A prophet for our time...

What a treasure Michael Leunig is. Kindly note that I do not say 'national treasure' because that's the kind of mealy-mouthed rubbish that emerges from Canberra these days.

We have reached the stage where the scary, scary state of our planet is ranked in second-place behind the national interest. Coal mines continue to supply the world with clouds of smoke to add to global warming while the sun rains down its free energy, and in places like Moree it it is stored it could service the needs of millions of people.

Our cities are taking on the aspects of drunken brothels or gambling houses. Individualism cunningly promoted by those in power has steadily eroded any notion of a common good. It's everybody for themselves.

Organized labour is very much on the ropes, and unless the churches wake up to themselves they'll be hitting the canvas soon enough too.

Our civil liberties are going down the gurgler as we swallow the chimera of the 'war on terror'.

Consumerism, credit card mania and irresponsible and greedy lending by banks have created a nightmare for many Australian homes.

We need a prophet.

Well, we have it in Michael Leunig, the poet, cartoonist and Aussie mystic.

He wants our leaders to start speaking up in rich, colourful language, even being offensive rather than the killing sameness of the Canberra Cliche.

Leunig has put away his brush and picked up his pen. Enjoy!

To read Michael Leunig's column, The message of the mufti, please go to www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/11/09/1162661830238.html

Cliff

Cliff Baxter is a highly awarded journalist with a lifetime experience gained on the principal Australian secular newspapers, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and The Catholic Weekly.

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©2006Cliff Baxter

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