2nd Nov 09 - the Viking doesn't sail

Today 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers are stranded / imprisoned / given no choice -  on board an Australian Customs ship at an Indonesian port. Australia doesn't want to 'deal with' these people, little matter they are scared, desperate and being in Indonesia could mean years in squalor with no certainty of where they would end up. 

Today the PM's $100 000 literary award was presented to Nam Le. His story - 'The Boat' - his journey to Australia fleeing the shores of his native Vietnam.. by what means of transport? 

The PM's non-fiction award today went to an historical book comparing White Australia Policy to present day attitudes and policies towards those arriving by boat. 

A handshake from Arts Minister (longer title not listed here) Garrett, large cheques, photo opportunities. So, those who takes journeys out of desperation, those in search of hope create art that the PM's office sees worthy of prizes. Why do these human actions not result in the creation of policy we could stand and call 'humane'?