Who has rights?:
"Violations of human rights are sometimes in the news, for example, when someone is imprisoned just for criticising their government.
What are human rights? In 1948 the United Nations issued its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It begins with basic rights like:
3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.
4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.
5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.
So, no one shall be killed, intimidated, or imprisoned for no good reason. In other words, everyone has the right to feel safe. No one shall be made a slave or treated cruelly. Most people would agree with these rights."
Suggested lesson plan from the site. I think we should start teaching it, folks.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Feral Animals
Feral Animals - Introduction:
"Every mammal used by humans, with the exception of sheep, has become feral. This includes horses, cattle, goats, pigs, donkeys, camels, water buffaloes, dogs, cats, rabbits and foxes. Since humans created the problem, they also have an obligation to solve it in a humane way."
This gives an indication of the feral animal problem we have. The animal liberation organisation tries its best to ensure we use humane methods to deal with the excess animals. Some are quite dangerous and some totally ruin our crops. It's a huge issue in Australia and can heat up very quickly. It's something, given the size of our country, which needs to be done in a more professional way. We certainly have the biodiversity experts and animal welfare people now and they should be used to determine a sensible, viable approach to our feral animal problems. Time to put the hotch potch behind us.
"Every mammal used by humans, with the exception of sheep, has become feral. This includes horses, cattle, goats, pigs, donkeys, camels, water buffaloes, dogs, cats, rabbits and foxes. Since humans created the problem, they also have an obligation to solve it in a humane way."
This gives an indication of the feral animal problem we have. The animal liberation organisation tries its best to ensure we use humane methods to deal with the excess animals. Some are quite dangerous and some totally ruin our crops. It's a huge issue in Australia and can heat up very quickly. It's something, given the size of our country, which needs to be done in a more professional way. We certainly have the biodiversity experts and animal welfare people now and they should be used to determine a sensible, viable approach to our feral animal problems. Time to put the hotch potch behind us.
Pampered pets get more than foreign aid recipients. 27/07/2004. ABC News Online
Pampered pets get more than foreign aid recipients. 27/07/2004. ABC News Online:
"The Australia Institute estimates that more than $2.2 billion was spent on pets last year, compared to the Federal Government's official development assistance of less than $2 billion."
I rest my case!! ( But I love my dog, as you know if you read this blog.)
"The Australia Institute estimates that more than $2.2 billion was spent on pets last year, compared to the Federal Government's official development assistance of less than $2 billion."
I rest my case!! ( But I love my dog, as you know if you read this blog.)
Hearts going out to pets
Hearts going out to pets - The Washington Times: Business - February 12, 2005: "More than 9 million pets will receive Valentine's gifts from their owners, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association."
According to this article it's a 34 billion dollar industry in America and given they send their pets Valentine things, they must love their pets!
According to this article it's a 34 billion dollar industry in America and given they send their pets Valentine things, they must love their pets!
Bling-bling for dogs
Bling-bling for dogs - www.theage.com.au: "By Catherine Milner and Victoria Gurvich"
This article is from 2003, but I was just reading a French one where it was saying Americans currently spend 54 billion on their cats and dogs. In this article Australians spend 100 million a year on dog accessories. Britain spends 5.2 billion pounds on pets care. France has started to favour cats and their numbers have gone up 5% to 9 million. We have had a change from larger dogs to smaller dogs and cat owners are starting to feel the pinch because there is quite a strong anti cat movement here. A number of people see them as pests and as wild life killers. We also have problems with feral cats. (Tell me about it!!)Cat runs are becoming the popular alternative, but people are not very accepting of cats these days. They forget they have put wild life in a state of danger and distress because they have cleared native vegetation for their new housing estates. That aside , that is a huge amount of money on pets! No wonder we all gave so freely to the tsunami victims. We must have felt bad our animals had better living conditions and amenities than the human populations in some areas of those affected countries. Sad really. I think we can do better than that as a world and I know we are trying to make a difference now. In this day and age no one has to go hungry and be sick. We have too much transport, too much wealth and too much need to help each other.
This article is from 2003, but I was just reading a French one where it was saying Americans currently spend 54 billion on their cats and dogs. In this article Australians spend 100 million a year on dog accessories. Britain spends 5.2 billion pounds on pets care. France has started to favour cats and their numbers have gone up 5% to 9 million. We have had a change from larger dogs to smaller dogs and cat owners are starting to feel the pinch because there is quite a strong anti cat movement here. A number of people see them as pests and as wild life killers. We also have problems with feral cats. (Tell me about it!!)Cat runs are becoming the popular alternative, but people are not very accepting of cats these days. They forget they have put wild life in a state of danger and distress because they have cleared native vegetation for their new housing estates. That aside , that is a huge amount of money on pets! No wonder we all gave so freely to the tsunami victims. We must have felt bad our animals had better living conditions and amenities than the human populations in some areas of those affected countries. Sad really. I think we can do better than that as a world and I know we are trying to make a difference now. In this day and age no one has to go hungry and be sick. We have too much transport, too much wealth and too much need to help each other.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Free trade leaves world food in grip of global giants
Guardian Unlimited | Free trade leaves world food in grip of global giants:
"The report will say that 30 companies now account for a third of the world's processed food; five companies control 75% of the international grain trade; and six companies manage 75% of the global pesticide market.
It finds that two companies dominate sales of half the world's bananas, three trade 85% of the world's tea, and one, Wal-mart, now controls 40% of Mexico's retail food sector. It also found that Monsanto controls 91% of the global GM seed market."
I thought the catch cry of globalisation was: Think globally, act locally.In practice it doesn't seem to be the case. I can't think of anything better than sourcing food locally and then swapping seasonal food globally. I can't think of anything worse than patenting seeds, multinationals (what a misnoma that is) owning seeds and pesticides. Why would we put food into the hand of single companies and countries? Food and utilities are basic to survival. We need to grow our own, supply ourselves and then share, which we can do these days because it's so easy to freight things around the world. I don't mind buying strawberries from Washington when ours are out of season. I do mind buying sugar from elsewhere when our farmers can't make a living from it any longer and we were a big sugar cane producer. Moving with the times is all very well but not when you can't eat and you can't source your own food.
"The report will say that 30 companies now account for a third of the world's processed food; five companies control 75% of the international grain trade; and six companies manage 75% of the global pesticide market.
It finds that two companies dominate sales of half the world's bananas, three trade 85% of the world's tea, and one, Wal-mart, now controls 40% of Mexico's retail food sector. It also found that Monsanto controls 91% of the global GM seed market."
I thought the catch cry of globalisation was: Think globally, act locally.In practice it doesn't seem to be the case. I can't think of anything better than sourcing food locally and then swapping seasonal food globally. I can't think of anything worse than patenting seeds, multinationals (what a misnoma that is) owning seeds and pesticides. Why would we put food into the hand of single companies and countries? Food and utilities are basic to survival. We need to grow our own, supply ourselves and then share, which we can do these days because it's so easy to freight things around the world. I don't mind buying strawberries from Washington when ours are out of season. I do mind buying sugar from elsewhere when our farmers can't make a living from it any longer and we were a big sugar cane producer. Moving with the times is all very well but not when you can't eat and you can't source your own food.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Revenge of the Blog People!
Library Journal - Revenge of the Blog People!:
"It is obvious that the Blog People read what they want to read rather than what is in front of them and judge me to be wrong on the basis of what they think rather than what I actually wrote. Given the quality of the writing in the blogs I have seen, I doubt that many of the Blog People are in the habit of sustained reading of complex texts. It is entirely possible that their intellectual needs are met by an accumulation of random facts and paragraphs. In that case, their rejection of my view is quite understandable."
Michael Gorman needs to get a blog and run it. He will soon learn. To assume bloggers will reject his views for his reasons is a rather narrow approach to the whole blogosphere. It's rather like parenting and pregnancy. You can't be a bit pregnant but you can be a bit parent. My point? Blogging can be better understood as a blogger not as a reader of blogs. The blogosphere is far more complex,comprehensive and distinct than I had ever imagined as a non blogger and mere reader of blogs. As a reader, you can get a bit of a feel, as you do when you're a bit parent. You need to get right into the middle of it and be an active participant before you make sweeping generalisations. I have seen blogs and the blogosphere maligned and it surprises me. I've been blogging for the opposite reasons they have been criticised . I find I blog because I can extend my knowledge, my perceptions, my views and my ideas. It's the one place where I can have extended thoughts if I wish.You also become subject to peer scrutiny and that keeps you on your toes and honest! Elsewhere people are too busy and the compulsory 3 sentence exchange rates as "discussion." Or people make decisions on no facts at all and you are bound by them but cannot question them because there is no opportunity to discuss the process and strategies. The blogs I read discuss things at great depth and other contributers add additional views and perspectives. I started reading blogs because the one run by the Vietnam Vets was the only thing I could find which discussed the situation in Iraq in a frank, detailed and considered way. These were people who had military experience, education, understood what it might mean for the soldiers going in and the citizens in Iraq. These were people who could argue a strong, detailed case or know how to show you salient articles and information. It went from there. May he blog in peace.
"It is obvious that the Blog People read what they want to read rather than what is in front of them and judge me to be wrong on the basis of what they think rather than what I actually wrote. Given the quality of the writing in the blogs I have seen, I doubt that many of the Blog People are in the habit of sustained reading of complex texts. It is entirely possible that their intellectual needs are met by an accumulation of random facts and paragraphs. In that case, their rejection of my view is quite understandable."
Michael Gorman needs to get a blog and run it. He will soon learn. To assume bloggers will reject his views for his reasons is a rather narrow approach to the whole blogosphere. It's rather like parenting and pregnancy. You can't be a bit pregnant but you can be a bit parent. My point? Blogging can be better understood as a blogger not as a reader of blogs. The blogosphere is far more complex,comprehensive and distinct than I had ever imagined as a non blogger and mere reader of blogs. As a reader, you can get a bit of a feel, as you do when you're a bit parent. You need to get right into the middle of it and be an active participant before you make sweeping generalisations. I have seen blogs and the blogosphere maligned and it surprises me. I've been blogging for the opposite reasons they have been criticised . I find I blog because I can extend my knowledge, my perceptions, my views and my ideas. It's the one place where I can have extended thoughts if I wish.You also become subject to peer scrutiny and that keeps you on your toes and honest! Elsewhere people are too busy and the compulsory 3 sentence exchange rates as "discussion." Or people make decisions on no facts at all and you are bound by them but cannot question them because there is no opportunity to discuss the process and strategies. The blogs I read discuss things at great depth and other contributers add additional views and perspectives. I started reading blogs because the one run by the Vietnam Vets was the only thing I could find which discussed the situation in Iraq in a frank, detailed and considered way. These were people who had military experience, education, understood what it might mean for the soldiers going in and the citizens in Iraq. These were people who could argue a strong, detailed case or know how to show you salient articles and information. It went from there. May he blog in peace.
Red shoes - no knickers.
I just saw a photo of the Athenian presidential guard with the red shoes with the big black pom poms on the toes. No faces just the shoes. It reminded me of two things. There has to be an historic reason for those giant black pom poms. I wonder what it is. The second thing was one of those useless messages put into me by adults as I grew up, which probably also had a logical explanation....who knows!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Rock attacks rattle suburban Adelaide.
Rock attacks rattle suburban Adelaide. 24/02/2005. ABC News Online: "A special police task force is working to prove who is responsible for
a spate of terrifying rock throwing attacks in Adelaide's south, after
yet another incident yesterday."
They have had the description of the car for weeks. I would have thought the rock thrower would have been caught by now. I fully appreciate that if you know the rock thrower you'd be worried what might happen to you if you told the police, but still. This is Adelaide. It's pretty easy to let people know. Besides, this person has rocks in their head. What he/she has been doing has nearly killed someone, and that was so sad to see the pictures of Damian de Wit so still and damaged in hospital. He was so vulnerable and so lucky. The rock thrower doesn't care. I am disappointed we have to pay money in Adelaide to try and catch a complete nutter. Who gets up and wants to chuck rocks at cars? I can remember sitting on the train one day and there was this massive clunk and we all looked at each other and I looked up and there was this idiot on a bike in a black top laughing at us. He'd chucked something off a bridge and at 15 I guess you can be that stupid. Had I had my camera I would've had a good shot. But we shouldn't have to carry our camera and we shouldn't have to live like this. I can actually remember when I could go around town and not worry at all. That we can't be bothered about rock throwers and nutters tells me we think we are powerless. The police are doing what they can. I saw them giving chase around the hills by the bridge trying to catch someone who was throwing rocks around the station. A kid on a bike is quicker than a cop in a car and the terrain means you have an advantage if you are being chased. The car driver is just someone who likes heaving rocks. How you drive and heave great lumps of concrete through someone else's windscreen, I don't know. Maybe there are two of them. The white Mitsubishi sedan has been described several times. Whoever it is will need to be treated for quite some time. Maybe a trip to our Big Boulder will cure them of the rock throwing. Maybe they need to be mining. Damn them. They are trying to kill someone.
a spate of terrifying rock throwing attacks in Adelaide's south, after
yet another incident yesterday."
They have had the description of the car for weeks. I would have thought the rock thrower would have been caught by now. I fully appreciate that if you know the rock thrower you'd be worried what might happen to you if you told the police, but still. This is Adelaide. It's pretty easy to let people know. Besides, this person has rocks in their head. What he/she has been doing has nearly killed someone, and that was so sad to see the pictures of Damian de Wit so still and damaged in hospital. He was so vulnerable and so lucky. The rock thrower doesn't care. I am disappointed we have to pay money in Adelaide to try and catch a complete nutter. Who gets up and wants to chuck rocks at cars? I can remember sitting on the train one day and there was this massive clunk and we all looked at each other and I looked up and there was this idiot on a bike in a black top laughing at us. He'd chucked something off a bridge and at 15 I guess you can be that stupid. Had I had my camera I would've had a good shot. But we shouldn't have to carry our camera and we shouldn't have to live like this. I can actually remember when I could go around town and not worry at all. That we can't be bothered about rock throwers and nutters tells me we think we are powerless. The police are doing what they can. I saw them giving chase around the hills by the bridge trying to catch someone who was throwing rocks around the station. A kid on a bike is quicker than a cop in a car and the terrain means you have an advantage if you are being chased. The car driver is just someone who likes heaving rocks. How you drive and heave great lumps of concrete through someone else's windscreen, I don't know. Maybe there are two of them. The white Mitsubishi sedan has been described several times. Whoever it is will need to be treated for quite some time. Maybe a trip to our Big Boulder will cure them of the rock throwing. Maybe they need to be mining. Damn them. They are trying to kill someone.
Soccer players at greater risk of motor neuron disease.
Soccer players at greater risk of motor neuron disease. 24/02/2005. ABC News Online
This is a hideous disease. A long time family friend had it and to watch the deterioration and the demise was very upsetting. He had been such a bright , active, charming man and the sad thing was his brain was alert the whole time his body deteriorated. The abilty to speak was taken quite quickly and he communicated a while by writing. It was sad. This is a really worthwhile cause for funding. We don't need to create misery. Life provides us with enough without our man made efforts. This article looks at the incidence in long term soccer players but talks about Stephen Hawkins as well and that man's life has been astounding. That someone with so much going against him has sustained a position of authority, respect and awe for so long is a tribute to his spirit and incredible mind. It also talks about how soldiers coming back from the 1991 Gulf war have shown a high risk of developing MND. It's disgusting, so disgusting. People shouldn't have to suffer like that and given some of it seems to be chemical and given that our technology has improved so much, we would do us all a favour to research this disease and find a way of banishing it from our lives and planet.
This is a hideous disease. A long time family friend had it and to watch the deterioration and the demise was very upsetting. He had been such a bright , active, charming man and the sad thing was his brain was alert the whole time his body deteriorated. The abilty to speak was taken quite quickly and he communicated a while by writing. It was sad. This is a really worthwhile cause for funding. We don't need to create misery. Life provides us with enough without our man made efforts. This article looks at the incidence in long term soccer players but talks about Stephen Hawkins as well and that man's life has been astounding. That someone with so much going against him has sustained a position of authority, respect and awe for so long is a tribute to his spirit and incredible mind. It also talks about how soldiers coming back from the 1991 Gulf war have shown a high risk of developing MND. It's disgusting, so disgusting. People shouldn't have to suffer like that and given some of it seems to be chemical and given that our technology has improved so much, we would do us all a favour to research this disease and find a way of banishing it from our lives and planet.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Lawyers pose health risk: study
Lawyers pose health risk: study. 23/02/2005. ABC News Online
We know this!! We have stopped doing everything incase there is litigation. Clubs can't afford to run because of public liability, we can't photograph or film. We are scared of preparing food...we know this litigation lunacy is not good for our health. This article refers to the apparent effect on accident victims.
We know this!! We have stopped doing everything incase there is litigation. Clubs can't afford to run because of public liability, we can't photograph or film. We are scared of preparing food...we know this litigation lunacy is not good for our health. This article refers to the apparent effect on accident victims.
UK feared Iraq war was illegal: report
UK feared Iraq war was illegal: report. 23/02/2005. ABC News Online
UK can fear all it likes. The Iraqis have been fearing much more for a lot longer. This is the sort of thing the lawyers should be working on. Leave Charles and Camilla to get on with it and spend time on the real problems we confront as a planet. Truly, as a world, we need to work out a global stance on these issues and we need them discussed in a global forum. It is time we operated as a planet and the last couple of years have shown us that. We like our cultures, but we have global issues to confront , discuss and arrive at consensus on. A plenary session of the planet , please!!
UK can fear all it likes. The Iraqis have been fearing much more for a lot longer. This is the sort of thing the lawyers should be working on. Leave Charles and Camilla to get on with it and spend time on the real problems we confront as a planet. Truly, as a world, we need to work out a global stance on these issues and we need them discussed in a global forum. It is time we operated as a planet and the last couple of years have shown us that. We like our cultures, but we have global issues to confront , discuss and arrive at consensus on. A plenary session of the planet , please!!
Mixed up marriage
Mixed up marriage
"Constitutional lawyers have begun to question whether it is legal for a member of the Royal Family to marry in a civil ceremony. Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the Lord Chancellor, has insisted that the marriage is within the law but senior lawyers have questioned his opinion. The wording of the marriage legislation is unclear and lawyers say that the Prince’s plans could face a legal challenge.
The Queen feels that she needs to distance herself from that controversy. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England she has also been concerned not to create the wrong impression by attending the marriage of two divorcees. "
Britain has an awful lot of negative legal dilemmas and protocols which are marring a royal wedding. Charles has loved Camilla for 30 years. He's trying to marry her now. I'd be over the moon if I loved someone for 30 years and could finally marry them. He is the heir to the throne. He needs to just do what a king in waiting needs to do!
"Constitutional lawyers have begun to question whether it is legal for a member of the Royal Family to marry in a civil ceremony. Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the Lord Chancellor, has insisted that the marriage is within the law but senior lawyers have questioned his opinion. The wording of the marriage legislation is unclear and lawyers say that the Prince’s plans could face a legal challenge.
The Queen feels that she needs to distance herself from that controversy. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England she has also been concerned not to create the wrong impression by attending the marriage of two divorcees. "
Britain has an awful lot of negative legal dilemmas and protocols which are marring a royal wedding. Charles has loved Camilla for 30 years. He's trying to marry her now. I'd be over the moon if I loved someone for 30 years and could finally marry them. He is the heir to the throne. He needs to just do what a king in waiting needs to do!
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
The good news
The Advertiser: Help on menu for Eyre farms [19feb05]: "'People in Adelaide just don't realise the problems in the country,' she said.
'If you can imagine waking up in the morning and having no home and no job, that's what I'm trying to get home to people. The farmers are so proud, there is no way they will put their hands up for help.'"
We do know what it is like in the country. We live here but like Mrs. Lombe we've lived in the country or we holiday in the country. Adelaide people are very aware of their country areas. What we don't often know is how much the farmers are suffering and the country people are in need of help. Mrs. Lombe is so right in that respect. The country people keep it quiet. They couldn't his time because it was one of the biggest bush fires in our history and it was all over the news and people like Mrs. Lombe are making it possible to for us to co ordinate ourselves. That's what country people need to do. Tell us what they need because Adelaide is excellent at mobilising itself to help others.
'If you can imagine waking up in the morning and having no home and no job, that's what I'm trying to get home to people. The farmers are so proud, there is no way they will put their hands up for help.'"
We do know what it is like in the country. We live here but like Mrs. Lombe we've lived in the country or we holiday in the country. Adelaide people are very aware of their country areas. What we don't often know is how much the farmers are suffering and the country people are in need of help. Mrs. Lombe is so right in that respect. The country people keep it quiet. They couldn't his time because it was one of the biggest bush fires in our history and it was all over the news and people like Mrs. Lombe are making it possible to for us to co ordinate ourselves. That's what country people need to do. Tell us what they need because Adelaide is excellent at mobilising itself to help others.
Labor opposes Iraq troop increase.
Labor opposes Iraq troop increase. 22/02/2005. ABC News Online
We oppose it too. Since this was announced there is a marked change in people. They are angry. We didn't want to be involved in Iraq. Howard just made up his own mind and sent them. Then we felt awful our troops were there and did what the cynical politicians knew we'd do. We supported the troops but not the illegal invasion. The way we and our troops have been manipulated is a heartless , callous mind game. It's been worse since we've found out more about the torture and treatment of Iraqis. It's just so non new millennium. We had moved so far down the road to a peaceful planet and suddenly we have been catapulted back to the dark ages of weapons, warfare, blood shedding and military might. We have felt powerless but not devoid of power. This unilateral decision AGAIN to send troops is outrageous, really. Once more rubbing our noses in the fact we are no longer a democracy and our elections (elections..those we elect to govern not dictate) were farcical . The interest rates are going up and we knew that if we had consulted the world finance markets and if we had listened to the financial people who told us during the election and Howard told us we were not going to escalate our involvement in Iraq. It was clear we didn't want to be party to it. This really is slapping us in the face with a wet fish. Or has Howard been given an offer he can't refuse? Given Liberal has control of the Senate in July..what next??
We oppose it too. Since this was announced there is a marked change in people. They are angry. We didn't want to be involved in Iraq. Howard just made up his own mind and sent them. Then we felt awful our troops were there and did what the cynical politicians knew we'd do. We supported the troops but not the illegal invasion. The way we and our troops have been manipulated is a heartless , callous mind game. It's been worse since we've found out more about the torture and treatment of Iraqis. It's just so non new millennium. We had moved so far down the road to a peaceful planet and suddenly we have been catapulted back to the dark ages of weapons, warfare, blood shedding and military might. We have felt powerless but not devoid of power. This unilateral decision AGAIN to send troops is outrageous, really. Once more rubbing our noses in the fact we are no longer a democracy and our elections (elections..those we elect to govern not dictate) were farcical . The interest rates are going up and we knew that if we had consulted the world finance markets and if we had listened to the financial people who told us during the election and Howard told us we were not going to escalate our involvement in Iraq. It was clear we didn't want to be party to it. This really is slapping us in the face with a wet fish. Or has Howard been given an offer he can't refuse? Given Liberal has control of the Senate in July..what next??
Monday, February 21, 2005
Opposition says high HECS fees deter students
Opposition says high HECS fees deter students. 21/02/2005. ABC News Online: "The Opposition has seized on Department of Education Science and
Training figures which show students owe almost $11 billion
Australia-wide."
The HECS fees have really changed the tertiary landscape. It has differentiated between the haves and the have nots instead of optimising the possibility for those with good brains and talents to get to uni. As a result we have increasingly a shortage of people to work in the "socially deprived" areas because we do not have a group who understands and feels comfortable with that background. We need professionals from a range of backgrounds. Money doesn't necessarily mean brains. But some people fail to work to their potential after their degrees so that they do not have to repay their fees and others are getting degrees here and then living overseas so that they do not have to repay their fees. Everyone says it is not that simple but they have just put the costs up 25% in most tertiary institutions and created more upfront fee paying places. It is not about the intellectual development of our nation. It has also caused a drift to the Eastern states. Why get educated in Adelaide when you have to pay exorbitant fees? You might just was well go to one of the bigger , more established universities in the east and get government support for living away from home. These HECs fees have been very destabilizing Some uni students have to work long hours in jobs to afford their courses and then they can't finish their courses because they are so tired. It is not focussing us on educational goals and that is a big loss for us. It needs to be addressed in a very thorough way.
Training figures which show students owe almost $11 billion
Australia-wide."
The HECS fees have really changed the tertiary landscape. It has differentiated between the haves and the have nots instead of optimising the possibility for those with good brains and talents to get to uni. As a result we have increasingly a shortage of people to work in the "socially deprived" areas because we do not have a group who understands and feels comfortable with that background. We need professionals from a range of backgrounds. Money doesn't necessarily mean brains. But some people fail to work to their potential after their degrees so that they do not have to repay their fees and others are getting degrees here and then living overseas so that they do not have to repay their fees. Everyone says it is not that simple but they have just put the costs up 25% in most tertiary institutions and created more upfront fee paying places. It is not about the intellectual development of our nation. It has also caused a drift to the Eastern states. Why get educated in Adelaide when you have to pay exorbitant fees? You might just was well go to one of the bigger , more established universities in the east and get government support for living away from home. These HECs fees have been very destabilizing Some uni students have to work long hours in jobs to afford their courses and then they can't finish their courses because they are so tired. It is not focussing us on educational goals and that is a big loss for us. It needs to be addressed in a very thorough way.
Moonlight
The moon was brilliant last night and my camera or my photographic skills just haven't done it justice. It was unusually clear, 3D and you could see the shadows of the craters quite clearly. I see the moon every night but this one was incredibly special.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Cooler, but that bill's still hot
The Advertiser: Cooler, but that bill's still hot [20feb05]: "Cooler, but that bill's still hot"
" SOUTH Australia's cool summer and lower wholesale electricity prices are delivering a windfall to power companies, an electricity expert says.
The gain is at the expense of AGL customers – most of the state's 750,000 householders – who pay a 10 per cent summer surcharge from January to March."
What summer?? We haven't had summer. Might have known that the corporations would find a way of making themselves rich at our expense. Unbelieveable. I hate privatised utilities.
" SOUTH Australia's cool summer and lower wholesale electricity prices are delivering a windfall to power companies, an electricity expert says.
The gain is at the expense of AGL customers – most of the state's 750,000 householders – who pay a 10 per cent summer surcharge from January to March."
What summer?? We haven't had summer. Might have known that the corporations would find a way of making themselves rich at our expense. Unbelieveable. I hate privatised utilities.
Cane Toads
Cane toads
"Cane Toads are considered a pest in Australia because they:
· poison pets and injure humans with their toxins
· poison many native animals whose diet includes frogs, tadpoles and frogs' eggs
· eat large numbers of honey bees, creating a management problem for bee-keepers
· prey on native fauna
· compete for food with vertebrate insectivores such as small skinks
may carry diseases that are can be transmitted to native frogs and fishes."
Tilapia clogging water ways
Tilapia
"Tilapia (Tilapia, Oreochromis and Sarotherodon spp) are declared noxious in Queensland. Two species (Tilapia mariae and Oreochromis mossambicus ) have established in Queensland. It is illegal to possess, rear, sell or buy tilapia. It is also an offence to release tilapia into Queensland waterways or to use them as bait, live or dead. Penalties up to $150 000 apply." Tilapia also clog Western Australian waterways.
Cane toad of the waterways' makes its presence felt.
'Cane toad of the waterways' makes its presence felt. 18/02/2005. ABC News Online: "A noxious fish sometimes referred to as the cane toad of the waterways has spread to one of north Queensland's biggest river systems.
The tilapia, originally from southern Africa, has the potential to take over tropical rivers in much the same way carp has done to the Murray-Darling.
Scientists and amateur fishermen are critical of Queensland authorities for not taking action earlier to wipe out the pest."
This seems to happen a lot in Australia and I think it must be our climate and our nature that has a lot to do with it. Things get here unexpectedly from other places and then spread like wild fire. Happens with plants too. Our soursobs and Salvation Jane came from elsewhere. In Adelaide we had carp in the River Torrens. They started as a few and amused us all because they were so big and ugly. Then people tried to catch and eat them and they were too muddy tasting for us. Then we just ignored them and they multiplied prolifically. I remember going to the Botanic Gardens and the beautiful bit on the bridge is always a spot I head for . You used to take the stale bread and instead of feeding birds you were feeding these massive carp with big gaping mouths. Kids used to get that half thrilled half fear reaction. Well, thank heavens for the Vietnamese water puppets because when they were coming for our Adelaide festival of Arts we set about clearing the river and getting rid of the carp. The performers would never have been able to perform in wall to wall fish with big , greedy mouths. That was the kickstart we needed to motivate ourselves to solve the problem. Queenland will have to find its own motivator! The tilapia isn't really a cane toad. Cane toads are poisonous as well as destructive.
The tilapia, originally from southern Africa, has the potential to take over tropical rivers in much the same way carp has done to the Murray-Darling.
Scientists and amateur fishermen are critical of Queensland authorities for not taking action earlier to wipe out the pest."
This seems to happen a lot in Australia and I think it must be our climate and our nature that has a lot to do with it. Things get here unexpectedly from other places and then spread like wild fire. Happens with plants too. Our soursobs and Salvation Jane came from elsewhere. In Adelaide we had carp in the River Torrens. They started as a few and amused us all because they were so big and ugly. Then people tried to catch and eat them and they were too muddy tasting for us. Then we just ignored them and they multiplied prolifically. I remember going to the Botanic Gardens and the beautiful bit on the bridge is always a spot I head for . You used to take the stale bread and instead of feeding birds you were feeding these massive carp with big gaping mouths. Kids used to get that half thrilled half fear reaction. Well, thank heavens for the Vietnamese water puppets because when they were coming for our Adelaide festival of Arts we set about clearing the river and getting rid of the carp. The performers would never have been able to perform in wall to wall fish with big , greedy mouths. That was the kickstart we needed to motivate ourselves to solve the problem. Queenland will have to find its own motivator! The tilapia isn't really a cane toad. Cane toads are poisonous as well as destructive.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Bush orders Syrians out of Lebanon
Bush orders Syrians out of Lebanon - World - www.smh.com.au
Rafik Hariri's name can be added to an ever growing list of world leaders who are now dead. World leaders are currently dropping like flies and people even had their eyes on the Pope. When you put an 84 year old frail Pope in a window in a draft with birds flying around him, you would expect him to catch a chill. When he does catch said chill people are circling like buzzards waiting for the carrion. He is not going to be a sprightly Pope at his age. I can't stand how we hurry everyone off the planet like it's okay. It's not. As for the demise of all these other world leaders..., well, they are all in an invidious position. So how come some leaders are okay and some aren't? Someone needs to look at how they can stay well and alive because their life expectancy has taken a nose dive these last few months. As for the free and fair elections...excuse me while I laugh. No one gets those these days. Some of us don't even know why. I know one person who voted for Howard and he was on the radio. I still haven't found another. One of the great mysteries of democracy.
Rafik Hariri's name can be added to an ever growing list of world leaders who are now dead. World leaders are currently dropping like flies and people even had their eyes on the Pope. When you put an 84 year old frail Pope in a window in a draft with birds flying around him, you would expect him to catch a chill. When he does catch said chill people are circling like buzzards waiting for the carrion. He is not going to be a sprightly Pope at his age. I can't stand how we hurry everyone off the planet like it's okay. It's not. As for the demise of all these other world leaders..., well, they are all in an invidious position. So how come some leaders are okay and some aren't? Someone needs to look at how they can stay well and alive because their life expectancy has taken a nose dive these last few months. As for the free and fair elections...excuse me while I laugh. No one gets those these days. Some of us don't even know why. I know one person who voted for Howard and he was on the radio. I still haven't found another. One of the great mysteries of democracy.
¿Qué?
Tenue rayée créée par le couturier espagnol Davidelfin pour la collection Automne-Hiver 2005-2006 présentée jeudi à Madrid. ©AFP/Pedro Armestre
Striped outfit created by the Spanish couturier Davidelfin for the autumn-winter collection 2005-2006 presented Thursday in Madrid.
Great top, love the colours, great hair colour, great face...but the poor guy doesn't know if he is coming or going.
Friday, February 18, 2005
US robot troops to go into battle
US robot troops to go into battle - World - www.smh.com.au: "When researchers succeed, a number of troubling moral dilemmas will have to be addressed. Some in the American computer business are asking whether it is acceptable to have machines decide for themselves whether to take human life and what will happen when - inevitably - the robot makes a mistake."
161 billion dollars. 161 BILLION dollars on war. Where do they get that kind of money? Why spend it on war? Of course there will be war if you spend that kind of money on war toys. When you spend that kind of money on destruction why bother worrying whether the machine makes a mistake? The mistake was made creating such a horrible thing and spending your country's money on it. Now, what could the US do with that kind of money in its own country? No, they won't lose any more soldiers. Other people will. That's nice. And, if they want to spend that kind of money on fancy toys...why not make us a state of the art machine to fix up this stupid bloomin' weather?
161 billion dollars. 161 BILLION dollars on war. Where do they get that kind of money? Why spend it on war? Of course there will be war if you spend that kind of money on war toys. When you spend that kind of money on destruction why bother worrying whether the machine makes a mistake? The mistake was made creating such a horrible thing and spending your country's money on it. Now, what could the US do with that kind of money in its own country? No, they won't lose any more soldiers. Other people will. That's nice. And, if they want to spend that kind of money on fancy toys...why not make us a state of the art machine to fix up this stupid bloomin' weather?
Israeli diplomat and suspected spy linked to Ruddock's daughter
AM - Israeli diplomat and suspected spy linked to Ruddock's daughter: "But they're dealing, of course, with two scandals, the Israelis, because it's now been revealed also that Amir Laty's replacement, a Mr Arye Scher has been linked to a child sex scandal in Brazil when he was posted there in the year 2000. He was cleared of wrongdoing but sanctioned in Israel, and there's moves by the Jewish community here to stop him coming to Australia."
This makes it sound quite serious and there are other places which make it sound tacky. Caitlin Ruddock has been harrassed since this came out and can't be contacted. It's a story which will unravel in its own way over time if it's allowed to. It sounded like Amir Laki was an enchanting man who was charming all the ladies. Then we became intrigued by the replacement who didn't arrive because of the Brazilian episode. He was never charged. The media can make it very difficult at times to get to the truth and it won't create the distance you need to allow stories to unfold. Since we have no real facts, as usual, we have latched on to the people stuff of this story. Australia and Israel need to sit down and work out what they want by way of diplomats because as it stands, it looks like James Bond types shouldn't apply.
This makes it sound quite serious and there are other places which make it sound tacky. Caitlin Ruddock has been harrassed since this came out and can't be contacted. It's a story which will unravel in its own way over time if it's allowed to. It sounded like Amir Laki was an enchanting man who was charming all the ladies. Then we became intrigued by the replacement who didn't arrive because of the Brazilian episode. He was never charged. The media can make it very difficult at times to get to the truth and it won't create the distance you need to allow stories to unfold. Since we have no real facts, as usual, we have latched on to the people stuff of this story. Australia and Israel need to sit down and work out what they want by way of diplomats because as it stands, it looks like James Bond types shouldn't apply.
Maria will never testify
NEWS.com.au | Maria will never testify: doctors (18-02-2005): "DOCTORS believe Maria Korp is brain damaged and will not be able to
give evidence against her attackers, but her daughter has not given up hope her mother will recover."
This is the next installment in this strange case. The daughter has been harrassed by the media since day one. Given the traumatic circumstances she finds herself in with her mother, she is obviously very emotionally strong. It's like she's guilty of something the way she has been treated. I think she should be allowed to come to terms with what is happening to her mother and what has happened. That is her mother. The media can be way out of line and grossly insensitive to people's needs . The daughter may or may not know things. It's between her and the police at this stage. Her mother was brutally beaten and left to die and now her life hangs in the balance. That's an awful lot to deal with. The little boy wasn't mentioned previously. Two children the reports kept saying. This is being reported in a very hotch potch fashion but I feel sorry for the daughter. She has to deal with Mum first. That's what you would want. No matter what else comes out, I doubt very much that woman deserved the bashing and locking in the boot of the car. The senseless brutality of it is being lost in all the other bits and pieces. Now today they say the girlfriend's former husband died of natural causes. It is not coming across that this case is being professionally managed.
give evidence against her attackers, but her daughter has not given up hope her mother will recover."
This is the next installment in this strange case. The daughter has been harrassed by the media since day one. Given the traumatic circumstances she finds herself in with her mother, she is obviously very emotionally strong. It's like she's guilty of something the way she has been treated. I think she should be allowed to come to terms with what is happening to her mother and what has happened. That is her mother. The media can be way out of line and grossly insensitive to people's needs . The daughter may or may not know things. It's between her and the police at this stage. Her mother was brutally beaten and left to die and now her life hangs in the balance. That's an awful lot to deal with. The little boy wasn't mentioned previously. Two children the reports kept saying. This is being reported in a very hotch potch fashion but I feel sorry for the daughter. She has to deal with Mum first. That's what you would want. No matter what else comes out, I doubt very much that woman deserved the bashing and locking in the boot of the car. The senseless brutality of it is being lost in all the other bits and pieces. Now today they say the girlfriend's former husband died of natural causes. It is not coming across that this case is being professionally managed.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
French uranium company keen on Kakadu
French uranium company keen on Kakadu - Breaking News - http://www.theage.com.au
Our uranium seems popular all of a sudden. I gather we aren't worried. Last time we sold uranium to the French they practised their nuclear testing on Mururoa Atoll and quite rightly told us that if we didn't want nuclear testing in our neck of the woods not to sell them the uranium. I've lost track of what is happening with Western Mining up north and whether we have actually sold it to the infamous Xstrata. Everyone knows about Xtrata, we even have been discussing it in our papers but Mr. Costello has been happy to look at the deal. But there's more!!
Australia in uranium talks with China.
As you know North Korea and Iran aren't allowed to have uranium so I don't suppose we'll be talking to them. Is fossil fuel running out, are we by passing oil or are we feeling a bit bellicose?? I would have thought we'd 've had enough of recarpeting with nuclear textiles.
Our uranium seems popular all of a sudden. I gather we aren't worried. Last time we sold uranium to the French they practised their nuclear testing on Mururoa Atoll and quite rightly told us that if we didn't want nuclear testing in our neck of the woods not to sell them the uranium. I've lost track of what is happening with Western Mining up north and whether we have actually sold it to the infamous Xstrata. Everyone knows about Xtrata, we even have been discussing it in our papers but Mr. Costello has been happy to look at the deal. But there's more!!
Australia in uranium talks with China.
As you know North Korea and Iran aren't allowed to have uranium so I don't suppose we'll be talking to them. Is fossil fuel running out, are we by passing oil or are we feeling a bit bellicose?? I would have thought we'd 've had enough of recarpeting with nuclear textiles.
Good sports
For ages I have been meaning to say how much better and funnier our sports coverage has been in Adelaide. We have had so many bad things happening and it has been heavy going and heavy weather but the bright spots in the day have come unexpectedly from our sports reporters who are fast becoming legends and a league of their own. The impact they have is to make you thoroughly enjoy the coverage even if you feel lukewarm to cold about sport and then to be wildly enthusiastic about some sports event going on. In the morning Warwick Hatfield has had Adelaide in stitches and one farmer reports better milk production from his cows since he's played Warick to them. Warwick has a wonderful way with words, a really literary approach, and then an offbeat sense of humour. Brilliant morning sports cocktail. Mark Aiston on Channel 10 is always very cheerful, full of pleasant humour and typifies and exemplifies the high level of sports coverage we are currently enjoying in Adelaide. If others are not mentioned it's because it has taken me this long to remember 2 names because I have so enjoyed the sports reports. Normally it's a good time to switch over. Just goes to show what a positive outlook and a thorough approach can do. So will they sell the 20 20 cricket matches to the diehards and is it the cricket of the future?? We are all dying to know now!
Shake, rattle and roll
There's still plenty of action. Go to the Seismic Monitor and see for yourself.
Is it always like this?
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
River death queried in car-boot case
River death queried in car-boot case - National - www.theage.com.au
The plot thickens:
Police are looking at the death of the ex girlfriend's husband on the riverboat and they do not belive the swingers site has anything to do with the bashing and booting of the wife. Good, because I didn't think it did either. So much better when the new falls in with me and gives me the information I want!! This is very odd this case.
The plot thickens:
Police are looking at the death of the ex girlfriend's husband on the riverboat and they do not belive the swingers site has anything to do with the bashing and booting of the wife. Good, because I didn't think it did either. So much better when the new falls in with me and gives me the information I want!! This is very odd this case.
Car boot case
Car boot case: Husband and ex-girlfriend held. 16/02/2005. ABC News Online: "Car boot case: Husband and ex-girlfriend held"
This is not only bizarre, it is horrible but ,as usual ,facts and real information are scant and sketchy. New millennium news. Bring on the ESP. On a news bulletin they said the wife had been advertised on an adult swingers site on the Net. So? They put her picture up in a pair of hipster jeans and a short top but she was positively Victorian in her look and stance compared with the modern girls. Besides, what had that to do with her being left in a car boot to die? That was very irrelevant. The poor woman had been stuffed in a boot. Where are her children? What's a swingers site anyway and do I want to know? Didn't they swing in the sixties? She was obviously getting in touch with her past. Who cares. Is swinging against the law. I figure if it's a big deal I'd no about it and so I figure it has NOTHING to do with the fact there has been an attempt to kill this woman. It's ridiciulous what is accepted as "normal" these days and I wouldn't try and use anything to try and justify what has happened to her. When she regains consciousness I expect she'll have quite a lot to say.
This is not only bizarre, it is horrible but ,as usual ,facts and real information are scant and sketchy. New millennium news. Bring on the ESP. On a news bulletin they said the wife had been advertised on an adult swingers site on the Net. So? They put her picture up in a pair of hipster jeans and a short top but she was positively Victorian in her look and stance compared with the modern girls. Besides, what had that to do with her being left in a car boot to die? That was very irrelevant. The poor woman had been stuffed in a boot. Where are her children? What's a swingers site anyway and do I want to know? Didn't they swing in the sixties? She was obviously getting in touch with her past. Who cares. Is swinging against the law. I figure if it's a big deal I'd no about it and so I figure it has NOTHING to do with the fact there has been an attempt to kill this woman. It's ridiciulous what is accepted as "normal" these days and I wouldn't try and use anything to try and justify what has happened to her. When she regains consciousness I expect she'll have quite a lot to say.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Baghdad Burning
Baghdad Burning
"At the end of the day, it’s not about having a Sunni or Shia or Kurd or Arab in power. It’s about having someone who has Iraq’s best interests at heart- not America’s, not Iran’s, not Israel’s… It’s about needing someone who wants peace, prosperity, independence and above and beyond all, unity."
"At the end of the day, it’s not about having a Sunni or Shia or Kurd or Arab in power. It’s about having someone who has Iraq’s best interests at heart- not America’s, not Iran’s, not Israel’s… It’s about needing someone who wants peace, prosperity, independence and above and beyond all, unity."
Bloggeriffic!!
By george I think they've got it!! I can post properly again but I dare not fiddle with that Valentine post again for fear of loosing the rabid Blogger Beast of the java nullpoint script. It had been blogging hell . Supposed to be all roses and hearts and lovely. Oh well...love's not perfect and my lessons in patience and tolerance over the last couple of days have taught me that. We are all still pretty outraged and angry about Cornelia Rau. The longer it has existed , the more it has sunk in that some poor mentally ill woman has not only been denied her family , she has been denied medical treatment, medication, psychological support and in exchange, our government offered her a stay in a women's prison and then 10 months in Baxter Detention Centre. It has become so obvious everyone except immigration officials noticed she was very ill. It has become clear any number of people held out the hand of human kindness and cared so much they put themselves at risk at times trying to get professional help for Cornelia. Not easy for prisoners and detainees to speak out and up. Not these days. Cornelia's case is holding a mirror up to Australia and we do not like the reflection we are seeing. We have come to this.Normal Australians are making the changes. Some politicians are finding it hard to get in touch with their feelings. There has been some mobilisation into mental health issues and that is a very positive thing because we have pooled our thoughts and have a much better way of dealing with mental illness issues. We always skirted around them with a bit of awkwardness. Not now. Oddly enough Cornelia has given us the strength to speak more clearly and act more kindly. It's pretty sad that cases alike this and events like the tusnami have to happen so we get in real touch with ourselves and others and feel so much better and stronger for it. Everyone benefits when we co operate and care.
Beazley's approval has a whiff of the past
Beazley's approval has a whiff of the past - National - www.theage.com.au:
"Labor's 'new old' leader Kim Beazley finds himself back to the future in his first AgePoll after reclaiming his party's top job.
The Opposition Leader's approval rating is 50 per cent - just one point lower than his final approval in the AgePoll before the 2001 election, after which he quit the leadership."
Before our Federal elections the media kept quoting polls for this and that leader and party. Now after the election we are getting non stop information from the polls about this or that leader or party. Yet, when is came to the polls being so far out of whack, like they had never been before, DURING the election, we were told the polls are not an accurate indicator of a political party or candidate. Make up your minds. If they were wrong during the polls , why are they not wrong now and why were they not wrong before. This is the first time I've actually seen one to promote Labour!!
"Labor's 'new old' leader Kim Beazley finds himself back to the future in his first AgePoll after reclaiming his party's top job.
The Opposition Leader's approval rating is 50 per cent - just one point lower than his final approval in the AgePoll before the 2001 election, after which he quit the leadership."
Before our Federal elections the media kept quoting polls for this and that leader and party. Now after the election we are getting non stop information from the polls about this or that leader or party. Yet, when is came to the polls being so far out of whack, like they had never been before, DURING the election, we were told the polls are not an accurate indicator of a political party or candidate. Make up your minds. If they were wrong during the polls , why are they not wrong now and why were they not wrong before. This is the first time I've actually seen one to promote Labour!!
Bonne Saint Valentin
L'amour n'est pas seulement un sentiment,
il est un art aussi.
Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an art as well.
Honoré DE BALZAC
La ville de Saint-Valentin/ The town of Saint Valentin
The town is near Châteauroux and this site pays admirable tribute by the town to today, Saint Valentine’s Day. It has 276 inhabitants.
Plein de smacks!
Go to Linternaute.com and send a card .
Blogstration!!
I shall try and fix my Valentine post tonight and maybe Blogger will collaborate in this mission of love with me . I can't believe the whole bloomin' post is gone. Have a heart , Blogger.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Blogger - Unexpected Error
Blogger - Unexpected Error
Error
We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are unable to process your request at this time. Our engineers have been notified of this problem and will work to resolve it.
Moving right along! I can't believe I can't fix my post for Valentine's Day.
Error
We apologize for the inconvenience, but we are unable to process your request at this time. Our engineers have been notified of this problem and will work to resolve it.
Moving right along! I can't believe I can't fix my post for Valentine's Day.
Blogger!!!
I have been trying to tidy up the silly things on my Valentine post. Pot on you Blogger for not letting me!! Today of all days when the romantic needs to be intact! Blogger mustn't be in love. It has been so cranky these last few hours.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Monarchy will outlast Charles and Camilla, but will British royal glamour?
Monarchy will outlast Charles and Camilla, but will British royal glamour?
I have read any number of articles. All catty, all vindictive , all bitchy. Hope we don't talk about you like that. No one else has been treated in such a mean spirited fashion. Most of us aren't "covergirl " material.
"There's a very, very simple reason: she's not photogenic. It's a terribly simple reason. She's not going to make the front page of Vogue...
"She's simply not cover girl material, and so she doesn't have that celebrity glamour."
For all our talk about the female body image and how we'd prefer that women were accepted for who they are and that girls should be encouraged to be people...the world has shown its true colours in this instance. The nasty personal attacks are simply that. I don't care who they are and what they are doing. Lots of people marry , lots of people divorce, lots of people grow old, lots of people remarry. Stark contrast to the way the Thai and Danish Royal families are treated. The press is being particularly vindictive and making it quite clear that packaging is more important to us than anything. Well, not to me it ain't.
I have read any number of articles. All catty, all vindictive , all bitchy. Hope we don't talk about you like that. No one else has been treated in such a mean spirited fashion. Most of us aren't "covergirl " material.
"There's a very, very simple reason: she's not photogenic. It's a terribly simple reason. She's not going to make the front page of Vogue...
"She's simply not cover girl material, and so she doesn't have that celebrity glamour."
For all our talk about the female body image and how we'd prefer that women were accepted for who they are and that girls should be encouraged to be people...the world has shown its true colours in this instance. The nasty personal attacks are simply that. I don't care who they are and what they are doing. Lots of people marry , lots of people divorce, lots of people grow old, lots of people remarry. Stark contrast to the way the Thai and Danish Royal families are treated. The press is being particularly vindictive and making it quite clear that packaging is more important to us than anything. Well, not to me it ain't.
Royal Navy Survey - Tsunami Epicentre
Royal Navy: News & Events
There is quite a lot of information on this site and explanations of what occured on the Indian Ocean floor. Pictures and diagrams as well.
There is quite a lot of information on this site and explanations of what occured on the Indian Ocean floor. Pictures and diagrams as well.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Wow!
Une robe légère et printannière de la couturière libanaise Nadwa al-A'awar présentée à la semaine de la mode à Beyrouth. ©AFP/Joseph Barrak
A light spring dress by the lebanese couturier Nadwa al-A'awar presented during fashion week in Beyrouth.
I love the internet. I had no idea Lebanese couturiers produced such stunning clothes. There is something seaweedy and oceanic about this dress and yet the colours are autumn and it's a dress for spring. An astounding concept. We are so much richer when we share our talents and our inspiration. The world can be so full of sheer delight and wonderful surprises when each culture brings its artists and thinkers to bear on something. Such a stark and preferable contrast to the usual suspicious, explosive, negative, destructive way we explore each other's cultural richness.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Raspberries to Blackberries
BBC NEWS | UK | Politics | MPs issued with Blackberry threat
Naughty MPs. Obviously taking lessons from their teenage progeny!
Naughty MPs. Obviously taking lessons from their teenage progeny!
Attitude change needed to prevent youth fatalities: police.
Attitude change needed to prevent youth fatalities: police. 10/02/2005. ABC News Online: "Statistics show that half of the 10 people killed on the state's roads this year have been aged under 21."
The statistics speak for themselves. They do not include the people and property damaged and destroyed in the accidents, nor the huge costs to the state's emergency service teams and then the parents incomes and hearts. Maybe kids shouldn't have cars. I heard one traffic expert talking about how we structure our whole lives to cater to cars. Instead of cars being a part of our lives and living, they dictate it. He was also saying that Adelaide would lend itself well to public transport. He was a man from England with a great deal of experience and a fresh view. In this consumer society the car has become yet another toy to own but the responsibilities of this possession are no longer considered because young people gain their licences and good cars very easily. There was also talk on the radio today about Adelaide's former tram system and how good it was. We now just have our Glenelg tram but I think we seriously need to look at improving the transport for all of us and then, within that, maybe young people would stay alive longer.
The statistics speak for themselves. They do not include the people and property damaged and destroyed in the accidents, nor the huge costs to the state's emergency service teams and then the parents incomes and hearts. Maybe kids shouldn't have cars. I heard one traffic expert talking about how we structure our whole lives to cater to cars. Instead of cars being a part of our lives and living, they dictate it. He was also saying that Adelaide would lend itself well to public transport. He was a man from England with a great deal of experience and a fresh view. In this consumer society the car has become yet another toy to own but the responsibilities of this possession are no longer considered because young people gain their licences and good cars very easily. There was also talk on the radio today about Adelaide's former tram system and how good it was. We now just have our Glenelg tram but I think we seriously need to look at improving the transport for all of us and then, within that, maybe young people would stay alive longer.
Menstrual leave 'would boost productivity'
News.com.au | Menstrual leave 'would boost productivity' (11-02-2005)
Many of us thought this was a trip back into the dark ages and we discussed it in a very animated fashion. We have fought for a long time to be regarded as equals. We have asked for equity and now we find the unions are looking at escape clauses again for women because they are somehow "faulty". Not quite the same as men. Not as durable and efficient. Don't men have a testosterone hike every 20 minutes? Yes, we are all human and we all have our human weaknesses. To single out the menstrual cycle as something to be given special consideration is turning us back into the poor wee things who suffer from the vapours. If period pain is so severe you are incapacitated by it, there is a medical reason. Sometimes it's allergy to the hormones, sometimes it's growths and infections. Sometimes it's poor diet or a retroverted womb.We have worked so hard to change around the belief that women cannot compete on an open market because of this built in fault of being female. Medical illnesses and conditons are covered by sick leave conditions. Some stages of life mean you are more affected by hormonal disturbances than others. That holds for men too and it discriminates against men to make us believe they are not erratic because of hormones. This is about allowing work conditions to be more flexible to cater for someone who is feeling under par or over aggressive. Rotating jobs, shifts. We cannot remain competititive , nor will women be considered seriously if they are allocated 12 extra days. From a financial point of view it would be easier to employ men or post menopausal women. I could not take this seriously and in fact, I think I shall go and grab my lavender hankie because I can feel an attack of the vapours coming on.
Many of us thought this was a trip back into the dark ages and we discussed it in a very animated fashion. We have fought for a long time to be regarded as equals. We have asked for equity and now we find the unions are looking at escape clauses again for women because they are somehow "faulty". Not quite the same as men. Not as durable and efficient. Don't men have a testosterone hike every 20 minutes? Yes, we are all human and we all have our human weaknesses. To single out the menstrual cycle as something to be given special consideration is turning us back into the poor wee things who suffer from the vapours. If period pain is so severe you are incapacitated by it, there is a medical reason. Sometimes it's allergy to the hormones, sometimes it's growths and infections. Sometimes it's poor diet or a retroverted womb.We have worked so hard to change around the belief that women cannot compete on an open market because of this built in fault of being female. Medical illnesses and conditons are covered by sick leave conditions. Some stages of life mean you are more affected by hormonal disturbances than others. That holds for men too and it discriminates against men to make us believe they are not erratic because of hormones. This is about allowing work conditions to be more flexible to cater for someone who is feeling under par or over aggressive. Rotating jobs, shifts. We cannot remain competititive , nor will women be considered seriously if they are allocated 12 extra days. From a financial point of view it would be easier to employ men or post menopausal women. I could not take this seriously and in fact, I think I shall go and grab my lavender hankie because I can feel an attack of the vapours coming on.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Tsunami survivors reject new homes
News.com.au | Tsunami survivors reject new homes (10-02-2005):
"'I have nothing and no one left, this land and this community is all,' said Sa'dah, a 48-year-old woman, gesturing to a small clearing in the debris where she has planted rows of pea plants.
Sa'dah lost her husband, mother, three children and 10 sisters in the December 26 disaster. She survived because she was away picking coconuts in an area with quick access to higher ground.
'If the government does not let us rebuild here, then we will ask again, then again, then again. After that, I think we will no longer have the strength to fight.'"
This is so sad. Of course their land means everything to them and when you read of this lady who lost so many people in one go , you have to be moved by the strength of the spirit in her message. The land is where her people died. She belongs to that land and wants to stay there. A barracks can mean nothing to her. Then you have to think that they cannot stay where it has been so devastated and will have air and water borne diseases at the moment. It must be very hard to deal with the emotion of all of this now some of the harsh realities have been dealt with. It seems unfair these people continue to live in fear and suffering and can find no peace in their hearts. I believe they need to be kept safe, warm and healthy at this point in time so they have the strength to rebuild. But for them, and this is something I am coming to understand, the peace in their hearts and spirits means so much more to them. They are so traumatised and yet spiritually so strong. I hope there can be a solution to all of this. Those building the new accomodation might feel hurt their labour has been rejected and yet it is not that. Blood is so much thicker than water.
"'I have nothing and no one left, this land and this community is all,' said Sa'dah, a 48-year-old woman, gesturing to a small clearing in the debris where she has planted rows of pea plants.
Sa'dah lost her husband, mother, three children and 10 sisters in the December 26 disaster. She survived because she was away picking coconuts in an area with quick access to higher ground.
'If the government does not let us rebuild here, then we will ask again, then again, then again. After that, I think we will no longer have the strength to fight.'"
This is so sad. Of course their land means everything to them and when you read of this lady who lost so many people in one go , you have to be moved by the strength of the spirit in her message. The land is where her people died. She belongs to that land and wants to stay there. A barracks can mean nothing to her. Then you have to think that they cannot stay where it has been so devastated and will have air and water borne diseases at the moment. It must be very hard to deal with the emotion of all of this now some of the harsh realities have been dealt with. It seems unfair these people continue to live in fear and suffering and can find no peace in their hearts. I believe they need to be kept safe, warm and healthy at this point in time so they have the strength to rebuild. But for them, and this is something I am coming to understand, the peace in their hearts and spirits means so much more to them. They are so traumatised and yet spiritually so strong. I hope there can be a solution to all of this. Those building the new accomodation might feel hurt their labour has been rejected and yet it is not that. Blood is so much thicker than water.
Victims of fires to be taxed
News.com.au | Victims of fires to be taxed (09-02-2005):
"With the 127 bushfire-affected families each receiving between $10,000
and $20,000 in state and federal grants, Mr Monterola said his advice
showed about 250 taxpayers would be hit by income tax bills. He
estimated the average bill would be between $6000 and $9000, depending on the farmer's income bracket."
Bureaucracy has an uncanny way of rubbing salt into the wounds. These people have had their homes, farms and countryside burnt and destroyed. Some have lost family and friends. That they are walking and talking is a tribute to their resourcefulness and courage. The state government moved quickly to get financial aid. The federal government picked it up later after a bit of prompting. This was a massive fire. The people are traumatised. They work hard on the land and that they are prepared to stay and rebuild deserves credit and support. To put them through the tax hoop as an added trick to enable them access to grants to rebuild properties which supply US with the resources we need to live comfortably in the city is just mean. Mean. To give them money and then make them fill out forms to make legitimate claims to offset the taxes is a very callous thing to require. Every claim will be a stab to the heart. They are not performing animals. They have fences to build, live stock to re establish, fields to prepare and plant and houses to build and repair. It's black and burnt and they have seen too much ,suffered too much and put up with too much. It's Valentine's Day on Monday. Have a heart.
"With the 127 bushfire-affected families each receiving between $10,000
and $20,000 in state and federal grants, Mr Monterola said his advice
showed about 250 taxpayers would be hit by income tax bills. He
estimated the average bill would be between $6000 and $9000, depending on the farmer's income bracket."
Bureaucracy has an uncanny way of rubbing salt into the wounds. These people have had their homes, farms and countryside burnt and destroyed. Some have lost family and friends. That they are walking and talking is a tribute to their resourcefulness and courage. The state government moved quickly to get financial aid. The federal government picked it up later after a bit of prompting. This was a massive fire. The people are traumatised. They work hard on the land and that they are prepared to stay and rebuild deserves credit and support. To put them through the tax hoop as an added trick to enable them access to grants to rebuild properties which supply US with the resources we need to live comfortably in the city is just mean. Mean. To give them money and then make them fill out forms to make legitimate claims to offset the taxes is a very callous thing to require. Every claim will be a stab to the heart. They are not performing animals. They have fences to build, live stock to re establish, fields to prepare and plant and houses to build and repair. It's black and burnt and they have seen too much ,suffered too much and put up with too much. It's Valentine's Day on Monday. Have a heart.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
How to Decommission Hubble Safely
Bringing Down the House: How to Decommission Hubble Safely:
"The answer may foretell when, and if, NASA can pull itself out of low Earth orbit and think bigger thoughts."
I am reading everywhere that NASA is seriously thinking of bringing down Hubble. They think Hubble is getting too old. So think outside the square!! Think big. THINK!! Everywhere I go Hubble is personified, that's how much Hubble has become a part of our planet earth lives. You'd think NASA would talk about this instead of making a big announcement. You'd think scientists and astronomers would discuss this. You'd think , given that Hubble is such a well respected piece of equipment, there'd be lengthy consideration of a lengthy list of options.There could even be collaboration bewtween nations to solve the problems. Nah! Bring it down!! Just scrap it and we'll think about something else. Well...think, people, because I don't want to be splattered by Hubble bits when Hubble could float around up there quite happily and productively. Hubble is extremely expensive equipment. Don't make me cry!
"The answer may foretell when, and if, NASA can pull itself out of low Earth orbit and think bigger thoughts."
I am reading everywhere that NASA is seriously thinking of bringing down Hubble. They think Hubble is getting too old. So think outside the square!! Think big. THINK!! Everywhere I go Hubble is personified, that's how much Hubble has become a part of our planet earth lives. You'd think NASA would talk about this instead of making a big announcement. You'd think scientists and astronomers would discuss this. You'd think , given that Hubble is such a well respected piece of equipment, there'd be lengthy consideration of a lengthy list of options.There could even be collaboration bewtween nations to solve the problems. Nah! Bring it down!! Just scrap it and we'll think about something else. Well...think, people, because I don't want to be splattered by Hubble bits when Hubble could float around up there quite happily and productively. Hubble is extremely expensive equipment. Don't make me cry!
John Farnham and Tom Jones to tour together
John Farnham and Tom Jones to tour together:by Paul Cashmere
We are laughing at this one too. I love John Farnham. I didn't like him when he first started and became our king of pop and had the stupid Sadie song, but Whispering Jack onwards has provided some great music and great performances. John Farnham is a lovely, lovely man and a true performer. He also happens to come from Adelaide! But there was all this hype about the last tour and bye bye, see you around. We were all sad. He is one of us. So people are laughing, because he always went on tour and then went away for ages and then came back. So this one should be called, "Oh, sorry, this is the tour I'm having when the last one was supposed to be the last one" or "How dare I say good bye to you all, when I'm back to say Hello" I can imagine this tour will be pretty good with two very seasoned performers. Good luck...but John just needs to admit he'll do the last tour when it's done and there are no more. He's too much of a people person. This might be the last tour but I'm not sure and I'll let you all know in the fullness of time.
We are laughing at this one too. I love John Farnham. I didn't like him when he first started and became our king of pop and had the stupid Sadie song, but Whispering Jack onwards has provided some great music and great performances. John Farnham is a lovely, lovely man and a true performer. He also happens to come from Adelaide! But there was all this hype about the last tour and bye bye, see you around. We were all sad. He is one of us. So people are laughing, because he always went on tour and then went away for ages and then came back. So this one should be called, "Oh, sorry, this is the tour I'm having when the last one was supposed to be the last one" or "How dare I say good bye to you all, when I'm back to say Hello" I can imagine this tour will be pretty good with two very seasoned performers. Good luck...but John just needs to admit he'll do the last tour when it's done and there are no more. He's too much of a people person. This might be the last tour but I'm not sure and I'll let you all know in the fullness of time.
Cherie Blair's speech gaffe angers Kiwis
The Advertiser: Cherie Blair's speech gaffe angers Kiwis [09feb05]
Might be making the Kiwis angry but we are all laughing. You just do not do that. We know that. Big no-no. I think it's called poetic justice.
Might be making the Kiwis angry but we are all laughing. You just do not do that. We know that. Big no-no. I think it's called poetic justice.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Global warming the key to life on Mars
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Global warming the key to life on Mars:
"Tim Radford, science editor
Monday February 7, 2005
The Guardian"
If they have the technology to warm Mars, have they got the technology to warm Earth? What thinketh the experts??
Monday, February 07, 2005
New hoon laws
I believe today is the day the new hoon laws come in with much stronger penalties for wheelies, dragging and......loud music!! Loud music may be a pain but it is not life threatening. Adelaide can't stand noise. People have moved into apartments in town because of the "lifestyle" and have spent all their time complaining about noise from pubs and entertainment venues. Did they think everyone would be whispering in pubs because they moved in? Adelaide used to complain about the noise of the Grand Prix. No wonder Melbourne got it. Did you hear the roar of the Melbourne crowd at the cricket yesterday? Melbourne knows how to rock. Adelaide used to. Now we like it quiet. Very quiet. On the up side it means you can come here to relax and really unwind and get away from it all and you hear the crash of the ocean and the birds screeching in the trees. We have lots of parrots. You can just be who you are , doing what you want. I confess that is a nice thing.
As for the hoons, well, as I said in an earlier post, when they changed the speed limit on this side of the road to 50km, it was like an invitation to crash and burn. The bus stop got wiped out the other day and my garden it still recovering from the 17 year old onslaught before Christmas. The neighbour's house is only just being fixed today. So, tonight, with the new laws, it sounds as though they have taken the silencers off their engines. They are rip roaring tonight. So, the new laws mean nothing as yet. Catch me if you can still prevails.
As for the hoons, well, as I said in an earlier post, when they changed the speed limit on this side of the road to 50km, it was like an invitation to crash and burn. The bus stop got wiped out the other day and my garden it still recovering from the 17 year old onslaught before Christmas. The neighbour's house is only just being fixed today. So, tonight, with the new laws, it sounds as though they have taken the silencers off their engines. They are rip roaring tonight. So, the new laws mean nothing as yet. Catch me if you can still prevails.
Rau case re-ignites ID card debate
The Advertiser: Rau case re-ignites ID card debate [07feb05]
Given Ms. Rau should have a Medicare card and probably a bank card : she obviously had nothing on her to identify her. Why would she then carry an ID card because the government wants us all to have one? She has been here since she was a baby. Even though she was speaking German, didn't people notice she had an Australian accent when she spoke in English. Migrants who speak other languages and who came here as children are finding it hard to believe she was detained. This would not make it easier to prevent such occurrences and why should we, the people of the nation, who said quite clearly we did not want an ID card , agree to having one when we are not the ones responsible for Ms Rau's detention? Medicare can trace the details. Most psychiatric patients have a care worker and are on lists if they are prone to severe mental distress. They were saying on the news this morning that all sorts of groups around the place had noticed Ms Rau wasn't very well and different people were trying to get help for her...but once detained, always detained. We know you want us all to have an ID card, but we do not want one. Using this case for government self interest is not right.
Given Ms. Rau should have a Medicare card and probably a bank card : she obviously had nothing on her to identify her. Why would she then carry an ID card because the government wants us all to have one? She has been here since she was a baby. Even though she was speaking German, didn't people notice she had an Australian accent when she spoke in English. Migrants who speak other languages and who came here as children are finding it hard to believe she was detained. This would not make it easier to prevent such occurrences and why should we, the people of the nation, who said quite clearly we did not want an ID card , agree to having one when we are not the ones responsible for Ms Rau's detention? Medicare can trace the details. Most psychiatric patients have a care worker and are on lists if they are prone to severe mental distress. They were saying on the news this morning that all sorts of groups around the place had noticed Ms Rau wasn't very well and different people were trying to get help for her...but once detained, always detained. We know you want us all to have an ID card, but we do not want one. Using this case for government self interest is not right.
Easy money
I've just received my monthly statement from the building society. We were all encouraged to use direct debit for paying bills , so I have done it for my utilities. It's costing me $3. How do they justify that when it goes from their computer to AGL. A button click or two.
Direct Debit AGL Electricity 117.62
Admin fee - Direct Debit 3.00
B Pay, on the other hand costs me 25 cents. I like B Pay!
Then there's the aptly named government BAD tax of $1.50.
What a lucky country and greedy, too.
Direct Debit AGL Electricity 117.62
Admin fee - Direct Debit 3.00
B Pay, on the other hand costs me 25 cents. I like B Pay!
Then there's the aptly named government BAD tax of $1.50.
What a lucky country and greedy, too.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
An ounce of prevention prevents detention
News.com.au | PM announces detention inquiry (06-02-2005)
This is an unbelievable story. It is horrifying, sad, unbelieveable. The only good I can see is that it demonstrates clearly and unequivocally the two things we have been saying loud and clear as a nation:
1. Not enough resources and planning are going into mental health care.
2. People who are locked up in the detention centre have become persona non grata and their cases are NOT being considered effectively and efficiently.
You cannot regret an incident like this. It cannot be diminished in any way. Doing this to someone who is not able to be responsible for herself and her behaviour shows a heartless, careless, inefficient, cruel protocol for the mentally ill and those in detention centres. It should never happen. It's not an "oops".
This is an unbelievable story. It is horrifying, sad, unbelieveable. The only good I can see is that it demonstrates clearly and unequivocally the two things we have been saying loud and clear as a nation:
1. Not enough resources and planning are going into mental health care.
2. People who are locked up in the detention centre have become persona non grata and their cases are NOT being considered effectively and efficiently.
You cannot regret an incident like this. It cannot be diminished in any way. Doing this to someone who is not able to be responsible for herself and her behaviour shows a heartless, careless, inefficient, cruel protocol for the mentally ill and those in detention centres. It should never happen. It's not an "oops".
Green light for Germany's red lights
Green light for Germany's red lights - World - www.theage.com.au: "German job centres are offering unemployed women work as
prostitutes and are obliged to cut welfare benefits of those who
refuse to work in the world's oldest profession under new welfare
laws."
Can they be legally forced to do so? I actually thank Cannon fire's site(link right) for alerting me to this. There is a link to a German article there and indeed they changed the law and are now arguing since prostitution and sex working is now legal there is no moral judgement about it and it can therefore be a legitimate option as a job. Do not forget there are also gay prostitution businesses. It is being viewed as a job like any other. The forums in Germany are alive with discussion because they realise Berlin hasn't got it right at all. There are those arguing it's no big deal and it's okay as a job if you don't have another one and others arguing that that you can't compel people to be sex workers since sex is a consensual matter and that the act itself has to be consensual. Brothel owners know they cannot force people to have sex. It's all a bit crazy but what else is new in this world? And I tell you, the lawyers had better get their acts together on this one because there ARE issues with forcing people to comply with unsolicited sex. The German courts are going to have fun. Poor Germany. It's not new in Germany though. Heinrich Himmler condoned it 1942.
Zwangsprostitution im Dritten Reich
prostitutes and are obliged to cut welfare benefits of those who
refuse to work in the world's oldest profession under new welfare
laws."
Can they be legally forced to do so? I actually thank Cannon fire's site(link right) for alerting me to this. There is a link to a German article there and indeed they changed the law and are now arguing since prostitution and sex working is now legal there is no moral judgement about it and it can therefore be a legitimate option as a job. Do not forget there are also gay prostitution businesses. It is being viewed as a job like any other. The forums in Germany are alive with discussion because they realise Berlin hasn't got it right at all. There are those arguing it's no big deal and it's okay as a job if you don't have another one and others arguing that that you can't compel people to be sex workers since sex is a consensual matter and that the act itself has to be consensual. Brothel owners know they cannot force people to have sex. It's all a bit crazy but what else is new in this world? And I tell you, the lawyers had better get their acts together on this one because there ARE issues with forcing people to comply with unsolicited sex. The German courts are going to have fun. Poor Germany. It's not new in Germany though. Heinrich Himmler condoned it 1942.
Zwangsprostitution im Dritten Reich
Friday, February 04, 2005
Some like it hot
Des singes se réchauffent dans un bain d'eau chaude dans un jardin tropical d'Hakodate, au Japon. ©AFP/Toru Yamanaka
Monkeys warming themselves in a bath of warm water in the Hakodate tropical garden in Japan.
1,057 school buildings destroyed by tsunami
The Jakarta Post - 1,057 school buildings destroyed by tsunami
The loss of human life, the destruction of the economy, the destruction of the environment, and now, a picture of how future generations are being affected. The world has a big challenge on its hands to help the tsunami affected countries rebuild their nations for their future generations. In the meantime, where are the children being taught? The sad fact that so many children were killed and then so many more orphaned makes this legacy for young life so poignant.
The loss of human life, the destruction of the economy, the destruction of the environment, and now, a picture of how future generations are being affected. The world has a big challenge on its hands to help the tsunami affected countries rebuild their nations for their future generations. In the meantime, where are the children being taught? The sad fact that so many children were killed and then so many more orphaned makes this legacy for young life so poignant.
Time to lighten up
The plant on the left I bought as a "magic bean". It was like a little tree and then it grew these big leaves and more are coming. It looks like an avocado seed but it seems to be too green and the leaves don't look like avocado leaves to me. It's an easy care, magical plant. As for the dolls...I make them to cheer me up!
Thursday, February 03, 2005
More weather links!
SA Weather Net
Severe Weather
I know, I'm obsessing. It is driving me crazy. Again I've traded trackpants and jumpers for the usual shorts and top at this time of year. No summer, no thongs, no BBQs...and even if it does warm up, missing out on the rhythm of the seasons is annoying me no end. It's all so blooming drastic. So here are links to the SA weather net and here you can see some good photos. If you've never been in a dust storm, you haven't lived. They are awesome to watch and terrifying if they are big , red and headed your way. They turn everything to night as they roll over and you just can't breathe and then the red dust of our country is everywhere. There is also the severe weather site which has the international links. We might as well get good at this and then we'll figure it out. Someone was saying the patterns for the East coast storms were the same as the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which claimed 6 lives in 1996. That would have been just after Christmas. So the patterns have been here before. It's just more widespread and severe.
Severe Weather
I know, I'm obsessing. It is driving me crazy. Again I've traded trackpants and jumpers for the usual shorts and top at this time of year. No summer, no thongs, no BBQs...and even if it does warm up, missing out on the rhythm of the seasons is annoying me no end. It's all so blooming drastic. So here are links to the SA weather net and here you can see some good photos. If you've never been in a dust storm, you haven't lived. They are awesome to watch and terrifying if they are big , red and headed your way. They turn everything to night as they roll over and you just can't breathe and then the red dust of our country is everywhere. There is also the severe weather site which has the international links. We might as well get good at this and then we'll figure it out. Someone was saying the patterns for the East coast storms were the same as the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which claimed 6 lives in 1996. That would have been just after Christmas. So the patterns have been here before. It's just more widespread and severe.
Happy birthday , Kitty
Des mascotte félines japonaises "Hello Kitty" dans la neige dans le nord du Japon: ce chaton très commercialisé en Asie fête ses 30 ans. ©AFP/Toru Yamanaka
The Hello Kitty Japanese feline mascots in the snow in the north of Japan. This very popular commercial kitten is celebrating its 30th. birthday.
Recidivist rain and wayward wind
The Weather Bureau says it's been the coldest 2nd of February day in Melbourne on record, with the temperature reaching just over 13 degrees. Rainfall exceeded the average for the month in two days, with almost 60 millimetres falling in one day.
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s1294931.htm
"The waves just broke up over the bridge, knocked out there some glass windows, knocked out some communications, knocked out windows and portholes of those that were down lower in the bow of the boat," she said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1295459.htm
New classrooms at Denistone East Public School in Sydney were opened for the new school year on Monday, but after last night's storm the roof of one of the main buildings has been destroyed.
In Queensland, the south-east corner and the tropical east coast had most of the rain from the storms.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1295060.htm
A P-PLATE driver who allegedly tried to beat a storm had his licence confiscated and was charged with driving at a dangerous speed.
NSW Police said at 10.35pm (AEDT) last night, an 18-year-old man from Forster, on the NSW mid-north coast, was clocked at 204km/h in a 110km/h area of the freeway between Toronto and the Newcastle exit.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12137811-1702,00.html
ROOFS were lifted off buildings, a shearing shed left a "mangled mess" and yachts sank in ports as fierce winds caused havoc throughout Tasmania overnight.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12137710-1702,00.html
TWO days into what is usually the hottest month of the year, South Australia was hit by wintry hail and strong winds yesterday.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/
story_page/0,5936,12132375%255E2682,00.html
http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s1294931.htm
"The waves just broke up over the bridge, knocked out there some glass windows, knocked out some communications, knocked out windows and portholes of those that were down lower in the bow of the boat," she said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1295459.htm
New classrooms at Denistone East Public School in Sydney were opened for the new school year on Monday, but after last night's storm the roof of one of the main buildings has been destroyed.
In Queensland, the south-east corner and the tropical east coast had most of the rain from the storms.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200502/s1295060.htm
A P-PLATE driver who allegedly tried to beat a storm had his licence confiscated and was charged with driving at a dangerous speed.
NSW Police said at 10.35pm (AEDT) last night, an 18-year-old man from Forster, on the NSW mid-north coast, was clocked at 204km/h in a 110km/h area of the freeway between Toronto and the Newcastle exit.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12137811-1702,00.html
ROOFS were lifted off buildings, a shearing shed left a "mangled mess" and yachts sank in ports as fierce winds caused havoc throughout Tasmania overnight.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12137710-1702,00.html
TWO days into what is usually the hottest month of the year, South Australia was hit by wintry hail and strong winds yesterday.
http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/
story_page/0,5936,12132375%255E2682,00.html
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Want to see my freezing weather?
Source: JMA and NOAA GOES-9 image via Bureau of Meteorology. GMS-5 backup with GOES-9 operated by the joint effort of JMA and US NOAA NESDIS over the western Pacific.
Captured: Wednesday 2 February 2005 08:30 UTC
UTC is equivalent* to: 2 February 19:30 EDT -- 2 February 18:00 CST -- 2 February 16:30 WST http://www.bom.gov.au/gms/IDE00005.latest.shtml
I am scandalised! It's going to be 12 overnight. This is summer in Australia!
How Global Warming Can Chill the Planet
How Global Warming Can Chill the Planet: "Scientists hope new evidence of an ancient rise in sea level from a fresh water flood will tell them how global warming can lead to global cooling.
A global cooling event was caused by global warming? Sounds strange. But that is exactly what scientists say happened.
The Earth was emerging from an ice age 8,200 years ago. Seas were warming and life was heating up. Then quite abruptly and for a relatively short period of time -- about 100 years -- the entire globe chilled down again, by almost 10.8 degrees Fahrenheit (6 Centigrade)."
Resource site for greenhouse gases and climate change.
I am not going to apologise for obsessing about this stupid , ridiculous weather. I am sitting here in my winter woolies and it's supposed to be summer in Adelaide. I have done months and months of cold, wet windy. We have had a few nice days but last night was freeeeezzzzing! Socks in bed weather. This morning we had cold, wind, rain and buckets of hail. Where is my summer?? The garden is going to love all this, but this is supposed to be sunny Australia. I heard there is a meeting of climate scientists in Britain. I also heard they will not be able to decide how much CO2 in the atmosphere is too much. I also heard they will never agree as to what long term effects will occur from high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Do you know what? I don't care. I want someone to fix the weather machine. I want some experts to sit down and tell me why I am freezing my backside off in the middle of summer when I have never done this before , ever. This is shorts and tank top weather. I have a thick jumper and trackies on. I want to know why winds and cyclones suddenly change direction and why I have hail instead of sunshine and rain instead of sunshine and cold instead of hot. I want to know why the winds are always gale force and why the weather is so severe we are always killing people in the floods, landslides , blizzards, winds, storms, fires. Weather has become a lethal weapon. Forget about whether to CO2 or not...just tell me what to do so the weather stops freezing me and killing my earthling friends. I hate the cold!
A global cooling event was caused by global warming? Sounds strange. But that is exactly what scientists say happened.
The Earth was emerging from an ice age 8,200 years ago. Seas were warming and life was heating up. Then quite abruptly and for a relatively short period of time -- about 100 years -- the entire globe chilled down again, by almost 10.8 degrees Fahrenheit (6 Centigrade)."
Resource site for greenhouse gases and climate change.
I am not going to apologise for obsessing about this stupid , ridiculous weather. I am sitting here in my winter woolies and it's supposed to be summer in Adelaide. I have done months and months of cold, wet windy. We have had a few nice days but last night was freeeeezzzzing! Socks in bed weather. This morning we had cold, wind, rain and buckets of hail. Where is my summer?? The garden is going to love all this, but this is supposed to be sunny Australia. I heard there is a meeting of climate scientists in Britain. I also heard they will not be able to decide how much CO2 in the atmosphere is too much. I also heard they will never agree as to what long term effects will occur from high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Do you know what? I don't care. I want someone to fix the weather machine. I want some experts to sit down and tell me why I am freezing my backside off in the middle of summer when I have never done this before , ever. This is shorts and tank top weather. I have a thick jumper and trackies on. I want to know why winds and cyclones suddenly change direction and why I have hail instead of sunshine and rain instead of sunshine and cold instead of hot. I want to know why the winds are always gale force and why the weather is so severe we are always killing people in the floods, landslides , blizzards, winds, storms, fires. Weather has become a lethal weapon. Forget about whether to CO2 or not...just tell me what to do so the weather stops freezing me and killing my earthling friends. I hate the cold!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Weather Downunder
Weather Downunder: "10 most read stories
1: Sydney has driest Autumn since 1965 - (2717 reads)
2: Annual Australian Climate Summary 2003 - (2384 reads)
3: Outlook for average tropical cyclone season for North West Australia - (1893 reads)
4: ENSO Wrap-Up - (1890 reads)
5: 2004/2005 Northern Region Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook - (1812 reads)
6: Wet September 2004 over western South Australia - (1673 reads)
7: Sydney experiences hottest October day on record - (1664 reads)
8: Driest September for 27 years in Perth - (1648 reads)
9: Victoria October temperature record broken - (1632 reads)
10: More dry weather in the north - Tasmania - (1629 reads)"
I was reading elsewhere that most countries are amazed at how hard it has become to predict the weather with any sense of assurance. Meteorologists who have previously managed to work out weather patterns are now finding it difficult because the weather seems to be very skittish. They want to know why. Me too! I found this weather downunder site which covers our neck of the woods and it has a wealth of interesting articles, great graphs and statistics and after a bit of a read you feel like we are trying to make sense of it all instead of just being at the mercy of a cyclone which will just change course, or, as in the recent bushfires, winds which suddenly change direction and then put an onerous burden onto the firefighters trying to control the fires.
1: Sydney has driest Autumn since 1965 - (2717 reads)
2: Annual Australian Climate Summary 2003 - (2384 reads)
3: Outlook for average tropical cyclone season for North West Australia - (1893 reads)
4: ENSO Wrap-Up - (1890 reads)
5: 2004/2005 Northern Region Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook - (1812 reads)
6: Wet September 2004 over western South Australia - (1673 reads)
7: Sydney experiences hottest October day on record - (1664 reads)
8: Driest September for 27 years in Perth - (1648 reads)
9: Victoria October temperature record broken - (1632 reads)
10: More dry weather in the north - Tasmania - (1629 reads)"
I was reading elsewhere that most countries are amazed at how hard it has become to predict the weather with any sense of assurance. Meteorologists who have previously managed to work out weather patterns are now finding it difficult because the weather seems to be very skittish. They want to know why. Me too! I found this weather downunder site which covers our neck of the woods and it has a wealth of interesting articles, great graphs and statistics and after a bit of a read you feel like we are trying to make sense of it all instead of just being at the mercy of a cyclone which will just change course, or, as in the recent bushfires, winds which suddenly change direction and then put an onerous burden onto the firefighters trying to control the fires.
Plastic and prurient
Today's talk was about the plastic grass on King William Street. We have plastic grass outside the Botanic Gardens and no one has noticed and if they have, they have said not a word, but the plastic lawn on the main street? No! People are not happy. Truth is, many people wouldn't have even noticed there was any lawn on King William Street! The council has paid 20 000 dollars for it, ostensibly to cut costs in watering in our dry state. Given it's raining again today and will be for the next 2 days and my blog is living proof of how much rain we have had in this fair city, to claim we are dry and need to conserve water, well , just doesn't hold water at the moment! I have a feeling we shall be changing it. We are supposed to be a garden city. How can that be if the garden is plastic? Adelaide people really like their gardens and we are not polluted so we don't need plastic. Talk back radio was busy with comment today. Our other pet "p" was prurient. Everything on the radio and TV was prurient. We must've dragged the word out from the archives because you just couldn't get away from it.
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