Open post of the week

I’ve been a bit sad this week thinking about how the shit fight over asylum seekers has dominated political discussion for what seems like years. Oh wait, because it is years. As we mark the 10th anniversary of September 11th, it’s around the same length of time since refugees became political footballs.

How did this happen? 99.9% of Australians will never meet a refugee in their lifetime. Their lives will be completely unaffected by this most traumatised, desperate and disadvantaged group of people. Unlike, say, healthcare. Or the education system. Transport. The economy. Because those issues? They will all affect 100% of Australians.

And yet….

And yet they are not on the front pages of newspapers every day. Those issues do not lead news bulletins nor are they the subject of daily soundbites from our political leaders. WTF.

How did this subject that should be purely be a bipartisan and humanitarian issue, become a total shitfight with the major players (apart from the Greens) REALLY concerned about the fate of the asylum seekers but purely about scoring political points and winning votes from an electorate who have been whipped into a frenzy of hate, distrust and fear of refugees.

How did we get here? And how do we go back to a point of compassion and morality?

The show

On the show this week is Sam de Brito, Angela Bishop, Rabbi Jacki Ninio and our very own news editor Rick Morton.

We’ll also be showing interviews with Catherine Deveny and Waleed Aly – check back on Friday for our show post with full interviews and links.

Welcome to a new MM team member

We’re so excited to be welcoming Lucy Ormonde to our editorial team as a writer.

Lucy Ormonde is a 24 year old journalist from Melbourne who I first met after a speech I gave a couple of years ago when she was still a journalism student. She’s written a bit for Mamamia as a contributor and is busting with ideas and energy which is good because we gobble up those things in large quantities.

After finishing her journalism degree last year, she grabbed some gumboots and moved to the country to work for a regional newspaper. She has since learnt how to bake scones and is now looking forward to making the move interstate. We’re looking forward to trying those scones as of next week when she arrives to start work.

You can follow Lucy on twitter here and look out for her byline appearing soon.

The flowers

These flowers from Australian Capital Tourism are currently brightening up the MM office. Aren’t they beautiful?

My new breakfast

After writing a couple of weeks ago about how I was in a breakfast rut, I’ve discovered muesli. These five different types of natural muesli from Flip Sheltons and now we are totally spoiled for choice when it comes to breakfast – you can buy them here.

Adele

Adele is everywhere at the moment which I’m thrilled about. But check out this gallery of magazine covers featuring her. As Vanessa Raphaelly pointed out on her Hurricane Vanessa blog, none of them actually feature her body – only her head and shoulders ever get shown. What’s THAT about?

The interview

Sometimes you talk to someone who you just know is super talented and destined for big things. After winning me over on Twitter, I did an interview last week with Sean Power (he’s even got a name for fame) for a new six-part podcast series about social media called Social Situation which you can listen to here (I talk about building up Mamamia and what social media lessons I’ve learned along the way.)

If  you work in radio, keep an eye on this dude. He’s like a baby Hamish & Andy. Total pro and only 19.  You can follow Sean on Twitter here.

The foundation

The Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation has been created by Layne herself to inspire girls and women across Australia to dream and achieve. It offers assistance for those who need moral and financial help.

Working four jobs to fund her overseas ventures and contest endeavours meant Layne had very little time for surfing itself, so she knows all too well the pressures endured in achieving your ambitions – and she wants to help.  Encompassing academic, sport, cultural and community pursuits, Aim for the Stars offers ambitious and dedicated females an opportunity to receive financial and moral support to help them achieve their goals.

For more details, click here. Go on, do it.

So. Got anything to say about anything above? Questions? Comments? What’s going on in your world?