Critical Times

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Critical Times! Much has changed since we last produced an edition back in 2001, and yet it seems we face many of the same problems, only intensified.

So why produce a newspaper at all? There is so much information in so many places these days – ‘it’s all out there’.

Well, because we can! Here at Helps Road Institute we’ve been building Single Step Printing to the point where we can print our own paper on our own printing press. It’s not a newspaper press, but we will be able to print at least 10,000 copies of CT on a regular basis.

Despite the vast amount of information that is available electronically, independence in print is sadly lacking in this country, and we feel the demonstration of it is important, especially for those who (even now) do not have easy access to electronic resources.

We have touched on many topics in this edition, but only scratched the surface in many ways.

Issues of obvious importance are featured:

• the continuing struggle of our indigenous people to take their place at the forefront of our society

• the environmental battles that will shape our planet and so, our future

• the crisis of ‘democracy’ and parliamentarism

• our completely unsustainable use of the planet’s resources

And yet, it would be a gloomy outlook if there was nothing to point to the future! It is a mistake to see only the failures and assume there is no way out. Our future must lie in finding appropriate sustainable solutions that work for everyone, and fighting against the cynicism that is so rewarded today.

We feature an obituary to Brian Medlin (p.15), who worked his whole life to promote rational thinking combined with a huge passion for action and justice.
We were privileged to be among his students and friends.

Things we would like to include / discuss (if we’d had the room!)

• a real republic for Australia – why we’ve never even got close

• the recent ruling on ‘intelligent’ design in the U.S.

• energy use & alternatives
(why it’s no good just changing fuels)

• potential courses / discussion groups / activities at the Helps Road Institute

• the real gap between rich and poor in the first world

• the situation in Central America – can countries of this region form a group to promote economic and social independence?

• Would you do far more for the environment by giving up meat rather than giving up your car?

• And so many, many more!

Fortunately, there will be other editions! We plan to get another one out before the state election this year, probably 24 pages long – so get your submissions in early!

Our website is currently under reconstruction, but will be fully operational soon in a regularly updated blog-based form, so keep your eyes on

www.criticaltimes.com.au.

Critical Times

Helps Road Institute

P.O. Box 101, Salisbury SA 5108

criticaltimes@chariot.net.au

PH: 08 8280 6893

Fax: 08 8280 5688