Hundreds of Millions Huh

I have just read an interesting article in the Sydney morning Herald on speeding fines; it seems a Judge ruled all cases [invalid] since 1999 so I may get some money back as I copped a couple well to be honest more than a couple between 1999 and 2003 so here’s hoping for a tax free windfall from the NSW government. And now I copped one in Qld but theirs is much cheaper and I was speeding but I may not have been speeding in NSW. The way I read it no money will be forthcoming but when somebody lodges a lawsuit and they will then yep I just might get some extra bucks, one wonders about interest on this money but I’m sure some joker will fix that up so I am feeling good today now bloody oath I am. ```````````````````````````````````````````

YEAH OK SO I’m A HEADBANGER SO WHAT

Turn on full audio plus Woo yeah man This is one of my favourite groups before they split up I might be a tad long in the tooth but they sure get me going I only wish I had the whole album to show you yeah of course I have it its blasting out right now LOL So enjoy ok all courtesy of YouTube and Web0

To Sydney and the most beautiful natural Harbour in the World

Both of these clips are courtesy of You Tube and the folk who made them. So a big hand for them and I promise you will love it when you get here just call me ok and I will show you around a bit of the place depending on my schedule of course really all you have to remember is that we drive on the correct side of the road LOL yeah you got it the left hand side. Still you have to land and go through immigration and customs first; some of our customs are strange be warned. Enjoy

THIS REALLY IS TOO MUCH BUT IS IT TRUE I WONDER

A SORT OF STAR OF DAVID BADGE to be worn I sometimes wonder what this world is coming to I really do. It all stems from this report that I read in the National Post (Canada) a [news] story and column by Iranian-born analyst Amir Taheri reporting that the Iranian parliament had passed a sweeping new law this week outlining proper dress for Iran’s majority Muslims, including an order for Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians (yeah I had to look the last one up and am not much wiser lol) to wear special strips of cloth. According to the reports, Jews were to wear yellow cloth strips, called zonnar, while Christians were to wear red and Zoroastrians blue. I was at once going to write a scathing piece denouncing it as it brought to mind visions of the Holocaust in WW11 where a similar law was enforced; however it now seems that the Post has admitted there is no real truth in it; all the same I wonder. I was not aware that so many Jews and Christians lived in Iran and that other mob as well, sadly I cannot give the figures as it seems they are not on the site now; however one member of the Iranian Parliament is a Jew which I must admit I found odd. All the same there is something in this even though the [Jerusalem Post] denies it as internal Security Minister Avi Dichter responded to the new law Friday night, saying, "Whoever makes Jews anywhere wear the yellow star again, will find themselves in a coffin draped in black." I myself reckon there is something in this as the purpose of this strenuously denied law I quote” The purpose for the law was to prevent Muslims from becoming NAJIS {"unclean"} by accidentally shaking the hands of non-Muslims in public” unquote. According to [Wiki] there is a draft of this so called law before the Iranian Parliament. As to being unclean well having seen Moslems on the streets in Moslem countries filthy dirty and in one country crawling with lice; huge beasties as well I really don’t know what all the ruckus is about; ah silly me all this right hand business is what it’s about if true. But there definitely is something in these reports and they loathe westerners and they wonder why we loathe them. Personally I have stuck up for these countries on human rights issues and still will but it sure leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

This is not good for the game

There is always controversy when umpire Darrell Hair is officiating at cricket and it’s only fair to note that he is always accusing players from the Sub Continent; mind you after seeing Pakistan in action something is afoot. I myself reckon that he was correct in this decision as well “in 1995 he called Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan for chucking - using an illegal bowling action”. However it was checked and found it was not so; many of us think he still was and I noticed his shirt was different than the other players in the sleeves to cover his arm action when bowling; but it is claimed he suffered from some illness or other and the end result was a misshapen elbow. He most likely did have this illness but I reckon he was a chucker even after the bowling great Dennis Lillee said he checked out ok but I digress I have to get back to [Pakistan] a nation of fine cricketers but this is not the first time they have been accused of ball tampering. To be fair most teams have been accused of it strangely enough it usually happens on the Sub Continent. England was accused of it but sweet talked their way out of it. Possibly our blokes have as well to be honest (ah not us we are not cheats) but whatever as this report says it is a 129 years since this has happened a long time between drinks wouldn’t you say. Still a grand game cricket although I don’t think my American friends would think so This site has more on [this] How George got in on this is a mystery indeed and there are 7 or 8 images of him practicing the game oh boy what a hoot. You will get your eye in George mate LMAO. ````````````````````````````````````````

Another Clown South African I'd say

Dolphins are not in my estimation stupid as this [report] says good grief they have been used doing various tasks for Navies in the world notably the US Navy and also the old Soviet Navy and all this started way back in the sixties. Something is very wrong with this study (yeah another useless study) by the Witwatersrand’s University situated in South Africa I would say. This [site] could save your grant for your study quite easily just send any monies to me after reading this I meant that. Paul Manger yeah well look into it a little further before stating such idiotic facts as I can assure you that no dolphin, porpoise or whale is stupid I guess that honour goes to you; methinks you are the stupid one. now this [site] is a real goodie I reckon. I have other names I could call you but I would not dignify myself by doing that; it would belittle me not you if I did. Just put up and shut up willya.

Off Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast Qld Australia

Not one of our better days sadly as it looked a bit rough out there anyway I hope you like this clip it will either fascinate or frighten you so enjoy.

SPACE THE FINAL FRONTIER

Looks a tad like Captain Kirk's Ship the Enterprise I thought. Well in two years at least and NASA will be using our Woomera base to launch a rocket to the ISS so I read [here] this morning courtesy of the South Australia Advertiser. I hope I am still around to watch this as I have always been interested in outer space long before any rockets left Earth although I did have the nasty experience of seeing Hitler’s rockets soaring over England in WW11 but all this is in my wartime memories. Another space concept I have read about is the ATV Vehicle pictured here (an artist’s impression). but if it has not yet happened well it will; it seems a better idea than costly launches by NASA shuttle craft as well in my opinion. What I would really like to know with billions of others is this (IS THERE LIFE SIMILAR TO US) I sure hope so as I fail to see in this vast Galaxy we live in that this is not possible in fact it has to be I mean why not is all this for us and us alone? I don’t think so. When I mean life I don’t mean lichen either which has some scientists in such frenzy; ok it is life but I mean people like you or I not some piece of moss and such. I am now resigned to the fact that the so called aliens discovered near Rockwell was a hoax purported by the US Government as well. For some time I also believed this [depicted] and am still trying to but I have doubts but for anybody interested in space this is a must they are supposed to be actual conversations or the transcripts of them but you must read it properly to understand it. The best way is to click on every link and you will be fascinated by what is described here The best link is here this is actually a movie filmed in March 2006 by [Crystal ]Productions and goes for some 13 or 16 minutes depending on choice; I opted for the longer one and I must admit it has reawakened me a tad in Serpo Interview with Bill Ryan at Laughlin, Nevada UFO Congress March 2006. Shot, edited and directed by Kerry Lynn Cassidy Music by Rick Katz and Kerry Lynn Cassidy For more information go to:[ I trust you who are interested in outer space will be interested in this you know it sounds very feasible even though there are a few inconsistencies minor ones in my view see it has sparked me up again oh boy I will be dreaming of this tonight This below is an actual quote from the home page of this (I truly want to believe) serpo website {“I printed all the information... and provided the retired USAF Colonel] a copy... I watched his eyes and facial expressions. After he was finished, he stated, 'Oh my God, who on this Earth would release such classified material?' I then asked him if all this information was real. His simple answer was, 'Yes, all real'.”} Air Force Lieutenant Colonel currently assigned to the Pentagon (name supplied) I sure hope I have piqued your interest it gave me a reminder all stemming from a news article I read today. Images courtesy of NASA

My third trip with the Royal Australian Navy

Well yeah I enjoyed this trip as well on board HMAS Darwin an FFG 04 A little TECHIE info for I start ok. Laid Down: Launched: 26 March 1982 Commissioned: 21 July 1984 Displacement: 4,100 tonnes Length: 138.1 metres Beam: 13.7 metres Armament: 76mm rapid fire gun, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Standard surface to air missiles, Phalanx Mk15 close-in weapon system, 2 triple anti-submarine torpedo tubes for Mk 46 torpedoes 'Nulka' Anti-Ship Missile Defence Main Machinery: 2 General Electric LM2500 gas turbines geared to a single controllable pitch propeller Speed: More than 30 knots Ship's Company: Approximately 221. And you can read all about her and other vessels of The RAN on this site {Aussie Navy}. It was a long time ago now but I will try and recall as much as I can. I went aboard her with both of my son’s on a Sunday as I recall afterwards we went to the Pub down at the Dockside and had a few beers; my oldest son went home but I stayed sadly and got terribly drunk I guess I thought I was the age of my youngest son and his mates also an American aircraft carrier was in port full of Marines which no doubt spurred me on. Enough of that I bunked in the Petty officers mess this time as my son had been promoted a further promotion did occur but I was back home then. Strangely enough I scored a women petty officer’s bunk as she was on leave (furlough) at the time. The tucker was the same except it was delivered to our own mess to eat showers etc were excellent as is usual in our Navy. My adventures aboard were much the same really as my trip on HMAS Brisbane except this time I got to fire an AK-47 where that came from I don’t know and although curious never asked; I had seen one on the Brisbane oddly enough. To cut to the chase we all of us Fathers were invited to the stern (the rear) to have some Machine gun practice firing at balloons which were bobbing around all over the place I was given the usual safety instructions but being ex military knew them so I told the young sailor this needless to say I never popped a balloon still none of the others did either so I felt better after that, A difficult thing to do actually. We witnessed missile firing, guns firing (no wonder I’m deaf) even a rescue at sea an exercise of course. All good entertaining stuff all in all I enjoyed it. I must say I got one or two shocks as a lot of the crew were young women indeed as we sailed a patrol boat steamed a tad close but closer enough to see there were female officers aboard; this was quite a new thing then I thought but it seems not. So first day out at sea and to go up top you have to clamber all over bodies to get where you were going male and female all suffering from gigantic hangovers like me lol. Seems this is the norm on our ships; there were none on the Brisbane though still I am talking years later. Anyways one arvo I am sitting in the mess reading a book just me and the Bosun and a knock was heard at the door; the Bosun says see who that is Mick wouldya. No worries so I opens the door and there’s a young female sailor there wants to wake a bloke up. The Bosun he just said let her in so I did but I knew for a damm fact that all the blokes in there asleep were all stark naked; it seems that’s the norm now as well as I enquired about it still I was a bit long in the tooth to them I guess; I know I am now but. I liked the Bosun he seemed a fair dinkum bloke everywhere I went he seemed to be involved but he was a fair bloke with the crew. It seems the Skipper was prone to sea sickness most of his other commands were Submarines and he preferred it under the waves. But having been aboard a Submarine I know I could not hack it. This is a hoot nobody but nobody is allowed up topside at night dangerous I guess but if you wanted to smoke that’s where you had to go; the cruncher is they all smoked in the little gym they had made out of a disused gun turret I really got a laugh outta that I tell you. Ah well all good things come to an end so as soon as we docked I went off to the Railway station for the trip back to in Taree in NSW. This is a pic of her I preferred the Brisbane I think but still a fine ship for all that the same type as the USS Reuben James in my last yarn.

I Have decided

I think I will stop posting for a while as I have a number of reasons. 1- I rarely if ever get a comment 2- On the rare occasion when I have it is usually from the same two bloggers and then it is not frequent. Myself I comment on several blogs some better in my opinion of course than others; I do however make a comment. We are all entitled to our opinions naturally. I have also seen some blogs which are very well written and no doubt different than mine but it’s the same old nobody ever bothers to comment on them either well sometimes but it is rare. So I am taking a good month’s sabbatical on blogging on blogspot at any rate. I do have another blog well 2 more in fact and I seem to get more comments on them than on blogspot. Also blogspot seems to have this dammed Beta in operation which at the moment is not working so well at the moment for me at any rate. Another thing I have come across all to frequently in this world of blogging is how folk seem to blog on the same subject as I myself have possibly leaked to somebody via a chat on instant messenger. It seemed to be a good idea at the time and I in fact still like blogging but I will be more circumspect in the future I think. Will be back maybe on the battle of Britain memorial day.

More on medical studies

I read this with great interest as I suffer from it myself. My Doctor offered me the test indeed he made out a referral to ensure I got one done and if he saw me downtown he nagged me until I had one. Also it is advertised in pharmacies in every state in Australia I have been to; I have been to a few as well so I tend to think this report a load of bull myself. Most of my neighbours who are elderly like me have been tested for it as well as a matter of fact it cropped up in a conversation the other day before I saw this [report]. Just goes to show that you cannot believe all these things published by the fourth estate in my opinion. Doctors here are very aware of this problem in fact I would say it is most likely the patient who does not bother to have these tests done. I myself never until I realised that was the reason I kept breaking bones just simply falling. I am talking simple falls here where usually you only cop a sprain not a fracture. What is more this test is free or if you have money one just claims it back on their health plan. The treatment is only a once a week tablet (pill) So yeah another piece of junk to write to sell newspapers I guess just my opinion of course.

WARNING

I SUGGEST THAT NOBODY USES BLOGGER’S BETA VERSION IT’S NO GOOD AS YET I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT ALL DAY AND IN THE END HAD TO USE THE ENEMY INTERNET EXPLORER WHERE I ACTUALLY FOUND MYSELF STILL SIGNED IN. BEWARE PLEASE ALL OF YOU. ACORDING TO GOOGLE MY GMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT VALID THEY SAY THEY HAVE SENT ME MY PASSWORD BUT I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL DAY NOW. ZILCH. It is still not yet 100% either Blogger is tending to drive me nuts.

Beattie’s Death Knell?

WELL I HOPE NOT Ok yeah you look and act like an affable bloke going around on the election trail with yer Akubra Hat on yer head but that’s not enough mate. Far too many to list here but one in particular sticks in my craw Medical. I am slowly going blind here waiting for a cataract removal three years now awaiting and hey GET THIS the surgery procedure is down to around six minutes now compared to the twenty when I had one eye done (good old eye he’s taking a beating as it’s just a blur out of the other eye) I get phone calls, letters etc oh yes I am or was on the short list as well. BUT it was insisted I take another eye test at the taxpayer’s expense when it’s bloody obvious that I have had these tests. Yeah I did down in NSW; the waiting time there was only eighteen months before getting a Seeing Eye dog. Don’t forget the electricity reform you promised as we have yet to see it. If the opposition wasn’t so bloody weak I would be tempted to vote for them at least you are not a clown like their bloke. He is a complete and utter ###### in my opinion. Still you are getting there yourself so be warned Peter all is not well in Qld at the moment. My suggestions are pull your bloody finger out like yesterday and do things in a proper manner. [Info] Much more detailed info [here]

WAR MONGERING BASTARDS

SO WHAT’S NEW Did anyone think for one minute it would actually happen? Be truthful here now, what a sick sad and sorry joke this is. Meanwhile folk will still die of course bloody maniacs and fanatics is how I would describe them and not just Hezbollah in fact Israeli’s opened fire first trigger happy bastards all of them this includes the Hezbollah fanatics I for one am glad I don’t live anywhere near those regions at all, just read this [Sydney Morning Herald]. SHAME ON THE LOT OF YOU words actually fail me.

A close call

This report popped into my mailbox this morning from the Brisbane Sunday Mail and as you can see it was dated yesterday SUNDAY AUGUST Thirteen 2006 a silly prank by teenagers I guess and dangerous and stupid into the bargain BUT it happened on JANUARY one 2002 so why has it taken the Qld government so long to show this event well over 4 years ago Good God Mr Beattie and you are hoping for re-election with your transport minister stating its horrifying; of course it was but why wait until now to tell and indeed show footage of it on [here] Seems to me these young Yahoos were just grogged up still celebrating the New Year. Personally I feel sorry for the train driver; it must have been one hell of a shock for him. These things happen with lots of young people these days I guess they always did but they know the difference between right and wrong I know I did and I was no Angel I assure you.

Opal Country

I have been to Lightning Ridge once and found it to be a modern place in the far North of NSW it was not of course a few years ago but still it did boast a Pub now it boasts a bowling club as well as a Pistol and tennis club quite modern as well. Motels and caravan parks (trailer parks) are here for the traveller now half a dozen or so I just had a few beers at the pub there and slept in my car when I went. [Source]. When I first drove up to Lightning Ridge from Sydney it was a dirt road if you could call it a road now it seems it has a sealed road and flights into the ridge and out naturally It’s situated on the edge of the beginning of the outback as shown on this map and is legendary for its black opals. There are fossicking areas where who knows you could make a fortune and after freshening up you can even play golf but don’t get your hopes up as its greens are sand from an old opal field; it even boasts a Goat race yes I did say Goat. This site if you are interested in fossicking should be of great interest [Lost] Sea Opals I do have a friend who is interested in this sort of thing so I hope she reads it.

WHY?

One wonders why this mob that I am not that fond of for various reasons wish to stick their big oar in this conflict. We have enough troops there as it is under various disguises but of course silly me these are Muslims. Better you stay away we in Australia for all Howard’s sucking up to you are not that fond of you as a government and I guess you are not fond of us either. We made a huge error by actually allowing you to conduct joint exercises with us and our true allies some years ago in the north of Australia. That was soon stopped then you stuck your oar in in East Timor as well. Another bone of contention I and a lot of Australians have is your handling of that affair and more so the New Guinea one They don’t care for you much either and it seems some mark you not all but some of your troops are just plain THUGS. Hows about you GOOSE STEP your way to Afghanistan and Iraq use your brand of thuggery there. Sort out the insurgents in those two countries. I don’t hate Muslims or Jews but you will not help by going into an already declared war zone I’m sure the UN will in the end sort things out hopefully. In fact I just heard on the news a solution seems to be in sight and Israel has agreed, So you will not be needed to help the already strained situation there You will be just another mob to be watched closely and very closely I might add. [Source ] Maybe all your sucking up to Mr George Bush was in vain! I for one certainly hope so.

A quiet peaceful clip for a change

This clip was filmed at: Bommie Stradbroke Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia Kindly reproduced with thanks to Reef Vid [organisation] It's a Grey Nurse Shark on the prowl and it looks like all the other fish are hiding and I don't blame them. I thought it made a pleasant change to all the war and mayhem I usually rant on about so I hope youse all like it I know I did
Powered by Castpost PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILE IT LOADS I assure you it is worth it.

CHINA'S RELUCTANCE

Young women in China’s Yunnan Province are being sold it seems either as a wife or to Brothels and Sweat shops in Thailand; good grief what a shocking state of affairs and in the twenty first century as well. After reading this [BBC UK] news report I was flabbergasted. I mean I know we still have Piracy and on the high seas as well not just DVD piracy etc but this is a BLOODY disgrace on the part of the Chinese government; yes they are trying to clean their act up but why take so long it never took them long to reclaim Tibet did it? Course people are different according to the Communist government well one would think so Apparently known as people trafficking which I agree goes on in other countries and western ones at that but only to escape certain atrocities in their own country forced that issue. The trouble is the women leave thinking they will earn good money but are in fact tricked; I shall refer this report to my human rights link on my Blog of this but no doubt they have already heard of it. This is slightly different a baby was even sold on eBay according to this [report] Oh and boys fetch a bigger price than girls it seems, ok so this happened last year but it happened and in China as well. It did say it could have been a hoax but somehow I don’t think so.

A tragic waste in a way

From this [source] I read it appears a young 21 year old Sailor a Petty Officer serving on a US Submarine the USS Albuquerque(Los Angeles Class) has been charged with spying. Whatever the temptation and thoughts he had goes overboard; in my opinion he committed treason. There was a time when execution was the penalty if proven guilty but I think that is over now but not knowing American military or civil law I honestly don’t know. He was listed as a deserter hence his arrest. If he did not like the navy so much why did he not Endeavour to get out of his contract? Maybe it is not the norm in the USA but I do know it can be done here. An officer will decide whether to pursue these charges but he has done this several times so the future is not looking rosy for this bloke. I myself can see no mitigating circumstances although no doubt it will come out at his trial. He is or was serving his country and no matter what his thoughts he has been accused and by naming him throws little doubt on it unless naval authorities do this in the USA and they will for sure. What a tragic waste of a young man’s life.

A real brief glimpse of today

It seems that everyday when I look at online news all it is fighting or killing so much so that I get fed up of reading it and so I get fed up of writing articles about these events on my Blog. Hardly anyone reads them; if they do well I rarely get a comment; I do sometimes but it seems to be rare. I know next to nothing about American politics although I have been trying to get a handle on things re their political scene so I am not passing comments on posts I see of that nature for a while at least. I will stick to our Aussie political scene I think and they are rarely commented on either. Sometimes I wonder whether this Blogging does any good still I will keep at it a while longer but I may lessen the number of blog posts I make; I get disheartened when hardly anyone makes a comment. This is what I noticed tonight while perusing the headlines. Also in Breaking World News • Hungary: Man taps into major oil pipeline • 33 more feared dead in Pakistan rains • Pakistan: At least 13 killed in van accident • Heather locked out of Sir Paul's home • Jakarta: New Indon bird flu deaths confirmed • Baghdad: Iraq bombs toll climbs to 19 • Sri Lanka: Colombo car bomb kills two • Beirut: Lebanon 'hoping' for cease fire • Colombo: Bomb rocks Sri Lanka capital • Tyre: Israel warns of more strikes • Dili: 40 youths arrested in fresh Timor unrest • Wheat: AWB faces Iraq 'compo' bill • New Zealand: 'Warrior' gene blamed for Maori violence • Jerusalem: Israeli army, Hezbollah in fierce clashes • Auckland: Kiwis start staying home Makes you think just what sort of a world we all live in today In the main it is all war stories of course the [source] is here.

Memories of the sea on HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41)

I was never a naval man (although I did join but never went which is another story) I love ships and the sea always have so I was really delighted when my youngest son who served in the Royal Australian Navy for twenty years invited me to sail with him three times. I cannot really recall the first trip as it was a day trip only but the second one I really recall with a lot of pleasure. It was on the DDG-27 / D-41 HMAS BRISBANE a three day trip from Sydney NSW to Port Melbourne Victoria For the technically minded here are the specifications of her CLASS - CHARLES F. ADAMS As Built. Displacement 4526 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 437' (oa) x 47' x 15' (Max) Armament 2 x 5"/54 RF (2x1), Tartar SAM (1x1 Mk 13) ASROC ASW (1x8), 6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3). Machinery, 70,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws Speed, 33 Knots, Range 4500 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 333-350. Operational and Building Data Laid down by Defoe Shipbuilding, Bay City Michigan USA on February 15 1965. Launched May 5 1966. Commissioned December 16 1967. Built for the Australian Navy. FATE: To be decommissioned October 19 2001 and then to be sunk off the Queensland coast, in the Coral Sea for use as a recreational dive site. My time aboard her actually started the night before with a lengthy train ride from Taree oh some six or seven hours down to Sydney where I stopped with my son’s wife and was picked up by a launch from Garden Island as the ship was at sea and had called in to pick up me and ten other father’s to steam with her. Trouble at the start going up the ship’s ladder lol but I made it we all did. We had a welcoming committee naturally and were supplied with anti sea sickness patches (I noticed quite a few young sailors aboard wearing them) I discarded mine in the shower as in my case it was not needed thank goodness. Well first up we all had to sign waivers then our respective sons bore us away to our berths. It appeared that you stayed in the mess of whatever rank your son held at the time so I was designated for the leading seamen’s mess. Showers were first rate as was the food and I found out that the food was not done specially because of us mob but I tell you those blokes had real good tucker believe me just one thing wrong they never got enough of it. That was remedied I believe the following year as those blokes worked hard so obviously needed lots of food. I could never find my son so I had to find my own way around the ship; I did of course real quick I also got a working uniform off him so I did not stick out amongst the rest. Finding my sea legs was pretty hard in fact I don’t think I really did to be honest. Alcohol is permitted on our ships so I had my ration with the next man (two cans permitted) to get that I found a tad difficult as it was stored down in the magazine and as hatches are closed on board at night it was hard to slither through; I managed it I assure you and was usually third or fourth in line. Back in those days I drank the stuff a fair bit (I don’t today hardly ever just the odd beer) so I just got a few of the younger seamen who did not drink to go get their ration which they gave to me so that turned out well lol indeed the guy that issued it said as I left the ship in Port Melbourne the number of men on this ship that drink have increased whilst you have been aboard in a jocular way of course. There were displays of missiles being launched for us to view and on the Bridge as well a coveted place, I had a friendly chat with the Skipper who was well liked by officers and enlisted men. I also met an American sailor aboard doing his sea time with our Navy; he was stationed at Woomera usually which is a joint US Australian Base. We sailed down in company with the USS Reuben James (FFG-57) at the end of the Coral Sea remembrance celebrations which were continued at the Melbourne town hall free grog and tucker courtesy of the Melbourne town or city council. Transfers of men from each ship were done by line at sea and I struck up an acquaintance with a Petty officer from the Rueben James and we both toured the engine room together swapped ships caps as well and I still have his name of Lynch a nice bloke, apparently he was in the engine room on his ship. I foolishly asked him did they volunteer to come across for the alcohol and he said well the main reason was the food is better on your ships; I was told afterwards they got fast food only on their’s but I am not so sure I believe that still who knows. I was being searched for all over the ship by my son it seems he was an important personage on board and hardly ever left the control room of the ship. Young seamen were searching all over but it made it hard as I was in a working uniform so I blended in and did not stick out like the other dads aboard I spent some of the time at the stern out of the way sneaking a smoke on the Helo pad actually, wended my way down to the SONAR room now that was an education, in fact the bloke running it was showing me some demo tapes of it and got blew up by some officer on the bridge for not asking permission to do it; all was smoothed over he assured me. The control room was something else again little monitors everywhere not quite like ours at home sort of round in shape and plotting by RADAR very interesting indeed. The last night aboard was a real eye opener for me at least. My son and I finally caught up so we showered and went up to the junior ratings mess after our grog ration to watch a movie Kevin Costner in that Robin hood movie it had just come out at the time so there we all were watching and a knock on the bulkhead so I opened up and there was a ship’s messenger seems he was looking for me; I had an invite to the Petty officer’s mess for drinks. Heck I thought looking ruefully at my cans; I’ll drink them says Buck (my son) he knew the reason I reckon grinning so off I toddled and boy what a night in fact I enjoyed it much more than the movie, I just made it back in time for a shower and breakfast eggs bacon the works. Then topside again coming into Port where I could see my daughter who was living there at the time. She was in the Royal Australian Air Force so came aboard then I went to the march to the town hall for the rest of the celebrations. And our American sailor marched with ours not his as he was one of the Brisbane’s crew on attachment. There was so much more I did on board that sadly I cannot recall it all now but I sure did enjoy myself as did all the other Dads. I have another adventure aboard the HMAS Darwin which I will do another day which was just as exciting well maybe more so as I had some shooting practice aboard her. Sadly the Brisbane has been decommissioned now and sunk just off the coast near here as a reef for divers’ which is much better than selling her for scrap. Here is an account of it. HMAS Brisbane scuttled as scuba diving reef off Sunshine Coast CYBER DIVER News Network by MALCOLM COLE BRISBANE, Australia (1 Aug 2005) -- IN 34 years of military service, including three tours of active duty, the HMAS Brisbane never encountered an enemy that could do it harm. But in just seconds yesterday, a series of carefully timed and placed explosions took the former guided-missile destroyer to the ocean floor off the Sunshine Coast. Shortly after 10.15am the decommissioned warship entered a new service – one expected to last 500 years – as a dive site and artificial reef. Spectators aboard hundreds of private boats and more than a dozen aircraft, and thousands more people confined to shore, watched as the Brisbane slipped beneath the waves. Among them were a handful of former HMAS Brisbane crew members, many of whom had served on the ship during its two tours of Vietnam and spoke proudly and fondly of their days on the "Steel Cat". But while they insisted they were happy to see it end its days as a tourist attraction, there were a few moist old eyes as the Brisbane gracefully went down. Kerry Kerr, who served as a Leading Engineering Mechanic on the Brisbane, said the scuttling provoked mixed feelings among former crew members, particularly those who went to war on the ship. "Every person who is in the Navy or has been in the Navy, they each have a special ship," he said. "If they went to war on it, that does make it special. I hope this makes for entertaining reading and comments are most welcome.

Fight back

Isn’t it about time we got tough with the Japanese over their senseless whale slaughtering well I think so, is there nothing we can do there must be surely. this site is dedicated to{ whales}.These folk are not frightened Howard why are you? It seems our beloved (to some) federal government is opposing a law suit against Kyodo Senpaku that will force our Government to take action against this whaling company who is killing whales in OUR Antarctic sanctuary it has been declared as such. I have a few suggestions but sadly they will not work. One resume all Japanese property in Australia. Two stop exporting them our beef let them get it elsewhere. Three raise import duty on their cars forcing them more loss of income and forcing us to buy Australian instead indeed all Japanese products. Of course none of these things are really feasible I guess but we can and should call the Japanese ambassador in and inform him that if this slaughter (which is not needed by the way for the excuse the Japanese give) continues we will blockade their whaling ships and get tough with them and I mean tough we have bent over backwards to cultivate them and we are repaid in this way they have. They call us Gaijin I loathe the term. I think Howard is frightened of provoking them personally. There are times when I wish I was the PM. So the message is Howard get tough ok and get them out of our sanctuary ok like yesterday. REMEMBER there are millions maybe billions in this world who like these oh so gentle creatures. Their environment is bad enough as it is what with the lengthy travels they make to play and breed and also feed and encountering fishing lines nets what have you. They don’t need a once barbaric race (are they still one wonders) to kill them off as they tried to do with the Chinese, Koreans and even us Westerners. This report makes for some very interersting {reading} if you are a whale lover.

What a load of garbage

To my way of thinking it is just what Paul Dillon said in this report just more money making schemes for our government who it seems don’t give a fig as long as they are coining in the cash. {Source} They don’t care about the average person who I have noticed do drink alcohol sensibly; no sir all they want is more money most likely to pay for the generous tax cuts Aussie workers received in the June budget. Hey Costello we are not all stupid you just think we are. This problem will never go away either so you never got first look in at the leadership so you are punishing ordinary working folk whose only relaxation may well be a trip to their club or pub on a Friday night. SHAME ON YOU.

So what’s new?

Nothing new in this as I see it; it goes on all over the place even in other countries. Dangerous yes of course; illegal again yes but it will I fear never be stamped out, in fact I think it will get worse and worse. The state of New South Wales at one time even had FREE yes you got it free injection rooms so heroin addicts could shoot up, whether they still have I don’t know I moved to sunny Queensland but it may go on here but I can’t be bothered really in checking anymore. Now I am not an old fuddy duddy well belay the old as I am getting on in years. I have smoked pot on several occasions if the truth be told I dare say a lot of us have. Pot is also a good pain reliever in my considered opinion as well. Upon reading this so called study there are errors in it as a lot are tested here before starting work this includes our military and our police services (they seem to prefer the word service to force I know not why) Commenting further on this not so accurate report from {Source}. When I worked I used to go up the pub lunch time and have a couple of beers myself but none of us who did this ever got smashed; like this mob seems to be getting stoned. All I agree with is it is dangerous but it will get no better in my opinion only worse. All governments in this country of ours need to look into this far more than being concerned with banning smoking (another drug) just ask yourself this question Quote” WAS OUR COUNTRY A DANGEROUS PLACE WHEN ONLY GROG AND TOBACCO WERE THE MAIN DRUGS USED OK AND A LITTLE POT” Unquote no it wasn’t but now we have all sorts of drugs there are so many that I haven’t the patience to type them all in and whose fault is it our governments fault is who, and now we have a new study to read which costs money and for what as it is a tad late now to stem this; still I guess the revenue spent is tripled with FINES ON SMOKERS. ```~~~```~~~```~~~```~~~```

Yeah well I did mine

Yay we are really getting modern in the land down under that flaming Census form is here again and you can fill it in online; I really don’t care where I am on census night to be honest as they accepted my census so as far as I’m concerned it’s over and done with for another five years. If I suddenly am killed I won’t worry for starters, if I end up in hospital that night (hopefully not) I shall just inform them I have been counted in but if they wish to lodge me on their form that’s their worry not mine lol; to be honest I have often wondered every five years how they do that it must be one hell of a job; special forms I guess who know s who cares mine is done and that’s the end of it. I was discussing this subject with a friend in the USA and was told theirs is every ten years but she did wish they did tax returns online. I looked into that and yep good old Australia does leading the world AGAIN good old OZ a beaut and technical country. As requested this is my {source}.

Enough to make Grandma turn over in her grave

Just look at these headlines every time you look at the world head lines a few examples will show you so there’s this Israel rejects Hezbollah's cease-fire offer then this Two killed in Gaza by tank shell more yet this is just the start Australia Will Investigate Report of Anti-Israel Terror Threat oh yeah it just goes on and on and on Four Nato soldiers die in attacks: Kandahar blast claims 21 lives it seems this list is endless Cuba to Defend Against US Interference I mean I don’t know about you but this and far much worse is showing up everyday; I read this and wonder if we are not perhaps turning into the savages we once were some 60.000 years ago never mind all that rot that history began just over 5000 years ago because it has been established beyond any doubt that we were approaching some form of civilisation even way back then. I got all these reports on Google news by the way well ok I also read them in my local media but so what; are we us enlightened people of the twenty first century barbarians? Well there are surely times when we act like it. Bad choice of words really as we are definitely slipping into crazed animals at times I think myself at least, youse can all make your own mind up on that score. There are days when I am very wary of opening a newspaper or reading it online for fear that in the night world war three started in earnest. One day it will if we keep up the way we are going; PAY ATTENTION ISRAEL, HEZBOLLAH, THE TALIBAN, OSAMA BIN LADEN in fact all of you who are contributing to our demise. The end could well be nigh and all the Arab countries will alas have no paradise, and neither will we the followers of the little and great Satan; we like to believe in it too even though a lot of us are sceptical. So for all our sakes both yours and ours stop this mindless slaughter before its too late and we will all or most of us be dead. {Source}

Odd news from hither and yon.

I just love this one our good old I am not retiring Prime minister has been given a goat lol well he is 67 by the foreign affairs opposition spokesman one Kevin Rudd, It’s not what you are thinking folks it was really in aid of helping the people of the Sudan but I found it very apt lol. {Source} ``````````````````````````````````` Seems what appears to be a large Jaguar no not the XK model an exotic large cat is roaming around the Hawkesbury area and boy does it eat a lot so look out peoples of the Hawkesbury. {source} ``````````````````````` What a bummer for these three cons who busted out of gaol and hitched a lift with yep a Cop car lol.{source}. ```````````````````````````````` This last one is not really funny I guess it seems that a 91 year old bloke from Germany brought MORE than 20.000 bees into his home but escaped serious injury; he sure was lucky I reckon; fought them off with a brush; plucky bloke for sure. {Source.}