A bit of a soapbox

After spending the last few weeks concerned more about cheese than anything else (thanks to my current job, not any new obsession with fondue nights) Justice has been on my mind a lot this week. Firstly I read the disturbing news that a friend of mine has been arrested in Japan in blatantly undemocratic circumtances. Reading the story I felt the sense of injustice swell up that I remember my high school drama teacher mentioning on my report card (probably as a result of my organising protests on the front stairs and thereby getting disqualified from giving any kind of speech at graduation...but that's another story).

To read the full story and support Junichi Sato, a brave and dedicated campaigner for environmental issues and public democratic process in Japan, go here and sign the petition.

Here in London I'm a member of a journalism club called The Frontline Club, and as usual whenever I go there I come away with some kind of insight (or an amusing run-in with a BBC journalist). This afternoon I went to a film screening there, This Is Our Country Too, about the plight of Aboriginal people in Australia. As much as it is a horrific situation, I found it very hard as a white Australian to come to terms with it, and I think Erin did too. I am all for Aboriginal rights, I think the interventionist policies of the Howard government are despicable and don't address the problems in any meaningful way. On the other hand, I don't see any easy answers, and I think that's probably what most white Australians feel - a sense of frustration, and a fear borne of ignorance that most Aboriginal people just want us to leave, when those of us who were born and bred in Oz feel it is 'our country too' as well - as unjustified as that may be after only 200 years compared to over 40,000.

I recommend the film highly, it made me think. But it was a guy in the audience who gave me the most hope, and said that there are positive changes being made under the new government. I hope so. He recommended the work of the Yothu Yindi foundation in promoting reconciliaiton and opportunities for Aboriginal youth so if anyone is feeling particularly rich right now I think it's a worthy cause to donate to.

The only other news is a horrific dental bill approaching 700 pounds - it amazes me how something so painful and unpleasant can cost so much. Now if that's not injustice I don't know what is!