Comments on: On the necessity of an apology http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/ Thoughts about economics, politics and life in general Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:10:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Chris http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/#comment-122 Chris Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:26:20 +0000 http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/#comment-122 I would argue that the power of the apology is that by and large, it _was_ sincere. The stage was set with the release of the Bringing Them Home report in 1997 and the reconciliation march across the Harbour Bridge. There's little doubt where the Left stands on reconciliation (at least across the wine glasses on the dinner table), and there was strong pressure inside the Howard government for JH to lead the full cabinet across the bridge. He refused, and by example (as with his enthusiastic embrance of One Nation policies) set the cultural tone of his epoch. But there remained a strong movement inside the Libs for an apology, and I believe that in the main the Opposition voted their conscience yesterday. Five of six living prime ministers enthusiastically lent their support in Canberra, while one more stayed in his tracksuit. I also believe the overwhelming groundswell of public opion (and the nearly universal opinion of the press) supports the apology in the context it was delivered - an apology from the nation and the government for past wrongs. I don't believe there is a strong base of negative opinion about such an apology in the context delivered. I also believe that yesterday tapped a reservoir of desire amongst the Australian populace for symbolism, after a long drought during which negativity and opacity were dominant in the leadership of the country. I would argue that the power of the apology is that by and large, it _was_ sincere.

The stage was set with the release of the Bringing Them Home report in 1997 and the reconciliation march across the Harbour Bridge.

There’s little doubt where the Left stands on reconciliation (at least across the wine glasses on the dinner table), and there was strong pressure inside the Howard government for JH to lead the full cabinet across the bridge. He refused, and by example (as with his enthusiastic embrance of One Nation policies) set the cultural tone of his epoch. But there remained a strong movement inside the Libs for an apology, and I believe that in the main the Opposition voted their conscience yesterday. Five of six living prime ministers enthusiastically lent their support in Canberra, while one more stayed in his tracksuit. I also believe the overwhelming groundswell of public opion (and the nearly universal opinion of the press) supports the apology in the context it was delivered - an apology from the nation and the government for past wrongs.

I don’t believe there is a strong base of negative opinion about such an apology in the context delivered. I also believe that yesterday tapped a reservoir of desire amongst the Australian populace for symbolism, after a long drought during which negativity and opacity were dominant in the leadership of the country.

]]> By: Tyranny and the ethical removal of children at John Barrdear http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/#comment-120 Tyranny and the ethical removal of children at John Barrdear Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:02:35 +0000 http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/#comment-120 [...] Register « On the necessity of an apology [...] [...] Register « On the necessity of an apology [...]

]]> By: An apology for what? at John Barrdear http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/#comment-121 An apology for what? at John Barrdear Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:45:47 +0000 http://barrdear.com/john/2008/02/12/on-the-necessity-of-an-apology/#comment-121 [...] « Barack Obama: winning since day 1? On the necessity of an apology [...] [...] « Barack Obama: winning since day 1? On the necessity of an apology [...]

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