Needed: A Bridge over troubled waters

In a world which is increasingly polarised in its politics, economics and beliefs about religion, race and gender, we desperately need people who can build bridges between opposing forces. People who can help us understand the other side's point of view. Political leaders have the opportunity to be that voice of reason. Unfortunately, too many find it expedient to adopt the rhetoric of anger and division to inflame tensions for short term political gain.

On race relations there has been a growing climate of fear and intolerance. Chris Trotter made some good points in his 2022 column on colonisation. 

We need respectful dialogue at the flaxroots level if we are to make a nation together which respects cultural differences, democratic norms, and the Treaty. Just as the last government made a mess of clearly explaining co-governance, the current government needs to be careful not to fall victim to reactionary pressures which could setback race relations by decades. 

The assassination of Charlie Kirk

I disagreed with Charlie Kirk over many issues such as gun controls, Gaza and Trump. But I respected his right to express his opinions. That is the nature of free speech and tolerance of differing viewpoints in a democracy.  

Kirk made provocative and extreme statements. But he defended the rights of people, even those of his political adversaries, to express their opinions.  There is a major difference between provocative words and violent actions. I join with all others who support democratic freedoms in condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk. My condolences to his wife, family and friends.  

I think we need to be very wary of jumping into the culture wars of far left or extreme right. They are often oversimplifcations that do little but promote divisions, tear at the fabric of society and undermine the common good. As a society we need to relearn how to debate issues, with a respect for the human dignity of the other, without resorting to violence. 

Diangelo: profit of race

 

Raluca Bejan, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Dalhousie University takes issue with diversity training businesswoman and promoter of racial division - Robin DeAngelo.  

https://theconversation.com/amp/robin-diangelos-white-fragility-ignores-the-differences-within-whiteness-143728  

Distributism Explained

 

Distributism is being touted as the next best idea as an alternative way to do economics and politics in the 21st century. But what is Distributism? This video provides a simple and quick overview of Distributist principles.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M702i7rcUBo

The problem isn't liberalism, the problem is weakness

 

Kemi Badenoch's address to the ARC 2025 defended classical liberalism against Centralised Socialism and its control-centred philosophy.