Expletives

I don't get phased when someone calls me a poof, faggot, bum-puncher or shirt lifter .. whatever!

Water off a duck's back! It just shows ignorance and poor character, rather than specific bigotry or homophobia. Names are a weapon - even I use them. No excuses, but that is our culture.

So if using the word "cunt" makes us question our attitudes to women, should the use of "fuck" make us question our attitudes about sexual intimacy? Somehow I don't think it is that simple because these expletives can also be used in a jovial and admiring manner.

"How are you, you old cunt?"
"Oh you are a silly fucker!"

I don't believe that the use of any expletive has any direct relevance to the dictionary definition of that word. It is an expletive and should only be seen as such.

The question we should be asking is why do people grow up with an understanding that particular words can be used to be derogatory in one context and not another and do we consciously take this into account when we use them? Most of the time bigotry is not the motivator.

Parents, teachers, peer groups and the wider community have the responsibility to define what is acceptable behaviour. Beyond adolescence, the individual sits in moral judgement on themselves with their life to date as precedent.

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Impending Gulf War mkII

Letter sent to the Australian & West Australian newspapers:

Even as an agnostic I pray that another Gulf war can be avoided. If the inevitable should commence, then I hope that the one god of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths will render all their weapons useless thereby forcing both sides to choose between peace and hand-to-hand combat. It is too easy to press a button without facing the resulting deaths and devastation.

The oil-hungry and war-mongering aggressors, the USA, need a swift, harsh kick up the rear and to be sent home in shame. An embarrassing defeat is the only way to curb their desire for world domination.

If Australia brainlessly decides to follow Bush's lead (against public opinion), then we ultimately deserve the same fate. After all, we get the government that we deserve and ultimately pay the price for our mistakes.

My heart goes out to the many dedicated services personnel merely following the orders of the cowards running the show from the security of the desks in Canberra. I look forward to your safe return before the first shot is fired.

To the families that may lose loved ones, my sympathy for your loss, but please do not blame Iraq or Islam. Full responsibility will belong to the hawks in Australia, UK and the USA, most of whom have never seen military action, let alone have a conscience to keep them awake at night.

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Gender Wars & Myths

I understand the Black-shirts "moral" (not that I think it warrants being called moral in my books) stance on the preservation of the family. But even though I understand it, I do not agree with it, hence my reason for stating that I abhor their philosophy.

I also understand the stereotypes of the 'bad husband' and the perpetuation of that myth, when it may be a 'bad wife' but in all reality is usually just a bad marriage. I will add that I am not in anyway saying that there are not spouses that abuse their partners - but women can be just as abusive in a relationship. Emotional abuse is not so easily spotted as a broken bone or bruises, but is just as evil.

Myths: If a man leaves his family he was probably a bad father, couldn't produce kids, wouldn't support the family (after all - that's a man's purpose in life!), had an affair or bashed his wife. If a woman leaves her family, she must have had a horrendous experience (especially to leave her kids behind), was bashed by the husband, found true love elsewhere or realised the terrible mistake she made by marrying 'that man'. Quite frankly there is more empathy given to women in a separation/divorce than is given to the men.

The Family Court process has a history of being more beneficial to the female partner, although this is changing significantly as more men decide to challenge for access, custody or property distribution.

So ... the scales are weighted differently depending upon the nature of the issue, whether you are male or female, and which perspective you take at the time.

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Musing About Human Biological Conditions

It is quite a simplistic concept. Everything about our living bodies is a chemical and electrical reaction. No one disputes that our bodies are finely tuned biological devices that react to our environments. Food contamination, pollution and contagion are merely a part of the whole environmental effect.

Sure, I am a strong believer that parenting styles have a fair bit to do with children's behaviour and that we should question why certain styles are adopted and what effect our new westernised (anti-extended family) domestic situation has upon our family life. But the answer to the question lies in looking at cause and effect (the old chicken or the egg paradox). Are we looking at a symptom or a cause?

I don't believe that the medical profession has delved deep enough yet to fully answer that question. I believe that illnesses are an effect, not a cause. Bacteria, viri, chemicals and genetic anomalies are the key cause for physiological, mental and behavioural conditions. The medical profession merely labels such conditions so that they can categorise and treat "it". But more often than not they are treating the symptoms, not the cause.

My well-used example is having a headache. More often than not, headaches (not migraines) are caused by dehydration and can be overcome by drinking adequate fluids. however, our usual reaction is to go and grab some paracetamol, aspirin or codeine and wash it down with a glass of water!! How ironic! Chemicals to fix chemicals .. .and yes, even water is a chemical ... but it is the CORRECT chemical required by the body.

I'm not saying that chemicals are the complete and sole reason for behaviour, but they are certainly proving to be a significant reason. I mentioned the physiological effect of electronic entertainment as another cause, but there are others and I'm not about to claim that I know all the reasons. It might be decades or centuries before we can claim to understand the forces at work.

Clearly, however, if our bodies are (at their most basic level) a series of chemical reactions, then surely changes in the function and behaviour of our bodies and minds can be influenced and caused by foreign chemicals or high/low doses of our bodies own chemical compounds. This is why mental illnesses are usually treated with chemicals. Whether we feel up or down, angry or scared, at peace or flighty, all depends on our level of chemical compounds such as dopamine, adrenalin, insulin, endorphins and hormones flowing through our veins.

Chemicals are not the only answer, but they are certainly significant enough to warrant close attention.