The most recent 20 comments posted to Electrolite by Epacris:

[This is the most recent thread I can find pertinent to this subject.]
There has been quite a bit of discussion of the often-pernicious influence of "hard-line" religious figures in US politics. Along with various unpleasant ructions happening in the Sydney diocese (see an earlier comment about one example, in this article)

There have been several prominent figures in politics, often having influence because they "hold the balance of power" in a chamber fairly evenly split between the two larger groupings of Labor & the Liberal-National coalition. We have also been hearing about religious groupings within - and across - parties.

Now there seems to be a push on. www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2004/05/06/1083635285149.html

Liberals' new branch masters art of the stack, the stoush and the all-in brawl by Paola Totaro, State Political Editor, May 7, 2004

The first text message arrived about 9.30pm, followed quickly by another and another. By 10.25pm, three police cars, eight officers and a police dog were on their way to Punchbowl.

"The right's starting a fight . . . there's a riot . . . the police have arrived," said the final message to an MP's mobile phone.

The venue was the Croatian Club on Punchbowl Road. The event? A meeting of the newest branch of the NSW Liberal Party.

... With the Young Liberal leadership now dominated by its new hardline right-wing president, Alex Hawke, there is also an increasing push against the moderates inside the parliamentary party. It is being led by his boss, the conservative upper house member David Clarke.

An avowed and vocal Christian, Mr Clarke is vehemently opposed to abortion, gay marriage, harm minimisation and drug law reform...

A friend's comment on one recent development (slightly rude for delicate sensibilities)

Xopher & many others: So many times you hear people say that, usually about writing or music. Something appears fully formed in their consciousness and they have to write it down, just trying to get it as it flows. You can understand how the idea of inspiring muses or gods has come about.

Only the tiniest touches have ever brushed me; the last one was a drawing - I heard a certain sentence and saw a 'vision' of it. It was almost irresistable, the need to try and get it down from where it was stuck behind my eyes, and now it's been stuck up above my desk for the last couple of years.

One part of one of Clive James' books of essays has stuck with me for quite a few years. He wrote that he couldn't be sure that if he had been brought up in a regime like the Nazis, he would not end up like a prison camp guard. This thought haunted him for some years. (Also mentioned elsewhere.)

Under different circumstances, we "know not what we may be". Luckily for MaryKay & most of us, we are seldom or never put in quite that bad a situation, but it is something to keep in mind when you are looking at different issues in your life.
There's a character in Babylon 5 called Zack Allen (a-z?) who represents the ordinary person, confused & caught in a difficult & dangerous time. Rewatching bits of this series on DVD release has been a rather spooky experience over the last few years.

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