back via London (they'll be there 3 days - and I really sulked when I heard that, because my wonderful BF lives in England and I want to be there) and Tokyo. In the meantime, when she gets back to Mackay, my mother will be living in their house to cat-sit. Such hardship for her. Air-conditioned house, big-screen TV, pool and pussy cat. Oh - and she has to drive C's Lexus as well. As for me? Back to work, and saving and dreaming of my wonderful BF.
I just knew it!!!
<a href="http://www.innergeek.us"><img src="http://www.innergeek.us/grafix/buttons/iam-majorgeek.jpg" alt="i am a major geek" border="0">
Ever had those times that you're left sitting there while everybody around you is out partying?
My life is sort of like that at the moment.
Personally - my choice. But what is ticking me off is that I'm constantly being left out of events and functions at work. Take today for example - Melbourne Cup day.
Yesterday, we got an e-mail from one of the directors on what and where everybody will be. I am the only one who is not attending a function. The guys at the Sydney office are all going out to Lunch. The two consultants in Brisbane are going to separate events (one of them under protest!), but nothing for me.
Same thing happened last month when it was organised to take some clients out to dinner. Everybody in Brisbane went, as well as one of the Directors, except me. Wasn't even asked if I would like to attend. Interestingly enough, I've heard that a number of the clients were asking where I was, so I feel a little better.
Problem is - I love my job and I love the company I work for. Everything's just so focussed on the junior consultant who is not really working, and trying to solve his problem that they're forgetting that the team is a team - and that I do just as much consulting as the others, as well as all their admin work.
Ok - whinge over.
On the lovelife front, things are going very well. My boy and I have reached the 6 month milestone with only some minor disagreements, but these have been talked out. I suppose it's one good thing about an online relationship - you HAVE to talk about things. But we are happy - and constantly finding out more things that we have in common.
I need to get back into my writing - I've written a couple of short pieces, but can't move more into my novel or into my novel-length BotP saga. My muse seems to have gone walkabout.
I'm waiting to hear from the Qld government to confirm my place for the Frontline Management diploma I'm doing - once I have that confirmation, I'll know when I start it. I'm quite keen to start.
Actress Jane Wyatt, best known for her roles as the mother in "Father Knows Best" and for playing Amanda Grayson - Spock's mother in "Star Trek" died in her sleep on Friday 20 October.
Like most actresses of her time, she was outspoken about what she believed in, becoming a victim of McCarthysim and later being an outspoken opponent of the Senator.
The world has lost another of "Old Hollywood" - and is a less glamorous place.
May she Rest in Peace.
This Article was an interesting read. Now, I don't live anywhere near Sydney, and I don't want to live there. But working in a company with a Sydney head office, and having a lot of friends in Sydney, I had to have a bit of a giggle at it.
My favorite quote is:
"Chamber executive director Patricia Forsythe said the poll had uncovered some discrepancy between how Sydneysiders saw themselves and how others saw Sydney."
I think that this may just be one of the biggest understatements I've seen in a long time. The only one that would be bigger was if you changed "Sydney" to "Melbourne".....
