The Byron Shire Echo – Issue 38.25 – November 29, 2023 by Echo Publications

Mungo MacCallum’s Crossword #519 1

Climate is About People

www.echo.net.au/soap-box

MANDY NOLAN’S

hat scares you more? The impact of warming by 1.5 degrees that results in drought, famine, heat stress, species die-off, loss of entire ecosystems and habitable land and 100 million people being thrown into poverty? Or a hundred or so activists in a kayak?

Cryptic Clues

Quick Clues

ACROSS

1. Highly relevant, about right, pretty hot (8) 6. Damn snooper! (6) 9. It doesn’t matter much – ac (6,7) 10. Childless peer we are told (6) 11. Breaking obstacle around very gentle individual (8) 13. Screen poem clumsily – make good (10) 15. Regretted impolite utterance (4) 16. Eliot work returned in the mail (4) 18. Region’s pub needs changing, getting over the binge! (8,2) 21. Southern sailor allows promising young actors (8) 22. More ventilated region reported (6) 23. Get fresh gear, set loch (6,7) 25. Roof worker a scuttling pest (6) 26. Knives – Les claps enthusiastically (8)

1. Equatorial (8) 6. Make something useless or inoperative (slang) (6) 9. Unimportant (6,7) 10. Land that is unproductive (6) 11. Speaking brusquely (8) 13. Indemnify (10) 15. Felt remorse (4) 16. Publish on social media (4) 18. Recovering from intoxication (8,2) 21. Budding artistes (8) 22. Breezier (6) 23. Put on different garb (6,7) 25. Wood louse (6) 26. Surgical instruments (8)

DOWN

DOWN 2. Set free (7) 3. Dumb waiter (11) 4. Large bowel (5) 5. Strong connection; affair (7) 6. Corsair (9) 7. Wildebeest (3) 8. Accord; pact (7) 12. Collaboration (11) 14. Rider; commuter (9) 17. Relating to sight (7) 19. Halves (7) 20. Device (7) 22. Fragrance (5) 24. Social insect (3)

2. Concerning the rental agreement – let it go (7) 3. Prayer to locate nearest port (5,6) 4. Pause, arsehole (5) 5. Raise, suffer Indian boy – a relationship (7) 6. Pirate to report approach following rodeo horse (9) 7. Prepare gun for antelope (3) 8. Three cardinals surround tent in alliance (7) 12. Joint venture to separate. New direction: resistance over small Last week’s solution #518 joint (11) T H I R D R A T E P R E S S E P E I N U N E 14. Traveller to overtake over green N E A R S M I S T L E T O E jumble (9) T D E L N S R K 17. About vision – one across O B S E R V E A V E R A G E confused, not right (7) T T S R N R 19. Cuts in half British-Indian cults (7) W I N T E R S O L S T I C E O O R A E E 20. Implement turn, listen intently (7) T H E S H O R T E S T D A Y D D N O T E 22. Scent alternative raised in doctors R E R E A D S O N E S T E P group (5) U A D T T L O I 24. A top end worker (3) I M M E D I A T E E E R I E D A O S U S A N

STARS BY LILITH This week’s Mercury is the serious master planner, ticking off to-do lists, organising costings and timelines. It needs the Ministry of Fun mantra: Don’t do it unless it’s fun, and if you have to do it, make it fun...

SAGITTARIUS THE ARCHER

G R S S C E A S Y S L O P E

Yesterday in Newcastle the police arrested over 100 protesters who continued to blockade Horseshoe Bay, the world’s biggest coal port. One of the people arrested was 97-year-old Reverend Alan Stewart. Doing his bit for what he knows is right. Isn’t that the most Christian action of all? This weekend over 2,000 people (of which I was one) gathered to join the Rising Tide blockade to stop over half a million tonnes of coal from leaving the port. It was a peaceful, joyous gathering that had a key message demanding the government stop allowing new coal projects, and to properly tax existing fossil fuel exports. This was a 30-hour legal blockade until 4pm on Sunday. After that point the police moved in with their full force. And in the space of a few minutes the protesters became criminals. Not the fossil fuel companies who quietly profiteer. Who commit atrocities not just in plain sight but with subsidies. The protesters came from around the country. Mums, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, kids, and dogs. They were not a threat to public safety. In fact, they were the opposite. They are the first responders in this climate crisis. They are the front line in safety. The people who turn up. They are the heroes of the climate movement – calling out the corruption of governments who give lip service to lowering emissions while they busily open new coal mines. Since Labor came in and promised we’d reach Net Zero by 2050 they’ve approved four new coal mines or expansions with 147 million tonnes of lifetime emissions. Australia currently

One of the people arrested was 97-year-old Reverend Alan Stewart. Doing his bit for what he knows is right. Isn’t that the most Christian action of all?

That’s why a 97-year-old Reverend stayed in the water. That’s why he found himself getting arrested. It’s why over 100 people ended up getting arrested. Ironically, at this most important time in human history our governments have created laws to protect corporations and to punish us. It’s no coincidence that NSW anti-protest laws were brought in and we have the biggest coal port in the world on our door step and we are in a climate emergency.

has 116 new coal, oil and gas projects in the pipeline. I wonder how Tanya Plibersek sleeps at night.

Protesting, or peaceful assembly, is a common law right that can be traced back to the Magna Carta. It is protected by the Australian Constitution. Yet state laws are so broad that people can face criminal charges of up to 2 years in jail and a $22,000 fine.

Nearly 18 months ago I gave up drinking. With that went my very bad habit of having a cigarette when I was a bit drunk. Is that what happens with Tanya? Except instead of smoking she green-lights coal mines? Does she have a big night on the Sav Blanc and then wake up and go, ‘Oh my god. Did I approve a coal mine last night?’ Our governments continue to take donations and give subsidies to fossil fuel companies. Have they forgotten about us? Our children? Our children’s children? Their children? At the pointy end of the climate crisis, it’s not just corrupt, it’s criminal.

ARIES: Aries want what they want now, and with the current planetary power surge, probably sooner. But rushing into something based on fear of missing out could have unwelcome repercussions. Press the pause button: think this week’s plans and decisions through before making a commitment.

CANCER: As we enter the terrestrial season of unreason, mistakes and misunderstandings are on everyone’s star cards, not helped by speedy Mars. What to do? Take the long view: rise above petty niggles. Be grateful for Mercury in the sign of strategic planning and organisation, keeping it real.

LIBRA: Seeing both sides of any equation can complicate decision-making for Librans. As your prima planet Venus tugs you this week between head and heart, you already know the answer’s a balance of both. Get as much as you can done this week while Venus in Libra has charm on your side.

TAURUS: Your most helpful ally entering December’s hectic end of year countdown? Taurans’ patron planet Venus is in her most negotiable and agreeable placement. As the seasonal frenzy picks up its pace, be guided by the principal of graceful behaviour: take your time, be kind, play nice, do things right.

LEO: The dominant celestial energies at this week’s negotiating table could seem unreasonably urgent, so if someone’s behaving like a ticking time bomb (hopefully not you), don’t force issues. Give them space. Dial down the drama. Don’t overpromise or assume anything. Try not to let minor mistakes escalate into deal-breakers.

SCORPIO: Action master Mars behaving like a runaway train while Mercury’s in stubborn mode could have you looking for the emergency exit this week. So calm down. Relax. Be patient. Splitting hairs is wasted energy, so channel vixen Venus in glamour puss mode: dress up and enjoy the social whirl.

VIRGO: Master strategist Mercury, your ruling planet, in the sign of executive organisation for the first half of December has you zipping along blissfully in top gear planning the final act of the year. Service is Virgo’s love language, and your practical magic makes a crucial contribution to this week’s merry mayhem.

SAGITTARIUS: This week’s combustible combination of sun and Mars in your vibrant sign fires up tremendous end of year momentum and a dynamic energy boost for organising festive game plans. Its renegade energies are right up your boulevard, though a note-to-self to not break the bank won’t go astray.

GEMINI: Yes, this week’s worldly concerns are serious, especially for Geminis who are always up with the latest news. As an air sign, you might relate to the notion that angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. Be an earth angel this week: lighten up and help lift peoples’ spirits.

32 The Byron Shire Echo mşưĕŔćĕſ ǩǰǽ ǩǧǩǪ

So we step up to call our government to account – we are arrested. When corporations cause catastrophic climate change they are rewarded. We urgently need donation reform. We need climate justice. Because pretty soon our jails will be full people like 97-year-old Alan Stewart. People like you and me. – Mandy Nolan CAPRICORN: Continuing through the first fortnight of December, Mercury in your sign offers an excellent executive assist, which savvy Capricorns will take full advantage of to lock in holiday plans, bookings and activities before the silicate planet’s midmonth reversal rachets up seasonal pressures and tension. AQUARIUS: Aquarians are the zodiac’s premier exponents of communitas or group flow, and this week’s in need of your expertise. Your signature blend of the experimental and sensible is essential for the creative pivots required when expectations go haywire – although it is advisable to wait until asked before offering them.

PISCES: With nebulous Neptune approaching the end of its long retrograde in Pisces, life comes more clearly into focus. Refreshed from the oceanic planet’s cycle of soul-searching with new clarity and realisations, it will be easier to practise not being overwhelmed by the annual anniversary whirl.