Public speeches

The Hon David Clarke
Originally uploaded by bobmendo

Pictured is David Clarke, the Liberal Party powerbroker, known as the leader of the ''religious right." He survived a challenge for his upper house seat last night led by his former lieutenant Alex Hawke, which will ensure he can serve in the Legislative Council for another eight years.

Mr Clarke fought off David Elliott, the chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation, for pre-selection for the seat known in the party as north-west province. He won the pre-selection by 50 votes to 36, with four votes going to a third candidate, Brett Murray.

Also on Friday, Tiger Woods made a public appearance, although the press corps didn't cover it. Ernie Els called Tiger Woods 'selfish' for making his first public appearance in the middle of the Accenture Match Play Championship. The word doesn't begin to describe how furious Els is with Woods.

The South African said: ''It's selfish. You can write that. I feel sorry for the sponsor. Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday. This takes a lot away from the golf tournament.'' Especially since Accenture used to be one of Tiger's sponsors and then they axed him after his multi-indiscretions. Oh, let's call it what it was. Adulteries. Sex scandal extra-ordinaire. Tiger doesn't do anything minimally.

Also on Friday the pope made a speech about Aussie Mary McKillop and almost guarantees this Australian educator and nun to gain sainthood. Something Tiger would love to achieve. The pope made the announcement in Rome that Ms MacKillop will be canonised in a ceremony at the Vatican on 17 October. Pope Benedict XVI announced the date at a meeting of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints.

It is thought she will be known as St Mary of the Cross.

Making a public speech is intimidating to some high school kids; it's the joy of the egocentric in the same class. So a speech can ring true, it can afford an occasion for crocodile tears or can be a call to the masses to mutiny or to massacre or to mend the hurts of the ages. Speechmaking is an art and a pleasure if it's done well.

I enjoy a good yarn. I enjoy a good talk. Think Paul Harvey. Think Garrison Keillor and the Prairie Home Companion. (photo on left)Think Jesus.


Yup, that's right Jesus, the Jewish messiah, foretold by Jewish prophets in the Jewish scriptures. It's all there. Nobody labelled him Saint. So few actually gave him their ears, Julius.

But to him who has ears, what Jesus (or as we often call him, Y'shua) said is life and death. It's not only informing about today; it's compelling and demanding for the future. Y'shua is not from the religious right. He is the right. He's not describing life in heaven; he is the Life.

Listen, give yourself a chance to hear, read the Newer Testament. Then the forgiveness sought will be found, without fake tears, but with a pure heart. God will do that for you. Privately, just for you. How awesome is that!