jwb@csse.monash.edu.au wrote:
> Declan Murphy <declan_murphy@hotmail.com> dixit:
>
> >I was reading John Menadue's autobiography a few years back (my mother
> >sends me copies of the autobiographies of just about anyone who
> >converts to Catholicism)
>
> Interesting criterion.

Seems to work though. Almost always a good read.

> Never ended. Haven't you heard of the Cornelia Rau affair or the
> Vivian Alvarez Solon affair?

Yes. Quite spectacular episodes of bureaucratic bloodymindedness and
incompetence. Almost enought to make the Oz Defence Department look
brilliant. I was thinking more of the problems I've encountered
recently. It took 14 months to get a visa for the Japanese spouse of a
(white) Australian citizen, married (in Japan) for 4+ years, with 2
Australian passport holding sprogs. Mr brother-in-law's parents were
denied a visa to attend the wedding in Sydney, despite all procedures
being completed a year in advance, and guarantors provided etc. And 5
other situations. Common denominator wasn't mental illness, but the
distinctly non-caucasian-ness of the applicants.
 
> All quite disgusting and shameful.

Quite.