Friday, December 31, 2004. 7:47am (AEDT)
Govt to bill Bakhtiyaris for detention
The Federal Government is planning to bill the now deported Bakhtiyari family for the time they spent in immigration detention.
The Bakhtiyari family was deported to Pakistan yesterday morning.
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone says the family will be billed for its stay in detention.
"Families of course who have been in detention, if they're found not to need protection, are advised of the cost of their detention," she said.
Senator Vantsone says the Bakhtiyaris were given assistance once their flight from Australia ended.
"The family won't just simply be dropped in Pakistan," she said.
While Senator Vanstone claims the family had a fair go, Dale West, who heads the Centacare welfare agency which looked after the family, is not so sure.
"I have serious questions about the process for their being considered to be refugees," he said.
Mr West says he believes the Bakhtiyaris are from Afghanistan.
"In the last 16 months I've certainly been convinced that they are from Afghanistan," he said.
"They've had contact with family there while they've been in our care."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1274399.htm
I wonder if the Asians who are generously and kindly looking after our Australians in the tidal-wave affected areas will send on their bills for the accomodation and care during their stay with them. Sister Janet Mead, who was honoured, and rightly so, in our Proclamation Day ceremony at Glenelg spoke out in her usual caring, dignified manner about the way the government has treated this particular family. The headmaster of St. Ignatius has spoken out, any number of mild mannered, rational people have been moved to articulate their thoughts on behalf of this family. We do not understand. It doesn't make sense and it is not how we normally treat people in Australia. The whole way this has been done has been horrible. Why Pakistan? Last year we were told the family was not Afghani but Pakistani. People who should know say they cannot speak Urdu and are not from Pakistan but know about areas of Afghanistan and its lifestyle.Bakhtiyari is not a Pakistani name, it's an Iranian name, in my experience. We are finding this very difficult to take in Adelaide. It is very upsetting and deeply frustrating for this to occur at a time when, as Australians, we are affected by what has occurred in Asia and our whole nation, like the rest of the world, wants to reach out and help. We want to be counted. We are full of peace and good will and the government, which we elected to govern, is doing its bit for the catastrophe in Asia, but with this particular family its modus operandi appears quite baffling.
Sorry, folks, but this is not the way I wish to start the New Year. I'm with the folks who have stayed on in Asia to help, who have SMS'd , phoned and forumed to co ordinated funds for Asia. I am with the folk who have disseminated information, collated information and used our technology to benefit others. Yesterday I was stumped because I really am economically challenged. Today it's physics and that is what I am taking into the New Year. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The tsunami brought waves of destruction and devastation. Our reaction as planet earth people, has to be to create an equal and opposite tidal wave of support, aid, help, generosity, care and compassion. I say, go with the flow.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Are you any good at economics?
I can manage my own finances, but this economic rationale approach to life is driving me crazy. I am not a high roller, have no wish to be, and think that we need a society first and not an economy. I don't like the economic rationale approach to things.It fails in the end because you can buy someone's back but you can't buy their heart and their brain. I have been trying to work out the financial side to this tsunami . Places like Indonesia and Sri Lanka are carrying a huge overseas debt. What will happen because whole huge sections of their country and people have been completely wiped out? I wish they'd stop talking about infrastructure. "They have no infastructure." Then the Channel nine news had a picture of one of the places with "Apocalypse" superimposed on it. I kid you not. Bit harsh. I am certain they didn't mean it. I think they forgot to consult their thesaurus for other words for tragedy and disaster. Aceh, doesn't have an infrastructure. Think about it. Saying that means nothing because you look at all the water, the broken buildings and cars, the dead, the sad faces and then the spirit of these people who clearly had little and now have no infrastructure!! They are hugely strong people spiritually, I can see that. They have annihilation on their hands. They've been wiped out and their spirits are holding them together. Given that...how are they going to generate funds to repay overseas debt? The way I see it , it has to strain the economies of these countries. Yet I read, and cannot find a single site to point me in the right direction, that India and Indonesia had performed well on the stock exchange. What? Big tsunami means stock market gains? I have looked for an hour and either you have to subscribe to the information, I can interpret little of what I find, or the server is unlocatable...maybe washed away? So I ended up reading this article on the Financial Review site...and I rest my case. How on earth do alleged(it says they appeared that way?!) car bombings make oil prices go up? To me it's bonkers. Maybe some blogger will demystify it for me on their site. In the mean time, toodle-oo.
Financial Review article on Saudi car attacks.
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Tsunami blog - Indonesia
This is very comprehensive. A lot of it is in Indonesian(obviously) but there is also detailed information in English and plenty of detailed information from the links on the side..
Indonesiahelp is here.
Beached whales in 1817
Australia has had beached whales on the coast before.Too often, but it even goes back to 1817 because we have paintings of them. Was it earthquakes then? Mining?
1. For 40 years, Burakin, 150 kilometres east of Perth in WA, has been Australia's most active earthquake region. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake in September 2001 was followed by 18,000 much smaller earthquakes over the next six months!
2. On 22 June 1788, just five months after the First Fleet landed, Australia's first recorded earthquake occurred near Sydney Cove. Many of the First Settlers mentioned the event in their diaries. Their descriptions help us understand the source and magnitude of the earthquake. One diarist, Blackburn, wrote: "The shock did not last more then 2 seconds. It came from the {south-west} like the wave of the sea, accompanied by a noise like a distant cannon. The trees shook their tops as if a gale of wind was blowing."
3. Another noted that "this shock was distinctly felt on board the ships in the cove and by several people on shore, who supposed it to be the shock of an earthquake."- from 'Sydney Cove 1788', by John Cobley, Angus and Robertson Publishers, 1987.
http://www.ga.gov.au/urban/factsheets/earthquakes_australia.jsp
One example is here.
1. For 40 years, Burakin, 150 kilometres east of Perth in WA, has been Australia's most active earthquake region. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake in September 2001 was followed by 18,000 much smaller earthquakes over the next six months!
2. On 22 June 1788, just five months after the First Fleet landed, Australia's first recorded earthquake occurred near Sydney Cove. Many of the First Settlers mentioned the event in their diaries. Their descriptions help us understand the source and magnitude of the earthquake. One diarist, Blackburn, wrote: "The shock did not last more then 2 seconds. It came from the {south-west} like the wave of the sea, accompanied by a noise like a distant cannon. The trees shook their tops as if a gale of wind was blowing."
3. Another noted that "this shock was distinctly felt on board the ships in the cove and by several people on shore, who supposed it to be the shock of an earthquake."- from 'Sydney Cove 1788', by John Cobley, Angus and Robertson Publishers, 1987.
http://www.ga.gov.au/urban/factsheets/earthquakes_australia.jsp
Wildlife worries
"Now I don’t claim to be an expert on seismic activity, but there has been a series of events which led up to the 9.0 earthquake of the coast of Indonesia which can not be ignored. This all could be an enormous coincidence, but one must look at the information and choose for themselves whether there is anything to it."
Pod of 20 whales beached on remote Australia coast
29.12.04
Twenty adult female sperm whales have been found washed up on a remote Australian beach but wildlife officials on Tuesday were unable to explain the third such mass stranding in the same area in a month.
The whales, each between seven and 10 metres long, were discovered dead late on Monday on a beach near Strahan, 180km west of Hobart on the southern island state of Tasmania.
Scientists said it was impossible to tell if the mass beaching was linked to a huge earthquake recorded between Tasmania and Antarctica last week.
"It’s very hard to pinpoint those sort of things because ... this year has been a year when we’ve had lots of strandings anyway and obviously they’ve all happened without an earthquake," zoologist Mark Hindell told ABC television.
The Australian government has said it would set up a national database on whale strandings. Last month, 115 long-finned pilot whales died in two separate strandings on Tasmanian beaches.
Bob Brown, leader of Australia’s Greens party, expressed concern last month that those strandings might have been linked to "sound bombing" of the ocean floor used in seismic tests for oil and gas.
Wildlife officials said it was not unusual that all the dead whales in the latest stranding were females.
"The males travel in bachelor pods or big solitary breeding males and the females travel in either nursery pods or non-breeding pods, so it is quite a normal pattern for these animals," Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Serve ranger Chris Arthur told ABC radio.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=9004876
The rest of the article is here..
Pod of 20 whales beached on remote Australia coast
29.12.04
Twenty adult female sperm whales have been found washed up on a remote Australian beach but wildlife officials on Tuesday were unable to explain the third such mass stranding in the same area in a month.
The whales, each between seven and 10 metres long, were discovered dead late on Monday on a beach near Strahan, 180km west of Hobart on the southern island state of Tasmania.
Scientists said it was impossible to tell if the mass beaching was linked to a huge earthquake recorded between Tasmania and Antarctica last week.
"It’s very hard to pinpoint those sort of things because ... this year has been a year when we’ve had lots of strandings anyway and obviously they’ve all happened without an earthquake," zoologist Mark Hindell told ABC television.
The Australian government has said it would set up a national database on whale strandings. Last month, 115 long-finned pilot whales died in two separate strandings on Tasmanian beaches.
Bob Brown, leader of Australia’s Greens party, expressed concern last month that those strandings might have been linked to "sound bombing" of the ocean floor used in seismic tests for oil and gas.
Wildlife officials said it was not unusual that all the dead whales in the latest stranding were females.
"The males travel in bachelor pods or big solitary breeding males and the females travel in either nursery pods or non-breeding pods, so it is quite a normal pattern for these animals," Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Serve ranger Chris Arthur told ABC radio.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=9004876
Mangroves to the rescue
I found an article where it explains how mangrove swamps along the coastline can afford considerable protection against tsunamis. I think we had better get planting.
Mangroves
Wikipedia
Here are the breakdowns by countries. I have taken this information from Wikipedia. To help you with your French:
morts – dead
touristes étrangers –tourists from other countries
disparus – missing
blessés - wounded
In Thailand the grandson of the King and a former minister of finance and commerce number among the dead.
· Sri Lanka : 17 800 morts dont 70 touristes étrangers. 13 800 dans les zones contrôlées par le gouvernement et 4 000 dans les territoires contrôlés par les rebelles des Tigres Tamouls et 2 000 disparus.
· Inde : 8 500 morts, dont au moins 4 500 dans l'État du Tamil Nadu et 4 000 morts et 30 000 disparus dans l'archipel indien des îles Andaman et Nicobar.
· Indonésie : 27 174 morts dont 700 touristes étrangers.
· Thaïlande : 1 516 morts, dont Bhumi Jensen, un des petits-fils du Roi de Thaïlande Bhumibol Adulyadej ainsi qu’un ancien ministre des Finances et du Commerce, Borom Tantian également 700 touristes étrangers et 1 200 disparus.
· Maldives : 55 morts et 60 disparus, selon les autorités
· Malaisie : 65 morts dont 2 touristes étrangers et 183 blessés.
· Birmanie : 90 morts
· Bangladesh : 2 morts
· Somalie : 40 morts et 57 disparus.
· Tanzanie : 10 morts.
Voici le bilan provisoire des étrangers tués, blessés et disparus dans le séisme et les raz-de-marée :
· Asie et Océanie :
o Australie : 7 morts, dont un bébé de six mois et un nombre indéterminé de disparus.
o Chine : 6 blessés en Thaïlande.
o Corée du Sud 3 morts et 12 disparus.
o Hong Kong : 18 blessés.
o Japon : 4 morts et 7 disparus.
o Malaisie : 3 morts non confirmés.
o Nouvelle-Zélande : 1 mort.
o Philippines : 8 morts et 5 blessés.
o Singapour : 2 morts et 4 disparus.
o Taïwan : 7 disparus.
o Seychelles : 3 morts.
· Europe :
o Allemagne : 10 morts et 100 disparus. Elle craint au moins 100 morts.
o Autriche : 5 morts et 55 disparus.
o Belgique : 3 morts et 20 disparus.
o Chypre : 20 disparus.
o Croatie : 1 mort et 20 disparus.
o Danemark : 3 morts, 13 disparus et 11 blessés.
o Finlande : 2 morts et 200 disparus.
o France : 15 morts et 120 disparus et 105 blessés.
o Espagne : 1 disparu et 13 blessés.
o Grande-Bretagne : 18 morts dont Lucy, une des deux petites-filles de l’acteur et réalisateur Richard Attenborough, 69 blessés dont Alice, l’autre petite-fille de l’acteur et 12 disparus dont la fille de Richard Attenborough et sa belle-mère Jane Holland ainsi que le photographe Simon Atlee.
o Grèce : 27 disparus et 6 blessés à Phuket en Thaïlande.
o Hongrie : 2 blessés dont un grièvement sur l'île de Phuket en Thaïlande.
o Italie : 13 morts, 100 disparus et 10 blessés.
o Norvège : 13 morts, 750 disparus et 30 blessés.
o Pays-Bas : 3 morts, 13 disparus et 53 blessés.
o Pologne : 4 morts et 43 disparus ainsi que 3 blessés.
o Portugal : 38 disparus et 10 blessés.
o Roumanie : 2 disparus à Phuket en Thaïlande.
o République Tchèque : 224 disparus et 6 blessés dont la top model Petra Nemcova.
o Russie : 2 morts et 120 disparus.
o Suède : 6 morts en Thaïlande et au moins 1 500 disparus.
o Suisse : 1 062 disparus et 60 blessés.
· Afrique
o Afrique du Sud : 4 morts et 12 disparus.
o Somalie : 110 morts.
o Kenya : 1 mort.
o Tanzanie : 10 morts.
· Amériques
o Brésil : 2 morts. dont la diplomate Lys Amayo de Benedek D'Avola et son fils de 10 ans sur l'île de Phi Phi.
o Canada : 3 morts et 13 disparus.
o Chili : 5 disparus.
o Colombie : 1 mort.
o États-Unis : 12 morts et de nombreux blessés et plusieurs centaines de disparus.
· Proche-Orient
o Israël : 10 disparus et 30 blessés.
o Turquie : 41 disparus et 2 blessés.
Bilan toujours provisoire de cette catastrophe (provisional overall breakdown) :
· 55 252 morts dont 272 étrangers.
· 33 317 disparus dont 4 551 étrangers.
· 370 étrangers blessés.
Mangroves
Wikipedia
Here are the breakdowns by countries. I have taken this information from Wikipedia. To help you with your French:
morts – dead
touristes étrangers –tourists from other countries
disparus – missing
blessés - wounded
In Thailand the grandson of the King and a former minister of finance and commerce number among the dead.
· Sri Lanka : 17 800 morts dont 70 touristes étrangers. 13 800 dans les zones contrôlées par le gouvernement et 4 000 dans les territoires contrôlés par les rebelles des Tigres Tamouls et 2 000 disparus.
· Inde : 8 500 morts, dont au moins 4 500 dans l'État du Tamil Nadu et 4 000 morts et 30 000 disparus dans l'archipel indien des îles Andaman et Nicobar.
· Indonésie : 27 174 morts dont 700 touristes étrangers.
· Thaïlande : 1 516 morts, dont Bhumi Jensen, un des petits-fils du Roi de Thaïlande Bhumibol Adulyadej ainsi qu’un ancien ministre des Finances et du Commerce, Borom Tantian également 700 touristes étrangers et 1 200 disparus.
· Maldives : 55 morts et 60 disparus, selon les autorités
· Malaisie : 65 morts dont 2 touristes étrangers et 183 blessés.
· Birmanie : 90 morts
· Bangladesh : 2 morts
· Somalie : 40 morts et 57 disparus.
· Tanzanie : 10 morts.
Voici le bilan provisoire des étrangers tués, blessés et disparus dans le séisme et les raz-de-marée :
· Asie et Océanie :
o Australie : 7 morts, dont un bébé de six mois et un nombre indéterminé de disparus.
o Chine : 6 blessés en Thaïlande.
o Corée du Sud 3 morts et 12 disparus.
o Hong Kong : 18 blessés.
o Japon : 4 morts et 7 disparus.
o Malaisie : 3 morts non confirmés.
o Nouvelle-Zélande : 1 mort.
o Philippines : 8 morts et 5 blessés.
o Singapour : 2 morts et 4 disparus.
o Taïwan : 7 disparus.
o Seychelles : 3 morts.
· Europe :
o Allemagne : 10 morts et 100 disparus. Elle craint au moins 100 morts.
o Autriche : 5 morts et 55 disparus.
o Belgique : 3 morts et 20 disparus.
o Chypre : 20 disparus.
o Croatie : 1 mort et 20 disparus.
o Danemark : 3 morts, 13 disparus et 11 blessés.
o Finlande : 2 morts et 200 disparus.
o France : 15 morts et 120 disparus et 105 blessés.
o Espagne : 1 disparu et 13 blessés.
o Grande-Bretagne : 18 morts dont Lucy, une des deux petites-filles de l’acteur et réalisateur Richard Attenborough, 69 blessés dont Alice, l’autre petite-fille de l’acteur et 12 disparus dont la fille de Richard Attenborough et sa belle-mère Jane Holland ainsi que le photographe Simon Atlee.
o Grèce : 27 disparus et 6 blessés à Phuket en Thaïlande.
o Hongrie : 2 blessés dont un grièvement sur l'île de Phuket en Thaïlande.
o Italie : 13 morts, 100 disparus et 10 blessés.
o Norvège : 13 morts, 750 disparus et 30 blessés.
o Pays-Bas : 3 morts, 13 disparus et 53 blessés.
o Pologne : 4 morts et 43 disparus ainsi que 3 blessés.
o Portugal : 38 disparus et 10 blessés.
o Roumanie : 2 disparus à Phuket en Thaïlande.
o République Tchèque : 224 disparus et 6 blessés dont la top model Petra Nemcova.
o Russie : 2 morts et 120 disparus.
o Suède : 6 morts en Thaïlande et au moins 1 500 disparus.
o Suisse : 1 062 disparus et 60 blessés.
· Afrique
o Afrique du Sud : 4 morts et 12 disparus.
o Somalie : 110 morts.
o Kenya : 1 mort.
o Tanzanie : 10 morts.
· Amériques
o Brésil : 2 morts. dont la diplomate Lys Amayo de Benedek D'Avola et son fils de 10 ans sur l'île de Phi Phi.
o Canada : 3 morts et 13 disparus.
o Chili : 5 disparus.
o Colombie : 1 mort.
o États-Unis : 12 morts et de nombreux blessés et plusieurs centaines de disparus.
· Proche-Orient
o Israël : 10 disparus et 30 blessés.
o Turquie : 41 disparus et 2 blessés.
Bilan toujours provisoire de cette catastrophe (provisional overall breakdown) :
· 55 252 morts dont 272 étrangers.
· 33 317 disparus dont 4 551 étrangers.
· 370 étrangers blessés.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
How beauteous mankind is!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in’t
William Shakespeare The Tempest V:1
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Breaking-News/Tassie-quake-linked-to-Asian-
disaster/2004/12/27/1103996493148.html?oneclick=true
One seismologist believes the Tasmanian quake earlier set the recent chain of events in place. I am so grateful for the Net and am experiencing a way of communicating which is so different. For a start, people on forums mobilise themselves quickly to locate and share information. Forumites understand we need to be informed, reassured, we need to pool our information and observations. It both reassures and creates a positive domino effect. I wish I had kept the url of the site which said we needed a Ministry of Peace and not a ministry of war. We need the military to manage and demystify chaos and catastrophe, not to create it. As a planet we can mobilise ourselves more effectively than ever to relieve pain and suffering if we are kept informed and told what we can do. So I’m sorry, the thing about the seismologists knowing there was a tsunami coming and they had no one to contact just doesn’t wash with me. Not today. I know I can get on the Net and find what I want and contact whomever I wish. Seriously, what would you do if you knew there was a tsunami coming? We warn each other about all sorts of things. We have traffic reports, accident reports, mobiles, the Net, phone lines and phone books. We can mass mail. We can SMS and the addresses of the hotels are all on the Net. More likely a classic case of denial. Fear – Forget Everything And Run. You know how you get when you put the heater on and it doesn’t work? You try it again…and again. The more severe the trauma, the more pronounced the denial. Human. We are human…and, thank God, because we are all doing what we can, even if it’s just sitting caring. When we are told what to do, planet earth will get in there and do its best. More than ever. If you doubt the power of our capacity to rally our thoughts fast in this day and age in the most amazingly lucid fashion:
and Martin Ball put together a very succinct piece about our political situation in Australia over his Christmas lunch . It’s at theage.com.au under Opinion but you have to sign in. Fairfax seems to like you to sign on for news. That’s the amazing thing about the current events. News stations here have brought us the news from people’s video cameras, people’s mobiles and the real people have really held themselves together to give us real news in spite of their fear and trauma. People are everything.
seismic map
Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe,grows beyond his work,walks up the stairs of his concepts,emerges ahead of his accomplishments.
John Steinbeck. The Grapes of Wrath.
That has such people in’t
William Shakespeare The Tempest V:1
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Breaking-News/Tassie-quake-linked-to-Asian-
disaster/2004/12/27/1103996493148.html?oneclick=true
One seismologist believes the Tasmanian quake earlier set the recent chain of events in place. I am so grateful for the Net and am experiencing a way of communicating which is so different. For a start, people on forums mobilise themselves quickly to locate and share information. Forumites understand we need to be informed, reassured, we need to pool our information and observations. It both reassures and creates a positive domino effect. I wish I had kept the url of the site which said we needed a Ministry of Peace and not a ministry of war. We need the military to manage and demystify chaos and catastrophe, not to create it. As a planet we can mobilise ourselves more effectively than ever to relieve pain and suffering if we are kept informed and told what we can do. So I’m sorry, the thing about the seismologists knowing there was a tsunami coming and they had no one to contact just doesn’t wash with me. Not today. I know I can get on the Net and find what I want and contact whomever I wish. Seriously, what would you do if you knew there was a tsunami coming? We warn each other about all sorts of things. We have traffic reports, accident reports, mobiles, the Net, phone lines and phone books. We can mass mail. We can SMS and the addresses of the hotels are all on the Net. More likely a classic case of denial. Fear – Forget Everything And Run. You know how you get when you put the heater on and it doesn’t work? You try it again…and again. The more severe the trauma, the more pronounced the denial. Human. We are human…and, thank God, because we are all doing what we can, even if it’s just sitting caring. When we are told what to do, planet earth will get in there and do its best. More than ever. If you doubt the power of our capacity to rally our thoughts fast in this day and age in the most amazingly lucid fashion:
Larry Mosqueda put this together on Sept 15th 2001
and Martin Ball put together a very succinct piece about our political situation in Australia over his Christmas lunch . It’s at theage.com.au under Opinion but you have to sign in. Fairfax seems to like you to sign on for news. That’s the amazing thing about the current events. News stations here have brought us the news from people’s video cameras, people’s mobiles and the real people have really held themselves together to give us real news in spite of their fear and trauma. People are everything.
seismic map
Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe,grows beyond his work,walks up the stairs of his concepts,emerges ahead of his accomplishments.
John Steinbeck. The Grapes of Wrath.
Canary
Marina Warner’s second story, Canary was far less disconcerting and very engaging. This is a lady who has an economy of style and a richness of knowledge. Not a word is wasted in her polished style as the story twists and turns through the knowledge and emotion which becomes the lifeblood of the tale. With ease she takes you on a journey from Vietnam Vets to art, literature and, in the end, relationships. She can seem to encapsulate the complexity of people and their bonds, people and their lives. The Canary is Jessica , the artist wife of a very engaging Manley, a Vietnam Vet. Within that relationship the narrator has a part to play and along the way there are interesting observations about people, life, art and politics. I thought this story was very clever and I appreciated the fact that, as a reader, I was neither pampered nor patronised.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Brave New World
The quake, the most powerful for 40 years, came a year to the day after a temblor in the Iranian city of Bam killed over 30,000 people.
Sunday's quake also sent waves some 7,000 kilomtres (4,000 miles) across the Indian Ocean, drowning a handful of people on Africa's east coast and prompting authorities to evacuate beaches and seaside villages.
http://unforseeable.blogspot.com/ provided some excellent links and a spontaneous reaction. I fell upon it blog jogging. The world reports its news differently these days! I read , too, the BBC news was getting updates and information directly from people emailing them from the crisis areas.
The European Union on Sunday committed 3 million euros (US$4 million) in emergency aid to help victims of the massive earthquake and tsunamis that hit coastal communities in several south Asian nations.
Two Russian Il-76 transport planes will leave in the next few days for the region carrying tents, other supplies and rescue personnel, a spokesman for Russia's emergencies ministry told the Interfax news agency.
Russia was preparing to provide aid to Sri Lanka andIndonesia, the ministry official, Viktor Beltsov, said.
A Russian representative would also fly to the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Sunday to take part in a UN-sponsored meeting of experts to discuss the requirements for international aid, he added.
"This UN group will assess the destruction from the earthquake and tidal waves in south Asia and determine the needs for international humanitarian aid," the official said. (***)
"Let us pray for the victims of this enormous tragedy and assure them of our solidarity for all those who suffer, while we hope that the international community acts to bring relief to the stricken populations," the pontiff said, speaking from his studio window overlooking the square.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=
20041227042411&irec=0
Australia is preparing emergency aid for the Asian nations struck by the tsunamis as it tries to locate a number of missing citizens in the disaster zone.
The Federal Government has committed $10 million to the relief effort and will review that figure as more information about the devastation unfolds.
The Australian Red Cross has also launched an emergency appeal.
It has established a phone hotline for donations on 1-800-811-700.
Donations and details can also be found on the Red Cross website, www.redcross.org.au.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1272585.htm
Adelaide man survives tsunami. 27/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1272711.htm]
Last Update: Monday, December 27, 2004. 1:00pm (AEDT)
Adelaide man survives tsunami
An Adelaide man missing in Phuket after the tsunami has been found alive.
A spokeswoman for the family of Trevor Picking has told the ABC he was found in a hospital about one hour ago.
His wife and children are travelling to the hospital and his injuries are not known.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
WASHINGTON (Agencies): The U.S. Geological Survey on Sunday revised the magnitude of an earthquake registered west of the Indonesian island of Sumatra upward to 8.9 on the Richter scale, AFP reported.
Sunday's quake also sent waves some 7,000 kilomtres (4,000 miles) across the Indian Ocean, drowning a handful of people on Africa's east coast and prompting authorities to evacuate beaches and seaside villages.
http://unforseeable.blogspot.com/ provided some excellent links and a spontaneous reaction. I fell upon it blog jogging. The world reports its news differently these days! I read , too, the BBC news was getting updates and information directly from people emailing them from the crisis areas.
The European Union on Sunday committed 3 million euros (US$4 million) in emergency aid to help victims of the massive earthquake and tsunamis that hit coastal communities in several south Asian nations.
Two Russian Il-76 transport planes will leave in the next few days for the region carrying tents, other supplies and rescue personnel, a spokesman for Russia's emergencies ministry told the Interfax news agency.
Russia was preparing to provide aid to Sri Lanka andIndonesia, the ministry official, Viktor Beltsov, said.
A Russian representative would also fly to the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Sunday to take part in a UN-sponsored meeting of experts to discuss the requirements for international aid, he added.
"This UN group will assess the destruction from the earthquake and tidal waves in south Asia and determine the needs for international humanitarian aid," the official said. (***)
"Let us pray for the victims of this enormous tragedy and assure them of our solidarity for all those who suffer, while we hope that the international community acts to bring relief to the stricken populations," the pontiff said, speaking from his studio window overlooking the square.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=
20041227042411&irec=0
Australia is preparing emergency aid for the Asian nations struck by the tsunamis as it tries to locate a number of missing citizens in the disaster zone.
The Federal Government has committed $10 million to the relief effort and will review that figure as more information about the devastation unfolds.
The Australian Red Cross has also launched an emergency appeal.
It has established a phone hotline for donations on 1-800-811-700.
Donations and details can also be found on the Red Cross website, www.redcross.org.au.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1272585.htm
Adelaide man survives tsunami. 27/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1272711.htm]
Last Update: Monday, December 27, 2004. 1:00pm (AEDT)
Adelaide man survives tsunami
An Adelaide man missing in Phuket after the tsunami has been found alive.
A spokeswoman for the family of Trevor Picking has told the ABC he was found in a hospital about one hour ago.
His wife and children are travelling to the hospital and his injuries are not known.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
WASHINGTON (Agencies): The U.S. Geological Survey on Sunday revised the magnitude of an earthquake registered west of the Indonesian island of Sumatra upward to 8.9 on the Richter scale, AFP reported.
Christmas reading
I was given Murderers I have known by Marina Warner for Christmas. Last night I read one story. Not really après Christmas fare for me because it was so dark and bizarre. It was loosely based on the legend of St Ursula and the 11,000 virgin martyrs buried in Cologne. As a storyteller, I found her somewhat distant and was glad of it in the end given the nature of the tale. It would appear from looking up St. Ursula on the Net it was probably 11 and not 11,000 slaughtered virgins and it was at the time of Attila the Hun. Sources seem to differ as to whether she came from Britain or Brittany but agree on the fact the Virgin Islands were named after her and this event. She is well represented in European culture and coats of arms and, in the end, I found this story of St. Ursula very intriguing. She has had a powerful influence on lives and literature throughout the ages and seemed to be a lady of strong influence and character. The story by Marina Warner embroiders considerably on the theme but with her unique contribution. Can'’t wait for the next tale! Dare I?
Wikipedia
Cologne
Wilson's Almanac
Sunday, December 26, 2004
When no means yes?
"I am just an ordinary citizen who has never before been an activist and
I am not alone. There are millions of other citizens just like me who
refuse to walk away from this issue. We will not stand for a stolen
election. We will not sit down and shut up. We are an intelligent and
technologically literate citizenry who will continue to speak truth to
power even if the Senate decides to certify the election.
This issue will not go away, because we will not go away.
We do not have a choice.
If we do not stand up now for what is right, decent and in the best
interest of all of our citizens then we have failed as a democracy.
So I ask the Congress and the President, where is the righteous anger
for the victims of these despicable tactics? Those of us who have had
the courage to speak out have been labeled liars, conspiracy theorists
and sore losers. Meanwhile, those facing similar circumstances in the
Ukraine have been lauded as heroes, and defenders of democracy!"
If it's sooooo right, why does it feel so wrong?
I am not alone. There are millions of other citizens just like me who
refuse to walk away from this issue. We will not stand for a stolen
election. We will not sit down and shut up. We are an intelligent and
technologically literate citizenry who will continue to speak truth to
power even if the Senate decides to certify the election.
This issue will not go away, because we will not go away.
We do not have a choice.
If we do not stand up now for what is right, decent and in the best
interest of all of our citizens then we have failed as a democracy.
So I ask the Congress and the President, where is the righteous anger
for the victims of these despicable tactics? Those of us who have had
the courage to speak out have been labeled liars, conspiracy theorists
and sore losers. Meanwhile, those facing similar circumstances in the
Ukraine have been lauded as heroes, and defenders of democracy!"
Buzzflash.com has published the rest of this impassioned plea.
If it's sooooo right, why does it feel so wrong?
Money,money,money...
Full list: the 10 richest people
February 27, 2004 - 8:15AM
The following is the list of the richest people in the world, as compiled by Forbes magazine. Their estimated fortunes are listed in billions of US dollars:
1. Bill Gates (United States) 46.6 (2004) 40.7 (2003)
2. Warren Buffett (United States) 42.9 (2004) 30.5 (2003)
3. Karl Albrecht (Germany) 23.0 (2004) 25.6 (2003)
4. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal (Saudi Arabia) 21.5 (2004) 17.7 (2003)
5. Paul Allen (United States) 21.0 (2004) 20.1 (2003)
6. Alice Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. Helen Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. Jim Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. John Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. S. Robson Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
AFP
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/27/1077676932339.html
February 27, 2004 - 8:15AM
The following is the list of the richest people in the world, as compiled by Forbes magazine. Their estimated fortunes are listed in billions of US dollars:
1. Bill Gates (United States) 46.6 (2004) 40.7 (2003)
2. Warren Buffett (United States) 42.9 (2004) 30.5 (2003)
3. Karl Albrecht (Germany) 23.0 (2004) 25.6 (2003)
4. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal (Saudi Arabia) 21.5 (2004) 17.7 (2003)
5. Paul Allen (United States) 21.0 (2004) 20.1 (2003)
6. Alice Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. Helen Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. Jim Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. John Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
6. S. Robson Walton (United States) 20.0 (2004) 16.5 (2003)
AFP
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/27/1077676932339.html
That's a big snail!!
Common size 5-10cm.
Maximum size 20-30cm.
Not native to Australia.
Prescribed and notifiable pest.
Moist habitats such as leaf litter, thick shrubs and timber piles.
Photo courtesy Annette K Goodman
Normal snails are 3-4 cm
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/health/14365.html
Bring on the garlic and butter
AM - Giant African Snail slips through quarantine
[http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1029679.htm]
AM - Thursday, 22 January , 2004 08:26:20
Reporter: Louise Willis
DAVID HARDAKER: Well, compared to what's happening in South Africa, it's a small problem, but a problem nonetheless: imagine for a second, a common brown garden snail, and now imagine one of those more than 20 centimetres long.
That's what's been found on the Gold Coast, not far from one of Queensland's most popular nature parks, and the discovery of the world's most destructive land snail has forced quarantine authorities to re-think their inspection procedures, as Louise Willis reports.
LOUISE WILLIS: It's big, and it's bad news – it's the Giant African Snail. One hasn't been seen in Australia for 25 years – that is, until now. A worker at a Gold Coast steel factory came across one this week, and took it to the nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which in turn alerted authorities.
Chris Adriaansen from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries has been showing off the slimey find.
CHRIS ADRIAANSEN: He is a fairly large, impressive beast.
LOUISE WILLIS: And is he the largest snail you've ever seen?
CHRIS ADRIAANSEN: He is by far the biggest snail that I've ever seen in my life – just doesn't even compare to any size of garden snail that you see. You can step on a garden snail and not know it. If you stepped on this guy, yeah, you'd be walking with a limp for a week.
LOUISE WILLIS: And, where would it have come from?
CHRIS ADRIAANSEN: This one, based on the container traffic that coming into this particular business in the Currumbin Valley, we think that it's probably either from Indonesia or possibly even from China.
LOUISE WILLIS: The DPI and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service say other giant snails might be in the area and they're also concerned the captured snail may have laid eggs, but intense searches across Currumbin have so far turned up nothing.
A baiting program is being conducted as a precaution, and the captured snail will be destroyed. The last Giant African Snail outbreak was at Gordonvale, near Cairns, in far north Queensland in 1977 – hundreds were found and they took eight months to eradicate.
The snails aren't wanted because they're voracious feeders, and eat hundreds of different types of native plants and commercial crops.
Now, questions are being asked about how this one made it through supposedly tight quarantine restrictions governing the thousands of shipping containers that arrive each day on Australian wharves.
AQIS entomologist Bill Crowe admits his agency may need to be more vigilant.
BILL CROWE: Well, what we can't do is we can't look inside every single one of those 10,000 per day. So things that are low-risk commodities internally, we just don't open those containers, and that's something that we'll have to have a look at after this incident if we can actually trace it back.
DAVID HARDAKER: Bill Crowe from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, speaking to Louise Willis.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
[http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1029679.htm]
AM - Thursday, 22 January , 2004 08:26:20
Reporter: Louise Willis
DAVID HARDAKER: Well, compared to what's happening in South Africa, it's a small problem, but a problem nonetheless: imagine for a second, a common brown garden snail, and now imagine one of those more than 20 centimetres long.
That's what's been found on the Gold Coast, not far from one of Queensland's most popular nature parks, and the discovery of the world's most destructive land snail has forced quarantine authorities to re-think their inspection procedures, as Louise Willis reports.
LOUISE WILLIS: It's big, and it's bad news – it's the Giant African Snail. One hasn't been seen in Australia for 25 years – that is, until now. A worker at a Gold Coast steel factory came across one this week, and took it to the nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which in turn alerted authorities.
Chris Adriaansen from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries has been showing off the slimey find.
CHRIS ADRIAANSEN: He is a fairly large, impressive beast.
LOUISE WILLIS: And is he the largest snail you've ever seen?
CHRIS ADRIAANSEN: He is by far the biggest snail that I've ever seen in my life – just doesn't even compare to any size of garden snail that you see. You can step on a garden snail and not know it. If you stepped on this guy, yeah, you'd be walking with a limp for a week.
LOUISE WILLIS: And, where would it have come from?
CHRIS ADRIAANSEN: This one, based on the container traffic that coming into this particular business in the Currumbin Valley, we think that it's probably either from Indonesia or possibly even from China.
LOUISE WILLIS: The DPI and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service say other giant snails might be in the area and they're also concerned the captured snail may have laid eggs, but intense searches across Currumbin have so far turned up nothing.
A baiting program is being conducted as a precaution, and the captured snail will be destroyed. The last Giant African Snail outbreak was at Gordonvale, near Cairns, in far north Queensland in 1977 – hundreds were found and they took eight months to eradicate.
The snails aren't wanted because they're voracious feeders, and eat hundreds of different types of native plants and commercial crops.
Now, questions are being asked about how this one made it through supposedly tight quarantine restrictions governing the thousands of shipping containers that arrive each day on Australian wharves.
AQIS entomologist Bill Crowe admits his agency may need to be more vigilant.
BILL CROWE: Well, what we can't do is we can't look inside every single one of those 10,000 per day. So things that are low-risk commodities internally, we just don't open those containers, and that's something that we'll have to have a look at after this incident if we can actually trace it back.
DAVID HARDAKER: Bill Crowe from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, speaking to Louise Willis.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Friday, December 24, 2004
The last word to Cindy Sheehan
Dear Time Editors:
My son, Spc. Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq on 04/04/04. This has been an extraordinary couple of weeks of "slaps in the faces" to us families of fallen heroes.
First, the Secretary of Defense—Donald Rumsfeld—admits to the world something that we as military families already know: The United States was not prepared for nor had any plan for the assault on Iraq. Our children were sent to fight an ill-conceived and badly prosecuted war. Our troops were sent with the wrong type of training, bad equipment, inferior protection and thin supply lines. Our children have been killed and we have made the ultimate sacrifice for this fiasco of a war, then we find out this week that Rumsfeld doesn't even have the courtesy or compassion to sign the "death letters"—as they are so callously called. Besides the upcoming holidays and the fact we miss our children desperately, what else can go wrong this holiday season?
Well let's see. Oh yes. George W. Bush awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to three more architects of the quagmire that is Iraq. Thousands of people are dead and Bremer, Tenet and Franks are given our country's highest civilian award. What's next?
To top everything off—after it has been proven that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, there were no ties between Saddam and 9/11 and over 1,300 brave young people in this country are dead and Iraq lies in ruins— what does Time Magazine do? Names George W. Bush as its "Man of the Year." The person who betrayed this country into a needless war and whom I hold ultimately responsible for my son's death and who was questionably elected, again, to a second term, is honored this way by your magazine.
I hope we finally find peace in our world and that our troops who remain in Iraq are brought home speedily—after all, there was no reason for our troops to be there in the first place. No reason for my son and over 1,300 others to have been taken from their families. No reason for the infrastructure of Iraq to be demolished and thousands of Iraqis being killed. No reason for the notion of a "happy" holiday to be robbed from my family forever. I hope that our "leaders" don't invade any other countries which pose no serious threat to the United States. I hope there is no draft. I hope that the five people mentioned here (and many others) will finally be held responsible for the horrible mistake they got our country into. I hope that competence is finally rewarded and incompetence is appropriately punished. These are my wishes for 2005.
This isn't the first time your magazine has selected a questionable man for this honor—but it's the first time it affected my family so personally and so sorrowfully.
Cindy Sheehan
My son, Spc. Casey Sheehan was killed in Iraq on 04/04/04. This has been an extraordinary couple of weeks of "slaps in the faces" to us families of fallen heroes.
First, the Secretary of Defense—Donald Rumsfeld—admits to the world something that we as military families already know: The United States was not prepared for nor had any plan for the assault on Iraq. Our children were sent to fight an ill-conceived and badly prosecuted war. Our troops were sent with the wrong type of training, bad equipment, inferior protection and thin supply lines. Our children have been killed and we have made the ultimate sacrifice for this fiasco of a war, then we find out this week that Rumsfeld doesn't even have the courtesy or compassion to sign the "death letters"—as they are so callously called. Besides the upcoming holidays and the fact we miss our children desperately, what else can go wrong this holiday season?
Well let's see. Oh yes. George W. Bush awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to three more architects of the quagmire that is Iraq. Thousands of people are dead and Bremer, Tenet and Franks are given our country's highest civilian award. What's next?
To top everything off—after it has been proven that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction, there were no ties between Saddam and 9/11 and over 1,300 brave young people in this country are dead and Iraq lies in ruins— what does Time Magazine do? Names George W. Bush as its "Man of the Year." The person who betrayed this country into a needless war and whom I hold ultimately responsible for my son's death and who was questionably elected, again, to a second term, is honored this way by your magazine.
I hope we finally find peace in our world and that our troops who remain in Iraq are brought home speedily—after all, there was no reason for our troops to be there in the first place. No reason for my son and over 1,300 others to have been taken from their families. No reason for the infrastructure of Iraq to be demolished and thousands of Iraqis being killed. No reason for the notion of a "happy" holiday to be robbed from my family forever. I hope that our "leaders" don't invade any other countries which pose no serious threat to the United States. I hope there is no draft. I hope that the five people mentioned here (and many others) will finally be held responsible for the horrible mistake they got our country into. I hope that competence is finally rewarded and incompetence is appropriately punished. These are my wishes for 2005.
This isn't the first time your magazine has selected a questionable man for this honor—but it's the first time it affected my family so personally and so sorrowfully.
Cindy Sheehan
The article is here.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Christmas gift 2001
It'’s appropriate I should post my dog on my blog at this time of the year since she was heaven sent on 24th December 2001. Everyday I look at her and know she is a gift in my life. My other dog had been sick. I thought he'’d eaten something off in the garden and the vet told me off for giving him chicken bones when I rang to consult. I'’d always given my dogs the big chicken bones because another vet had said they were good for their teeth. Well, the dog was very quiet and looking at me very intently. I took him down to the vet and, as I tried to lift my giant Labrador/Shepherd cross into the car, he tried to bite me. He was so angry. Then he was so sad and shocked as I was. He was the biggest teddybear dog I had ever met. Such a comfort and so kind. I wasn’'t prepared to hear he had a massive tumour in his stomach and his heart was under pressure. I thought he had an upset stomach. I thought he was coming home again. I had just lost my mum to lymphoma and a massive stomach tumour. This was too much information. I had no option but to put him down. I was stunned, shocked. Traumatised. My teddybear dog gone. Why the vet gave me his collar and leash I shall never know. It was the oddest thing. We lasted the night. We got up on the morning of Christmas Eve and we couldn’'t stand not having our dog. The house was so empty and sad. “ "I can’'t stand this. It’'s Christmas. I shall go the the RSPCA and if they have a nice dog we think we can love, then let’'s get a new dog and just have our kind thoughts of our other one. He’'s gone too soon."” Off we drove, very sombre and feeling like we were traitors but knowing we couldn'’t stand another night in a dog free zone. There was Purdie of the giant ears and starey eyes, there was the licking machine, there were fat ones, thin ones, scruffy ones. Our hearts melted. Then there was Tess. Drooling, too thin, so spirited and friendly. A smile in her eyes in spite of her glassy coat and bony look. We took her into the field to play with her. She was very energetic. She was supposed to be two years old. By the time we got her home The Nose had imprinted her big paws all over our lives. She was into every cupboard, she couldn'’t get enough to eat, she had to be fed carefully because she had been starved and mistreated. It took me six months of 3 meals a day to fill her tank. Her coat became shiny, she put on muscle and the vet decided like me , she wasn'’t 2 but 6 months. So we had all the naughty puppy stuff. She is a joy. So happy, cheerful, intelligent and funny. This will be her 4th Christmas with us. I do not regret I rescued her from the RSPCA. She’'s the best present and each day she is full of it.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
The world is full of surprises today
September 11 conspiracy theorist offers prize
by Larry Fine, Reuters News Agency
Dec. 15, 2004
NEW YORK -- Jimmy Walter has spent more than $3 million promoting a conspiracy theory the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States were "an inside job" and he is offering more cash to anyone who proves him wrong.
The millionaire activist is so convinced of a government cover-up he is offering a $100,000 reward to any engineering student who can prove the World Trade Center buildings crashed the way the government says.
"Of course, we expect no winners," Walter, 57, heir to an $11 million fortune from his father's home building business, said in a telephone interview from California on Wednesday.
by Larry Fine, Reuters News Agency
Dec. 15, 2004
NEW YORK -- Jimmy Walter has spent more than $3 million promoting a conspiracy theory the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States were "an inside job" and he is offering more cash to anyone who proves him wrong.
The millionaire activist is so convinced of a government cover-up he is offering a $100,000 reward to any engineering student who can prove the World Trade Center buildings crashed the way the government says.
"Of course, we expect no winners," Walter, 57, heir to an $11 million fortune from his father's home building business, said in a telephone interview from California on Wednesday.
Form an orderly queue here...race ya!!
Truth, justice and...
FBI emails reveal Guantanamo abuse claims. 22/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1270227.htm]
Last Update: Wednesday, December 22, 2004. 8:25am (AEDT)
FBI emails outline torture techniques used at Guantanamo Bay.
FBI emails reveal Guantanamo abuse claims
A series of FBI memos has been released, detailing the abuse of detainees at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
In memos over a two year period FBI agents said they witnessed the use of torture techniques, which included the use of dogs, prisoners being shackled to the floor in foetal positions for up to 24 hours, left without food and water, left to defecate upon themselves.
The memos also show that personnel at Guantanamo believed they had authority for these methods from senior pentagon officials.
It is believed the memo was referring to an order signed by Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Whitehouse spokesman Scott McLellan says the President expects a full investigation.
The emails also claim that interrogators posed as FBI agents to avoid being traced.
The Adelaide-based lawyer representing David Hicks says the FBI emails reflect the claims of torture made by his client.
Stephen Kenny says the Australian Government must pressure the US to have a full inquiry, independent of the Pentagon.
"There is no other option, the amount of evidence on the torture and abuse of prisoners worldwide by the Americans is completely plain," he said.
"They so far have prosecuted a number of lower level ranks but the reality is that this has been systematic abuse that has gone on and has been known about at the highest level."
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
David Hicks comes from SA. He was one of the first victims of the so called war on terror. From what I understand he had been working as a mercenary in Afghanistan and elsewhere ( how come I no longer know the facts??) long before terrorism became the catch cry. His father has fought long and hard to allow him justice and to keep his case in front of our government which appears to have done nothing to ensure one of its citizens reaches a fair trial. I wonder why he needs to be tried since thousands of people have worked as mercenaries and they have been neither tried nor incarcerated. I don't think we even thought about them much. As soon as Sept 11th was over David Hicks was picked up and put in Guantanamo Bay for supposedly working for the Taliban. Like Oussama bin Pimpernel? They can catch David but not the elusive Oussama. We seek him here, we seek him there. The lawyers here and in the US are doing their best to get him a fair hearing. He may have done wrong according to the decisions the US made apres Sept 11th. Doesn't alter the fact these people have been imprisoned indefinitely and suffered for no apparent reason because they might be terrorists. I believe I saw something about it on one of my visits to the Amnesty site:
Since Mr. Howard is apparently friendly with Mr. Bush he might have deemed it worthwhile to negotiate on behalf of David Hicks. Or, like many other monarchs in history just let him rot in the dungeon until he deems fit to consider the matter or not. Oops, there I am forgetting again...I live in a democracy. The law is for everyone. Glad the lawyers have remembered!! This has all come up again because our government was saying he hadn't been mistreated.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1270227.htm]
Last Update: Wednesday, December 22, 2004. 8:25am (AEDT)
FBI emails outline torture techniques used at Guantanamo Bay.
FBI emails reveal Guantanamo abuse claims
A series of FBI memos has been released, detailing the abuse of detainees at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
In memos over a two year period FBI agents said they witnessed the use of torture techniques, which included the use of dogs, prisoners being shackled to the floor in foetal positions for up to 24 hours, left without food and water, left to defecate upon themselves.
The memos also show that personnel at Guantanamo believed they had authority for these methods from senior pentagon officials.
It is believed the memo was referring to an order signed by Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Whitehouse spokesman Scott McLellan says the President expects a full investigation.
The emails also claim that interrogators posed as FBI agents to avoid being traced.
The Adelaide-based lawyer representing David Hicks says the FBI emails reflect the claims of torture made by his client.
Stephen Kenny says the Australian Government must pressure the US to have a full inquiry, independent of the Pentagon.
"There is no other option, the amount of evidence on the torture and abuse of prisoners worldwide by the Americans is completely plain," he said.
"They so far have prosecuted a number of lower level ranks but the reality is that this has been systematic abuse that has gone on and has been known about at the highest level."
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
David Hicks comes from SA. He was one of the first victims of the so called war on terror. From what I understand he had been working as a mercenary in Afghanistan and elsewhere ( how come I no longer know the facts??) long before terrorism became the catch cry. His father has fought long and hard to allow him justice and to keep his case in front of our government which appears to have done nothing to ensure one of its citizens reaches a fair trial. I wonder why he needs to be tried since thousands of people have worked as mercenaries and they have been neither tried nor incarcerated. I don't think we even thought about them much. As soon as Sept 11th was over David Hicks was picked up and put in Guantanamo Bay for supposedly working for the Taliban. Like Oussama bin Pimpernel? They can catch David but not the elusive Oussama. We seek him here, we seek him there. The lawyers here and in the US are doing their best to get him a fair hearing. He may have done wrong according to the decisions the US made apres Sept 11th. Doesn't alter the fact these people have been imprisoned indefinitely and suffered for no apparent reason because they might be terrorists. I believe I saw something about it on one of my visits to the Amnesty site:
This is a link to some of the details.
Since Mr. Howard is apparently friendly with Mr. Bush he might have deemed it worthwhile to negotiate on behalf of David Hicks. Or, like many other monarchs in history just let him rot in the dungeon until he deems fit to consider the matter or not. Oops, there I am forgetting again...I live in a democracy. The law is for everyone. Glad the lawyers have remembered!! This has all come up again because our government was saying he hadn't been mistreated.
Only 3 more sleeps!
Only three more sleeps...phew! I am getting there. More cooking, fixing, visiting,repairing, cleansing and purifying...and the wonderful aromas and smiles all round.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
A shining light
Reverend lights candles in Iraq protest
17:43 AEDT Sun Dec 19 2004
An Australian clergyman will attempt a world record by lighting 16,419 candles - one for every civilian killed in Iraq since its occupation.
Anglican Reverend Paul Wood, of the Victorian town of Mansfield, will be battling strong winds in his attempt, but has vowed to complete the symbolic gesture.
He said he had based the memorial on the "conservative estimate" of 16,419 civilian deaths since the American-led attack and subsequent occupation.
Mr Wood said he'd had strong support from the community and 33 teams of people would be helping him light the candles.
"There are a lot of people responding to this who are a bit concerned about the ethics of the war," he said.
"Since the invasion, we've wondered what the collateral damage would be."It's so devastating and the civilians' deaths seem to be just swept under the carpet, so we're hoping to help people be able to visualise the devastation of this war."
The candles have been set up along the wide median strip which runs down the town's main street.
Volunteers spent the day making paper guards which they hope will protect the flames from the blustery winds.
Mr Wood said, although it would be a difficult task, he would try to get every candle lit, even if it meant working well into the night.
"Hopefully this will make real to our community the sheer number of civilian casualties and the horror of war and terrorism," he said.
"Our aim is to highlight the human dimension of the conflict in Iraq and to reaffirm the Christmas themes of peace and goodwill."
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=24867
17:43 AEDT Sun Dec 19 2004
An Australian clergyman will attempt a world record by lighting 16,419 candles - one for every civilian killed in Iraq since its occupation.
Anglican Reverend Paul Wood, of the Victorian town of Mansfield, will be battling strong winds in his attempt, but has vowed to complete the symbolic gesture.
He said he had based the memorial on the "conservative estimate" of 16,419 civilian deaths since the American-led attack and subsequent occupation.
Mr Wood said he'd had strong support from the community and 33 teams of people would be helping him light the candles.
"There are a lot of people responding to this who are a bit concerned about the ethics of the war," he said.
"Since the invasion, we've wondered what the collateral damage would be."It's so devastating and the civilians' deaths seem to be just swept under the carpet, so we're hoping to help people be able to visualise the devastation of this war."
The candles have been set up along the wide median strip which runs down the town's main street.
Volunteers spent the day making paper guards which they hope will protect the flames from the blustery winds.
Mr Wood said, although it would be a difficult task, he would try to get every candle lit, even if it meant working well into the night.
"Hopefully this will make real to our community the sheer number of civilian casualties and the horror of war and terrorism," he said.
"Our aim is to highlight the human dimension of the conflict in Iraq and to reaffirm the Christmas themes of peace and goodwill."
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=24867
Christmas is coming!
Well, we have been up and running!! Busy, busy . Cooking, wrapping,cleaning,polishing talking, laughing, eating...only 4 more sleeps!
Monday, December 20, 2004
Onya, Andrew!
Andrew Bartlett is on hunger strike. (File photo) (ABC TV ) One small step for the Democrats...one giant leap for our politicians.
Detention dissention
Bartlett pledges support for Baxter detainees. 19/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1268378.htm]
Last Update: Sunday, December 19, 2004. 7:28am (AEDT)
Andrew Bartlett is on hunger strike.
Bartlett pledges support for Baxter detainees
Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says he will remain on a hunger strike as long as detainees at the Baxter detention centre in South Australia's north do.
Several of the hunger strikers, including those on the roof of the centre, have ended their strike, although refugee support groups say the protest is continuing inside.
The Queensland Senator, who will drink water but not eat, says he is protesting about the conditions for asylum seekers in Baxter.
"I'd also like to encourage the detainees to retain some hope," he said.
"I don't encourage detainees to go on hunger strikes.
"I've always encouraged them in the past not to do that, to pursue other means and I continue to encourage them not to do that but to indicate to them that we'll continue to support them."
Meanwhile, Senator Bartlett says the Federal Government's treatment of the Bakhtiyari family has been unjust and a disgrace.
Immigration officials arrived unannounced at the Adelaide home of Mrs Bakhtiyari and her six children early yesterday morning and moved them to secure housing at Port Augusta.
The Government has not said wether they will be deported, but says it had become untenable to allow them to continue to live in the eastern suburbs home.
"The Government and the department act close to Christmas, act in the night, act on the weekends and attempt to try and get away with what they're doing with less scrutiny," Senator Bartlett said.
"Part of my job is to highlight what they're doing and ensure there is scrutiny of incredibly callous an inhumane acts."
The detention centre here continues to be a weeping sore. The damage, the pain, the emotion, the confusion have been ongoing. The federal government keeps telling us they are in control. We continue to wrestle with what to do with illegal immigrants, legal immigrants on the waiting lists, refugees. We don't understand why it takes so long for officials to work out whether someone is a legitimate refugee or not. We have had difficulties with people smugglers and we have been trying to stop that . Bit like the German radio play Das Schiff Esperanza by Fred von Hoerschelmann. It's uncanny. The whole situation keeps flaring up because at no stage have we discussed this properly and thoroughly. Consequently the treatment of these people becomes very draconian. Nobody explains anything and no one is going through a proper process as far as we can see. Most of us are immigrants here. We all have our stories. Some came over on "assisted passage"; some were sent as convicts; some chose to migrate here; some came out through refugee camps in Yugoslavia. Australia has people from many countries where they could no longer live. Why these detainees are different is beyond us and yes, we are not stupid, we accept some people ar a big risk and we don't know who they might be, but come on....you have WMD; you have satellites; you have hackware and spyware. You even bug the UN. Shouldn't be that hard to track 'em down, these evil beings. The latest family to stir our compassions and emotions is the Bakhtiyari family.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1268378.htm]
Last Update: Sunday, December 19, 2004. 7:28am (AEDT)
Andrew Bartlett is on hunger strike.
Bartlett pledges support for Baxter detainees
Australian Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says he will remain on a hunger strike as long as detainees at the Baxter detention centre in South Australia's north do.
Several of the hunger strikers, including those on the roof of the centre, have ended their strike, although refugee support groups say the protest is continuing inside.
The Queensland Senator, who will drink water but not eat, says he is protesting about the conditions for asylum seekers in Baxter.
"I'd also like to encourage the detainees to retain some hope," he said.
"I don't encourage detainees to go on hunger strikes.
"I've always encouraged them in the past not to do that, to pursue other means and I continue to encourage them not to do that but to indicate to them that we'll continue to support them."
Meanwhile, Senator Bartlett says the Federal Government's treatment of the Bakhtiyari family has been unjust and a disgrace.
Immigration officials arrived unannounced at the Adelaide home of Mrs Bakhtiyari and her six children early yesterday morning and moved them to secure housing at Port Augusta.
The Government has not said wether they will be deported, but says it had become untenable to allow them to continue to live in the eastern suburbs home.
"The Government and the department act close to Christmas, act in the night, act on the weekends and attempt to try and get away with what they're doing with less scrutiny," Senator Bartlett said.
"Part of my job is to highlight what they're doing and ensure there is scrutiny of incredibly callous an inhumane acts."
The detention centre here continues to be a weeping sore. The damage, the pain, the emotion, the confusion have been ongoing. The federal government keeps telling us they are in control. We continue to wrestle with what to do with illegal immigrants, legal immigrants on the waiting lists, refugees. We don't understand why it takes so long for officials to work out whether someone is a legitimate refugee or not. We have had difficulties with people smugglers and we have been trying to stop that . Bit like the German radio play Das Schiff Esperanza by Fred von Hoerschelmann. It's uncanny. The whole situation keeps flaring up because at no stage have we discussed this properly and thoroughly. Consequently the treatment of these people becomes very draconian. Nobody explains anything and no one is going through a proper process as far as we can see. Most of us are immigrants here. We all have our stories. Some came over on "assisted passage"; some were sent as convicts; some chose to migrate here; some came out through refugee camps in Yugoslavia. Australia has people from many countries where they could no longer live. Why these detainees are different is beyond us and yes, we are not stupid, we accept some people ar a big risk and we don't know who they might be, but come on....you have WMD; you have satellites; you have hackware and spyware. You even bug the UN. Shouldn't be that hard to track 'em down, these evil beings. The latest family to stir our compassions and emotions is the Bakhtiyari family.
More information here.
Friday, December 17, 2004
On a lighter note - get ready for Christmas!
This is a cheerful Australian site.
Santa's visit application is one of the things you can download here.
Shark fever
The talk of the town has been the shark all day. People have been unusually open with their comments and positions but it has been a very healthy, balanced discussion. Adelaide had lost that capacity to forge its own destiny and now we seem to be like we were: not prone to over reaction,not without compassion and ready to consider all the information. The radio news and TV news programmes are now full of shark information. Good, because we obviously need reminding.The remains they found were not human. For the second time this year I have seen a father confronted with the most impossible hurt hold his head up high and speak with quiet human dignity. The first was the Russian father I spoke of earlier who lost one of his children in that chaos in a Russian school. He said he was going to find out the facts for himself because he no longer believed the media. He looked shaken but was wise. This father, today, came on the TV and said his family didn't want the shark killed. He knew it was not his decision to make, but he said it firmly and quietly and he became so human and humane because of it. The people at West beach are upset their beach has been the one to stop the beach fun. It's a great beach. People were having fun on a hot day. A shark expert of 23 years said he's never heard of a white pointer coming into our beaches. Me either. I'm no expert, but I have lived here a long time and we get the grey ones cruising up and down the coast from time to time. They are reported and followed by the sea planes but they don't come into the close coastal waters. So everyone is thinking about that. The general public didn't want the shark killed because of the pragmatism with regard to humans swimming in someone else's home. I love Adelaide when it's like this. "It's their home, if we go in there, we know the risks." They are providing supervised beaches, like before! We had flags to swim between on some days. So it has been a big day in Adelaide . Hot. 36 degrees and hotter tomorrow. So it is beach weather ,Christmas shopping and watching Australia do in Pakistan at the WACA!
Shark update
Human remains 'found' off beach
December 17, 2004 - 11:07AM
Human remains were found in waters off Adelaide today as the search continued for a killer great white shark which took an 18-year-old surfer yesterday.
Two sightings were made today of the shark believed to have killed Nick Peterson while he was riding a surfboard behind a boat at popular West Beach yesterday afternoon.
Authorities now believe only one great white was involved in the attack after initially being told two sharks had grabbed Mr Peterson.
SA Sea Rescue Squadron spokesman Frasier Bell said the two sightings of the shark today were made at 6.15am (CDT) and 8.20am off the coast of the adjoining suburbs of Henley Beach and Grange.
Mr Bell said a police rescue boat today also picked up what were believed to be human remains.
"There has been a report that a police rescue boat picked up a small human remain, but we have not quite confirmed that yet," Mr Bell said.
He said the shark was believed to be about five metres long and had been in the area for past two or three weeks.
"We are assuming it was one, the one which we have seen here for the past few weeks," he said.
"It's my belief that there was only one involved but the lads were so traumatised that they might have thought there was another one."
Three 16-year-old friends of Mr Peterson witnessed the frenzied attack about 300 metres offshore.
At dawn today about 30 boats began a search of the coast for the shark and for any signs of the dead man's body.
"Conditions are excellent, which is why I believe this shark is still so close," Mr Bell said.
"Conditions are glassy flat and normally that's when you get them close in.
"But one of that size that we are dealing with at the moment is very, very rare, especially along the metropolitan beaches of Adelaide."
About half a dozen teenage friends of Mr Peterson gathered on West Beach this morning to pay their respects to the former Sacred Heart College student who had been working as a paver.
With temperatures in Adelaide today forecast to reach 35 degrees celsius, police stopped short of closing metropolitan beaches but instead issued warnings for beachgoers to consider their own safety.
But organisers of a youth sailing regatta off the Adelaide coast today and an open water swim scheduled for Sunday were expected to cancel the events.
It has just been announced the government has given approval for the shark to be killed.
December 17, 2004 - 11:07AM
Human remains were found in waters off Adelaide today as the search continued for a killer great white shark which took an 18-year-old surfer yesterday.
Two sightings were made today of the shark believed to have killed Nick Peterson while he was riding a surfboard behind a boat at popular West Beach yesterday afternoon.
Authorities now believe only one great white was involved in the attack after initially being told two sharks had grabbed Mr Peterson.
SA Sea Rescue Squadron spokesman Frasier Bell said the two sightings of the shark today were made at 6.15am (CDT) and 8.20am off the coast of the adjoining suburbs of Henley Beach and Grange.
Mr Bell said a police rescue boat today also picked up what were believed to be human remains.
"There has been a report that a police rescue boat picked up a small human remain, but we have not quite confirmed that yet," Mr Bell said.
He said the shark was believed to be about five metres long and had been in the area for past two or three weeks.
"We are assuming it was one, the one which we have seen here for the past few weeks," he said.
"It's my belief that there was only one involved but the lads were so traumatised that they might have thought there was another one."
Three 16-year-old friends of Mr Peterson witnessed the frenzied attack about 300 metres offshore.
At dawn today about 30 boats began a search of the coast for the shark and for any signs of the dead man's body.
"Conditions are excellent, which is why I believe this shark is still so close," Mr Bell said.
"Conditions are glassy flat and normally that's when you get them close in.
"But one of that size that we are dealing with at the moment is very, very rare, especially along the metropolitan beaches of Adelaide."
About half a dozen teenage friends of Mr Peterson gathered on West Beach this morning to pay their respects to the former Sacred Heart College student who had been working as a paver.
With temperatures in Adelaide today forecast to reach 35 degrees celsius, police stopped short of closing metropolitan beaches but instead issued warnings for beachgoers to consider their own safety.
But organisers of a youth sailing regatta off the Adelaide coast today and an open water swim scheduled for Sunday were expected to cancel the events.
The Age , one of our national papers, is keeping us better informed.
It has just been announced the government has given approval for the shark to be killed.
Kitschy Christmas
It's not Christmas without the big kitschy Santa. This year we have giant balls and stars. It was hugely busy and animated in the Mall. Felt odd because it has been rather quiet of late.
Adelaide recarpeted
Nothing but building and rebuilding in Adelaide. The sky was blue, the machinery was loud, the temperature was hot and the camera was weird. We don't have concave buildings in town!! They've cut the big trees down. North Terrace was beautifully shady. Not now! Adelaide has a mania for chopping trees. As soon as you get shade..chop..down they come for being too big and new ones are put in!!
Shark attack
The search is continuing today for the remains of a teenager taken by two great white sharks off an Adelaide beach yesterday.
The 18-year-old surfboarder, from South Australia's Yorke Peninsula, was grabbed by the arm and pulled under the sea by one of the great whites as he was being towed by a boat off West Beach yesterday afternoon.
We haven’t had a shark victim for 19 years and our talk of our town is why this happened and the shock of it all. Growing up here I can well remember the shark alerts on the radio and television. I don’t seem to hear those anymore. Maybe government cuts don’t heal. We normally have helicopters and the surf life savers keeping watch. I used to live in horror of a shark coming to get me if I went in the water. I got over it!! They are normally spotted very easily but the discussion is why there were two of them and what they were doing and whether to hunt them now. In my experience the sharks are killed, if for no other reason than to put people’s minds at rest. The white sharks, however, are a protected species. I have never known beaches to be closed but I have known the beaches to be cordoned off and more spotters put on. But surf life saving is not the in thing at the moment. It was huge but now it’s been taken over by the paying sports like cricket and football. West Beach is a very popular beach straight down the road from Adelaide airport. We used to have a great drive in cinema there. Parliament is meeting to discuss this this morning and our laws are simply that councils can’t regulate the activities past the shallow shore line. To close the beach it requires police edicts. In the meantime the friends and family have to try and nurse their grief.
Vigilantes warned: don't hunt the killer sharks
By LISA ALLISON
17dec04
VIGILANTES have been warned not to hunt down and kill the Great White sharks involved in yesterday's fatal attack.
Senior Sergeant Bob McDonald, from police water operations, said he advised those looking for vengeance to think twice before they embarked on a mission of revenge.
Killing a shark was against the law and people were most likely to kill the wrong one, Sen-Sgt McDonald said.
"It is human nature to want revenge and this is a very emotive event because of the ferocity of the attack," he said.
"I can appreciate people wanting to do it, but if they do get a shark, it is not lawful and they are probably achieving nothing. There is no way of knowing if they will actually get the right one."
Sen-Sgt McDonald said authorities had no plans to hunt the shark themselves because it would be hard to find them and their first priority was the victim.
"To hunt down two sharks would be an extremely hard task because we don't know where they have gone," he said.
"They could be anywhere."
Great Whites were a protected species and the criteria to gain permission to hunt a shark was "extremely strict" and so far, untested in SA.
"Great Whites are a protected species and only the Government or fisheries are able to issue such advice," Sen-Sgt McDonald said.
A spokesman for acting Premier Kevin Foley said the Government was not commenting on any aspect of a hunt at this stage but was leaving it to police.
Shark expert Andrew Fox said any hunt would likely net the wrong shark and applauded the decision not to hunt at this stage.
"In tragedies such as this there is always speculation about hunting the shark but never has there been any evidence of a `rogue shark' that hunts people," Mr Fox said.
"In most cases they are not likely to attack again."
Mr Fox said the sharks could still be in the area although they were known to travel up to 70km or more a day.
"The fact that there were reports of two sharks suggests to me that they were following a food source or perhaps one shark was following a breeding female," he said.
Sen-Sgt McDonald said the search would resume today.
If a decision is made to kill the sharks, a professional fisherman would be hired.
Twenty West Beach Life Saving Club members were among those helping to find any trace of the victim yesterday.
"We've put three boats into the water and two four-wheel-drives are patrolling the beach hoping to find a survivor," club vice-president Peter Finck said.
"But it's not looking good at this stage."
"Unfortunately there is not much we can do but help in the rescue effort."
Committee members also were discussing whether to continue with club activities this week.
Police also warned beachgoers in the West Beach area to stay out of the water yesterday, but few people still dared to venture out for a paddle in the hours after the attack.
West Torrens Mayor John Trainer, whose council includes West Beach, said the death could have a detrimental effect on the area, a popular spot for holiday-makers and locals.
"A catastrophe like this could naturally cause a great deal of apprehension among beachgoers," he said.
Yesterday's attack was the 20th recorded shark fatality in SA's history.
"There's been 20 fatalities out of 46 attacks in South Australia, that's an unusually high proportion," Mr Fox said.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/
story_page/0,5936,11715225%255E2682,00.html
The 18-year-old surfboarder, from South Australia's Yorke Peninsula, was grabbed by the arm and pulled under the sea by one of the great whites as he was being towed by a boat off West Beach yesterday afternoon.
We haven’t had a shark victim for 19 years and our talk of our town is why this happened and the shock of it all. Growing up here I can well remember the shark alerts on the radio and television. I don’t seem to hear those anymore. Maybe government cuts don’t heal. We normally have helicopters and the surf life savers keeping watch. I used to live in horror of a shark coming to get me if I went in the water. I got over it!! They are normally spotted very easily but the discussion is why there were two of them and what they were doing and whether to hunt them now. In my experience the sharks are killed, if for no other reason than to put people’s minds at rest. The white sharks, however, are a protected species. I have never known beaches to be closed but I have known the beaches to be cordoned off and more spotters put on. But surf life saving is not the in thing at the moment. It was huge but now it’s been taken over by the paying sports like cricket and football. West Beach is a very popular beach straight down the road from Adelaide airport. We used to have a great drive in cinema there. Parliament is meeting to discuss this this morning and our laws are simply that councils can’t regulate the activities past the shallow shore line. To close the beach it requires police edicts. In the meantime the friends and family have to try and nurse their grief.
Vigilantes warned: don't hunt the killer sharks
By LISA ALLISON
17dec04
VIGILANTES have been warned not to hunt down and kill the Great White sharks involved in yesterday's fatal attack.
Senior Sergeant Bob McDonald, from police water operations, said he advised those looking for vengeance to think twice before they embarked on a mission of revenge.
Killing a shark was against the law and people were most likely to kill the wrong one, Sen-Sgt McDonald said.
"It is human nature to want revenge and this is a very emotive event because of the ferocity of the attack," he said.
"I can appreciate people wanting to do it, but if they do get a shark, it is not lawful and they are probably achieving nothing. There is no way of knowing if they will actually get the right one."
Sen-Sgt McDonald said authorities had no plans to hunt the shark themselves because it would be hard to find them and their first priority was the victim.
"To hunt down two sharks would be an extremely hard task because we don't know where they have gone," he said.
"They could be anywhere."
Great Whites were a protected species and the criteria to gain permission to hunt a shark was "extremely strict" and so far, untested in SA.
"Great Whites are a protected species and only the Government or fisheries are able to issue such advice," Sen-Sgt McDonald said.
A spokesman for acting Premier Kevin Foley said the Government was not commenting on any aspect of a hunt at this stage but was leaving it to police.
Shark expert Andrew Fox said any hunt would likely net the wrong shark and applauded the decision not to hunt at this stage.
"In tragedies such as this there is always speculation about hunting the shark but never has there been any evidence of a `rogue shark' that hunts people," Mr Fox said.
"In most cases they are not likely to attack again."
Mr Fox said the sharks could still be in the area although they were known to travel up to 70km or more a day.
"The fact that there were reports of two sharks suggests to me that they were following a food source or perhaps one shark was following a breeding female," he said.
Sen-Sgt McDonald said the search would resume today.
If a decision is made to kill the sharks, a professional fisherman would be hired.
Twenty West Beach Life Saving Club members were among those helping to find any trace of the victim yesterday.
"We've put three boats into the water and two four-wheel-drives are patrolling the beach hoping to find a survivor," club vice-president Peter Finck said.
"But it's not looking good at this stage."
"Unfortunately there is not much we can do but help in the rescue effort."
Committee members also were discussing whether to continue with club activities this week.
Police also warned beachgoers in the West Beach area to stay out of the water yesterday, but few people still dared to venture out for a paddle in the hours after the attack.
West Torrens Mayor John Trainer, whose council includes West Beach, said the death could have a detrimental effect on the area, a popular spot for holiday-makers and locals.
"A catastrophe like this could naturally cause a great deal of apprehension among beachgoers," he said.
Yesterday's attack was the 20th recorded shark fatality in SA's history.
"There's been 20 fatalities out of 46 attacks in South Australia, that's an unusually high proportion," Mr Fox said.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/
story_page/0,5936,11715225%255E2682,00.html
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
I don't , I don't, I do
We have a bit of an anomaly with our laws in South Australia. You can be married at 16 as long as your partner is 18 or over, but it is actually illegal to have sex until you can give consent at 17. Then you can be sexually active and proactive for a year, you could even have a baby, but you may not see R rated movies until you are 18!! So I guess we recommend not living vicariously. It was actually the Social Purity Society which raised the age of consent for girls in SA to 16 in 1885. Somewhere along the line the society for the Utterly Pure and Totally Pristine raised it to 17.
Marriage
· People 18 years of age can marry without anyone's consent.
· At 16 a young person can marry with parental consent and the consent of a court. This can happen only if one young person is over 18.
· In special circumstances the Court may give permission for people under 18 to marry without their parents' consent.
Sex
· Young people who are 17 or older can give consent to sexual intercourse ie a person can have sex with them if they agree to it.
· The law is the same for males and females.
· It is an offence to have sex with a person under 17, even if both young people are under 17 and both agree.
· If a person is married and under 17 it is not an offence to have sex with the partner.
· It is an offence for a person in a position of care or authority to have sex with a person under 18.
Note: Parents cannot "take a person to court" for this, but they can report it to the police and ask the police to make a charge.
Sex shops
Young people under 18 cannot go into sex shops.
Here is the run down on what kids are and aren't allowed by law in SA.
Classifications
Films and computer games are classified into either advisory or restricted categories. These categories are described in the classification guidelines which can be downloaded from this page.
Anyone can watch films and play games that are classified G, PG, G8+ and M15+. There are age recommendations, but no legal restrictions on viewing.
If a film or a computer game is classified MA15+, the content is considered to be strong enough to impose legal restrictions on students who are under 15 years. this page.
R18+ films are for adults. There is no R classification for computer games.
Some educational films and games may be exempt from classification.
Classification and consumer advice decisions are based on the classifiable elements in a movie, computer game or publication. Classifiable elements include themes (eg suicide, racism, corruption), violence, sex, coarse language, drug use and nudity.
What are the classifications?
General
Parental guidance recommended for persons under 15 years
Recommended for mature audiences 15 years and over
Classifications below are legally restricted
Restrictions apply to persons under the age of 15
Restricted to adults 18 years and over
This site gives you the official classifications.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Christmas recarpeted
Christmas in Australia is quite different from elsewhere and many Europeans cannot believe there is so little effort and care. On the surface. Shops have lost their spirit and the general community can feel very lacking in the Christmas spirit. It's not compulsory. It became less important when people started working longer hours, when they changed shop trading hours, when we became aware many people do not celebrate or acknowledge Christmas as part of their cultural heritage. So confusion reigned, then it was dismissed as commercial clap trap. Christmas in Australia can be a very stressful time for families. The distances between homes can be huge and so some families are on the road all day. Even in air conditioned cars the heat can add to the pressure. Then there is the split between the Christmas purists and the relaxed approach. Some people spend the day at the beach playing cricket or volleyball, catching the waves. Some put on the full traditional meal of turkey and pudding which can make tempers soar with the temperatures. We have reclaimed Christmas as a time to gather with friends and family but basically you have to belong to the group or you feel cut off from Christmas. The upsurge in church goers has put some of the religious spirit back into Christmas and our churches are making an effort to gather the lost souls around town to help them feel wanted at Christmas. When I was reading this article, the first few paragraphs reminded me of a time with my daughter when she was 4. We were looking at the nativity scene in a shop window and naming the cast:
Who's that?
Joseph
Who's that?
The three wise men
Who's that?
A shepherd
That's the little baby Jesus, Mummy, but who's that lady?
The Madonna.
Madonna? That's not Madonna , Mummy, you're silly. She doesn't dress like that and have a little baby Jesus...
At which point the two old ladies next to me burst into chuckles and looked at this media minded little girl. " I suppose the wee ones do get confused these days, " said one of them. The other nodded.
The religious amnesia evident in Australia at Christmas is not only sad, it's dangerous, writes Muriel Porter.
Friends of mine recently took their young son to see the Myer Christmas windows. He was engrossed by them, carefully following the story of The Polar Express - a story he knows well - from scene to scene. Then he came to the window depicting Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus. The nativity tableau was quite new to him. "So what's the story here then?" he asked his parents.
Similar anecdotes could be told around the country, and not just about schoolchildren. My friends' son belongs to the second generation at least that has almost entirely missed out on learning the basic stories of the Christian faith, the religion that shaped Western civilisation.
There are many reasons for this significant shift; the rapid decline in church-going over the past 40 years is only the most obvious. As church connection has waned, our culture has just as rapidly become secularised. Misguided attempts to avoid possible offence to other world faiths by stopping traditional Christian observances in schools and kindergartens is the result of that secularisation, not its cause.
Who's that?
Joseph
Who's that?
The three wise men
Who's that?
A shepherd
That's the little baby Jesus, Mummy, but who's that lady?
The Madonna.
Madonna? That's not Madonna , Mummy, you're silly. She doesn't dress like that and have a little baby Jesus...
At which point the two old ladies next to me burst into chuckles and looked at this media minded little girl. " I suppose the wee ones do get confused these days, " said one of them. The other nodded.
The religious amnesia evident in Australia at Christmas is not only sad, it's dangerous, writes Muriel Porter.
Friends of mine recently took their young son to see the Myer Christmas windows. He was engrossed by them, carefully following the story of The Polar Express - a story he knows well - from scene to scene. Then he came to the window depicting Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus. The nativity tableau was quite new to him. "So what's the story here then?" he asked his parents.
Similar anecdotes could be told around the country, and not just about schoolchildren. My friends' son belongs to the second generation at least that has almost entirely missed out on learning the basic stories of the Christian faith, the religion that shaped Western civilisation.
There are many reasons for this significant shift; the rapid decline in church-going over the past 40 years is only the most obvious. As church connection has waned, our culture has just as rapidly become secularised. Misguided attempts to avoid possible offence to other world faiths by stopping traditional Christian observances in schools and kindergartens is the result of that secularisation, not its cause.
The rest can be found here.
Floral gaiety
The garden belied the weather. The colours were an astounding contrast to the overhead grey. Cheered on by such a show, I spent the day gardening inspite of the rain. I planted basil, bok choy, spinach, salvia, strawberries, red onions for the stir fries. I moved pots and got the freckle faces into a better position where I could appreciate them. The grass is so green because of the rain. So, today, was a good day inspite of the rain and I noticed the birds weren't bothered by it either. Weird , though! Should be shorts and tank top weather.
It's raining again!!
I got up this morning and had another grey day confronting me. Unlike other days, it rained during the day. I suppose we have been lucky in that it's usually been raining overnight.Some areas have had torrential rain and the mud has slid into people's houses and shops have been washed out. At Murray Bridge they are very angry because they had been asking for the drains to be cleared. Luckily I can't get flooded here but down the road the river is apt to swell up! I wonder where Australia has gone??It's supposed to be summer!!
Monday, December 13, 2004
Wild and woolly
I have lived here for years and I have never heard of Q fever. It's a rural disease and I have heard of Ross River fever and Murray Valley encephalitis but never Q fever. What next?? Does this mean we can't play with the sheepies anymore?? No more talking to the cows? It's big in Queensland but the Q is supposed to be for Query.Why? It first came here in 1935 and apparently they have it in America as well.
Eight come down with Q Fever. 13/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1264296.htm]
Last Update: Monday, December 13, 2004. 7:15pm (AEDT)
Eight come down with Q Fever
Health authorities are still trying to work out why eight people in the mid-north town of Jamestown in South Australia have been struck down by Q Fever.
Another five suspected cases are being investigated.
Authorities say people with the disease will feel like they have got the worst case of influenza they have ever had.
Dr Rod Givney, from the Department of Health, says in some cases victims can spend weeks or months in hospital recovering.
He says the people who have Q Fever have all had contact with sheep, but the department still does not know what the exact link is there.
He says the department needs to talk to the people and compare their stories before they get a final answer.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
· Symptoms include the following:
o Fever
o Severe headache
o Myalgias
o Anorexia
o Cough
o Pleuritic chest pain
o Sweats
o Chills
o Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (rare)
Physical: Often in acute Q fever, specific findings may not exist. In chronic Q fever, findings consistent with endocarditis and hepatitis more frequently are found.
· Findings in endocarditis include the following:
o Vegetations on any valve (although aortic and prosthetic valves are favored)
o Clubbing of digits
o Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in approximately one half of patients
o Arterial emboli in approximately one third of patients
o Purpuric rash in approximately 20% of patients
· Findings in hepatitis include the following:
o Fever
o Malaise
o Hepatomegaly with right upper quadrant pain
o Jaundice (occasional)
Eight come down with Q Fever. 13/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1264296.htm]
Last Update: Monday, December 13, 2004. 7:15pm (AEDT)
Eight come down with Q Fever
Health authorities are still trying to work out why eight people in the mid-north town of Jamestown in South Australia have been struck down by Q Fever.
Another five suspected cases are being investigated.
Authorities say people with the disease will feel like they have got the worst case of influenza they have ever had.
Dr Rod Givney, from the Department of Health, says in some cases victims can spend weeks or months in hospital recovering.
He says the people who have Q Fever have all had contact with sheep, but the department still does not know what the exact link is there.
He says the department needs to talk to the people and compare their stories before they get a final answer.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
This site is a very friendly insight into the situation in Queensland.
· Symptoms include the following:
o Fever
o Severe headache
o Myalgias
o Anorexia
o Cough
o Pleuritic chest pain
o Sweats
o Chills
o Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (rare)
Physical: Often in acute Q fever, specific findings may not exist. In chronic Q fever, findings consistent with endocarditis and hepatitis more frequently are found.
· Findings in endocarditis include the following:
o Vegetations on any valve (although aortic and prosthetic valves are favored)
o Clubbing of digits
o Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in approximately one half of patients
o Arterial emboli in approximately one third of patients
o Purpuric rash in approximately 20% of patients
· Findings in hepatitis include the following:
o Fever
o Malaise
o Hepatomegaly with right upper quadrant pain
o Jaundice (occasional)
Emedicine gives more details.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
There's more
Press failure. “If you blinked, you would have missed news of a Pentagon ‘strategic’ report to Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld revealing that U.S. actions ‘have not only failed, they may also have achieved the opposite of what they intended.’ There was a bit in some newspapers about a damning classified cable from the Central Intelligence Agency's station chief in Baghdad that painted a dismal picture of Iraq's economic, political and security prospects. And, while it got notice when published in October, there's been no follow-up on a study in an esteemed British medical journal suggesting that up to 100,000 civilians had died since the invasion. No follow-up, that is, except to trash the research.”
This comes from the daily war news which is linked at the right under Today in Iraq. There's also information about body armour and the kits for the Humvees. Not only are we liberating Iraq, we are dropping the soldiers right in it. Someone , somewhere said that if 25 or something people would have been put on an island at the beginning of last year we'd have avoided all of this. If it's only that many people, how come the rest of us feel so futile and powerless?? How can so few people be detrimentally affecting and antagonising the rest of us? That is some power strategy.
This comes from the daily war news which is linked at the right under Today in Iraq. There's also information about body armour and the kits for the Humvees. Not only are we liberating Iraq, we are dropping the soldiers right in it. Someone , somewhere said that if 25 or something people would have been put on an island at the beginning of last year we'd have avoided all of this. If it's only that many people, how come the rest of us feel so futile and powerless?? How can so few people be detrimentally affecting and antagonising the rest of us? That is some power strategy.
Which animals shall we honour now?
War Hero Glow Worms Honored
Wed Nov 24,10:01 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's most unusual war heroes -- including glow worms, elephants and monkeys -- will be honored Wednesday for their devotion to duty under fire.
Princess Anne will unveil a war memorial in London's Park Lane dedicated to all the animals and insects that endured hardship with the nation's armed services.
"Britain's Animals in War memorial is a nation's long-awaited and very welcome tribute to the millions of animals that have served and suffered for their country," said Marilyn Rydstrom, head of the PDSA animal charity.
Among those honored will be glow worms whose light was used by soldiers to read maps during the trench warfare of World War One.
The stone memorial bears the profiles of creatures from bears to monkeys -- kept by soldiers as mascots -- and will be the most prominent tribute to animal bravery in Britain, a nation often mocked for loving its pets more than its children.
In 1943 the founder of the PDSA created the Dickin Medal to honor acts of outstanding animal bravery. The medal, dubbed "the animals' Victoria Cross" -- Britain's highest award for human bravery -- has been granted to 60 animals.
One distinguished holder of the medal was Rob, the "para dog" who made over 20 parachute drops while serving on top secret missions behind enemy lines in World War II.
Another brave canine was Ricky, who continued to work clearing mines in Holland despite severe head injuries.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=
757&e=4&u=/nm/20041124/od_nm/odd_britain_dc
Wed Nov 24,10:01 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's most unusual war heroes -- including glow worms, elephants and monkeys -- will be honored Wednesday for their devotion to duty under fire.
Princess Anne will unveil a war memorial in London's Park Lane dedicated to all the animals and insects that endured hardship with the nation's armed services.
"Britain's Animals in War memorial is a nation's long-awaited and very welcome tribute to the millions of animals that have served and suffered for their country," said Marilyn Rydstrom, head of the PDSA animal charity.
Among those honored will be glow worms whose light was used by soldiers to read maps during the trench warfare of World War One.
The stone memorial bears the profiles of creatures from bears to monkeys -- kept by soldiers as mascots -- and will be the most prominent tribute to animal bravery in Britain, a nation often mocked for loving its pets more than its children.
In 1943 the founder of the PDSA created the Dickin Medal to honor acts of outstanding animal bravery. The medal, dubbed "the animals' Victoria Cross" -- Britain's highest award for human bravery -- has been granted to 60 animals.
One distinguished holder of the medal was Rob, the "para dog" who made over 20 parachute drops while serving on top secret missions behind enemy lines in World War II.
Another brave canine was Ricky, who continued to work clearing mines in Holland despite severe head injuries.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=
757&e=4&u=/nm/20041124/od_nm/odd_britain_dc
Number one
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Laugh because I am sure there are some females who are like this with maths and computers or cry because there are plenty of women who are not like this. I'm sure you can make your own minds up!
Saturday, December 11, 2004
I told you I'd link up a storm!!
Triple J is one of our big popular radio stations which can be a bit in your face and a bit over the top at times. It is not mainstream except for the younger ones, but listeners come from all age groups. On the ABC link on the side you can get the solid radio or Radio National.
Like you couldn't find them yourself on the ABC site. Was fun linking!!
Triple J can be found here.
Radio National can be found here.
ABC Radio is here.
Like you couldn't find them yourself on the ABC site. Was fun linking!!
What is Japan doing and why?
I read in the paper this morning Japanese troops are coming over here to practise military might and right with our troops. I think we are also practising military stuff with China and Lord knows who else as well. This used to be Australia. We got rid of conscription after Vietnam and gave 18 year olds the vote because we believed if they were young enough to die, they were young enough to vote. Our conscription was a lottery. If your birthday came up , you went. It was hideous. Stupid. The ones who came back were ignored but they have had so many problems and these have only been recognised relatively recently. The damage is done. We didn't want to participate in that kind of destructive international relations again. So we thought. Now of course, some people are quite pleased with all the military might stuff. Genuinely under threat, yes, we'd protect ourselves because it's our home. But threats are being generated and concocted left right and centre. So, what is Japan doing, because they, too , wanted to be a peaceful nation? I thought we'd outgrown barbaric practices. This is 2004. They keep going on about Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great at the moment as though there is some link which escapes me, I can assure you. We have moved on! I thought. And now for the link!!! You can read more about the Japanese situation in Douglas Lummis' article.
Douglas Lummis Why are the Japanese Self-Defence Forces in Iraq?
Bon appetit
LEMON BISCUITS
125g butter
11/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups SR flour
1/2 cup custard powder
4 lemons
Beat butter , sugar,zest &juice 2 lemons,add beaten eggs
Add sifted flour and custard powder and stir in well
Roll into balls and place on greased baking trays
Press with fork
Bake 15 mins in moderate oven 180C
Join with lemon butter icing icing
Icing made from icing sugar,warm water, zest and juice 2 lemons
3tbs margarine. Will go softer when stored. Makes a lot.
Vary with oranges /cocoa powder and chocolate icing or strawberry quick icing and no lemon in biscuits.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Art
I said it was for the artists to interpret our times. The media has lost the plot. This is an interesting look at some of our responses to the world! You don't particularly need French. Just click and the pictures will be revealed.
Guess who's been messing with script!!?? Crikey! It has taken me 3 days..THREE days to work out how to get a link on my post...and I visit other sites everyday and they link here, link there...they link blooming everywhere. Me?? I was delinked. Delunked? Challenged , that's what I was. I couldn't just click on the linky thingy on the blogger post, fill in the url and there I went linking. No!! It's taken me 3 days of this and that and not even a hint of a link on my posts to realise I have to write the linking script! BUGGA!! I feel no shame because I am now very wise and don't be surprised if I link up a storm till Christmas. Deprived, gosh, I have been soooo deprived!!! Now I shall celebrate!! Woo-hoo!! I'm empowered!
This site gives an insight into the world.
Guess who's been messing with script!!?? Crikey! It has taken me 3 days..THREE days to work out how to get a link on my post...and I visit other sites everyday and they link here, link there...they link blooming everywhere. Me?? I was delinked. Delunked? Challenged , that's what I was. I couldn't just click on the linky thingy on the blogger post, fill in the url and there I went linking. No!! It's taken me 3 days of this and that and not even a hint of a link on my posts to realise I have to write the linking script! BUGGA!! I feel no shame because I am now very wise and don't be surprised if I link up a storm till Christmas. Deprived, gosh, I have been soooo deprived!!! Now I shall celebrate!! Woo-hoo!! I'm empowered!
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Yet another sign of the times
Bush plans to screen whole U.S. population for mental illness
Sweeping initiative links diagnoses to treatment with specific drugs
Posted: June 21, 2004
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Jeanne Lenzer
© 2004 Jeanne Lenzer
A sweeping mental health initiative will be unveiled by President George W Bush in July. The plan promises to integrate mentally ill patients fully into the community by providing "services in the community, rather than institutions," according to a March 2004 progress report entitled New Freedom Initiative (www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc-2004.html). While some praise the plan's goals, others say it protects the profits of drug companies at the expense of the public.
Bush established the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in April 2002 to conduct a "comprehensive study of the United States mental health service delivery system." The commission issued its recommendations in July 2003. Bush instructed more than 25 federal agencies to develop an implementation plan based on those recommendations.
The president's commission found that "despite their prevalence, mental disorders often go undiagnosed" and recommended comprehensive mental health screening for "consumers of all ages," including preschool children. According to the commission, "Each year, young children are expelled from preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviours and emotional disorders." Schools, wrote the commission, are in a "key position" to screen the 52 million students and 6 million adults who work at the schools.
The commission also recommended "Linkage [of screening] with treatment and supports" including "state-of-the-art treatments" using "specific medications for specific conditions." The commission commended the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP) as a "model" medication treatment plan that "illustrates an evidence-based practice that results in better consumer outcomes."
Rest of article here:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39078
Sweeping initiative links diagnoses to treatment with specific drugs
Posted: June 21, 2004
5:00 p.m. Eastern
By Jeanne Lenzer
© 2004 Jeanne Lenzer
A sweeping mental health initiative will be unveiled by President George W Bush in July. The plan promises to integrate mentally ill patients fully into the community by providing "services in the community, rather than institutions," according to a March 2004 progress report entitled New Freedom Initiative (www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/newfreedom/toc-2004.html). While some praise the plan's goals, others say it protects the profits of drug companies at the expense of the public.
Bush established the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in April 2002 to conduct a "comprehensive study of the United States mental health service delivery system." The commission issued its recommendations in July 2003. Bush instructed more than 25 federal agencies to develop an implementation plan based on those recommendations.
The president's commission found that "despite their prevalence, mental disorders often go undiagnosed" and recommended comprehensive mental health screening for "consumers of all ages," including preschool children. According to the commission, "Each year, young children are expelled from preschools and childcare facilities for severely disruptive behaviours and emotional disorders." Schools, wrote the commission, are in a "key position" to screen the 52 million students and 6 million adults who work at the schools.
The commission also recommended "Linkage [of screening] with treatment and supports" including "state-of-the-art treatments" using "specific medications for specific conditions." The commission commended the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP) as a "model" medication treatment plan that "illustrates an evidence-based practice that results in better consumer outcomes."
Rest of article here:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39078
Sign of the times
AM - Fuel for hygiene: Aboriginal community makes deal with the Govt
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2004/s1261151.htm]
AM - Thursday, 9 December , 2004 08:08:00
Reporter: Louise Willis
TONY EASTLEY: Aboriginal children will have to wash their faces twice a day if a remote community is going to get the petrol bowsers that it wants. The hygiene trade-off has emerged as part of the Federal Government's plans to shake up the distribution of Indigenous welfare.
Details have emerged of a draft version of one the Government's so-called 'Shared Responsibility Agreements', designed in this case, for a remote Kimberley community in Western Australia.
The agreement would see Aboriginal children washed and in school, and in return the community would get the petrol bowsers.
The Government has been adamant that 'behavioural contracts' are not the way to describe such plans, but the Opposition is concerned that the community has been coerced into backing the deal.
Louise Willis reports from Canberra.
LOUISE WILLIS: Deal or no deal? That's the question facing the residents in Mulan, on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert.
If they're to keep their end of the bargain, Aboriginal children must shower every day, wash their faces twice a day, and attend school. Families must keep homes and yards rubbish-free, and the local Council must empty bins twice a week and spray homes for pests twice a year.
In return, the Commonwealth puts up more than $170,000 to install fuel bowsers, providing income to the local store and boost local tourism opportunities.
But if it goes ahead, the Government says the deal will deliver much more than that, including the hope of a cleaner, healthier, and more economically viable community where are children learning, and not suffering from trachoma, worms or starvation.
Labor says Mulan shouldn't have to bargain for access to necessities, like petrol.
Senator Kim Carr.
KIM CARR: It would appear that all the obligation is on one side of the community. And the commonwealth responsibilities appear to be somewhat limited, namely the provision of a petrol bowser.
For a remote community of 170 souls – an area remote, where you would have thought petrol was a necessity – and yet the Government is making it available on conditions that people do certain things like wash their kids and various other things. It's patronising and I think in some ways quite insulting.
LOUISE WILLIS: Senator Carr's wondering exactly how such an agreement will be policed, and has challenged members of the National Indigenous Council to take the fight directly to John Howard today.
KIM CARR: I trust that there is a full and frank discussion and that the Government is actually explaining what it intends to do in regard to legislative change.
LOUISE WILLIS: Will the people at this meeting be letting down the Aboriginal people if they don't raise it at this meeting today?
KIM CARR: I think that the NIC has an obligation to make sure it does reflect the views within the community at large.
LOUISE WILLIS: The Government denies any Aboriginal community is being coerced, and through a spokesman, the Indigenous Affairs Minister describes the Shared Responsibility Agreement as an excellent one.
Amanda Vanstone's asked the West Australian State Labor Government to be part of the deal, and its Minister John Kobelke says Mulan locals appear pleased with the Government's offer.
JOHN KOBELKE: My understanding is that the community was quite willing to enter into this arrangement.
LOUISE WILLIS: Your federal colleagues here in Canberra are saying that this is a one-sided agreement, that they're worried that the community's being coerced and it's very authoritarian. Is there at odds there, at the Labor Party over this issue?
JOHN KOBELKE: Well, the particular concept of a Shared Responsibility Agreement has not been adequately explained by the commonwealth and therefore people may assume that it does all sorts of things which they have worries about.
LOUISE WILLIS: Well, who then is on the ground there to make sure that kids have their shower every day and wash their face twice a day?
JOHN KOBELKE: Well, what we're saying is we'll be going in there, checking on the level of trachoma, checking on the other problems which are endemic in that area and we'll be wanting to see improvements.
LOUISE WILLIS: And what is your understanding if those outcomes that you say you're measuring are not being met – what happens to the fuel bowser then?
JOHN KOBELKE: My understanding then is that that particular trial, seeking to have a partnership and an agreement has been a failure, and we need to assess that and see how it can be done better.
TONY EASTLEY: The State Minister for Indigenous Affairs in Western Australia, John Kobelke, speaking to Louise Willis in Canberra.
© 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Copyright information: http://abc.net.au/common/copyrigh.htm
Privacy information: http://abc.net.au/privacy.htm
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Oils ain't oils
The World Today - Peter Garrett gives maiden speech as the Labor member for Kingford Smith
[http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1260504.htm]
The World Today - Wednesday, 8 December , 2004 12:34:00
Reporter:
ELEANOR HALL: Back home now, to our series on the first speeches of the new members of the 41st Federal Parliament. One of the more high-profile new Federal politicians, former Midnight Oil frontman and committed environmental campaigner, Peter Garrett, rose to speak today. Mr Garrett is now the Labor Member for the Sydney seat of Kingsford Smith.
Here's part of his first speech.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The Honourable Member for Kingsford Smith.
PETER GARRETT: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I rise in the House to speak for the first time as the new Member for Kingsford Smith, humbled by the people, the honour the people of this electorate have granted me.
I see civic engagement from the street to the suburbs, from local communities to nationally organised citizens groups, to the contesting of ideas in parliaments as absolutely central to the health of our democracy.
I've always had, as I know many, many people have, a singular passion for Australia. I do love this sunburnt country, its ancient landscapes, its exhilarating reaches of sand and sea, and I value its traditions, none more so than the freedom to express an opinion.
I've protested, sung, marched, written, organised and campaigned on those things I simply believed were important, not just to me but to the life of the nation. I've reached that point in my life where I want to take the next step into formal politics to work as a parliamentarian, and in the future I hope to work as a member of government.
I also hope that the measure of how seriously I take this engagement is that I've come here with no higher objective than to make a contribution, to do my bit.
The core strands of my involvement in public life are a belief in the need to strive, wherever possible, for equality of treatment and opportunity, to ensure all people have the means to a decent livelihood, to work for the cause of peace, however remote its prospects sometimes seem, to respect the rights and interests of others, and to work to preserve the living fabric of nature.
Mr Speaker, I see the Labor Party as the natural place for me to continue this engagement.
Mr Speaker, the leader of the Opposition recently remarked that the environment is the ultimate inter-generational issue. I agree. And my involvement in this area has been a central part of my political life to date.
It is now well understood that humans ultimately depend on the health of the planet for their well-being. That recognition has produced a real change in thinking in recent times.
Yet our track record in Australia remains abysmally poor. The measurements of ecological health don't lie, and what they tell us is that by most standards and in most areas we are going backwards. Lamentably, much of this has happened on this Government's watch. The truth is that this Government fiddles while Australia burns.
Mr Speaker, the first speech of a Member of Parliament offers a chance to express one's truest ambitions and hopes for the country. At this point in time, what do I think the nation needs?
Well, I believe we need to respond to the decline in our environment and the threat posed by global warming, and to further modernise our economy by making it truly sustainable. I believe we need to substantively extend the idea of sustainability, so that it encompasses not only environmental but social, cultural and economic dimensions.
In corporate terms, our social capital must be protected. I believe we need to reaffirm the principles that have served us well thus far – a fair go for all, including for generations to come, tolerance in our social relations, the upholding of the rule of law and respect for diversity of opinions and beliefs, framed by an allegiance to Australia and its people.
I believe we need, with Australians well-informed and willing to take the next necessary step to full independence as a nation which chooses its own head of state. I believe we need to take a longer view when it comes to foreign policy, to take a larger view of the national interest.
Finally, I believe we need to come to that point of genuine and deep accommodation with Indigenous people. Mr Speaker, this nation really does need to get its act together on this issue.
Mr Speaker, I'm proud to be the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith. While I've outlined a number of very real challenges that I believe we must address, it is with a sense of confidence and knowledge of our past that I claim our future can be made better, when we act with resolve and good purpose.
I hope I can do that as a Member of Parliament. And in that spirit, I thank the House for the courtesy of listening to my first speech.
(Sound of applause)
ELEANOR HALL: Former Midnight Oil singer and environmental campaigner, now the Labor Member for the Federal seat of Kingsford Smith in Sydney, Peter Garrett.
[http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1260504.htm]
The World Today - Wednesday, 8 December , 2004 12:34:00
Reporter:
ELEANOR HALL: Back home now, to our series on the first speeches of the new members of the 41st Federal Parliament. One of the more high-profile new Federal politicians, former Midnight Oil frontman and committed environmental campaigner, Peter Garrett, rose to speak today. Mr Garrett is now the Labor Member for the Sydney seat of Kingsford Smith.
Here's part of his first speech.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The Honourable Member for Kingsford Smith.
PETER GARRETT: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
I rise in the House to speak for the first time as the new Member for Kingsford Smith, humbled by the people, the honour the people of this electorate have granted me.
I see civic engagement from the street to the suburbs, from local communities to nationally organised citizens groups, to the contesting of ideas in parliaments as absolutely central to the health of our democracy.
I've always had, as I know many, many people have, a singular passion for Australia. I do love this sunburnt country, its ancient landscapes, its exhilarating reaches of sand and sea, and I value its traditions, none more so than the freedom to express an opinion.
I've protested, sung, marched, written, organised and campaigned on those things I simply believed were important, not just to me but to the life of the nation. I've reached that point in my life where I want to take the next step into formal politics to work as a parliamentarian, and in the future I hope to work as a member of government.
I also hope that the measure of how seriously I take this engagement is that I've come here with no higher objective than to make a contribution, to do my bit.
The core strands of my involvement in public life are a belief in the need to strive, wherever possible, for equality of treatment and opportunity, to ensure all people have the means to a decent livelihood, to work for the cause of peace, however remote its prospects sometimes seem, to respect the rights and interests of others, and to work to preserve the living fabric of nature.
Mr Speaker, I see the Labor Party as the natural place for me to continue this engagement.
Mr Speaker, the leader of the Opposition recently remarked that the environment is the ultimate inter-generational issue. I agree. And my involvement in this area has been a central part of my political life to date.
It is now well understood that humans ultimately depend on the health of the planet for their well-being. That recognition has produced a real change in thinking in recent times.
Yet our track record in Australia remains abysmally poor. The measurements of ecological health don't lie, and what they tell us is that by most standards and in most areas we are going backwards. Lamentably, much of this has happened on this Government's watch. The truth is that this Government fiddles while Australia burns.
Mr Speaker, the first speech of a Member of Parliament offers a chance to express one's truest ambitions and hopes for the country. At this point in time, what do I think the nation needs?
Well, I believe we need to respond to the decline in our environment and the threat posed by global warming, and to further modernise our economy by making it truly sustainable. I believe we need to substantively extend the idea of sustainability, so that it encompasses not only environmental but social, cultural and economic dimensions.
In corporate terms, our social capital must be protected. I believe we need to reaffirm the principles that have served us well thus far – a fair go for all, including for generations to come, tolerance in our social relations, the upholding of the rule of law and respect for diversity of opinions and beliefs, framed by an allegiance to Australia and its people.
I believe we need, with Australians well-informed and willing to take the next necessary step to full independence as a nation which chooses its own head of state. I believe we need to take a longer view when it comes to foreign policy, to take a larger view of the national interest.
Finally, I believe we need to come to that point of genuine and deep accommodation with Indigenous people. Mr Speaker, this nation really does need to get its act together on this issue.
Mr Speaker, I'm proud to be the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith. While I've outlined a number of very real challenges that I believe we must address, it is with a sense of confidence and knowledge of our past that I claim our future can be made better, when we act with resolve and good purpose.
I hope I can do that as a Member of Parliament. And in that spirit, I thank the House for the courtesy of listening to my first speech.
(Sound of applause)
ELEANOR HALL: Former Midnight Oil singer and environmental campaigner, now the Labor Member for the Federal seat of Kingsford Smith in Sydney, Peter Garrett.
Deck the halls...
I am surrounded by Christmas and loving it. Can't wait to get into all the cooking and socialising. Starts tomorrow!!
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Reward offered in case of man murdered after $6m fraud. 07/12/2004. ABC News Online
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1259719.htm]
Last Update: Tuesday, December 7, 2004. 2:39pm (AEDT)
Reward offered in case of man murdered after $6m fraud
The South Australian Government has offered a $100,000 reward for information over the probable murder of a man believed to have been involved in Australia's largest bank ATM fraud.
Quyen Tu Au was last seen at the National Australia Bank branch at Port Adelaide in August 2000.
He was using a Bank of East Asia card stolen from Brisbane.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says more than $6 million was withdrawn on the card, $4.2 million of which has since been recovered.
"It's the most serious ATM fraud in Australian history but it's also a murder," Mr Rann said.
"We want find out who was responsible. We think that there are people out in the community who would have information about this crime and we're asking them to come forward."
Well, is it a murder or not? Is he dead or not?Probably! Probable murder and then Rann says it is a murder. Where are my facts, my information, my substance? Was he involved or not? Seriously, I don't do vague.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200412/s1259719.htm]
Last Update: Tuesday, December 7, 2004. 2:39pm (AEDT)
Reward offered in case of man murdered after $6m fraud
The South Australian Government has offered a $100,000 reward for information over the probable murder of a man believed to have been involved in Australia's largest bank ATM fraud.
Quyen Tu Au was last seen at the National Australia Bank branch at Port Adelaide in August 2000.
He was using a Bank of East Asia card stolen from Brisbane.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says more than $6 million was withdrawn on the card, $4.2 million of which has since been recovered.
"It's the most serious ATM fraud in Australian history but it's also a murder," Mr Rann said.
"We want find out who was responsible. We think that there are people out in the community who would have information about this crime and we're asking them to come forward."
Well, is it a murder or not? Is he dead or not?Probably! Probable murder and then Rann says it is a murder. Where are my facts, my information, my substance? Was he involved or not? Seriously, I don't do vague.
Yes, you did...no, we didn't...
Last Update: Tuesday, December 7, 2004. 5:35pm (AEDT)
Govt admits fees will be introduced at tech schools
The Federal Opposition has accused the Government of breaking an election promise to not introduce fees at its new technical colleges.
During the election campaign, the Government announced it would set up 24 technical colleges.
The Opposition says the Government promised that the college students would not be charged fees.
Vocational Education Minister Gary Hardgrave says no additional fees will be charged.
"The fact that there are, in existing schools, a range of fees and charges and depending on the consortia which are brought together there may well be some costs that are already there for students today," he said.
Labor's education spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, says voters have been misled.
"The Minister says in some circumstances there will be fees - that is a broken promise," she said.
The Government says the fee arrangements will be the same as those that apply in state schools.
Govt admits fees will be introduced at tech schools
The Federal Opposition has accused the Government of breaking an election promise to not introduce fees at its new technical colleges.
During the election campaign, the Government announced it would set up 24 technical colleges.
The Opposition says the Government promised that the college students would not be charged fees.
Vocational Education Minister Gary Hardgrave says no additional fees will be charged.
"The fact that there are, in existing schools, a range of fees and charges and depending on the consortia which are brought together there may well be some costs that are already there for students today," he said.
Labor's education spokeswoman, Jenny Macklin, says voters have been misled.
"The Minister says in some circumstances there will be fees - that is a broken promise," she said.
The Government says the fee arrangements will be the same as those that apply in state schools.
Identity crisis
I watched the channel 10 news tonight and I am asking myself why. I saw items on a hold up in Ohio, a fire on a floor in a building in Chicago , the attack on the American Embassy in Saudi Arabia ( that one was fair enough) and then a thing about the new shop mannequins in America. So, what's our news? Dunno. I have come on the Net to find out. I can tell you our weather is back to grey, windy, wet and ridiculous. We had storms yesterday and it's been very humid so more like Darwin than Adelaide. I can't see the hills tonight so I guess we are in for another deluge. My news as such is a P plater car was wrapped around a lamp post on the freeway on the way home. Why do they give kids licences? The front of the car was okay, so I guess the passengers and driver were okay and the back looked like it had taken a hit. Fortunately it was on the uphill part of the road. At work we haven't seen the owl but we have the ducks back because it has been so wet! And tomorrow is another one day cricket match against NZ...look out! We don't do losing to NZ very gracefully.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Lobethal Lights
There's a town in the hills and they really put themselves out to decorate their houses for Christmas. It's one of our Adelaide Christmas icons like the brewery light display which is close to town. Lobethal is up in the hills and a very picturesque venue for its lights. I have put a link on the side so you can see the site of one of the couples and how much of their time and effort is dedicated to the spirit of Christmas.
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