Most of the rants I wrote are very specific to my life, so don't worry if you have no idea what I'm on about. If you would like to have a good rant too, then email me with it with the subject "rant".

Barbie Dolls

Barbie was invented way way back in the fifties or something. She magically appeared as a grown woman and interestingly enough she also has a sister named Skipper. One wonders who Barbies parents were. Are Barbie and Skipper a product of asexual reproduction? Or were they sent as messengers of God? Ever since her appearence on this fine earth she has been a doctor, a dentist, a rockstar, had amazingly long hair (totally hair Barbie) and had her own fold and fun house. She also has had a collection of expensive sports cars and a three storey mansion. She has also managed to keep the same boyfriend (Ken) for a long long time. For a woman of at least fifty she has had a pretty cool life. Hell, to do all that she must have an IQ of 1001 or something stuffed into that soft plastic head. Although Barbie is assumed to be a good role model for little girls everywhere, Barbies stick thin waistline and DD cup boobs are a bit much. Does Barbie really promote anorexia and bulimia? Are barbies big boobs a safety hazard?

We have never seen Barbie have any faults. A wheelchair Barbie was released recently, however on a closer look, one realises that it is infact NOT Barbie but her dear friend Becky. And the question on everyones' lips is...Why hasn't there ever been a fat Barbie? Hell, why not go the whole hog and have an OBESE Barbie!!! Would Ken love her if she was fat?? And will they ever get married????

Kirstyn Hart

Private Schools

There are 2 types of private schools, non-selective private schools, and selective ones. Non-selective private schools give a better education based purely on the amount of money the parents of the child has. This enables that child to grow up and get a better job than state school people. This in turn allows that person to give THEIR kids a better education and the class system is preserved. Those with better jobs are not those who are the smartest. It is those who have the most contacts and the most impressive resume.

Selective private schools are better. They give a better education based on the intelligence of the child - provided you can afford the fees. However, very smart kids are given scholarships so the effect of the fees is lessened somewhat in that respect.

Private schools in general give the child the impression that he or she is somehow superior to the general community. They encourage arrogance, eliteism, and bigotry. They display a vote of no confidence in the democratically elected government.

I think that there should be only state schools, selective, and non selective.

Selective schools in general do two things. They make dumb kids dumber, and smart kids smarter. Studies show that to be surrounded by dumb kids slows down a smart kid. And for a dumb kid to be surrounded by smart kids helps the dumb kid. We can't have it both ways. Some may argue that the stratification of intelligence created by selective schools is the same as the class difference created by private schools. But I say it is RIGHT to discriminate based upon character and intelligence and WRONG to discriminate based on wealth. The effect of selective schools is to provide leaders and followers. Both are needed in a dynamic society. The effect of no selective schools would be to breed sheep. Australia would become a service nation to Asia and we can say goodbye to our standard of living and our independence.

Andrew Adams

Racism

I am not going to complain here about the anti asian racism which is present in our community, because it is already recognised and dealt with. But I am becoming increasingly aware of anti white racism present in the asian community.

The thing that has brought this to my attention recently, is that a while ago, our school formal was organised by some boys - the school refuses to take part in these things thank god - and notes were sent round and everyone was happy. Now one PK Choy - who I always thought was a good bloke - has organised another formal on the same night. One for asians only. Of course, only the kind of people who you wouldn't want at a formal are going to the asian only one - ie the racist ones - but I am still shocked to find this accepted. Imagine the response if the first formal was labelled "caucasian only".

This is not an isolated incident either. In the community there are constantly asian only dance parties and the like. I think this sort of behaivour is equally disgusting as that shown by skinheads in being racist against asians.

Andrew Adams

North-West Bus Company

The other day I was trying to get to Macquarie from Chatswood. The only direct way is on a North-West bus. I sat with my girlfriend for an hour waiting for the bus. Only to be told that our concession cards were worthless on this bus because this company doesn't accept them. They are the only concession cards available to us as students and they are proof we are students. This bus company is clearly out to make more money of students who rely on the public transport system to get around. State buses, who give out these concession cards, along with the railways, I am glad to say are generally good this way. You only get the occasional odd driver who is unfamiliar with the rules and rejects a valid card. In any case, a company can only be partially held to blame for the actions of the drivers. But a specific company policy of not accepting the standard concession card which is used at the movies, on all public transport, at ticket booths, in fact ANYWHERE you need to proove you're a student, is shocking. They are making money off students. If they need more revenue that much, they should raise their overall fares, and not trick you into having to pay double the price you expected.

Andrew Adams

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