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Peter Russell Clarke outtakes from the 80’s. Language NSFW via FullTimeCasual on Twitter. LMAO.

I forgot to post this yesterday. John Birmingham, the author of perhaps the best series of books I’ve read in the last 12 months, the Axis of Time series (World War 2.1, 2.2 + 2.3) has posted an extract from the new book he is writing here. WOW! The alternative reality stuff just sucks me in again.

Its sad that at 5 the boy has pretty much outgrown them. I’ve seen them live twice. This video via Library Stuff

I hate personal attacks, always will, always have. And yet sometimes, when you’re attacked you have to fire back. In the case of Australia’s favorite Censorship loon Deborah Robinson, that’s pretty much what happen. A week ago I’d never even heard of her site, let alone met her, but she decided to make it personal, and I responded.

On some levels I wish I hadn’t. She obviously craves attention, but as I mentioned earlier sometimes you just have to respond. I wrote an initial post and thought that was the end of it until she came back for more, and more, and more. She then started quoting hate loving groups such as the Australian Family Association under the context that they represented the Australian Family. OMFG is all I could say.

Deborah Robinson contacted me and asked for a cease fire, she was supposedly upset that OMG someone would fire back at her insane rantings. I’m not an unreasonable bloke, and given that I hate playing the man and not the ball, I agreed. But apparently Deborah Robinson’s word is as shit as her views, because she has now broken our agreement by labeling me, and those who believe in free speech as the “lunatic fringe.” She claimed via email that it wasn’t aimed at me, but as a member of those who would fight to defend free speech in a democratic country it included me, and many of you reading this took offense as I did via Twitter.

As far as I’m concerned, go hard, go good. Loons like Deborah Robinson should have no place in our country. In believing in free speech I defend her right to exercise that, but only to the point where she argues that I shouldn’t have that right as well. It’s the ultimate challenge for anyone who believes in free speech, but it is one that should be expressed in strong words against those who would deny our freedoms.

One last word. Deborah played the Jewish card on me when it came to her support (via posting on her blog) of groups like the AFA who join street rallies in Australia with proto-nazi groups. Deborah: If Nazi Germany had free speech, they may well have known what was happening, and the holocaust may never have happened. Censorship is the favorite tool of any totalitarian regime, don’t let it happen in Australia.

Everybody’s favorite censorship loon Deborah Robinson has posted that “Families” support the Great Firewall of Australia, but this is where it becomes fun, because by Families she means the Australian Family Association.

The Australian Family Association is a body which has its roots in B. A. Santamaria’s Nation Civic Council, and its beliefs include homophobia, discrimination and naturally broad scale hard core nanny-state censorship.

Senator Brian Greig in 2002:

My long experience of the Australian Family Association?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùthe AFA?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùis that they are a hate group. They promote some of the most disgraceful and shocking vilifying materials that I have experienced and seen in this country.

Beware of the God:

The Australian Family Association….lobbies against feminism, recognition of same-sex relationships and adoption rights, and in favour of extensive film and television censorship.

Discrimination? Yep, read WA AFA President John Barich in Senate papers here arguing that discrimination should not be illegal.

Gays are one of the AFA’s pet hates (via unbelief.org)
“How is it that a small and ignored minority [i.e. gays] has become the ‘flavour of the month’? How is it that a lifestyle that has been universally condemned throughout most of history has now become chic and cool? How is it that societies that used to put the common good ahead of the desires of individuals now cater to every noisy minority group?” (Bill Muehlenberg, National Secretary, AFA, The State of the Culture Wars, Salt Shakers Journal, February 2001, 3)

So what is it Deborah? should we ban the gays and feminists and singles as well? How could you as a woman seriously support a group that is against a womans right to choose? Strange bedfellows my dear, but we live in strange times. Hey, the Nazi’s probably support your position as well, will you be quoting them next?

Maybe Santa’s children did finally take over the Labor Party once and for all.

I’m stoked. On The Pod has been nominated for an award at the Performancing Blog Awards up against Jason Calacanis none the less. Vote here, and thanks to those who tune in, I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoy recording them. There was some really unique stories and people in 2007, and hopefully there will be many more to come this year.