Money grab !

The fee for parking in Wollongong has been set too high.

Motorists are expected to pay two dollars whether they park for fifteen minutes, half an hour, an hour - or even two hours.

Obviously this impacts on those wishing to make a quick, small purchase such as a newspaper or to use an ATM. It discourages shopping in the Wollongong CBD and will send many people to suburban shopping centres, where parking is free.

Surely these parking meters should have a lesser time for lesser fee option.

Shop owners would see more customers in their stores if inserting a fifty cent coin would provide a short stay opportunity to do those things that simply would not warrant spending two dollars.

The original intent of installing parking meters was to speed up the turnover of city parking sites to improve traffic flow in and out of the shopping centre.

Instead of that - council is imposing a distinct disincentive !

A very bad smell !

The sale of this state's lotteries was not a level playing field for those bidding for the forty year contract.Only one of the contenders was told that the successful party would include the right to retain unclaimed prizes. The others were told that these would be retained by the government.It is estimated that unclaimed prizes amount to about two hundred million dollars over forty years, and obviously this must have had a huge impact on the winning bid.Once again a commercial transaction by this state government ends with a very bad smell hanging over the result !Many people question the wisdom of selling off the state's " Crown Jewels " , but if it has to be done then there is the expectation that the best possible price will be obtained for this public asset.Had this information on unclaimed prizes been made available to all the tendering parties - it is possible that an even higher bid may have eventuated.At the very least, this calls for a thorough ICAC investigation !

A change of heart !

Sheer necessity has caused the Returned Services League ( RSL ) to show interest in veterans that it previously shunned.Advancing years have thinned the ranks of those marching on ANZAC day and now those who served in other than the two world wars are being not only welcomed - but urged to join the march.Decades ago the RSL seemed to think that it's membership should be exclusively centred on those who served in the two great wars of last century. They seemed to regard the Korean war as not a " real " war, and later those returning from the Vietnam conflict were shunned because that was an " unpopular " war.Worst of all, the RSL seemed to totally turn away from those who served in the armed services because of their national service obligations. These " Nashos " were not welcome at RSL clubs and and their time in uniform was treated with a sneer !Most people welcome this change of heart, but the past rejection hurt - and it will not be surprising if many ignore the call to join the march.

Salary cap circumvention !

Once again there are claims that the salary cap imposed on Rugby League clubs is being circumvented.This restriction is almost as impossible to fully impose as strict adherence to the rules of the game itself. There will always be those who seek advantage by providing match winning incentives.Without a salary cap club finances would quickly spin out of control. A few star players would hog huge rewards, leaving little for distribution amongst those others who are essential to delivering a match winning team.Sporting officials sniff around the edges whenever there are rumours of salary cap evasions, but there seems more intent to hose down publicity than to catch erring officials or players.The key seems to be keeping this evasion within reasonable limits. If a player gets the use of a car by a third party or has an overseas holiday paid for by someone else at seasons end - that technically is a breach of the salary cap rules.Bigger crimes go unpunished in the corporate world.It seems that in sport - the " don't ask - don't tell " rule applies !

The winners - and the losers !

The introduction of the free shuttle bus system to Wollongong has been well patronised and passenger numbers continue to grow.We now learn that there may be an inevitable cost to the city- a reduction in the number of taxi cabs serving the public.A portion of those using the shuttle buses would certainly have made their trip by taxi and the cab companies are reporting a precipitous drop in bookings since the shuttle service began.If cab drivers can not earn a living and cab owners can not show a profit then the law of commerce says that cab numbers must decrease to fit within a profitable demand framework.It has been suggested that the hours of the free shuttle buses be reduced to prop up cab demand.That is an insane suggestion. The shuttle is an overwhelming success story - and it proves to all forms of government that further extension will make Wollongong a more pleasant and vibrant city.

The "Claytons" parking fee.

So you think having to put coins in a parking meter to park in the streets of Wollongong is an impost ?It gets even worse at the University of Wollongong !The teaching staff get slugged with a $ 300 annual " special parking permit " fee - which allows them to park their cars if they can find a slot that is not already filled by someone else's car !First come - first served ! No guarantee of a space because - despite paying that fee - the staff are just mixed in with the rest of the herd who drive their cars to the university.The lucky few pay a fee of $ 800 annually and get a reserved parking spot - but then there is a three year wait to get on that list.If this idea catches on with Wollongong council we may find boom gates at all entrances to the CBD.An annual fee will permit you to take your car into the city - and then you need more money to feed the parking meters if you want to actually park it !Don't laugh ! The university is getting away with such an act of banditry !

Two dollar coins !

The installation of parking meters in Wollongong will surely result in a change in our attitude to two dollar coins.For the first time we will need to ensure that this item of currency is readily available to feed those hungry revenue raisers - and there will be predictable results !Wait for the appearance of signs in city shops warning that changing of money will not be made without a purchase.Wait for an increase in car theft, as thieves reason that most motorists will secrete two dollar coins in ash trays or the glove box to be " meter ready ".Wait for the angry response when those who use " plastic " to feed the meters realise that the banks will also take their cut from this added card use.Up until this time Wollongong people have been blissfully unconcerned at the mix of coin in their pocket or change purse. Sorting of the " mix " was sufficient to achieve the required amount needed.That changed dramatically when the city added parking meters !

Losing an essential service.

Dementia is a dreadful disease. Those suffering it lose their memory and often fail to recognise loved ones - and in some cases they change nature completely and become aggressive and violent.The state government maintains a 120 bed Dementia facility at Garrawarra specifically to manage those with the disease who regress to aggressive and challenging behavior - and now this unit is to be sold to private interests.There seems to be no concern that the special services will be maintained once commercial interests take over. Challenging patients are costly to care for and it will be a disaster for the families of Dementia sufferers if the new owners decline to accept those with an aggressive challenge.There are some services that simply do not fit into private sector provision - and this is one of them.The need is there and the only provider with the deep pockets to accommodate such patients - is the government.It looks like another case of cost analysis resulting in the government slinking away with it's tail between it's legs - and abandoning an important public service !

Price hike victims.

Measures have been announced to shield pensioners and low income people from the sixty percent hike in electricity prices, but it is still inevitable that for some one of life's necessities will be out of reach.The income measured rebate will be extended to 275,000 more people, and pensioners will have their rebate increased by fifteen dollars - to one hundred and forty five dollars - but those with big families - and the " working poor " will suffer.Even those on the average wage will find a sixty percent hike on power charges decreasing their way of life substantially. They have every right to feel aggrieved.Parts of this price hike can be sheeted home to the ETS, but the majority is pure government neglect and failure to maintain the supply system over many years.It could be said that the chickens are coming home to roost - and this government must face the voters in just under twelve months.It seems certain that they will voice their displeasure !

Price comparisons !

What does petrol and Coca-Cola have in common ?Very different pricing arrangements between city and country !The city of Wollongong is eighty kilometres south of Sydney and the price of petrol is usually constant with the Sydney priceCooma is three hundred and seventy kilometres distant from Wollongong, and the price of petrol is ten cents a litre dearer than Wollongong.By a strange comparison, Coca-Cola is the same price in Sydney, Wollongong and Cooma.Now Coca-Cola comes in bottles enclosed in cardboard shipping packs, is unpacked and put on store shelves - thus being labour intensive.Petrol is transported in B-double super tankers - surely a cheaper and more efficient method of handling.It would seem to be a fair question to ask why these two products have such a huge price discrepancy ?It seems that logic does not come into the equation !

National dress

Today was " Harmony Day ", a celebration inspired by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship ( DIAC ) to illustrate the cohesive and inclusive nature of our nation and to promote the benefits of cultural diversity.School children were urged to mark this day by wearing national dress to school.That raises an interesting question ! Just what is the national dress of this country ?Judging by the view of film makers in other countries we wear hats with corks hanging from the brim to disperse the ever present bush flies. Adult men are pictured with a can of Fosters beer in their hand.There simply is no national costume that is an Australian icon, unless we fall back of the surf lifesaving movement - with their " budgie smugglers" and red and yellow flags.It would be interesting to review the scene in today's school yards to see what interpretation the Australian youth of today decides is the national dress of this country.We could learn something new !

Blunders - at what cost ?

Taxpayers must wonder just what percentage of their tax dollars are eaten-up in rectifying blunders that should not have occurred in the first place.

This is illustrated by the recent event involving our Antarctic flagship - the MV Aurora Australis.

The mission was to re-supply our scientific base on Macquarie island in Antarctic waters. The ship sailed from Hobart, but then it was discovered that the special long hose used to pump fuel from ship to shore was still sitting on the dock back in Hobart.

Fuel would be critical in surviving the coming frigid winter, hence there was no option other than turn the ship around, return to Hobart to load the missing item - and then a return to Macquarie island - at a cost of at least half a million dollars.

What seems to be missing - is a sense of responsibility !

Surely the waste of half a million dollars should see the person in charge held accountable - and given the sack ?

In government circles such matters are treated with a mere shrug of the shoulders !

The fame game !

In November 2007 the " Kevin 07 " phenomenon reached a crescendo when the voters made a choice between this flamboyant " Wonder boy " and incumbent prime minister John Howard.

Howard had delivered many years of safe but unspectacular government. Rudd was offering huge innovation - and big promises. The voters chose change !

What a difference today !

Rudd is clearly on the nose with those same voters for a variety of reasons. His promise to regulate petrol pricing and grocery prices failed to eventuate - and now lay abandoned.

" Disaster " is the only term to apply to the rood insulation fiasco, and it seems that there is more to come with solar hot water and the stimulus plan for more school building improvements.

Politics is a hard game. You only wear the leaders guernsey while you keep winning.

The media pack are baying for blood - and waiting in the wings - Julia Gillard is poised to step into the lead role.

The history books will salivate with theories to explain how something that seemed so right - ended so tragically wrong !

The spin doctors !

Many people would have been alarmed at last nights announcement that electricity prices are to rise by a whopping sixty percent.

Of course, that news needs to be taken with a grain of salt !

Its the oldest trick in the world as practiced by the " spin doctors " who are employed to break bad news gently.

Just wait for the follow-up announcement that will appear after people have had a little time to digest these sad tidings. This will suggest that because of good management and devotion to the citizens of this state by the government - the increase in electricity prices will be much less than sixty percent - for now !

We are supposed to rejoice at this saving - thankful that our wise government has delivered succour and prevented electric power from slipping out of financial reach.

Such is the power of " spin " in making " bad " appear " good ".

Its all in the eye of the beholder !

The alcohol blame game !

The proposal by the Queensland government that the alcohol limit for drivers be reduced from .05 to .02 across Australia needs careful evaluation.

In recent years the death toll on our roads has increased. A lot of those deaths have been caused by alcohol impaired drivers, but in the majority of cases that impairment has been way over .05.

It seems to be a knee jerk reaction to suggest that if the permissible alcohol level is reduced to almost zero, this will have any effect on road casualties.

Not that long ago the alcohol limit was .08, which meant that a couple could share a bottle of wine over a meal - and still drive home legally.

The change to .05 put sharing a bottle of wine out of the question, and now the suggestion of .02 would make a single glass of wine or beer questionable.

It seems to be a case of making the average person a criminal for living what most people would consider a normal lifestyle. There is no evidence that a person driving at .05 is a at risk driver.

This suggestion seems to be a case of a desperate politician looking for an easy answer to deflect criticism. It would make more sense to go after those who drink and drive high range, confiscating cars for multiple offences - and requiring the installation of alcohol ignition meters for first offences.

02 simply takes aim at the wrong target !

Video games law.

Video games such as " Grand Theft Auto " have age restrictions that apply to purchasers. The extreme classification is MA 15+. This is supposed to restrict purchasers to proving that they are over fifteen years of age, and they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the time of purchase.

It is suggested that we need a new classification - R 18+ -to regulate violent video games, but this is being sabotaged by one state attorney general, and to be effective the law would need to apply to all Australian states.

Why bother ?

Does anyone really believe that the present laws restricting the sale of cigarettes and alcohol to those over the age of eighteen actually stop kids getting their hands on such contraband ?

Every now and then the law launches an enforcement blitz and for a few days an undercover kid tries to make purchases of forbidden items, leading to a few unfortunate sales assistants copping a fine - and then it is back to normal !

It should be apparent from the drug experience that prohibition of any desired item will fail !

Society has changed in recent decades. There simply is no point in passing laws that have no hope of being widely obeyed.

Land grab !

Under existing laws the New South Wales government can compulsorily acquire your home only if it stands in the way of an infrastructure project - such as a new freeway extension.

There are plans to extend this law to allow the government to acquire private property and sell the land to developers where it is deemed important to develop higher density housing close to transport or employment centres.

Planners warn that Sydney will probably have six million citizens in about thirty-five years and it is essential that the " vertical village " concept be assisted to house them.

Part of the plan suggests a compensation element to protect the owners of forcibly acquired property. Such property would need rezoning to permit tower blocks and the government is suggesting that the price paid for the land would be it's value - after rezoning - not as it was at the time of acquisition.

Sounds fair - but then let us look at this government's track record !

It seems that sales to developers of government land follows a familiar pattern. The developers all have a common attribute ! They are all generous givers of political donations to the Labor party.

That seems to follow a familiar adage !

Power corrupts - and ultimate power corrupts ultimately !

Short women.

The media frenzy over Lara Bingle's photo problems resulted in an interesting remark from a marketing agent. He commented that Bingle was unsuitable as a model - "because she was too short ! "

It is a fact of life that the models strutting the catwalk are all exceptionally skinny - and very tall. As a consequence, the garments they are displaying are designed to flatter tall women.

It is also a fact of life that garments designed to go with a wearer's height lose elegance when worn by a person lacking that attribute, hence the fashion industry consistently short changes a vast section of society.

Short women of similar height to Lara Bingle represent a huge segment of the Australian population, and even more so when the women of Asia and other nearby countries are taken into the tally.

It seems inconceivable that the huge garment industry and those that dictate fashion are so short sighted that they ignore this market segment and continue to churn out clothing only designed to be worn by women who are tall.

It would be expected that some enterprising fashion house would be offering showings featuring shorter models exclusively, presenting clothing specifically designed for the shorter figure in mind.

This simply does not happen !

How amazing that this huge market opportunity is going begging - completely ignored by the fashion industry.

And how amazing that the legion of shorter women are allowing that to happen !

Wind and wave.

A decade ago an exciting concept to generate electric power from the wind and wave action of the ocean resulted in a pilot plant being constructed for positioning at Port Kembla. Since then there has been a deathly silence !

The problem seems to be a matter of substance. The power of the ocean in storm mode is immense, and in comparison the pilot plant was tiny. Something that could withstand a normal ocean swell would be overwhelmed by the ever likely storm scenario.

Hopefully, the scientists involved have not given up on this promising idea. Not only could the movement of the ocean generate electricity, but the pressure applied would force salt water through membranes - similar to the process at the Kurnell plant - to deliver fresh water.

It seems that the benefits of both desalination and electricity production without the need of the use of fuel should warrant consideration of further research to further this idea.

Like wind and solar - the ocean power source is free !

Computers - and schools !

The Digital Education Revolution ( DER ) plan to equip every year 9 student with his or her personal laptop computer was a bold step away from merely having computers in the classrooms.

Unfortunately the need for " control " that is at the heart of the education bureaucracy is restricting the use of these computers by imposing restrictions on downloads and barring the installation of additional software.

Each laptop comes with $5500 worth of Microsoft and Adobe software already installed. Additional software is blocked unless it is on a list approved by DER - and this prevents students researching subjects that may well lead to future employment goals.

The invention of computers and the world wide web opened research avenues not possible in the days of paper books. It brought freedom to roam into every area of knowledge - and surely that was the intention of putting computers into the hands of students.

These restrictions now divide our kids into two categories. Those who must rely on their DER supplied computer for all their needs - and those who live in a home with access to the family computer - which can go places that the DER model can not go.

Time for a re-think on those restrictions !

Selective speed policing.

Before the end of this year a new method of policing speeding vehicles will be in place near Wollongong. Speed cameras will monitor a six kilometre stretch of the Princes Highway between the Picton Road turnoff and Gwynnville.

Cameras will snap the number plates of vehicles at the start and finish of that stretch of road - computers will calculate the time factor for it to be legally covered - and those in breach will get a fine in the mail.

There is just one small anomaly to this extension of speed policing. It will only be applied to trucks !

A good question to ask would be - why ?

We slow down when we spot a patrolling police car - and we generally agree that sticking to the speed limit is a safety issue - so why not use this form of policing to cover all the country's road network.

If we were aware that a multitude of cameras estimated the time taken from point to point and compared this with the legal speed for that journey - then speeding would lead to an inevitable fine and loss of driver points.

It would no longer be a matter of luck and the hope of avoiding any police speed check. The only way to avoid an automatic penalty for speeding - would be to obey the speed limit.

The fact that it would not be popular seems to be the only thing stopping the government from implementing a sure fire safety aspect to speeding !

The GST question !

Australia must be the only country in the world to have kept the promise that the Goods and Services tax ( GST ) would remain at ten percent.

Now a question mark hovers over that promise !

There is no question that if we want a decent hospital system we will have to contribute more money. The only question is where that money will come from !

Kevin Rudd proposes to lift the Federal contribution by withholding fifty billion dollars from GST money that flows to the states. Obviously the states will strenuously resist and fight that proposal all the way to the bank.

With a Socialist government occupying the treasury benches the " tax and spend " philosophy would suggest an easy answer - simply increase the GST to a figure greater than ten percent.

But of course that suggestion will be vigorously denied. This is an election year - and even the mere suggestion of a GST increase would be a vote killer !

A political " execution " !

Politicians hold their seats on the gravy train at the will of the voters - and yesterday a politician was sent packing for bad behaviour.

Belinda Neal will not represent the Australian Labor party when the voters go to the polls in the Federal seat of Robertson. Branch members voted ninety-eight to sixty-seven to replace her with a new face.

The indiscretion that caused this revolt was named " Iguanagate ". Neal sought privilege above ordinary Australians because of the position she held and tried to bully staff at a restaurant. This is perhaps the ultimate sin in the eyes of most voters.

The system of politics in this country provides a huge consolation prize for politicians who find themselves dumped from their parliamentary seats.

Provided they have met the qualification of a second term in office the gravy train disgorges a pension for life that ordinary people could only dream about, and that takes no notice of the age of the person - or future earnings once the political life has ceased.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons that brings a feeling of " elitism " to elected representatives - and leads to behaviour that is unacceptable to the average person.

What remains to be seen is whether this " execution " by the political party will head off voter disdain - or whether the rejection will continue when the people go to the polls !

" Bambi " has become a menace !

Decades ago Walt Disney's movie about an orphaned deer moved audiences to tears. There is something appealing about these shy animals that encourages our protective instincts - but now the question of culling arises.

There are simply too many of them living on the fringes of Wollongong and as a result motorists are at risk of collision when they invade our streets, and hungry deer are ruining domestic gardens and destroying the trees that shield us from landslips after heavy rain.

Sentiment aside, few would disagree that the numbers must be reduced.

The problem is - how ?

The use of poison baits results in a cruel death and other animals become a by-product of such campaigns. The use of professional shooters is expensive, hence public land has been opened to recreational shooters to alleviate the problem.

This has been partially successful. Unfortunately, no serious impact has been made on deer numbers because recreational shooters are more interested in hinds of venison and antler trophies than the number of kills.

A deer is a big animal. If a recreational shooter achieves a " kill " the animal is butchered on the spot, and it takes a lot of effort to carry the hind quarters away from the target area. As a result - one deer per shooter becomes a reasonable limit.

If we are serious about a deer culling we need to provide an incentive for recreational shooters to increase the numbers game. Perhaps a financial reward for each deer culled, with some form of evidence to be provided as verification.

Unfortunately culling deer is abhorrent to most people's sensibilities - but the damage they do is real and the risk will eventually cause a human death.

It is a job that has to be done !

This changing world of medicine.

In the days, weeks and months ahead we are going to be presented with a plethora of possible hospital scenarios - and these will include the good, the bad - and the ugly !

The Federal government plan to directly fund state hospital systems will mean that control will take place through local administration boards. Obviously, this will replace the vast state bureaucracy presently administering health. This means jobs - and one thing is certain ! That huge workforce will not relinquish positions and join the dole cheque without a fight !

Politics has a fateful hand in most government decisions. Both sides of politics will be vigilant to see that this largess does not favour whoever is sitting on the treasury benches.

Then there is the fate of those small, regional hospitals that are the life blood of so many country areas.

Some experts contend that the only way to get medical efficiency is to concentrate services in mega hospitals. That is fine - provided you live near such a centre, but for those who would lose a town emergency department and face a long drive for emergency attention - such a plan would be anathema.

A bright picture will be painted by those favouring Federal intervention, and a contrasting scenario of disaster and misery will come from those who see reasons to oppose.

Pity the poor voting public who have to sort through this mess - and then probably make their mark in a referendum.

They will be facing a situation that is beyond their knowledge, beset by turf wars between bureaucracies - and lied to by politicians who have a hidden agenda to promote.

If it wasn't so serious - it would be hilarious !

Froth and bubble - smoke and mirrors ?

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was humiliated when events in the insulation fiasco forced him to publicly apologise. He admitted that the public had every right to be critical of his government - and that many election promises had not been kept.

The sudden announcement of a plan to fix the ailing hospital system comes as no surprise. Rudd is seeking to regain the initiative and there is no doubt that hospital reform is high on the list of things the public demand.

It sounds like a good plan - in theory !

The Federal government takes over hospital funding, and pumps up the Federal contribution from 35% to 60 %. Control of each hospital reverts to a local board, removing hospital decisions from the vast state bureaucracy.

But from there it runs into trouble. To fund that Federal increase the government will reduce the state's take from the GST by fifty billion dollars.

The states will fight that tooth and nail - and it should be remembered that when the GST was first proposed, the deal was that implementing this brand new tax would see a host of state taxes - including land tax and stamp duty - reduced or abolished. The states were given a five year reprieve - but when that expired they reneged - and now we have both taxes still dipping into our pockets.

It is proposed that if the states fail to fall into line, the matter will be decided by referendum.

Gaining referendum approval has a dismal history when the matter has been opposed by the states and demanded by the Federal government, and this idea has yet to progress through the usually fractious Senate.

The best that can be said is that hospital reform is a useful distraction in an election year. Specially so when the government is reeling from a number of disasters that have highlighted the waste of public money - and a litany of broken promises.

False pretences !

Wollongong council can be accused of an act of larceny by installing parking meters three weeks before they legally apply - and making them operative immediately.

Visitors from out of town and those citizens who do not get a daily newspaper will believe that if they do not put coin in the meters they will cop a fine.

Imagine the uproar if a club or pub being refurbished installed their poker machines with access to the public - but turned off the pay-out mechanism. The machines will cheerfully accept money - but will not pay on a winning combination.

The fact that the council is offering to donate to charity any money collected in the interim before the machines become legal is not a valid defence. Would a magistrate accept that a bandit who robbed a person was innocent - because he intended to donate his proceeds of crime to the Smith Family ?

Of course it will take time to install parking meters, but what is wrong with covering them in plastic until the day they become operational legally ?

Nothing will obscure the fact that this council has set a trap for the unwary and knowingly will relieve them of money they are not obliged to spend.

Whatever happened to the Aussie principle of a fair go ?

The unholy dollar !

Commercial encroachment has gradually eroded leisure time and we are fast approaching 24/7 shopping. The only question is - do we still want to preserve Christmas day and Anzac day ?

The state government is considering a request from the giant K-Mart group to open their stores on Anzac day morning.

Anzac day used to be an entire day free of commercial opening, but pressure from retailers resulted in shops opening for business from I pm.

Now there is pressure to regard Anzac day as just another, normal trading day and staff can forget attending the march and various services that pay tribute to the military history of this country - and the men and women who died in it's defence.

It seems that the frenetic needs of the commercial world to chase that ever elusive profit dollar takes no consideration of the needs of their employees.

To many, Anzac day is sacred. If the wish to open stores is granted it will inevitably lead to pressure from the rest of the shopping world to follow. To refuse to work on that day as a matter of principle would stunt many a promising career path.

The decision rests with the government.

Tsunami alert !

We were lucky !

Nobody could correctly predict the size of a Tsunami that would be generated by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chili, but there was every chance that our eastern Australian coastline beaches would be hit by some sort of wave early on Sunday morning.

The size of the wave that arrived was just 14 cm.

A few years ago a similarly large earthquake generated a Tsunami that crashed ashore in the Indian ocean - and killed over two hundred thousand people. We are fortunate that Australia is not on the " Ring of Fire " that stretches from New Zealand north, through Papua New Guinea and underneath most of Indonesia.

But our poisition on the world map makes it highly probable that one day a Pacific ocean earthquake will cause a Tsunami that will hit our shores and do a lot of damage.

Yesterday a lot of people completely ignored that Tsunami warning and did their usual thing - swimming or sailing - or just laying on the sand and enjoying themselves.

Had luck deserted us - resulting in damaged homes and a big death toll - it is likely that some people would blame the authorities for not making them leave the beaches and take precautions.

It seems we are never responsible for our own stupidity - and when things go wrong it is always someone else's fault !