Shark Netting could vanish in Australia still there's always the machine guns

A very brief history on nets Invitations for public submissions on how to address the shark attack problem in 1935 resulted in some pretty outrageous suggestions, including the use of machine guns mounted on headlands, and explosives to kill sharks. Just imagine the brochures: little children frolicking happily in the surf, sea gulls and bullets flying overhead, great white plumes exploding on the blue horizon, and chunks of dead shark rolling in on the tide. Not ideal marketing material to sell your slice of paradise! The theory behind the net is quite simple: fewer sharks equal less chance of shark attacks. The sharks are caught in the net by their fins and drown, reducing the risk of attacks. History suggests this works very well - prior to the introduction of shark nets in 1936, fatal attacks occurred about once a year on Sydney's popular ocean beaches. Since then, there have been no deaths associated with sharks. However how the nets are affecting shark populations is unknown. While theories about declining catch rates are yet to be confirmed much also remains to be learned about the territorial behaviour of sharks. Weighing the benefits of the reduced risk of shark attack against the relatively unknown environmental impact of shark meshing is complicated by several highly emotive issues. The impact on the marine ecology of removing large predatory sharks is not completely known, and protected species such as dolphins, turtles, and whales can also fall victim to the nets. For instance, in May 2001, a humpback whale calf became entangled in the nets off the Gold Coast and died while its 20 plus tonne mother looked on. As a result of this and other incidents, there is increasing pressure on the NSW and Queensland governments, which administer nets, to cease the practice. I was not aware the Queensland government had them however on asking a Queensland lifeguard was told quite firmly that we had them up here; he declined to comment further. My personal opinion is that ok there are a few fatalities with the Sharks and Whales, and other denizen's of the deep which to me as an animal lover is sad but one has to put the human being first. Although the United States has one of the highest rates of litigation in the world, it does not have shark nets. This is despite the fact that an average of more than 15 shark attacks per year occur on the Florida coast alone. It is not inconceivable in our modern blame culture that in the future, we could see a court ruling finding the liability for a shark attack at a previously meshed beach rests on the shoulders of the government. Removing shark nets in Australia could expose the NSW and Queensland governments to a legal risk which doesn't even exist in the USA, where shark meshing has been considered but never practised. Until someone tries to sue a government for losing a limb, spouse, or child to a shark, we cannot be sure how the legal system would deal with such a thing I did find it odd that no nets existed in the USA very odd to be honest Public Opinion wavers Doesn't it always lol

The Village of Arniston South Western Africa

In May 1815, a British East Indiaman, the Arniston, was rounding the Western Cape of Africa on a mission of mercy I guess repatriating wounded solidiers from Ceylon back to England....this ship did not have a chronometer aboard in those days this was a very expensive instrument so it relied on other ships in its convoy to calculate its longitude.separated from its convoy in heavy seas, the Arnison was relying on dead reckoning to navigate.so the ship's master steered north for St Helena figuring he was a 100 miles or so west of the Cape...sadly he had made an error which was a very expensive one and wrecked the ship on the rocks at Waenhuiskrans. Only six of the 378 souls on board survived. The image reproduced here is of a similar ship. The survivors spent several days on the beach before being discovered by a farmer's son a memorial was erected on the beach by the wife of Colonel Giels, whose four unaccompanied children were lost in the tragedy.a replica was erected in later years and can be seen today The memorial bears the following inscription Erected by their disconsolate parents to the memory of Thomas, aged 13 years, William Noble, aged 10, Andrew, aged 8 and Alexander McGregor Murray, aged 7 (the four eldest sons of Lieut Colonel Andrew Giels of H.M. 73rd Regiment) who, with Lord and Lady Molesworth unfortunately perished in the Arniston Transport, wrecked on this shore on 3rd May, 1815. Over the years, the wreck's name has become synonymous with the place name, and today Arniston and Waenhuiskrans are used interchangeably At first it was only a fishing community now it has now become a renowned holiday destination and wine farming area. The fishing village - recognisable for its lime-washed and thatched houses - remains intact and has been declared a National Monument in its entirety. Fishermen still take the original style boats out, although now under contract. Whale watching is a popular seaside tourist activity.The Arniston Hotel is a popular tourist destination that looks out over the ocean. This link here gives you some info on what it is like now The closest major town is Bredasdorp, 24km to the north. The Overberg Test Range is situated adjacent to the town.

ANOTHER AUSSIE BUSH YARN

These yarns are not exactly fiction but may have been embellished a little; this one is about what happened after a country race event near Torrens Creek. During the afternoon uncle Dick had been boozing up at the bar, and when he came back to our camp, tanked to the eyeballs, he said some Ringer had been threatening to beat him up. A little after this he wandered out into the night and flaked out on the ground a little way from the tent, One of the Aunts coming back from the toilets found him lying there, and remembering what he said earlier jumped to the conclusion that he had been caught up with by the Ringer. Poor Dick has been bashed up, she announced, as soon as she got to the tent. Uncle Bill also with a few grogs in him jumped up wild as hell; I'll get the Bastard that did it, he shouted and charged out into the night, heading across the flat he tripped over Dick. There you are you rotten Mongrel Bill shouted and started to put the Boot into Dick's ribs, first on one side and then on the other. Next morning old Dick was staggering around the camp holding his sides, some Mongrel got me last night and really did me over No worries said Bill I caught up with him later and really gave him some Boot Leather

Is the world wide web in trouble

It appears from this article click on here for more info that the web cable feed from New York to the UK or is it Great Britain will run out of space by 2014 unless somebody comes up with an idea of how to keep it running...At the moment it is buried under 2 metres of sand I presume off a Beach in the Duchy of Cornwall. of course this could all be a load of rubbish if the report from this source is to be believed. below is the supposed cable on the beach that spans the Atlantic I have read there are no motorways south of the city of Exeter. what made me smile was what this reporter said about kids and finding this if they dug down the two metres is he serious as if they would. One is more likely to find them doing something else but definitely not digging. As if a plastic spade would cut this cable just have a squiz at it. I always thought the web was done via satellite but it seems not here is an image showing the world webs not that I saw mine on it but it apparently uses underwater or submarine cable just like the USA UK version...in fact it is how all of us are linked I have explored Wikipedia and discovered the web is an application built on top of the Internet...this is becoming complicated but bear with me please. I have read in several places indeed even argued about this but lots of people believe America own the web not true in fact of all things it was invented in 1989 by an English Physicist Sir Berners-Lee. Annoying huh but there you have it this can be verified by clicking here.

Obama is going to wage war it seems

America’s newest President romped home in the November elections last year and the whole world rejoiced. Well folks we rejoiced too damn soon he is waging war on Swiss banks in effect he is resorting to what I and quite a few others would term an illegal manoeuvre enforcing the placid Swiss into divulging Swiss bank clients who are American citizens. Indeed it is at the moment illegal for swiss banks to violate said law. But now it appears Mr. nice guy has forced the swiss to make an exception against one bank in particular. This bank good readers must also it seems pay $780 million in fines no less. Good old Mr nice guy has now declared war what a pathetic **** on all tax havens. He is not the only one either France and the UK with Germany at their heels quickly got into this act I sincerely hope Kevin 747 does not try this on...somehow I think he will await a decision on this until he sees how the land lies next year when yep you got it it is election time once more. Course he is a red Chinese lover who knows with him So to get back to good old Mr nice guy not only is he content to take any monies he can grab he is also taking money from honest Americans to pay for his Grandiose schemes...A squiz at this video may change your minds about him come next Election time. Mark my words all you Americans well all western nations if this persists one day you will all be as poor as church mice. Freedom has never come without a cost this disgraceful business could well be the downfall of a lot of western governments one day. May I remind you Mr nice guy America is not an autocracy as yet but the way you are going it could well become a reality one day...I don't want that and neither does the American citizen either. You are recieving very bad financial advice...I suggest you fire the bastards before you bring down America to a third world nation. It almost happened here once under the auspices of Paul Keating one time treasurer and later Prime Minister of Australia. We got rid of him America can get rid of you also...you are treading on stony ground here. People who do that usually fall by the wayside hopefully you will see the light but somehow I think not. I mean someone has to pay for all the promises you made to get elected don't they. One can soon topple from the spire, sourced from here

The Gestapo at work in the USA

Airport Screening in the USA This to me is an infringement on public rights and liberties of all citizens of all countries that merely wished to visit the USA for some reason or other. It would appear this zealous mob is overstepping its remit I have been told this by friends and also suffered from this when visiting. After the indignities I suffered at the hands of this pathetic mob which reminded me of Gestapo tactics it will be a long time if ever that I return to the USA as a guest. I have it on good authority that aircrew are treated in the same manner...their own aircrew by the way I was most indignant and was very rude and cutting to the punk who was trying out his tricks on me, needless to say I had to be searched I just did not like this jokers attitude QANTAS did not put me through this humiliation why are these Gestapo tactics allowed to prevail now. It has been a long time since 9/11 and what's more other western countries have had similar problems re terrorists yet we do not employ these methods and our countries function just fine. Another thing I noticed my friend and I were stopped by the border patrol near Mexico...I have read of illegal’s as I expect you all have ...were we searched? No of course not the young guy peered through the driver’s window and never even had a dog or asked to look in the trunk. His very words were have a nice day and that folks was it. American taxpayers are being ripped off by this lurk all the time...get real POTUS will you and look into this...your citizens need basic health care and education free. Whilst on the subject of these so called illegal’s let me say I found them hard working and courteous...why I receive e-mails whining or whinging about them is quite beyond me. They work hard to support their families back in Mexico very hard indeed Apart from all this I did have a very enjoyable time in the USA and I thank all my hosts especially one friend who put up with me. Here is a quick video of the Grand Canyon...It is no good hiding now the world can see you smiling Another quick one a little gloomy as you can see and so cold. I met many people whilst there and had a thoroughly good time...my thanks go to you all especially Bonnie and her family. I encountered snow the likes of which I cannot recall ever seeing and all Americans I met were very friendly people. I must say they do tend to eat too much though LOL The source for the Gestapo tactics is on here

Road Safety Week

Just a joke folks

A comparison

Kevin 747 versus Honest John our last Prime Minister

Is there much difference in Kevin 747 and honest John re their globe trotting...I think not both of em did a lot of travelling (at the taxpayers’ expense of course) John has hopefully finished his (although there are hidden perks in an ex PM’s job many the average bloke knows nothing about)...yeah service to the nation and shit like that Kevin 747 well he is set to plunder all the perks of the PM’s job and has started off in good form...were I a bookie I would give him tremendous odds. More on Kevin 747 can be found here I notice he got up GW Bush’s nose I had a smile at that as George may have been unpopular but at the time he was still President of the USA and should have been shown some respect Look here He has visited China, the UK in fact the list will be a lengthy one by the time he is toppled from his job...hopefully I will be around to deny him another stab at governing just like Honest John’s government. Kevin 747 has met with the new American president sadly before the inauguration as can be seen here I don’t begrudge him a trip to Washington to have a chat etc...There is still however no need to jet about the globe Willy-nilly like I envision. I have the idea that Kevin 747 is up to no good either all these stimulus packages I view with foreboding...I looked at the one for today nothing for myself (which I can understand) but I do think it wrong for kids on the dole (collecting social security for the rest of the world) to pick up a hefty sum tax free naturally whilst other folk stretched Beyond their means at times struggle with mortgage payments and frankly just try to keep their heads out of the mire...meanwhile Kevin 747 will just jet away wherever. Yes I did benefit last year from Kevin 747’s regime with a well needed boost. But I saved most of mine for a rainy day if you get my drift...To satisfy the government I spent a few bucks as was intended by the lump sum

Kevin 747 however must choof off to Washington post hoc d proc and get on friendly terms with the new American President...Take over a couple of cartons of duty free smokes though as I understand he smokes...thrash out a few things with him and such. He won't be invited to Texas I'll give you the drum he did his dash with GW not like his beaten opponent below...it is essential he meet with Mr Obama as soon as possible though...it would be a good idea to invite the just elected NZ PM to come along split the cost of the trip...many of us have got our beady eyes on Kevin 747 now and I figure he knows it.

Comments are always welcome for non bloggers a coloured underlined word is a link

Congratulations sir on a fine achievement

************************************************************************ After months of what must have been a wearying campaign to be become the President of the USA...Mr Obama must be very pleased. From slavery to President is no mean feat in fact I never thought it would happen. Do you know there are still slaves today in the USA illegal yes but still slaves...I do believe it is now called human trafficking Now of course his work will have started in earnest Putin needs to be put down a bit... in my opinion he is nothing but an ex KGB thug...then there is Medvedev to consider and let’s face it he is the Russian President. Why him and Putin seem to have more or less the same things to say about various matters has me baffled. Look at the way in which Russia treated with disdain the recent gas crisis...I’m wondering just how he will get along with Hu the red Chinese overlord. Of course Hu had Mr Obama’s Speech heavily cut although the fools left the English translation in...I suppose it had not occurred that quite a few can speak English. Still they had a Phone call in November last year. As president he will have all these problems thrust upon him as well as the ones listed below. Afghanistan Cuba Guantanamo Iraq Iran Saudi Arabia Israel well the list is endless. Raul Castro has made overtures already I read But more importantly his own country, and its inhabitants most of whom voted for him. They are looking towards him for help...but he can’t do this on his own you may have to get up off your butt as you call it and help. Still this bloke is good so I read and have been told Probably saying I'll see Medvedev next Comments are always welcome

Giant Bird Droppings in New Zealand

What a subject you will think and I for one will agree. But I actually read about it on this site this means researchers must be rooting about in ancient huge bird s**** er faeces what a (excuse the pun) load of old crap. It’s reported as being a treasure trove of info but why do we need to know all this. I mean is it to keep these researchers in a job so they can feed their loved ones or what? I mean I’m talking crap here now ancient plain old fashioned bird shit. Do we really want to know about all this discovered recently; prior to this these huge bird turds for want of a better word have been buried underneath caves for millennia. This stuff has a name it seems they are called coprolites; sounds better than turds I suppose. Some professor on this site reckons that we in Australia should have some of this gargantuan stuff from giant marsupials from the past. I don’t think we need him here to dig up any of this crap we have plenty of the new stuff. That poses a question; I wonder what people of similar interests will find here in a few millennia? Still not to worry our animals will be too small I reckon. On the other hand maybe not if these researchers now decide to have a go at making one of these giant birds from DNA found in these huge Mounds (good word) of bird droppings. In the future they may think it was us and the small crap of today could be attributed to their young

Using public monies I see right up to the end

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of my arch enemies (should have been impeached) G.W.Bush made his final boots and all free trips (for him) to Virginia today. The occasion his last flight on Air Force one for a ceremony at the Norfolk Navy base I guess…it was in fact the commissioning of the USS nuclear powered aircraft carrier the George HW Bush. This carrier is of the Nimitz class…a grand ship actually, I like the look of her…The aircraft carrier will be the 10th and final Nimitz-class sub and the ninth in the Navy's fleet. All the usual hangers on were present naturally like dead eye Dick, Miz Condi and Gates…why not they never paid the good old American taxpayer did. I did mention Bush’s Momma came along as well I hope can’t leave her out of this gathering can we. Cripes Bush actually said Mom was a strong force of nature Sis was there too would you believe Dotty Koch…in fact it was her who did the business you can read it on Australian ABC here. I don’t think Bush actually realises that most of the American people are actually sick of this war that has killed so many; in fact I’ve lost count of how many. And the cost well the mind boggles. I hope along with many Americans that the new President will endeavour to bring a halt to this but I get a feeling it won’t happen not yet anyway

Unveiling windows 7 Beta

On Wednesday night so I read, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is going to step on stage at the Venetian Hotel’s Palazzo Ballroom to give the keynote address that kicks off the Consumer Electronics Show. It’s the first time for Ballmer, who’s taking the slot that his predecessor Bill Gates has had for years. It’s widely expected that Ballmer will publicly unveil Windows 7 Beta 1, just as Gates used the stage to announce previous Windows versions. He’ll no doubt have an entourage of product managers to help him do the actual demos, hopefully inspiring a wow or two from the assembled throngs. I’m looking forward to the demo, even though I don’t expect any surprises. Mostly, I’m going to be listening between the lines, paying attention to the things that Microsoft chooses not to talk about. In the spirit of the occasion, I offer up the following predictions of things that Ballmer will take great pains to avoid saying. 1. “Some of you are going to hate our new OS, no matter what we do.” Building software is part art, part science, and all compromise. Every design decision involves tradeoffs in performance, in ease of use for novices versus raw power for experts, even in aesthetics. I addressed some of these issues in a post I wrote last year, I fully expect each succeeding wave of Windows 7 reviews to include plenty of “Microsoft sucks” commentary. Especially from InfoWorld. The back and forth between my ZDNet colleague Jason Perlow and me last week illustrates this principle perfectly. Jason (and the commenter’s who agree with his point of view) want Microsoft to offer an option that allows them to use their system using the Windows interface they mastered in 1998. I think pursuing that backward-looking strategy would be a massive waste of limited development resources. The bottom line is you can’t please everyone, and one size will never fit all. So the big question for Microsoft is whether they can please enough people and generate enough positive buzz to drown out the negative voices. 2. “Good luck finding drivers for all your old XP-only hardware.” (sheer rubbish) Over the past few months, I’ve installed and used Windows 7 on a dozen separate systems, representing a wide range in hardware capability and all sorts of different form factors. Virtually every one of those systems had also run Windows Vista at some point in its lab lifecycle, which made it easy for me to track down the best drivers for each subsystem and peripheral. Over the course of the last two years, I’ve discarded or replaced a handful of devices that didn’t work at all with Vista: several network cards, some storage adapters, a scanner, a TV tuner. In every case, I had to replace the unsupported part or do without. The good news is that the driver model for Windows 7 is identical to that of Windows Vista, so all the hardware I now own (and all the drivers I’ve bookmarked and saved) will work on upgraded systems. So, what happens to people who decided to skip Vista and stick with XP, for whatever reason? They get to face those exact same issues. If your device doesn’t have a driver for Windows Vista, it will not work under Windows 7. Period. Full stop. 3. “We’re still at the mercy of our clueless OEM partners – and so are you.” Some of the worst complaints about Windows Vista came from users who were subjected to horrible installations from OEMs, with poorly written drivers, inadequate hardware, and great heaping helpings of crapware to slow everything down to a crawl. I had the chance to see this phenomenon up close and personal last year, when I rebuilt a Sony VAIO whose performance with Windows Vista was so awful that its owner basically wrote it off and bought a new Mac Book. After a clean installation, including Vista Service Pack 1, its performance was eye-opening and impressive. Since that time, Sony, Dell, and other top-tier OEMs have cleaned up their acts impressively. But even if Windows 7 turns out to be an excellent operating system, there’s still the potential for it to be scuttled by sloppy or greedy hardware makers. Microsoft executives are jawboning like crazy with their hardware partners; you know they’ll be holding their breath after the launch to see how those systems perform in the real world. 4. “It might be years before we have a killer application for Vista or Windows 7.” The myth of the “killer app” has never been stronger than with Windows Vista. The idea refers to some program that performs an absolutely irresistible function and only runs on a particular platform. If you need that program, you have to upgrade to the new OS. But software developers, including Microsoft, aren’t interested in cutting off customers who still use older platforms, especially in this tight economy. So, as a result, most popular Windows programs these days are written to run on Windows XP, Vista, and (soon) Windows 7. And there’s no sign that’s going to change anytime soon. If anything, Microsoft is doing its best to avoid any kind of Vista-only software. The new Windows Live Essentials bundle, for example, works on XP and Vista, as does Windows Live Mesh and every member of the Microsoft Office family. None of those programs are going to drop XP support anytime soon (although it’s remotely possible that the next version of Office will work only on Vista or later). That strategy of wide backward compatibility is the right thing to do for customers, but it bolsters the argument of those who contend that a killer app is the only reason to upgrade. 5. “Our licensing terms are as hopelessly confusing as ever.” Microsoft hasn’t gotten around to announcing how many editions of Windows 7 it plans to produce or what their prices will be. But one thing is certain: the confusing, multi-layered Windows business model isn’t going to change. Royalty OEMs (the big PC makers like HP, Dell, Sony, and Toshiba) have one price list and one set of terms. Small system builders have another set of rules. Retail copies are horrendously overpriced. Enterprise customers have to navigate through a thicket of price lists and volume licensing programs that actually require their own certification programs. And even Microsoft sometimes contradicts itself completely on how licensing terms apply to some customers. These predictions were sent to me by an e-mail friend where she got them from God only knows, as I get them from various sources like newsletters etc anyway; I have however seen screenshots of the new windows 7 and was impressed so I will get it . I use vista but lately I have been using my XP computer as I can’t seem to get service pack one for vista; something odd with that as I can get the service pack one for Vista on my laptop If you are worried about getting drivers for XP just write and ask me and I will tell you where you can find them on your computer. I put mine on to a CD-Rom mind you a lot of my XP extra’s like a webcam and scanner to name but two will not work on Vista nor will Nero you have to purchase Nero 8 or 9, so in a way I’m glad I went back to using XP professional. I can always change the boot order if I wish and bring up the vista operating system But looking at this screenshot...to my unpractised eye it just looks like Vista

What a tragic waste of money

My local council is mean so I read on HERE Yes I have no doubt they were mean regarding the pyrotechnic displays to welcome in 2009. Our very own fireworks resident Guru chipped in $16,500 of his own money still at the same time when one considers the financial climate we live in today, one must ponder whether we should have them at all. No I am not being miserly just practical; I was shocked and stunned good people when I read on the link of the amount of money that just went up in smoke merely to welcome in 2009 when there is so much suffering and hunger in the world. Homeless comes into this category although thinking hard and long about the homeless, there is absolutely no need to be homeless in Australia. People may disagree with my view on Australia’s homeless so let them but there are social security payments, free medical and cheap public housing all available in my country I cannot say the same for other countries of course but the amounts spent on these celebrations were horrendous, it mentions the amounts on the site as you would have already seen. However a recap from the site reveals that the Gold Coast had spent $160,000, Brisbane had budgeted about $280,000, Melbourne had $1.4 million worth of fireworks and Sydney had more than $5 million. What a tragic waste in my view I’m sure that our disadvantaged folk would have just loved a share of these amounts even countries like Rwanda...just look at the starving kids there. But no it had to be spent on stuff like this as shown on the video below

http://www.livevideo.com

Comments are most welcome

Do you want excellent employment prospects

So you want a job with excellent prospects and better yet fantastic time off (with pay of course) if so this is the job for you...AUSTRALIA POST who like any other normal blood sucking money grabber will have today off with pay of course (Friday here January the 2nd ) they already had Thursday off along with other workers for the New Year. This unsatisfactory (to me at least) arrangement must be addressed Kev why oh why is this blatant use of the taxpayers money being permitted. This I must admit has been happening for years this mob never work on a Saturday morning; strangely for the last three Saturday mornings they have. Oh of course that accounts for a working day closure today. Another strange thing is that sub Post offices do open well some of them. Seems to me it is just like the banks a very minute few open on a Saturday morning. This is even worse as they have to answer to a board of directors. After some checking I find our politicos get a real cushy time and go back to running Australia around the middle of February. I find this state of affairs to be a bloody disgrace these jokers do a hell of a lot better than our posties even, To get back to the original whinge or whine if you are American something has to be done about this and NOW not twenty years down the track

This is what we here in Australia call a mongrel dog.

Yes you got it he's a crook he's under investigation, he has been warned by the DA to put up or shut up. they will arrest him no worries and yet this is the Governor of Illinois. The mind boggles at how corrupt this nation of mainly decent honest people has sunk to. I have been reading about this most of the day. I thought we Australians had colourful language not so...This man and some of his cronies need their mouths washed out with carbolic soap...I dont' think I swore as much as this mob when I was a soldier. I read a little on it here so you can make your own mind up...I just hope this does not rub off on President elect Barack Obama...something I have noticed now all the hoo ha has died down I am in contact with an American friend her opinion is he will go to gaol...it seems it has been in the American media for some considerable time...but only recently here in Oz. I definitely did not like this statement a direct Quote "Governor Blagojevich was caught on FBI tapes referring to Mr Obama in a derogatory fashion calling him a mother f****r unquote". This bloke is the elected (hmm) Governor of a state in the USA and he uses such derogatory language...he would not have lasted long in Queensland I assure you. The man is just a pig. comments most welcome

I don't like this.

This reminds me of the Gough Whitlam era which was brought undone by proposed off shore loans called in those far off days petro-dollar loans. My personal opinion is that Kev is possibly going too far. The younger generation may not think so; thank goodness we have an older generation that recalls this only too well. My memory was jogged about this not only by reports in the media but also by a Canadian friend who was telling me about the activities of the Canadian opposition and the role of their Governor General (GG) the Monarchs representative. This representative in all British Commonwealth countries has certain powers as old Gough found out (yes he is still alive and pretty robust for 91) so hopefully the Canadian one works out a solution ok. I’m worried about our so called esteemed PM falling into the same trap. His plans are much to grandiose for us Australians I fear he must pull his head in on this, this is my view...but not his of course naturally the trouble is we ordinary Australians suffer if he makes a blue, but not him he’s a wealthy man his wife more so...he has no worries just us idiots do...big worries at that. A direct quote “The Whitlam government (1972-75) was rocked by revelations that rogue ministers had enlisted Khemlani to raise billions from Arab nations. Unquote” According to the leader of the Australian Federal opposition Mal Turnbull it’s the Kev-lani road show which is a mere reference to Tirath Khemlani the Pakistani commodity dealer in Whitlam’s day More can be read here and also here

The Media and Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds does his own thing to whatever he does, whether he is bowling or batting, his batting is in the mould of David Hooks. Legend has it that Symonds, a dreadlocked Queensland larrikin, once turned up barefoot and wearing a cowboy hat for a contract meeting with Cricket Australia's then-chief executive Malcolm Speed. He also graciously ruled himself ineligible for any award at the 2006 Allan Border Medal - he would have been the One-Day Player of the Year - after being suspended for turning up drunk before Australia's embarrassing loss to Bangladesh on the 2005 Ashes tour. Sadly that was true But One day changed everything. Striding out with his team in strife against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup, a game and tournament he never expected to play in, Symonds sculpted a masterly 143 not out in 125 balls. Until that day, he had mustered just 762 one-day runs at only 23; ever since he has averaged more than 45 and become a hero to the masses. "In the past," he admits, "I was a man without a map when I went out to bat." Now he understands his one-day role perfectly - he could have claimed to be the side's most valuable player after pounding three hundreds and taking 21 wickets in 2005-06. His impact on limited-overs cricket was shown the following season after he ripped a tendon from his arm. Without him the team struggled to its worst losing streak in a decade. Symonds proved he was an incredibly quick healer by entering the World Cup mid-tournament and was part of his second consecutive triumph. Symonds could have played for England but dreamed only of wearing the baggy green. In 2004 his fantasy was fulfilled in Sri Lanka . He batted gamely and was dumped after two Tests. Almost two years later Facing the axe, he cracked a huge six at the MCG to open his scoring with 72 from 54 balls, but was dropped on the Bangladesh tour after the previous series against South Africa. Given another opportunity when Shane Watson was injured and Damien Martyn retired, he appeared in his first Ashes series and reached a career high in his second game with 156 at the MCG. Batting with his fishing mate Matt Hayden. Last year with 777 runs in nine Tests against Sri Lanka, India and West Indies. The high was an unbeaten 162 in the first innings at the SCG, which was quickly followed by a lengthy race row involving Harbhajan Singh. These problems did not prevent him becoming the most popular overseas player at the Indian Premier League auction, where he sold for US$1.35m, After the tournament he switched back into five-day mode and a pair of half-centuries in the tight opening contest with West Indies showed his growing batting maturity and sense of security at Test level. By the end of the campaign his average was a respectable 44.65. His off-field attitude has been odd it’s true when he went fishing in Darwin when he should have been at a team meeting. Symonds was sent home from the series he was picked for this series against NZ. As I see it he played well within himself what bugs me is the way the Media, the ACB and even ex cricketers are out to get him just because he has a few beers after the game, to me it was a trumped up job other sportsmen were in that pub and drinking with Symmo according to them it was all B/S it is my opinion as well. Somebody on the ACB is out to get him with the media’s help they will damn journos. More on Cricket

Medvedev a meddler or mischievous

I see there are Russian warships in the Caribbean to begin so called exercises with the Venezuelan Navy. This just happens to come at a time when Meddler Medvedev visits this South American Country (I smell oil) he's Definitely not the Khrushchev type or is he it looks to me as though he is throwing down the gauntlet to President Elect Obama. Typical of a man like him he knows full well that the USA is in the process of changing Presidents. I read about exercises and coincidences; I don't believe in coincidence, there is a method in this bloke's madness. Lookee here "Of course these are not times of Cuba and missiles in Cuba" says Teodoro Petkoff, a journalist. For what it is worth I reckon Medvedev is trying it on knowing full well the strain this will place on President Elect Obama. If this is not a provocation why does the Venezuelan president keep stating that it is not of course it's a provocation the American President Elect has enough worries as it is without this meddler. It's obvious to me at least that he is after a warm water port at the same time it seems he is putting the pressure on President Elect Obama. Can you just hear the whinges of him and Putin were the position reversed? I can. I took this blog from my blog on StumbleUpon partly to permit a wider audience to read it, I'm talking the likes of Technorati now But you can read it on this site

Is China a Petulant Child

I see the Red Chinese government is acting like a spoiled child once more what can you expect from a communist regime? I was not aware his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama lived in China. The reds seem to have forgotten that also the fact they just upped and reclaimed Tibet like they did. Of course most of us realise that The Red Chinese Government has considerable power in the world today, a country that uses our system but at the same time denounces it. Yeah I know the 14th Dalai Lama is a sore point with them don’t you just love it I do it makes that high and mighty HU (well he thinks he is the man) look just like a dork I just love that. Make no mistake the Red Chinese Government are murderers think back to Tiananmen Square. He kicked up a stink when the Dalai Lama came here as I recall and our (at the time John Howard) PM had to be nagged and nagged until public pressure made him speak to his holiness. What will happen with Kev at the helm is anyone’s guess I do know prior to taking office he snubbed the gentleman this was in May 2007 and was more or less forced to meet him things hopefully may have changed somewhat now. But now it appears not according to our very own ABC online. The reason oh just the usual jaunt around the world; at the taxpayer’s expense of course so he has delegated this job to the Government leader in the senate, our deputy PM jetting off to New Zealand. According to the ABC Rudd denies avoiding his Holiness; I guess he would have had to say something like that. Comments most welcome

Governor of New Mexico a large consideration

American Democrat officials today said Barack Obama is seriously considering Hillary Clinton or Bill Richardson to be his secretary of State. Richardson the New Mexico Governor has a fair bit of foreign policy under his belt with good qualifications these include a UN ambassadorship in the Clinton Administration plus diplomacy qualifications in the Sudan and North Korea. For what it is worth I reckon Hilary will be asked personally as after she stepped down in favour of B Obama she tirelessly worked her utmost for him; I could be wrong of course. More on that can be read here on the Sydney Morning Herald’s online news. I have been receiving a lot of e-mail from friends lately who seem to wish to return to the Republican way and are back to their usual thing of sending mail to how it was prior to the election. I ignore it in the main but often wonder why they bother to do it, the man (yes he is the man now isn’t he) got voted in fair and square by the American people he never squeaked in on a court decision like GW Bush did either he was actually voted into office. We here in Australia had one hell of a shock when Bush got in like that; to me that is not a fair and just decision. It seems certain that the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is hoping to meet with Barack Obama very soon, reading between the lines I reckon they have reached an understanding; I certainly hope so as thinking about it Russia and America have so much in common with each other as countries. Today in America I read racism is a very current issue in fact at this moment in time there is (I had a bloody shock when I read this) 751 hate groups against in the main racism ethnicity and religion. This does not speak well of the ordinary citizen who is just trying to make a living etc, the KKK come into this make no bones about it there was a time when law enforcement officers were members; there probably still are who knows only the inhabitants I guess. This sort of thing is something to be ashamed of how these people who think this way can sleep at nights has me puzzled. I have just been reading about sport some wag suggests it is the main cause of American racism I think that is a lot of crap. It is just competition I like to win when I play games I don't use that as an excuse if I lose. The Brits have the right idea by being seen as a good sportsman/woman. We here in Australia think much the same way sport is to be played in the spirit of the game; not so in the USA sadly. Another thing that pisses me off is why are coloured Americans called African Americans? Because I guess their forbears were slaves, Is that their fault no it is not to me they are American thankfully they may get a chance here once Barack Obama is sworn in. I really hope he turns America on its back if I was him after all of it dies down after the swearing in I would make the American government apologise to the coloured Americans just like our prime minister had to, he had to apologise to the stolen generations of our indigenous people because the previous Prime Minister would not. The previous one was of the same political beliefs as your Republican president. I can't wait for January the 20th to be honest I might write him a letter suggesting an apology once the dust has settled. Then there is recourse to these people the ACLU read what Mr. Obama said on the 1st of August 2007 I’ll tell you ok “As President, I will close Guantánamo, reject the Military Commissions Act, and adhere to the Geneva Conventions”

I don't like this at all

This is just big brother Rudd one idiotic Prime Minister who has let the job go to his head. Who the hell does he and the rest of our federal government think they are? In the beginning I thought he was an ok bloke but no the man is a devious snake who has allowed his power to go to his head. I shall not vote for the Australian Labor party again. He is going to block 10,000 websites from our right to view them. I think he should get off his backside and apologise look how he treated GW Bush now he thinks all Australians are idiots as well. These websites might be bad sites but it is our right as free individual’s to view what content we please. Conroy is just as bad indeed the whole Caucus is for allowing this sort of thing. I would describe this as the work of an oily heap of crap, Rudd it seems is one smooth talking bastard; not the Mr nice guy he strives to show the world Read all about this on this site

A follow up to yesterday's Remembrance day post

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To those in America, and the countries of the British empire the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in their country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and also because of the opportunity it gave America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations. These two Videos shows the start of the war and also some of the courtesies displayed to enemy combatants.

Lest we forget

Remembrance Day 2008 Remembrance Day is always observed on 11 of November, in Australia although the day is not a public holiday. Services are held at 11am at war memorials in suburbs and towns across the country, at which "Last Post" is sounded by a bugler and a one-minute silence is observed. They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them nor the year’s condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them Lest we forget Recently road works in Gallipoli have uncovered the remains of soldiers killed there in 1915 during World War I. Australians from all walks of life have expressed concern about our diggers’ last resting place being disturbed. This tells me at least that the ANZAC legend has been embraced by most Australians and going strong. But with Remembrance Day (November 11) tomorrow we need to include those from the Vietnam War as part of this legend. It seems there are those who still make a “distinction” between Gallipoli and Vietnam, even though there are similarities. The Gallipoli campaign, fought on the shores of Turkey and starting on April 25, 1915, involved Australian soldiers being sent to invade a foreign state, the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and ease the pressure on our then ally Russia. These soldiers and sailors by the way volunteered to go to bat for a country most had never seen, we were part of the British Empire then. The eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month is also remembered by many military from many countries besides British, Canadian, South African and the USA. The whole stanza which contains the ode can be read on this site Lest we forget

Post-mortems who needs em

I see absolutely no need for all these so called political writers holding posts after the event Mr Obama won fair and square. For what do they do these things if only there was a way of speeding up the inauguration process now yeah that would work for me? Naturally they cannot so that's that. I meant to say that Mr Obama has a MySpace and Facebook account he also has a website called a change of Government just here I like it I like what he says on his site I quote “"Immediately after I become president I will confront this economic crisis head-on by taking all necessary steps to ease the credit crisis, help hard-working families, and restore growth and prosperity," President-Elect Obama said unquote” More on here

Elections Elections Elections

Elections Elections Elections All we seem to read or hear these days is elections last year Kev ran and won in Australia, on Tuesday it was time for a new American President who scored an incredible win over his lacklustre Republican rival. Now the tide has turned yet again against the ruling New Zealand labour party...for the first time in nine years a conservative will run this tiny country. John Key is his name he has been in the NZ opposition party for a mere six years. John a former currency trader who is Jewish and conservative promises change but not where nuclear ships are concerned which annoyed the USA a few years back now...it threatened the ANZUS Treaty I recall that well. We are of the same opinion here in good old OZ and yet a blind eye was turned for us. A lot of problems in NZ most don't know about one of which is the Maori Party. John Key does not need their support but is going to ask them as a matter of courtesy I assume...I applaud that Sadly Helen had no personality like this guy or our esteemed leader. I cannot offer an opinion as to the U S President Elect at this time re personality but he certainly was wanted ...that pleased me More of this can be read here

So what's your problem Indonesia

These murderers are just that murderers they were found guilty sentenced the sentence has been postponed so many times that most of us have lost count. One wonders if the shoe was on the other foot would we as Westerners and Christians have been executed...of course we would. How about getting on with the job Indonesia personally I reckon you as a government are frightened. You strut about in your uniforms as though you are heavens gift to women but you can't or won't do your jobs if you can help it. Ah of course you are Moslem like those three maniacs who thought it simply great to bomb a western tourist resort on your Island of Bali. You even needed our Federal police to help you find these scum of the earth. More on these three scumbags can be read here

Meet The new 44th President of the USA

This gentleman will be sworn in in January 2009 as the 44th President of the USA

You made the correct choice America in my opinion most of the world thinks so also...Obama carried Ohio for the first time since 1964 it is now a Democrat state the results for Iowa were astounding seriously America you have to clean up your act and Senator Obama is the man I reckon to do the job not some old bloke of 72 with a budding barbie doll as a vice president.

Ok so he’s a war hero so what a lot of us are we don't tell the world that or use it to get elected most heroes are modest

A new broom sweeps clean we found when we elected a new leader late last year.

In some states there was not a lot in it but over all senator Obama will sworn in as your 44^th President in January2009 succeeding the sitting Incumbent G W Bush pictured below

I thought I had seen it all

Folks do you really believe this rubbish as I certainly don’t and the cost $210,000 Australian.

This is how the British propose to treat unruly school children.

They are getting their feet rubbed what a crock of crap.

Here the world is watching a new man being voted into the white house and unruly London kids will soon be getting foot rubs

"It's incredibly important that we address young people's behavioural problems," a council spokeswoman said.

The conservative MP John Penrose got it right "Experienced teachers have a range of ways of dealing with badly behaved pupils and stroking their feet is not one of them," Mr Penrose said.

I read a publication which is available online but a friend sends it I’m wondering what his comments on this ridiculous scheme are.

Surely the British are not that naive as to fall for this which has been mooted by a south London Lambeth council.

As Mark Wallace, from the Taxpayers' Alliance said nothing for children who work hard and luxuries for naughty children this sounds a very familiar story to me.

Comments welcome