Free To Speak

“In Defence of Freedom of Speech”

edited by Chris Berg

This is a book created by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA).  It was sent to every Federal Member of Parliament and Senator.  It was also distributed to the general public at the same time.

Its intention was to illuminate various attacks on the liberties of individuals that were being perpetrated primarily by the Labor govt.

You can be sure that it was read by some of its intended target as then Greens leader, Bob Brown, referred to it during an address to the National Press Club.  His snide remarks about the book had no essence of truth in them.  But that didn’t matter to him.  Nor did the IPA mind that he misrepresented their work.  It just went to show how set in their anti liberty ways the Greens really are.

It is one thing to have someone disagree with you.  It is a completely different thing to take measures to stop them from saying it, even though it might be true.  The vast majority of criticism for the current government has been absolutely justified, but they don’t like their faults being pointed out so they try and stop people from criticising.

The book describes a history of freedom of speech from ancient Greece to modern times in Australia.  It describes why the various acts were performed and their consequences.  It’s surprising to see how much has been done in the name of liberty and also protectionism. 

Over the course of history there were no groups that shone brightly as bearers of the liberty torch.  In all eras there fluctuations in freedom and protectionism.  Even Christian groups, who I thought would be bastions of freedom of speech, had fallen for the protectionist ideology at times.  When liberties were taken away it was usually due to the institution of totalitarian regimes.

What this book has shown me is that freedoms are important and not to be messed with by any government entity.  It’s a slippery slope when governments think they can mess with liberties.  It stems mainly from the intellectually elitist ideology that you are too stupid to make educated decisions for yourself if given certain liberties.  This ideology is both demeaning and insulting.  I’m glad we have institution such as the IPA that took on the cause of freedom of speech with such vigour.

Daily Bible

It’s always an achievement to read the bible in full.  I recommend everyone do it at least once.  That’s regardless of whatever belief system you follow.  I had done it once using the easy to read “The Message” version of the bible.  Now I’ve finished it again using the ‘Daily Bible’ in NIV.

Firstly some stats.  It took me approximately 15 months to complete from 8^th June 2011 to 19^th September 2012.  This equates to 470 days.  It was read in 278 sessions with an average of 5 pages and 19 minutes per session.  Thanks to the ‘Read More” app of iPhone for statistics and extra motivation to keep reading.

The ‘Daily Bible’ has chunks of around 3 – 4 pages with duel columns that take about 10 – 20 minutes to read.  It is organised to have an Old Testament portion, New Testament portion and a Psalm or Proverb portion per day.

What I liked about the format was accomplishing a book more frequently.  For example while reading a long new testament book you will be finishing a shorter old testament book, or vice versa.  Also if one portion was quite droll then the other portion was usually very interesting.  Don’t forget as well that reading a small chunk of the bible every day is a good habit to forge.

I was surprised at how small the daily chunks were.  I’m not a fast reader and most days only took 10 mins to read.  Meaning that sometimes I read multiple days in one hit.  Sometimes you just have to keep reading while you have the energy. 

Each day was dated, intended for you to read every day starting January 1^st and finishing December 31^st.  I didn’t stick to this however.  I knew my shiftwork would make that impossible.  But I’m rather chuffed at 15 months.

Some of the ordering of the Old Testament was interesting.  It seems that they attempted to be somewhat chronological while breaking up the longer books with shorter books.

Post reading ‘The Message’ I asked, “What next?”  My answer then was to read it in this different format.  So now this effort is completed and I have to ask it again.  As reading the bible is not a once off read and then put it on the shelf to gather dust.

Although as I’m doing some study through Moore College I think I’ll give the daily reading a break and catch up on other books I’ve been wanting to reading.  After study is completed I’m keen to try out Max Lucado’s bible adaptation, ‘The Story’. 

Own Worst Enemy

“Thrilled to Death” 

by Dr Arch Hart PhD

It seems obvious. We are stressing ourselves out to a point that we can no longer enjoy life.

Psychology researchers are catching on to what Hart has been talking about for a long time. They’re emphasising that we need to slow down, relax, sleep, take pleasure in the small things. Otherwise life goes by with a flash and there is nothing to show for it.

Hart defines the clinical condition of anhedonia and points out its dangers. Anhedonia being a condition where one has sought so much pleasure that the pleasure centre in their brain no longer functions properly.

It is important to acknowledge the presence of anhedonia so that we can avoid it and live fulfilling lives. Hart gives 7 steps to do just that or to get out of it all together.

It all seems like common sense. Unfortunately common sense has become increasingly uncommon. It is why we need a psychologist to point out what we should already know.

Best of Holmes

“The Best of Sherlock Holmes”

Wordsworth Classics

Edited by David Stuart Davies

Sherlock Holmes stories have proved themselves timeless.  This has been assisted recently by feature films starring Robert Downey Jnr and a TV series placing Sherlock in the modern day.

After the first Sherlock Holmes movie I was motivated to pick up my best of book.  It featured 20 of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best, as chosen by the editor.

Having not read any Holmes prior I can’t complain about his choices.  It appears the editor tried to get a broad spectrum of the Holmes timeline and include pinnacle moment in the life of Holmes.

Conan Doyle’s style is amazing, through the narration of John Watson, Holmes’ detective partner.  Even those not interested in crime novels will enjoy Holmes.  Each story will take approximately one hour to read.

Marriage Books

There would be a whole library’s worth of books about marriage. But how many of them would actually be good for you to read and beneficial for your relationship. I’ve read four and would claim that they are not just good and beneficial but that they are a necessity for all couples to read and discuss prior to getting married.

Mine was a long distance relationship. Reading through books and discussing them via emails brought us closer together and helped set a firm foundation.

The first book we went through was “Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. Most arguments occur due to communication issues. Chapman points out the possible origin and rectifies it with an attainable solution. Start speaking your partner’s love language. Sounds easy but it can be very hard depending on many variables. Find out each others love language then speak it freely and you’re on your way.

Further down the track when our relationship seemed to be going somewhere more serious we moved onto “Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married” also by Gary Chapman. It covers a broad range of topics that are good to sort out prior to getting married. The topics seem so obvious that they needn’t be there. But after reading and discussing the chapters I saw the potential for conflict due to different expectations of roles and responsibilities once married. Areas such as housework, cooking, budgeting, etc seem small at first but if left to fester they can cause major rifts in an otherwise healthy relationship.

Closer to the wedding I had two books recommended to me – “One Flesh” by Amelia & Greg Clarke; and “Sheet Music” by Kevin Lemen. These are best read close to the wedding and parts of them post wedding. They assist in setting up realistic goals, expectations and also boundaries for the honeymoon and beyond. It can be tough to bring up these matters with a future spouse. These two books encourage it and it is very worthwhile to heed their advice. Without these books I would have been very unprepared.

Of course there’s so many similar books. These examples are written from a Christian perspective. They were recommended to me and I recommend them to anyone considering marriage.

Pulling No Punches

“Pulling No Punches”

by Barry Hall with Michael Cowley

As premiership captain he was the man. I was in Melbourne in 2005 watching him on a big screen holding the premiership cup aloft. Then more of the same later at Punt Road Oval and the next day at Albert Park. Life couldn’t get much better for him and Sydney Swans supporters.

Fast forward a few years and I am at the ground to witness Barry knockout Brent Staker with a well aimed left cross. It was the worst incident I have witnessed on the football field. Such a fall from grace.

There was so much conjecture at the time about what was really going on behind the scenes. At a time when Barry wanted some privacy he got even more hounded by the media. Speculation was rife. In a way he was his own worst enemy.

It took him a few years but finally Barry is telling his story in his own words. As the title suggests, he is pulling no punches. He is critical of Paul Roos and some former Swans teammates. Though he saves the worst criticism for himself. He freely acknowledges that he put himself into many of these tough situations.

He’s honest about his upbringing. From his father almost disowning him when he gave up boxing to almost killing a man in a fit of rage. He was an angry young man. His anger almost brought his downfall long before he became well known for football talents.

I'm glad Barry got to tell his side of the story. He gave so much to football despite his misgivings. He deserved to go out on a high and well done to the Western Bulldogs for giving him the opportunity to do so. As a Swans fan I think he had to leave the club given everything that had happened. It appears that Roosy could have handled matters differently but the outcome would have probably been the same.

Barry describes situations where he was rightfully frustrated with people not talking to him with too much being played out in the media. This was a media that was on his case since the 2006 grand final loss in which Barry played poorly. That was probably the beginning of the end at Sydney.

There were areas of his story where I thought he would delve deeper. I perceived that there was more to the story than he was telling. Although I applaud his discretion in keeping some matters private.

I suggest all fellow Swans fans have a read to gain some perspective.

Been There

“Blood, Sweat  Tea”

by Tom Reynolds

What started out as a blog by an experienced Paramedic in London became a book. Later there would be a sequel to the book.

I came across “Blood, Sweat & Tea” when I was still doing patient transport for the Ambulance Service of NSW. A paramedic from my station was reading it and was finding it interesting.

Finally, I came around to reading it. It truly was an interesting book. Mainly because for every story of his I could think of a similar story of my own. That made it as easy read as well. Non-paramedics should also find it easy to follow. Plus it’s written in a light-hearted fashion that made it enjoyable.

Paramedics will laugh but others will probably cringe at the ridiculous recounts of humanity.

The sequel is already on my shelves waiting to be read.

It’s Vintage

“Vintage Jesus”

by Mark Driscoll

What’s old becomes new again. Although some things never get old.

Mark Driscoll, from Seattle’s Mars Hill Church, unapologetically focuses on Jesus for this book (and preceeding sermon series). His aim was to show that Jesus Christ is as relevant today as he ever has been. There are 12 chapters that ask 12 questions about Jesus. All very common and important questions.

Driscoll enjoys taking on these questions. He tackles the conjecture the questions create head on. Lefty intellectuals look out.

It is a detailed book. The amount of detail is palatable but perhaps not for the brand new Christian. For them it might be a tad full on. Proceed with caution, read before giving it to a friend.

Driscoll pulls no punches. It’s all about Jesus. If it’s not about Jesus then we are just taking our eyes off the ball.

Raging

“The Rage Against God”

by Peter Hitchens

Peter is the brother of well-known atheist/journalist/author, Christopher Hitchens. He is a pure example of how intelligent humans can grow into a faith in God. Despite the assertions of his brother to the contrary.

Understanding his background, outlined in the book, is to understand how he became an atheist in the first place. He had many examples of people in authority, some in his church based boarding school, misuse the trust vested in them. Once trust was broken it was almost impossible to regain. But of course it wasn’t God that broke trust, but mere humans.

Peter spent much of his working life in the former USSR. He uses it as a case study into atheistic political regimes. His first hand knowledge and experience is a huge eye opener. Atheists would try to dismiss his assertions on the USSR. History shows that these totalitarian regimes committed atrocities much worse than anything in Christian history. To a large degree their driving force in committing these atrocities was their passionate purging of everything Christian.

Peter surely had to overcome much to accept Jesus Christ as God. It makes his story interesting and inspirational.

Another One By The Genius

“Childhood”
by Bill Cosby

Not much to say on this one that hasn’t been said for others that I have read. Bill Cosby in typically honest in this humorous reflection on his childhood.

It’s not meant as such but I regard his books as the best sources for instruction through all phases of life.

Somewhat exaggerated yet very practical, leaving behind the theoretical.

The Reformer

“The Costello Memoirs”
by Peter Costello

Costello offers a frank account from his life in politics. It covers a lot of ground. It goes through his education, law degree, entry into politics, role as treasurer ending with events surrounding the 207 federal election.

He was a great treasurer, some would suggest the best this country has ever seen. He blows his own trumpet a bit and rightly so. He brought this country from a horrible financial situation to the stronghold of the Asian region. Not enough credit was given to him for Australia’s position during the global financial crisis. He weathered many storms with his knowledge and wisdom on financial matters. He was a true reformer.

The detail about treasury matters can be a bit dry. He avoided the minutiae to a large degree. But without the background you don’t get a full grasp of how much he cared for the portfolio.

I wasn’t politically aware for much of his tenure so it was great to become acquainted with early years in politics and re acquainted with the latter years. So many events happened in the background of my life during the 1990’s yet were important on a national level.

Costello offers a fantastic overview to his political life and the events that took place in that time. A fascinating education in politics and economics.

Affluent But No Better Off

Affluenza
By Clive Hamilton and Richard Dennis

Affluenza is not a new concept, we just have a new word for it. The bible says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils” (1 Tim 6:10). Also, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity” (Ecc 5:10). It’s been happening forever. “Affluenza” puts multiple bits of research together in order to make the point that being affluent is not the answer to problems but the cause of other, sometimes bigger problems.

It’s about the difference between needs and wants. But these two areas have become very muddled in peoples heads. Needs are food, clothing and shelter. Wants are everything else superfluous to our basic needs. Anyone who did High School economics should know that. Unfortunately to an increasing number of Australians the basic need for food means top restaurants, clothing means overpriced brand labels and shelter means the big house with a pool in a fancy suburb.

What is sad is that we appear no happier despite being as affluent as we ever have been. Maybe that’s because the secret to happiness is being content with what we have and living within your means while making the most of it. Being content with what God has given us to use in our earthly life.

While Hamilton makes a lot of good points about the sickness of afflenza he does get political near the end. It left a sour taste in my mouth. It would depend on your political ideology.

The last chapter takes the good points and gives forth a left wing socialist solution. As in having government intervene in more facets of life. At the same time he gives a false view of what it means to be an economic liberalist. So be discerning and don’t take it as political gospel.

The author states that people are looking for meaning in life yet largely ignores Christianity’s (or any other religion for that matter) contribution to attaining meaning. He does mention Christianity briefly but soon after insulted religious notions as “outdated”.

Largely a good read but requires discernment on the finer political points.

Thunderbolt Kid

Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
By Bill Bryson

There are not many authors whose books I purchase purely based on reputation. Bryson had me hooked with his travel memoirs called ‘Down Under’, obviously about Australia, and ‘A Walk In The Woods’ about a famous walking trail in north-eastern USA. Those were read prior to this blogging sensation. More recently I have read Bryson’s ‘Shakespeare’. He has written many other travel and historical books that I hope to read in good time.

‘Thunderbolt Kid’ is different because it is purely autobiographical. His primary topic is himself. His trademark wit is evident but I wouldn’t rate it as highly as his other books. The subject matter was still interesting as he describes the strange naivety of children in a rural midwestern town. It is such an eye opener to our way of living these days.

Although reading about his upbringing it does become obvious why he turned out to be a writer. Especially one with a unique sense of humour. He had journalist parents with interesting idiosyncracies, and a wickedly random imagination. The title of this book is evidence of that.

I still enjoyed reading it but it wont be one that I would read again. It won’t stop me buying and recommending Bill Bryson as a fantastic author.

Book To Movie

The Ghost
by Robert Harris

I acquired this book after seeing the trailer for the movie on which it is based. Thought it might be interesting to read a book followed closely by the movie. It would be a first for me, to be able to critique both is such quick succession. After all it is usually stated, “the book is always better”.

The Ghost is a suspense thriller. It captures an essence of truth, hence making it very believable despite being fiction. It follows the events of an author who agreed to ghost write for a controversial recently dumped British prime minister caught up in a war crimes case against him for matters relating to the war on terror.

I felt captivated by the book, it was one I found difficult to put down. Even in some apparent boring bits there was a twist around the corner. There were twists everywhere and I doubt you will pick the final twist.

Perhaps my expectations of the movie were too high after the book. Others will probably tell me that it happens with every movie that comes from a book. Plus it didn’t help that I knew the ending that was straight out of left field.

A great performance from Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan, and an impressive British accent from Kim Cattrell.

Roman Polanski chose a great setting that captured the mood magnificently. It was bleak yet picturesque.

So choose the order you like, book then movie or movie then book. Both are worth checking out.

’96 Revisited

Plugger and the Mighty Swans
Jim Main

To the Swans fan 1996 was a magical season. We went from near bankrupt perennial losers to almost premiers and grabbing the heart of a city that had scant regard for the greatest game on earth.

I was lucky enough to participate in most of season ’96. I had started playing in 1994 and convinced Dad to buy season tickets after seeing an ad in the paper for memberships prior to the 1995 grand final.

In the beginning of the year my dad and me could sit just about anywhere. By the end we had to work very hard for a finals ticket. Dad tells me it cost him “an arm and a leg” to get us down to Melbourne to watch the grand final at the MCG. I never asked him the exact amount, and he never told.

This book lays the foundation to explain why 1996 was such a fantastic year. Author, historian and fellow Swans nut takes us back to the origins of the club that has only recently celebrated 125 years. As South Melbourne we were one of the original clubs to form the VFL. Our club celebrated an era of dominance in the 30’s and 40’s followed closely by many lean years, despite having the best player in the competition in Bob Skilton.

Many lean years didn’t help the coffers and the move or extinction outcome became obvious. It just took some people a bit longer than others. Jim Main captures the emotion and anger of a public that felt like they were losing a part of themselves.

It took a long time to regain the old South fans support, but 1996 did that. A premiership 9 years later further entrenched the support from our original home.

I enjoyed the read but perhaps that’s because I was part of it, if only in a small way.

The Bible - Cover to Cover

“The Message – Remix”

The bible in contemporary language
Edited by Eugene H Peterson

Reading the bible is something everyone should do at least once in their life. Even non-Christians. There is a reason why it is the best selling book in history, and the first ever to be printed.

It is an intimidating book though. Firstly, it’s thick, even with the extra thin paper it is still a relatively thick book. It was my first aversion to tackling it, thinking that I would never get through it. Secondly, what you read in the book might force some life changing decisions to be made.

I made some rules for myself. I didn’t want to join a yearly reading plan, as I knew I would get unmotivated when I fell behind. With my work situation I knew I would fall behind. I would plough along at my own speed. I read other books concurrently as I would get unmotivated seeing all the other books on my shelves not getting read. It worked well for me, as I couldn’t read for more than 30 minutes most of the time.

There are so many versions of the bible. It is an important choice of which one to read cover to cover. I went with ‘The Message’ version on the recommendation of my parents who had previously completed the bible cover to cover. The ‘Remix’ version has verse and chapter references whereas the original didn’t. It seems taylor made for an introduction to bible reading and cover-to-cover reading in particular. It has no footnotes (or cheat notes), which are good for study but can be distracting for this purpose.

It took me 20 months to finish, not bad considering I thought it would take me at least 2 years, but what now? Finishing reading the bible cover to cover just opens the door to a life of bible study. I could go in a few directions to start with.

1. Cover to cover reading of the ‘Daily Bible’ comprising of a New Testament reading, Old Testament reading and a Psalm or Proverb reading everyday. Again I would read at my own pace and have concurrent books.
2. Start seriously studying one book at a time. I have the study bible with a commentary ready to go. Where to start would be my first question. So many books of the bible peeked an interest while reading it through. Mainly minor prophets and epistles.
3. Both these options will probably be put on the backburner as my life situation goes through a major change. In the mean time I think I will give my overcrowded bookshelves some attention and get into some shorter reading: Christian books, novels, sporting biographies, political biographies/commentaries. It’s all fun.

The GFC Storm

“S**tstorm”
by Lenore Taylor and David Uren

This book is a narrative of the events surrounding the global financial crisis (GFC) and the Labor government’s response. It gives background to the GFC that most wouldn’t have known or thought about. Those closely involved with the response such as Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan were interviewed and provide tremendous insight into what they had to deal with and why they did it.

It’s not a commentary or an opinion piece. It does not offer much in the way of rebuttal, which would comprise another entire book. Although there are moments where either the author or ministers involved acknowledged that they could have done things better in hindsight. There is still a definite lack of serious critique on what took place.

Whatever your thoughts are of their justification for responding a certain way, it must be acknowledged that the situation was potentially very serious for our nation. This might be good introductory reading if interested in exploring the effects of the GFC. Ironically soon after the publication of this book the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was ousted by his deputy, Julia Gillard. His handling of the GFC being sighted as a reason.

The Grim Reality

“Life At The Bottom”
by Theodore Dalrymple

Each chapter in this book is a separate essay written by the experienced public health psychologist, author and philosopher. Separate yet they follow along a theme as they all come from his observations of supposed “disturbed” people.

I can relate to his rantings as they are similar to mine. The endless stream of apparent victims who wont accept responsibility for their own actions. The chapter headings say it all: ‘the knife went in’, ‘tough love’, ‘choosing to fail’ and ‘we don’t want no education’, to name a few.

He tells it how it is and not how you would like to think it is. The irony in Dalrymple’s observations is that the systems in place to help those disadvantaged in society go a long way to disadvantage them further only in different ways. Think, for example, how endless welfare creates a cycle of dependence. Also how about how abused children are sent back to their irresponsible parents because the ideology is to have them with birth parents as a priority. Common sense, it appears, does not exist as much as it should in the area of public health, according to Dalrymple.

He does rant, and sounds cynical at times. But I don’t blame him at all. He works in the tough field of mental health yet still seems to be quite patient and understanding. I struggle for patience, talking with irrational people is very difficult.

Good on Dalrymple for his persistence in the field and for producing a sensational piece of common sense literature.

Open House

“Open House”
Collection of interviews by Sheriden Voysey

The first installment of transcribed interviews from the ‘Open House’ program on Christian radio station Hope 103.2fm.

Even though he is a Christian on a Christian radio station it is good of Voysey to allow his interviewee to talk and to tell their story. This is easy enough to do in most cases where the interviewee is largely giving their Christian testimony.

There are some other cases where the subject is more secular or controversial in nature. Voysey still lets them talk. I like that, he lets them tell their whole story and then allows the listeners and readers to think about the topic in their own way and then discuss what was said.

There is a vast array of personalities being interviewed. Someone will appeal to everyone.

I found that the people I hadn’t heard of still had fascinating stories to tell. I’m glad I read them all and didn’t cut to the people I thought would be most interesting.

The secular personalities are in some ways more interesting, as their views on Jesus aren’t as clear cut or predictable. They have many varied views on Jesus between them. It should be no surprise that some have no clear view on Jesus, instead hold various views on their own.

I'm a late starter, as by the time the start reading this edition there have been two more editions of ‘Open House’ released. If the first is anything to go by then two and three will be very enjoyable indeed.

God’s Undertaker?

“God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?”
by Dr John Lennox

Has science buried God? The subtitle of the book and the question Lennox dedicates over 200 pages to answer.

This one was hard to read. At one stage I considered putting it down for eternity. What I thought was mainly a work of apologetics I discovered was a work of scientific discussion.

This book is not for the faint hearted though. Some of the scientific concepts can be tough to follow from both sides of the argument. But if you can endure the concepts you will find the main premise.

Has science buried God? Simply put the answer is NO. As if that was a surprise. Science has not and cannot bury God. Any statement to the contrary is one of philosophy and not of science.

There is so much more to the book but it will need a second read through the further grasp Lennox’s argument. Or a reading of books using simpler language.