Free speech
As Gavin Mooney suggests (GLW #641), the bullying of universities by Howard's government is compromised by the ethos of a liberal education. And while his vice-chancellor, at Curtin, may defend academic freedom, the University of Western Sydney is not so lucky.
Some universities, accepting Howard's authoritarian agenda, are taking the initiative without having to be ordered. When publicising a guest lecture by NikeWatch's Tim Connor on "Taking aim at the brand bullies" — the subtitle of Naomi Klein's No Logo — I was contacted by the UWS legal officer and warned that Nike would take offence. And just within the last month, both myself and Professor Tom Valentine (banking and finance) have been threatened with defamation actions for criticising UWS policies. (See GLW #639 for my critique of the downsizing of the curriculum and the teaching program.)
Tom, an authority in finance, has responded with two separate media releases — decrying the failure of the UWS MBA program, and warning of the dangers of accepting Howard's minimally funded medical school.
When looking at the ruthless ostracising of dissenters like Andrew Wilkie and Lance Collins, it's not surprising that many folks keep quiet. But give that extra, academic-freedom, available to academics, why don't more of them speak out? Self-censorship is precisely what authoritarians want.
Peter McGregor
(former lecturer at UWS)
Newcastle, NSW
Huge loss
I think it is a huge loss to, not only the teaching staff and the University of Western Sydney, in general, but more importantly, to the students who have not had the privilege to be taught by Peter McGregor.
It is disgusting that a course such as the BA in communication (which is what I have recently graduated from) and many others like it are being dropped due to budget cuts. John Howard has a lot to answer for when this is happening here, yet in Wollongong you can undertake classes in surfing.
Peter, you were an inspiration to me and you have taught me so much. I am sorry to hear that you are resigning and disgusted to know that there are people around that are letting you and not creating more of a fight and helping you fight these ridiculous cuts. You were, and always will be, an asset to the university, it's teachers and students, and it is a shame that future students will no longer be guided and inspired by you. You truly are a remarkable person.
I would like to thank you for everything and wish you every success and happiness in the future! Keep campaigning and inspiring others.
Carol Hanna
North Rocks, NSW
Cuba Five
Julie Webb-Pullman's concise history of the astonishing story of the Miami 5 (GLW #639), eloquently summarises the case for justice, and the "US misadministration of due process".
The recent win in the US Court of Appeal opens the doors to a new trial and even more legal wrangling over the right to self protection against organised terrorism. Whether or not justice will be done certainly remains to be seen; but the more one reads of the arbitrary and pernicious way "justice" is meted out to the five and their families, the more one doubts the credibility of the process.
But more than doubt, we must believe that in seeking justice for these five men, we argue the case for justice in the wider field. Against the vast resources of the US administration, true justice must also be resourced.
Julie Webb-Pullman's story is yet to be concluded and if there is a fault in this detailed chronicle, it stems from not making clear the importance of what we can all do now to support it.
Winning the appeal is likely to lead to yet another costly US trial, and the struggle for family visiting rights is yet to be won.
Support is needed to lobby the US administration to secure family visiting rights and to raise donations to fund the legal defence and maintain the public awareness campaign. To support the campaign for justice contact your local Free the five committee in Sydney at <freethefive@yahoo.com>. For updates and campaign details go to < http://www.freethefive.org>.
Ernesto Presente
Sydney
Taxes
Many politicians and commentators have recently expressed support for significant tax cuts. However, taxation should rise. If tax didn't affect economic growth, high taxation would certainly be desirable.
Tax finances valuable public goods, services and investment — and taxation, along with the government spending it finances, limits inequality. Low inequality reduces the hardship experienced by disadvantaged groups and maximizes wellbeing in society.
A dollar spent by a needy person on satisfying their basic desires normally generates more wellbeing than a dollar spent on luxuries does.
Low tax would only be justified if high tax slowed economic growth, with this consideration outweighing the benefits of low inequality. However, between 1970 and 2000 there was virtually no relationship between tax levels (relative to GDP) and economic growth rates per capita among wealthy OECD nations.
Moreover, a higher national income does little to increase happiness in rich countries and growth has environmental costs. Finally, responding equitably to population aging will require increased taxation.
Brent Howard
Rydalmere, NSW
Cannabis
I am one of the growing numbers of Australians who struggles to maintain sanity in the midst of a world that's gone mad. One way to maintain that sanity is to ingest various substances — licit and illicit — to take the edge off things and help us get through each week.
I smoke pot every day (unless of course I am in a place like the USA or Brunei), and I regularly use other illicit drugs. Living in Darwin, I have a choice of substances with which I can escape.
Imagine living in some remote Indigenous communities. Some have prohibited alcohol, so that's not an option and thanks to the NT Police Remote Area Drug Desk, the price of one "stick" (1.2 1.4g) of cannabis can be up to $100. That's four times what we pay here in Darwin.
The ridiculously high cost of cannabis out bush makes petrol sniffing a whole lot more attractive to young people who see no way out from their current circumstances.
This is another negative consequence of Clare Martin's war on cannabis.
Gary Meyerhoff
Rapid Creek, NT
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, September 14, 2005.
Visit the