Prime Minister’s Trip to Iraq Excluding Australian Media – Why?
I found it interesting that a News Corp photographer was allowed to accompany the Prime Minister. Given it is clear that News Corp (Rupert Murdoch) are a purveyor of conservative politics and through the film “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War On Journalism,” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/10/outfoxed-tenth-anniversary-rupert-murdoch-fox-news_n_5571951.html I think it is very clear who is influencing Australian Politics. I look forward to a time where true democracy and universal values are not only spoken about but truly lived.
If there was a genuine desire to de-escalate violence around the world, then living the democracy we all say we believe in would be a way to lead by example. Interference in other countries only serves to escalate the problems for the people. Moreover, violence causes pain and generates costs that can never be counted. What they need is to be given reparations to rebuild a fractured infrastructure and society. A few Iraqi’s told me years ago (when the war started) all they (international community) had to do was build the middle class and Saddam Hussein would have been overthrown, if that was the goal based on removing tyranny and international security. So economic growth (trade) it seems could have enabled and empowered the people to change politics through education, income and power sharing. The irony is that democracy is supposed to be about the ballot box where the people choose their representatives yet I feel confused that military action by democratic countries happens to force change, an oxymoron. The bands of violent groups mirror the way things are done as many would not be educated or if they are they would believe that is the only way change can happen. Moreover, they are funded by those with political, ideological and economic agendas (interference) who are not interested in their true needs.
I like Steven Covey’s approach, typically used in management circles. I can’t see why it couldn’t be a leading strategy of building friendship around the world that is empowered and principled. So why not suggest models and structures that may assist them in finding their power. That last few words feels right. The key is to empower countries to solve their own problems. As we have seen whenever other countries go in they cause more problems as they do not have the interests of the people at heart, they do not represent them. For me, this is the core of the issue. Seek and you will find answers, when truth and love becomes your intention. The ends appear. The ideas I’ve discussed I just flow with, I have no agenda just a sense to look to see. Then as I flow with truth and the blog changes. That is how I problem solve. I am not left or right, I see myself as looking from a higher perspective so I can see both. In the times we are in we are locked into them and us and that drives division and unhappiness. When we see ourselves in the other, then true friendship can grow and any help will be accepted with graciousness rather than used as a political tool. I look forward to our world coming together to solve all the problems but nonviolently, that is the highest respect and the highest wisdom.
Perhaps what the Seven Habits (below) reveals is how business can truly support other countries within a humanitarian, principled paradigm rather than seeking contracts. Or as Richard Branson says ‘doing good is good for business’. Perhaps this is truly good when there is no greed involved. We are driven by money believing this is the real security, yet in truth inner security and universal values (kindness, honesty, responsibility and integrity) is what inspires trust, friendship and cooperation. When we play win/lose we all lose, when we understand win/win we then see ourselves in others and the pie expands. It is through genuine virtues that abundance occurs, you can’t pretend it through paper or plastic money. Our true abundance manifests in giving without strings.
It is important to understand the law of attraction. What you focus on expands. So if you truly want peace that is where the focus must be. If you want to stop violence then focus on peaceful cooperation, trust, virtues, peace education, emotional intelligence and so on. If you want violence keep focussing there. Is it a mistake there is so much violence on television? I wonder. Something to contemplate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People
The Seven Habits[edit]
The book first introduces the concept of paradigm shift and helps the reader understand that different perspectives exists, i.e. that two people can see the same thing and yet differ with each other. On this premise, it introduces the seven habits in a proper order.
Each chapter is dedicated to one of the habits, which are represented by the following imperatives:
Independence[edit]
The First Three Habits surround moving from dependence to independence (i.e., self-mastery):
- 1 – Be Proactive
- Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with life’s principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow.
- 2 – Begin with the End in Mind
- Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life.
- 3 – Put First Things First
- A manager must manage his own person. Personally. And managers should implement activities that aim to reach the second habit. Covey says that rule two is the mental creation; rule three is the physical creation.
Interdependence[edit]
The next three habits talk about Interdependence (e.g. working with others):
- 4 – Think Win-Win
- Genuine feelings for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a “win” for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had gotten his way.
- 5 – Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
- Use empathic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you. This creates an atmosphere of caring, and positive problem solving.
- 6 – Synergize
- Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals that no one could have done alone.
Continuous Improvements[edit]
The final habit is that of continuous improvement in both the personal and interpersonal spheres of influence.
- 7 – Sharpen the Saw
- Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle. It primarily emphasizes exercise for physical renewal, prayer (meditation, yoga, etc.) and good reading for mental renewal. It also mentions service to society for spiritual renewal.
I put up my hand and say what about peaceful change as an option? What about peace education to develop a consciousness of cooperation, critical thinking, respect for human rights and trust. Yet still we have intellectual approaches that ignore the importance of learning and experiencing humanity. I observe this world with a smile as I wait for the time when people see through the masks.
This trip was very revealing and certainly puts Australia on the map but perhaps not as a tourist destination. It will be interesting to see how Australians respond to this.
world
Australian media excluded from accompanying the Prime Minister on his first visit to Iraq
Prime Minister Abbott visits Iraq
TONY ABBOTT has left the door open to boosting Australia’s commitment to “knock off” ISIS in Iraq, but has refused to allow the media to scrutinise his first visit to the country.
The Prime Minister excluded Australian media from his secret trip to Baghdad on the advice of diplomats.
A News Corp Australia photographer and pool TV crew travelled to Dubai on Saturday to link up with Mr Abbott’s program, starting on Sunday.
They only found out he had headed to Iraq after wire reports and images emerged from Mr Abbott’s meeting with his counterpart Haider al-Abadi.
“No Australian media was allowed to cover the [Baghdad] visit,” Mr Abbott’s spokeswoman said.
The travelling media representatives were not told about the Iraq leg of the trip due to what the Prime Minister’s staff said was a “heightened security risk” in Baghdad and the fact that he was travelling outside the international or ‘green’ zone.
“No media are allowed outside the international zone in Baghdad,’’ the spokeswoman said.
After a meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in Dubai, Mr Abbott did not rule out increasing Australia’s commitment in Iraq.
“I certainly don’t rule out doing what we reasonably can to make the world a safer place,” he said.
Australia has already sent a group of special forces troops to assist in training members of the Iraqi army – as well as deploying super hornets.
“We are here, in the Middle East, to stop the fight coming to Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
“Because the ISIL or Daesh death cult has declared war on the world, including here and Australia.”
PM’S IRAQ VISIT: What happened in Baghdad
Abbott spoke with FA18 pilots on their return from an operational mission over Iraq. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
Abbott visited Royal Australian Air Force personnel based in the Middle East along with Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC, Chief of the Defence Force and the new Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
According to the spokeswoman the travelling media were only there to cover the two days of official events in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that began on Monday with a meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Acting Opposition Leader Tony Burke said the government’s secretive approach was “not in the national interest”.
“This government, from the moment they came in, have adopted a culture of secrecy and I don’t think it’s helpful, I don’t think it’s smart and I don’t think it’s fair to the Australian people,” he said.
During his first visit, Mr Abbott held talks with the Iraqi Prime Minister about what he described as “an important struggle” against IS.
“We are determined to deepen our cooperation with the government and the people of Iraq in the weeks and months to come: not because we are a country which goes forward seeking foreign fights, but because where our vital national interests are threatened, where universal values are at stake, Australia should be a strong partner,” the Prime Minister said.
Abbott and new Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews speak with an FA18 pilot. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
One of two FA18 Super Hornets arrived back from an operational mission over Iraq during the PM’s visit. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
He used the opportunity to thank “very, very much” Australian troops, currently fighting IS militants in the country.
“I think every Australian is proud of you and your work,” he told them.
“People will always argue with the policy of the Government of the day but I don’t think any fair dinkum Australian questions the commitment, the professionalism, the courage of our armed forces and everyone wants you to help the Iraqis to knock off ISIL.”
Mr Abbott pledged a further $5 million in humanitarian assistance to help provide food for approximately 350,000 people over the next month.
It takes Australia’s overall contribution, since last June, to $22 million.
Jacqui Lambie criticised Mr Abbott for making his trip to Baghdad, when he won’t offer troops a pay rise.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s official welcome by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi at the Al Mushrif Palace. Picture: Office of the Prime Minister. Source: News Corp Australia
The PM and the Crown Prince at Al Mushrif Palace. Picture: Office of the Prime Minister. Source: News Corp Australia
“It’s clearly a trip designed to boost his political ratings, rather than our troops’ morale,” she said.
The Independent Senator, who has refused to back any government legislation until an effective pay cut for ADF personnel — the 1.5 per cent being offered is below the rate of inflation — is reversed, urged Mr Abbott to pull troops out.
“Then grant all members of the ADF a fair pay rise (which at least keeps track with inflation) by using the money saved on a now futile military contribution.”
Shaking hands … Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi greeting his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott in Baghdad. Picture: AFP Source: AFP