I had a "letter" all prepared to send off to the Canberra Times, but it seems pretty lame when compared to the usual content of refugees, war, etc. which are the legacy of the current government. So I didn't send it off, but here it is anyway:

End of an Era
Impact Records, a Canberra institution for almost 30 years, will soon close its doors, muscled out of existence by JB Hi-Fi in aggressive search of the almighty dollar.

Impact was the only shop I've ever enjoyed. Browsing for hours, no pressure salesmanship, varied background music and relaxed staff.

I've had enough of the homogenising of our retail market, and will be voting with my wallet. I know Impact won't be resurrected by the gesture, but JB won't get a cent from me.

This'll probably be very disjointed, as I wrote it around midnight last night, when I was pretty tired from b/ball but still unable to sleep.

I've spent a large part of the last, Liberals in government, decade bitching about how bad the Liberals are, how I've disagreed with every "policy" they've proposed or implemented since their first (the gun buy back scheme). I hate their dollars before people approach, the fact that they clearly enjoy the power trip and show no inclination to listen to anything their constituents, e.g. me, might have to say.

But, on the flip side, have I done a single thing to improve things? donations to "Learning For Life" have salved my very uneasy conscience somewhat. However, I haven't spoken up against the many injustices which have been foisted upon the less fortunate. Partly I feel helpless, resigned to the wait for another election, praying Labor might do better. Partly, I feel too ignorant, having avoided the news almost obsessively because of how utterly depressing it is.

I don't have any good excuse, though, for not doing something. I'd like to contribute, to help, to improve things and restore Australia to the place I've spent my life being proud of, confident nowhere could be a more awesome place to live.

How will I do this? Try to stir up my brain first, fanned by the flames of possibly the only thing I've been passionate about for years, and that is the anger I've felt at the injustices of our current "leadership". It's so rare for me to have strong feelings about anything any more that I think it's been wasteful of me not to harness it long before now.

As a first step, I recommend anyone to have a look at the new "Not Happy, John!" link I've added, to see the beginnings of discussion which has raised hope in me where there was little before, that there are plenty of people who are concerned about the direction of our country, and are willing to do something about it. Join in!