Brough mulls welfare changes 'for kids' benefit'. :
"Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says there is no doubt that many youngsters are being failed by their parents and society as a whole.
But he says it would be very dangerous to single out welfare recipients or Indigenous communities in trying to rectify the situation."
It's true, singling out communities or certain types of welfare recipients will not solve the problem. Neglected children are exactly that - neglected. If direct debit arrangements are enforced to pay rent, electricity etc it doesn't solve the problem that certain types of people are not parenting. Why aren't they? Why is a community or individual failing to care for its young? The answer is not drugs, alcohol, gambling. Why are they doing self destructive things so that they are not functioning themselves and then not functioning as carers? Direct debit will not fix the capacity to parent. It's an issue which needs to be thoroughly looked at to find out why adults are dyfunctional. What made them that way? How can we support ehm so that they will support their yong? What can be done for the young ones in the meantime? Living in a rented house which is paid for or not paid for will not change the neglect aspect of this issue. It's a systemic problem which needs to be fixed systematically as far as I can see.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Dockets
7news technology:
"A national audit of scanning in retail outlets has found that 80 per cent of stores across the country have at least one item that scans at an incorrect price.
In the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory more than 90 per cent of stores using the electronic equipment were found to get at least one item wrong."
Considering the thousands and thousands of items that some stores carry, one false entry probably is quite good. Not all check outs have the proce showing as the goods are scanned. That to me is the easiest way of checking as you go through your items. Some stores are bad at getting the sale prices or some operators charge you twice for things. I am very wary of that now. The catalogue prices or the in house specials are often not on the checkout prices. Some stores are brilliant at pricing and scanning and I guess it all comes down to efficiency and pride in what you are doing. I find most stores to be very good but my pet hate is trying to get the price corrected at the check out. It takes ages, holds everyone up and really puts me off. I now go to the information deask and am told I should have done it at the check out but I am not going to put the check out operator and other customers under pressure because the store hasn't updated its prices. I confess it has happened maybe once a year. Not bad, really. I used to be short changed in the good old days before electronic equipment. It's just the technological version of that.
"A national audit of scanning in retail outlets has found that 80 per cent of stores across the country have at least one item that scans at an incorrect price.
In the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory more than 90 per cent of stores using the electronic equipment were found to get at least one item wrong."
Considering the thousands and thousands of items that some stores carry, one false entry probably is quite good. Not all check outs have the proce showing as the goods are scanned. That to me is the easiest way of checking as you go through your items. Some stores are bad at getting the sale prices or some operators charge you twice for things. I am very wary of that now. The catalogue prices or the in house specials are often not on the checkout prices. Some stores are brilliant at pricing and scanning and I guess it all comes down to efficiency and pride in what you are doing. I find most stores to be very good but my pet hate is trying to get the price corrected at the check out. It takes ages, holds everyone up and really puts me off. I now go to the information deask and am told I should have done it at the check out but I am not going to put the check out operator and other customers under pressure because the store hasn't updated its prices. I confess it has happened maybe once a year. Not bad, really. I used to be short changed in the good old days before electronic equipment. It's just the technological version of that.
NASA flags lunar commerce.
NASA flags lunar commerce. :
"NASA says making money on the moon is an essential part of the US plan for space exploration, following a four-day strategy workshop with international space officials and scientists."
Well, that puts moonwalking in a whole new light. We can go to moon resorts, moon malls, moon museums. Lunar law? No littering. Roads on the moon? Moon motorways. Jetsons here we come!
"NASA says making money on the moon is an essential part of the US plan for space exploration, following a four-day strategy workshop with international space officials and scientists."
Well, that puts moonwalking in a whole new light. We can go to moon resorts, moon malls, moon museums. Lunar law? No littering. Roads on the moon? Moon motorways. Jetsons here we come!
Thousands march in US anti-war rally.
Thousands march in US anti-war rally. :
"'This is what democracy looks like,' chief organiser Leslie Cagan, national coordinator of the anti-war lobby United for Peace and Justice, said.
'We are here to send a message to the White House and the Congress that we must end this war now, bring our troops home and also end the attack on our civil rights at home.'"
Good on 'em. Democracy is :
NOUN:
pl. de·moc·ra·cies
1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
2. A political or social unit that has such a government.
3. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.
4. Majority rule.
5. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
ETYMOLOGY:
French démocratie, from Late Latin dmocratia, from Greek dmokrati : dmos, people; see d- in Indo-European roots + -krati, -cracy
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/democracy
Government by the people. Not governments ignoring the people. As world citizens we have had enough of this because we are more positive and productive and ordinary people are paying with their taxes, their relatives, their families, their stability, their hearts. The situation in Iraq just goes on and on and on and the cost to the people of Iraq and the cost to the soldiers and their families and friends is just too high. In 2006 there has to be a better way. In this millennium we ought to be able to put the old behaviours behind us and find a more productive way of dealing with situations. But that money could be used elsewahere and those lives lost could have contributed to our world. Good on 'em. We are sick of the world being trashed. Every day you get up and more things and more people have been trashed. We need to do it differently because the current model is just too destructive.
"'This is what democracy looks like,' chief organiser Leslie Cagan, national coordinator of the anti-war lobby United for Peace and Justice, said.
'We are here to send a message to the White House and the Congress that we must end this war now, bring our troops home and also end the attack on our civil rights at home.'"
Good on 'em. Democracy is :
NOUN:
pl. de·moc·ra·cies
1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
2. A political or social unit that has such a government.
3. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power.
4. Majority rule.
5. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
ETYMOLOGY:
French démocratie, from Late Latin dmocratia, from Greek dmokrati : dmos, people; see d- in Indo-European roots + -krati, -cracy
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/democracy
Government by the people. Not governments ignoring the people. As world citizens we have had enough of this because we are more positive and productive and ordinary people are paying with their taxes, their relatives, their families, their stability, their hearts. The situation in Iraq just goes on and on and on and the cost to the people of Iraq and the cost to the soldiers and their families and friends is just too high. In 2006 there has to be a better way. In this millennium we ought to be able to put the old behaviours behind us and find a more productive way of dealing with situations. But that money could be used elsewahere and those lives lost could have contributed to our world. Good on 'em. We are sick of the world being trashed. Every day you get up and more things and more people have been trashed. We need to do it differently because the current model is just too destructive.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Born-again fairy penguins return to the sea
Born-again fairy penguins return to the sea : "The four fairy, or little, penguins, including one that survived a dog attack and another that had its feathers burned off in bushfires, were released as part of an innovative program to help the dwindling species. Fairy penguins around Australia are under threat from urban sprawl and contact with humans spoiling their traditional habitats."
Sydney's Taronga Park Zoo is caring for about 40 fairy penguins a year and these for are happily re established back in the wild thanks to Libby Hall and her team. It's fantastic our zoos are playing a pivotal and practical role in helping our native species to thrive and survive. Great story.
$140m Centro developments approved
$140m Centro developments approved:
"Centro Colonnades is a regional shopping centre in Noarlunga, in southern Adelaide, anchored by a Harris Scarfe department store, a Kmart Discount Department Store, a Coles Supermarket and Woolworths Supermarket. Colonnades Development Approval incorporates a new Woolworths Supermarket, a new Big W Discount Department Store, Centro’s 'Diners Life' and 'Fresh Life' food precincts, with total addition of 26,000 m2 of retail space (taking the centre to 66,500 m2 GLA) and the provision of a further 1,000 car parking spaces (with total spaces then becoming over 4,000). The development is estimated to cost $80 million."
Not only approved, but is currently being built. We are all baffled, I can tell you. We can't find the shops we relied on, some shops are parked in the mall and I feel sorry for the owners because they cannot protect their goods. The new bit is bright and shiny but how many of us have missed finding it? You go there and it ends up being and outdoor ed exercise and the best orienteerer wins. The South is fortunate to have a new shopping centre which is a cross between a garage and an airport and then has an avant garde industrial look on the outside. When I was there yesterday I was amazed how mother nature had conspired to totally artistically co ordinate her sky with the big grey facade of Colonnades. It matched perfectly in hue and tone and I regret leaving my camera at home. I shopped happily once I found everything but there is currently an oversuppy of clothing and jewellery shops and an undersupply of other things. The new Rheinland bakery was absolutely swamped with customers and rightly so...Maybe by the time it's finished the balance will be restored. In the mean tiem we are all laughing about the massive walk if you are unaware you can drive around the back and get an easy park!!
"Centro Colonnades is a regional shopping centre in Noarlunga, in southern Adelaide, anchored by a Harris Scarfe department store, a Kmart Discount Department Store, a Coles Supermarket and Woolworths Supermarket. Colonnades Development Approval incorporates a new Woolworths Supermarket, a new Big W Discount Department Store, Centro’s 'Diners Life' and 'Fresh Life' food precincts, with total addition of 26,000 m2 of retail space (taking the centre to 66,500 m2 GLA) and the provision of a further 1,000 car parking spaces (with total spaces then becoming over 4,000). The development is estimated to cost $80 million."
Not only approved, but is currently being built. We are all baffled, I can tell you. We can't find the shops we relied on, some shops are parked in the mall and I feel sorry for the owners because they cannot protect their goods. The new bit is bright and shiny but how many of us have missed finding it? You go there and it ends up being and outdoor ed exercise and the best orienteerer wins. The South is fortunate to have a new shopping centre which is a cross between a garage and an airport and then has an avant garde industrial look on the outside. When I was there yesterday I was amazed how mother nature had conspired to totally artistically co ordinate her sky with the big grey facade of Colonnades. It matched perfectly in hue and tone and I regret leaving my camera at home. I shopped happily once I found everything but there is currently an oversuppy of clothing and jewellery shops and an undersupply of other things. The new Rheinland bakery was absolutely swamped with customers and rightly so...Maybe by the time it's finished the balance will be restored. In the mean tiem we are all laughing about the massive walk if you are unaware you can drive around the back and get an easy park!!
Unions hold May Day gathering early
Unions hold May Day gathering early :
"Traditionally unions use May Day to celebrate the eight-hour principle - eight hours work, eight hours play and eight hours sleep in a day."
It's a sensible principle. The 8 hours play isn't usually that. It's doctors, dentists, shopping, ironing, home maintenance, car maintenance, children, clothing, trades people...but it is then 8 hours when you can organise these things. I really do think we should run a hard line on the separation of work and life. People need to rest and people need to have a life. The current situation of loading people up at work and forcing them to over commit is only costing us in terms of health blow outs, fatigue, accidents, irrational behaviour, destructive behavior, depression, regression, aggression. It is costing the community big time. Well rested people who can cope will work better and with better application. This fear of dead wood needs to be dispensed with because no work place tolerates people whom others have to haul along. Workers are very intolerant of the lazy daisies. People who feel well and can think straight have a better capacity to contribute in an effective way because there isn't that ho-hum, drudge approach either. Time to really look at work place relations and how to give people a life so that they will work with enthusiasm and commitment. The money, yes, it works, but only so far, look at all the social issues we now have because people are stressed and strained. This thing called job satisfation has been overlooked for too long. People will work, but wehn they have a home life they will generate other interests and those will stimulate the economy. This fear of all of us being too lazy and not working eenough is being ripped to shreds by the social ills which have us entangled constantly in their web.WE need balance.
"Traditionally unions use May Day to celebrate the eight-hour principle - eight hours work, eight hours play and eight hours sleep in a day."
It's a sensible principle. The 8 hours play isn't usually that. It's doctors, dentists, shopping, ironing, home maintenance, car maintenance, children, clothing, trades people...but it is then 8 hours when you can organise these things. I really do think we should run a hard line on the separation of work and life. People need to rest and people need to have a life. The current situation of loading people up at work and forcing them to over commit is only costing us in terms of health blow outs, fatigue, accidents, irrational behaviour, destructive behavior, depression, regression, aggression. It is costing the community big time. Well rested people who can cope will work better and with better application. This fear of dead wood needs to be dispensed with because no work place tolerates people whom others have to haul along. Workers are very intolerant of the lazy daisies. People who feel well and can think straight have a better capacity to contribute in an effective way because there isn't that ho-hum, drudge approach either. Time to really look at work place relations and how to give people a life so that they will work with enthusiasm and commitment. The money, yes, it works, but only so far, look at all the social issues we now have because people are stressed and strained. This thing called job satisfation has been overlooked for too long. People will work, but wehn they have a home life they will generate other interests and those will stimulate the economy. This fear of all of us being too lazy and not working eenough is being ripped to shreds by the social ills which have us entangled constantly in their web.WE need balance.
300 dolphins wash up on Zanzibar beach.
300 dolphins wash up on Zanzibar beach. :
"At least 300 dead dolphins have washed ashore on a beach in Zanzibar overnight but the cause of the deaths is unknown.
An official with the Zanzibar Fisheries Department and Marine Products, Sihaba Haji, says the islands have not witnessed the death of such a large number of dolphins before."
These Indian Bolltlenose dolphins are dead for no apparent reason at the moment. 300 is a considerable number of dolphins to be washed ashore. People are taking the dolphin meat home which is better than letting it rot, I guess, but since the cause is unknown, the meat might be tainted. I am sick and tired of hearing of the mass destruction of fauna. We are bloomin' hopeless at looking after our home. I hope we find the cause and I am so angry we treat life with such impunity these days. Oh well, 300 dolphins, who cares and then some weak explanation. We are so irresponsible.
"At least 300 dead dolphins have washed ashore on a beach in Zanzibar overnight but the cause of the deaths is unknown.
An official with the Zanzibar Fisheries Department and Marine Products, Sihaba Haji, says the islands have not witnessed the death of such a large number of dolphins before."
These Indian Bolltlenose dolphins are dead for no apparent reason at the moment. 300 is a considerable number of dolphins to be washed ashore. People are taking the dolphin meat home which is better than letting it rot, I guess, but since the cause is unknown, the meat might be tainted. I am sick and tired of hearing of the mass destruction of fauna. We are bloomin' hopeless at looking after our home. I hope we find the cause and I am so angry we treat life with such impunity these days. Oh well, 300 dolphins, who cares and then some weak explanation. We are so irresponsible.
Australians want two-tier govt: study.
Australians want two-tier govt: study. :
"The study by Queensland's Griffith University found up to three-quarters of the people surveyed in Queensland and New South Wales wanted the system changed.
Dr AJ Brown says the most popular option is the abolition of the state system to create a two-tier government."
Can't see that myself. Who on earth did they survey? State Governments are making better inroads with successful change than is the federal government. I think there has to be a misunderstanding here. Yes, I am sure we want change because at the federal level there is no discussion, no debate, no consideration of our diverse opinions. It is a very dogmatic approach we are currently dealing with and we are tired of being told what we think and what is good for us. The state governments are still listening to us and our local state MPs are very well liked and popular on the whole. I am certain we do not want state governments removed. I believe we need some useful changes at the federal level so that the senate cannot be blocked and so that we cannot be railroaded into legislative change which we haven't considered intelligently.Honestly, who did they survey??
"The study by Queensland's Griffith University found up to three-quarters of the people surveyed in Queensland and New South Wales wanted the system changed.
Dr AJ Brown says the most popular option is the abolition of the state system to create a two-tier government."
Can't see that myself. Who on earth did they survey? State Governments are making better inroads with successful change than is the federal government. I think there has to be a misunderstanding here. Yes, I am sure we want change because at the federal level there is no discussion, no debate, no consideration of our diverse opinions. It is a very dogmatic approach we are currently dealing with and we are tired of being told what we think and what is good for us. The state governments are still listening to us and our local state MPs are very well liked and popular on the whole. I am certain we do not want state governments removed. I believe we need some useful changes at the federal level so that the senate cannot be blocked and so that we cannot be railroaded into legislative change which we haven't considered intelligently.Honestly, who did they survey??
Friday, April 28, 2006
The Biggest Loser
I have to thank The Biggest Loser Australia unofficial site for settling my mind on the question of who was the biggest overall loser. Someone obviously had greater powers of concentration than I did at the time. I just got carried away with it all!! Very little separated the top four losers and that is an incredible effort on everyone's part and made for a really tight, tense finish:
Kristie lost 36.93% of her original body weight
Harry lost 37% of his body weight
Wal lost 37.52% of his body weight
and Adro actually beat Wal and lost 37.58% of his body weight. Wal called him the little bull because he called himself the big bull. Well, the little bull certainly hasn't been sitting around since he left the house. That is a brilliant achievement because Wal was always the most successful at losing weight. What a great bunch of stats we have here!!
Kristie lost 36.93% of her original body weight
Harry lost 37% of his body weight
Wal lost 37.52% of his body weight
and Adro actually beat Wal and lost 37.58% of his body weight. Wal called him the little bull because he called himself the big bull. Well, the little bull certainly hasn't been sitting around since he left the house. That is a brilliant achievement because Wal was always the most successful at losing weight. What a great bunch of stats we have here!!
Hubble’s View of Cigar Galaxy on 16th Mission Anniversary
BNSC - Hubble’s View of Cigar Galaxy on 16th Mission Anniversary:
"To celebrate the NASA-ESA Hubble Space Telescope’s 16 years of success, the two space agencies are releasing the sharpest wide-angle view ever obtained of Messier 82 (M82), a galaxy remarkable for its webs of shredded clouds and flame-like plumes of glowing hydrogen blasting out from its central regions."
To think they were considering scrapping Hubble. How could they? Look at this stunning image of the cigar galaxy to clebrate 16 years of success. Success, people. It is awesome. Just astounding. The profound impact this image has in communicating with a human being is beyond compare. I gush. Why not - this is extraordinary and I would not be seeing it wre it not for Hubble. It just puts such an amazing perspective on things and I am running out of superlatives, so I'll just ooooo and ahhhhh now.
Aussie film blitz at Cannes
Herald Sun: Aussie film blitz at Cannes :
"Adelaide filmmaker Murali Thalluri's 2:37 will screen in the festival's Un Certain Regard category, alongside fellow Australian films Ten Canoes and Suburban Mayhem.
'This is such a great honour,' said Thalluri.
'I couldn't ask for a more perfect start, when ultimately, all I ever hoped for is to be able to sustain a lifelong filmmaking career.'"
Good Australian films are very good but it is an industry which has had to fight for its life here in the midst of all the consumer, shareholder, profit and not people hoo-ha. Adelaide was always a place which turned out some good films and fostered a healthy film making environment and atmosphere. We have started to realise we need our arts and we like our arts. But film makers are an exceptionally resilient breed at the moment. We really do need to get off our butts and start supporting them again to get the balance back into our society. An economy is killing creativity. So, I hope our films go well at Cannes when the festival starts on May 17th, because the film makers will have risked a lot to get there.
"Adelaide filmmaker Murali Thalluri's 2:37 will screen in the festival's Un Certain Regard category, alongside fellow Australian films Ten Canoes and Suburban Mayhem.
'This is such a great honour,' said Thalluri.
'I couldn't ask for a more perfect start, when ultimately, all I ever hoped for is to be able to sustain a lifelong filmmaking career.'"
Good Australian films are very good but it is an industry which has had to fight for its life here in the midst of all the consumer, shareholder, profit and not people hoo-ha. Adelaide was always a place which turned out some good films and fostered a healthy film making environment and atmosphere. We have started to realise we need our arts and we like our arts. But film makers are an exceptionally resilient breed at the moment. We really do need to get off our butts and start supporting them again to get the balance back into our society. An economy is killing creativity. So, I hope our films go well at Cannes when the festival starts on May 17th, because the film makers will have risked a lot to get there.
Biggest winner set for surgery
Herald Sun: Biggest winner set for surgery :
"Sarnelli will put his cheque towards buying his first home.
'I've had enough of renting. We are looking to buy our first home,' he said.
He also plans to open a weight-loss and health centre, called The New Me.
Together, the contestants lost 526.6kg."
Yes, people forget that when you have stretched your skin your whole life, not all of it can be exercised back into shape. Adro is only 26 but now he can take the new him through the rest of his life. I was thinking he would have to get another place to live because he wouldn't be able to fit his new fitness studio into he rented unit...and that he'd have to buy. How could you put a fitness studio into a rented place? In lots of ways this is costing him a lot of money to relaunch himself, but because he is so focussed and because he actually cares about other people and can get through to them, then a risk like this is worth it. I read on a forum and on a blog that they are going to have a second child. Boy, when Adro transmogifies he does not muck about!!
"Sarnelli will put his cheque towards buying his first home.
'I've had enough of renting. We are looking to buy our first home,' he said.
He also plans to open a weight-loss and health centre, called The New Me.
Together, the contestants lost 526.6kg."
Yes, people forget that when you have stretched your skin your whole life, not all of it can be exercised back into shape. Adro is only 26 but now he can take the new him through the rest of his life. I was thinking he would have to get another place to live because he wouldn't be able to fit his new fitness studio into he rented unit...and that he'd have to buy. How could you put a fitness studio into a rented place? In lots of ways this is costing him a lot of money to relaunch himself, but because he is so focussed and because he actually cares about other people and can get through to them, then a risk like this is worth it. I read on a forum and on a blog that they are going to have a second child. Boy, when Adro transmogifies he does not muck about!!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser“My Daddy is amazing. My Daddy is the Biggest Loser.” How right, how apt and from the mouths of babes. The one thing I did learn tonight was that Adro’s little girl is amazingly bright. She follows and emulates conversations in a very competent fashion. She is able to follow instructions and co operate in any kind of social setting and she is not about to believe that any adult is her better. She sees them as her equal but knows she can learn from them. That little person is the product of her family environment. As her Dad, Adro has shown her the little man battling against the odds can emerge as a composed winner. He worked his butt off, he learned the lessons, he respected and honoured his friendships and finally, finally learned that he was able to work for himself. And look at him glow. Look at his poise. You would never have put Adro and poise in the same sentence before tonight. I hope he follows up the things he learned at Camp Eden. I hope he continues with the asian exercises and I hope he will go out there and talk to others because he has shown that your average guy battling the odds and backstabbing can rise above it if he applies solid principles. To think he had been voted off at the last minute and that the game had emerged victorious. Thank heavens for the trainers. The whole show tonight was an inspiration. A total feel good experience. The culmination of weeks of effort and challenges.. In the end, the producers of the show got it right and were more than generous with their prizes. I’m sure if they put out a book/DVD/ magazine we could help support them in their efforts to take a few risks, to keep people on their toes, weather the rough bits and then emerge with their Biggest Loser more than intact…and help them recoup some of their pecuniary incentives. It couldn’t have fallen out better. Wal really was the Biggest Loser from the start and probably would have won had it not been for the game…but did he actually win on the numbers in the end if it had been a competition for them all? I got so emotional for Adro I missed vital numbers!! Half of Wal’s consolation money will go to the Westmead Hosptial’s burns unit. That’s Wal. Shane looked positively dangerous, Cat is going to be an absolute stunner by the time she is finished. How beautiful is she? Harry looked as fit and awesome as any athlete..and yes, they have all saved their lives. His words have always cut to the essentials. They all looked so happy, well, healthy and years younger. Getting thinner, keeping fit and eating properly has made them all look so much younger. Wal is dishy, Shane is dishy, Adro is awesome….and dear Dave. Lovely, lovely Dave. He, like Ruth is a work in progress and both of them are so kind, so brave and so lovely. Dave so deserves someone nice to love him. Tracey looked stunning. They were all amazing and Fiona was the young, beautiful woman she was always going to be from all of this and that was the best prize for her… along with the 10,000 dollars because she had won the jet ski earlier. It is just so great the fat people were given a go and that we got a chance to share their journey. They have all been so courageous and dared to go where fat people have never gone before. As the contestants of the inaugural show they have set an excellent standard, they have come up with some good tricks to watch out for and they have been inspirational. Adro so deserves to win. He has never been an athlete, but now his cool look and his peaceful face say it all. He just radiates joy and is a fantastic advert for the show. Great show. Loved it , as frustrating as it was at times…but, it was a great show. It has inspired hundreds of people and by now they will realise how much younger and healthier they can look if they get back to the good food and exercise. Yes!!!
Details will clear up smart card concerns
Details will clear up smart card concerns :
"'I think when people start to see the details of this, when they get across the legislation if it's necessary then it'll be clear that this is just another step forward.'"
That's nice. A step forward where exactly? A step forward can go anywhere. Apart form the fact anyone who wishes to discuss the ramifications of the new smart card is being patronised and/or labelled as a "civil libertarian" the dogmatic approach by some politicians tends to suggest here is something to dicuss. Dogmatism only comes about when there is an inadequate capacity to discuss matters in an intelligent fashion. Those without arguments or foundation resort to patronising, sarcasm, name calling and hide behind a bullying approach. Stupid people. How dare we have the gall to want to know what this smart card means. We've read about phishing and identity theft and how much easier it is when the information is centrally located..and if the computers go down? If the systems stuff up? Where are we then with our smart card. The name itself tends to suggest it'll be the antithesis of what it is touted to be. Our Medicare card has worked well. Our bank cards have had varying degrees of success. Driver's licences? Can they be forged? You see, we want to know. We are not stupid so there is no point in telling us we are stupid. That is not the way to treat people.Especially your long suffering public. It is a very silly approach from government ministers and one which you'd correct your own child over. We can be as concerned as we like. We are us and we are allowed to have concerns. Honestly!
"'I think when people start to see the details of this, when they get across the legislation if it's necessary then it'll be clear that this is just another step forward.'"
That's nice. A step forward where exactly? A step forward can go anywhere. Apart form the fact anyone who wishes to discuss the ramifications of the new smart card is being patronised and/or labelled as a "civil libertarian" the dogmatic approach by some politicians tends to suggest here is something to dicuss. Dogmatism only comes about when there is an inadequate capacity to discuss matters in an intelligent fashion. Those without arguments or foundation resort to patronising, sarcasm, name calling and hide behind a bullying approach. Stupid people. How dare we have the gall to want to know what this smart card means. We've read about phishing and identity theft and how much easier it is when the information is centrally located..and if the computers go down? If the systems stuff up? Where are we then with our smart card. The name itself tends to suggest it'll be the antithesis of what it is touted to be. Our Medicare card has worked well. Our bank cards have had varying degrees of success. Driver's licences? Can they be forged? You see, we want to know. We are not stupid so there is no point in telling us we are stupid. That is not the way to treat people.Especially your long suffering public. It is a very silly approach from government ministers and one which you'd correct your own child over. We can be as concerned as we like. We are us and we are allowed to have concerns. Honestly!
Senate Panel Recommends Abolishing FEMA
Senate Panel Recommends Abolishing FEMA :
"Eighty-six recommendations by the bipartisan panel indicate the United States is still woefully unprepared for a storm of Katrina's scope with the start of the hurricane season little more than a month away."
This Senate committee has been deliberating for 7 months so I doubt it has come up with anything rash and probably has recommendations which can be implemented. Abolishing FEMA is one of them and to have that replaced by the National Preparedness and Response Authority. I would've thought NRA would suffice. You need an emergency response unit that people do not trip their tongues over. A big bureaucracy does need to constantly monitor itself because bureaucracies have so many arms and legs they forget sometimes they are all united to the same body. Systems are only efficient if they feed into each other and an emergency will show very easily whether that occurs or not. That all this time has been spent trying to overcome the ragged rsponse to Katrina should not be seen as saying people are incompetent. The systems were incompetent and people ...all sorts of people, were left in the lurch. That's what bureaucracies often do not acknowledge. They blame people instead of systems. Sometimes, yes, you can point the finger and say...this person did not do this and this and this, so these arms and legs weren't activated. That's rarely the case. It's usually bad communication and lack of authority to act. The Senate report comes out Thursday and I guess everyone will be interested in seeing how things can be streamlined. Given we have had our own set of cyclones which are like a 3 year old trashing the joint, it would probably be a good idea to do some international consultation and brain picking. We are all wiser in restrospect, but the people are still in an unstable situation. Bureaucracies can never work fast enough to keep the dignity and independece of those who suffered. When everything is blown away and flooded you really are at a disadvantage. It's not like you can just clean up and rebuild in a convenient space of time.
"Eighty-six recommendations by the bipartisan panel indicate the United States is still woefully unprepared for a storm of Katrina's scope with the start of the hurricane season little more than a month away."
This Senate committee has been deliberating for 7 months so I doubt it has come up with anything rash and probably has recommendations which can be implemented. Abolishing FEMA is one of them and to have that replaced by the National Preparedness and Response Authority. I would've thought NRA would suffice. You need an emergency response unit that people do not trip their tongues over. A big bureaucracy does need to constantly monitor itself because bureaucracies have so many arms and legs they forget sometimes they are all united to the same body. Systems are only efficient if they feed into each other and an emergency will show very easily whether that occurs or not. That all this time has been spent trying to overcome the ragged rsponse to Katrina should not be seen as saying people are incompetent. The systems were incompetent and people ...all sorts of people, were left in the lurch. That's what bureaucracies often do not acknowledge. They blame people instead of systems. Sometimes, yes, you can point the finger and say...this person did not do this and this and this, so these arms and legs weren't activated. That's rarely the case. It's usually bad communication and lack of authority to act. The Senate report comes out Thursday and I guess everyone will be interested in seeing how things can be streamlined. Given we have had our own set of cyclones which are like a 3 year old trashing the joint, it would probably be a good idea to do some international consultation and brain picking. We are all wiser in restrospect, but the people are still in an unstable situation. Bureaucracies can never work fast enough to keep the dignity and independece of those who suffered. When everything is blown away and flooded you really are at a disadvantage. It's not like you can just clean up and rebuild in a convenient space of time.
Rescuers dig tunnel to reach trapped miners.
Rescuers dig tunnel to reach trapped miners. :
"There was speculation among locals that rescue work was postponed after the discovery of a body this morning, but the Coroner Peter Wilson has rejected that.
Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon has extended the Government's sympathies to the families and friends of the mine workers."
We have been listening and thinking. Listening and watching. This is sad. Sad because it was the result of an earthquake. Sad because it doesn't often happen here. Sad because they found one body but it's not identified and sad because people are waiting at the top. People with breaking hearts. So for them it cannot go fast enough because each minute is a minute too long. Using the camera underground is something we have now that we didn't used to have. It's a tricky situation because obviously the earth is unstable. They have the pressure of time to try and find the men but the rescuers have to keep themselves safe too. It's too much for those at the top. They just want to know and you do, the wheels can never turn fast enough when you want to know. But it would be rash of anyone to rush into this and the community strength will hold it all together. We are thinking of them. We are listening. Too many people are dying. Way too many.
"There was speculation among locals that rescue work was postponed after the discovery of a body this morning, but the Coroner Peter Wilson has rejected that.
Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon has extended the Government's sympathies to the families and friends of the mine workers."
We have been listening and thinking. Listening and watching. This is sad. Sad because it was the result of an earthquake. Sad because it doesn't often happen here. Sad because they found one body but it's not identified and sad because people are waiting at the top. People with breaking hearts. So for them it cannot go fast enough because each minute is a minute too long. Using the camera underground is something we have now that we didn't used to have. It's a tricky situation because obviously the earth is unstable. They have the pressure of time to try and find the men but the rescuers have to keep themselves safe too. It's too much for those at the top. They just want to know and you do, the wheels can never turn fast enough when you want to know. But it would be rash of anyone to rush into this and the community strength will hold it all together. We are thinking of them. We are listening. Too many people are dying. Way too many.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
TOP 10 Australia Newspapers and Magazines
TOP 10 Australia Newspapers and Magazines:
"1. Sydney Morning Herald "
The Sydney Morning Herald is the top most visited online Australian Newspaper. This is a good site because you can see the top 10 newspapers and magazines around the world. The top magazines seem to be the girlie ones. So much for intelligent reading!
"1. Sydney Morning Herald "
The Sydney Morning Herald is the top most visited online Australian Newspaper. This is a good site because you can see the top 10 newspapers and magazines around the world. The top magazines seem to be the girlie ones. So much for intelligent reading!
Rent a womb
Infertile Westerners outsourcing childbearing to India :
"She'll be paid about $5,000 for acting as a surrogate mother, a bonanza that would take her more than six years to earn on her salary as a schoolteacher in a village near here. ''I might renovate or add to the house, or spend it on my kids' education or my daughter's wedding,' Mehli said."
Reproductive tourism as it is euphemistically called is becoming a reliable means of income for people who remain fertile while the rich west suffers increasingly from infertility or lack of time to actually reproduce. Sperm is also sold for women who wish to get pregnant and that is something which happens here as well but we don't seem to have a lot of donors. If nothing else it is paving the way to the baby factories we have all read about. The natural process of mating and reproducing is already becoming a thing of the past. All sorts of modern inventions have stopped that and changed our lives. For people like this Indian lady it is a source of pride and happiness that in this way she can provide for her own life and family. Would we deny her that? Outsourcing pregnancy is something which will change us all.
"She'll be paid about $5,000 for acting as a surrogate mother, a bonanza that would take her more than six years to earn on her salary as a schoolteacher in a village near here. ''I might renovate or add to the house, or spend it on my kids' education or my daughter's wedding,' Mehli said."
Reproductive tourism as it is euphemistically called is becoming a reliable means of income for people who remain fertile while the rich west suffers increasingly from infertility or lack of time to actually reproduce. Sperm is also sold for women who wish to get pregnant and that is something which happens here as well but we don't seem to have a lot of donors. If nothing else it is paving the way to the baby factories we have all read about. The natural process of mating and reproducing is already becoming a thing of the past. All sorts of modern inventions have stopped that and changed our lives. For people like this Indian lady it is a source of pride and happiness that in this way she can provide for her own life and family. Would we deny her that? Outsourcing pregnancy is something which will change us all.
Cabinet reignites smart card debate.
Cabinet reignites smart card debate. :
"Health Minister Tony Abbott says the card will help the Government deliver better services."
Sure will. Now people who are expert at ID theft can access it all in one go. While information is stored in separate places there is at least some hope that you can actually prove who you are.
"Health Minister Tony Abbott says the card will help the Government deliver better services."
Sure will. Now people who are expert at ID theft can access it all in one go. While information is stored in separate places there is at least some hope that you can actually prove who you are.
Govt to sell Medibank Private.
Govt to sell Medibank Private. : "The Federal Government will introduce legislation into Parliament in the next few weeks to begin the process to sell Medibank Private, Australia's largest private health insurer.
The sale of the public asset is expected to net the Government $1 billion."
Why not sell the whole of Australia and be done with it. So much for acting responsibly when they took control of the senate. They are like kids with a bag of lollies. Tsk. Tsk.
The sale of the public asset is expected to net the Government $1 billion."
Why not sell the whole of Australia and be done with it. So much for acting responsibly when they took control of the senate. They are like kids with a bag of lollies. Tsk. Tsk.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
A plea for the sanctity of the day
A plea for the sanctity of the day :
"She believes Anzac Day is at the crossroads in its history. 'During the next few years we have to make sure we have the right balance between the integrity of Anzac Day and its promotion to make it sustainable.'
Dr Hede said in time 'the Traditionalists' - whose memories of Anzac Day 'go back almost to the day itself' - will become less involved in marches, dawn services and other activities."
We are at a crossroads and there is no going back. Dr. Hede has made a very valid point. Where do we go from here ? Many of those who fought are not with us. Many of the families who would march are not to march witht hte Diggers. We have discussed and evaluated all of that. It is something we have all been brought up with and Anzac Day itself has always been the centre of social debate in this country and should be valued for that. It makes us think about the balance, what we want, how we wish to honour something we consistently deem as important. We do not glorify war with it. We do not think it is there to make war look good, because we are honouring those who fell in defeat. Those we thought did the right thing and doing the right thing is Australian. Anzac Day has made us question war, it has made us question celebrating war and we have also questioned why we should forget those who thought they were doing the right thing and put their lives on the line for it. It's a lesson for us all. The ceremonies bring us together, they are held far and wide with people we have been close to and it's a day we honour links to our past, our families, our neighbours. In lots of ways it's a quiet stocktaking day. If the "hedonists" ruin it , it is because we let them, but maybe their behaviour will highlight how we will move this day into our future and how we will keep it meaningful. Stocktaking. Re evaluating. Valuing what we wish to value. What do we think?
Mobile Soap
Ah, well, little did I know that the Danish have found the killer app for the mobile internet...soaps!! Coming to a cell phone near you
Monday, April 24, 2006
Mobile phones gain on PCs for internet
Mobile phones gain on PCs for internet :
"A survey released this week by research firm Ipsos Insight shows that 28 per cent of mobile phone owners worldwide have browsed the internet on a wireless handset, up from 25 per cent at the end 2004."
There is no way I'd trade my PC or laptop for Net on mobile. You have to be joking. You can't see anything, read anything or type anything. Takes me long enough to SMS someone and heaven help me if I have forgotten my glasses.I just cannot see how they could possibly compare so all those people who are mobile netters, tell me how you do it. With a magnifying glass??
"A survey released this week by research firm Ipsos Insight shows that 28 per cent of mobile phone owners worldwide have browsed the internet on a wireless handset, up from 25 per cent at the end 2004."
There is no way I'd trade my PC or laptop for Net on mobile. You have to be joking. You can't see anything, read anything or type anything. Takes me long enough to SMS someone and heaven help me if I have forgotten my glasses.I just cannot see how they could possibly compare so all those people who are mobile netters, tell me how you do it. With a magnifying glass??
Cable outage may hamper Net traffic
Cable outage may hamper Net traffic:
"A later advisory from Internode stated the problem was in fact due to a fibre failure close to San Jose."
There have been glitchy things trying to access some news which have never hapened before and Blogger won't publish at the mement. Should I blame it all on the cable cut? Iinet has had some teething problems here but we were laughing about it at work because we have forgotten what it's like to put new systems in place and organise large networks. We have, infact, so adapted to our technology it has been taken for granted, so hiccoughs and down time, poor access, things we all used to take for granted are no longer acceptable. Technology is in our lives. I am sure they have a reason for the cable cut and even though it's been a bit hit and miss, I cannot say I have been put out or disrupted. In fact it's not a cut cable, so this article states but "circuit problems." So now we know.
"A later advisory from Internode stated the problem was in fact due to a fibre failure close to San Jose."
There have been glitchy things trying to access some news which have never hapened before and Blogger won't publish at the mement. Should I blame it all on the cable cut? Iinet has had some teething problems here but we were laughing about it at work because we have forgotten what it's like to put new systems in place and organise large networks. We have, infact, so adapted to our technology it has been taken for granted, so hiccoughs and down time, poor access, things we all used to take for granted are no longer acceptable. Technology is in our lives. I am sure they have a reason for the cable cut and even though it's been a bit hit and miss, I cannot say I have been put out or disrupted. In fact it's not a cut cable, so this article states but "circuit problems." So now we know.
Oral-B Triumph ProfessionalCare 9000
Oral-B Triumph ProfessionalCare 9000 Power Toothbrush : "One of the real values of the Triumph lies in the convenience it provides to the user. An easy-to-read digital display set into the handle of the brush lights tells you when the brushheads are ready for replacement or when the battery needs recharging. Additionally, the brush is programmed to time each brushing session for the dentist-recommended two minutes. Every 30 seconds the brush pulses, alerting the user to shift to a new quadrant of the mouth. And when the two minutes are up, the brush pulses and displays a friendly 'happy face' on the handle's indicator."
What next?? I just saw an add for this, so I gather we are into the next generation toothbrushes and , of course, they come with an onboard computer!! What else? Is nothing safe and nothing sacred? What happened to the "toothbrush" or the "phone" or the "clock"? They all come with great technological advances. The toothbrush sounds impressive though and I guess it would be good to help train young ones into good habits. Mind you, I had to laugh, I heard one of the younger people who kept having trouble with the new hands free phone she was supposed to be using asking, Don't they just have phones where you can just ring? Ah, Grasshopper, you have a lot to learn.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
The Biggest Loser
The Biggest LoserOh, hoorah, some sense at last. What an interesting show that was. It was getting to be too much like Big Brother and not enough like The Biggest Loser. I thought maybe the surprise was that Jo was going to go into the BB house. That would have livened up the proceedings I am certain and got them off to a livewire start. Jo just says it how she sees it and is not beholden to anyone.She is a great catalyst. I do not dislike that at all, but she can be a bit full on...so a trip into BB might have created some interesting possibilities!! Dave...I love Dave. He is so genuine and so down to earth and so downright honest. He is right, he can only go as fast as he can go. No, Adro wasn't perfectly perfect , he needed to learn to work for himself. He worked for everyone else and helped everyone else, but never got the idea he could work for himself, not until Camp Eden. So, how great was that to see him back in the running because he so deserves to be? He has been straight forward and has hurt no one and has had to learn not to hurt himself. He just looks so well and so different and has the capacity to get through to others. Harry, well, he was booted off for no good reason, like Adro. The alliances to benefit the protected species. He looks so well, so fit, so happy and can see he has some good opponents. Kristie. La-laa. I have gone right off her and have never gone back on her. I think she has manipulated far too much and to that extent has shown that the big, obvious men are not the threats at all because no one noticed for quite some time and now they are so awake to it all. Yes, she could use the money and yes, she is the biggest loser. She has lost so many friends on that show. People who thought she was nice and now see her as what Tracy dubbed the smiling assassin. Very unfortunate, but she has played the game and that was there to be played. There will be no joy in my heart if that is how she wins. As for Fiona, yes, lucky breaks, la-la approach, rode to the finals on the crest of the game but also someone who has been used by the others to stay in the game so she has to be aware that her friendships are tenuous apart from Artie, Tracy and Adro. She so appreciated Adro in a kind and nice way and farewelled him in a kind and nice way. Adro was the only one to thank AJ. Adro is decent. Fiona is going like a bat out of hell now and has learned so much. I wouldn't be sorry to see her win because I think she was so ditzy and so weak but has been used and manipulated and has woken up to that. Camp Eden woke her up and she is wiser now and even if she doesn't win, she is such a stunner now. Wow! Wow!...if she isn't picked up and used by some company to get all the young ones in there training. I mean, she was just your ordinary, naive kid who could only click and go. Look at her now. So, I feel so much happier now and as for the ones evicted...$50,000 is a pretty handsome sum and I think any one of them deserves it because they have all busted their butts to make them tinier and shaplier. I feel better now!! No, I forgot, the trainers. They have been brilliant. Everyone thinks Bob is sooooooo hot and everyone loves Jillian's style..and tonight, for the first time, we saw she had such stunningly beautiful and clear eyes.
Schools to ban soft drinks
The Advertiser: Schools to ban soft drinks :
"About 1,600 schools will ban soft drinks, with plans for lollies and fatty foods to go, the Sunday Herald Sun reports.
Products to be banned include Coke, Pepsi, Sunkist, Schweppes Lemonade and Solo."
Well, there's a bold move and may we have more of them. Food can be nice and nutritious and drinks can be good to drink as well as thirst quenching. Let's face it, we all need something to get us through the day, but good food can be good for you as well. I have never understood the stance that the other foods are "easier". Now we ought to see just what we can come up with in terms of good, easy food and drink. Bit of imagination and we could even make it fun for the kids!!
"About 1,600 schools will ban soft drinks, with plans for lollies and fatty foods to go, the Sunday Herald Sun reports.
Products to be banned include Coke, Pepsi, Sunkist, Schweppes Lemonade and Solo."
Well, there's a bold move and may we have more of them. Food can be nice and nutritious and drinks can be good to drink as well as thirst quenching. Let's face it, we all need something to get us through the day, but good food can be good for you as well. I have never understood the stance that the other foods are "easier". Now we ought to see just what we can come up with in terms of good, easy food and drink. Bit of imagination and we could even make it fun for the kids!!
Bill Gates' Advice to Kids
Bill Gates' Advice to Kids: "Bill Gate's Advice to Kids
I had this pinned up on my fridge for teenagers to read. It always got a reaction...and the right one!
"Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! To anyone with kids of any age, or anyone who has ever been a kid, here is some advice Bill Gates recently dished out at a high school speech: 11 things you will not learn in school. He talks about how feel good P.C. teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept has set them up to fail in the real world."
RULE 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
RULE 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world expects you to accomplish BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
RULE 3: You will NOT make $40,000.00/year fresh out of high school. And you won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you EARN both.
RULE 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He won't have tenure.
RULE 5: Flipping burgers is NOT beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it OPPORTUNITY!
RULE 6: If you mess up, it is only your fault; learn from your mistakes.
RULE 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about how COOL you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your room instead.
RULE 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and will give you as many times as you need to get it right. This doesn't have the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
RULE 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
RULE 10: TV is NOT reality. In real life people need to leave the coffee shop and go to work.
RULE 11: BE NICE TO NERDS!! Chances are you will end up working for one!"
I had this pinned up on my fridge for teenagers to read. It always got a reaction...and the right one!
"Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this! To anyone with kids of any age, or anyone who has ever been a kid, here is some advice Bill Gates recently dished out at a high school speech: 11 things you will not learn in school. He talks about how feel good P.C. teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept has set them up to fail in the real world."
RULE 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!
RULE 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world expects you to accomplish BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
RULE 3: You will NOT make $40,000.00/year fresh out of high school. And you won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you EARN both.
RULE 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He won't have tenure.
RULE 5: Flipping burgers is NOT beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it OPPORTUNITY!
RULE 6: If you mess up, it is only your fault; learn from your mistakes.
RULE 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and listening to you talk about how COOL you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try delousing the closet in your room instead.
RULE 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and will give you as many times as you need to get it right. This doesn't have the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
RULE 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.
RULE 10: TV is NOT reality. In real life people need to leave the coffee shop and go to work.
RULE 11: BE NICE TO NERDS!! Chances are you will end up working for one!"
Vietnam gives Gates star welcome
Vietnam gives Gates star welcome:
"Bill Gates has been greeted like a pop star by thousands of university students during a visit to Vietnam.
About 7,000 students waited for hours, some clinging to trees and balconies, to get a glimpse of Mr Gates during his visit to the Hanoi university."
Many of us would not consider Bill Gates our idol. Some might envy him his riches. Others might consider his game of hardball too hard. Everyone has an opinion about Bill Gates and his Microsoft empire. He has brought computing to the masses and he is currently ploughing some of his wealth into projects for underdeveloped countries. He is no fool, that much is certain and so why shouldn't you, like Vietnam, look to him as an inspiration? The bottom line on this one is that as an invited guest to Vietnam, who is obviously there to do business, he has been honoured as a guest, welcomed as a guest and treated as someone who has achieved the unthinkable in his lifetime. At 50 he has made himself the world's richest man, one of the most powerful men on the planet and someone who has brought something world changing to all of us. He hasn't done it alone. He is now trying to conquer some of the world's poverty issues, so the rest of his life will witness whether his power was for the greater good or not. At 50, he has been welcomed as a hero and as his hosts they are making him feel the level of his importance. He did not ask for this.
"Bill Gates has been greeted like a pop star by thousands of university students during a visit to Vietnam.
About 7,000 students waited for hours, some clinging to trees and balconies, to get a glimpse of Mr Gates during his visit to the Hanoi university."
Many of us would not consider Bill Gates our idol. Some might envy him his riches. Others might consider his game of hardball too hard. Everyone has an opinion about Bill Gates and his Microsoft empire. He has brought computing to the masses and he is currently ploughing some of his wealth into projects for underdeveloped countries. He is no fool, that much is certain and so why shouldn't you, like Vietnam, look to him as an inspiration? The bottom line on this one is that as an invited guest to Vietnam, who is obviously there to do business, he has been honoured as a guest, welcomed as a guest and treated as someone who has achieved the unthinkable in his lifetime. At 50 he has made himself the world's richest man, one of the most powerful men on the planet and someone who has brought something world changing to all of us. He hasn't done it alone. He is now trying to conquer some of the world's poverty issues, so the rest of his life will witness whether his power was for the greater good or not. At 50, he has been welcomed as a hero and as his hosts they are making him feel the level of his importance. He did not ask for this.
Wallaby milk
Would you rather eat this or drink its milk??Wallabies to join fight against super bugs. :
"Researchers from the Department of Primary Industries were examining wallaby milk when they discovered it contained a compound 100 times more effective than penicillin.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron says it could be a real breakthrough in treating disease-causing bacteria."
I blogged a while agao about how they were going to try and get us to eat wallabies. Not sure why. Maybe it was to help keep the populations under control. I wasn't aware we had to many, but in Australia we run this weirdo population yoyo with native species. Sometimes we have too many in one area, and then others in other areas are threatened because of the clearing and development. ( Development???) Anyway, maybe we'll not have to eat the wallabies now. Maybe they'll just provide us with supermilk to keep all the bugs at bay. I love modern scientists. They look at everything with their brains on alert. What a fantastic find.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Tiger takes time out for father
Scotsman.com News - International - Tiger takes time out for father:
"TIGER Woods may not play golf again until the US Open in June as his father, Earl Woods, continues to battle cancer."
I like Tiger Woods. He's a nice man with a lot of skill. I cannot say I am fond of golf, but I must say I have followed Tiger Woods amazing career. He is isn NZ for the wedding of his caddie. I just hope all goes well with Tiger Woods' father and I respect the fact Tiger Woods is willing to put his career aside for a while so that he can support his father. He is a nice man.
"TIGER Woods may not play golf again until the US Open in June as his father, Earl Woods, continues to battle cancer."
I like Tiger Woods. He's a nice man with a lot of skill. I cannot say I am fond of golf, but I must say I have followed Tiger Woods amazing career. He is isn NZ for the wedding of his caddie. I just hope all goes well with Tiger Woods' father and I respect the fact Tiger Woods is willing to put his career aside for a while so that he can support his father. He is a nice man.
Woman too thin to live in Australia
Scotsman.com - Woman too thin to live in Australia:
"A British woman was told she was too thin to live in Australia. Helen Evans, who weighs 6st 11lb and is 5ft 3ins tall, faced deportation after she failed a health check. She has now been told she can stay temporarily.."
I have heard of people being told they are too fat(what a joke that would be if it weren't so outrageous) but too thin as well? Who has made up these weight limitations and what exactly are they and are people told? What goes on here in Australia and what is the rest of this story? Can she put on weight? How long has she weighed this much? Does she have an illness? Why was she here? Can she eat? Come on, I know we cannot be responsible for every illness and personal matter of people who come here on holidays or whatever..but what exactly is the story behind this woman? If nothing else I am sure we could discover why she is so thin..that is thin. My height and I once weighed seven and a half stone and that was thin. I was also very ill!!
"A British woman was told she was too thin to live in Australia. Helen Evans, who weighs 6st 11lb and is 5ft 3ins tall, faced deportation after she failed a health check. She has now been told she can stay temporarily.."
I have heard of people being told they are too fat(what a joke that would be if it weren't so outrageous) but too thin as well? Who has made up these weight limitations and what exactly are they and are people told? What goes on here in Australia and what is the rest of this story? Can she put on weight? How long has she weighed this much? Does she have an illness? Why was she here? Can she eat? Come on, I know we cannot be responsible for every illness and personal matter of people who come here on holidays or whatever..but what exactly is the story behind this woman? If nothing else I am sure we could discover why she is so thin..that is thin. My height and I once weighed seven and a half stone and that was thin. I was also very ill!!
Petrol
Petrol bomb :
"IT has doubled in the space of two years, but so far the only places the oil price seems to be having any effect is on the profits and pay packets of oil companies and petrol retailers."
It has had an effect and it will continue to have an effect. That's the whole point. Making people rich. We know that. Besides, they deserve to be rich, they have earned all that money. In a free enterprise economy they can charge what they want and as long as it's not too much no one will do anything because they are rich and are supposed to be.
"IT has doubled in the space of two years, but so far the only places the oil price seems to be having any effect is on the profits and pay packets of oil companies and petrol retailers."
It has had an effect and it will continue to have an effect. That's the whole point. Making people rich. We know that. Besides, they deserve to be rich, they have earned all that money. In a free enterprise economy they can charge what they want and as long as it's not too much no one will do anything because they are rich and are supposed to be.
Australians top recyclers.
Australians top recyclers. :
"'Compared with the other countries such as China, Russia, the UK, US and others, that international average of those countries was only 68 per cent,' he said.
'We're by far and away the most enthusiastic recyclers in the world.'"
Only because our councils and workplaces make it easy and almost mandatory for us! Every printer has a recycle bin, cages are there for the cans and bottles and we have bins at shops for cards, bags and ink cartridges. Our home bins are too small to put rubbish in so we have to recycle it into the bigger bins they gave us for recycling. They have made it wasy and pretty soon we shall have bins for green waste too...I have a whole population of bins in my back garden! Give us the structure and we can manage the rubbish!
"'Compared with the other countries such as China, Russia, the UK, US and others, that international average of those countries was only 68 per cent,' he said.
'We're by far and away the most enthusiastic recyclers in the world.'"
Only because our councils and workplaces make it easy and almost mandatory for us! Every printer has a recycle bin, cages are there for the cans and bottles and we have bins at shops for cards, bags and ink cartridges. Our home bins are too small to put rubbish in so we have to recycle it into the bigger bins they gave us for recycling. They have made it wasy and pretty soon we shall have bins for green waste too...I have a whole population of bins in my back garden! Give us the structure and we can manage the rubbish!
The Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser has been getting over a million viewers each night this week, so by our standards, it's a pretty big show. It has had an impact and people are learning from it. I wonder what the lessons are. I still keep hearing Wal and his "This show is about the Biggest Loser and not the biggest backstabber", but I am thinking, well, it's exactly what is occurring because of the game aspect. I can see how all the contestants except Kristie will have made friends after the show is finished.Not sure about Jo either , really, because she does seems to grate even on the audience. I didn't mind her strong views but she could go on.I think she said what she thought. Kristie is often described as focussed but no one ever says what she is focussed on. The money. The win. Since she was guaranteed a place in the final she has jsut cruised it and simply said the right things and done enough not to be criticised, but she really couldn't care about the others or how anything affects them. There were no tears for Shane and none at all for Adro..just laughter and joy at her own success. She is focussed and doing whatever it takes to win.What seems to be smugness has become very unfortunate. Voting off whom she needs to and water loading until they were told not to and just saying the polite and appropriate thing to smooth it all over.It's all a bit empty really. She hasn't really had to be a part of it except to ensure she votes the right person off. That is not about weight loss. Her own numbers are quite small and by contrast Fiona has done remarkably well. Fiona could do with at least another couple of months in that environment but she, too, has proven that the la-la , ditzy approach works. She has ridden in on the crest of the game and has just had to plant the odd thought and take some risks and there she is in the final. She is happy to let others take the responsibility for her weightloss and makes them make her do what has to be done. Should Harry have got back? Well, he was voted off very unfairly.He was the biggest loser, I believe. Either he or Wal. It was the alliance which skewed the whole show and weightloss objective. Some of them deserved the right to try again I suppose. Ruth, Cat and Dave could never really be a part of the challenges and team work since their first objective was to get those big bodies moving. As such they were always victims of the game,alliances and always at a disadvantage. The dunes challenge showed just how far they had all come, and the calorie thing at least gave Cat time in the house only to become the game victim again. There was talk about Harry water loading but he wasn't on the show to hear that was no longer allowed. 10 kilos was a lot in one week. A massive amount. Mind you, one of the women got 8 in the week after water loading. So I come to Adro as my natural winner along with Wal. Both of them were team players. Both of them helped others. Both stayed true to their word and Adro is going to be far less trusting now. He wanted to learn about the asian exercise routines at Camp Eden, he took his speech to the invited audience extremely seriously, he tried to train Bob and Jillian properly , he listened carefully to Jeff Pfennig and he cared about what happened to Dave and Ruth. I was even more cynical than he was that he was voted off. The game just backed up on him and all he was and all he had done was reduced to a few trite words and whoops of laughter after. Yes, it really is about the Biggest Losers.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Real Beer Australia
Real Beer Australia :: Latest News:
"Entries this year come from 130 breweries in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malta, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pilsen (West Bohemia), Poland, Port Moresby, Puerto Rico, Romania, Salzburg, Samoa, San Salvador, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam."
The 2006 International Beer Awards are currently on and some people are having a lovely time tasting it all. They looked very serious and very relaxed. I didn't realise beer tasters do not have to spit the beer out! The award winner will be announced in Melbourne May 11th.
'Act now' on global warming
'Act now' on global warming :
"While the views of city and country voters were not significantly different, the state-by-state breakdown revealed some disparities.
People in the resource-rich state of Queensland were the least likely to believe it was time for action (61 per cent), but also among the most likely to believe it was already too late (19 per cent)."
It was interesting to read the break down with regard to the opinions of each state. There really are considerable differences. It was also interesting and heartening to see teenagers were taking it to heart. Maybe they are not as skittish as we think. I don't think the bulk of them are. I think the picture is constantly coloured by the extremes. It was also interesting to see how men were rather skeptical of global warming. It's a good start to dealing with it and given the kids are the ones who will have to really come to terms with it because significant others can't be bothered, it's good to know they are interested. I'd like to see this followed up and it would be a good way to get us involved and hopefully moving our butts because 70% actually do think it's time to start dealing with it and that is sooooo right. Very few people shrug their shoulders.
"While the views of city and country voters were not significantly different, the state-by-state breakdown revealed some disparities.
People in the resource-rich state of Queensland were the least likely to believe it was time for action (61 per cent), but also among the most likely to believe it was already too late (19 per cent)."
It was interesting to read the break down with regard to the opinions of each state. There really are considerable differences. It was also interesting and heartening to see teenagers were taking it to heart. Maybe they are not as skittish as we think. I don't think the bulk of them are. I think the picture is constantly coloured by the extremes. It was also interesting to see how men were rather skeptical of global warming. It's a good start to dealing with it and given the kids are the ones who will have to really come to terms with it because significant others can't be bothered, it's good to know they are interested. I'd like to see this followed up and it would be a good way to get us involved and hopefully moving our butts because 70% actually do think it's time to start dealing with it and that is sooooo right. Very few people shrug their shoulders.
Amazing Grace
The Advertiser: Robot joins cancer fight :
"The Australian-made robot, known as Grace and worth $500,000, took 18 months to create and is the only one of its type in the world.
With 98 per cent accuracy, it can also detect bleeding in the bowel at a much earlier stage than current testing, reducing the need for colonoscopies."
I have a feeling this robot will be renamed Amazing Grace and even though it's a well worn cliche, there is nothing cliche about Grace's new purpose and work. Apart from the obvious, a friendly robot in that kind of circumstance would take some of the pain and worry out of the situation.In terms of the lives she will save, Grace is bound to become a hit. I love these kinds of robot stories.
"The Australian-made robot, known as Grace and worth $500,000, took 18 months to create and is the only one of its type in the world.
With 98 per cent accuracy, it can also detect bleeding in the bowel at a much earlier stage than current testing, reducing the need for colonoscopies."
I have a feeling this robot will be renamed Amazing Grace and even though it's a well worn cliche, there is nothing cliche about Grace's new purpose and work. Apart from the obvious, a friendly robot in that kind of circumstance would take some of the pain and worry out of the situation.In terms of the lives she will save, Grace is bound to become a hit. I love these kinds of robot stories.
Rocking round-the-clock lands Japanese woman in prison.
Rocking round-the-clock lands Japanese woman in prison.:
"'After the defendant stopped playing music the neighbours' health recovered,' Judge Tetsuya Okuda of Nara District Court in western Japan said.
'The defendant's act was a persistent and malicious crime aimed at troubling her neighbours.'"
Tell me about it. I had the misfortune of living next to a young guy who can only be described as living a rather busy and colourful life. Head banging music was a part of it and even though I could talk with him from time to time he just couldn't get it that I needed to sleep regular hours. So, he was driving us all nuts. I went and saw my neighbours and explained my plan, because the truth is, he wasn't actually unlikeable, he'd been left there when his parents moved out and just had way too much fun. The oldies who moved in after him were a real breath of fresh air!! Anyway, I waited until he was up really, really late one night. I am actually not too bad at sleeping no matter what. I got a good night's sleep, watched for him to stumble out the back bleary eyed and feeling worse than he looked. I have some brilliant big speakers. I organised them to hit his back garden area and just let him have Alice Cooper, followed by Black Sabbath at full bore with a lot of grunt...and, do you know, he used to come and ask if his music was too loud after that!!! We still have a wee chuckle about it. Had that not worked I guess I'd've reported him because we were all wearing a bit thin and the shift working guy was beside himself. It is a dreadful strain. My floorboards used to vibrate with some of his stuff. Should he have been jailed ? I don't think so. What to do if they don't respond? Now, that's where it does get hard, I guess.
"'After the defendant stopped playing music the neighbours' health recovered,' Judge Tetsuya Okuda of Nara District Court in western Japan said.
'The defendant's act was a persistent and malicious crime aimed at troubling her neighbours.'"
Tell me about it. I had the misfortune of living next to a young guy who can only be described as living a rather busy and colourful life. Head banging music was a part of it and even though I could talk with him from time to time he just couldn't get it that I needed to sleep regular hours. So, he was driving us all nuts. I went and saw my neighbours and explained my plan, because the truth is, he wasn't actually unlikeable, he'd been left there when his parents moved out and just had way too much fun. The oldies who moved in after him were a real breath of fresh air!! Anyway, I waited until he was up really, really late one night. I am actually not too bad at sleeping no matter what. I got a good night's sleep, watched for him to stumble out the back bleary eyed and feeling worse than he looked. I have some brilliant big speakers. I organised them to hit his back garden area and just let him have Alice Cooper, followed by Black Sabbath at full bore with a lot of grunt...and, do you know, he used to come and ask if his music was too loud after that!!! We still have a wee chuckle about it. Had that not worked I guess I'd've reported him because we were all wearing a bit thin and the shift working guy was beside himself. It is a dreadful strain. My floorboards used to vibrate with some of his stuff. Should he have been jailed ? I don't think so. What to do if they don't respond? Now, that's where it does get hard, I guess.
Irukandji jellyfish
Addict treatment helps stung swimmerIrukandji Jellyfish
A quick thinking Queensland doctor saved the life of a little girl who was stung on Good Friday off Great Keppel Island. It never ceases to amaze me how any experience you have in life can be brought into play in the most unlikely circumstances. These jelly fish are deadly and the doctor's experience and his capacity to think laterally under pressure gave the little girl her best hope of survival. The treatment he used is normally used for cocaine addicts. This time it saved the life of an eleven year old.
Push Button Blog Off
Damn right there was an error. Blogger! I arrived today to find this sign on my favourite site and to gall me further, it was advertising push button blogging. Pushed my buttons all right! How's a person supposed to relax and become absorbed when you get goaded like this by smarty pants Blogger??
Well, a couple of cups of tea later and I find it's not Smarty Pants Blogger at all...it's another one of those lovely exception errors where I become exceptionally peeved...exceptional at annoying me. Sure is an exceptional error. And now it's becoming exceptionally late...
Thursday, April 20, 2006
World Vision
World Vision
Dirty drinking water kills 6000 children everyday. Everyday. Here we are arguing about the rights and wrongs of an abortion pill completely oblivious to the fact that these 6000 children are dying daily because of lack of clean water. We, the developed nation.
I came home to my sponsorship newsletter today and I tell you, reading it is not only sobering, it gives great heart. You know that sponsoring that child means one of these children has water , food and a chance to live in a community which is moving forward.It is so heartwarming. Companies can join the Gifts in Kind programme and we, the normal, regular people of the world, can sponsor a child.
The number of children sponsored by Australians was up 11.8% over last year and now we sponsor over 360,000 children and I am happy to say I am part of that 11.8% and even though I thought about it every year, I didn't get around to it. It was there but I just didn't do it. I am not pround of that, but I forgive myself and now take great joy in my lovely letters to and from my sponsored child. I love watching his little face every morning on the dining room table. I truly have nothing to complain about when I see him.
Archives
I can't believe how many people visit my site retrospectively, so to speak. I don't mind at all, people are more than welcome to rummage through my archives, but I cannot believe how it happens all the time and is by far, the definitive hallmark of my site. I can get instant responses to some posts and experience that real blog buzz of people coming to visit a post or a couple of posts on a particular day. I never cease to be cheered by that, but I am also pleased I do blog, because the archives are the most frequently visited and most used part of my site...and there was I wondering what I was going to do with all these archives! Of course, I wouldn't know all of this without StatCounter.com which has proven to be the most reliable stat counter I have had.
Fleas and Disease
PCTOnline.com :: Article :: Fleas and Disease:
"The most serious human disease transmitted by biting fleas is bubonic plague or the 'Black Death' of the Middle Ages. In India alone, this bacterial disease resulted in more than 7 million deaths from 1896 to 1911. The oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild) and X. brasiliensis (Baker), are the most important vectors of plague from rat to rat and from rat to humans"
Rats, squirrels in places like California and then sometimes cat, dog and human fleas can spread things like rickettsia, bubonic plague and murine typhus. They can irraitate some people more than others...and I guess we had better go on flea alert!!
"The most serious human disease transmitted by biting fleas is bubonic plague or the 'Black Death' of the Middle Ages. In India alone, this bacterial disease resulted in more than 7 million deaths from 1896 to 1911. The oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild) and X. brasiliensis (Baker), are the most important vectors of plague from rat to rat and from rat to humans"
Rats, squirrels in places like California and then sometimes cat, dog and human fleas can spread things like rickettsia, bubonic plague and murine typhus. They can irraitate some people more than others...and I guess we had better go on flea alert!!
Bubonic plague strikes LA
Bubonic plague strikes LA :
"A CASE of bubonic plague has been reported in the second largest US city, Los Angeles, for the first time in 22 years, health officials said today.
America is not the only place to be addled with the recurrence of what we thought were old, gone or ancient diseases. Bubonic plague can be treated with antibiotics but it puts the strain on doctors and hospitals to be able to recognise these former diseases. I sart to wonder how developed we are sometimes.
"Plague symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, headache, sore throat, fatigue and swollen, tender lymph nodes associated with the arm or leg that has flea bites."
It means we have to be vigilant with fleas,whcih can also bring us typhoid, I believe and we have certainly had an upsurge in fleas since all the flooding and damper, humid conditions. I guess we have weather conditions which lend themselves to the agreeable development of certain bugs and viruses. Vigilance!!
"A CASE of bubonic plague has been reported in the second largest US city, Los Angeles, for the first time in 22 years, health officials said today.
America is not the only place to be addled with the recurrence of what we thought were old, gone or ancient diseases. Bubonic plague can be treated with antibiotics but it puts the strain on doctors and hospitals to be able to recognise these former diseases. I sart to wonder how developed we are sometimes.
"Plague symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, headache, sore throat, fatigue and swollen, tender lymph nodes associated with the arm or leg that has flea bites."
It means we have to be vigilant with fleas,whcih can also bring us typhoid, I believe and we have certainly had an upsurge in fleas since all the flooding and damper, humid conditions. I guess we have weather conditions which lend themselves to the agreeable development of certain bugs and viruses. Vigilance!!
Koala populations to be mapped
Koala populations to be mapped :
"'The more we know about koala distribution and the location of their food and trees, the better equipped we will be to help conserve and recover their numbers in NSW,' Mr Debus said."
What a sensible idea. Anecdotal evidence and community involvement is a model used by FrogWatch and it works well. There is a phone number to be used here for NSW and I hope all Australians will be used to help provide information about our indiginous species . I am surprised the Net isn't being used as well. It would be so easy with a standard form or by using emails and you could email images as well. That would provide really strong on the ground evidence and information.
"'The more we know about koala distribution and the location of their food and trees, the better equipped we will be to help conserve and recover their numbers in NSW,' Mr Debus said."
What a sensible idea. Anecdotal evidence and community involvement is a model used by FrogWatch and it works well. There is a phone number to be used here for NSW and I hope all Australians will be used to help provide information about our indiginous species . I am surprised the Net isn't being used as well. It would be so easy with a standard form or by using emails and you could email images as well. That would provide really strong on the ground evidence and information.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Why a piece of Adelaide might soon be history
The Advertiser: Why a piece of Adelaide might soon be history :
"CENTENNIAL Hall, the Royal Adelaide Showground venue where the Beatles played and thousands of South Australians have sat school exams, faces demolition over safety concerns."
I was talking to some kids over Easter and one of the things we chatted about was how they thought SA had no history. Some had been interstate or overseas and were saying how they liked to look at the old buildings, find out their history, and how "awesome" they were. I am disgusted they would even think of taking down Centennial Hall rather than repairing it. It's a pretty sick attitude to heritage and a state and city is nothing without roots. Those sorts of places just blow over in the slightest wind. Sick, sick, sick. Money, money, money...here we go again.
Cyber sex a bigger turn on
Cyber sex a bigger turn on :
"A field dubbed 'teledildonics' already allows people at two remote computers to manipulate electronic devices such as a vibrator at the other end for sexual purposes."
Teledildonics???? You have got to be joking. My only good thought is it may spare those poor wee children who have lately fallen prey to people without hearts and for people who have a need to rape. Obession will be hopefully kept off the streets for the unsuspecting. That's the up side. Computers running vibrators? I am certain there will be a rush for it and then all these speeding teenagers will roll up to school absolutely exhausted! I can see if will have appeal, but seriously , folks, get hold of a real body who wants you.
"A field dubbed 'teledildonics' already allows people at two remote computers to manipulate electronic devices such as a vibrator at the other end for sexual purposes."
Teledildonics???? You have got to be joking. My only good thought is it may spare those poor wee children who have lately fallen prey to people without hearts and for people who have a need to rape. Obession will be hopefully kept off the streets for the unsuspecting. That's the up side. Computers running vibrators? I am certain there will be a rush for it and then all these speeding teenagers will roll up to school absolutely exhausted! I can see if will have appeal, but seriously , folks, get hold of a real body who wants you.
Some too immature to drive
Some too immature to drive: :
"He sped down a narrow street lined with parked cars on both sides and slammed on the brakes when he saw another car coming towards him.
He lost control and crashed into a parked car, injuring backseat passenger Elizabeth Hargens, who fractured her spine and had her bowel lacerated.
Some of the girls in the car had called on him to slow down prior to the accident, with one yelling: 'Slow down, I don't want to die'."
The boy, now 19 has an intensive correction order, whatever that is and a four year licence suspension. His friends were trying to get through to him and still he wasn't listening to them. So what is it with the need for speed and the total oblivion to what can and does occur when you put yourself and others at risk? I could maybe get some understanding of his putting himself at risk. That pushing the boundaries stuff. I don't get his putting his friends at risk and his lack of capacity to respond to them. This is the bit which is broken and needs fixing. As adults we have to find a way of getting through to these kids because we brought them up. What have we done to get kids like this? Most of them are not like this but those who are extreme have just no idea about how to hold onto their own lives and how to preserve the lives of others. It just means nothing to them. Why?
"He sped down a narrow street lined with parked cars on both sides and slammed on the brakes when he saw another car coming towards him.
He lost control and crashed into a parked car, injuring backseat passenger Elizabeth Hargens, who fractured her spine and had her bowel lacerated.
Some of the girls in the car had called on him to slow down prior to the accident, with one yelling: 'Slow down, I don't want to die'."
The boy, now 19 has an intensive correction order, whatever that is and a four year licence suspension. His friends were trying to get through to him and still he wasn't listening to them. So what is it with the need for speed and the total oblivion to what can and does occur when you put yourself and others at risk? I could maybe get some understanding of his putting himself at risk. That pushing the boundaries stuff. I don't get his putting his friends at risk and his lack of capacity to respond to them. This is the bit which is broken and needs fixing. As adults we have to find a way of getting through to these kids because we brought them up. What have we done to get kids like this? Most of them are not like this but those who are extreme have just no idea about how to hold onto their own lives and how to preserve the lives of others. It just means nothing to them. Why?
Gillespie sets record
Viva cricket Gillespie sets record for highest-scoring nightwatchman:
"CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, April 19 (Reuters) - Australia's Jason Gillespie became the highest run-scoring nightwatchman on Wednesday when he eased past the previous record of 105 on the fourth morning of the second test against Bangladesh."
Well done, Jason! Onya! I have always liked watching Jason Gillespie play cricket and it has been horrible sometimes to watch his injury prone body give him so much pain and trouble during big matches. His new look and well earned slower lifestyle have obviously done him good since he can still work the magic on the pitch.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Scientists are cleared of blame for drug trial that went wrong -
Scientists are cleared of blame for drug trial that went wrong - : "A working group is also being set up by the Government to examine the transition from animal tests to studies in humans involving biological agents with novel actions. It will look at how trials can be conducted using new drugs that have a “highly speciesspecific action”, drugs that are directed towards the immune system and the broader science surrounding monoclonal antibody treatment."
The British have been swift to take action and have tested the drug given to the men and are making further tests. They have also organised a committee to look at the protocol for human testing of drugs. This case of the 6 men is very disturbing. We saw Ryan Wilson on the news last night and he is only 20-21 and so nice, so strong spiritually, and so together. He just doesn't deserve anything like this when he was trying to help others and put some money in his bank account as he has MS.Trial patients are usually in a better position to be helped when things go wrong but the onset of the reactions seemed to be quite sudden and severe. The doctors did really well to save all of the men as far as I can tell. It would be brilliant if the world could nut out a solution to this problem. His fingers are so black. It just seems horrible for him to have to lose them and maybe his toes, I can't remember now because I was struck with how he was dealing with it in such a down to earth manner and I was thinking how inspiring he was for someone with all his woes and worries. I'd actually like to think we could make something good come out of this for him. We can do terrible things...but we can be an amazing source of inspiration and ingenuity too.
The British have been swift to take action and have tested the drug given to the men and are making further tests. They have also organised a committee to look at the protocol for human testing of drugs. This case of the 6 men is very disturbing. We saw Ryan Wilson on the news last night and he is only 20-21 and so nice, so strong spiritually, and so together. He just doesn't deserve anything like this when he was trying to help others and put some money in his bank account as he has MS.Trial patients are usually in a better position to be helped when things go wrong but the onset of the reactions seemed to be quite sudden and severe. The doctors did really well to save all of the men as far as I can tell. It would be brilliant if the world could nut out a solution to this problem. His fingers are so black. It just seems horrible for him to have to lose them and maybe his toes, I can't remember now because I was struck with how he was dealing with it in such a down to earth manner and I was thinking how inspiring he was for someone with all his woes and worries. I'd actually like to think we could make something good come out of this for him. We can do terrible things...but we can be an amazing source of inspiration and ingenuity too.
CSIRO to test ways of cutting power
CSIRO to test ways of cutting power :
"'The sensor and agent technologies co-ordinate supply and demand, controlling generation and loads intelligently as the market changes,' said Glenn Platt from CSIRO Energy Technology.
Geoff James, from the CSIRO ICT Centre, said smart metering aimed to change consumer behaviour through, for example, providing information on pricing at different times."
The CSIRO generally has a very common snese and practical approach to pressing problems and because it knows how to work with us it usually succeeds it changing behaviour. We are very electrically dependent and we do need to be guided through this so that we do not overuse. My pet annoyance is everything coming with a standby light. The whole house has little lights which are there just wasting energy. They look cute though and people seem to need them as they seem to want a clock on everything and it's amazing how annoyed you can become when the expected clock isn't included! Headset problems. What electrical things can we manage without and do we need a readio and televsion in every room? I have a hard time trying to persuade people that energy saving globes will save money and energy. I am living proof that role modelling doesn't work. My friends and family have seen me use them for years, have known my bills are considerably less than theirs, but still they won't invest in them. Too expensive??!! It is about rethinking and realigning and that's a team effort.
"'The sensor and agent technologies co-ordinate supply and demand, controlling generation and loads intelligently as the market changes,' said Glenn Platt from CSIRO Energy Technology.
Geoff James, from the CSIRO ICT Centre, said smart metering aimed to change consumer behaviour through, for example, providing information on pricing at different times."
The CSIRO generally has a very common snese and practical approach to pressing problems and because it knows how to work with us it usually succeeds it changing behaviour. We are very electrically dependent and we do need to be guided through this so that we do not overuse. My pet annoyance is everything coming with a standby light. The whole house has little lights which are there just wasting energy. They look cute though and people seem to need them as they seem to want a clock on everything and it's amazing how annoyed you can become when the expected clock isn't included! Headset problems. What electrical things can we manage without and do we need a readio and televsion in every room? I have a hard time trying to persuade people that energy saving globes will save money and energy. I am living proof that role modelling doesn't work. My friends and family have seen me use them for years, have known my bills are considerably less than theirs, but still they won't invest in them. Too expensive??!! It is about rethinking and realigning and that's a team effort.
Legless lizards
Now legless lizards and native grassland threaten development :
"Seizing on the successful bid to stop a wind farm in regional Victoria because of a minimal threat to the rare orange-bellied parrot, environmentalists are now focusing on a residential development in Melbourne's west."
Make the environmentalists sound like they are wet and stupid, heh? Property developers the world over are renowned for their lack of capacity to care about the environment. What's a lizard compared with a great big building? Go and look at the places which have been built out and look at the urban agglomerations which make everything so grey. I drove past Marion today and that has to be the ugliest eyesore of buildings, roads, car parks, concrete, roofs and bitumen. We can have both... and we have to think about it because cities are making us sick and that is why people are going back to the towns and villages to live and are fighting to keep their small communities going. There is nothing wrong with talking and listening. To make environmentalists sound stupid when we have global warming on our hands is a rather odd approach to the problem. As long as it makes money we do not care and we have done so much as a generation to deprive future generations of a healthy, happy place to live - the things we all grew up with - birds, trees, butterflies. We are so hopeless. I actually wonder who the legless lizards are.
"Seizing on the successful bid to stop a wind farm in regional Victoria because of a minimal threat to the rare orange-bellied parrot, environmentalists are now focusing on a residential development in Melbourne's west."
Make the environmentalists sound like they are wet and stupid, heh? Property developers the world over are renowned for their lack of capacity to care about the environment. What's a lizard compared with a great big building? Go and look at the places which have been built out and look at the urban agglomerations which make everything so grey. I drove past Marion today and that has to be the ugliest eyesore of buildings, roads, car parks, concrete, roofs and bitumen. We can have both... and we have to think about it because cities are making us sick and that is why people are going back to the towns and villages to live and are fighting to keep their small communities going. There is nothing wrong with talking and listening. To make environmentalists sound stupid when we have global warming on our hands is a rather odd approach to the problem. As long as it makes money we do not care and we have done so much as a generation to deprive future generations of a healthy, happy place to live - the things we all grew up with - birds, trees, butterflies. We are so hopeless. I actually wonder who the legless lizards are.
Top cop wants car speed limiters
Top cop wants car speed limiters :
"Traffic Services Commander John Hartley said he would press for the introduction of speed limiters on all cars when he meets his state counterparts at the Australasian Traffic Policing Forum in Canberra this week.
The technology already exists in buses and trucks, which are limited to a maximum speed of 100kph on a flat surface."
Do they work? Are there drawbacks? Can they be altered? Punishment is not working...or doesn't appear to be and information isn't working. A lot of money is being spent trying to get through. Maybe the deterrants are the wrong ones. Maybe we need to get inside the heads and find out why these people have no social conscience because it must be so heart breaking for the police and paramedics as well as the families to deal with the realities of these disasters. Maybe the speedsters need to see the realities of their behaviour and maybe they need tailored counselling courses which they have to attend. No licence, for sure, but maybe they drive without a licence anyway, so the need sor speed si outweighing the need for commonsense. Why is that? People usually repond.Finding out what they respond to is the thing and talking and talking and talking to them until we fins out will provide the solution...but I understand the reluctance when the damage is so severe and other people are having to pick up the trauma of it all when it goes wrong. All of that has to count for something against the adrenalin rush of the speedster. Make them drive little 3 wheeler cars. I don't know. We are all trying to think and meanwhile two ambulances went out after some nutter raced around here tonight. I don't know that a lot of young people are watching television so the message would have to be broadcast in alternative media and venues. The message has to be where young people are and where they HAVE to see it.
"Traffic Services Commander John Hartley said he would press for the introduction of speed limiters on all cars when he meets his state counterparts at the Australasian Traffic Policing Forum in Canberra this week.
The technology already exists in buses and trucks, which are limited to a maximum speed of 100kph on a flat surface."
Do they work? Are there drawbacks? Can they be altered? Punishment is not working...or doesn't appear to be and information isn't working. A lot of money is being spent trying to get through. Maybe the deterrants are the wrong ones. Maybe we need to get inside the heads and find out why these people have no social conscience because it must be so heart breaking for the police and paramedics as well as the families to deal with the realities of these disasters. Maybe the speedsters need to see the realities of their behaviour and maybe they need tailored counselling courses which they have to attend. No licence, for sure, but maybe they drive without a licence anyway, so the need sor speed si outweighing the need for commonsense. Why is that? People usually repond.Finding out what they respond to is the thing and talking and talking and talking to them until we fins out will provide the solution...but I understand the reluctance when the damage is so severe and other people are having to pick up the trauma of it all when it goes wrong. All of that has to count for something against the adrenalin rush of the speedster. Make them drive little 3 wheeler cars. I don't know. We are all trying to think and meanwhile two ambulances went out after some nutter raced around here tonight. I don't know that a lot of young people are watching television so the message would have to be broadcast in alternative media and venues. The message has to be where young people are and where they HAVE to see it.
Man resuscitated after electrocution
Man resuscitated after electrocution :
"WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt said the man had been on a cherry-picker and was changing light bulbs when the incident occurred.
He said the man died but was brought back to life by paramedics who treated him at the scene for some time."
I guess wwe'll all be a bit wary about changing light bulbs until the cause of the electrocution is established. How lucky is this man that the paramedics cared enough to hang in there and try and bring abck his life. I hope he is able to recover and has no long term damage. I also hope the news will let us know how he is.
"WorkSafe spokesman Michael Birt said the man had been on a cherry-picker and was changing light bulbs when the incident occurred.
He said the man died but was brought back to life by paramedics who treated him at the scene for some time."
I guess wwe'll all be a bit wary about changing light bulbs until the cause of the electrocution is established. How lucky is this man that the paramedics cared enough to hang in there and try and bring abck his life. I hope he is able to recover and has no long term damage. I also hope the news will let us know how he is.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Canadian piglet catches the eye
Canadian piglet catches the eye at porcine Olympics /:"MOSCOW (AFP) - Antoinette from Canada was the star at the Moscow Olympics, outshining competitors from as far afield as China and South Africa.
She showed her skills at the third annual piglet Olympics in running, football and swimming and will be the competitor to beat in Sunday's final."
I can't believe we are having a porcine olympics Moscow and we know nothing about it! There are six Russian piglets and 6 from the rest of the world. Kids would love to see this as would anyone's inner child. At our Royal Show the animals easily take a pride of place and warm everyone's hearts. Antoinette from Canada is doing a great job!! This is soooo cute.
Easter Bunny sued
"Karl-Friedrich Lentze of Berlin has filed a complaint against the Easter Bunny, accusing it of causing chocolate addiction, leading to heart attacks, obesity and strokes. A public prosecutor's spokesman said: "We will act upon the complaint with speed and diligence."
The Age: Oddspot
Can you sue a figment of the imagination? I wonder. I hope we are brought the news of this case. It is so easy for people not to be responsible for their own wellbeing these days.
The Age: Oddspot
Can you sue a figment of the imagination? I wonder. I hope we are brought the news of this case. It is so easy for people not to be responsible for their own wellbeing these days.
Car hoons drive police wild
Car hoons drive police wild :
"An 18-year-old P-plater also lost his licence for driving at 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Eastern Freeway.
Police said they were frustrated by the irresponsible action of some drivers.
Sgt Phillips said young people seemed to think they were immortal on the road.
'If you play russian roulette with the speed limits and the stop signs and the alcohol, sooner or later the shot will go off and it will get you,' he said."
You don't get mad , you get even. If the millions of dollars of advertising doesn't work ,the fines do not work and the punishments do not work, then getting mad won't work either. They are a law unto themselves because they are very, very special people who have the right to make and follow their own rules. Restarting with the littlies is where it is at , at the moment. As for the demigods, allow them to travel in chaffeured carriages. Bow and scrape before them. They are truly wondrous beings. Get a bloomin' good clinical psychologist onto this. They are playing Uproar and winning.
"An 18-year-old P-plater also lost his licence for driving at 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Eastern Freeway.
Police said they were frustrated by the irresponsible action of some drivers.
Sgt Phillips said young people seemed to think they were immortal on the road.
'If you play russian roulette with the speed limits and the stop signs and the alcohol, sooner or later the shot will go off and it will get you,' he said."
You don't get mad , you get even. If the millions of dollars of advertising doesn't work ,the fines do not work and the punishments do not work, then getting mad won't work either. They are a law unto themselves because they are very, very special people who have the right to make and follow their own rules. Restarting with the littlies is where it is at , at the moment. As for the demigods, allow them to travel in chaffeured carriages. Bow and scrape before them. They are truly wondrous beings. Get a bloomin' good clinical psychologist onto this. They are playing Uproar and winning.
Botched drug trial victim goes into 'meltdown'.
Botched drug trial victim goes into 'meltdown'. :
"The 20-year-old was the most seriously ill of the six men who took part in the drugs trial aimed at treating multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia.
He says he could need to stay in hospital for six more months as his condition is monitored, after suffering multiple organ failure and blood poisoning."
Without the human guinea pigs, no drugs can be readied for the general market. This case, which I blogged about before, of the six men being so seriously ill after offering to trial the drug for MS, is a terrible tale. Bad enough that they have MS, to have such severe complications from the trial is tragic. There is always a risk with new therapies and drugs. The worst thing about modern medication is that the side effects are not clearly understood by patients. The side effects are often side lined. We do have some drugs which have helped people enormously. Even the Thalydomide drug which caused deformities in children has found to be useful in the treatment of something else, but those children with the little arms and legs will find that cold comfort. How are we to know? How are we to be able to keep the human guinea pigs safer? Many drugs have cause some pretty severe side effects for users, all which were known but not clearly identified. Some of the drugs available for mental illness do improve wellbeing and behaviour in the short term but in the long term can have serious effects on white blood cell counts, cardio vascular wellbeing, weight. We are going to have to be even more careful with our trials and peole are going to have to be vigilant with regard to knowing ALL the effects of the medication they are on. Solving one problem to provide you with others really isn't treatment. Some people end up on such a cocktail of medication and that cannot bode well for their liver and kidneys. So what are we to do? Care, care and more care. We do have some good medications. They have stood the test of time. It's the festine lente message again...hasten slowly and check, check and double check. In the meantime, my thoughts are with Ryan Wilson and his family. He is only 20 and was brave enough to trial something for the possible benefit of all. He is paying too high a price and it's so sad.
"The 20-year-old was the most seriously ill of the six men who took part in the drugs trial aimed at treating multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and leukaemia.
He says he could need to stay in hospital for six more months as his condition is monitored, after suffering multiple organ failure and blood poisoning."
Without the human guinea pigs, no drugs can be readied for the general market. This case, which I blogged about before, of the six men being so seriously ill after offering to trial the drug for MS, is a terrible tale. Bad enough that they have MS, to have such severe complications from the trial is tragic. There is always a risk with new therapies and drugs. The worst thing about modern medication is that the side effects are not clearly understood by patients. The side effects are often side lined. We do have some drugs which have helped people enormously. Even the Thalydomide drug which caused deformities in children has found to be useful in the treatment of something else, but those children with the little arms and legs will find that cold comfort. How are we to know? How are we to be able to keep the human guinea pigs safer? Many drugs have cause some pretty severe side effects for users, all which were known but not clearly identified. Some of the drugs available for mental illness do improve wellbeing and behaviour in the short term but in the long term can have serious effects on white blood cell counts, cardio vascular wellbeing, weight. We are going to have to be even more careful with our trials and peole are going to have to be vigilant with regard to knowing ALL the effects of the medication they are on. Solving one problem to provide you with others really isn't treatment. Some people end up on such a cocktail of medication and that cannot bode well for their liver and kidneys. So what are we to do? Care, care and more care. We do have some good medications. They have stood the test of time. It's the festine lente message again...hasten slowly and check, check and double check. In the meantime, my thoughts are with Ryan Wilson and his family. He is only 20 and was brave enough to trial something for the possible benefit of all. He is paying too high a price and it's so sad.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Buckingham Palace
I am not really sure why Her Majesty is moving to Windsor which has almost double the amount of rooms to clean, but I am sure Her Majesty knows best at 80. I was wondering whether I should send an email to offer to Palace sit for her. Seems a shame to let this lovely abode go uninhabited while they are working out their royal protocol in such matters.
RAF doctor who refused Iraq service is jailed
Independent Online Edition > Legal:
"An RAF doctor who refused to serve in Iraq because he believed the war to be illegal was jailed for eight months yesterday.
The conviction and imprisonment of Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith, the first member of the armed forces to be charged with disobeying orders to deploy in Iraq, has provoked widespread condemnation. Anti-war groups declared that a man who had shown great moral courage and acted according to his conscience was being pilloried for his beliefs."
We were talking about this today and have been ever since he was jailed. This is a man of conscience , with values, who has served twice in Iraq and who is a decent, upstanding citizen. The best we can do is jail him for his decency. The others? They may do as they please. We are truly sickened by our hypocritical society which supports corruption and destruction. This man has done his bit and has a conscience . The invasion of Iraq is illegal. We all know this but international law has no relevance any more and we know that too. That is hardly Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith's fault. We are all so angry about this. All of our thoughts are with him.
"An RAF doctor who refused to serve in Iraq because he believed the war to be illegal was jailed for eight months yesterday.
The conviction and imprisonment of Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith, the first member of the armed forces to be charged with disobeying orders to deploy in Iraq, has provoked widespread condemnation. Anti-war groups declared that a man who had shown great moral courage and acted according to his conscience was being pilloried for his beliefs."
We were talking about this today and have been ever since he was jailed. This is a man of conscience , with values, who has served twice in Iraq and who is a decent, upstanding citizen. The best we can do is jail him for his decency. The others? They may do as they please. We are truly sickened by our hypocritical society which supports corruption and destruction. This man has done his bit and has a conscience . The invasion of Iraq is illegal. We all know this but international law has no relevance any more and we know that too. That is hardly Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Kendall-Smith's fault. We are all so angry about this. All of our thoughts are with him.
Bloody Brits retaliate with cheeky ad
Bloody Brits retaliate with cheeky ad series:
"One of the humorous ads features a disgruntled British fashion designer angry that an Australian will be given the chance to spend six weeks working with fashion industry legends like Alexander McQueen.
At the end of the ad she says: 'I hope you enjoy it, you f***er!'
Shampa Kaiser from the British Council said the ads had been toned down from the originals produced by M&C Saatchi in Australia. 'People generally find them funny. Our target market is 19- to 26-year-olds and the ads have appealed to them.'"
Without going too far, it is time for us all to get our sense of humour back and not be so straight laced. We have an alternate version of our Australian ad which has been circulating the Net . The scenes are spectacular, the comment is spot on and the punch line is bold but how we speak at times...like this British ad. We have roared more at our alternate version than the original. It is always difficult to draw that line. You truly do not want to offend people, but we have srowned in political correctness and then the antithesis to that, the foul mouthed, grossness of it all...so the ads are a great way of finding the balance. Love it, love it.
"One of the humorous ads features a disgruntled British fashion designer angry that an Australian will be given the chance to spend six weeks working with fashion industry legends like Alexander McQueen.
At the end of the ad she says: 'I hope you enjoy it, you f***er!'
Shampa Kaiser from the British Council said the ads had been toned down from the originals produced by M&C Saatchi in Australia. 'People generally find them funny. Our target market is 19- to 26-year-olds and the ads have appealed to them.'"
Without going too far, it is time for us all to get our sense of humour back and not be so straight laced. We have an alternate version of our Australian ad which has been circulating the Net . The scenes are spectacular, the comment is spot on and the punch line is bold but how we speak at times...like this British ad. We have roared more at our alternate version than the original. It is always difficult to draw that line. You truly do not want to offend people, but we have srowned in political correctness and then the antithesis to that, the foul mouthed, grossness of it all...so the ads are a great way of finding the balance. Love it, love it.
Faith makes for safety in Baghdad
Faith makes for safety in Baghdad, the most dangerous parish in the world :
"MANY have said that my parish of Baghdad is the most dangerous in the world. I get there by military aircraft and helicopter. Since last Easter all of my lay leaders have been killed, a suicide bomber turned up in church, people have been killed at our church entrance, we have endured car bombs and been attacked and our church has been surrounded by concrete barricades. I will not even be allowed to take the services there this Easter, I will officiate instead in the Shia Muslim Prime Minister’s lecture theatre. Here is inter-religious relations at the cutting edge."
I found this speech by the Rev Canon Andrew White, an Anglican priest in Iraq, to be very moving. He says it simply, he says it well, but his speech is inspired. We cannot pass through Easter without thinking of those in the other parts of the world who are all suffering on a daily basis. This speech dignifies them.
"MANY have said that my parish of Baghdad is the most dangerous in the world. I get there by military aircraft and helicopter. Since last Easter all of my lay leaders have been killed, a suicide bomber turned up in church, people have been killed at our church entrance, we have endured car bombs and been attacked and our church has been surrounded by concrete barricades. I will not even be allowed to take the services there this Easter, I will officiate instead in the Shia Muslim Prime Minister’s lecture theatre. Here is inter-religious relations at the cutting edge."
I found this speech by the Rev Canon Andrew White, an Anglican priest in Iraq, to be very moving. He says it simply, he says it well, but his speech is inspired. We cannot pass through Easter without thinking of those in the other parts of the world who are all suffering on a daily basis. This speech dignifies them.
New Eye Treatment
Eye treatment could replace surgery:
"A SIMPLE treatment using Vitamin B2 and ultraviolet light could replace major corneal transplant surgery for Australian patients in a revolutionary eye treatment trial."
This treatment has been effective in all the patients randomly chosen to trial it. B2 and ultraviolet light sounds too simple to be true , but ti works and thank heavens people have been ever creative in their research. It means the eyesight of around 50, 000 Australians can be saved. It prevents the cornea from changing shape and therefore the surgery becomes unnecessary. Good news, indeed.
"A SIMPLE treatment using Vitamin B2 and ultraviolet light could replace major corneal transplant surgery for Australian patients in a revolutionary eye treatment trial."
This treatment has been effective in all the patients randomly chosen to trial it. B2 and ultraviolet light sounds too simple to be true , but ti works and thank heavens people have been ever creative in their research. It means the eyesight of around 50, 000 Australians can be saved. It prevents the cornea from changing shape and therefore the surgery becomes unnecessary. Good news, indeed.
Happy Easter
Linternaute - infos, nouvelles, trucs et astuces, jolis économiseurs et fonds d’écran.Joyeuses Pâques et Happy Easter !
The Easter went down a treat and we had one of those lovely,fresh, sunny Adelaide mornings so it was great to have a cooked breakfast, a good coffee...and eggs! Suitably replete, we then spent the morning just catching up and yappity yapping and truly, it was just so nice. People are funny. It's the simplest things which can really please them. I got the most compliments for using real, cloth napkins with the meal and the Kaiser rolls, which really were tasty. Just lightly crunchy on the outside and nice tasting bread on the inside.(Thank you, Coles!) The other delectables were taken for granted. Oh, and the flowers. After the heat and before the winter bulbs I could only find some native bells and a couple of daisies , so I put them in a little vase with some greenery and a couple of bits of freckle face and people thought it was so cute. Just goes to show, you do not have to be lavish to be appreciated!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
The Biggest Loser
This is one of the great moments of the week, when Bob took the traumatised black team out for an hour’s run just to get over the fact the others were back. They pounded their way to stability and Bob’s lesson in mental strength was not lost on them because they did the very same thing on the treadmills when Jo, Harry and Cat were returned back in victory to the house. Now, we know none of these people coming back have won, because we have seen footage of them all after they left the house. The show is being set up for Kristie to win and to look like a worthy winner. To tell you the truth, I haven’t gone back on her after I went off her last week. She is very self centred and self satisfied. It was great to see Wal and if anyone should have been back, he should have been because he set the tone for the show, kept his game out in the open, carried a lot of people for a number of weeks and was massively successful in the challenges and in losing weight. His bit of weight was probably his saying, I was turfed out, so I just came back to have a look at you, but the game is the game. Tracy didn’t return and I respect her for that because having seen her out of the house she is a lot happier and more content and successful in her own environment. For the first time I really felt for Fiona when she was put on the spot Monday for gaining weight again. This is her third time. She has been working her backside off and building up such strength and inner courage, but Monday she was in distress and everyone felt it. It was terrible emotional pain for her to front up to Bob and Jillian and she was in such a state and tried to hang in there. I really did feel for her because she was so humiliated. It seems to be the emotional burden she has...the not worthy thing. That came out later in the week and Jillian handled it brilliantly. Should the others be back? It certainly livened the others up and it put Kristie on the spot. Adro is angry and for once he is learning he is WORTHY of working for himself. He has always worked for others. The Friday night weigh in was a bit histrionic with Harry being isolated. Harry was kicked off by the former alliance. The alliance stuffed the show for a while and people were put off who did not deserve to be. Jo is marvellously fit, as is Artie. Harry is a force to be reckoned with. But I loved Cat, Dave and Ruth. The show was never for them because they were too big, but they have each put themselves right on the line and bit by bit they are getting there. It has been so much harder for those three. Cat and Ruth finished the dunes challenge and that is power to them. Dave’s knees went, but his spirit is strong and he has to be the nicest man in the universe…a few more pounds and they ought to be lining up to marry him. He is just so lovely…and just look at Shane!! What a difference!The Biggest Loser
US generals ambush Rumsfeld
Scotsman.com News - International - US generals ambush Rumsfeld:
"The latest senior soldiers to turn their fire on Mr Rumsfeld were Major-Generals John Batiste and Charles Swannack. The former told NBC that 'we went to war with a flawed plan that didn't account for the hard work to build the peace after we took down the regime. We also served under a secretary of defence who didn't understand leadership, who was abusive, who was arrogant, and who didn't build a strong team'."
This is no ambush. US generals have no need to ambush. They are highly trained, exceptionally experienced and very knowledgeable men. If 6 generals have now spoken out against Donald Rumsfeld, then they are confronting a problem which needs to be resolved. These men do not speak out of turn in any kind of an ill considered way. These men have had the lives of many Americans in their capable hands.
"The cost of flawed leadership continues to be paid in blood".
They should know. They have been there on a daily basis trying to fly the American flag and sustain their troops. To discount or dismiss their competence would be very rash. They would not speak out like this without reason because they have proven themselves to be very loyal, worthy Americans. I believe one of them said they needed fresh leadership because Donald Rumsfeld was not able to let them move on. America seems to want to move on but is being held up in the process. If these generals didn't have the guts to speak out like that, then the country would continue to be misinformed. Experts are experts for a reason and when they all hold a similar view they need to be heard.
"The latest senior soldiers to turn their fire on Mr Rumsfeld were Major-Generals John Batiste and Charles Swannack. The former told NBC that 'we went to war with a flawed plan that didn't account for the hard work to build the peace after we took down the regime. We also served under a secretary of defence who didn't understand leadership, who was abusive, who was arrogant, and who didn't build a strong team'."
This is no ambush. US generals have no need to ambush. They are highly trained, exceptionally experienced and very knowledgeable men. If 6 generals have now spoken out against Donald Rumsfeld, then they are confronting a problem which needs to be resolved. These men do not speak out of turn in any kind of an ill considered way. These men have had the lives of many Americans in their capable hands.
"The cost of flawed leadership continues to be paid in blood".
They should know. They have been there on a daily basis trying to fly the American flag and sustain their troops. To discount or dismiss their competence would be very rash. They would not speak out like this without reason because they have proven themselves to be very loyal, worthy Americans. I believe one of them said they needed fresh leadership because Donald Rumsfeld was not able to let them move on. America seems to want to move on but is being held up in the process. If these generals didn't have the guts to speak out like that, then the country would continue to be misinformed. Experts are experts for a reason and when they all hold a similar view they need to be heard.
Deadline passes to remove Indigenous camp.
Deadline passes to remove Indigenous camp. :
"The deadline has passed for a group of Aboriginal protesters camping in Melbourne's King's Domain to dismantle their shelters.
The group set up a protest camp during the Commonwealth Games as part of a campaign for Indigenous rights."
These people are part of the oldest race on the planet and the way the news portrayed them was really distasteful. They are quietly spoken. They have stopped people from interfering with their rituals as we stop people from messing with our gala performances. They use sticks to hold up and one was asking a woman not to proceed and it was made to sound like it was awful. He was not aggressive and his hooded top ("hooded man") was a normal windcheater top. I cannot stand it when we treat them with such impunity. Compared with the Villawood protestors these aborigines are just quietly doing what they think is right. We don't treat white people like this. The man with the crotcheted hat was simply and quietly explaining their resons for being there. They are just being tribal. They are allowed to be. They live here and it is their land as well. A bit of repsect and some realistic negotiations on their own turf in their own manner would mean so much. I cannot believe how incapable we are of adapting to the needs of their culture... and the truth is, they are far less demanding than we are. Pushy, pushy, push, push, push.
"The deadline has passed for a group of Aboriginal protesters camping in Melbourne's King's Domain to dismantle their shelters.
The group set up a protest camp during the Commonwealth Games as part of a campaign for Indigenous rights."
These people are part of the oldest race on the planet and the way the news portrayed them was really distasteful. They are quietly spoken. They have stopped people from interfering with their rituals as we stop people from messing with our gala performances. They use sticks to hold up and one was asking a woman not to proceed and it was made to sound like it was awful. He was not aggressive and his hooded top ("hooded man") was a normal windcheater top. I cannot stand it when we treat them with such impunity. Compared with the Villawood protestors these aborigines are just quietly doing what they think is right. We don't treat white people like this. The man with the crotcheted hat was simply and quietly explaining their resons for being there. They are just being tribal. They are allowed to be. They live here and it is their land as well. A bit of repsect and some realistic negotiations on their own turf in their own manner would mean so much. I cannot believe how incapable we are of adapting to the needs of their culture... and the truth is, they are far less demanding than we are. Pushy, pushy, push, push, push.
Easter Breakfast
Don't know about you, but I am ready for Easter and although many of us have taken time to go fishing, this neighbourhood is doing the family thing. For my bit, I am ready for the Easter breakfast tomorrow. I have decorated the table so that I do not have to wander bleary eyed trying to make it all look nice. Now I just have to feed pets and then get the breakfast sizzling. Modest, but I am well pleased with my efforts.
Friday, April 14, 2006
More measles
BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Measles vaccination appeal issued:
"A measles outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway has prompted an appeal to vaccinate children amid concerns it could spread outside the region.
Three confirmed cases in adults - and five suspected ones in children - have been identified in the area."
Measles is breaking out everywhere! Scotland has it and England has had its first measles death in 14 years. Two doses of vaccine is all you need for your child to be protected. For whtever reason people have not been immunised, then they need to think about it as this is one disease we can prevent so easily.
"A measles outbreak in Dumfries and Galloway has prompted an appeal to vaccinate children amid concerns it could spread outside the region.
Three confirmed cases in adults - and five suspected ones in children - have been identified in the area."
Measles is breaking out everywhere! Scotland has it and England has had its first measles death in 14 years. Two doses of vaccine is all you need for your child to be protected. For whtever reason people have not been immunised, then they need to think about it as this is one disease we can prevent so easily.
Measles
THE SYMPTOMS :
"Measles symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose and sore eyes."
Beware the rash and the middle ear infection. Adelaide is having a wee problem with measles brought in from overseas. A lot of the up to 20 somethings have been immunised against it and so we'll probably clear it quite quickly. We need to keep vigilant because measles isn't just one of those cute child hood illnesses. It can have some very serious consequences if the sufferer gets pneumonia or brain infection. It is a preventable disease so I hope we get the usual health advice to remind us to keep on the ball with this one.
"Measles symptoms include fever, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose and sore eyes."
Beware the rash and the middle ear infection. Adelaide is having a wee problem with measles brought in from overseas. A lot of the up to 20 somethings have been immunised against it and so we'll probably clear it quite quickly. We need to keep vigilant because measles isn't just one of those cute child hood illnesses. It can have some very serious consequences if the sufferer gets pneumonia or brain infection. It is a preventable disease so I hope we get the usual health advice to remind us to keep on the ball with this one.
The Official Sharon Tate Fansite
The Official Sharon Tate Fansite:
"This purpose of this site is to celebrate Sharon's life.
I know that Sharon has many well meaning and respectful fans that are interested in her life. I hope that this site can answer some of the questions that you have about her."
I have just read an article about Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister and her desire to make Sharon Tate's life a positive one, so that she will be remembered for what she did and not what was done to her. Given Sharon Tate was so incredibly successful, then yes, we should remember her for who she was and what her mark on the world was. I was also surprised to find out that Sharon Tate does not have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. I was shocked. If anyone had earned her place there as a star, then it was her.
"This purpose of this site is to celebrate Sharon's life.
I know that Sharon has many well meaning and respectful fans that are interested in her life. I hope that this site can answer some of the questions that you have about her."
I have just read an article about Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister and her desire to make Sharon Tate's life a positive one, so that she will be remembered for what she did and not what was done to her. Given Sharon Tate was so incredibly successful, then yes, we should remember her for who she was and what her mark on the world was. I was also surprised to find out that Sharon Tate does not have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. I was shocked. If anyone had earned her place there as a star, then it was her.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)