Be fearful but act

Just a record of an important demonstration outside Parliament House: for Whistleblowers and Press Freedom. It's an important topic and we have a series of danger signs in the form of real threats to real people in court right now. Look up the cases of Witness K and Bernard Collaery and of David McBride and of Richard Boyle; muse on Julian Assange; look up historical names like Allan Kessing and Donald McKay and Andrew Wilkie and Toni Hoffman; read Catholic nun Susan Connelly and journalist Jack Waterford; listen to the Parliamentary words of Sarah Hanson-Young and Rex Patrick; think of the 80+ pieces of national security legislation that have been passed by LNP and a meek Labor opposition since 9/11; think of your own privacy and the government's ability to follow your phone calls and web visits and the rest for the last 2 years, stored by your ISP at your expense with no judicial oversight (used by local councils, even) and new plans for a national database of our photos and of usage-creep with facial recognition in Qld. Then think to the responsibility of the German people for Nazism (Hitler was voted in, of course); muse on the famed words of Martin Niemoller: "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me" and muse of Minister for Home Affairs Dutton for a minute and take stock. It's too easy to fall into the trap of calling fascism (we are certainly not there and not the worst!) but I note there were several mentions of creeping authoritarianism at this rally and already we know less of government (FOI is more and more difficult) while Government computing knows more of us. This rally was associated with the academic Honest History group. So, who do you trust? And fist up, how do you know who to trust? But first, to save Collaery and K and McBride is the first step. And K/Collaery's sin? Revealing that our Government (under Howard) bugged East Timor government offices (was it the Cabinet Room?) to gain advantage in commercial matters on sea borders and oil/gas. Confirm the details, but the essence is correct. Our Government? Australia? Our security apparatus? There's much more but be aware and be loud or prepare to be fearful. This is our government? This is our country? Sadly, it is.

The Rally for Press Freedom was held in front of Parliament House. Speakers included Andrew Wilkie MP, Dr Sue Wareham, Sister Susan Connelly, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Jack Waterford and Rod Campbell.