A food retailer claims that their recipes can feed a family of four for just ten dollars. Inevitably there is a counter claim that this is pure twaddle - and that the actual cost would be nearly four times that amount.
The crazy thing is - both are correct !
That second claim relies on those cooking that meal doing so in a bare kitchen, the cupboards of which contain nothing in the way of the usual kitchen ingredients. No salt and pepper. No tomato sauce. Bare shelves.
It also suggests that the cost of providing such incidentals must be fully added to the meal cost, not merely the portion used in the meal.
This is all part of the advertising game - and the advertising industry is a master of allusion.
Perhaps the greatest purveyors of allusion are those promising weight loss. A huge proportion of the junk mail flowing through our mail boxes and going to air on radio and TV is concerned with shedding kilos.
The promises all seem to resolve around comely young women - who used to be fat and ugly - and are now several dress sizes smaller and have amazingly gained attractive curves.
The wise know to discount these promises - in similar manner to the spiels emanating from the real estate promoters, used car salespeople - and door to door canvassers.
And - yes - it is possible to create a cheap meal if you cook wisely - and stick with modest portions !
Sunday 31 October 2010
Saturday 30 October 2010
Crime - but no punishment !
Many people will remember an event that made headlines late last year. On December 31 a twenty-one year old drug addict committed an armed robbery of two liquor stores in a thirty-five minute period. Fleeing arrest he led police on a high speed chase through the suburbs - and this ended when he crashed into a family car, killing a nineteen month old girl riding in her safety capsule in the back seat.
Enraged citizens put pressure on politicians and this resulted in a law change.
This week - back in the real world - this child killer was sent to prison for two years and three months, not for the killing but purely as a result of charges relating to robbing two liquor stores. No charges have been laid as a result of the child's death.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Being addicted to drugs is not an excuse for robbing a child of her life.
There is every chance that because of the vagaries of the law - and the strange thinking of those whose job it is to prosecute offenders - that these charges may never eventuate.
The parents of that child must wonder what value the law puts on their daughter's life !
Enraged citizens put pressure on politicians and this resulted in a law change.
This week - back in the real world - this child killer was sent to prison for two years and three months, not for the killing but purely as a result of charges relating to robbing two liquor stores. No charges have been laid as a result of the child's death.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Being addicted to drugs is not an excuse for robbing a child of her life.
There is every chance that because of the vagaries of the law - and the strange thinking of those whose job it is to prosecute offenders - that these charges may never eventuate.
The parents of that child must wonder what value the law puts on their daughter's life !
Friday 29 October 2010
The banks - and their profits !
It's the reporting season - and the ANZ bank has disclosed a record $ 5.133 billion profit, and this has caused a political frenzy.
The question seems to be - Should there be a reasonable limit on how much the banks can earn ?
Any firm that fails to make a profit will not be in business for long, but surely when four institutions have cornered the market there needs to be some sort of oversight of their behavior - and this is where opinions differ.
There are options for those who are repulsed by the gouging bank charges, but changing to a building society or credit union is a big hassle - and the banks make sure that this is not easy. Periodic payments need to be cancelled and reordered - and most people simply grizzle - and do nothing.
On the other hand, all other forms of financial business are subject to strict rules. The buying and selling of shares - and the insurance industry generally is subject to regulations. Is there any reason why the banks should not be forced to trade ethically ?
Bank excesses led to the financial meltdown that is still causing us grief. The bank bosses are not repentant - and they show no signs of having learned from that debacle.
The only thing standing in the way of a sensible accounting regime to reign in bank excesses is - politics ! Neither side of the house wants to agree to a suggestion from the other side - and so we have stalemate !
Whatever happened to looking after the best interests of the ordinary citizen ?
The question seems to be - Should there be a reasonable limit on how much the banks can earn ?
Any firm that fails to make a profit will not be in business for long, but surely when four institutions have cornered the market there needs to be some sort of oversight of their behavior - and this is where opinions differ.
There are options for those who are repulsed by the gouging bank charges, but changing to a building society or credit union is a big hassle - and the banks make sure that this is not easy. Periodic payments need to be cancelled and reordered - and most people simply grizzle - and do nothing.
On the other hand, all other forms of financial business are subject to strict rules. The buying and selling of shares - and the insurance industry generally is subject to regulations. Is there any reason why the banks should not be forced to trade ethically ?
Bank excesses led to the financial meltdown that is still causing us grief. The bank bosses are not repentant - and they show no signs of having learned from that debacle.
The only thing standing in the way of a sensible accounting regime to reign in bank excesses is - politics ! Neither side of the house wants to agree to a suggestion from the other side - and so we have stalemate !
Whatever happened to looking after the best interests of the ordinary citizen ?
Thursday 28 October 2010
Electricity price debacle !
Is there anything this state government can't mismanage ?
The Federal government thought it would be a good idea to promote the installation of solar energy panels on the roof of homes. To achieve that they offered huge rebates to people who made the investment - and the scheme was an outstanding success. So much so, that it was scaled back when the government became alarmed at the outlay involved.
The New South Wales state government had a different problem. It needed more power stations to meet demand, and saw these solar panels as a way of dodging the need to spend on new infrastructure.
To make solar panels even more popular it agreed to buy back the unused power they generated at a rate of 60 c per kilowatt hour ( kWh ) - a figure far more generous than that of any of the other states.
Now this bought back power is the same electricity that they are selling to you and me - and at 60 c a kWh they would need to hike our electricity bills by at least another $ 100 a year - and this at a time when most people are really struggling to pay their bills.
So - they are locked in to 60 c a kWh for existing contracts until 2016, but for everyone else the buy back will drop to 20 c kWh.
And it seems that despite this - we will get hit with an extra $ 100 on the power bill anyway.
If the outcome was not so serious for struggling families - it would be hilarious !
The Federal government thought it would be a good idea to promote the installation of solar energy panels on the roof of homes. To achieve that they offered huge rebates to people who made the investment - and the scheme was an outstanding success. So much so, that it was scaled back when the government became alarmed at the outlay involved.
The New South Wales state government had a different problem. It needed more power stations to meet demand, and saw these solar panels as a way of dodging the need to spend on new infrastructure.
To make solar panels even more popular it agreed to buy back the unused power they generated at a rate of 60 c per kilowatt hour ( kWh ) - a figure far more generous than that of any of the other states.
Now this bought back power is the same electricity that they are selling to you and me - and at 60 c a kWh they would need to hike our electricity bills by at least another $ 100 a year - and this at a time when most people are really struggling to pay their bills.
So - they are locked in to 60 c a kWh for existing contracts until 2016, but for everyone else the buy back will drop to 20 c kWh.
And it seems that despite this - we will get hit with an extra $ 100 on the power bill anyway.
If the outcome was not so serious for struggling families - it would be hilarious !
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Is bigger - better ?
The Singapore Stock exchange ( SGX ) has launched a bid to buy the Sydney based Australian Stock exchange ( ASX ). That is not the term being used. The more sympathetic " merger " is suggested, to create the world's fifth largest bourse.
This is something to be approached with great caution. The first question should be - " Whats in it for us ? "
Existing ASX shareholders will make a motza. The offer is generous, but what is unclear is what rules will prevail in the merged body. The Singapore government owns twenty-five percent of the SGX - and has an appalling human rights record. Can it be trusted to run a honest and reliable institution dealing with the public's money ?
It is suggested that such a merger will open the flood of Asian money available to create new ventures here in Australia. Our door is open to those who want to invest in this country - but they are required to do so within our rules and that is why the ASX has a reputation for being open and honest.
Before this acquisition goes any further Canberra needs to know precisely what source of regulations will govern the merged body - and what standards will apply.
Bigger is not necessarily better ! The last thing we need is a stock exchange with dodgy ethical standards and a lack of accountability.
This offer needs to be put under the spotlight !
This is something to be approached with great caution. The first question should be - " Whats in it for us ? "
Existing ASX shareholders will make a motza. The offer is generous, but what is unclear is what rules will prevail in the merged body. The Singapore government owns twenty-five percent of the SGX - and has an appalling human rights record. Can it be trusted to run a honest and reliable institution dealing with the public's money ?
It is suggested that such a merger will open the flood of Asian money available to create new ventures here in Australia. Our door is open to those who want to invest in this country - but they are required to do so within our rules and that is why the ASX has a reputation for being open and honest.
Before this acquisition goes any further Canberra needs to know precisely what source of regulations will govern the merged body - and what standards will apply.
Bigger is not necessarily better ! The last thing we need is a stock exchange with dodgy ethical standards and a lack of accountability.
This offer needs to be put under the spotlight !
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Parking - our future city !
Wollongong is facing a " once in a lifetime " opportunity to secure the future of our city. Right in the heart of the CBD - close to our premier sporting venue and the entertainment district the old Dwyer's site lays vacant and covered in weeds.
This is the only suitable land on which to provide the car parking our city desperately needs. If this opportunity is allowed to slip away, Wollongong will never solve it's parking problem.
There is a plan to lease this land short term and allow parking for 195 cars, returning income with a charge of $6 per day. That is a short term solution.
What we need is a bold decision to buy this land. To do it we will need to go into debt, but vacant land in this city would be an investment that can only grow in value and it would give us the breathing space to accommodate increasing population.
At present the land can park 195 cars, but as the need increases the city would own the base on which to built multi-level parking to handle many times that number.
By all means secure the hire of this site, but think long term and bite the bullet. Buying is the way to go - and debt is not a bad thing if it secures an asset that is vital to the future of the city of Wollongong.
This is the only suitable land on which to provide the car parking our city desperately needs. If this opportunity is allowed to slip away, Wollongong will never solve it's parking problem.
There is a plan to lease this land short term and allow parking for 195 cars, returning income with a charge of $6 per day. That is a short term solution.
What we need is a bold decision to buy this land. To do it we will need to go into debt, but vacant land in this city would be an investment that can only grow in value and it would give us the breathing space to accommodate increasing population.
At present the land can park 195 cars, but as the need increases the city would own the base on which to built multi-level parking to handle many times that number.
By all means secure the hire of this site, but think long term and bite the bullet. Buying is the way to go - and debt is not a bad thing if it secures an asset that is vital to the future of the city of Wollongong.
Monday 25 October 2010
An Aboriginal " White elephant " !
Concern is being expressed that the Jumbulla Aboriginal Discovery centre at Bulli Tops may close because of unfavourable visitor numbers. On average this attracts just four people a day - compared to a flood of people visiting the adjacent visitor's centre and restaurant.
Perhaps the product being offered is not what interests the public. Entry costs $ 15 per adult and entitles them to a forty-five minute audio-visual display on Aboriginality in the Illawarra. Basically - they are paying for a history lesson !
Maybe now is a good time to go back to the drawing board and re-think what this centre if trying to achieve. Visitors visit a visitor's centre to find out what attractions an area offers. Remove the entry charge and Jumbulla will be crowded with people - and could be the stimulus for directing those same people to Aboriginal attractions in the Illawarra - if they existed.
And thats the point. We do not have such things as an Aboriginal cafe offering traditional food or even an Aboriginal museum filled with interesting artifacts - but the opportunity exists for our Aboriginal people to create an industry here - as has happened in other parts of Australia.
The cries of distress seem the prelude for a demand that the ratepayers of the Illawarra shell out to keep Jumbulla operating. Bulli Tops visitor's centre was badly planned and had massive cost over-runs, and it's place in the road system does not invite those from the south to stop and visit.
To be viable Jumbulla needs to recreate itself and find something to sell. Perhaps as an outlet for the Aboriginal art which has become popular in recent years - or perhaps as a directing point to newly created Aboriginal businesses in the Illawarra.
Whale watching tours ? We have some interesting gun emplacements here from the second world war - Time for creative Aboriginal minds to stop and think creatively.
What is certain that Jumbulla in it's present form is a failure. Now we all need to think outside the nine dots !
Perhaps the product being offered is not what interests the public. Entry costs $ 15 per adult and entitles them to a forty-five minute audio-visual display on Aboriginality in the Illawarra. Basically - they are paying for a history lesson !
Maybe now is a good time to go back to the drawing board and re-think what this centre if trying to achieve. Visitors visit a visitor's centre to find out what attractions an area offers. Remove the entry charge and Jumbulla will be crowded with people - and could be the stimulus for directing those same people to Aboriginal attractions in the Illawarra - if they existed.
And thats the point. We do not have such things as an Aboriginal cafe offering traditional food or even an Aboriginal museum filled with interesting artifacts - but the opportunity exists for our Aboriginal people to create an industry here - as has happened in other parts of Australia.
The cries of distress seem the prelude for a demand that the ratepayers of the Illawarra shell out to keep Jumbulla operating. Bulli Tops visitor's centre was badly planned and had massive cost over-runs, and it's place in the road system does not invite those from the south to stop and visit.
To be viable Jumbulla needs to recreate itself and find something to sell. Perhaps as an outlet for the Aboriginal art which has become popular in recent years - or perhaps as a directing point to newly created Aboriginal businesses in the Illawarra.
Whale watching tours ? We have some interesting gun emplacements here from the second world war - Time for creative Aboriginal minds to stop and think creatively.
What is certain that Jumbulla in it's present form is a failure. Now we all need to think outside the nine dots !
Sunday 24 October 2010
An unfair tax break !
Australian shop owners must wonder whose side the tax office is on. The people offering us goods online do not have to charge that ten percent GST.
One of the loopholes in the Australian tax code allows no GST to be charged on purchases up to one thousand dollars - provided that purchase is made outside this country.
There is no doubt that when you shop online the transaction meets that criteria.
Not only is a vast amount of money lost by the government, but the very people providing goods and services within the Australian community are trading at a grossly unfair disadvantage. All the plethora of charges and taxes that go with running a shop are levelled against them - while the online traders get a free run.
It seems that this is a case of old laws being outstripped by the advances in computer technology. When this law came into force the intent was to protect Australian travellers returning to this country with the items they had purchased on holiday.
Online trading developed into big business - and nobody thought to bring the tax laws up to date.
Surely this should he high on the list of things to do !
One of the loopholes in the Australian tax code allows no GST to be charged on purchases up to one thousand dollars - provided that purchase is made outside this country.
There is no doubt that when you shop online the transaction meets that criteria.
Not only is a vast amount of money lost by the government, but the very people providing goods and services within the Australian community are trading at a grossly unfair disadvantage. All the plethora of charges and taxes that go with running a shop are levelled against them - while the online traders get a free run.
It seems that this is a case of old laws being outstripped by the advances in computer technology. When this law came into force the intent was to protect Australian travellers returning to this country with the items they had purchased on holiday.
Online trading developed into big business - and nobody thought to bring the tax laws up to date.
Surely this should he high on the list of things to do !
Saturday 23 October 2010
The lost lakes !
It seems that Mother Nature is sending us a warning. Fool around with our water supplies - at our peril !
Thirlmere lakes - near Picton - have been a favourite with those who race speedboats, but now the water level is relentlessly dropping. These five fresh water lakes have existed for about fifteen million years according to scientists - but now their future is in grave doubt.
Low water levels were not unusual during the recent drought, but in recent months we have had above average rainfall - and for reasons unknown the lake levels are still in sharp decline.
There will be conjecture that Thirlmere lakes are a victim of nearby longwall coal mining. This is barred under our water supplies but many critics contend that it will have long term effects that may not become clear for decades into the future.
Longwall mining leaves behind huge empty caverns in the earth where the coal has been removed. Nature abhors a vacuum - and over time the land above tends to subside. This subsidence can open cracks in many directions - and produce unknown results.
New mining methods are also being developed that include fracturing the base rock to release valuable gases and the economics of longwall far exceed conventional mining practices. We need to be certain that this form of progress is not at the expense of future water availability.
It is essential that our state government not ignore the problem of Thirlmere lakes. This could be the proving point that determines the safety or otherwise of longwall mining - and the need for a safe distance from rivers and water storage to be framed by law.
The writing is on the wall. Mother Nature has issued a clear warning. Ignore it at our peril !
Thirlmere lakes - near Picton - have been a favourite with those who race speedboats, but now the water level is relentlessly dropping. These five fresh water lakes have existed for about fifteen million years according to scientists - but now their future is in grave doubt.
Low water levels were not unusual during the recent drought, but in recent months we have had above average rainfall - and for reasons unknown the lake levels are still in sharp decline.
There will be conjecture that Thirlmere lakes are a victim of nearby longwall coal mining. This is barred under our water supplies but many critics contend that it will have long term effects that may not become clear for decades into the future.
Longwall mining leaves behind huge empty caverns in the earth where the coal has been removed. Nature abhors a vacuum - and over time the land above tends to subside. This subsidence can open cracks in many directions - and produce unknown results.
New mining methods are also being developed that include fracturing the base rock to release valuable gases and the economics of longwall far exceed conventional mining practices. We need to be certain that this form of progress is not at the expense of future water availability.
It is essential that our state government not ignore the problem of Thirlmere lakes. This could be the proving point that determines the safety or otherwise of longwall mining - and the need for a safe distance from rivers and water storage to be framed by law.
The writing is on the wall. Mother Nature has issued a clear warning. Ignore it at our peril !
Friday 22 October 2010
A lost cause !
New Zealand shares the binge drinking problem by young people that confronts Australia - and propose legislative changes to bring it under control.
This Kiwi legislation would see a change in the legal drinking age to allow those aged eighteen to consume alcohol in pubs and clubs - but deny the purchase of alcohol in bottle shops and supermarkets until age twenty.
The idea is to permit drinking in places where young people can be supervised, but to prevent consumption where there is no control.
It is a bright idea with goods intentions - but it is also naive - and it will not work !
It ignores the adage of " where there is a will - there is a way " ! Introduce such legislation and young people will see it as a challenge - and use their ingenuity to get around it - and a look at history proves that you can not legislate a problem away.
We already have draconian laws to keep under eighteens from buying tobacco. They are a complete failure.
Illicit drugs face draconian penalties - but the drug trade is healthy and ever expanding, despite it being the subject of intense police activity.
The problem of alcohol and binge drinking can not be cured by changing the laws. It will only be reduced when we manage to change attitudes - and so far that has remained a mystery to the older generation.
And if most of that older generation was honest they would admit that they also indulged - to a lesser extent - in their youthful days !
This Kiwi legislation would see a change in the legal drinking age to allow those aged eighteen to consume alcohol in pubs and clubs - but deny the purchase of alcohol in bottle shops and supermarkets until age twenty.
The idea is to permit drinking in places where young people can be supervised, but to prevent consumption where there is no control.
It is a bright idea with goods intentions - but it is also naive - and it will not work !
It ignores the adage of " where there is a will - there is a way " ! Introduce such legislation and young people will see it as a challenge - and use their ingenuity to get around it - and a look at history proves that you can not legislate a problem away.
We already have draconian laws to keep under eighteens from buying tobacco. They are a complete failure.
Illicit drugs face draconian penalties - but the drug trade is healthy and ever expanding, despite it being the subject of intense police activity.
The problem of alcohol and binge drinking can not be cured by changing the laws. It will only be reduced when we manage to change attitudes - and so far that has remained a mystery to the older generation.
And if most of that older generation was honest they would admit that they also indulged - to a lesser extent - in their youthful days !
Thursday 21 October 2010
Personal security breach.
When we deal with a government department we are required by law to hand over various items of personal information. In return, the government lays down strict guidelines to ensure that this information is kept secure - or so we believe.
The Auditor General has just blown the whistle on the short comings on how personal information may be leaked from insecure departments - and in passing into unauthorised hands - may be used for identity theft.
The government implemented a codicil that government departments are required to implement to keep personal information secure. It seems that two thirds of such departments have taken no steps to set this in place, and others have only partly achieved implementation.
What is absolutely damning is the revelation that the state government has no protocol in place to determine if or whether this edict has been implemented. As a result, the security of information held in the public domain is an unknown factor.
When identity theft occurs there is usually the suggestion that the individual is at least partially responsible by being careless. It seems that even the most careful are being let down by the very agencies who have a legal right to make us disclose what can lead to our financial downfall !
This is certainly a matter to ponder when the next state election approaches !
The Auditor General has just blown the whistle on the short comings on how personal information may be leaked from insecure departments - and in passing into unauthorised hands - may be used for identity theft.
The government implemented a codicil that government departments are required to implement to keep personal information secure. It seems that two thirds of such departments have taken no steps to set this in place, and others have only partly achieved implementation.
What is absolutely damning is the revelation that the state government has no protocol in place to determine if or whether this edict has been implemented. As a result, the security of information held in the public domain is an unknown factor.
When identity theft occurs there is usually the suggestion that the individual is at least partially responsible by being careless. It seems that even the most careful are being let down by the very agencies who have a legal right to make us disclose what can lead to our financial downfall !
This is certainly a matter to ponder when the next state election approaches !
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Denial of choice.
The Hippocratic oath commands Medicos to " do n0 harm " - and it is generally believed that we must agree to any procedure performed.
There are exceptions. A patient delivered unconscious to an emergency department must receive treatment to stop fatal bleeding or other mortal ending injuries, even if this treatment may cause further disabilities.
It therefore comes as something of a shock to discover that in the laws governing medical treatment there is provision for medical procedures to be forced on the patient without consent - even if that patients family strenuously objects.
It seems that with the stroke of a pen a doctor can consign a person to a geriatric mental health ward as an involuntary patient - and when so consigned that patient can be given electro convulsive shock therapy ( ECT ).
ECT is a widely feared procedure where the brain is subjected to a huge dose of electricity - with the object of this shock to restore normal thinking. It can have massive - and unpleasant - side effects and has been the subject of much controversy over past decades.
The fact that it can be applied at the whim of a doctor - without the consent of the patient or that patients family - conjures up thoughts of " big brother " invading the medical fraternity.
And what other procedures will quietly slip beyond our consent or control ?
There are exceptions. A patient delivered unconscious to an emergency department must receive treatment to stop fatal bleeding or other mortal ending injuries, even if this treatment may cause further disabilities.
It therefore comes as something of a shock to discover that in the laws governing medical treatment there is provision for medical procedures to be forced on the patient without consent - even if that patients family strenuously objects.
It seems that with the stroke of a pen a doctor can consign a person to a geriatric mental health ward as an involuntary patient - and when so consigned that patient can be given electro convulsive shock therapy ( ECT ).
ECT is a widely feared procedure where the brain is subjected to a huge dose of electricity - with the object of this shock to restore normal thinking. It can have massive - and unpleasant - side effects and has been the subject of much controversy over past decades.
The fact that it can be applied at the whim of a doctor - without the consent of the patient or that patients family - conjures up thoughts of " big brother " invading the medical fraternity.
And what other procedures will quietly slip beyond our consent or control ?
Tuesday 19 October 2010
Our " open door " policy !
Yesterday, Julia Gillard's government caved in to the Greens. Australia's immigration policy is now run by the rump Green party of Bob Brown.
The pre-election promise of an off-shore detention centre in East Timor has been virtually abandoned in favour of two new centres - in Northam WA to house 1500 asylum seekers, Inverbrackie SA to house 400 - and the expansion of an existing Darwin centre to take an additional 400.
Women and children will now be housed in the community - and only single men will be locked behind razor wire - and even that may be watered down under the relentless demands of the Greens.
The prime minister is squirming to try and present this about face as a Labor government initiative. What is painfully clear is that this change is sending a message that the people smuggler's will be shouting to those seeking a new life - " the door to Australian entry is now wide open ! "
No longer will we see boats entirely loaded with men. There is now a huge incentive to bring wives and children because the new community based accommodation initiative for women and children has changed the balance to favour families.
So far in 2010 one hundred and six immigration boats have arrived on our shores. This trickle will now become a flood.
No matter how the change in policy is presented by way of spin, what really matters is how it will be interpreted by the hordes overseas and the people smugglers who serve them - and there is absolutely no doubt that this will be seen as a green flag.
Forget the debate on a future Australian population size. We just opened the door to unlimited migration !
The pre-election promise of an off-shore detention centre in East Timor has been virtually abandoned in favour of two new centres - in Northam WA to house 1500 asylum seekers, Inverbrackie SA to house 400 - and the expansion of an existing Darwin centre to take an additional 400.
Women and children will now be housed in the community - and only single men will be locked behind razor wire - and even that may be watered down under the relentless demands of the Greens.
The prime minister is squirming to try and present this about face as a Labor government initiative. What is painfully clear is that this change is sending a message that the people smuggler's will be shouting to those seeking a new life - " the door to Australian entry is now wide open ! "
No longer will we see boats entirely loaded with men. There is now a huge incentive to bring wives and children because the new community based accommodation initiative for women and children has changed the balance to favour families.
So far in 2010 one hundred and six immigration boats have arrived on our shores. This trickle will now become a flood.
No matter how the change in policy is presented by way of spin, what really matters is how it will be interpreted by the hordes overseas and the people smugglers who serve them - and there is absolutely no doubt that this will be seen as a green flag.
Forget the debate on a future Australian population size. We just opened the door to unlimited migration !
Monday 18 October 2010
Contaminated soil.
There is the usual uproar over disposal of soil contaminated with uranium from a choice site in Hunters Hill. Years ago uranium was processed on this site and now it could be sold for millions - if the renovation is proceeded with.
The problem is the NIMBY syndrome. Utter that word " uranium " - or the other one - " radioactive " - and everyone jumps for cover.
The suggestion of delivering this soil to a landfill in the western suburbs was all about keeping costs down - and it was not a good idea. When landfills reach their use-by date they are usually converted into a golf course or some other recreational activity - and that is not a good place to store dangerous material.
We live on a huge continent and only use less than ten percent of it for living space. Surely finding a remote spot to store the small amount of radioactive material we generate from our Lucas Heights reactor and from hospital procedures should not be a problem.
It seems that this has been shelved because our timid politicians want to please everybody. It is time that the hard decisions were taken - and then there would be a natural solution to the disposal of items such as this soil from Hunters Hill.
Otherwise - this problem will repeat and repeat - time and time again into the future !
The problem is the NIMBY syndrome. Utter that word " uranium " - or the other one - " radioactive " - and everyone jumps for cover.
The suggestion of delivering this soil to a landfill in the western suburbs was all about keeping costs down - and it was not a good idea. When landfills reach their use-by date they are usually converted into a golf course or some other recreational activity - and that is not a good place to store dangerous material.
We live on a huge continent and only use less than ten percent of it for living space. Surely finding a remote spot to store the small amount of radioactive material we generate from our Lucas Heights reactor and from hospital procedures should not be a problem.
It seems that this has been shelved because our timid politicians want to please everybody. It is time that the hard decisions were taken - and then there would be a natural solution to the disposal of items such as this soil from Hunters Hill.
Otherwise - this problem will repeat and repeat - time and time again into the future !
Sunday 17 October 2010
Favourable exchange rate.
Australian travellers are exulting as the Australian dollar achieves parity against the almighty US dollar. For years we have suffered a severe financial penalty when we exchange our money for US dollars on trips abroad.
What is surprising is that the travel industry has been so lax in promoting the strength of the Aussie dollar against other currencies in our part of the world.
Parity between our money and that of America is not such a big deal when compared to the bargains that are around - and have been around for quite some time when our dollar is compared to our neighbours.
For instance, those who propose a visit to our Kiwi friends on the other side of " the ditch " will find that each Aussie dollar buys a whopping $ 1.30 in New Zealand dollars - and similar bargains abound in other Pacific island currencies.
Favourable exchange rates seem to be a well kept secret by the travel industry. Travel advertising makes no mention of exchange rates - and as a result many contemplating travel expect no bargains when exchanging their Australian dollars.
Perhaps the American experience will deliver a wake up call. Now is the time to compare the exchange rate with a whole host of other currencies when planning a holiday.
In the Pacific area - the Aussie dollar is king !
What is surprising is that the travel industry has been so lax in promoting the strength of the Aussie dollar against other currencies in our part of the world.
Parity between our money and that of America is not such a big deal when compared to the bargains that are around - and have been around for quite some time when our dollar is compared to our neighbours.
For instance, those who propose a visit to our Kiwi friends on the other side of " the ditch " will find that each Aussie dollar buys a whopping $ 1.30 in New Zealand dollars - and similar bargains abound in other Pacific island currencies.
Favourable exchange rates seem to be a well kept secret by the travel industry. Travel advertising makes no mention of exchange rates - and as a result many contemplating travel expect no bargains when exchanging their Australian dollars.
Perhaps the American experience will deliver a wake up call. Now is the time to compare the exchange rate with a whole host of other currencies when planning a holiday.
In the Pacific area - the Aussie dollar is king !
Saturday 16 October 2010
The buck stops at the top !
The first rule of politics is to dodge the blame when a project goes pear shaped - and that is exactly what the enquiry into the failed home insulation scheme has tried to do.
It has exonerated the minister responsible - Peter Garrett - with the claim that his department lied to him and failed to keep him informed as the $ 2.8 billion project fell apart.
This ignores the very reason for having ministers in the first place. It is their duty to prod and probe, and delve into every aspect of the matters under their care so that control remains in their hands. A competent minister has his or her hands on the reigns - and is in control at all times.
Clearly - this was not so with home insulation. Four people met untimely deaths. Hundreds of house fires resulted from shoddy work - and the full story remains untold - but over four thousand instances of fraud have been discovered so far.
Julia Gillard is trying to sheet home this debacle to the former Rudd government - but minister Peter Garrett is still a serving minister in her government. She explains away this enormous waste of money by claiming that " lessons have been learned ".
Not good enough ! Nomatter how blame is deflected - that buck is still hovering over the head of Peter Garrett !
It has exonerated the minister responsible - Peter Garrett - with the claim that his department lied to him and failed to keep him informed as the $ 2.8 billion project fell apart.
This ignores the very reason for having ministers in the first place. It is their duty to prod and probe, and delve into every aspect of the matters under their care so that control remains in their hands. A competent minister has his or her hands on the reigns - and is in control at all times.
Clearly - this was not so with home insulation. Four people met untimely deaths. Hundreds of house fires resulted from shoddy work - and the full story remains untold - but over four thousand instances of fraud have been discovered so far.
Julia Gillard is trying to sheet home this debacle to the former Rudd government - but minister Peter Garrett is still a serving minister in her government. She explains away this enormous waste of money by claiming that " lessons have been learned ".
Not good enough ! Nomatter how blame is deflected - that buck is still hovering over the head of Peter Garrett !
Friday 15 October 2010
" Gypsy " cabs !
In many parts of the world " Gypsy " cabs are a fact of life. It seems that they are now making their appearance in Australia.
"Gypsy" cabs are private vehicles without a taxi license that either misrepresent themselves with a bogus taxi roof light - or solicit business by word of mouth. They tend to concentrate at times and places where large numbers of people are competing for a cab to take them h0me - such as airports, rail stations or the entertainment industry at closing time.
Determining the fare is a matter of negotiation. There are no meters - and no guarantee that the bogus cab is either insured or safe to be driven on the roads. People employing Gypsy cabs do so at their own risk - and in particular - young women could be putting themselves into the hands of potential rapists.
Legitimate cab companies pay a huge price for their taxi license and in addition are subjected to security checks on the profile of those engaged in the industry, dress standards and the provision of safety items such as cctv cameras in the vehicles. Those who hire a legitimate cab have the expectation that they will arrive at their destination promptly - and safely.
Lack of available jobs forces some people to adopt desperate measures to make ends meet - but the public would be wise not to encourage the growth of Gypsy cabs by accepting rides - even if the low fares seem tempting.
In the event of injury during a road crash - the result could be a lifetime disability - without a cent of compensation !
"Gypsy" cabs are private vehicles without a taxi license that either misrepresent themselves with a bogus taxi roof light - or solicit business by word of mouth. They tend to concentrate at times and places where large numbers of people are competing for a cab to take them h0me - such as airports, rail stations or the entertainment industry at closing time.
Determining the fare is a matter of negotiation. There are no meters - and no guarantee that the bogus cab is either insured or safe to be driven on the roads. People employing Gypsy cabs do so at their own risk - and in particular - young women could be putting themselves into the hands of potential rapists.
Legitimate cab companies pay a huge price for their taxi license and in addition are subjected to security checks on the profile of those engaged in the industry, dress standards and the provision of safety items such as cctv cameras in the vehicles. Those who hire a legitimate cab have the expectation that they will arrive at their destination promptly - and safely.
Lack of available jobs forces some people to adopt desperate measures to make ends meet - but the public would be wise not to encourage the growth of Gypsy cabs by accepting rides - even if the low fares seem tempting.
In the event of injury during a road crash - the result could be a lifetime disability - without a cent of compensation !
Thursday 14 October 2010
Picton road solution !
There is one major problem with lowering the speed limit on Picton road to ninety kph. It will provide an excuse for the state government to slow progress on widening and upgrading the road to a divided double carriageway - which is what this arterial road needs and deserves.
There also seems to be a strange logic in installing point to point cameras - and restricting their surveillance to heavy vehicles.
If point to point speed detection is applied to all vehicles it becomes virtually impossible for any vehicle to speed on this stretch of road without attracting an automatic fine.
Provided the presence of such cameras is well marked the matter of speeding detection is no longer a matter of luck. There were days when the Highway patrol were conducting speed checks - and there were days when speeding went undetected. That would be consigned to the past.
If we are serious about lowering the death toll then we need to accept automatic detection of speeding - and the consequences that go with it.
Most of us will grizzle about being forced to maintain a miserable 90 kph on good sections of that road - on days of bright sunshine and lack of rain - when 100 kph would not be a factor.
But perhaps it is necessary if we are going to stay alive - and provided it does not become an excuse to further delay road improvements to give motoring citizens a better road system !
There also seems to be a strange logic in installing point to point cameras - and restricting their surveillance to heavy vehicles.
If point to point speed detection is applied to all vehicles it becomes virtually impossible for any vehicle to speed on this stretch of road without attracting an automatic fine.
Provided the presence of such cameras is well marked the matter of speeding detection is no longer a matter of luck. There were days when the Highway patrol were conducting speed checks - and there were days when speeding went undetected. That would be consigned to the past.
If we are serious about lowering the death toll then we need to accept automatic detection of speeding - and the consequences that go with it.
Most of us will grizzle about being forced to maintain a miserable 90 kph on good sections of that road - on days of bright sunshine and lack of rain - when 100 kph would not be a factor.
But perhaps it is necessary if we are going to stay alive - and provided it does not become an excuse to further delay road improvements to give motoring citizens a better road system !
Wednesday 13 October 2010
Changing police culture !
It used to be the custom for police to close ranks to protect any police officer accused of misconduct - but that culture is changing.
A Queensland police officer has been sentenced to twenty seven months in gaol for savagely beating and mistreating prisoners in his custody - and he has been dismissed from the force.
What is sending a breath of fresh air through police ranks is the growing tendency for other police to come forward and not tolerate misconduct - and the facts surrounding this Queensland case will only accelerate that trend.
Nine officers witnessed and were aware of this rogue officers treatment of prisoners - but eight of them adhered to the old culture of closed rank protection. One officer was brave - and blew the whistle !
Police in all Australian states will have cause to ponder the ramifications of what happened next. Five of those offending officers handed in their resignations and left the force in disgrace - and three others are facing disciplinary action that will certainly impede future promotions.
This will put a serious dent in the culture where police misbehavior is concerned. Those that choose to remain silent will have the uneasy worry that their own job and pension are at risk if they condone the old wall of silence.
The days of the old " walloper " beating confessions out of prisoners belongs to another age. Today policing is a profession - and the sooner our police step up to the plate and take pride in their work - the quicker the public will accept policing as a honourable profession.
Anything less is unacceptable !
A Queensland police officer has been sentenced to twenty seven months in gaol for savagely beating and mistreating prisoners in his custody - and he has been dismissed from the force.
What is sending a breath of fresh air through police ranks is the growing tendency for other police to come forward and not tolerate misconduct - and the facts surrounding this Queensland case will only accelerate that trend.
Nine officers witnessed and were aware of this rogue officers treatment of prisoners - but eight of them adhered to the old culture of closed rank protection. One officer was brave - and blew the whistle !
Police in all Australian states will have cause to ponder the ramifications of what happened next. Five of those offending officers handed in their resignations and left the force in disgrace - and three others are facing disciplinary action that will certainly impede future promotions.
This will put a serious dent in the culture where police misbehavior is concerned. Those that choose to remain silent will have the uneasy worry that their own job and pension are at risk if they condone the old wall of silence.
The days of the old " walloper " beating confessions out of prisoners belongs to another age. Today policing is a profession - and the sooner our police step up to the plate and take pride in their work - the quicker the public will accept policing as a honourable profession.
Anything less is unacceptable !
Tuesday 12 October 2010
The unsmiling face of China.
China likes to portray itself as a benevolent country supplying the world with quality goods at ridiculously cheap prices - but behind this " Bamboo curtain " lurks another China that is not so hospitable.
Liu Xiaobo has been awarded this years Nobel Peace prize. He is known in China for having produced a manifesto calling for democratic reform - and for that he is serving an eleven year prison sentence.
China's displeasure is now extended to his wife, Liu Xia - who has disappeared from the scene and is presumed to be under house arrest. This is probably a ruse to prevent her leaving the country and receiving the peace prize on his behalf.
No dissent in any form is permitted in China by the ruling Communist Party government - and it should be remembered that the planks of the original Communist party called for world revolution - and military domination of all under Communist regimes.
Russia has abandoned Communism - but one of the fruits of China's trading success is the emergence of a huge military machine that is starting to flex it's muscles with neighbouring countries. It seems that while dissent is not tolerated within - those of the outer world are shown Chinese displeasure when they call for a fair trade policy and review of it's under valued currency.
What does the future hold ? That is indeed a good question.
China has the money to keep building an ever bigger war machine. There is the expectation that in a few years this will match that of the United States - and we will be back to that old " two super powers " equation.
It is said that those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.
Perhaps the future holds a return of another " cold war " !
Liu Xiaobo has been awarded this years Nobel Peace prize. He is known in China for having produced a manifesto calling for democratic reform - and for that he is serving an eleven year prison sentence.
China's displeasure is now extended to his wife, Liu Xia - who has disappeared from the scene and is presumed to be under house arrest. This is probably a ruse to prevent her leaving the country and receiving the peace prize on his behalf.
No dissent in any form is permitted in China by the ruling Communist Party government - and it should be remembered that the planks of the original Communist party called for world revolution - and military domination of all under Communist regimes.
Russia has abandoned Communism - but one of the fruits of China's trading success is the emergence of a huge military machine that is starting to flex it's muscles with neighbouring countries. It seems that while dissent is not tolerated within - those of the outer world are shown Chinese displeasure when they call for a fair trade policy and review of it's under valued currency.
What does the future hold ? That is indeed a good question.
China has the money to keep building an ever bigger war machine. There is the expectation that in a few years this will match that of the United States - and we will be back to that old " two super powers " equation.
It is said that those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.
Perhaps the future holds a return of another " cold war " !
Monday 11 October 2010
Buyer beware !
Mum and Dad investors are being invited to buy shares in the Queensland freight railway - which moves incredible amounts of coal daily and claims to be a rail movement leader.
The seller is the Queensland government - and the first question a prudent investor should ask is - why ?
Assets owned by the government are assets owned by the people of Queensland. It sounds like the daddy of all con tricks to sell what the people own - back to them !
The offering price seems to be about three dollars a share and this will give the public a sixty percent shareholding - with the government hanging on to that other forty percent. A good time to read the small print to make sure that full control is exercised by the majority - and not still invested in government hands.
And we keep coming back to that same question - why sell what is supposedly a profit making asset ?
Before you part with a single dollar it would be a good idea to have a competent accountant have a long, hard look at this railway operation. Is the rolling stock worn out and due for replacement ? Is global warming about to reduce the burning of coal ? Is some other unseen political event going to impact on rail operations in that state ?
And that old adage about " looking a gift horse in the mouth " comes to mind !
The seller is the Queensland government - and the first question a prudent investor should ask is - why ?
Assets owned by the government are assets owned by the people of Queensland. It sounds like the daddy of all con tricks to sell what the people own - back to them !
The offering price seems to be about three dollars a share and this will give the public a sixty percent shareholding - with the government hanging on to that other forty percent. A good time to read the small print to make sure that full control is exercised by the majority - and not still invested in government hands.
And we keep coming back to that same question - why sell what is supposedly a profit making asset ?
Before you part with a single dollar it would be a good idea to have a competent accountant have a long, hard look at this railway operation. Is the rolling stock worn out and due for replacement ? Is global warming about to reduce the burning of coal ? Is some other unseen political event going to impact on rail operations in that state ?
And that old adage about " looking a gift horse in the mouth " comes to mind !
Sunday 10 October 2010
The legal druge menace !
Scare headlines in today's newspapers. Sibutramine, sold under the brand name Reductil by Abbott Pharmaceuticals - has been withdrawn from the market because it may make users more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.
There is another even bigger menace out there that we dutifully take daily - and don't even think about. The daily drug regimen that we have been taking for years - and in most cases don't really understand either it's purpose or what it is supposed to cure or prevent.
This is the usual scenario. We have a problem that involves a visit to a specialist. This specialist diagnoses the problem - and writes a script. We see this specialist several more times - and then we are referred back to our general practitioner.
Years later, we present ourselves to our GP on a regular basis to have renewal scripts for this drug - and because it was proscribed by a specialist our GP does not query these renewals. This cycle could well go on for the rest of our lives.
There are a lot of unanswered questions. Is this drug still relevant ? Has something better been invented ? Are there any long term side effects from it's use ?
And the most important question of all. Do I still need this drug ?
GP's are busy people and most fall into the habit of just renewing scripts for whatever a specialist has proscribed - without giving it due thought unless there has been adverse publicity about a particular drug.
There might be some interesting results if next time you need script renewal you asked your GP a lot of questions about your ongoing drug regimen !
There is another even bigger menace out there that we dutifully take daily - and don't even think about. The daily drug regimen that we have been taking for years - and in most cases don't really understand either it's purpose or what it is supposed to cure or prevent.
This is the usual scenario. We have a problem that involves a visit to a specialist. This specialist diagnoses the problem - and writes a script. We see this specialist several more times - and then we are referred back to our general practitioner.
Years later, we present ourselves to our GP on a regular basis to have renewal scripts for this drug - and because it was proscribed by a specialist our GP does not query these renewals. This cycle could well go on for the rest of our lives.
There are a lot of unanswered questions. Is this drug still relevant ? Has something better been invented ? Are there any long term side effects from it's use ?
And the most important question of all. Do I still need this drug ?
GP's are busy people and most fall into the habit of just renewing scripts for whatever a specialist has proscribed - without giving it due thought unless there has been adverse publicity about a particular drug.
There might be some interesting results if next time you need script renewal you asked your GP a lot of questions about your ongoing drug regimen !
Saturday 9 October 2010
Water - and agriculture !
Farmers are furious because the Murray river revival plan will mean cuts to water allocations. There is talk of farmers walking off their land, rural communities becoming ghost towns - and huge price increases in fruit and vegetables.
The fact is that we have an impossible situation. The river is dying because each of four states has independently issued irrigation licenses without regard to the ability of the river to deliver - and we have past the point of no return.
When all the fuss dies down - and sanity prevails - we will need to change our ideas on water management. We will probably have to cease growing cotton and rice in this river system. Both use inordinate amounts of water, which can be used more economically for other agricultural crops.
We will also have to abandon the criminally wasteful method of distributing agricultural water in open canals. This leads to disproportionate waste by water soaking into the earth under the canals - and evaporation of the surface due to our hot summer climate. Both these areas of loss can be removed by delivering water in enclosed pipes.
We will also need to reinvent our farming methods. Israel has shown the way by the use of drip irrigation that has seen their desert flourish. Importantly, we will have to change our thinking on water. At present we see it as both cheap and available. In future it will cost more and be in shorter supply - and that will be a fact of life !
Some of the dire predictions from the farming sector will certainly happen. There will be some job losses as farms adjust and towns that rely on agriculture will see some bleak times, but farmers are a resourceful lot - and they will adjust to what industry and other forms of commerce has been subjected to for many decades - " doing more with less ".
We will also have to change attitude on some aspects of science. Genetically modified ( GM ) crops can be devised to grow quicker, resist disease - and use a lot less water. If we are to feed this planet's growing population we will need to accept the challenge and adapt our farming methods to get the best results.
And when push comes to shove - we have no other options. The river can't deliver at the rate we are drawing water and with a bit of common sense we can have the best of both worlds - a healthy river system and prosperous farmers.
The fact is that we have an impossible situation. The river is dying because each of four states has independently issued irrigation licenses without regard to the ability of the river to deliver - and we have past the point of no return.
When all the fuss dies down - and sanity prevails - we will need to change our ideas on water management. We will probably have to cease growing cotton and rice in this river system. Both use inordinate amounts of water, which can be used more economically for other agricultural crops.
We will also have to abandon the criminally wasteful method of distributing agricultural water in open canals. This leads to disproportionate waste by water soaking into the earth under the canals - and evaporation of the surface due to our hot summer climate. Both these areas of loss can be removed by delivering water in enclosed pipes.
We will also need to reinvent our farming methods. Israel has shown the way by the use of drip irrigation that has seen their desert flourish. Importantly, we will have to change our thinking on water. At present we see it as both cheap and available. In future it will cost more and be in shorter supply - and that will be a fact of life !
Some of the dire predictions from the farming sector will certainly happen. There will be some job losses as farms adjust and towns that rely on agriculture will see some bleak times, but farmers are a resourceful lot - and they will adjust to what industry and other forms of commerce has been subjected to for many decades - " doing more with less ".
We will also have to change attitude on some aspects of science. Genetically modified ( GM ) crops can be devised to grow quicker, resist disease - and use a lot less water. If we are to feed this planet's growing population we will need to accept the challenge and adapt our farming methods to get the best results.
And when push comes to shove - we have no other options. The river can't deliver at the rate we are drawing water and with a bit of common sense we can have the best of both worlds - a healthy river system and prosperous farmers.
Friday 8 October 2010
Free speech !
Does free speech exist ? Not according to the US Supreme court, which once famously declared that it did not extend to someone shouting " fire " in a crowded theatre.
This raises the curious case of the Westboro Baptist church - with a congregation of about seventy five members, most of which come from one extended family - which claims to speak for God.
This church contends that God hates Gays - and that the war dead from Afghanistan is God's punishment for the US allowing Gays to serve in the military. As a result, they offensively denigrate those dead soldiers at family funerals.
This raises another situation that applies to churches generally. Each church adopts the stance that they - and they alone - are the custodian of God's wishes. They usually extend that further - with the claim that after death it will be their members who will be welcomed into Heaven - and everyone else will go to Hell !
Now there is a problem with postulating God's attitude on all matters moral. Either God has a lot of opposing views on morality - or some of these churches have got it wrong !
Most people would find this Westboro mob's action at funerals offensive, but surely it is not just a matter of free speech. If you barge into a private birthday party you may face charges of trespass - and if you are asked to leave church property - and refuse - then other laws apply.
Just as well God is tolerant about those who claim to be his spokesperson. Otherwise there might be a lot of churches with egg on their face !
This raises the curious case of the Westboro Baptist church - with a congregation of about seventy five members, most of which come from one extended family - which claims to speak for God.
This church contends that God hates Gays - and that the war dead from Afghanistan is God's punishment for the US allowing Gays to serve in the military. As a result, they offensively denigrate those dead soldiers at family funerals.
This raises another situation that applies to churches generally. Each church adopts the stance that they - and they alone - are the custodian of God's wishes. They usually extend that further - with the claim that after death it will be their members who will be welcomed into Heaven - and everyone else will go to Hell !
Now there is a problem with postulating God's attitude on all matters moral. Either God has a lot of opposing views on morality - or some of these churches have got it wrong !
Most people would find this Westboro mob's action at funerals offensive, but surely it is not just a matter of free speech. If you barge into a private birthday party you may face charges of trespass - and if you are asked to leave church property - and refuse - then other laws apply.
Just as well God is tolerant about those who claim to be his spokesperson. Otherwise there might be a lot of churches with egg on their face !
Thursday 7 October 2010
Hygiene - and children.
Schools are places where great numbers of children congregate together - and share infections and create childhood epidemics. How strange that in the vast majority of cases school toilet blocks have no provision for soap to allow the kid's to maintain basic toilet hygiene ?
Education authorities claim that when facilities are provided they get vandalised - hence school hygiene is consigned to the " too hard basket ".
The transfer of infections in hospitals has been lowered by constant attention to hand washing by staff. Part of the hygiene programme preached by most parents to their offspring calls for hand washing after toilet use - but the system falls in a heap when it comes to the education system.
We seem to have double standards when it comes to kids. On the one hand we have rigid safety standards of child restraints in cars. Drivers must meet capsule standards for small infants and this progresses through age groups - but when those same kids ride in a school bus they are not even offered basic seat belts.
School toilets bereft of toilet paper would cause a huge outcry from parents - and yet we seem to accept the lack of soap with a shrug of the shoulders.
Time to drag school toilets into the twenty-first century !
Education authorities claim that when facilities are provided they get vandalised - hence school hygiene is consigned to the " too hard basket ".
The transfer of infections in hospitals has been lowered by constant attention to hand washing by staff. Part of the hygiene programme preached by most parents to their offspring calls for hand washing after toilet use - but the system falls in a heap when it comes to the education system.
We seem to have double standards when it comes to kids. On the one hand we have rigid safety standards of child restraints in cars. Drivers must meet capsule standards for small infants and this progresses through age groups - but when those same kids ride in a school bus they are not even offered basic seat belts.
School toilets bereft of toilet paper would cause a huge outcry from parents - and yet we seem to accept the lack of soap with a shrug of the shoulders.
Time to drag school toilets into the twenty-first century !
Wednesday 6 October 2010
A " Nanny " country !
The recent Federal election had one surprising result. Several independents won office and managed to achieve the balance of power - and dictate who runs this country.
One of them had a " wowser " attitude to poker machines, and is using his position of power to try and regulate who can play the machines - what amount of money they will be permitted to gamble - and to put a curb on the amount they can lose at each session.
To go from the sublime to the ridiculous, it is proposed that each and every citizen who might like to have a flutter on the pokies will need to register with a central agency to create an identity - and that the nation's poker machines will have to be adapted to include a fingerprint reader to identify each player - and limit play to that persons permitted monetary value.
Whatever happened to personal freedom to make one's own decisions ?
Sounds like something the Stasi in East Germany would have dreamed up - if they didn't have all their citizens finger prints on file already !
One of them had a " wowser " attitude to poker machines, and is using his position of power to try and regulate who can play the machines - what amount of money they will be permitted to gamble - and to put a curb on the amount they can lose at each session.
To go from the sublime to the ridiculous, it is proposed that each and every citizen who might like to have a flutter on the pokies will need to register with a central agency to create an identity - and that the nation's poker machines will have to be adapted to include a fingerprint reader to identify each player - and limit play to that persons permitted monetary value.
Whatever happened to personal freedom to make one's own decisions ?
Sounds like something the Stasi in East Germany would have dreamed up - if they didn't have all their citizens finger prints on file already !
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Taser gun lies !
When the Taser gun was first proposed as a police weapon both the police and the government promised that it's use would be subject to strict controls.
They promised that it would only be used as an alternative to the use of a firearm. In such situations, the Taser would be less deadly and the situation could be resolved without loss of life.
There was also the promise that each and every instance where a Taser was fired would be subject to the exact same investigation following the firing of a police firearm.
As critics claimed at that time, this was a pack of lies to deceive the public. The use of Taser's quickly degenerated to " general use " and in many cases police preferred to subdue an offender by Taser rather than engage in combat with a baton, thus putting themselves at risk of injury.
There are no intensive investigations on each use of the Taser - and in many cases the unfortunate offender is subjected to multiple firings.
The only time this subject gets any sort of attention - is when someone dies. Initially, a death outside St Georges Leagues club on Sunday night contained a report that the victim was Tasered. The police were quick to refute this - but did admit that a Taser was used on another offender at the same incident.
From all reports, this was another of those cases where use of a police pistol would not have been considered because there was no danger to police, merely a boisterous but intoxicated man who needed restraint.
Police are using the Taser as an item of convenience - and it is still a risky option - with the possibility of causing death !
They promised that it would only be used as an alternative to the use of a firearm. In such situations, the Taser would be less deadly and the situation could be resolved without loss of life.
There was also the promise that each and every instance where a Taser was fired would be subject to the exact same investigation following the firing of a police firearm.
As critics claimed at that time, this was a pack of lies to deceive the public. The use of Taser's quickly degenerated to " general use " and in many cases police preferred to subdue an offender by Taser rather than engage in combat with a baton, thus putting themselves at risk of injury.
There are no intensive investigations on each use of the Taser - and in many cases the unfortunate offender is subjected to multiple firings.
The only time this subject gets any sort of attention - is when someone dies. Initially, a death outside St Georges Leagues club on Sunday night contained a report that the victim was Tasered. The police were quick to refute this - but did admit that a Taser was used on another offender at the same incident.
From all reports, this was another of those cases where use of a police pistol would not have been considered because there was no danger to police, merely a boisterous but intoxicated man who needed restraint.
Police are using the Taser as an item of convenience - and it is still a risky option - with the possibility of causing death !
Monday 4 October 2010
Looks great - but don't eat the fish !
The state government has been crowing about the water quality in Sydney harbour. This national jewel is so clean that sharks and whales have returned and water clarity rivals the open ocean.
Unfortunately it is not a good idea to catch and eat the fish that live in Sydney harbour.
According to the science people the fish that live west of the harbour bridge are so polluted with dioxin that they should not even be fed to the family cat, let alone to the rest of the family. Fish east of the bridge are also a bit dodgy - but are approved for eating - provided that is done in small quantities - and not too often !
This warning does not apply to lake Illawarra. There are plenty of fish - and prawns - in the lake and eating them is health warning free - for now.
Pity about that plan by the water authorities to dump raw sewage into the late at times of heavy rain. Of course they claim that this would not happen often - but then isn't there a plan to create a huge new land release with thousands of home sites adjacent to the problem area ?
And the climate change people predict that we will get more periods of drought - but that when it does rain there will be a tendency for deluges that cause floods.
Better get in for a feed of fish while you can. If that new estate gets the final nod and the water people use the el-cheapo method of getting rid of sewage - then it will not be long before we see warning signs around our lake prohibiting fishing.
Unfortunately it is not a good idea to catch and eat the fish that live in Sydney harbour.
According to the science people the fish that live west of the harbour bridge are so polluted with dioxin that they should not even be fed to the family cat, let alone to the rest of the family. Fish east of the bridge are also a bit dodgy - but are approved for eating - provided that is done in small quantities - and not too often !
This warning does not apply to lake Illawarra. There are plenty of fish - and prawns - in the lake and eating them is health warning free - for now.
Pity about that plan by the water authorities to dump raw sewage into the late at times of heavy rain. Of course they claim that this would not happen often - but then isn't there a plan to create a huge new land release with thousands of home sites adjacent to the problem area ?
And the climate change people predict that we will get more periods of drought - but that when it does rain there will be a tendency for deluges that cause floods.
Better get in for a feed of fish while you can. If that new estate gets the final nod and the water people use the el-cheapo method of getting rid of sewage - then it will not be long before we see warning signs around our lake prohibiting fishing.
Sunday 3 October 2010
The wars of religion.
Tonight a lot of people will sit in front of television and watch the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth games in Delhi. There is a chance - but hopefully a small chance - that they will witness a terrorist attack that may kill or injure athletes and spectators.
This raises the question of why a bunch of religious fanatics would want to visit mayhem on people playing sport for the amusement of a world audience ?
India is not involved in Iraq or Afghanistan. There seems only two areas of contention that involve religion on the sub continent. One is the state of Kashmir which has a Muslim majority - but is part of India, and the other is the site of either a mosque or a temple - and claimed by both religions.
Unfortunately the religious divide goes back much further. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were once the same country, but when the British went home the two main religions decided that they could not co-exist on the same land, and hence that land was divided into two countries.
There seems to be only one glaring inconsistency in this example of religious warfare.Extremists in Pakistan consistently send terrorists to kill and create havoc in Indian cities, but we do not see or hear of Indian bombs blowing up people in the land next door.
It always seems to be Islam that has all the grievances and refuses to take a moderate line on land disputes - and perhaps one day the rest of the world will tire of this needless carnage.
And that tonight the games in Delhi will start - and will end without incident !
This raises the question of why a bunch of religious fanatics would want to visit mayhem on people playing sport for the amusement of a world audience ?
India is not involved in Iraq or Afghanistan. There seems only two areas of contention that involve religion on the sub continent. One is the state of Kashmir which has a Muslim majority - but is part of India, and the other is the site of either a mosque or a temple - and claimed by both religions.
Unfortunately the religious divide goes back much further. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were once the same country, but when the British went home the two main religions decided that they could not co-exist on the same land, and hence that land was divided into two countries.
There seems to be only one glaring inconsistency in this example of religious warfare.Extremists in Pakistan consistently send terrorists to kill and create havoc in Indian cities, but we do not see or hear of Indian bombs blowing up people in the land next door.
It always seems to be Islam that has all the grievances and refuses to take a moderate line on land disputes - and perhaps one day the rest of the world will tire of this needless carnage.
And that tonight the games in Delhi will start - and will end without incident !
Saturday 2 October 2010
Children - and safety !
Society is paranoid that our children must have all aspects of safety. They must be appropriately restrained during car travel and all the people concerned with their schooling must be squeaky clean.
What a surprise to learn that the Australian Human Rights Commission sued the Education department, claiming discrimination because they refused to employ a teacher because he had a criminal past. The department was forced to pay $ 38,000 compensation to this man.
It seems that the applicant was involved in criminal activity from 1983 to 1992 and served an eight month stretch in prison. He then refrained from further criminal activity and gained teaching qualifications and the Human Rights Commission contended that to hold his past against him was unlawful.
What a slap in the face for those tasked with making teacher appointments - and just what would the public have to say had a person with criminal convictions been employed - and later offended against children ?
The safety of children is supposed to be paramount and to most people that means that those in the education system should have an absolutely clean record - but that is not the way the Human Rights commission sees it.
Obviously, having a fine imposed will see a lowering of standards in education employment - to the detriment of the ideals of child safety.
What a surprise to learn that the Australian Human Rights Commission sued the Education department, claiming discrimination because they refused to employ a teacher because he had a criminal past. The department was forced to pay $ 38,000 compensation to this man.
It seems that the applicant was involved in criminal activity from 1983 to 1992 and served an eight month stretch in prison. He then refrained from further criminal activity and gained teaching qualifications and the Human Rights Commission contended that to hold his past against him was unlawful.
What a slap in the face for those tasked with making teacher appointments - and just what would the public have to say had a person with criminal convictions been employed - and later offended against children ?
The safety of children is supposed to be paramount and to most people that means that those in the education system should have an absolutely clean record - but that is not the way the Human Rights commission sees it.
Obviously, having a fine imposed will see a lowering of standards in education employment - to the detriment of the ideals of child safety.
Friday 1 October 2010
Need for speed !
The discovery of planet Gilese 581g opens up some interesting statistics. It is twenty light years from earth - meaning that if we ever manage to attain the speed of light it would take us twenty years to get there. By contrast - it would take us just eight and a half minutes to get from earth to the sun if we travelled at that speed.
So - what are the prospects of earth people achieving the speed of light in their travel ?
Over two centuries ago the fastest any human had travelled was on the back of a galloping horse. Then the invention of the steam engine ushered in rail transport - and after that the internal combustion engine ushered in the automobile.
Early last century the Wright brothers took to the air - and just after the second world war rocket power enabled us to leave this planet for the first time. We now regularly reach incredible speeds to visit our orbiting space station.
None of this comes anywhere near travel at the speed of light - but judging by the progress we have made over recent centuries - there is hope for the future.
But - a word of warning. Think long and hard if approached by a real estate salesperson touting the opportunity to buy a site for a weekender on Gilese 581g.
Even at the speed of light it is a long commute - and compared to earth's year long orbit that planet's year lasts just thirty seven days.
Not exactly a " long weekend " !
So - what are the prospects of earth people achieving the speed of light in their travel ?
Over two centuries ago the fastest any human had travelled was on the back of a galloping horse. Then the invention of the steam engine ushered in rail transport - and after that the internal combustion engine ushered in the automobile.
Early last century the Wright brothers took to the air - and just after the second world war rocket power enabled us to leave this planet for the first time. We now regularly reach incredible speeds to visit our orbiting space station.
None of this comes anywhere near travel at the speed of light - but judging by the progress we have made over recent centuries - there is hope for the future.
But - a word of warning. Think long and hard if approached by a real estate salesperson touting the opportunity to buy a site for a weekender on Gilese 581g.
Even at the speed of light it is a long commute - and compared to earth's year long orbit that planet's year lasts just thirty seven days.
Not exactly a " long weekend " !
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