Rudd's Apology

[watermelon_chic]

Today, in the first sitting of Parliment since Labour was elected in November, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tabled a formal, bi-partisan, Apology to the Stolen Generations of Indigenous Australia.  It contains three unconditional uses of the word 'Sorry', that has been so hard to say for so long.

I felt like I should write something here to mark it as

Comments

[imageit]

I watched it and loved it. As I said to Nick whilst watching it, it was very personal.

Did you hear, I wrote to Rudd and got a reply (although from someone he appointed, not his very self) ha ha.

The bit that really touched me was "For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations" and "to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity."

There was a part where he said "really, REALLY," something, and it was very strong.

[watermelon_chic]

I didn't hear you had written to him..what about? What did he (or his aide) say?

What really hit me with Rudd, and made me feel it ws actually genuine, was something he said earlier this week, and I think in a different way he said it in the speechy bit after the official apology... 'all you have to do is stop and ask...'what if it was me?''

thats all really isn't it?

[imageit]

I wrote to him and congratulated him on getting into the top spot and asked him that since he was promising a reform of education, what he was going to do to make it easier for international students to study in Australia.

His aide said thank you for the letter and that it is very important to Australia for international studies, and that it also helps the economy. He pointed me to some specific documents and advice on plans for study and said that the government will be proposing it's education plans furthermore soon.

I don't know what to say about his quote. It's touched me. If you think about it, you can apply that to anything really can't you? If you just put yourself in someone's shoes, you can understand their point of view.

I hope things are better health wise and that you are all set for honors.

Since I received good news today, I shall hope to be in Australia in December or January for a good few months and then onto New Zealand to stay with family.

Tell B I said hello!

SMILE!

[imageit]

Awesome to get a reply that actually included some useful info, and not just a form letter if you know what i mean.

You can definately apply his quote to anything. I don't think we do often enough, and it would make a difference to the world if we did, I think.

I'm getting better. Was going to do a 'diary' post but got bored of my computer before I got to it! Had horrible goingtodie headache on monday and tuesday but got migraine medicine for it, so its feeling better now. that stuff is magic. i slept for like 4 hours and felt loads better.

How exciting you being in Australia!!!! I'm super stoked already. Really wish we'd met up when I was in England, but such is life, and we'll definately make up for it when you are here!!!

B says Hi back.

much love!!! (and other valentines day mush)

[quiet_girl13]

Yesterday hopefully is the beginning of the end, an end to outdated thoughts and idealogies. Even though I voted green I'm so happy that Rudd is in!

[watermelon_chic]

Absolutely! I hope it is indicative of more positive changes to come