Let us hope so Good Luck Nancy

Former minority leader appointed first female Speaker of House in U.S. history

The results from Tuesday's Congressional elections not only shifted Congress' power to the Democrats but signaled the appointment of Mrs Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House in U.S. history.

I really like that as there have been many women of high office in our history i.e. Mrs Gandhi of India who served as Prime Minister, Mrs Helen Clark of New Zealand still currently in office as Prime minister, Mrs Thatcher of the UK I could go on I guess but there are a few worrying things for Americans with the appointment.

Pelosi's voting record is frightening for some folk is my opinion but time will tell I guess!! still I do agree with some of them but don't have to live with it personally. * NO on the Border Security Bill * NO on making the Republican tax cuts permanent * NO on eliminating the marriage penalty * NO on eliminating the death tax * NO on creating Health Savings Accounts * NO on the Defence of Marriage Act * NO on the 1996 Welfare Reform Law (and NO on its reauthorisation) * NO on protecting the Pledge of Allegiance * NO on banning partial-birth abortion * NO on requiring a photo I.D. to ensure only legal voters vote * NO on the Patriot Act * NO on authorising domestic tracking of terrorists * NO on military tribunals and new interrogation rules for terrorist detainees.

A couple of nasties there still I guess America and the world will just have to wait until things settle.

My guess is she will do a fine job and it will make a pleasant change from hard headed blokes in office although she seems pretty strong willed to me.

State News

Democratic victory all round

A clean sweep

It seems for the first time in 12 long years the American Democratic Party hold power in both houses of congress

After being in the wilderness for so long I can understand the joy there at present I just hope we can get rid of our conservative Government now.

This will of course affect us in many ways in Australia more on that another day

Democrat leader to be first female Speaker

DEMOCRATS congresswoman Nancy Pelosi will be the first female Speaker of the US House of Representatives — and with that, looks likely to become conservative America's second-most reviled woman third in line to the Presidency as well what a turn up for the ladies well done America.

Sources

Farewell Republicans and more interesting news from their neighbours in Canada

Just call it a failed mission POTUS

So it looks like the Autocracy Bush is trying to establish is doomed.

Yeah well thank goodness the American voters showed their disgust at the way their country was being abused by this bloke Bush personally I loathe him and yes I know it shows.

Me I still think he should be impeached but it will be enough to see him go in 2008.

Rumsfeld has gone who cares millions don’t and the new Speaker of the House who it now seems will be Nancy Pelosi.

I did read she was a tough lady good I like that.

Looking into the history of speakers in the USA I do think if Bush and Cheney were assassinated she would take the helm yes I just read that on Wiki.

Not that I want that to happen heaven forbid.

I don’t like what Bush said on this site

President Bush said he was disappointed with the election results, saying as the nation's leading Republican he bears part of the blame.

He got that wrong from what I have read I always thought the Buck stopped with him bad earwigging advisors or not.

He takes the fall.

Now to an e-mail I received from a Canadian friend whom I must say I agree with in some respects but not all.

It regards dual nationality he agrees with this I don’t and nor it seems does the Canadian Minister for Immigration.

Reproduced below is the letter.

I have to say I agree wholeheartedly with this decision as well; I hold it myself but never bothered to renew my old UK Passport; I am now an Australian citizen, I have been one for years, I care not one iota about UK affairs unless it concerns me as an Australian citizen.

Personally speaking we should stop it here as well.

I apologise for the strike out in the font it was not like that in the e-mail.

Ottawa (CP) - 1:country-region w:st="on">Canada must be more than "just a port in the storm" for dual citizens living abroad, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Monte SolbergSn> said Tuesday.

The Conservative government is taking a long look at the issue of dual citizenship in the wake of this summer's evacuation of some 15,000 people from Lebanon during the Israeli bombardment, at a cost to taxpayers of at least $63 million.

It's estimated about 7,000 of those evacuated Canadians have returned to Lebanon.

Solberg, speaking to the Commons committee on citizenship and immigration, questioned the provision of social services to dual citizens who live abroad for extended periods.

"If we're in a situation where somebody's absent, isn't paying taxes but is going to be using our social programs down the road, I think Canadians would feel that is unfair," said the minister.

Canada permitted its citizens to hold more than one passport in 1977 and the law has remained essentially unchanged since then. Currently there are more than four million Canadians who have citizenship in at least one other country, according to Statistics Canada, but only 500,000 live in Canada.

Statistics Canada has also found that the number of Canadian citizens who hold passports from two other countries tripled between 1991 and 2001.

The Lebanese evacuation highlighted the fact that up to 50,000 Canadian citizens were in Lebanon in July when hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel erupted.

That staggering figure - the largest of any country in the world - coupled with the significant number of evacuees who quickly returned to Lebanon, has caused many Canadians reassess the obligations that should come with citizenship.

Big problems in Queensland

Good ole Telstra again, I guess I shouldn’t blame them but I feel like blaming somebody. An outage I was told by my provider from Western Australia who is now my phone provider as well. What really sticks in my craw is the fact that Telstra own all phone lines in this country so other providers have to lease the lines from them and a tiny thing like a quick storm messes it up in this the twenty first Century. We did have a little thunderstorm a few hours ago it’s true, which was not such a big deal, to be honest I have seen far worse in my time. But I cannot access my e-mail or the net; I cannot post this until it comes back online and yet the strangest thing I can make phone calls. I phoned my son who lives a mere 15 minute drive from here and he said he was still connected; he muttered something about it was most likely my local exchange. I am now thinking of seeing if there is a cable set up instead of (A)DSL which is Broadband but sort of uses your phone line but I’m not holding my breath. To my way of thinking this sort of thing should not happen today. Oh well I will do the dishes and go to bed early for a change. __________________________________________________________________________ One event has made me feel better already I got online again at 2145 Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) It looks like the Democrats in the USA have finally done it and seem to have taken control according to this report. So finally it's farewell to Bush and his minions YES

Winners branded rude.

Champions Trophy So our cricket team was called by the Indian Express in Mumbai Mere exuberance is my opinion. Television pictures showed batsman Damien Martyn placing a hand on Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sharad Pawar to move him as the players posed for pictures with the trophy at Mumbai's Brabourne stadium. India batsman Sachin Tendulkar was also critical of it without a shadow of doubt the worlds best batsman and very sporting. On a hopeful note Bill Clinton and I sure wish him luck in his prayers, I always liked the guy whatever his so called wrongdoings which to me were a private matter and in no way affected his judgement when he was the President of the USA; indeed nobody else’s business as I saw it. Good luck Bill and all other Democrats the world is waiting avidly for the result. Reuters

I need to be careful with blogging

And to really mess up my day a Japanese horse won the Melbourne cup I run the President of the United States of America down terribly and looking at things in another perspective my bloody country is as bad. I was browsing through today’s headlines and not only are we involved in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea (hell what a long name they have) and I now find we are sticking our nose into Fiji another independent country in the Commonwealth of nations. Australia might be a minor power on the world stage, but it is a regional Imperialist power in its own right. John Howard summed up the real, Imperialist agenda behind the re-colonisation of the Solomon Islands and PNG when he pronounced "this is our part the world...this is our patch." And now Fiji and I daresay they have influence in New Zealand. Courier Mail South Pacific Saddam Hussein's trial on charges of genocide against the Kurds has resumed in Baghdad Some may think it a waste of time trying Saddam for another horrendous crime and in a way they are right but I do think the object lesson here is to show the Kurds that he should if proven be found guilty but seeing as this charge is more horrendous than the first why wasn’t he charged with the larger crime first; makes me wonder at times of how all judicial systems work. ABC

Finally getting some facts maybe

Former US Attorney-General Ramsay Clark ejected from the court I don’t quite understand why this man an American former US Attorney-General was defending Saddam Hussein very odd that. Source _________________________________________________________________________ Bitter verdicts upon USA Administration Quite a few of them. Was this a ruse by the US administration it sure is starting to look like one with their midterm elections was it something Rove cooked up finally will we ever find out. One day maybe I think meanwhile we should hopefully know the result real soon. Source __________________________________________________________ Election Round up Election round up a final analysis The Midterm Blues: America goes to the polls Today's vote may change the political map of the US - and turn George Bush into a lame-duck President, wasn’t he always yeah right My sentiments exactly. Source ___________________________________________________________ US pastor admits sex 'immorality' Mr Haggard denies having sex with a gay prostitute Disgraced former US evangelical leader Ted Haggard has confessed to his followers that he was guilty of "sexual immorality so what's new! well yeah there is to be honest it makes me feel quite ill at the thought of it. Source ______________________________________________________ This is much more like it Mind you we have much more important things going on here Australian Prime Minister John Howard is due to hold talks with four state leaders on the country's water crisis. Australia is in the grip of its worst drought on record. We are it seems in a huge crisis regarding water but is it worth a war nah of course not we sit down and discuss it like rational beings; far too late for you to get the hint now Mr Bush. Source ___________________________________________________________

Kangaroos and other news of interest.

Toronto news from a friend I received a mail today from my friend in Toronto who seems to enjoy sending all things Australian related so I looked into this one with special care hoping to prove him wrong. Yeah well maybe I did and maybe I didn’t but I can assure him I personally have never seen Kangaroo meat on sale in the supermarkets where I live; one can buy it as a pet food true from pet shops or stores but I have heard stories about it. Here are a few quotes from his mail which looks like it came from the Toronto Star originally but I could be wrong. ______________________________________________________________________ "ADELAIDE, Australia (AP)—Kangaroo, once sold mostly as dog food and an odd but cheap eat for students, has begun appearing as steaks, sausages and meat pies at grocers and restaurants”. Kangaroo curry, even, has reached the Outback. Gavin Rehn, a farmer on the remote Eyre Peninsula, is known for his 'roo vindaloo, a dish he and some workmates cooked up over a campfire with a kangaroo tail and a bottle of vindaloo sauce. "We have to cull them anyway," said Rehn, 40. "If there's a nice young one, we'll eat it." _____________________________________________________________________ Apart from being on our coat of arms with the Emu it’s a national icon and there are strict limits to culling them. Gavin here made huge blue with his statement they are culled true but farmers are not permitted one has to be a licenced shooter all details of this are on this link and all info is on here. You may wonder why but nobody here today can own firearms without a very special permit not like the old days. An explanation as to why we don’t like eating them is of course obvious as I said the kangaroo, a creature no other country can claim, is a much-loved symbol of quirky Australia. It graces endless tourist fodder, as well as Australia's coat of arms and its passport. There was a time when Farmers had to put up with the sight of Roos eating feed provided for livestock; this persisted here for a number of years. Sadly they are being culled in greater numbers now. There are an estimated 50 million kangaroos hopping around Australia. Aboriginals have long eaten the mild-mannered marsupials which according to my received e-mail tasted a bit like beef and venison, but with a softer texture frankly they taste like game; I spat it out and it never tasted like venison to me beef either. Who could kill a lovable animal like this pictured below. Wiki Kangaroo shooting code ************************************************************************************************************* Hell moves a step closer Or Good news for Democrat supporters American neo-cons will claim the Saddam judgement as a victory, but it will bring no relief to George Bush. That pleases me no end a shame he is not a Kangaroo lol the whole world is sick of Georgy boy and his ear wigging advisers, as long as this election is carried out fairly I can see no reason why his party will lose control in the US Government thus making it harder for POTUS to hang in there much harder. The American people and indeed most of the world are now sick of the way he does things. Boy would I love to read his memoirs. This is not to say I don’t agree about Saddam and the verdict as I do but if we had never gone there think of the number of lives saved; maybe not Iraqi lives sadly and I feel for them obviously. But no coalition lives would been lost and the financing its self; lets not go there ok The American people know this and I believe it will show itself on November 7 the Bush Dynasty is in grave danger now who will cover their asses I wonder, food for thought that one. What will little Howard and Blair do now the mind boggles at the thought report

I guess we all knew the outcome

Guilty as charged The Verdict, the Sentence On November 5, 2006, Saddam Hussein was "convicted of crimes against humanity" by a Baghdad court and sentenced to death by hanging. He was found guilty over his role in the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail in 1982. "His brother Barzan al-Tikriti was" also sentenced to death, as was Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander "Former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan got life in jail" and three others received 15 year prison terms. "Another co-defendant, Baath party official Mohammed Azawi Ali, was acquitted". And I did read on a Blog of some repute that this trial of Saddam should have been held at the Hague or world international court; I couldn’t agree more but there are certain regulations governing that factor; this trial did not fit into this category so I read at the time BUT always one of those eh I quote "The International Criminal Court (ICC) brings to trial those who commit large-scale political crimes – genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity" Building on the UN’s special tribunals and on new legal precedents of universal jurisdiction, the ICC takes an important step towards global accountability for all, including political and military leaders. One has to consider this also The US Opposition to the International Criminal Court The United States government has consistently opposed an international court that could hold US military and political leaders to a uniform global standard of justice. The Clinton administration participated actively in negotiations towards the International Criminal Court treaty, seeking Security Council screening of cases. If adopted, this would have enabled the US to veto any dockets it opposed. When other countries refused to agree to such an unequal standard of justice, the US campaigned to weaken and undermine the court. The Bush administration, coming into office in 2001 as the Court neared implementation, adopted an extremely active opposition. So as you can see the US Government is not exactly what it would have us the world to believe; still I guess most of us would have been very naïve to believe otherwise I certainly am not and I’m sure most feel like me. I guess it all boils down to and I quote "to the victor come the spoils" Washington Post

The Gunpowder Plot

Today is the celebration of Guy Fawkes In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, AKA Guido Fawkes {Faux} Britain's most notorious traitor. After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been persecuted under her rule had hoped that her successor, James I, would be more tolerant of their religion. James I had, after all, had a Catholic mother. Unfortunately, James did not turn out to be more tolerant than Elizabeth and a number of young men, 13 to be exact, decided that violent action was the answer. Of course it is now history and is celebrated in the UK with bonfires, crackers or fireworks, here in Ozz we don’t bother although we do have a cracker night but not on this day in history. Crackers here or pyrotechnics if you want to get all techie is mainly used on Australia Day, New Year’s Day on the stroke of midnight and other events of celebration I do know it was celebrated in the state of Victoria here at one time however, It most likely still is down there as at one time they were very Victorian in their attitude And it is not solely a British celebration. The tradition was also established in the British colonies by the early American settlers and actively pursued in the New England States under the name of "Pope Day" as late as the Eighteenth Century. Today, the celebration of Guy Fawkes and his failed plot remains a tradition in such places as Newfoundland (Canada) and some areas of New Zealand, in addition to the British Isles but not in Northern Ireland Also known as "Firework Night" and "Bonfire Night," November 5th was designated by King James I (via an Act of Parliament) as a day of thanksgiving for "the joyful day of deliverance." This Act remained in force until 1859. On the very night of the thwarted Gunpowder Plot, it is said that the populace of London celebrated the defeat by lighting fires and engaging in street festivities. It would appear that similar celebrations took place on each anniversary and, over the years, became a tradition. In many areas, a holiday was observed. Thinking about this in depth today these 13 blokes would be called terrorists. Even for the period which was notoriously unstable, the Gunpowder Plot struck a very profound chord for the people of England. In fact, even today, the reigning monarch only enters the Parliament once a year, on what is called "the State Opening of Parliament". Prior to the Opening, and according to custom, the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. Nowadays, the Queen and Parliament still observe this tradition. All images are clickable. Wiki

Christmas in Arlington

I received this by mail today and although I am against war in principle I was very touched to read it especially with Remembrance day getting close now on November eleventh and Chrismas is very soon after. Rest easy, sleep well my brothers. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell... Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state. After all these people put their life on the line for you, some may have been drafted, a lot were volunteers it's a thought to the folk in my country who parade around on days such as Remembrance day also. You are doing a terrific job Merril a terrific job. I for one salute you. A direct quote “We couldn’t do anything in this country if it wasn’t for the people who gave their lives to protect us,” Mr. Worcester said. “It’s a great honor to be able to come here and pay our respects.” I for one totally agree. Worcester Wreath Co.

Fun and games

I was awakened at the unearthly hour of 7 AM this morning by a young bloke with a huge toolbox after 3 hours sleep It seems the Queensland government have finally decided to implement water saving devices in all government housing. A good idea and long overdue I always had them in my own house before I sold it. I have to admit I never really noticed much difference when I had a shower just a slight drop in the pressure. Still in this country water is as precious as gold so three cheers for the Queensland housing department; I mean how else would the brewery make our beer if the water dried up. ******************************************** I finally took the plunge I thought to myself a couple of days ago how much blogger was playing up so I went beta blogger and I tell you what I knocked it a few weeks ago but its simply great; beaut new templates and you have a choice of using HTML or their unique method of changing the template, I chose the latter and it was so easy to do and it looks great so yep I recommend it so if you still use the old way with that dreaded spinner go for it peoples. I’m so glad I did now. Here are a couple of screenies so you can get a real good squiz at it. I used my link list as an example but as you can see in the first screenie you can drag that where ever you wish up and down, any element in fact can be dragged just where you want it to be on your Blog. If you look at the top of the first screenie you can see where to edit the template the old way in HTML if you wish; personally I found the element method much better just a matter of choice I guess and I am not so hot on the HTML the Divs get me muddled up a tad.

A little humour for you all

I had a little chuckle at this video which a friend sent me yesterday so I hope you all get a laugh out of it as well.

On here thanks to you tube. I did read that now Google has bought out you tube things so possibly things could change on the site; copyright etc but who knows. Personally I think Google has enough Gizmos besides accquiring more of them something to prove perhaps or shareholders; I mean they have their own video site as well; guess they will combine the two now. Who knows who cares is my motto at this moment in time. *********************************************************************************

Is Taser death a cause for alarm?

Well in this country because of a much smaller population than the USA on which this fear was based on I’d say it’s a very low risk. The New South Wales Police Minister is it seems concerned over the death of a Teenager shot dead with a stun gun at the weekend but has assurances by his senior Police Officers regarding their use and it is only a trial it seems HOWEVER An Amnesty International report in March found at least 156 people had died in the US in the previous five years from stun guns. The teenager in question only shouted the words **I want Jesus** would not acknowledge the police who approached him but was shot twice with this gadget. The Police however have a lot to put up with and I have read it is much worse in America not that I ever witnessed any of this type of thing when I was there last. From what I have seen on TV and read in news reports I know it goes on a lot in the USA and I guess this is the reason the NSW Government wish to try it as it is happening here all too much these days. My view is we should at least trial it as we too have had shameful incidents regarding death by a firearm here also and in New South Wales as well; It is obviously nowhere near as fatal as a Bullet either. Featured image is a Phaser gun as used on Star Trek. SMH **************************************************************************************************

A follow up re November one 2006

This is not how I read this yesterday

This article at least has taught me something never post a blog on a subject for a few days have elapsed as my blog yesterday put the blame for these remarks on Bush and his mob.

Also the words were taken entirely out of context as often happens today.

Ah well we live and learn I guess.

The Times. ************************************************

Microsoft is it losing its marble’s

And a couple of snippets for me to start November One 2006 Microsoft as predicted months ago finally announced last week that it would allow PC buyers from now until March when Windows Vista is released to the public to upgrade for a substantial discount or for free, depending on the version. However, Microsoft will not give new PC buyers any discount if they upgrade to the new premium product Vista. Furthermore I read somewhere that most idiots idiot’s who do purchase it will be getting it very much cheaper than Australian residents. It seems we here are going to be charged a hell of a lot more than any other country. Still I shall not bother if it’s anything like windows 2003 and I include office 2003 in this I don’t think I shall be missing a great deal Of course they may not be losing the plot as if I know the software giant they have to be making money somewhere; the business would not be viable otherwise. I got to admit the packaging looks cool not that it will sway me who cares what It’s packaged liked. And the whinge on piracy really bugs me when this company has made bazillions out of us. I did read some countrymen of mine were nicked for it. ************************************************************* Keystone cops get their man Yep a full blooded tourist was nabbed in a ILEGAL steel trap used by the Queensland and wildlife service on Fraser Island and the tourist threw the trap away; why you might say good point **I threw it away says he as I did not want to get prosecuted** his very words, I know they are rubber lined but still illegal; Question **why was the QWLS using them**? Excuse **the dingoes have wised up to caged traps** Smart fellers them dingoes ************************************************************ Are you a cupcake Democratic presidential nominee denies this Senator John Kerry after inhaling a cupcake he then it seems set out to demonstrate he isn’t a cupcake how does one inhale a cupcake ah never mind. Kerry was set upon by his arch rivals by who else but Bush and his cronies. He was slimed by republicans who never served in the U S Military; I myself am impressed by his awards and I am not an American and don’t even live there. What a pack of rats was my impression. A direct quote below "Made an acid reference to the five deferments received by Dick Cheney during the Vietnam War, He talked about billions of dollars "wasted" in Iraq on no-bid contracts. And, referring to Bush, declared: "The president always sets up a straw man because he won't debate a real man". The jury -- America's voters -- is still out. But 2006 may go down in America's political history as the year that the Democrats finally got the upper hand let us hope so. Definitely in my opinion if you read this Bush should be apologising and not the other way around. Stick it to them mate. Where it hurts as well and bring those guys home if you get in as Bush never will especially with the advisers he has at the moment; the buck does stop with him of course. twire Seattle Pi Brisbane courier mail ************************************************************

Sorry but I am a sceptic

Or I have heard this B/S before. Of course there could well be something in this Aussie Yowie thingy which is no worse than the Yeti, Bigfoot or Sasquatch in fact thinking about it they all sound the same to me. Nobody say they are aliens from another world either as why would huge hairy beasts such as these want to come to our troubled world and with no technology that’s not on either; do they have ray guns or death beams lol not as far as I recall; oh dam it I wish I could see one, just to put my mind at rest you know ah got it; beam me down to the precise location Scottie LMAO; whoops beam me up Scottie. Seriously yeah it could well be true but why have they never revealed themselves to us one reason could be we are a warlike mob I guess but this site made for some funny and interesting reading. Strange Nation I took some time reading it; well it passed the time I guess as my e-mail is all up to date. I have to admit there are some serious folk on this site yowieing on about it Nah I can’t see it I mean there have been tracks of these mythical beings spotted. Photographed even made into casts no doubt studied by some mob but for what if they choose to remain hidden who cares I sure don’t. So what do you think after a squizz at this thing pictured here. A blown up Gorilla surely not.

Most folk do this anyway

Should copying your own CDs should be legal This is the view of The Institute for Public Policy Research who is calling for a private right to copy. Lets face it if we are honest lots of us do this what’s the big deal a copy has to be purchased first before its copied or burnt as its called. This of course is being mooted in the UK but I guess if it’s adopted most countries will do it. Can I still sell mine if that’s the case lol? Usually it’s done for private use but there may be ways of stopping fly by night mobs that spring up overnight and do it for profits, I guess that will be looked into. BBC ************************************************************* Re the Google takeover of You tube and copyright laws yeah they seem to have been a tad unwise and from what I read it seems that some of us and I include myself here may have uploaded clips to YouTube and may very well have infringed the copyright laws. I do know that on the odd occasion I have uploaded a clip and You Tube have rejected it and warned me and yet I usually check with the clip info and one in particular was rejected and it was a private movie clip. I upload to another site now as well; this particular site allows me to use anything on it so I use them at times. No it is not my space as I was really messed around with my space when it arrived in Australia. I had a few complaints with them wrote to them never heard anything. I just deleted the account; I was warned if I did delete it I could never join again; I still deleted it and 6 weeks later received a reply in answer to my complaint and stating "don’t be complaining all the time " I ignored it of course. Yet I have heard good reports about it. What bugs me with the likes of You Tube is the way folk subscribe to your videos and expect you to drop everything to go log on every 5 minutes or so and reply. I only use it to embed the code on my blog and the links are handy for sending videos by e-mail. Why Google wanted to acquire it is to me plain greed as they have their own video site, mind you Google are more alert on theirs; I won’t use them as it can take days to get an upload approved and that’s no good if you wish to use it on a blog. BBC ***************************************************** On a happier note I decided to get an external USB plug in hard drive on Sunday so basically what I have been doing today is transferring a lot of unwanted info and images, oh yes and video clips into a folder I created on it called crap to be sorted out later lol. Will I ever get around to it well yeah one day I guess lol but I can just put it in a little overnight bag if I go visit and plug in to my host’s computer even saves e-mailing them stuff cool huh!! And it has a good point in that no more CD-RW’S need be used again as I have noticed that after a few months no matter how good the brand they seem to deteriorate. DVD’S for burning are of course another matter. A dinky thing I reckon as shown here,I must admit I love that red mouse of mine, that's a dinky little thing as well I reckon; I love the way it glows in the dark. ********************************************************

A cricketing country never!!! Who knows

Some cricketing facts even the USA has most likely forgotten I had. All you have to do now is win the final after beating New Zealand not an easy task but I am rooting for you. And something caught my eye in this report from the SMH it seems Australia could be playing India in New York next year as part of a five-match one-day series in North America. Cricket Australia is in talks with the Indian cricket board about the proposed tour, which could occur after the World Cup I sure hope that takes off the ground but I have my doubts although way way back cricket was played there and in Canada also if I recall my history. Just looked it in one of the numerous books I have on cricket and it seems that England toured from 1859 until 1924 indeed at the beginning north America at the time was regarded as the strongest home of the game outside of England although there was a tour there by the Brits as late as 1959; 25 games played on that occasion, these facts were obtained by an excellent book by Peter Wynne Thomas, Now that’s a new one on me I must have squizzed through it very quickly but I recall us Aussies sending teams to Canada and not so long ago either Allan Border was el Capitan of the eleven I think!! Well he was in the team I know. Pictured at the top of this blog is the first British cricket team that toured the USA captained by G Parr 5 games were played in all some were played in Canada some were combined American Canadian teams, sadly all were losses to our old enemy the Brits excepting one drawn game. The stats are pictured here also. From what I have read there was a skirmish in 1846 between a US bowler and a Canadian batsman which could well have soured the game in America sadly; the fixture was abandoned for quite a few years and yet it was considered the norm but had been abolished in the eighteenth century, I read this courtesy of Ashley Brown’s book which I have. This blog may be of interest to sportsmen all over the world!! I sure hope so and am looking forward to watching this proposed series of games in New York next year.

My weekend which was great again for the second time in a row

I really enjoyed it as well much the same as last week really but well kinda different but good. I had been invited to my youngest son’s place today actually Sunday October 29 but it was changed to the Saturday sooo I whizzed over in my little car and strike me nobody was there it seems I got the time mixed up not unusual for me either. The tucker was good fantastic all the same and my daughter in law cooked this first up was king Prawns natural of course and then the main food was grilled fresh fish done in garlic with the usual salad that Jenny prepares, I like her salads as she always puts Avocado’s in them, for desert Mud cake with cream yum oh I nearly forgot two bottles of Australian Chardonnay. After this great tucker which we ate on the balcony we trooped downstairs and watched a movie through a projector on a huge screen called true lies; I fell asleep of course lol. There are some images of this huge screen on here. Next morning {today} I went with my youngest son for breakfast Al Fresco at his local surf club and the number of people there quite astounded me really, bacon, eggs tomatoes and toast was my preference. I then went home but detoured first and took this small video clip of the commemoration site of the HMAS Brisbane which was paid off and given to the Queensland Government to be scuttled as a reef for divers so enjoy the brief clip which I uploaded to You Tube for this purpose. Not being an expert at this there is a little footage which is not necessary, also my panning was not the best hey a movie director I’m not ok lol. Here's what she looked like when still a commisioned ship of the Royal Australian Navy and I really enjoyed my three days at sea on her, and the crew mixed now these days were very patient with this landlubber here. Enjoy it I did.

Crushing pills “can prove fatal”

Crushing pills to make them easier to swallow can cause serious side-effects that can sometimes be fatal, experts have warned and after reading this excellent report I can see why. I realise it depends on the particular drug involved but this made much common sense to me. BBC ************************************************************* Noah's Ark plan from top Moon man The European Space Agency's chief scientist has said there should be a "Noah's Ark" on the Moon, in case life on Earth is wiped out by an asteroid or nuclear holocaust. Festival of Science, Dr Bernard Foing said the ark should be a repository for the DNA of every single species of plant and animal on our Planet His solution is to build a DNA library on Earth's satellite. Click on the image for full size effect. I really like this idea it definitely has merit. BBC *********************************************************************************************** Have a Squizz at this

Now this is an eye opener I knew us Aussies got around but this well yep if you can believe this your relatives from eons ago to be blunt were Australians and Asians lol.

All in favour say aye I already have cast my vote in favour of course BBC ************************************************************************************* We don’t want this at all no way Hosea QUEENSLAND could be voting on whether to introduce daylight saving within eight months. The State Government is seriously considering holding a state-wide poll on daylight saving at the same time as the recycled water referendum. Yeah well it was defeated last time some 14 years ago, the Premier is not in favour of it nor am I which is important ok. All we will do is interfere with nature re Farm animals and financial institutions The move comes 14 years after daylight saving was narrowly defeated 54.6 to 45.4. Premier Peter Beattie yesterday refused to publicly rule out a referendum but cast doubt on its ability to succeed why he is doing it at all has me baffled most Queenslanders do not need daylight saving time we live far too close to the equator in fact most of Queensland lies in the tropics, the Northern Territory does not have it for the same reasons. Tasmania observe it 3 weeks before all the other states still who knows with the Tasmanian Government All you have to do Peter is stall you are good at that like with our hospital waiting lists which are a national disgrace; you got re-elected on that promise. No more stuff ups thank you let it slide into the background like other thorny problems facing you. Courier Mail

Why is he still here and other stuff.

It seems that this CUR originally from Egypt is being let off the hook by a group of senior Moslems in Sydney’s Western Suburbs. So Mr Prime Minister when are you taking action you will receive my mail in a few days time complaining about the disgusting way he rubbished our women folk. I reckon there will be many such letters from concerned citizens like myself. This joker the supposed grand Mufti of Sydney possibly Australia is far too outspoken he has to go. I am not a biased man but this is beyond all redemption and you can believe these senior Moslems if you wish; their decision however in my opinion is wrong. Let us hope your decision on this matter Mr Howard is the correct one. The whole world has bent over backwards for these people and yet we still have some truly fanatical ones sadly; we all know that most of them are not like this joker. The remarks could be construed in a number of ways but deep down they hurt and is not an excuse. This report says that he was alluding to the gang rapes in 2000 that may be the case but it is not an excuse for these statements of his. Pru Goward, Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner is quoted as saying. "Young Muslim men who now rape women can cite this in court, can quote their leader in court." It would not do any good were I a jurist of course but yes it has set a precedence. Here is a clip of our Queensland Premier today commenting on it as it seems this joker has been invited to my State. Powered by Castpost NZH `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` We have had an eruption in Sydney of late as well as this one Eruptions from the sun or solar eruptions I cannot for the life of me see why this is happening but if as the article says it can help us in any way then it cannot be a bad thing, these eruptions it seems can disrupt satellites, radio communications and power systems. They can be hazards to Spacecraft and Astronauts/Cosmonauts and in years to come a lot of ordinary people and are responsible for the Northern lights, the Aurora Borealis, Southern lights or Southern Aurora the Aurora Australis so yes a good thing. I have just read a book by Buzz Aldrin/John Barnes nothing to do with this excepting the dangers of space debris and the need to clear it up as it is a hazard just like these solar eruptions BUT human life could be at a great risk if say a shuttle encountered one, so I do wish these folk had looked at this problem as well, hopefully they have!!! Boston Globe ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Good news for smokers!!! Well it could well be according to this report I read it’s just a simple CT scan called ROUTINE Computed Tomography which in ordinary language just means screening of people at high risk of lung cancer with this and the word ROUTINE and SIMPLE suggests it could be cheap; it seems it can substantially drive down the death rate, according to a controversial new study led by a team of American researchers; yeah I know another study but a much more important one than a lot of them which are just so much crap; funded by taxpayers naturally. I know quite a few folk who would be interested in this. When is it due to hit the streets LOL. Good news for smokers Herald Tribune

A bloody disgrace

No John Howard did not get out of bed on the wrong side this morning Prime Minister John Howard has condemned remarks by Australia's most senior Islamic cleric likening immodestly dressed women to meat that attracted cats. I wonder what the outcry would have been if John Howard had said this of Islamic Women! Well we all know I guess threats of terror, take back your comment or else you all know the drill I think. Australia's Sex Discrimination Commission called on Thursday for Alhilali to be deported. I agree back to Egypt from whence he came. Yesterday would be good I reckon. This is our country we can dress how we please and we don’t need some Islamic cleric to say things of this magnitude. Why they ever came here has me and most of the Western world baffled. If I had called an Islamic woman a whore there would have been a huge outcry. This is a direct quote from this so called man of God Sheik Taj Aldin Sheikh Taj El-Din Hamid Alhilali, the Mufti of Sydney's biggest Mosque. **Compared women who wore make-up and dressed immodestly to meat that attracted cats**. He should be deported without fail for saying such a disgusting thing about our women. A spokesman for the Islamic Victorian council, Mr Ali Roude, said he was "astonished at Sheik Alhilali's comments, saying he "had failed both himself and the Muslim community. He was astonished Hmph words failed me when I read this; perhaps my Father was right he always said East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet, a quote by somebody I guess but he always told me this; like most young I completely forgot it until I read this disgusting remark. He certainly has and an apology is needed NOW The Age *********************************************************************

The saga continues with my birthday celebration and some news snippets of interest

Gosh I feel old lol. My daughter carried on with celebrating my seventieth Birthday with a night out at a bowling club in Maroochydore and I thought it real good of her I got a very much needed set of stepladders so I can change light globes; stuff like that and a few small gifts from folk I hardly know really although I have met them so I was really touched and more to come it seems from my youngest son and his wife this coming Sunday fresh Aussie seafood yum so I am looking forward to that for sure. So at the moment I am the flavour of the month and savouring it. I really appreciated it all as well and thanked them all so I thought I would blog it. ********************************************************************** Good ole Peter Beattie and his big mouth Your Bull dust is now sticking in my craw and thousands of other's And he has still not come good on his election promise re hospital waiting lists for surgery, so how about it Beattie my boy when are you going to fix this I mean you really won the election on this premise frankly I am sick of waiting to get my other eye fixed up; I’m not the only one of course YOU MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM LIKE YESTERDAY, and yet you put your foot in it with a lot of garbage about daylight saving time. Don’t be an IDIOT Mr. Premier the worst time of the day for the sun is between 10 AM and 3 PM which is not to say I don’t agree with you re daylight saving time being a dam nuisance as it is it messes up animal feeding habits irks farmers and puts our financial institutions into disarray. More to the point is these hospital waiting lists, you have been dragging your heels far too long on this, and you more or less got elected with a promise to fix it. I shall not vote for you next time no way I and no doubt thousands of Queenslanders who need their cataracts removed will be blind by the time you fix it if ever. You dragged your heels over the electricity problem as well; my confidence in you has gone sport PULL YOUR FINGER OUT, for a Labor man this actually goes against all party principles. Mail **************************************************************** US rejects Hicks sex abuse claims Yeah and so does our government lacklustre lot If what I read in this report is to be believed it’s about time both the US and the Australian government pulled their fingers out as well. How about it Downer you are the foreign minister even David Hicks American Military lawyer Major Michael Mori, accused the Australian Government of failing to conduct its own investigation despite having information as far back as May 2003 that Mr. Hicks had been mistreated. You lot in Canberra and Washington may have written him off but thousands of us ordinary folk here have not, if this report is to be believed the disgusting things done to David makes an American or Aussie gaol a holiday camp. He has now been in the hell hole of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for five years without a trial, he has a family he has never seen and indescribable things done to him, and I believe it. SMH ******************************************************* The saga of the Solomon Islands So at the pacific Island Forum we have it seems Prime Minister Mr. Sogavare of the Solomon Islands has been granted a small concession, more a face saving I reckon than anything else considering we were asked 3 years ago to restore law and order there this was almost accomplished when the warlike Sogavare decided he wanted Julian Moti as his attorney General, And still wants him even though he is on bail for alleged child molesting; something is rotten here to the very core. We have aided financially to this joker and more or less had law and order resumed there when this happened. Not only are our Military there but also a contingent of our Federal Police lawyers and the like, these are the same police who aided Indonesia to bring to trial the Bali Bombers. And of course the Papuan New Guinea Government looks as though they were involved in this Moto characters’ escape from there back to Honoraria. Me personally I think they were involved up to their necks whatever their Prime Minister says. The truth will out I think in the long run and Somare doesn’t like it. Tough BBC **********************************************

I read this with some interest re Ontario Canada

This has just popped into my mail box from a friend from Toronto. I have reproduced it below AND have added my cutting remarks about it as I think Mayor Miller (pictured above) is wrong and why my friend sends me these snippets I really don’t know as I am always reminding him I read the Toronto Star which I consider a rag. Immigrants should have the right to vote in municipal elections even if they haven’t yet become citizens, Mayor David Miller says. "It’s time to allow landed immigrants to vote in municipal elections," Miller told the Star’s editorial board in a question and answer session today. "We allow people who don’t live in Toronto to vote, simply because they own property here," Miller said. "It’s not like a national election; you’re not determining issues of what this country should do or shouldn’t do," he said. "You’re determining issues that directly affect people’s lives." "And if we ask ourselves: How have we let neighbourhoods’ where there are often high proportions of landed immigrants deteriorate, one of the reasons is, they haven’t had a vote. They haven’t had a real say in the decisions that are affecting them. "And if somebody who lives in Calgary, but owns a piece of property here has a right to vote in municipal elections, I think somebody who lives here, committed to the city, has a right to vote." Allowing immigrants to vote would require a change in Ontario’s Municipal Elections Act. I only have one thing to say really regarding these municipal elections there and that is nobody but nobody should in my fervent opinion be allowed the right to vote unless they are a Canadian citizen. This bloke Mayor Miller just wants votes for himself who by the way is a Brit (you are naturalised I trust David?) LMAO. It is against the law indeed not permitted here in Australia in any election, unless a citizen of course. I don’t know the facts regarding the United States however but I imagine to be enrolled one would need to be a citizen there; I just checked and one has to be a citizen. Get off the grass Miller I’m glad I don’t live in Canada if this is the way you want things done. Do you really want to help these folk ok you do so how about giving them funds help them in this way; much better I think and then help them to get naturalised. If these people cannot afford to get naturalised but WANT to vote this is the operative word here WANT I suggest you put a motion before your Monthly meeting or whatever you call it there get the support of your fellow councilor's; Ah you have done that I see! I still dont think your scheming plan will work the laws of the land will not be changed because you desire the Immigrant vote. Good luck with it my opinion is that it SUCKS.