cries for help...

The ongoing hunger strike at Villawood and the weekend fires at Baxter appear to be further cries for help from people at the end of their tether. Mindless brutalisation of people will often lead to desperate acts...the victims decide their only option is to harm themselves or to take violent actions to attract attention. This ongoing human rights violation remains Australia's open sore, along with the appalling neglect of Aboriginal communities. If this is the way of life Howard and his supporters are protecting, its time for a serious rethink.

Of course DIMIA and Minister Vanstone will continue to demonise these people and beat their collective chests on the implications for visa applications etc etc etc, and, yes, the mantra of 'we will decide the manner and timing of people coming to this country' will ring in our ears. But the whole system reeks of abuse and will doubtless be the subject of a Royal Commission one day.