So here are the source links.
FIRSTLY here is where I got Tony Abbott’s (LIBERAL/NATIONAL) list of policies
HERE is section 18C of the racial discrimination act
Basically, we’re fucked. Welcome to Australian Politics.
*eye twitch*
Is this where Romney went when he slunk into the shadows
I have a big problem with this post. I will leave aside the obvious left-wing bias, and focus on the misrepresentation of Tony Abbott and his policy package.
1. THIS IS NOT A LIST OF COALITION POLICIES. This is a list of suggested policies made by the Institute of Public Affairs (a not-for-profit right-leaning public policy think tank). Very few of these, if any, have been stated as election promises or policies that the Coalition will implement if (when) it wins government in September. Purporting that these are Tony Abbott and/or the Coalition’s policy positions is factually incorrect and grossly misleading.
2. “He is Christian…he wants to impose it on everyone else”. No evidence provided to back up this claim. However, see (3) for one example (with evidence) that this is certainly not the case.
3. “Wants to ban abortion”. Tony Abbott has never expressly stated, or implied, that he has any intention of banning abortion in Australia. In fact, as recently as five days ago, Tony Abbott said that he would not interfere with the proposed changes to legislation which would see the price of the RU486 abortion pill change from $350 to below $12. Evidence here and here.
4. “Will remove the education and disability care schemes”. I’m not sure what an “education care scheme” is, but I can tell you that the National Disability Insurance Scheme is entirely supported by the Coalition. Evidence here, here, and here.
5. “It’s not a basket situation” (re: the National Broadband Network). But, in fact, it is. Let me explain. The Labor Government’s National Broadband Network proposes to run the entire country’s broadband on new, fibre-optic technology. This involves making the existing copper infrastructure redundant, and building an entirely new network from scratch. The Coalition’s plan is to utilise a number of different technologies, including the existing copper infrastructure, to deliver a more secure solution in a shorter time frame. Instead of Labor’s fibre-to-the-premises plan, the Coalition’s plan is to deliver fibre-to-the-node, and then copper to the premises, which will mean more cost-effective improvements in broadband speeds in a shorter time frame. So it is about “not putting all your eggs in one basket”. The Coalition’s plan delivers the changes we need cheaper and sooner, with the option for expanding the infrastructure in the future, when it becomes necessary. Evidence here, here, and here.
6. “HOW FUCKING SURPRISING IT DOES SCIENCE OR AS HE CALLS IT, MAGIC”. Even if Tony Abbott did consider science to be “magic” (which he doesn’t - he is an highly intelligent individual, despite what the writer of this left-wing propaganda obviously thinks), there is no logical connection between this notion, and the idea of privatising the CSIRO. That comment is just looking for any excuse to be inflammatory and anti-Christian, which is inexcusable, and has no place in legitimate political debate. (Also, I would just like to stress once again, that this is not a Coalition policy. It is a public policy suggestion by an independent non-profit organisation).
7. “SUPERANNUATION IS FOR WHEN YOU’VE STOPPED WORKING”. ”When you’ve stopped working” is called “retirement”, which is why the suggestion is that people be allowed to opt out of making superannuation contributions while they are working, on the proviso that they do not then expect the government to fund their retirement. The suggestion makes perfect, logical sense: don’t make it compulsory for people to save for their retirement during their working life. But if people decide not to save for their retirement during their working life, they cannot then turn to the government to fund their retirement. The comment “superannuation is for when you’ve stopped working” shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the policy position. (Which is not even a Coalition policy position, once again)
I have many more issues with this post, but I will refrain from making this any longer, because I am tired, and I think this is enough for now.
Luke Youngblood, the actor who played Lee Jordan in the HP Films,also plays the role of Magnitude in Community
OH MY GOD
um.
ARE YOU FUCKING SHITTIN ME
WHAT
“One child is holding something that’s been banned in America to protect them. Guess which one?”
Wait a moment, is that Little Red Riding Hood?
That’s a banned book? Are you fucking kidding me?
Only a couple of variations of Little Red Riding Hood were banned, due to wine being one of the things in the basket.
It means books have been banned
not little red riding hood specifically
on halloween this guy dressed up as aladdin and glued a carpet to his skaboard and made his way through the halls like this
I CAN SHOW YOU THE HAAAAAAAALL
SHINING SHIMMERING FLOORTILES
TELL ME STUDENTS
WHEN DID YOU LAST
LET YOUR HEARTS DECIDE
I CAN OPEN YOUR BOOKS
TAKE YOU CHAPTER BY CHAPTER
IN, BETWEEN CLASS AND AFTER
ON A MAGIC CARPET RIDE
A WHOLE NEW HAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL
A NEW FANTASTIC PLACE OF SCHOOL
TEACHERS WILL TELL US NO
AND WHERE TO GO
AND SAY WE’RE BEING SILLY
A WHOLE NEW HAAAAAALL
I have to reblog this again just for the comments
ASDHFKSK I CANT EVEN
tumblr. this.
21 Tips to Keep Your Shit Together When You’re Depressed.
A while ago, I penned a fairly angry response to something circulating on the internet – the 21 Habits of Happy People. It pissed me off beyond belief, that there was an inference that if you weren’t Happy, you simply weren’t doing the right things.
I’ve had depression for as long as I can remember. It’s manifested in different ways. I did therapy. I did prozac. I did more therapy. My baseline is melancholic. I’d just made peace with it when I moved, unintentionally, to a place that had markedly less sunshine in the winter. I got seasonal depression. I got that under control. Then I got really, really sick. Turns out it’s a permanent, painful genetic disorder. My last pain-free day was four years ago.
So, this Cult of Happy article just set me off. Just… anger. Rage. Depression is serious – debilitating, often dangerous, and it’s got an enormous stigma. It leaves people to fend for themselves.
It’s bad enough without people ramming Happy Tips at you through facebook. There is no miracle behaviour change that will flip that switch for you. I know, I’ve tried.
A friend of mine suggested that I write something from my point of view because, surprisingly, I manage to give an outwards impression of having my shit together. I was shocked to hear this. And I find this comical, but I see her point. I’m functioning. I’ve adapted. I’m surprisingly okay. I think the medical term is “resilient”.
So, here it is.
My 21 Tips on Keeping Your Shit Together During Depression
1) Know that you’re not alone. Know that we are a silent legion, who, every day face the solipsism and judgement of Happy People Who Think We Just Aren’t Trying. There are people who are depressed, people who have been depressed, and people who just haven’t been hit with it yet.
2) Understand that the Happy People are usually acting out of some genuine (albeit misguided) concern for you, that it’s coming from a good place, even if the advice feels like you’re being blamed for your disease. Telling you these things makes them feel better, even if it makes you feel like shit. (If they insist on keeping it up, see #12.)
3) Enlist the help of a professional. See your doctor. You need to talk about the ugly shit, and there are people paid to listen and help you find your way to the light at the end of the tunnel.
4) Understand that antidepressants will only do so much. They’re useful, they’ll level you out and give you the time you need to figure out your own path to getting well. They can be helpful. There are lots to choose from. They may not be for you, and even if they are, they take some time to kick in. Conversely, they may not be for you. Work with your doctor.
5) Pick up a paintbrush, a pencil, an activity you got joy from in the past and re-explore that. Or, sign up for the thing you always wanted to try. There is a long history and link between depression and creativity. It’s a bright light of this condition, so utilize it to your best advantage.
6) Eat nutritionally sound, regular small meals. If you’re having trouble eating, try to focus on what you’d like to eat. I went through a whole six week episode of tomatoes and cream cheese on a bagel twice a day. Not great, but it was something – helpful context, I’m a recovered anorexic. Conversely, if all you want to do is scarf down crap, try to off-ramp it by downing a V-8 and doing #9 for 15 minutes, and see how you feel. Chucking your blood sugar all over hell’s half acre is going to make you feel worse.
7) While you’re doing #3, get some bloodwork done. If you’re low on iron or vitamin D, or if your hormone levels are doing the Macarena… these can all contribute to zapping your energy or switching your mood to Bleak As Hell.
8) If you’re in bed and the “insomnia hamsters”, as I like to call them, are on the wheel of your head, watch Nightly Business News on PBS. This has the effect of Nyquil. Swap out your coffee for herbal tea. If you just cannot sleep, try the next tip….
9) Learn how to meditate. Start by focusing on your breathing. Not sleep, not thoughts. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Meditation is focusing on being present in your body, not careening around in your brain. It may not be as good as sleep but it will give you some rest and recharge you.
10) Face a window as often as you can – at work, at home. Look out into the world. Watch. Observe. Try to find something you find pretty or interesting to focus on. And, handily remember that one in five of those people out there feel the way you do.
11) Cry. Better out than in. Sometimes it’s not convenient or career-enhancing to cry, so find a private place as best you can and let the tears go. Carry Kleenex and face wipes and extra concealer if you wear makeup. You can always claim allergies.
12) Any “friend” who resolutely believes that your depression is because you’re lazy, because you’re not trying hard enough, who blames you for not bootstrapping out of it- that friend needs to be cut off. Polite (#2) is one thing, but there is a limit. You don’t have to explain, you can just not respond. You feel badly enough, you don’t need their “assistance”.
13) Limit your time with people who drain you. You know who they are. Often you don’t have a choice- but you can put the meter on. And, subsequently, be aware of what you’re asking of those close to you.
14) Everyone has shit they’ve got to deal with. What you have been saddled with is your shit. Recognize, just as you’re not alone, you’re also not unique. The grass may look greener, you may be jealous or envious of others who don’t have to deal with depression, but you likely do not know everything that’s going on with them.
15) Let go or be dragged. This is an old Buddhist saying. It’s a very useful way to frame aspects of depression. Betrayal, anger, fear… letting go is a process – often a painful and difficult process - but it’s ultimately going to show you the path out of this terrible place. Repeating the mantra can help when you’re feeling gripped by these feelings.
16) Wear clothes that make you feel confident. It takes as much time to put on nice clothes as it does to put on sweatpants. You will want to wear the sweatpants. Fight the urge. The whole “look good/feel better” campaign isn’t limited to cancer and chemotherapy. Or women.
17) Avoid fictional drama and tragedy like the plague. No Grey’s Anatomy, no to The Notebook, or anything that won a Pulitzer prize. You’ve got enough going on In Real Life. Comedy only. Or trashy stuff. Old episodes of WonderWoman? I’ve got the box set. Mindless drivel, like the latest CGI blockbuster. Or clever, funny books. David Sedaris. Jenny Lawson. Fiction exists to elicit emotion, and the emotion you need to express most right now is laughter.
18) Simple exercise, if you can. It can be something as simple as taking the stairs up a flight, or walking around the block. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it doesn’t have to involve climbing a mountain or running a marathon. Baby steps.
19) Depression will lie to you. Depression will try to tell you what others are thinking. That you are unloved and unworthy, that others think little of you or don’t care – or even wish you harm. You are not a psychic. Keep repeating that. “I am not a psychic”. Repeat. The only way to know what another person is thinking is to up and ask them.
20) If you are well and truly losing this battle, reach out to someone. I’ve been the random friendly-but-not-close person who has fielded the occasional outreach. I like to think I’m not judgemental and generally resourceful, and others have thought the same, so they called and asked. You know someone like me. And they will help you.
21) Forgive yourself. I’m writing out all these tips, and I can’t always muster the strength to even stick my nose outside, or walk up the stairs, or eat my vegetables. Today, I got outside for ten minutes. I will try again tomorrow. And I will try again the day after that.
This list will not cure you. This list will not flip on the happy switch. God, I wish it were that easy. The theme here is to not to unknowingly sabotage yourself. All these little things? Like your blood sugar, or watching nonstop episodes of House, or endless Try Harder lectures from your Perpetually Perky sister?
They all make dealing with depression just a tiny bit harder than it needs to be. And it’s hard enough, all on its own.
UPDATE: Wow, guys. Thank you. The feedback has been wonderful - all I wanted to set out to do was something helpful.
For those of you who want to see the original rant, Here it is.. www.diycouturier.com/post/41923259437/to-the-person-who-wrote-21-habits-…
And here’s the response to my response (?) - basically, after posting my retort, the happy people came at me with torches all over the interwebs.
www.diycouturier.com/post/42465364887/trollin-trollin-trollin#_=_Also, a few people have mentioned that having a critter is a great thing to keep you on track, that taking care of something and having something rely on you keeps you going. I went back and forth on including that, but for some, it’s just not feasible to have a cat or a dog… but my cat is my Prozac.
And, I wrote this in Canada, where we have universal health care. It breaks my heart that people don’t have access to professional support. You can sometimes find a community health centre, or sometimes your work benefits will have an employee support or assistance plan as part of your insurance. If you’re without benefits and hitting desperation, phone someone. Friend, family - even your local distress centre.
Stay well, my melancholic interweb friends…xoRR
i started a new law class today and my professor is a 70 year old man who teaches one third of the lesson using a sockpuppet cockatoo
i had to look up exactly wtf this post had to do with australia and only then did i realize that the rest of the world doesn’t have cockatoos you poor deprived souls how do you wake up in the morning
I’d imagine peacefully and lacking the screams of hell
