I remember as teenagers we had this idea that the trouble in the Middle East was being caused by the armament factories and I still get this sneaking feeling that there is something to that.

I dunno if it was much reported overseas but we had a referendum here over whether we would change the constitution to give a voice to Aboriginal peoples in parliament - I mostly avoided discussion about it but was horrified to note it had become a hot button topic.  How can you do that, this was not a time for anything else - just a bit of humanity.  I didn't wear a badge, but I voted yes out of pure emotion.

It was interesting, I got people from both sides looking down their noses at my badge-less chest but my experience on the day was so warm-feeling.  It's sad it didn't go through.  It's such an insult.  Yes of course, as ever, as always the devil will be in the details, but this was a request from the elders.  How could you not say yes, it's like saying Terra Nullius all over again.

But try saying that to a conspiracy theorist.     Or just right wing for that matter.

And I'd just have to hope a left winger didn't notice the devil in the details - she voted yes, that's enough to accept her as one of us.

But to me the divide I want to pay attention to the most is is this person kindhearted or malicious in intent.  Though perhaps I should be paying more attention to the smoke in the air - the fire is not close by and just looking to the south it looks like we have clouds coming, light but hopefully a drop or two.