(no subject)

Oooohhhhh ggggoooooddddsss, we're gonna have an election and it's gonna be about asylum seekers, and this is supposed to be my year off from politics. Ohhhhhhh goooooodddddddssss. All I really wanna do is stick my head under a pillow until the dust settles.

Asylum seekers

tbh I don't think I'm going to have much to add to the debate which isn't already pointed out here:

Gillard urged to be honest on aslyum seekers

In brief:
• The numbers of people arriving are small.
• They are overwhelmingly genuine refugees.
• They pose no threat to Australia.
• Many of them are fleeing an enemy Australia is currently fighting.
• Indefinite detention destroys the mental and physical health of refugees.
• And it costs taxpayers a fortune.

And perhaps most importantly, from a voter's POV:
• This is a non-issue, a bright shiny thing being waved around to distract voters from much more important stuff.

If it wasn't for the need to have an election issue, asylum seekers wouldn't be an "issue" at all. They would be quickly, safely, and inexpensively sorted out, just as they are everywhere else in the world, with no harm done to them or to Australia.

Whatever your politics, I urge looking at the parties' policies on stuff that really matters - the economy, the environment, health, education, whatever moves you most - and vote based on those, not on this sideshow.