The Labor movement in Australia is now split.

National secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, Paul Howes, told a group of Labor MP’s yesterday, “If you don’t think there is a crisis going on you have got your head in the sand.”

What “crisis” is he talking about?

* over 100,000 jobs lost in the Australian manufacturing industry in the last three years.

* hardly any steel now fabricated in Australia.

* Australian steel companies “locked out” of big local mining projects.

The answer would be to protect our industry.

Brazil has put a 2 percent tax on such imports.

* * *

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Trade Minister Craig Emerson responded with statements showing clearly where their heads are stuck.

CE: “What we have to do is everything we can to boost the competitiveness of Australian industry consistent with our free trade philosophy . . . .”

Well, that was a waste of breath.

So called free trade spells death.

JG: “We won’t go down protectionist paths . . . .”

Doctrinaire denial that the crisis is real?

Are the people watching their jobs disappear overseas not real people?

* * *

When the Craig Thomson affair comes to a head and Labor returns to the opposition benches . . . .

In other words, very soon . . . .

Then, perhaps, the manufacturing crisis may be addressed and something constructive happen.

It’s the old story – get the diagnosis wrong and you’ll never prescribe the right treatment.

Deny a crisis and everything you do only aggravates it.

* * *

There is a much more serious crisis in today’s world than Australia’s dying manufacturing industries.

More about that tomorrow.

The United Bible Societies is helping millions of people to read the Bible daily, using the social networking site Facebook.

According to figures published by www.allfacebook.com this week, more people are actively engaging with the Bible than any other Facebook page.

It seems that with more than 6 million ‘fans’, the Bible’s facebook page has beaten other top pages including those of sports teams like Manchester United and celebrities like Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

Nearly one million fans get involved each week by writing comments on the page wall and re-posting Bible verses on their personal pages.

* * *

Bible Society organisers are encouraged by seeing people leave comments saying how they’ve been touched by a particular Bible passage posted on its page.

It seems this Facebook page is helping to reach a new generation. Over half the Bible page fans are under 25 years old.

Many ask searching questions about the teachings in the Bible.

Enquirers include a fair share of atheists and Muslims. There is plenty of debate between people with different viewpoints.

Bible society volunteers try to respond with good-humour and a generous spirit.

For some, this may be their only contact with Christians, so it’s important to present a loving and accepting attitude.

For further information visit:
www.facebook.com/TheBible
www.facebook.com/UnitedBibleSocieties
www.biblesociety.org

Just about every day the media talk about “inappropriate” behaviour — how bad it is and what to do about it.

For example:

April 12: Media billionaire Kerry Stokes is in trouble with the Supreme Court after he made ”inappropriate at a minimum” comments disparaging the truthfulness of . . . .

April 16: An Illinois high school teacher suspected of exchanging inappropriate text messages with a student . . . .

April 17: Residents in nursing homes are often exposed to inappropriate medication. Particular concern has been raised . . . .

* * *

So what does inappropriate mean?

The easy answer is that something is inappropriate if it goes against universally-held community standards.

Sounds great.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as universally-held community standards.

Universal standards would have to relate to some kind of absolute difference between right and wrong.

Absolute — as opposed to standards that the community might approve today and disapprove tomorrow.

Which makes true appropriateness, ultimately, a religious question.

So-called secular ethics have nothing to offer.

In secular decision-making — “democratic” or otherwise — the opinion prevailing will be the one advocated by those in a position to impose some kind of literal or emotional blackmail.

Not very satisfactory . . . .

* * *

The key word God would have us bear in mind is “mercy”.

Mercy is always appropriate.

In religion, “mercy” means “showing the same qualities of compassion towards each other as God has demonstrated to us”.

To quote the Bible:

“Be all like-minded, compassionate, lovers of the brethren, merciful . . .

“He who would love life and see good days . . . let him turn away from evil and do good . . .

“For the eyes of the Lord are upon the just and his ears unto their prayers;

“But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Many Australians probably couldn’t name the Prime Minister of France.

Well it is François Fillon.

He has held the position since May 2007.

A controversial figure, not least for a statement he has made about immigrants:

* * *

Those immigrants who are not French must adapt.

Take it or leave it, I’m tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.

Our culture has developed with struggles and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom . . . .

Most French people believe in God . . . men and women founded this nation on Christian principles, and this is clearly documented.

It is then appropriate to display this on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your home, because God is part of our culture.

We will accept your beliefs without question. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in peaceful harmony with us.

This is our country, our land and our lifestyle — and we offer you the opportunity to enjoy all this.

But if you’re tired of our flag, our commitment, our Christian beliefs, or our lifestyle, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of another great French freedom, the right to leave . . . .

We did not force you to come here.

You asked to be here.

So accept the country YOU chose.

* * *

M. Fillon (if correctly quoted) is striking a careful balance.

His remarks are becoming more relevant every day.

Islamic societies of North Africa and the Middle East are self destructing, exploding, crumbling into chaos just across the water.

Mediterranean European countries will be preferred destinations for MILLIONS of angry, traumatised, PTSD-suffering fugitives.

How to deal with them?

Has M. Fillon got the balance right?

I think he has.

What do you think?

In Britain, 80 million Easter eggs are sold each year.

80 million little nails in the coffin of the Christian religion.

80 million little propaganda units spreading the word that Easter is about holidays and chocolate.

Not about God.

* * *

But this year something new under the sun is about to appear.

Some British supermarket chains will be stocking the Real Easter Egg — the UK’s first and only fair-trade charity Easter egg.

And the first to mention Jesus on the box.

The packaging tells customers: “Easter is all about cute bunnies, fluffy chicks and eating too much chocolate, right? Well, not quite. We happen to think it’s a bit more meaningful than that. That’s because billions of people all over the world believe that Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday, then rose again three days later . . . on Easter Sunday . . . .”

Two charities will benefit from the sale of the £3.99 eggs.

Traidcraft Exchange will receive 30p from every egg sold.

Baby Lifeline will receive 10 percent of the Real Easter Egg net profits.

* * *

The manufacturer, Meaningful Chocolate Company, says it has received more than 70,000 orders since the egg was launched last September 2010.

It has exhausted its supplies of direct mail-order eggs.

However the Christian-themed eggs won’t be found in Britain’s three biggest supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda – which between them have a 63 percent market share.

Perhaps these organisations are less interested in the Real Easter and more interested in real money.

Perhaps if the Real Easter Egg turns out a big seller these big supermarkets may get an attack of religion – and next year be glad enough to cash in.

Egypt is now in the hands of the military.

This situation follows talks last week between the Muslim Brotherhood and the then Vice President, Omar Suleiman.

No representatives of the Egyptian Christian community were invited to participate in the talks, despite their having been part of the original demonstrations demanding “reform” . . . .

* * *

For all the talk about “democracy”, the power-brokers orchestrating this revolution ignored the 10 million or so Christians who comprise more than 10 percent of the population.

One need not be surprised.

Persecution of Christians has been increasing in Egypt — and many observers expect an acceleration in sectarian murders, starting about now.

On New Years Day, a car bomb exploded in front of a Coptic Church in Alexandria, killing 21 worshippers.

A fortnight ago, Muslims broke into the homes of two families of Christians, murdering 11 people including 4 children.

It is bad luck about Egypt.

The media are encouraging  us to view the whole situation through rosy glasses and to await the joyful democratic future they say is on the way in Egypt.

Some will find it joyful, but it is hard to be confident that the typical Egyptian battler will be any better off.

* * *

There is likely to be a big exodus of Christians from Egypt before long, much as there has been from Iraq.

You can hardly blame people for not wanting their children killed.

Where are such Christians to go?

Why not Australia?

This is something about which our Federal Government and Opposition could unite to support.

There is already an active Coptic Orthodox community in Australia.

Australia could certainly benefit from an influx of Christians.