Happy Anniversary to us but what of Ranjini
Today is our third wedding anniversary. As it is mid-week and we have things like footy team photos and a student free day at Miss O 1′s school, we aren’t out celebrating. However WE are TOGETHER.
I was reminded today of another couple who are not together. Ranjini and her husband. I have written about Ranjini several times before, just use the site search if you wish to read past articles.
Today though, let us look at the latest updates in this case, provided by Letters for Ranjini.
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Ranjini’s case has now been heard by Margaret Stone, the independent reviewer charged with looking over ASIO’s evidence. We, along with the Commonwealth ombudsman, have concerns regarding the lack of clarity regarding what happens next. What we do know is that the Stone review’s findings will be received by ASIO and the Minister for Immigration, and we hope that they will come to a common sense decision.
There is still some remarkable holes in the Government’s policy here – and we are yet to hear anyone from the Government explain why indefinite detention is the only option here. A point that has been echoed many times in the media this month.
Funny thing about Nicolle Flint and I
This is, to me, REALLY weird!
In November last year I analysed an article by Nicolle Flint. My article was read, but nothing out of the ordinary for this website.
Earlier this month I was intrigued about public reaction to live exports versus asylum seekers and wrote about it. Again, the article was read in the normal range of numbers for this website.
Out of the blue I started seeing a number of hits on the old November 2012 article. I discovered Nicolle Flint had written an article about live exports and the ABC’s (alleged) lack of balance, publish on May 9, 2013.
SO MANY people were interested in this article of Nicolle’s I have been getting totally unrelated hits ever since!
Nicolle Flint related hits
Book Depository now offering Love versus Goliath
I know many overseas readers have been waiting as the postage from Australia was a little high!
Book Depository have the paperback with free shipping worldwide! Of course, also no GST.
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Love-Versus-Goliath-Robyn-Oyeniyi/9780987483027
Book Depository
For Schools and School Librarians
Here are the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) listings for both the eBook and the paperback editions of Love versus Goliath! Both editions are available from Wheelers Books. If you know a teacher, please spread the word! 
First the paperback:
Love versus Goliath paperback listing
If human rights is not something you think about, I invite to read Dr George Venturini
Dr Venturni has an impressive legal bio. He has started a new series of articles on Independent Australia looking at “the history and reasons for Australia’s current unfair and illegal refugee policy”. I invite you to click on the picture below and read Dr Venturini’s excellent article.
Dr Venturini on Independent Australia
Live export or asylum seekers?
I’m really not ready to write about the 4 Corners program which so graphically revealed the conditions on Manus Island and Nauru, the concentration camp conditions we are sending asylum seekers into, including children.
However, as I watched the Twitter feed later in the week, I spotted this tweet:
Re: 4 Corners
I have no reason to question the truth of the tweet, but that day I also signed a petition to close Manus Island and notice as of today there are over 35,000 signatures. If you haven’t signed, why not do so now?
So back to the question of the Federal MP and the lack of letters about asylum seekers compared to the flood after 4 Corners did a program about the live export of animals. Why? Clearly at least 35,000 people care enough to sign the petition and I know social media sites were thundering disapproval, disappointment and shame.
It is that we have given up writing to our elected representatives over the issue of asylum seekers because we see the vast majority of them aren’t listening? Why do we think they will listen about animals before they will listen about PEOPLE? I’m certainly against cruelty to animals, but I DO think we should be at least as concerned about the welfare of our fellow humans! Or was it the sight of blood in the animal program engendered more horror? I don’t have an answer. Perhaps someone who actually wrote to an MP about the animals, but not the people, may comment here and explain their logic.
I am heartened by the number of signatures on the petition!
Jane Fynes-Clinton has written a terrific article as a follow-up to the 4 Corners program, The real story of asylum seekers is drowned out by fear and bigotry, and politicians like it that way. I have previously expressed very similar sentiments on this website.
All this reminded me of an exchange I had a while ago on Twitter. I once stupidly engaged with one of the “we must stop the boats to save their lives” brigade, trying to point out the motivations of asylum seekers are not exactly how he sees them. It got to the point where I suggested he read my book, to gain a perspective of asylum seekers as PEOPLE, rather than a political topic to be bandied about. Initially, he agreed, until he found out what my book was actually about. O. M. G. I had married an asylum seeker.
What do you think happened then?
Guesses, anyone?
Wait for it…….
As I was saying…..
There are some past articles that I’ve not really closed off. I really should! 
Each heading below links to the appropriate original article.
This was finally satisfactorily resolved. YAY! The electricity company removed the default after receiving the letter from the Red Cross outlining the events of 2010 and DIAC reimbursed most, but not all, of the $208. A good result!
Unfortunately, this has not been resolved quite as satisfactorily. In fact, it has not been resolved AT ALL. The offending website still has my work up there. I have reported the problem again – that makes five times now. I don’t expect a quick remedy any time soon. I wouldn’t be quite so offended if the original was not a very, very serious article that has been used to advertise travel. Clearly the thief never actually read the content, they just grabbed the text.
We are seeing some action. I’ve had lengthy discussions with English Co-ordinators and we have various people working towards finding some solutions to things like applying for special consideration for Miss 18 given the short time she has had available to her in our education system. This is ongoing for each child, but we are making progress.
