I must admit to being a little surprised at the Thumbs Down we received this week.
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I can understand the sentiment behind it, but it still shocked me somewhat.
For those who may have missed it, the Thumbs Down was given to the Champion Post because of the graphic image on the front page of the Good Friday edition of Jesus on the cross.
The reader described it as a ‘confronting image of a man being tortured.”
“Not the sort of thing I would want my children to see in this supposedly family friendly paper.”
I’ve never thought of the image in that way before.
We have done something similar on the front page of the Good Friday edition for many, many years.
I guess people in this modern day and age have different thoughts on a great many subjects.
We seem to have to compromise on many things nowadays.
Kids seem to be protected from just about everything.
Things that we have grown up with, that have formed who we are.
Most definitely attitudes are changing but surely not to the extent that we no longer think of Easter for its powerful religious message.
As we publish on Good Friday, we feel it opportune to convey its importance.
If we did not publish on Good Friday - but instead, on Easter Monday - we probably would not do it.
Maybe local kids with Easter hats or something similar would be featured.
My view is that Good Friday is a time for reflection and it certainly does no harm on this solemn occasion to spread a little religion.
And Jesus on the cross is a big part of Easter.
Yes, it is graphic.
But it is not the first time such an image has been portrayed, and it won’t be the last.
I wonder what our kids are taught about Easter at school?
Isn’t this image part of the lesson? Haven’t they seen it during their education?
Some years ago, not all that long ago, we featured on the front of the Good Friday edition, a bunny rabbit eating an Easter egg.
We copped a bit of a serve then too, for being too commercialised!
It’s quite a challenge to please everyone.
Thankfully we live in a country that allows us to have differing views - and can express them.
I hope however, that we don’t reach a point where important matters disappear forever because it might be politically incorrect - or for whatever other reason is served up.
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We’re going to have a much older population as the years advance.
And paying for everyone is going to be quite a major task.
This is what the Federal Government is now telling us, and it will mean some major changes to our present way of life.
Higher taxes for the younger ones, and more hours working for the older ones.
It appears the retirement age will rise firstly to 67, and then to 70.
I hope I haven’t been responsible for this move to an older retirement age.
When I first decided to retire about six years ago, the global financial crisis (GFC) occurred within minutes!!
Most retirees lost a great deal of money from their superannuation.
Just recently, I was thinking (as I was getting closer to the official retirement age) that it might be time to consider hanging up the typrewriter (they are still around, aren’t they?).
Now another tragic development - older retirement age!
For most, it is not a pretty thought, although many oldies enjoy working and are happy to accept it.
One concern I have is whether there is going to be work for the older brigade of 65 and over.
They might not want to change jobs, but that word Redundancy is now pretty common. My fear is that they might not get employment.
Would that mean they then go on the dole?
And if people don’t retire at 65, and continue on for another five years, does that mean there are less jobs in the workforce for the youngies?
I think we’re better off leaving the retirement at 65 and keeping everyone happy!
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Speaking of politicians, the rise and rise of our local MP, Troy Grant has been quite remarkable.
In less than three years, he has risen to the NSW Cabinet in a very senior role.
He had left his mark even before last week’s amazing events which saw Premier Barry O’Farrell resign.
Troy was a parliamentary secretary in an area which now actually has a Minister.
So he has obviously been earmarked for quite a while.
He’s been terrific for us here in Parkes but sadly, will not be our local MP after the next state election.
As you know, we will be part of the Orange electorate.
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”