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Australians — Fellow Former Colonists — Thomas Keneally, Tim Winton, Alan Dargin - and a reading of the Declaration of Independence 

Sedge Thomson presents wisdom for these times from three thoughtful and funny artists.  

 

THOMAS KENEALLY  He wrote Schindler’s List among  other novels. He describes how his talk with an immigrant in his California baggage shop led to his account of Schindler’s dangerous and humane exploit or rescue. His book, Rivertown, tells of the Australian illegals who built Australia. 

 

TIM WINTON His self-deprecating humor belies his savvy and insight accounts of Australian family relationships. Cloudstreet  set the pace. Breath is a life flashing by as a surfer is held down by a wave. 

 

ALAN DARGIN  The late, great Aboriginal  didgeridoo virtuoso plays for us and tells us of his upbringing. He recorded with the best bands, including Alison Brown. That his PhD in Astronomy came from his interest in looking up, a family practice from his outback homeland. 

 

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE It’s still a document of hope and an indictment of George III, and more universally, of any tyrant. Read by members of the audience with piano accompaniment. An annual broadcast tradition. 

 

JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR’S Dissent in trump v. Hawaii. June 2018. Pages 65-92

“The First Amendment stands as a bulwark against official religious prejudice and embodies our Nation’s deep commitment to religious plurality and tolerance. That constitutional promise is why, “[f]or centuries now, people have come to this country from every corner of the world to share in the blessing of religious freedom.” Town of Greece v. Galloway, 572 U. S., at ___ (KAGAN, J., dissent­ ing) (slip op., at 1). Instead of vindicating those principles, today’s decision tosses them aside.”

 

“Our Constitution demands, and our country deserves, a Judiciary willing to hold the coordinate branches to ac­ count when they defy our most sacred legal commitments. Because the Court’s decision today has failed in that respect, with profound regret, I dissent.“

 

Sedge’s flâneur files. 

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