How is it that we are not talking about the two people who set themselves on fire last week? Please just stop for a moment and think about this. Last week two people doused themselves in petrol and set themselves alight in an effort to harm themselves in the worst possible way. One of them has since died and the other reportedly has burns to 70% of her body.
These were the actions of people who have been driven to desperation by our government, which is acting in our name. The opposition betrays no sign that they would behave any differently were they in power. Can you imagine the outrage here in Australia if we heard that one of the Australians held in jail overseas set themselves on fire, rather than continue to live in desperate circumstances with no hope of a better life?
Sure, there are some arseholes who would just think that criminals deserve every bad thing that is coming to them, including depression, disfigurement and death. But most people seem outraged about the circumstances in foreign jails which can cause a person to lose all hope.
And yet here we are, responsible for just that happening to other people in our name. And there’s only a lukewarm sense that anything is wrong with that. The government has just called an election and we’re arguing about whether wealthy people should be able to receive taxpayer assistance to buy houses for their kids. The fate of those poor souls locked up in our offshore gulags barely rates a mention in most coverage and conversation.
Where is our compassion? Our humanity? Because here’s the thing – what that separates you from those people is luck. And if your luck ever changes you will be desperate for someone to recognise your common humanity and show compassion.
One of the reasons we aren’t talking about this is the bipartisan conspiracy being perpetrated by the two major parties. That it is perfectly acceptable to make an example of these people – even if they end up dying in prison – because, arguably, doing so is preventing others from coming here by boat. But we’re about to have an election. You have an opportunity to make your feelings known. Make friends with politicians on Facebook and let them know how you feel.
And if, when you’ve thought about what would drive you to take a container of petrol, pour it over yourself and set yourself on fire, you feel you can no longer ignore the fact that we are torturing these people, please don’t vote for those who are making it happen.
