The Talented Mr. Yeltsin August 8, 2008
Posted by hcaa in Article.Tags: Boris Yeltsin
add a comment
Dr. David Bennett will remember 1st January 2000, above all, for the resignation of Boris Yeltsin (1931 – 2007) from the Russian Presidency. The failure of the West to cultivate relations by encouraging President Yeltsin to foster democracy was one of the great missed opportunities in modern history. This failure does not negate Boris Yeltsin’s achievement of engineering Russia’s break with totalitarianism.
This article by Dr. David Bennett was originally published in Melbourne publication Serendipity, May 2000.
Boris Yeltsin brought his remarkable political life to an end when he announced his resignation, appropriately on a milestone, the New Year’s Day of the New Millennium, to conclude the career that represented a milestone in history.
Discord in the Democrats August 8, 2008
Posted by hcaa in Article.Tags: Democrats
2 comments
The Democratic Labor Party – an Oral History August 8, 2008
Posted by hcaa in Article.Tags: Democratic Labor Party
add a comment
The Democratic Labor Party – an Oral History
A major objective of Historical and Current Affairs Analysis (HCAA) is to clearly establish critical linkages between history and contemporary political events. The recent election (December 2006) of a Democratic Labor Party (DLP) candidate, Mr. Peter Kavanagh to upper house of the Victorian state parliament (the Legislative Council) raises the interesting question as to the future viability of an Australian political party which many commentators had written off since it lost parliamentary representation in 1974. A party conference in 1978 convened by its leadership voted to close the party up seemingly confirmed the DLP’s demise. However this decision was contested by DLP stalwart and former Senator Frank Mc Manus, who subsequently led a ‘continuing DLP’.
In the light of the post 1978 DLP’s recent prominence the Australian media now classify the party as an ‘extreme right wing party’ due to its pro-life position. Such a categorization has been challenged by the post-1978 DLP’s veteran leader and party secretary, John Mulholland. Mr. Mulholland, who is staunchly pro-life, has categorized the contemporary DLP as ‘centre left’ on domestic issues and ‘centre-right’ on foreign policy issues.
An interview conducted by HCAA Convener Dr. David Bennett in 2003 with two former party officials who supported the move to close the party up in 1978 may help illuminate what that party’s actual political legacy and thereby contribute to a contemporary understanding of the post 1978 DLP.
John Negroponte – An Illustrious ‘Neo-Con’ Career August 8, 2008
Posted by hcaa in Article, Uncategorized.Tags: Add new tag, John Negroponte - Neo Conservative
add a comment
In this career biography ( written in 2005) of John Negroponte, the new US National Intelligence Director, Dr. David Bennett argued that Mr. Negroponte’s career experiences, particularly in Vietnam and Honduras, demonstrate his commitment to upholding democratic principles in the face of the forces of totalitarianism, even to the detriment of his own career. This commitment makes Negroponte an ideal choice both for National Security Chief and his previous role as US Ambassador to Iraq.
Vale Dimitry Likhachev 1907 to 1999 August 8, 2008
Posted by hcaa in Article, Russia.Tags: 1907, 1999, Vale Dimitry Likhachev
add a comment
The seeming political miracle which occurred in the 1990s of the demise of the Soviet Union was due to a variety of political, economic and cultural factors. The last dynamic has often been overlooked. In this context, the obituary by HCAA Convener Dr. David Bennett of Dimitry Likhachev, which appeared in the November 2000 edition of the Melbourne based publication, Serendipity was appropriate. This was because this Mr. Likhachev demonstrated how success in fighting for cultural freedom can subsequently lay the groundwork for political freedom.
Symbols and Meanings of the Australian National Flag August 5, 2008
Posted by hcaa in Invitation.add a comment
Dear…………..
You are cordially invited to a talk to be given by Mr. David Cowling entitled, “Symbols and Meanings of the Australian National Flag”. The speaker will argue that the Australian flag is not only relevant to our heritage but more particularly to today’s and tomorrow’s values for all Australians. Mr. Cowling is Vice –President of the Australian National Flag Association (ANFA) – Vic.
Mr. Cowling is determined to retain Australia’s national flag and state flags, especially Victoria’s. These flags are unsullied emblems of national Australian character bearing no exclusion of place to all our citizens.
Mr. Cowling’s talk will be held at-
7:30 pm on Wednesday the 27th of August 2008 at Bells Hotel & Brewery at 157 Moray Street South Melbourne
(Cnr of Coventry Rd) Mel ways Ref: 2K E1
The hotel management would be appreciative if guests availed themselves of the opportunity to purchase a meal and/or drinks at the bar between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. The talk will commence at 7:30 pm in the upstairs function room.
Because the speaker believes that Australia’s national flag is integrally linked to protecting our constitutional rights and common law freedom he is determined to highlight the connection between our current constitutional system and national symbols which are well recognized and honoured both hear and in all nations.
There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and/or make comments at the conclusion of Mr. Cowling’s talk.
RSVP: Monday the 25th of August 2008.
Contacts: (Listed in alphabetical order):
David Bennett: (03) 9898 3629 (email: info@socialactionaustralia.org )
David Cowling: (03) 9584 6247
Klara Doroszlay: (03) 9889 6014
Jim Hewat: (03) 9306 418
Phil Mc Millan: (03) 9645 4417
Tom Rigg (03) 9366 6168
Bryan Stertern Gill: (03) 9370 3905
