The Psychology of Internment – Part 1

Guest Author Uncategorized

In the past nineteen months, I have become deeply afraid. Because I think this nation is heading down the path of fascist totalitarianism so fast it’s almost unbelievably irretrievable.

abbott, that vainglorious little man, is only the front puppet.

Behind him are the forces of BIG energy (aka coal and oil), BIG Pharma (what is the TPP all about?), BIG guns (aka the Military-Industrial Complex, about which President Icingsugar warned us – well, that’s what I thought his name was 55 years ago), BIG whatever else you can think of . . .

Puffy’s piece is a timely reminder of the hell we are perpetrating, not only for others – for which we should be hauled before the International Court of Justice – but also the hell we are fomenting for ourselves.

You can’t do this stuff without enormous psychic damage to everyone.

Thank you, Puffy.

(Image Credit: How Stuff Works)

 

A discussion in two parts

Part One – The reader completes a task (please).

Australia has entered an Age of Internment, the like of which not seen on our soil since World War Two.

Both major political parties have gone down this miserable road, in thrall to a section of the populace fearing outsiders and the perceived threat that they may steal this land in the way we stole it from the Aboriginal peoples in 1776.

There was a road to a humane solution that could have saved lives, built a new regional plan to help asylum seekers while taking Australua off the people-smugglers’ menu. It was, in my opinion worth a try. The Gillard ALP government’s Malaysia plan might have worked. We will never know now, as partisan politics and the chance of picking up some votes in electorates where racial fear was opportunistically stoked by the Liberal and National parties scuttled that idea.

So here we are,going backwards into the internment era, and worse, with reported conditions akin to the worst hell-hole in a mad third-world dictator’s prison. The reports on the treatment of children are shocking.

This is the perfect time to revisit an old social science experiment, one shocking and controversial. This experiment triggered the creation of University Ethics Committees, which these days examine every researchpropsal for potential harm to the participants.

This research would never be allowed today and cannot be repeated. Indeed the experiment was cut short when the lead researcher was pulled up by a colleague who saw he had gone off the rails too.

I am of course discussing the Stanford Prison Experiments at Stanford University, California, in 1971.

Many are aware of it but I urge you, even if you have not the slightest interest in social science, to set aside a little time, grab a glass or cup of whatever and read through the complete description of the planning, carrying-out and fall out of this seemingly innocent almost naive research.

Because nobody predicted the shocking results.

Then think of Nauru and Manus Island. Think of the Department of Immigration, the Minister, and our Prime Minister.

I will not pre-empt the story just now, but will follow up with another post when people have had the time to read, listen and absorb. Please don’t just read the first page of the website and think, yeah, that one. Take the slide tour. It has the detail which contains the devil.

http://www.prisonexp.org/

Thank you.

610 thoughts on “The Psychology of Internment – Part 1”

  3. Just have to ask Jaeger, are you eager to see the lava overflow the rim?

    I must admit that it is all very intriguing, and that it is aided by being able to see the lava rising. As was pointed out to me recently, this sort of thing is ‘real’ reality TV. * delight *

  5. Confirmed: Indonesia has executed eight men tonight

    And now it’s time for everyone to move on.

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/apr/28/bali-nine-andrew-chan-myuran-sukumaran-executed-indonesia-mercy

    The Philippines department of foreign affairs has confirmed to reporters that Mary Jane Veloso was not executed along with the other prisoners tonight.

    The reprieve is said to be a temporary one, however.

    Earlier today, the Philippines government sent an “extremely urgent” letter to the Indonesian attorney-general asking for a “suspension of execution of the death sentence”.

    This followed news that Maria Kristina Sergio, the woman who allegedly recruited Veloso as a (she says unwitting) drugs courier, apparently handed herself into police in the Philippines.

    Reports tonight say Veloso’s death sentence has been postponed so that she can act as a witness in any trial of Sergio.

  8. From Leroy’s super trawler link; well knock me down with a feather.

    A Tasmanian recreational fishing group whose support for the Liberal Party was influential during last year’s state election believes it was misled.

    The Stop The Trawler Alliance called off an advertising campaign targeting the Liberals last February, after assurances the party shared its opposition to factory fishing trawlers.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-28/tasmanian-premier-underfire-over-alleged-super-trawler-offer/6427474

  9. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. I’ll leave comment and reporting of the executions to others.

    Morrison’s nanny trial gets a mixed reception.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nanny-funding-trial-gets-mixed-reception-20150428-1mv7xk.html
    Bob Ellis examines who will and will not get the nanny allowance.
    http://www.ellistabletalk.com/2015/04/28/morrisons-new-nannies/
    This move towards recognition of Palestine by Labor is a sensible one but t will inflame certain powerful forces in several places.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-clears-the-way-for-labor-shift-on-recognition-of-palestine-20150428-1mv5vn.html
    Sloppy Joe gets called out over more bullying of Treasury.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/labor-claims-joe-hockey-verballed-his-department-over-jobs-threat-warning-in-question-time-20150428-1mv7tv.html
    This societal eruption in Baltimore, Maryland is an indicator of much that is wrong in the US.
    http://www.smh.com.au/world/baltimore-smoulders-after-riot-over-freddie-grays-death-in-police-custody-20150428-1mvi9q.html
    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2015/apr/28/baltimore-freddie-gray-riots-live-updates
    Public servants may stop stopping the boats as part of industrial action.
    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/public-servants-may-stop-stopping-the-boats-20150428-1mv47i.html
    This one reform from the Abbott government that should be a good one.
    http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/4/28/small-business-sme/abbotts-small-reform-step-big-deal
    How the oligarchs won the mining boom.
    https://newmatilda.com/2015/04/28/oligarchs-won-mining-boom
    Abbott’s $0.5 billion assault on ANZAC.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/tony-abbotts-half-a-billion-dollar-anzac-week,7637

  10. Section 2 . . .

    The 18 worst things the Liberals did yesterday.
    http://www.ellistabletalk.com/2015/04/28/the-eighten-worst-things-the-liberals-did-yesterday-244/
    Cory Bernardi’s committee rubbishes Carl Mills.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sacked-department-of-parliamentary-services-secretary-carol-mills-accused-of-misleading-parliamentary-committee-20150428-1mv0ct.html
    A very good article from the Financial Review on what is really needed with respect to an inquiry into healthcare costs. It targets a number of powerful vested interests. (You will need to copy the string below into a Google search to get to the article).
    /opinion/columnists/healthcare-needs-an-independent-inquiry-20150428-1mvb3a
    Ross Gittins lets off some steam over superannuation providers.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/were-letting-superannuation-providers-rip-us-off-20150428-1muw57.html
    Why Frydenberg is wrong on superannuation tax.
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/money/2015/04/28/frydenberg-says-super-tax-change/
    John Pilger steps in to support McIntyre.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/scott-mcintyre-i-salute-this-brave-young-journalist-20150428-1muqon.html
    “View from the Street” wonders how things have got so bad between Australia and Indonesia.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-how-did-things-between-us-and-indonesia-get-so-bad-20150428-1mvc71.html
    Alan Moir with Joe’s 2015 budget preparations.

    John Spooner and Adani’s problems.

    A farewell portrait from John Shakespeare.

    Another ripper from David Pope!

    An interesting contribution from Mark Knight.

    Of course David Rowe has his bit to say on the matter.

  11. Theatrics – Abbott is wearing a black suit and dark navy blue tie for his presser this morning.

  12. About time –

    Bill Shorten clears the way for Labor shift on recognition of Palestine
    ww.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-clears-the-way-for-labor-shift-on-recognition-of-palestine-20150428-1mv5vn.html

  13. Bishop and Abbott – in deep mourning … turning their sympathy towards the families of the deceased. They seemed to be very cautious about applying any type of sanctions or recalling the Ambassador.

  14. Did Tones’ repeated insults of Indonesia and the president just to pander to his 2GB demographic doomed the pair is a question I’d love to see asked by a media lizard.

  18. In regards the executions; at the moment, the attention is directed toward the “centre of grieving” and those who ordered the executions…but given time and pause for reflection, I’m certain that the initial actions that created the situation to go thus far will be finely raked over and the behaviour of “certain parties” will not go uncriticised.

  19. Under Julia Gillard, Stephen Smith, even Rudd or Carr, would have exercised more subtlety in dealing with Joko than Bishop and Abbott.

  21. The ambassador has been withdrawn – Abbott and Bishop announced that first thing this morning.

  24. I feel sad for the families of all those who were killed last night.

    I do not believe that the death penalty solves anything, and from reports over the last few months I also suspect that there is some questions that need to be settled about who was/is or not about to be executed.
    On the other hand, those who have been sentenced to die in this way had to have been aware of the consequences if they were caught in Indonesia.

    I still want to know why were they not stopped before they got there if the authorities knew there was a conspiracy to import drugs? And why have the people who sent those stupid youths never been caught and charged?

    There has to be a better way to deal with the “drug problem”, no matter what sort of drug it is.

  25. My reply to a poster on Bob Ellis’ site this morning.

    jaycee423 April 29, 2015 at 8:56 am

    Clair…
    Whenever I hear the mantra ; “Personal responsibility”, I feel like reaching for my “Das Capital”..
    An entire history of the early convicts has been written about some poor souls being sent to the colonies (a certain death sentence in many cases) for “stealing” a loaf of bread…sure, stealing for starvation rations for oneself or family ought not be compared to drug smuggling, but when the imperative,the driving necessity in a capital-based nation is to “succeed”, a necessity that has made criminals of so many once respectable occupations and sons and daughters, the pursuit of “instant wealth” via criminal activity, be it financial advice, political lobbying, futures trading or drug running seems to have become fair game..the only erroneous act is “being caught”.
    The two young men executed took that risk it is true…they also put at risk seven others gullible/desperate enough (like any wannabe retiree looking for the promised 100% profit offered by a ponzi scheme)to take a chance. The flaw in their scheme being THAT political maneuver by Howard and the AFP. via one of the concerned parents to make advantage of the situation and once again play the colonial John Bull and get the Indonesians to do the dirty-work.
    The complexities of society that nurture expectations within the dreams of individual citizens, must use certain persuasive BUT EXACTING indoctrination that SEEM to give personal independence and free-will and “personal responsibility” to each and every one, but in reality, the firm, guiding hand of civil and social governance directs and concentrates the aim of a vast majority of citizens unerringly toward one goal…and THAT is where the lie of “personal responsibility” cannot, MUST NOT be given the freedom it desires or deserves.

  26. Mick Keelty was in charge of the AFP when the Indonesians were given the heads-up about the Bali Nine. The Minister for Immigration was Amanda Vanstone.

  27. TLBD

    I cannot remember the issue but he once really called out Howard and his government , threw a big spanner in the works for whatever bullshit Howard was up to. It was good work. However after that he seemed to turn into a very well trained Howard house pet.

    I’ve always wondered what it was that gave Howard and co. the squirrel grip on Keelty.

  28. Really?

    Asked about the treatment by the Indonesian government of the men and, by extension, Australia, the prime minister said: “This is a very bad time. It’s a very bad time. Obviously for the Chan and Sukumaran families and it’s a difficult time for this relationship.

    “I don’t want to personalise it but obviously I do regret that while my representations have been listened to patiently and courteously, they have not been heeded.”

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/29/bali-nine-executions-fallout-australia-juggles-domestic-fury-and-national-interest

  29. “I don’t want to personalise it but obviously I do regret that while my representations have been listened to patiently and courteously, they have not been heeded.”

    Yeah right Abbott, once you got involved with your bull in a China shop approach, their fates were more or less sealed.

  30. All we need now is for Mossiscum to hold a presser and say : ” I coulda’ told him(Abbott) so!”…sweet!

  31. Abbott lying again – his ‘representations’ were not listened to, Joko wouldn’t even respond to his phone calls.

  34. I am horrified by the executions. My stance on the DP is well known. Every reason to oppose capital punishment listed on the Amnesty International website was present in these executions plus others Corruption. Xenophobia. Cruelty. Futility. Lack of proper legal process. Political motivation. Targeting the poor. Irreversible.
    I urge people to support the fight to end the death penalty. It is abhorrent cruel and unnecessary.

  35. Won’t happen with this government. The AFP seems to be a branch of the Liberal Party.

    Well they DO wear uniforms and have lots of Australian flags.!

  36. ” my representations have been listened to patiently and courteously”

    I believe Abbott on this . After all the Indonesians always put your calls through to the telephone answering machine.

  37. Bananas looked dreadful this morning. This could be a first for her, as foreign minister, a government ignoring her demands and refusing to do as she wanted.

    Has our government been formally advised of the executions yet? Last I heard – at about 10 this morning – they had not. It is a sign of the deep loathing the Indonesian government has for the Abbott government.

  39. I am horrified by the executions. My stance on the DP is well known. Every reason to oppose capital punishment listed on the Amnesty International website was present in these executions plus others Corruption. Xenophobia. Cruelty. Futility. Lack of proper legal process. Political motivation. Targeting the poor. Ireversible.
    I urge people to support the fight to end the death penalty. It is abhorrent cruel and unnecessary.

  40. Having a ripper of an arguement with a “Clair” over on Bob Ellis’ site…she id trying on the old “Your arguement is flawed” chestnut on me…ie; “flawed” because it doesn’t agree with hers!

  41. Is Abbott still bunking down with the AFP lads and ladies ? Most strange if he still is. What is there he finds so attractive ?

  42. ” What is there he finds so attractive ?”..the overly hirsute male shoulders and backs?

  44. The Lodge is still being renovated so Abbott has to live somewhere else. He knocked back the house chosen before the election by the PM’s office and decided to stay with the AFP cadets. He’s still there. He could have kept on with his suite at the Hotel Realm, it was good enough for him when he was LOTO but he decided to put on a show of being virtuous by opting for something cheaper when he became PM.

    Funny, isn’t it – he didn’t worry about the cost when he claimed his hotel expenses while LOTO.

    Some ancient history –
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-opts-for-modest-lodgings-20130915-2tsfw.html

    Abbott might never live at The Lodge. The time taken for the repairs has blown out, so has the cost.
    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/will-prime-minister-tony-abbott-ever-get-to-live-at-the-lodge-20150204-134ncw.html

    I’m glad Julia Gillard postponed the desperately needed repairs, Abbott now gets all the blame for the millions spent on the project when it would have been cheaper to build a new, bigger residence. There are rumours Abbott has demanded extra works, adding to the cost.

  46. “And Abbott does sleep with the AFP.”

    That would explain the fleas.

  47. ‘Abbott might never live at The Lodge. The time taken for the repairs has blown out”

    Union worker force “making the job last ? 😆

  48. Some $3.19 million worth of work on the 88-year-old, 800sqm, 40-room Georgian-style home began in September 2013 and was due to be completed by mid 2014. It was commissioned by the former ALP government, but on December 12, the Abbott government signed off on changes to the contract, adding another 12 months to the completion date and upping the price tag to $6.38 million.

    The cost is 50% more than knocking down the Heritage-listed building and starting again, one quantity surveyor claims.

    A Finance Department spokeswoman would not comment on the reasons for the blow out, telling The Aus­tralian: “The cost estimates are commercial-in-­confidence as the release of the ­information could prejudice ­financial outcomes during negotiations.”

    http://www.businessinsider.com.au/renovations-at-the-pms-canberra-home-the-lodge-have-doubled-in-price-to-6-4-million-2014-12

  50. The Nigerian military says it has rescued 200 girls and 93 women from an area where the Islamist militant group Boko Haram is active.
    However, it said the girls abducted from a school in Chibok in April 2014 were not among them.
    The military said the girls and women were freed during major operations ending in the seizure of four Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa Forest.

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32506942

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