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Criminologist Analysis: Deaths in Custody and Australia’s Criminal Justice System
Understanding Deaths in Custody: A Criminologist’s Perspective As a criminologist focusing on the Australian criminal justice system, it is crucial to reflect on the response to the royal commission into deaths in custody during the 1990s. Over the past few decades, there has been increased scrutiny on how the system cares for individuals once they are deprived of their liberty. This responsibility is not simply moral, but also a legal and societal obligation, especially highlighted in the aftermath of the royal commission’s extensive recommendations. In this blog post, we explore the progress, ongoing challenges, and the vital lessons that must...
Spying and Security: How Pine Gap Helps America Counter Missile Threats
Introduction: Pine Gap and the Art of Spying In the realm of modern warfare, spying is no longer confined to shadowy figures meeting in dark alleys. Today, massive technology installations like Pine Gap in Australia play a pivotal role in global security. This post explores how Pine Gap, a secretive American spy base, empowers the United States to keep a watchful eye on Russian missile capabilities and safeguard against emerging threats. From space-age satellites to advanced signals intelligence, discover how vigilance and technology intertwine to protect nations from nuclear catastrophe. The Birth of a Spy Base: Why Pine Gap? The...
An English Woman's War: Growing Up in India and Fighting Corruption in the Burma Jungle
Introduction: Surviving War in the Burma Jungle What does it take to survive war when you are far from home, deep in the jungles of Burma during World War 2? For an English woman growing up in India, the answer lay in resilience, adaptability, and a strong moral compass shaped by her family’s values. This is not just a story about the war itself, but about a childhood influenced by the turbulent times and a father determined to combat corruption wherever he found it. Through her memories, we learn valuable lessons about honesty, survival, and personal integrity in wartime India...
Fracking: The Hidden Dangers Lurking Beneath Our Water Table
Exposing the Realities of Fracking and Its Risks Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is often hailed by gas companies as a modern solution for accessing natural gas deep beneath the earth’s surface. They claim it is safe, contained, and environmentally friendly. But is that the whole truth? Evidence and public demonstrations have shown otherwise, especially when it comes to the chilling effects on our water table and the lies often told by fracking companies. What Fracking Companies Don’t Want You to Know When fracking companies promote their operations, they reassure communities that all gas is safely collected through their...
Harvesting as a Sustainable Livelihood: The Power of Storytelling and Culture
Harvesting: More Than Just Gathering Resources In Australia and beyond, harvesting plants is not just a means of survival or economic activity. For many Indigenous women, it has become a way to connect with culture and country, strengthening traditions while also providing a sustainable livelihood. The story of how the image of a seed on a card became a powerful tool in sharing those traditions offers inspiration for anyone interested in ethical, sustainable business practices. The Lotus: From Common Ingredient to Cultural Icon The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a prevalent species in Australia, producing an abundance of seeds. Traditionally, these...