Wilkie : whistleblower of Iraq invasion gets apology and acknowledgement

The private apology by a Coalition leader to independent MP Andrew Wilkie who criticised the Howard government's invasion of Iraq based on fabrication of intelligence is long overdue.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/abbott-apologises-to-whistleblower-wilkie/1924006.aspx

Recalling some time ago, we showered accolades on many brave truthseekers who wanted to correct moral hazards by exposing powerful wrongdoers. http://ausletters.blogspot.com/2010/02/australian-whistleblowing-cases-more.html

It may take many years, a decade, or even a generation for the truth to be known but it must come forth. The psychological sufferings Wilkie underwent of being vilified as "unbalanced" are impossible to compensate materially or verbally in the light of now widely known foreign policy mistakes.

Some may even ask if Abbott really felt sorry and had approached Wilkie if he did not need to rope in independents to form a government.

Heroes like Wilkie are owed not just a government's apology but deserve to be commended publicly.

Bosses stereotype - discriminate in different ways

Like it or not, employers and managers have certain mindset of their preferences. At the core, it is power transforms (and possibly corrupts) the benevolent to stereotype as some studies have shown. For the lack of time, lack of touch with the ground or inclination to utilise authority, bosses tend to become judgemental rather than objective, not necessarily working for the betterment of the company.

The Power Trip

Contrary to the Machiavellian cliché, nice people are more likely to rise to power. Then something strange happens: Authority atrophies the very talents that got them there.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704407804575425561952689390.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_lifestyle#printMode

I believe the jury is still out whether age is an asset or liability for jobseekers. There are advantages of hiring younger workers including from overseas but there may be subconscious and inherent cultural prejudices working against recruitment decisions. Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that the over 55 year olds are not deliberately discriminated against, but may even be preferred. Attitudes are changing, hopefully it is for the better of businesses without compromising employee welfare.

Age not a barrier but an advantage to some bosses

The common assumption that employers do not like hiring
older people is wrong ...

http://www.smh.com.au/national/age-not-a-barrier-but-an-advantage-to-some-bosses-20100824-13qfs.html

Future Australian governments must deliver promises

One good lesson that emerged from the ambiguous and tenous cirumstances is that politicians would not take the electorate for granted. Instead of looking around for scapegoats and pointing fingers to put someone carry the burden of failures, politicians must buck up and get their act together. They are supposed to serve the people not their own narrow interests.

With Labour leading by a razor thin majority in the latest vote count, they must now work hard on healthcare to win back sceptics. They must prove they really mean business and deliver on their promises.

There is no second chance as the nation is divided and Labour could have easily lost this elections. It was not so much that Julia Gillard was popular and people wanted a Labour government but that . The message is loud and clear but it it is unheeded, it will lead to an unreserved and crushing demise for Labour in the next round.

The setback, however, would be the government's inability to push for the bills to be passed by the legislature.

On the brighter side, Liberals might be compelled to do some internal reorganisation and soul searching if it wants to gain the confidence and trust of voters in three years' time or sooner for the state elections.