A new area of crime has emerged. Someone stole $ 100,000 worth of solar roof panels from a building at Yallah TAFE during the past few days.
Potentially this offers a bonanza. Properly installed and hooked up to the electricity system these panels could not only power the users home, but feed electricity back into the grid system - and earn a healthy reward.
But - there is a problem !
Before that can happen the installation has to be approved by the power authority, and the panels have to be inspected and checked so that they are properly installed - and that will involve their serial numbers being recorded - and those stolen panel numbers are on record as being stolen.
Gotcha !
Most likely the stolen panels will be used to provide cheap power to some bandit's home, but there is always the chance that installation by amateurs may lead to disaster. Electrical power is a dangerous item. It needs to be treated with care - or it can cause electrocution - or house fires.
It seems that we now must not only lock our doors and windows against thieves, the solar panels on the roof are also high on the list of desirable loot.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Monday, 20 September 2010
Euthanasia !
At last a benefit is emerging from the mix of independents keeping the Federal government in office.
When the government of the Northern Territory voted to allow euthanasia in approved circumstances, the Federal government applied laws that only applied to " territories " to overturn that decision. In effect, those people to our north were denied the right to manage their own affairs.
The Greens and the two independents have combined to force Julia Gillard to allow a conscience vote - and there is every chance that euthanasia will again pass into law if that is the wish of the people concerned.
This will be hotly contested by the churches - with their " make them suffer until their last breath " approach to death. It seems that they value human life more than that of animals. We face punishment if we let a dog or a cat suffer an agonising death, but deny a comforting needle to any human suffering a similar fate. Surely that decision is up to the individual !
In this country church and state are separated - and yet it is the influence of the churches that have kept euthanasia from becoming law. This conscience vote will only pave the way for the territories to access what can be implemented by the states under existing laws.
What remains to be done is a referendum to allow the wishes of the people to be determined on euthenasia - and for the politicians to abide by the outcome of that vote.
Perhaps this concience vote is the first step in a merciful journey !
When the government of the Northern Territory voted to allow euthanasia in approved circumstances, the Federal government applied laws that only applied to " territories " to overturn that decision. In effect, those people to our north were denied the right to manage their own affairs.
The Greens and the two independents have combined to force Julia Gillard to allow a conscience vote - and there is every chance that euthanasia will again pass into law if that is the wish of the people concerned.
This will be hotly contested by the churches - with their " make them suffer until their last breath " approach to death. It seems that they value human life more than that of animals. We face punishment if we let a dog or a cat suffer an agonising death, but deny a comforting needle to any human suffering a similar fate. Surely that decision is up to the individual !
In this country church and state are separated - and yet it is the influence of the churches that have kept euthanasia from becoming law. This conscience vote will only pave the way for the territories to access what can be implemented by the states under existing laws.
What remains to be done is a referendum to allow the wishes of the people to be determined on euthenasia - and for the politicians to abide by the outcome of that vote.
Perhaps this concience vote is the first step in a merciful journey !
Sunday, 19 September 2010
The TV network battles.
The TV networks want you to watch their programmes - but they do not want you to record them !
The whole purpose of machines that record TV programmes was to allow watchers to record one and watch another prime show that appears at the same time. Or to have access to a favoured show when you are engaged in some other activity - and not sitting in front of your TV set.
It seems that the three commercial networks - and their recently opened second channels - are deliberately sabotaging the use of recorders by staggering the starting and finishing times of programmes. The official programme guide is useless - and as a result viewers get missed endings and a virtual time warp.
The only channels that stick scrupulously to time are the ABC and SBS.
The day is fast coming when recorder manufacturers will beat the networks by developing recorders that record all channels on a 24/7 basis, allowing viewers to review the weeks programmes and cherry-pick the shows they want, irrespective of the time frame in which they are shown.
The electronic world quickly rises to all challenges !
The whole purpose of machines that record TV programmes was to allow watchers to record one and watch another prime show that appears at the same time. Or to have access to a favoured show when you are engaged in some other activity - and not sitting in front of your TV set.
It seems that the three commercial networks - and their recently opened second channels - are deliberately sabotaging the use of recorders by staggering the starting and finishing times of programmes. The official programme guide is useless - and as a result viewers get missed endings and a virtual time warp.
The only channels that stick scrupulously to time are the ABC and SBS.
The day is fast coming when recorder manufacturers will beat the networks by developing recorders that record all channels on a 24/7 basis, allowing viewers to review the weeks programmes and cherry-pick the shows they want, irrespective of the time frame in which they are shown.
The electronic world quickly rises to all challenges !
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Dogs - and beaches !
The " traffic light " system allowing owners to exercise dogs on beaches is working well. Beaches designated red bar dogs entirely - those designated orange allow dogs at certain times - and green gives free access at all times.
Next week a revised plan will go before the administrators inflicted on Wollongong by the state government.
It is totally unreasonable that a decision on a matter so basic to residents of this city should be decided by a trio of people who do not live here - and who will be gone in a matter of months - leaving the consequences of their decisions to linger.
The imposition of parking meters - which we neither needed or wanted - comes to mind !
Something that concerns so emotive an issue as allowing our pets to exercise should await the return of an elected council. The people we vote onto council are people who live in this community - and know the issues.
Administrators who make bad decisions suffer no consequences. Elected councillors are judged at the next election !
Next week a revised plan will go before the administrators inflicted on Wollongong by the state government.
It is totally unreasonable that a decision on a matter so basic to residents of this city should be decided by a trio of people who do not live here - and who will be gone in a matter of months - leaving the consequences of their decisions to linger.
The imposition of parking meters - which we neither needed or wanted - comes to mind !
Something that concerns so emotive an issue as allowing our pets to exercise should await the return of an elected council. The people we vote onto council are people who live in this community - and know the issues.
Administrators who make bad decisions suffer no consequences. Elected councillors are judged at the next election !
Friday, 17 September 2010
Justice delayed - Justice denied !
From 1975 until 1979 the Communist Khmer Rouge seized control of Cambodia, and in that time they tortured and executed 1.7 million people - about a quarter of the Cambodian population.
The world reeled at this horror and few can comprehend the perverted rationale for such action. The regime wanted to revert to a simpler way of life and removed those with even a rudimentary education. Doctors - teachers - business people were culled - and even those wearing reading glasses were marked for death.
What also is beyond understanding is the fact that now - thirty-one years after the Communist regime was toppled - the United Nations is putting on trial the perpetrators of this death regime. But - the trials will not even start until mid-2011 - and those accused are all octogenarians.
Why this delay ! And what punishment can you deliver to those who are now over eighty years old ?
It is said that the wheels of justice grind slowly. It is also true that justice delayed is - justice denied !
The world reeled at this horror and few can comprehend the perverted rationale for such action. The regime wanted to revert to a simpler way of life and removed those with even a rudimentary education. Doctors - teachers - business people were culled - and even those wearing reading glasses were marked for death.
What also is beyond understanding is the fact that now - thirty-one years after the Communist regime was toppled - the United Nations is putting on trial the perpetrators of this death regime. But - the trials will not even start until mid-2011 - and those accused are all octogenarians.
Why this delay ! And what punishment can you deliver to those who are now over eighty years old ?
It is said that the wheels of justice grind slowly. It is also true that justice delayed is - justice denied !
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Wrong place - wrong time !
Any Australian contemplating overseas travel would do well to ponder the political situation in the place to be visited. It is all too easy to get arrested for no wrong doing - but merely because you were " in the wrong place - at the wrong time ! "
Three Americans have spent over a year in prison in Iran - accused of spying - when they were hiking near an ill defined border between Iraq and Iran. A dispute near Islands claimed by three countries has seen a fishing boat and it's crew seized by Japan - and it's captain facing a long gaol term.
Relations between Australia and Fiji are tense and there is always the possibility of similar action of retaliation if the Fijian government decided to force the issue by arresting an Australian tourist on trumped up charges.
Political tensions - religious tensions - and some very strange local laws and customs provide a mine field of risk for all oversea travellers from many nations.
When we make travel plans it would be a good idea to first consider all the possible risks involved - and that includes the sudden deterioration of existing tensions that may deliver us as pawns in a chess play not of our own making.
Better to be safe than to stray into the interplay between nations !
Three Americans have spent over a year in prison in Iran - accused of spying - when they were hiking near an ill defined border between Iraq and Iran. A dispute near Islands claimed by three countries has seen a fishing boat and it's crew seized by Japan - and it's captain facing a long gaol term.
Relations between Australia and Fiji are tense and there is always the possibility of similar action of retaliation if the Fijian government decided to force the issue by arresting an Australian tourist on trumped up charges.
Political tensions - religious tensions - and some very strange local laws and customs provide a mine field of risk for all oversea travellers from many nations.
When we make travel plans it would be a good idea to first consider all the possible risks involved - and that includes the sudden deterioration of existing tensions that may deliver us as pawns in a chess play not of our own making.
Better to be safe than to stray into the interplay between nations !
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Wollongong - cityof sclerosis !
It seems incredible, but traffic is still prevented from using the short section of Keira street connecting Crown and Burelli streets.
When this was closed to traffic and made a virtual bus stop years ago the city traffic flow was disrupted and movement north/south became a tedious and disjointed journey. Finally, the council saw sense and promised that the problem would be solved by reopening this stretch - by last June !
The bus stops have been removed to Crown or Burelli streets, the pavement has been repainted with new traffic lanes and the traffic lights reworked to allow an all way " Barnyard scramble " - as is the case at Crown and Kembla intersection.
So - what is holding up the parade ?
Pure, sclerotic nonsense ! It seems the bureaucracy is sitting joining paper clips and twiddling it's thumbs - and it is now " hoped " that traffic may get to use this important piece of roadway - by this Christmas !
That's three more months into the future ! Just what does it take to make something happen in " the city of sclerosis ? "
When this was closed to traffic and made a virtual bus stop years ago the city traffic flow was disrupted and movement north/south became a tedious and disjointed journey. Finally, the council saw sense and promised that the problem would be solved by reopening this stretch - by last June !
The bus stops have been removed to Crown or Burelli streets, the pavement has been repainted with new traffic lanes and the traffic lights reworked to allow an all way " Barnyard scramble " - as is the case at Crown and Kembla intersection.
So - what is holding up the parade ?
Pure, sclerotic nonsense ! It seems the bureaucracy is sitting joining paper clips and twiddling it's thumbs - and it is now " hoped " that traffic may get to use this important piece of roadway - by this Christmas !
That's three more months into the future ! Just what does it take to make something happen in " the city of sclerosis ? "
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