Two Morons, Emmanuel, impact of the budget on science, technology and engineering
Our little fellow looks like someone has been shovelling baby food into his mouth. He should have a bib on.
My God, do you suppose he could be in love?
Lindsay Tanner is the Federal MHR for the electorate of Melbourne. I like most of his articles, including this one. It's just a shame he had to use the word "Aussie" in his introduction. What'd by wrong with "Humanitarian Spirit" or anything else more universal.
But anyway, here's his article in full.
Emmanuel embodies Aussie spirit
Lindsay Tanner02may06
I WOULD like to introduce Emmanuel. He's 12 years old, charming, intelligent and polite.He's just won a multi-media competition with his mate Haua. Emmanuel and Haua's winning entry shows them doing all sorts of things together, such as playing indoor rugby.
You might not think that this is particularly remarkable, but it is. Emmanuel has only one leg and one arm. His one hand was constructed from the foot that was part of the missing leg. Emmanuel was born in Iraq and lived in an orphanage until he came to Australia when he was five. He was born with his disabilities, possibly as a result of the military use of chemicals. He hasn't allowed these disabilities to get in his way. He radiates optimism, enthusiasm and energy.
Emmanuel has a beautiful singing voice. He sings at weddings, sometimes in other states. He's just returned from performing at a wedding in the Blue Mountains. His favourite number is I Am Australian.
He didn't know his birthday when he came to Australia, so he's adopted April 25 as his birthday.
Many Australians would benefit from meeting Emmanuel. Those who rave on about towelheads, who whinge about refugees, who think overseas aid is a waste of money, would all gain a great deal. If the mean-spirited and hard-hearted had their way, Emmanuel wouldn't even be in Australia.
Why should we be helping a severely disabled boy from a conflict-ridden country in the Middle East? A lot of things were running through my mind when I handed Emmanuel his multimedia award. I thought about the people who become "collateral damage" in wars. I thought about the widespread antagonism towards people of Middle Eastern origin in Australia.
I thought about our rather patchy generosity to poorer countries. I thought about our relative indifference to the serious challenges people with disabilities face every day. Then I stopped, and thought again. It's always so easy to see what's wrong with our country.
We all get agitated about things, usually those that suit our political prejudices. To some on the Left, Emmanuel is a victim of American aggression. To some on the Right he's another unwanted migrant from a land where people are totally different from real Australians. In truth, Emmanuel is an outstanding example of what a great country Australia is. Where else in the world does a seriously disabled Iraqi orphan get to build a new life like he is?
I can barely imagine what's going through Emmanuel's mind while he's singing I Am Australian in front of hundreds of wedding guests. In most other countries, this sort of thing just wouldn't happen. Can you imagine him getting to sing an equivalent song at a wedding in Russia or Japan?
I certainly can't. Yet here in Australia, Emmanuel is already one of us. He's come to Australia for a better life, but I think we're going to get more out of the deal than he is. He's such a talented, motivated kid that he's bound to do big things when he grows up. It's so easy to fall prey to prejudice, and overlook what a wonderful country we have managed to build. By opening up our nation to the world, we have built a unique society of which we can be truly proud.
WHILE Australians might not go for the patriotic razzamatazz Americans love, we've got a very strong sense of national pride. We've got very good reason too. Life handed Emmanuel about as raw a deal as you can get. Our country is offering him a new chance. The way he's making use of that chance shows why it's the right thing for us to do.
So before you get too hung up about Cronulla riots, boat people or terrorists, have a look at the big picture. Be proud of the Australia we've all built. Be proud of the fact that we are giving Emmanuel his chance at a decent life.
lindsay.tanner.MP@aph.gov.au
LINDSAY TANNER is Labor finance spokesman and federal member for Melbourne
This is from letters to "The Age". It makes a good point
Missing in actionI was unable to find coverage in your newspaper of the impact of the budget on science, technology and engineering, apart from medical research. These are core elements of planning for, and achieving, the potential of this country. Did I miss something, or did the budget? Dr John Zillman, president, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Parkville
My God, do you suppose he could be in love?
Lindsay Tanner is the Federal MHR for the electorate of Melbourne. I like most of his articles, including this one. It's just a shame he had to use the word "Aussie" in his introduction. What'd by wrong with "Humanitarian Spirit" or anything else more universal.
But anyway, here's his article in full.
Emmanuel embodies Aussie spirit
Lindsay Tanner02may06
I WOULD like to introduce Emmanuel. He's 12 years old, charming, intelligent and polite.He's just won a multi-media competition with his mate Haua. Emmanuel and Haua's winning entry shows them doing all sorts of things together, such as playing indoor rugby.
You might not think that this is particularly remarkable, but it is. Emmanuel has only one leg and one arm. His one hand was constructed from the foot that was part of the missing leg. Emmanuel was born in Iraq and lived in an orphanage until he came to Australia when he was five. He was born with his disabilities, possibly as a result of the military use of chemicals. He hasn't allowed these disabilities to get in his way. He radiates optimism, enthusiasm and energy.
Emmanuel has a beautiful singing voice. He sings at weddings, sometimes in other states. He's just returned from performing at a wedding in the Blue Mountains. His favourite number is I Am Australian.
He didn't know his birthday when he came to Australia, so he's adopted April 25 as his birthday.
Many Australians would benefit from meeting Emmanuel. Those who rave on about towelheads, who whinge about refugees, who think overseas aid is a waste of money, would all gain a great deal. If the mean-spirited and hard-hearted had their way, Emmanuel wouldn't even be in Australia.
Why should we be helping a severely disabled boy from a conflict-ridden country in the Middle East? A lot of things were running through my mind when I handed Emmanuel his multimedia award. I thought about the people who become "collateral damage" in wars. I thought about the widespread antagonism towards people of Middle Eastern origin in Australia.
I thought about our rather patchy generosity to poorer countries. I thought about our relative indifference to the serious challenges people with disabilities face every day. Then I stopped, and thought again. It's always so easy to see what's wrong with our country.
We all get agitated about things, usually those that suit our political prejudices. To some on the Left, Emmanuel is a victim of American aggression. To some on the Right he's another unwanted migrant from a land where people are totally different from real Australians. In truth, Emmanuel is an outstanding example of what a great country Australia is. Where else in the world does a seriously disabled Iraqi orphan get to build a new life like he is?
I can barely imagine what's going through Emmanuel's mind while he's singing I Am Australian in front of hundreds of wedding guests. In most other countries, this sort of thing just wouldn't happen. Can you imagine him getting to sing an equivalent song at a wedding in Russia or Japan?
I certainly can't. Yet here in Australia, Emmanuel is already one of us. He's come to Australia for a better life, but I think we're going to get more out of the deal than he is. He's such a talented, motivated kid that he's bound to do big things when he grows up. It's so easy to fall prey to prejudice, and overlook what a wonderful country we have managed to build. By opening up our nation to the world, we have built a unique society of which we can be truly proud.
WHILE Australians might not go for the patriotic razzamatazz Americans love, we've got a very strong sense of national pride. We've got very good reason too. Life handed Emmanuel about as raw a deal as you can get. Our country is offering him a new chance. The way he's making use of that chance shows why it's the right thing for us to do.
So before you get too hung up about Cronulla riots, boat people or terrorists, have a look at the big picture. Be proud of the Australia we've all built. Be proud of the fact that we are giving Emmanuel his chance at a decent life.
lindsay.tanner.MP@aph.gov.au
LINDSAY TANNER is Labor finance spokesman and federal member for Melbourne
This is from letters to "The Age". It makes a good point
Missing in actionI was unable to find coverage in your newspaper of the impact of the budget on science, technology and engineering, apart from medical research. These are core elements of planning for, and achieving, the potential of this country. Did I miss something, or did the budget? Dr John Zillman, president, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Parkville
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