Because I believe that one can only relate to another living creature by completely destroying it.

Some photos from the opening season of the 2010 duck hunting season in Victoria.

Their are many reasons why so many people felt the need to protest the continuation of this barbaric ritual, not least of which being the massive reduction in native water bird populations following the 2009 bushfires. It was heart breaking to see so few birds in the sky. The fact that the Victorian government felt it acceptable to sanction the killing of these species when their gene pools are at such critically low levels, is utterly reprehensible from any perspective.

The principle reason that compelled me to spend an 18 hour round trip in a van punctuated by severe sleep deprivation however, is the simple and firm belief that it is morally wrong to kill in order to fulfill a human need so trivial as 'recreation'. I wholeheartedly believe that every world problem of suffering, repression, fear and injustice, is at its source, a problem of violence and that its celebration has no place in our society. I believe just as strongly, that the most effective method of countering such problems is peaceful protest and non-violent civil disobedience. It was an amazing to experience how effective this could be first hand. Despite the the tens of thousands of dollars it cost the Victorian government to provide police 'protection', it was immediately apparent that our physical presence was saving lives. As soon as we came onto a wetland populated by hunters, the killing stopped. By breaking an unjust and immoral law (being in the wetlands before 10am without the 'intention to kill'), we were instantly saving the lives of ducks, and putting massive economic pressure on the state to change its laws.

Feel free to contact Victorian Premier John Brumby here and let him know you think should stop listening to the violent minority known as the Shooters Party (who give their election preferences to Labor) and start listening to more than 80% of Victorians, who want to see this practice banned.

*Raezor photo.

Keeps Me Searching....

The 'biker' in the URL above there comes from my life long obsession with riding BMX bikes. Almost as synonymous with this lifestyle as cut up shins, ripped jeans and grease stains, is the constant search for and building of what we BMX kids know as 'trails'.
Trails are basically what most people would term 'dirt jumps' with some important distinctions. Namely, that they are almost always shrouded in an air of secrecy, and a sort of reverence that surpasses almost all other aspects of our lives. They are hand built with more blood, sweat and tears than I suspect, most have even approached in their lifetimes, and once constructed, are maintained and manicured with more diligence than our own bedrooms. They are more than just a place to ride your bike, they are your own creation, and an oasis from the daily shit storm of life. Unlike skateparks, often filled with annoying kids on those fucking razor scooter things persistently asking if you can do a backflip, trails are always serenely deserted, apart from you and a small group of your close friends. Custom built, exactly how you want them, one giant piece of flowing sculpture art that is a conduit for a level of enjoyment and DIY fun unparalleled in my experience.
(No) thanks to ACT Parks and Municipal services, are old slice of paradise was flattened by a bulldozer to ensure that the government could not be sued by some kid breaking his neck on them and to generally just suppress any form of youthful, creative expression in this city. Since then, almost two years ago now, there has been a long search for a suitable replacement. These are some of the things I've seen on the way.