tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27408905520009864922024-03-05T17:21:28.567+10:00She SpeculatesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-49687634643612179082011-02-09T11:13:00.001+10:002011-02-09T11:14:23.531+10:00On-line Opinion, Advertising and Corporate Image<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmrGo_Zw8N8n0yX_PPpDTkIj10Ht1qdZvV2TackI_53MfrK_bXq7goR1BcZ5_zsi1-1HPpVVWmNYhwOBLgKGBnOSE_TSi9CcPRRNPFCGVZFAnipqduavjxOJcqjLbuTYRp2b1SYwGFyRR/s1600/commonsensebranding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmrGo_Zw8N8n0yX_PPpDTkIj10Ht1qdZvV2TackI_53MfrK_bXq7goR1BcZ5_zsi1-1HPpVVWmNYhwOBLgKGBnOSE_TSi9CcPRRNPFCGVZFAnipqduavjxOJcqjLbuTYRp2b1SYwGFyRR/s320/commonsensebranding.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/intersectionconsulting/3298326543/in/photostream/">Intersection Consulting</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Anyone who writes or lurks among the various blogs that make up the Australian political blogging community has undoubtedly come across the <a href="http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/02/07/on-line-opinion-and-the-advertising-and-free-speech-controversy/">recent withdrawal of advertising from On-line Opinion (OLO)</a>, and by default, a number of other Australian blogs that Graham Young, the publisher of OLO organised. This was done after a number of people complained directly to the advertisers (ANZ and IBM) about the content and comments of an article written by pro-Christian, anti-gay marriage by Bill Muehlenberg. Resulting, there has been a rather large kerfuffle around the issue, with various parties calling the withdrawal an attack on free speech and an example of intolerance on behalf the gay lobby. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An area of the debate that is getting little treatment is how the actions of the advertisers relates to their marketing strategy. Now, I don’t work for either ANZ or IBM, so my discussion on this is purely theoretical, but I think the points are still salient. To start with, I think we need to consider the basis upon which advertisers choose to purchase advertising space. The theory behind advertising goes a little beyond, “people see my ad, and will click on the ad, resulting in instant revenue.’ Indeed, if that was how marketers believed marketing worked, and how they choose to value web (and to a degree, print) marketing campaigns, publications would <b>only</b> receive cash when someone clicked. </div><div class="MsoNormal">While instant action is obviously a campaign goal, marketers know that this reaction isn’t going to happen all the time. Rather, marketing campaigns also aim to lodge their brand in the memory of the audience. The notion is that, the greater the ability of the audience member to remember the brand name when considering a product category, the more likely the agent will be to recall the brand and make a subsequent purchase. To explain the process of recall, marketing/advertising (and more distinctly, consumer behaviour) researchers prescribe to the associative network model (ANM) of memory. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">According to the ANM, memory consists of a network or schema of link-connected nodes wherein, ‘nodes represent stored information or concepts and links represent the strength of association between nodes’ (Keller 1987, p.317). During recall, activation spreads from a single node throughout the schema, travelling a path based on the strength of association between nodes (trace strength) (Lee & Ang 2003, p.274). Because of this, nodes with a greater number of connections to other nodes are more likely to activate. Subsequently, recall is enhanced by improving the node prominence and trace strength of a brand within its associated schemas. </div><div class="MsoNormal">To improve node prominence and trace schema, <b>marketers, for the most part, spend a considerable amount of time attempting to ensure that the schemas that their brand appear in, are positive<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2740890552000986492#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></b></span></span></a>.</b> To return to the OLO example, a marketing department would not be keen on their brand being placed next to material that incites anger, repulsion, and hurt, not just on the basis that these are bad things within themselves, but also on the basis that <b>they would not want their brand to be associated with these schemas. </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Stepping away from marketing theory, I think it is also important to connect the actions of ANZ/IBM with that of their corporate image and corporate social responsibility. In Australia and much of the western world, we luckily have legal protections in the workplace that prevent us from being discriminated against. For a range of reasons, corporations want/face pressure from society to extend upon their legal obligations to promoting diversity and impacting their staff and the communities they work within positively. They have charters, report on diversity and their charitable works, and generally, for the most part, want to be seen as good corporate citizens. In the case of Muehlenberg’s article, there is no way possible that this article aligns with the policies or actions of a corporate whom is attempting to maintain a social licence to operate and a good corporate image. Indeed, you could argue that through supporting a site that promotes homophobic sentiments, a corporation is being contrary to their desired image<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2740890552000986492#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Despite the backlash and handwringing, this episode shows how much movement the queer movement has made in the Australian social conscience and how increasingly, the homophobic vitriol of Muehlenberg is becoming increasingly unacceptable.</div><div><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /><div id="ftn1"><div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2740890552000986492#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></span></span></a> Unless their product fits well with fear advertising. </div></div><div id="ftn2"><div class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2740890552000986492#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span></span></a> Obviously, OLO isn’t a bastion of homophobia, but my point is that, in publishing such content, they allow for this argument to be brought up. </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-86860446904263749222010-09-06T10:16:00.002+10:002010-09-06T10:20:52.391+10:00On Abbott's "Why I'm the one to govern"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWB_XSBIQ9A1Gy88bi1hqeNqerl85ViUCmLDrzBQ24qtnglID5hjg1T0vbGzx5FmaJlq588himgsrNxugJDBD_R8NzW2dRw6pplt4NmCOw9QyczaaeUtNWlDbl_itCefPF893MyR4cM4u/s1600/Nope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWB_XSBIQ9A1Gy88bi1hqeNqerl85ViUCmLDrzBQ24qtnglID5hjg1T0vbGzx5FmaJlq588himgsrNxugJDBD_R8NzW2dRw6pplt4NmCOw9QyczaaeUtNWlDbl_itCefPF893MyR4cM4u/s320/Nope.jpg" /></a></div>For those not aware, Tony released an o<a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/why-im-the-one-to-govern/story-e6frezz0-1225914207324">pen letter to the independents </a>in a last ditch attempt to further smear the ALP and scramble onto the ministerial throne. So, here's what I think about Tone's letter:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Australia is far more likely to get a fresh start from a new government than from a Labor Party that's humble only because it has no choice. </blockquote>In contrast to the triumphant sneering that you were carrying on with just over a week ago, Tones? <br />
<br />
<blockquote>Why would the country independents throw a lifeline to a seriously bad government that's just got worse since it executed a democratically elected prime minister?</blockquote>OK - correct me if I'm wrong, but, in my understanding of the political system, we don't actually elect a PM. At least, I can't remember voting 1 for Rudd in 2007. There is no option for, 'I want this person to be PM.' We vote for representatives, they are of a certain party, the party with the most representatives form government, and the leader of that party becomes PM. So, Julia became PM, in a way startingly similiar to how Tony became leader of the LNP. Oh, and Tones, <b>executed. </b>That's a fighting word, that is.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Nine weeks ago, on the prime minister's own assessment, the government had lost its way. Two weeks ago, it lost its majority and its legitimacy but it still has not lost office and might actually cling to power through ruthless exploitation of incumbency.</blockquote>Ah Tony, just a little problem here. In the Australian political system, the incumbent government has first dibs on forming a minority government. That's the way it's always been. I would have thought that someone who loves traditions so much, you would be aware and approve of this one: it's old. Oh, and by the way, as there is only one Prime Minister, she gets capitals. Mayhap you had better look at some adult literacy programmes, Tone.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Independent and minor party MPs have every right to make their own assessment of the respective merits of the caretaker government and opposition.</blockquote> But, as you will see, if the assessment isn't "Tony for PM," it's a wrong assessment. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>Still, if they decide to back Labor - or decide not to decide (which amounts to the same thing) - they will be endorsing factional warlordism, the political execution of an elected prime minister, and the kind of incompetence that produced the roof batts tragedy, the school hall rip-offs and a $43 billion commitment to turning back the clock on telecommunications without even a business plan to justify it.</blockquote>Factional warlordism? Huh, I'm getting images of crazed knight-dudes on horses. But Tony keeps going.<br />
<br />
<ul><li><b>The roof batts:</b> look, no-one is going to deny that that was a shitty episode for all involved (and in the case of loss of life, that is a major understatement). But, the thing is, the government didn't directly employ the scoundrels that did the wrong thing, so it puzzles me that this is all somehow, their fault. They just provided the funding. </li>
<li><b>The school hall rip-offs: </b>is this the BER project that recieved a 93% satisfaction rating?</li>
<li><b>Turning back the clock on telecommunications: </b>this one has got me. Tony, please explain how in the ninth level of hell a major investment in telecommunications infrastructure is 'turning back the clock.' Oh, and perhaps you could read some ICT industry literature: the experts all support this. I know it's not traditional and you did just fine without teh internetz, but if Australia is going to move ahead, we need to invest in our ICT infrastructure.</li>
</ul><br />
<blockquote>So far, the caretaker prime minister has won the support of one Green MP and one former Green who is now an independent. </blockquote> Wilkie is also an ex-Liberal. Convenient for you to leave that one out, Tony. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>The Greens have already changed Labor's climate policy from a 150 person citizens' assembly with no predetermined outcome to a parliamentary committee dedicated to setting a carbon price.</blockquote> There are two things at issue here. Firstly, the citizens' assembly was majorly disliked, I think even by Tony himself. Secondly, it is clear that the majority of the Australian people want a price on carbon. That's what we voted for in 2007, (and for some reason, I would swear that the LNP were supporting it too, correct me if wrong), and the failure of Rudd to do it contributed to his fall in popularity. Further, the fact that the people may just want this can also be attributed to the pretty large swing that went the Greens way. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>Then there's the Greens' commitment to reducing irrigation and turning at least 30 per cent of Australia's coastal waters into marine parks.</blockquote>Oh no! Let's just keep plundering the river systems; at this rate, there will be no river eco-system to think of. Bad idea! And again! Let's not protect our coastal waters; we only have world heritage on our coast and who needs that! No-one makes any money outta the Great Barrier Reef, anyway! (cough) And well, all that other water, it's there for our use; we're the humans and God made it for us, after all.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>A Labor/Green alliance spells doom for regional Australia's economic base. The slightest move towards Green defence and foreign policies would put the American alliance at risk.</blockquote>Really? How? And last time I checked, Obama has committed to getting out of Iraq, BTW.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>By cutting funding for independent schools, abolishing the private health insurance rebate, and ending offshore processing of illegal boat people it would damage the social fabric too. </blockquote>Scaremongering at its best. When and where has it been said that funding will be cut for independent schools? Regardless of that, the fact that independent schools receive more funding than public schools is a problem. I guess it's not a problem for upper-middle classians who can afford to send their children to independent schools. Perhaps, in Tony's mind it is pretty much a matter of 'bugger the rest of them!' And on 'abolishing private health insurance rebate' - that's a little bit of an exageration. In regards to the 'ending offshore processing,' I thought that at the start of the article, one of your issues with Julia's policy was that people would be processed on East Timor. Now you're saying that that won't be happening? And how the fcuk will this damage the social fabric?<br />
<br />
<blockquote>They can opt for the Labor Party, in defiance of the expressed political preference and the economic interests of their own electorates. Or they can opt for the Coalition and form the most country-oriented national government since World War Two. </blockquote>Hmmm.. I seem to recall Katter stating that:<br />
<ul><li>He saw more in the last three years for his electorate than he did in the LNP decade preceeding</li>
<li> And that in between him and his Daddy, his electorate was a Labor seat....</li>
</ul><br />
In regards to the 'most country-orientated national government since World War Two,' I am going to give you a little hint: the majority of us do not want to return to the 1940s/50s. We know that you do, and it has sorta caused this little issue for you.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>If the Gillard government limps on, the waste will continue, the debt will mount, the new taxes will accumulate and the boats will just keep coming. There have been seven boats in the fortnight since the election. </blockquote> The debt will mount? Debt is a part of life. It's not that scary - I mean, you have a huge mortgage, don't ya Tone? Oh, and BTW, Australia has the lowest levels of debt in the developed world, and went into that debt to get us through the recession (and we did mightily well, comparatively)<br />
<br />
I gotta take issue with your fixation on teh boats. They have been coming for years; indeed, many came during Howard's reign. And they will keep coming. <a href="http://hoydenabouttown.com/20100817.7989/you-want-soundbites-australia-here-we-gotcher-soundbites-right-here/">In fact, 2766 more refugees arrived by boat during 2001 under Howard, compared with in 2009, under Rudd.</a> We know that<a href="http://shespeculates.blogspot.com/2010/09/11-million-black-hole.html"> numbers are not your forte</a>, but Tony, try to make an effort. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>The soap opera of leak and counter leak between the supporters of Gillard and Rudd will resume. </blockquote> Haven't seen any leaks for a bit, have we. Oh wait, there were those nasty leaks from Treasury, and from Windsor about your budgetary problems. Who is it, exactly, that has a leaks problem?<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Buying off potential critics and surrendering to the unions will be the only policy agenda.</blockquote> Like how Julia totally laid down to the Teachers' Union? The right needs to decide on this and create a cohesive narrative. Either Julia is an evil representative of the unions, or she isn't; you can't keep changing your minds. <br />
<blockquote>A government addicted to spin and spending will continue to be all announcement and no delivery because there can be no new politics from an old government.</blockquote> This sentence doesn't add up. Either they are addicted to spending and are therefore doing something, or they are sitting around spinning their arses off and not committing to or doing anything.<br />
<br />
Yee gads Tony, I think your little letter personifies your politics: mediocre shit-slinging based on untruths and half-truths, an appeal to combative language and behaviour, complete lack of ability with numbers and a fixation on teh evil boat people in an attempt to manipulate the inner racist that lurks inside.<br />
<br />
<div about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinephobia/4152706564/" xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinephobia/" rel="cc:attributionURL">Image by Cinephobia </a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" rel="license">CC BY-NC 2.0</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-74712558593220925752010-09-05T10:02:00.000+10:002010-09-05T10:02:09.828+10:00Looking to the Past for an Idea of the Future: LNP in power<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusf/2270315349/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="John Howard - End Of An Era - tea towel by angusf, on Flickr"><img alt="John Howard - End Of An Era - tea towel" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2270315349_594484939c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Bernard Keane of Crikey provided a brilliant retrospect of the Howard governments so-called <a href="http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/09/03/keane-essay-the-myth-of-governmental-competence/">political competence on Friday. </a><br />
<br />
Reading Keane sparked the nodes, reigniting my most shame and anger filled political schema: immigration laws under the mighty LNP. After three years, where, although we haven't greatly improved things, we still haven't been making charming headlines like oh, say:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Cornelia Rowe</li>
<li> Haneef</li>
<li>Children overboard</li>
<li>Vivien Stone</li>
</ul> The actions of the immigration department under the various immigration ministers were appalling, disgusting, and shameful on an international scale. And Tones has made it clear that 'teh boat people' are a big priority. Stopping them, that is.<br />
<br />
Which brings us to the question: with Tony so tough on teh boat people, what type of headlines are we going to be creating if Tones is at the helm? The imagination runs wild - as the only policy Tones has released is that he will 'stop teh boats.' Oh,and the boat phone. But seriously, the boat phone is not a policy; it's a ridiculous gimmick that, if the election wasn't run on whistle blowing and the MSM wasn't asleep at the wheel, would have never made it to the light of day.<br />
<br />
Boat phone aside, if Tones runs this country, we will be creating textbooks that, in 200 years, some LNP<br />
culture warrior will be demanding be rewritten, because we have 'no reason to be ashamed of our history.'Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-8215561949664390012010-09-04T11:49:00.000+10:002010-09-04T11:49:52.848+10:00The $11 million black hole<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While the giant, gaping $11 million dollar black hole (ok, it is 10.6, but primary school maths tells us to round upwards from five, new ltd take note) is almost old news now, I thought I might harp on it a bit. Aside from the fact that amount is more than I have in my wallet, what does this entire debacle tell us?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_zUIodFXaGislgtszvkRsud3IHWi0SQn1knND-8L9ebdsr8X6wJLoSUILyr6Lxv_wd2qnVupbFVTaJHWNUWWBIivTlnIN-RcxX3YfMNqrp622xQNLE2eL3Ygf4WoQKpRUPjEmAbN7-ZK/s1600/Nope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_zUIodFXaGislgtszvkRsud3IHWi0SQn1knND-8L9ebdsr8X6wJLoSUILyr6Lxv_wd2qnVupbFVTaJHWNUWWBIivTlnIN-RcxX3YfMNqrp622xQNLE2eL3Ygf4WoQKpRUPjEmAbN7-ZK/s1600/Nope.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tony is a lying toad<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tony Abbot knew that his budget wouldn’t add up. This is why he:</span></div><ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Refused to submit his budget to Treasury during the election. A law that was passed by his own party when they were in power. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Refused again to submit his budget to the independents and <strike>walked</strike> ran out of a press conference when asked about it, </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Thought about an excuse, stated it, changed it to another one and still refused to submit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Eventually submitted because he realised that he looked like he had something to hide.</span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seriously, the LNP's actions made it clear that they knew that their costings were rubbish. No-one practices such evasive action unless they have something to hide.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The alternative is that they screwed up economically. Although I would seriously love to think this is the case, and would provide me with great fodder each time someone replies to my anti-LNP rhetoric with, "but what about the economy?", it's rubbish.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>They lied. </b></span></div><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinephobia/" rel="cc:attributionURL">Image by Cinephobia </a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" rel="license">CC BY-NC 2.0</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-45706895111167507992010-02-20T18:51:00.001+10:002010-02-20T18:52:57.481+10:00The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGJKhyphenhyphenVGGmzAQrybDeHbzvM2Qtnh2oHujYcRE_VfH_6lMsetpsj3c5lTfFKA7C2nZ3_LRBJhtumaeMTGF2wQBrh2Blwhv5BhsZnkD4mwwnqL35M7fXcayOMxkPxnF77O02Q1IQ1mGR-k/s1600-h/onehundred.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGJKhyphenhyphenVGGmzAQrybDeHbzvM2Qtnh2oHujYcRE_VfH_6lMsetpsj3c5lTfFKA7C2nZ3_LRBJhtumaeMTGF2wQBrh2Blwhv5BhsZnkD4mwwnqL35M7fXcayOMxkPxnF77O02Q1IQ1mGR-k/s320/onehundred.gif" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
I've been in a reading slump lately. For about the last three months, the amount I've been reading has reduced drastically, based on the fact it has seemed like the quality of speculative fiction being released has been fairly mediocre; for what I like to read anyway. Regardless, I pop into the bookstore every couple of weeks and grabbed a couple of Tamora Pierce novels for my re-read project and a copy of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.<br />
<br />
And wow. Rating of 5/5 - on the shelf for re-reading.<br />
<br />
I read it voraciously. In smoke breaks, while I waited for my computer to start up at work, when I got home, when I got up in the morning. <a href="http://nkjemisin.com/">Nora K. Jemisin</a> has restored my belief that speculative fiction publishers believe that there is a market for well written, complex novels that fit into the feminist speculative fiction paradigm.<br />
<br />
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms revolves around the first person narrative of Yeine Darr; the daughter of an outcasted Princess. Upon her mother's death, Yeine is summoned to the city of Sky and thrust into a battle for ascension when she is named heir to throne, alongside her two maternal cousins. To make matters metaphysical, Yeine becomes entwined in the separate but linked strivings of the gods of the realm, who are chained to the city of Sky, in subservience to the ruling class.<br />
<br />
One of the most fascinating things Nora has done is created a character who comes from a matriarchal culture. While that in of itself isn't out of the ordinary, Nora's character construction of Yeine as a "bit of a chauvinist." She <a href="http://www.orbitbooks.net/2010/02/12/writing-a-post-feminist-character/">explains</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>she does tend to casually assume that the men around her can’t take care of themselves, are more emotionally fragile than women, and generally aren’t much use outside of bed. This is because in her land (which has undergone changes much like our own Sexual Revolution), men have historically been valued solely for their muscles and pretty faces. They’re expected to direct their greater physical strength toward the protection of the home and children, while the women go off to war.</blockquote><br />
It is exciting to see thoughtful world and character creation. Given the patriarchal nature of society in Sky, it would seem that Jemisin decided to give Yeine a background for a matriachal society to provide a basis for the strong, female character. Yet, it is ridiculous to assume that any type of system wherein one social group is dominant based on gender will not result in some form of bigotry. Thus - we are presented with a character who makes sense in the construction of the wider world that she inhabits. That is not to say that women born into a patriarchal culture must always be submissive internally. But Jemisin recognises that nothing happens in a vacuum.<br />
<br />
Indeed, in another score for Jemisin, Yeine isn't another one of those gorgeous, skinny, tall, white characters - who still manages to kick arse with lipstick on, <b>wearing a corset</b>. Yeine is self-described as dark skinned, small - and altogether unremarkable in appearance. It's great to see that publishers (and writers, of course) are releasing fiction that doesn't create female heroines that are completely un-relatable - while they are busy pushing out Joe-comely-neighboor stereotypes for male heroes.<br />
<br />
N.K Jemisin has released a number of delicious short stories, many of which are linked to from her <a href="http://nkjemisin.com/">blog</a>.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04924539841876952790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-16106487032794429652010-02-20T17:13:00.003+10:002010-02-20T17:17:22.211+10:00The Nope Series: Tony Abbot - Post 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzT57EVIpaw4BZqNqEW4KzdTXlY8ixKWTcmHgoxEl0wVo199PQ1sJO4EXU40g0UO461aVmVjsXmY4XkkZui2-42wMRrUIKa2mjrO79MIpRxbzY_WhfWf-m11bxndmynZDahutKA8aDxo/s1600-h/Nope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzT57EVIpaw4BZqNqEW4KzdTXlY8ixKWTcmHgoxEl0wVo199PQ1sJO4EXU40g0UO461aVmVjsXmY4XkkZui2-42wMRrUIKa2mjrO79MIpRxbzY_WhfWf-m11bxndmynZDahutKA8aDxo/s320/Nope.jpg" /></a></div>Inspired by the creator of the above image, titled: "The Audacity of Nope," here is the first in an ongoing series on the audacity of attrocious Abbott. I have to admit, when Abbott was elected to lead the Liberal Party*, I was.... amused. Brought up by staunch -anti-Liberal parents, I thought - fantastic - the Liberals don't have a hope in hell of being re-elected.<br />
The amusement was shortlived.<br />
<br />
Abbott has proceeded to strut in front of the media spreading his patriarchial, nasty, simple-minded filth nation wide. The latest for Tony sure is a doozy. Apparently, in view of the <strike>fact</strike> that<b><strike> homelessness is a choice</strike></b>, Abbott does not support Rudd's push for halving homelessness by 2020. Interestingly, this is yet another point that Turnbull supported. (I'm starting to see Turnbull in a great light).<br />
<br />
Hold on just a second... homelessness as choice. I guess it depends on what you view as choice. The choice for many young homeless people who choose between being beaten and/or sexually abused within their home and that of a cold, hard existence without the guaruntee of a nightly beating on the street.<br />
<br />
Or, perhaps Abbott is referring to the choice made by the hundreds of homeless people who suffer from untreated mental illnesses - who of course choose to remain homeless, when due to their condition (whether that be mental or financial) are unable to afford treatment (whatever that may be) or able to take productive control of their existence. Indeed, I wonder what Abbott thinks about the ''choice'' many mental health inpatients who were released with the massive closures in psychiatric wards in the last ten years (under the Howard Government)<br />
<br />
Tony doesn't do things by halves - that's not the manly way. To further support, his lack of support, Tony went all biblical on us:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span id="lblBody">"The poor you have with you always..."</span></blockquote> Now - SWM have a fabulous history of using the great book as a backup for their patriachial supremecy. Let's follow the logic here - there are always going to be poor people - so, there isn't any reason to help them - even Jesus said so.<br />
<br />
But - wait a second - Jesus thinks that we shouldn't help the poor? OMFG - great reading of the bible there Tony. No wonder Tony wants to institute reading of the bible in school children - clearly this is something that good catholic Tony could have done with himself. (note the sarcasm here - I don't agree with institutionalised reading of the bible at all) Or perhaps Tony has issues with interpretation - perhaps a decent literacy program could aide with that. For a fabulous take-down of this, grounded in biblical interpretation, please hop over to <a href="http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=19455">Tony Abbott, the poor and Jesus. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm a little behind the baton here, for a roundup of Tony's utterances, please visit Hoyden about Town's,<a href="http://hoydenabouttown.com/20100201.7217/obligatory-tony-abbott-said-what-now-thread/"> Tony Said What Now thread. </a><br />
<br />
<br />
____________________________________________________________________<br />
For any American readers, the Liberal Party in Australian politics is the equivalent of the Rebulican Party. Simply put, Liberal = liberal economics and the rights of the white, male individual.<br />
<br />
<div about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinephobia/4152706564/" xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cinephobia/" rel="cc:attributionURL">Image by Cinephobia </a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" rel="license">CC BY-NC 2.0</a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04924539841876952790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-88926262690136195492010-02-20T16:25:00.002+10:002010-02-20T16:25:49.717+10:00Children with Disabilities in Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG0Z9tdE449G1tiGLiUCDz2eNmUmzzWp-sf6Z0ZdzbFZLwzsOOkvnkBWJsb-zprHKKQ_GClERVMix5xGR59kebkDSaOSrNRkIUN78yHasXOWak5tpYE4LxwOtL0wDFyrbu8-VjfXiuz_b/s1600-h/disabled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZG0Z9tdE449G1tiGLiUCDz2eNmUmzzWp-sf6Z0ZdzbFZLwzsOOkvnkBWJsb-zprHKKQ_GClERVMix5xGR59kebkDSaOSrNRkIUN78yHasXOWak5tpYE4LxwOtL0wDFyrbu8-VjfXiuz_b/s320/disabled.jpg" /></a></div>On a whim I brought a copy of Marie Claire, earlier this week. As per usual (I do this maybe twice a year - for reasons unknown to me) I was generally dissapointed. Pictures of too skinny women, expensive clothes and makeup - boring... However, there was one article and a related petition that I am driven to share with my small audience.<br />
One of this month's features for Marie Claire is a <a href="http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/marie-claire/features/reports/article/-/6741343/the-battle-for-care-thats-pulling-families-apart/">harrowing article </a>on the closure of Kingsden School in Sydney - the only (I believe) boarding school for disabled children open in Australia, due to a withdrawal of funds from Anglicare (a funding body of the Anglican Church). The article provides a truly saddening exposure to the financial and emotional costs that are associated with raising severely disabled children with so very little support. Indeed, according to Marie Claire, families with severely disabled children:<br />
<br />
<blockquote> Typically receive just $105 in benefits a week, plus a lump sum of $1000 a year.</blockquote> Gee - I can see how that is such a benefit to receive.<br />
<br />
Rather than rehash the article, click on the link above. If you believe that we as a society should support people with a disability and their families and believe that Kingsden should remain open, please sign the petition created by Marie Claire <a href="http://gopetition.com.au/online/33791.html">here</a><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashkyd/2500921425/" xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashkyd/" rel="cc:attributionURL">Image by Ashkyd</a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" rel="license">CC BY 2.0</a></div>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04924539841876952790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-24170974421176701562010-01-20T09:16:00.000+10:002010-01-20T09:16:31.109+10:00Of Teachers and TestsThe Australian media is currently in a flurry about the refusal by some teachers to take part in the next round of National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) scheduled for May. Here is the situation in its greatest simplicity (by my understanding):<br />
<ul><li>All school children will take a standardised test</li>
<li>Those results will be published</li>
<li>Teachers of 'underperforming' schools will be punished accordingly, for failing our children!</li>
</ul>Indeed, according to a commentator at the <a href="http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/01/20/180165_editorial-news.html">Gold Coast Bulletin</a>, this will "empower parents," enabling them to judge how "teachers are teaching their children."<br />
<br />
That's one take.<br />
<br />
Another take is a little more cynical. While it is certain that these tests will highlight underperforming schools, the results shouldn't come as a suprise and won't necessarily demonstrate teaching standards. Here's my prediction: these tests will highlight what we should already know. The underperforming schools will be those situated in low socio-economic areas, and especially those areas with a high population of refugees. While, I would imagine that high scoring schools will be private educational facilities.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why?</b></span><br />
First and foremost, low socio-economic status does not equal dumb. It does, however mean that the children in these areas come from homes that are statistically more likely to not have a high level of parental education and a host of other societal problems. In areas with a high population of refugees, the students may also face cultural and language barriers - not to mention the post-traumatic nature of being a refugee; coming from a hell hole and, once being 'processed' being thrown into Australian society with what amounts to sweet FA government support. (Money doesn't count)<br />
<br />
Oh, and lest we forget - these lower socio-economic schools receive less government funding than those fancy private institutions that upper middle classians pay $15,000 a year to attend.<br />
<br />
And you know what - the government knows this.<br />
<br />
However, by framing this issue as somehow the teachers fault it deflects the attention away from issues of say: government funding. Indeed, I find it convenient that before the results of testing are released the government has already framed the blame so to speak.<br />
<br />
This way - when the results are in there will be no major impetus on the government to actually investigate the outcomes and perhaps divert funding and instigate programs where they are needed most. Rather - they will save themselves money by docking individual teachers pay.<br />
<br />
How fucking cheap.Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04924539841876952790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-9067976346457962702009-10-04T11:02:00.004+10:002009-10-04T11:16:27.407+10:00The 17th Down Under Feminists' Carnival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbdimHLGXm60E9R5ggjT-fKm6voD0GDuGsJWASDTPvKVSBUqkJpDHeyjgmLBwwuuaK_mVe3OdFc6r70QedqmG9hRNv6qQXrPsEa7mSzuCYji7jCjiAaNJouT0BwjE0d9nqRJ4vf9Dbkk/s1600-h/dufclogo.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388546462572978194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbdimHLGXm60E9R5ggjT-fKm6voD0GDuGsJWASDTPvKVSBUqkJpDHeyjgmLBwwuuaK_mVe3OdFc6r70QedqmG9hRNv6qQXrPsEa7mSzuCYji7jCjiAaNJouT0BwjE0d9nqRJ4vf9Dbkk/s320/dufclogo.gif" style="float: left; height: 190px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 190px;" /></a><br />
</div><a href="http://ideologicallyimpure.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/down-under-feminists-carnival-i-learned-the-truth-at-17-that-love-was-a-patriarchal-construct-keeping-me-down/">The 17t</a><a href="http://ideologicallyimpure.wordpress.com/2009/10/03/down-under-feminists-carnival-i-learned-the-truth-at-17-that-love-was-a-patriarchal-construct-keeping-me-down/">h Down Under Feminists' Carnival</a> is up and running over at <a href="http://ideologicallyimpure.wordpress.com/">Ideologically Imp</a><a href="http://ideologicallyimpure.wordpress.com/">ure</a>. I'm thrilled to be in such good company and would like commend the Queen for all the hard work. Although I have not worked my way through all the posts - two highlights strike out:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://anirritatingtruth.blogspot.com/2009/09/full-rock-spider-six-step-guide.html">Full Rock Spider: A Six Step Guide</a>, provides a scathing overview of paedophilia, celebrity and apologetics. Claire brilliantly links the current Roman Polanksi debacle to previous instances of celebrity paedophilia and notes the vast differences in societies reactions between that of sexy celebrity versus home grown kiddie fiddlers.<br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://godardsletterboxes.wordpress.com/">100 Sci-Fi Women</a>: squee! Full of fabulous sci-fi women over at Godard's Letterbox. Go read it!</li>
</ul>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04924539841876952790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-63708727618462437822009-10-01T20:13:00.008+10:002009-10-04T18:11:04.437+10:00Family Guy and the Popularisation of SexismI have a confession to make: I watch Family Guy and for the most part enjoy it. It's shallow, cheap humour; easy to follow, no great philosophy - and to be honest, I put it on when I'm stressed and don't want want to think, get into bed and fall asleep.<br />Sure, I've always been aware that it is s<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK1wKVteF2eemVNaNgtVUDynufABCk2_pRdKdItzPkGmyx4fzIN3F60G4Njb52mbyt0i7Kw1wZgi8nu2paMD3zJ1nBLElLb9w-NGC0V2h6p2lN4QW2dJUqsaWxvs14pdQ6UEegFazPEE/s1600-h/Model_misbehavior_prev.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRK1wKVteF2eemVNaNgtVUDynufABCk2_pRdKdItzPkGmyx4fzIN3F60G4Njb52mbyt0i7Kw1wZgi8nu2paMD3zJ1nBLElLb9w-NGC0V2h6p2lN4QW2dJUqsaWxvs14pdQ6UEegFazPEE/s320/Model_misbehavior_prev.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388176709528707186" border="0" /></a>exist, racist, fatist, ableist, homophobic - and whatever other form of bigotry that I have forgotten. However, in the past, I managed to compartmentalise those aspects.<br /><br />As Seth McFalan has stated, the majority of the highly offensive shite dribbles out of Peter's mouth and it's meant to be derided and is often in stark contrast to Brian's position. However, the shows sexism has always been far more implicit and in becoming increasingly explicit. For this post, I am going to focus upon the implicit sexism presented by the characterisation of Lois.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Implicit Sexism: The Characterisation of Lois<br /></span>At a very basic level, Lois is the loyal and beautiful (house)wife of an overweight, useless and unintelligent oaf. Pretty standard trope, but hey, if you let that rile you to the point of rage, your popular cultural pickings are few. Lois is built up as a dream wife, of sorts.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Beautiful<br /></span>Lois' beauty is constantly reinforced. She was Miss Teen Rhode Island, had a brief stint as a model, is objectified by many of Peters friends and Brian is an inconsistent not so secret admirer. Lois' own children admire her beauty - often as a point to contrast Meg's unattractiveness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She ain't a golddigger</span><br />Lois loves Peter unconditionally and through choosing to marry him, has divorced herself from a life of luxury through alienating her wealthy and 'landed' family. This 'good woman' stereotype works in contrast with the negative characterisation of women as gold diggers who pursue and marry men for their future financial security. Indeed, Lois must be perfectly happy with what she has; if she deviates from this she is firmly put back in her place with accepting only that which Peter can provide. In<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Breaking Out is Hard to Do, </span>after shoplifting a ham, Lois becomes kleptomanic in her desire to acquire luxury items. Her frenzied theivery lands her in jail, throwing the familial bliss into chaotic disorder. The lesson here: women want, want, want and their consumeristic desire must be kurbed as it is dangerous, uncontrollable and destructive. Live with what your husband can provide and be happy with it! (Nevermind that he buys a horse, a rocket or whatever - with no obvious impact on the family - and it is his money anyway.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home is where a wife is:</span> now don't get me wrong; I'm not bagging Lois for being a housewife - it's a hell of a lotta work, and heaven stop me before I ever volunteer myself to look after all of the unpaid drudgery. The problem aspect of Lois' portrayal is that any attempt to enter workforce is either misguided or dangerous to the family or Lois herself.<br />In <span style="font-weight: bold;">FOX-y Lady, </span>Lois accepts a role at Fox News, after the previous reporter is fired when a new type of television exposes her wrinkles (because news reporters must be beautiful and a wrinkled woman is hideous). Brian admonishes Lois for accepting the role on the basis that Fox is an incredibly bias network. Lois, demonstrating her typical naievity, passes off Brian and decides to give them a chance. The rest of the episode is devoted to essentially showing up Lois misguided trust and Fox news itself.<br />Even more concerning is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Model Misbehaviour, </span>in which Lois decides to follow her earlier ambitions to become a model that we thwarted by her father. At first, Lois' success is lauded - Peter is proud to be 'hitting that.' However, as the episode progresses - the danger presents itself. Lois loses weight, takes up smoking, hangs out a celebrity events and flaunts herself (much to Peter's alarm). It's interesting that Lois' 'dangerous behaviour' seems to be correlated in the episode with the fact that she is acting outside of Peter's control. Moral of the story - Lois must return to staying at home, covering herself up and devoting herself to the family.<br /><br />In discussing this with my partner, I think the thing that bothers me most about Lois is that she is designed to appeal to wants and desires of young men. She is beautiful and yet controlled, devoted and doesn't demand anything of them; alot of her bad behaviour is related to when she isn't devoted to the family or when she wishes more for herself. To my mind, these are very male centered fears - what if my wife decides she wants more than I can provide? What if she overtakes me? She'll bleed me dry with her high maintenance ways if she is encouraged.<br />I realise that alot of these traits are mirrored by Marge in the Simpsons. However, personally, there is something much more disturbing in their presentation in Lois.<br /><br />So tell me - I am off the mark here? What's your take on Lois as a feminist? Does she make you cringe?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br /></span>Nataliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04924539841876952790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-32094322740103374672009-09-27T11:15:00.001+10:002009-09-27T11:36:12.971+10:00Fear of Genital Mutilation Doesn't Warrant Refugee Status<div style="font-family: inherit;">Teresia Muturi and Grace Gichuh sexuality and lives are currently hanging in the balance of the Australian Immigration Department. Both women fled Kenya before they could be genitally mutilated and arrived in Australia for World Youth Day 2008.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Interviewed by Yuko Narushima for the Sydney Morning Herald, Grace reportedly sobbed while explaining the process,<br />
</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: inherit;">"They use a knife. Just a knife, no medicine...10 men hold the woman down... while another brandishing the knife cuts off the clitoris.''<br />
</div></blockquote><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoW79xnCwoi5Yt0nYFM_cU0VOaCUr7T-hS53dOag-tRjHzy4CXyVErj4Q47SCzIhyphenhyphenlzbmHZDmA4ZkDpJ5my1MV5EGRm3dJvHl1C-ip1a1wECsNWRHb7h2zLhHZehYqmTEgirfYfoIZTB6/s1600-h/Young+Kenyan+women+in+tribal+dress+for+opening+day+of+Women%27s+Conference+1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoW79xnCwoi5Yt0nYFM_cU0VOaCUr7T-hS53dOag-tRjHzy4CXyVErj4Q47SCzIhyphenhyphenlzbmHZDmA4ZkDpJ5my1MV5EGRm3dJvHl1C-ip1a1wECsNWRHb7h2zLhHZehYqmTEgirfYfoIZTB6/s320/Young+Kenyan+women+in+tribal+dress+for+opening+day+of+Women%27s+Conference+1995.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Grace had refused being mutilated in the same fashion that killed her mother prior to arriving here., resulting in threats to her life. Similarly, Teresia ran away after being sold to a 70 year old man for 10 cows.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The women have been told to pack and be ready for deportation, after their application for refugee status was denied and their appeal was dismissed by the Australian Immigration Minister, Chris Evans.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The women have launched another appeal, and Evans is being called to intervene on the basis that under pending legislation, the women would be covered by 'complementary protection.'<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Typically, the Opposition couldn't restrain itself, with the Opposition Immigration spokeswoman, Sharman Stone stating she would oppose the bill, as it would "open the gates" to fabricated asylum claims:<br />
</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: inherit;">"It could be an honour killing, it could be a genital mutilation like this, it could be a whole range of other quite complex and one-off situations where the person doesn't meet the refugee convention criteria."<br />
</div></blockquote><div style="font-family: inherit;">However, Stone has supported the intervention of Evans within this case.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Legal Background: Australian Immigration Practice</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The women have been refused refugee status as their situation is not covered by current law, which states that persecution must be based on:<br />
</div><ul><li> Race</li>
<li> Religion</li>
<li> Nationality</li>
<li> Membership of a particular social group or political party.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, women who fear genital mutilation are deported. <br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Clearly, the law as it currently stands is deeply problematic. As developing countries are increasingly threatened by globalisation, we are going to continue to see the emergence of social and religious customs that not only denigrate women, but threaten their lives. Further, isn't it arguable that women who are threatened by genital mutilation actually do form a particular social group?<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Demonstrating the ineffectual nature of current immigration policy, it has been noted that women with similar cases have been granted refugee status. However, the outcomes of these cases have been dependent on the judgement of an individual Immigration Officer. So let's get this straight,<br />
</div><ul><li> The law is recognised to be disproportionately narrow by some Immigration Officers, who are judging cases contrary to the letter of the law.</li>
<li> Resultingly, the lives of women are therefore dependent on the individual judgement of an Immigration Official, providing plenty of room for the entry of bigotry.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit;">Clearly, the law is ineffective - if Immigration Officials aren't following it - and it allows for individual power over the fate of another; of which the entire point of bureaucratising the process is to prevent.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Which makes you wonder why the Liberal Party is opposing the introduction of a law that would make cases such as these so much more clear cut. Personally, this didn't come as a surprise. The Liberal Party have long latched onto the xenophobic fears that are attached to immigration in this country.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Cultural Background - The Mungiki</b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Judging by the media reports, both women face attack by their family members who are a part of the Mungiki tradition. Originating in the 1980s, the criminalised group is steadfastedly anti-modern and anti-western; seeking to return to the indigenous traditions untouched by colonialisms taint. As is typical with any group that steadfastedly rejects the present (fundamentalist Christians, anyone?) and aims for a return to the more innocent and pure past; shitty gender roles also come into play.*<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">So, get out your pens, pick up the phone and chat to your federal member about supporting this bill.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Credits<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<div about="http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/3546063045/" xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_photo/" rel="cc:attributionURL">Image from United Nations Photos </a> / <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" rel="license">CC BY-NC-ND 2.0</a></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit;">__________________________________________________________________________________<br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">*Please note: I believe that all cultures that diminish the status of women deserve relevant criticism. I do not agree with rampant cultural relativism that embraces any non-western cultural aspect and scorns criticism on the basis of it being ethnocentric. Further, the same traits that have led to the re-entrance of genital mutilation into Kenyan society, are also present in the western religious and cultural world - but that would be for another post.<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-23875176925321733272009-09-19T11:23:00.000+10:002009-09-19T11:32:49.093+10:00"Think before you open your mouth*": An Australian Experiment in Redundant Reasoning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLJ7bBm2udGhfCBHtjqJnacj-sSgED_Ga1jCgtXDmcrijxC6-VjWGAIG74NcmJpR-hdgtxsbAAG90RG_p71BQadz1LWPoGypTzHc551o0mCphENdYsR2NirhyphenhyphenOOJpqRPKowH97DCRu-kY/s1600-h/pink+mafia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLJ7bBm2udGhfCBHtjqJnacj-sSgED_Ga1jCgtXDmcrijxC6-VjWGAIG74NcmJpR-hdgtxsbAAG90RG_p71BQadz1LWPoGypTzHc551o0mCphENdYsR2NirhyphenhyphenOOJpqRPKowH97DCRu-kY/s320/pink+mafia.jpg" /></a>Gender has entered the national debate with a bang of misogny and irrationality with the announcement that the Government wishes to abolish rules that prevent women from applying for frontline roles. In essence, the Goverment wishes for women to be able to apply and face the same physical testing that their male counterparts must do, without lowering the bar in terms of requirements. <br />
<br />
Cue entry of partriachialised hysteria.<br />
<br />
Stuart Robert, backbencher for the opposition, was first to enter the stage. After calling the notion, öutrageous,"and telling Mr Combet (who introduced the topic) that he should, "think before you open your mouth," (an interesting charge considering what spewed forth from his), Robert exclaimed:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"My concern is that really only Israel and a handful of countries whose very existence is threatened have gone down this path - the rest of the Western world hasn't," <br />
</blockquote><br />
Perhaps my feminine mentality prevents me from discerning the finer points to Roberts arguement, but, WTF? Isn't one of the most base reasons for maintaining an armed force is to prepare for the event in which a country's existence is threatened? Also, am I catching a hint anti-semitism? <i>Well, its alright for the Jews - but, their women are made of different metal. </i><br />
<br />
Enter Neil James, executive director of the Australian Defence Association with this gem:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"It's a simple physicality thing. On the battlefield, academic gender equity theory doesn't apply. <b>The laws of physics</b> and biomechanics apply."<br />
</blockquote><br />
Ummmm... the laws of physics, huh? <br />
<br />
Of course, there is nothing like the notion of women being involved in combat that brings out the construction of gender. Even supporters have framed their arguments around the notion that women are not naturally cut out for the job. As MP Lynda Volz notes:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"You talk to any men who do triathlon and marathon running and ask them if there are not a few women out there that are<b> freaks </b>of nature that beat them home every time,"<br />
</blockquote><br />
That's right, freaks. Because it is unnatural for women to be as strong as men - as it is equally unnatural for them to wish to serve on the front line. But hey, I'm progressive and won't stop them.... gah!<br />
<br />
This round of arguments that center around physical ability act to highlight the utter irrationality and redundancy of their bearers. Did they not hear the announcement correctly? Dudes, if women are not up to the physical standard, they won't get in. No ifs, no buts. Moaning on and on about how women aren't up to the standard is redundant. Because, if you are right, well, then, <b>they won't get in.</b><br />
<br />
Naturally, this topic has moved further into the morality of allowing women to serve. For a brilliant write up, visit <a href="http://larvatusprodeo.net/2009/09/18/look-out-incoming-brain-fart/">Larvatus Prodeo</a>. <br />
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Image by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/2943766324/">Dunechaser</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/" rel="license">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-19468972978124603772009-09-17T12:41:00.000+10:002009-09-17T16:30:01.173+10:00True Blood DivergenceIn response to <a href="http://meloukhia.net/"> meloukhia's</a> brilliant <a href="http://meloukhia.net/2009/09/swv_seeks_may-december_stalker-romance.html/comment-page-1#comment-4376">summation</a> of the current vampire trope, I'm motivated to post a little defence of True Blood.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k45cbhmHVN4Yd37IROQ7fOuzhUDhA5ezZNJmxpgJxKdv-8TEp-VIpNG7jVdGUiHyK4FkPmJCW0A1mYB1z6bpstzodwi_LjWWZNrFUidCrUXjwYX-BZ9PjfkFn1hz0E2PHBxHc7eVlKNL/s1600-h/trueblood-mouth2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382274067628497394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k45cbhmHVN4Yd37IROQ7fOuzhUDhA5ezZNJmxpgJxKdv-8TEp-VIpNG7jVdGUiHyK4FkPmJCW0A1mYB1z6bpstzodwi_LjWWZNrFUidCrUXjwYX-BZ9PjfkFn1hz0E2PHBxHc7eVlKNL/s400/trueblood-mouth2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
Before I get carried away, let me layout Mel's groundwork. Mel has provided one of the best summaries of the current vampire trope that I have read:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Essentially, Mel notes that the current vamp story contains the following:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k45cbhmHVN4Yd37IROQ7fOuzhUDhA5ezZNJmxpgJxKdv-8TEp-VIpNG7jVdGUiHyK4FkPmJCW0A1mYB1z6bpstzodwi_LjWWZNrFUidCrUXjwYX-BZ9PjfkFn1hz0E2PHBxHc7eVlKNL/s1600-h/trueblood-mouth2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />
<ul><li>A socially isolated young woman (broken home, dead parents, adopted, etc). Further, our heroine is usually adolescent.<br />
</li>
<li>Enter devilishly good looking, but ultimately noble and of impeccable manners "Ancient Vamp," who is maddenly attracted to our heroine.</li>
<li>They fall in love, which results in numerous complications.</li>
<li>The vamp deflowers our heroine and in doing so, is "initiated into a magical (and sexual) world by the Power of the Vampire Penis.</li>
</ul>Although not completely across the board, I would like to add the following:<br />
<ul><li>Through her interaction with the vamp, our heroinse gains <span style="font-style: italic;">skillz </span>that while increasing her ability to not be helpless against her foes, render her reliant and connected to the vamp. Think Anita Blake and the vampire marks, Bella and her creepily passive vamp talent.<br />
</li>
<li>Our heroine is not only isolated by circumstance, but appears to have very few social connections at all. Anita Blake has hardly any real friends - Ronnie turns up every few books, briefly - nearly dies and buggers off. Bella has friends as fillers - usually only there when Edward is not. </li>
</ul>Although I'm sure there are more standard characteristics to this tale, I note the two above for my nefarious objective; True Blood's Sookie Stackhouse provides a reasonable divergence from the standard. In doing so, Sookie, gasp, becomes a rounded character.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sookie's Mad Skillz</span> -Spoiler Warning<br />
Unlike some of her compatriots*, Sookie's skillz are entirely her own. Sookie's ability to read minds and shoot crazy lightning energy stuff is, as it turns out in the novels, based on her fairy bloodline. Her skills are not enhanced by Bill, nor do they originate from him.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sookie's Social Skillz</span><br />
Although Ms Stackhouse is isolated from the folk of Bon Temp due to her mad skillz, Sookie manages to have friends and family. Unlike Bella, who doesn't really relate to anyone who isn't a freak, or Anita, who only really seems to relate to freaky dick and scorns everyone else with her rather antagonist and harsh personality, Sookie can, omg, relate to people.<br />
<br />
Although I admit that Sookie is not a feminists dream. She does present a vamp story heroine who is not adolescent who actually has agency within the story. Indeed, through Sookie not being a passive filler, (Bella), the storyline of True Blood is able to diverge from the Sookie/Bill love story, enabling the series to be about...Sookie!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Note: I realise that this deviation is shared by Buffy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-22288195200542947022009-05-24T11:20:00.000+10:002009-05-24T12:09:37.002+10:00Star Trek: A Feminist ReviewStar Trek has elicted mixed reactions for this viewer. On one hand, I am not a Trekkie - and in fact, I despise Next Gen. for its goofiness. But, due to the many recommendations and the fact that I am a JJ Abrahms fan, I thought - why not?<br /><br />To begin - and give credit where it is due: Star Trek was an enjoyable film. The plot line was well paced and exciting, it was visually spectacular, the acting well delivered and likable. Importantly, it produced in me the thrill of the speculative; that excited feeling where you speculate - what if we do develop interstellar space travel, what if there are other intelligent species out there.<br /><br />That being said - the movie failed the Bechdel test (to my knowledge, correct me if wrong) and overall, represents a fairly spectacular, if unsurprising gender fail.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The new military uniform: Mini skirts and fuck me boots?</span><br />Aside from mothers and the martian conquest of Kirk, the film has a single main woman actor: Lt. Uhura. As we are told that the Lt. is highly accomplished academically - in a number of fields, we can assume that women are allowed to participate equally in Abrahms ST universe. Fabulous - they can get an education, join the military, participate on panels, etc.<br /><br />And yet, the uniform for military women is patently ridiculous. While the men are strutting around in a uniform that looks both functional (read comfortable, accomodating, will keep the wearer warm in the air conditioned ship - and yet, allow them to engage in combat with ease) the women are running around in riding mini skirts and come fuck me boots.<br /><br />Not only does this act to sexualise the women (as it is clearly meant to - we are given a number focusing shots of the Lt.'s legs) the uniform suggests/limits the functionality of what the women are able to do. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Clothing is both an indication of class and of the wearer's purpose.</span> A ballgown denotes where/what the wearer is doing - as does a set of overalls. The womens uniform in Star Trek relegates them to non-combat and administrative roles. Clearly, the women are not going to be fixing the ships engine's or kicking any physical ass.<br /><br />Ultimately, the uniform represents a gender double whammy - let's sexualise the women and relegate them to the sidelines.<br /><br />The feminist sf blogosphere has offered a detailed discussion of Star Trek. Rather than recreating the wheel, here are a few links:<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.feministsf.net/?p=1162#more-1162">Star Trek doesn't update gender roles</a><br /><a href="http://www.heroinecontent.net/archives/2009/05/star_trek.html">Heroine Content: Star Trek</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-52818061107892149312009-05-13T15:48:00.000+10:002009-05-13T16:04:25.687+10:00Nothing is created in a vacuum: On Patricia Wrede's Thirteenth Child.I and it looks like <a href="http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=26059">many other sf fans </a>will never read Patricia Wrede's Thirteenth Child. Why, you ask? Put simply, Wrede has written an alternative history of the settlement of America - with a few speculative twists. What are the speculative twists you may be thinking? Aside from the traditional speculative tropes, for whatever reason, Wrede has decided to reimagine an America sans Native Americans.<br /><br />When I first read the summary of this on <a href="http://www.tor.com/">Tor.com</a>, I was speechless, dumbfounded and incredibly uncomfortable. In one sense, I attempted to give the author some leeway. Perhaps Wrede felt that she didn't want to navigate the intricacies of the immigration invasion of America, so she side stepped them. But side stepping by obliterating Native American existence - is like <span style="font-weight: bold;">genocide by omission. </span><br /><br />Here's the problem. Nothing is created in a vacuum and audiences do not read in one. To write about colonisation is fraught with danger. Wrede has in fact (perhaps unknowingly, perhaps subconsciously) written a white washed and racist text. To reimagine America as devoid of its Native occupants is precisely as many would currently choose to have American history written and read. It is disenfranchising to Native American people, and IMO reflects authorial laziness.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is the point of reimagining colonial history - without actually putting any thought into how you will treat the indigenous occupants?<br /><br />n.b. </span>I am not American. My reaction to this is highly influenced by the Australian history wars, in which there are many calls for an essential white washing of the Australian invasion.<br /><br />For an thought provoking write up, visit: <a href="http://hermetic.livejournal.com/151644.html">Maunderings & Ponderings </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-60387189724218292862009-04-28T18:04:00.000+10:002009-04-28T19:21:34.422+10:00Religion and Speculative FictionBenjamin A. Plotinsky at City Journal has written a <a href="http://www.city-journal.org/2009/19_1_urb-science-fiction.html">scathing and well, incorrect, article</a> on religion and science fiction recently. Plotinsky argues that science fiction has lost its edge; that science fiction is no longer used as a medium for socio-political criticism and exploration, but instead focuses upon Christian allegory.<br /><br />Plotinsky's article is rife with factual errors at the worse, or perhaps they are merely misunderstandings, demonstrating his lack of specialist knowledge in either religion studies or speculative fiction.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />The Sun God<br /><br /></span>Plotinsky begins with a summary of what he believes to be the central motif of science fiction:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span class="cap"></span><blockquote><span class="cap">T</span>here is a young man, different from other young men. Ancient prophecies foretell his coming, and he performs miraculous feats. Eventually, confronted by his enemies, he must sacrifice his own life—an act that saves mankind from calamity—but in a mystery as great as that of his origin, he is reborn, to preside in glory over a world redeemed.<br /></blockquote><br />Plotinsky asserts (not completely incorrectly) and perhaps fairly, that this is the story of the life of Jesus. <br /><br />Here is where Plotinsky makes his initial kapuff. While the above motiff most certainly is Christian, the notion of a godlike figure who follows the above pattern far predates Christianity. The notion of the dying and reborn god is a popular archetype and can be seen throughout the worlds religions. From Adonis to Osiris, pre-Christian religions were rife with gods who died and were reborn, with the activity commonly occuring during the Winter soltice. (Christmas, anyone?).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Matrix as Christian Allegory....sorta, but not quite</span><br /><br />In a rather ironic stumble, Plotinsky's thesis is based largely (although not entirely) on the notion that The Matrix is essentially a retelling of Jesus' NT exploits. While The Matrix is indeed a retelling of Jesus' life and message, it is in fact a retelling of the Gnostic Jesus, rather than the Christian Jesus. Indeed, the relationship between Gnosticism and The Matrix is so well recognised academically, that Gnosticism is often explained at a University level through reference to the popular movie.<br />Gnoticism (and in turn, The Matrix,) is incredibly complex. I redirect you to this article for a<a href="http://www.unomaha.edu/jrf/gnostic.htm"> full analysis</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">, at the Journal of Religion and Film. </span><br /><br />The true irony Plotinsky's misunderstanding is that Gnositicism is considered to be a radical (and therefore threatening) reinterpretation of early Christianity. So much so, that the early Christians expounded a great deal of <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103.htm">effort </a>in demonising the alternative sect. The demonistation of Gnostic teachings<a href="http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0088a.html"> continues</a> into modernity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Science Fiction - A Rather Narrow Definition<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>What becomes the major downfall to Plotinsky's thesis, is his narrow definition of science fiction. Plotinsky defines the genre around The Matrix and Superman returns, with fleeting references to Rowlings Harry Potter series and The Lord of the Rings. All instantly recognisable and arguable the most successful of speculative fiction pop cultural artefacts. However, the aforementioned are now, pop cultural artefacts. <br />It could be argued that all (with the exception of The Matrix) of Plotinsky's texts are popular beyond the speculative fiction cultural spehere precisely because they do not<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>challenge the status quo.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Which leaves us with the mountain of texts that do explore, critise and challenge. For another post....</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-11452292290658808852009-04-22T19:03:00.000+10:002009-04-22T19:07:30.775+10:00Feminist Speculative Fiction: Events : WisconFor those lucky enough (or wealthy enough to travel) <a href="http://www.wiscon.info/">Wiscon</a> tickets are onsale and sure to be in demand.<br />As jealousy is not a fine trait, post will have to end here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-10052630898692479882009-04-22T18:41:00.000+10:002009-04-22T19:02:49.291+10:00Feminist Speculative Fiction: Publications on the horizonThe folks over at<a href="http://futurefire.net/"> The Future Fire</a> have announced that they plan to publish an issue dedicated to feminist speculative fiction in late 2009 early 2010. The announcement is included in a thought provoking editorial that opens their <a href="http://futurefire.net/2009.15/index.html">current issue.</a> <br />The writer notes a instance of the feminist backlash running into spec fic culture <a href="http://forum.escapeartists.net/index.php?topic=1745.0">last year</a> where a podcast was charged with sexism for publishing feminist content.<br />While it certainly speaks volumes for the impact of the feminist movement for there to be a backlash againist it (moral panics aside, people generally don't complain against movements that aren't impacting), it fails to negate the need and importance for the continued exploration of gender as a subject of speculation.<br />Feminist speculative fiction is certainly starting to build a history. From MZB to Terry Pratchett, speculative fiction continues to explore the role of gender in our society through other mediums that allows for the imagination of different ways of being. Read the <a href="http://futurefire.net/2009.15/index.html">editorial</a>; The Future Fire has written an eloquent statement of the genre, reducing the need to reproduce one here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2740890552000986492.post-33715303935394525392009-04-19T21:25:00.001+10:002009-04-21T13:46:31.647+10:00Review of Turn Coat: An excerpt<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">It has been a long time since I have written for reasons other than academic or employment. I have just submitted my first review to </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.specusphere.com/joomla/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Specusphere. </span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Reading a novel with the intention to review definitely changes and enriches how you read. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Reading </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Turn Coat </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">to review vastly increased my enjoyment of the reading process, and through considering what I liked, I stopped more to enjoy what Butcher does so well.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">An except:</span></span><br /><br /><style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:536871559 0 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; punctuation-wrap:simple; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning:14.0pt;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:';" lang="EN-US"></span></p><blockquote>As can be expected from the title, <i>Turn Coat </i>uncovers the traitor within the White Council, providing the first direct confrontation with the previously hinted at Black Council.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><i>Turn Coat </i>opens with Morgan, Warden and executioner of the White Council, arriving on Harry’s doorstep; uninvited, injured and on the run for murdering a senior Council member. Realising that his previous probationer is being framed, Harry must identify the real murderer and in turn, the Black Councils’ insider. </blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">The full review will be available in <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.specusphere.com/joomla/">The Specusphere</a> </span>released in May 2009.</span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=";font-family:';" lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0