On July 8 Scienceblogger, PZ Myers responded to a news story about someone trying to take a consecrated Eucharist out of a Church here. In response, 'The Catholic League' opened up a letter-writing campaign against him. PZ Myers has requested support and friends such as Richard Dawkins are asking for support for him as well.
It was only 12 hours ago that there was a protest outside Parliament House here in Melbourne against World Youth Day, the big Catholic activist festival. The 'Youth Against World Youth Day' protest is reported by the Herald Sun to have attracted about 150 people. Anti-WYD protestors carried placards and worse shirts with slogans such as 'Blasphemy is not a crime', 'Gay is Okay!', 'Pope is wrong! Put a condom on!' and 'Human rights, not religious rites.'
Sunday, July 13, 2008
'Catholic League' Attacks Academic Freedom
Friday, May 30, 2008
Transitional Blogging
I didn't know that the University of Melbourne has transitional bloggers. They've got entries on the demotion of Paul Mees as well as the study cycle. There is a first year site as well as a second year + site.
There's also an interesting, if a little bit dated, post about Farrago. The author, who distances himself from the Liberal Party by claiming to be a Labor voter, says that it is "as though a bunch of hippies have been trying to brainwash me with the ‘anti-Glyn Davis’ bible." I have the suspicion that his position is not uncommon and he clearly isn't writing from an official perspective, since he doesn't make the point that the 'Arts cuts' are related to a structural deficit in the Faculty and not any recommendations from the Curriculum Review or Melbourne Model implementation. It is certainly a position that is worth taking into account and he is absolutely correct that the Faculty of Arts is not the only one in the University.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
As in Sydney...
I've been looking through different student publications online. I came across 'Honi Soit' and found some all-too-familiar content in the President's report of their 16/4/08 edition.
University of Sydney SRC President Kate Laing:I personally believe that censorship should not be conducted when it comes to student newspapers, because free speech and diverse debate and opinions should be embraced. Similarly if students can’t be controversial with their ideas in a campus publication written by and for students then where can they be?
But, under the heading sexism, she writes:Within the constitution of the SRC there are guidelines that restrict what can be censored, and that is anything criminal or discriminatory.
She continues:What I am disappointed by is how disconnected the editors have made themselves from the organisation that funds their publication, and will publish sexist remarks that openly undermine the good work of collectives and passionate fellow students.
What a coincidence that at the same time, both UMSU and the University of Sydney SRC are having the same problems with their respective newspapers.
