In November those Americans who can be bothered will go to the polling booths to elect a new president. Voting is not compulsory and the reasons that some will stir themselves to vote will be varied.
Politics is a huge attraction, but there will be many who make a decision based on other criteria - and these will include gender, race, religion - and thousands of individual causes that are dear to their minds.
They will not only elect a president but also a vice president who will be a single heart beat away from the presidency - and in this election that second choice is going to be a big factor.
Barack Obama is the first black man to stand for the top job with a good chance of winning. He is relatively inexperienced in foreign affairs and has shored up this weakness by selecting veteran Joe Biden as his running mate.
John McCain has an age disadvantage and also represents a political party that is on the nose with the electorate. He is a veteran politician who seems to rub many in his party the wrong way - but his maverick stance on many issues seems to strike a cord with many.
He has taken a huge gamble by selecting Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Palin's political experience is limited to having been mayor of a small town of nine thousand people and state governor - in which capacity she showed integrity as a fighter rooting out corruption.
She is a mother with a family and a shooter and hunter, a member of the National Rifle Association - and pro-life. It is likely that her reputation as a feisty female who makes her own decisions will appeal to some segments.
As Obama has shored up his weakness with an experienced running mate, McCain has supplemented his long experience in government with a cleanskin who may bring a whif of fresh air.
Whatever the outcome of this election there will be fall out.
If Obama does not win there will be a residual bitterness amongst African Americans who will blame failure on white attitudes.
Sarah Palin may be the catalyst to swing Hilary Clinton supporters behind her. Certainly her gender will be a big influence on the voting decisions of many feminists.
The next few weeks will certainly shine the spotlight on Palin - and it is certain that her life will be under the microscope to find any skeletons in the cupboard.
It is said that a day is a long time in politics. Perhaps this American election may bring the biggest change in thinking of the past half century !
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Saturday, 30 August 2008
The tyranny of distance !
For the past three score years distance has been the criteria in charging for phone calls. That is fast changing.
Older folk will remember the days when making any sort of phone call involved a receptionist asking " Number please " - and a wait while a plug was inserted to make the connection.
Local phone calls were cheap - but people blanched when that dreaded term " a trunk line call " became involved. Such calls were connected in three minute segments and users dreaded the question " Do you wish to extend " because of the high cost involved.
Making a " trunk call " for most people was restricted to special events such as a birthday greeting - or in many cases - to advise of a death.
Then came that magnificent invention - the rotary dial and with it the improvement of subscriber connection for local calls. Years later technology advanced this concept to subscriber trunk dialling ( STD ) for distance calls - and eventually to call to other parts of the world - but distance remained the criteria for charging those calls.
It finally dawned on the telephone companies that there was no actual cost involved in a telephone call. The expensive equipment and it's servicing had to be kept up to date whether the traffic was a single call - or millions.
We now are seeing a re-think - with the mobile companies starting to offer unlimited local, trunk and even overseas calls for no charge - provided you pay a fee to connect to their net.
The new source of revenue is coming from the Internet. The phone companies are tapping their customers for a small monthly charge to connect to the world wide web which enables them to send and receive emails - and all the wonderful services that a computer provides - on their new generation mobile phones.
It seems that technology has at last conquered the tyranny of distance !
Older folk will remember the days when making any sort of phone call involved a receptionist asking " Number please " - and a wait while a plug was inserted to make the connection.
Local phone calls were cheap - but people blanched when that dreaded term " a trunk line call " became involved. Such calls were connected in three minute segments and users dreaded the question " Do you wish to extend " because of the high cost involved.
Making a " trunk call " for most people was restricted to special events such as a birthday greeting - or in many cases - to advise of a death.
Then came that magnificent invention - the rotary dial and with it the improvement of subscriber connection for local calls. Years later technology advanced this concept to subscriber trunk dialling ( STD ) for distance calls - and eventually to call to other parts of the world - but distance remained the criteria for charging those calls.
It finally dawned on the telephone companies that there was no actual cost involved in a telephone call. The expensive equipment and it's servicing had to be kept up to date whether the traffic was a single call - or millions.
We now are seeing a re-think - with the mobile companies starting to offer unlimited local, trunk and even overseas calls for no charge - provided you pay a fee to connect to their net.
The new source of revenue is coming from the Internet. The phone companies are tapping their customers for a small monthly charge to connect to the world wide web which enables them to send and receive emails - and all the wonderful services that a computer provides - on their new generation mobile phones.
It seems that technology has at last conquered the tyranny of distance !
Friday, 29 August 2008
Blackout !
Yesterday was one of the darkest days in the history of the New South Wales parliament. At a cost of half a million dollars Premier Morris Iemma recalled parliament in an attempt to ram through legislation to sell the state's power industry.
The recall was a bluff to force the Liberal/National opposition to support the move against strident opposition from the unions and an estimated eighty percent of citizens.
The opposition held it's ground - arguing that a rational decision was impossible until the details of the Federal government's " cap and trade " emission legislation was known - whereupon Iemma withdrew the legislation and fell back on " Plan B ", an end run to retain the generators and only sell the distributing arms - which can be accomplished without the consent of parliament.
This debacle is the culmination of years of indecision by the state Labor government - including the Bob Carr years.
The problem is that power generation in this state is falling below demand and unless additional generating capacity is built we will face load shedding in a few short years when nature delivers hot summer days or cold winter weather strikes.
Building any sort of power generator is a long process, but the biggest headache will be deciding what sort of generating system to adopt. The quickest and cheapest base load relief would come from a conventional coal fired station - but what cost " cap and trade " will impose is yet to be determined.
Public demand calls for renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and possibly wave action generation, but none of these can deliver a guaranteed base load option. The other way of delivering power without adding to Co2 emissions would be nuclear - but this has been ruled out by the Federal government.
The almost hysterical need to dump power generation from government ownership seems to stem from the sure knowledge that whatever happens the cost of power to residents is going to hike to astronomical levels.
The state government claims that if it has to borrow to build power stations spending on health, schools and transport will almost cease and the standard of living will drop sharply.
It would prefer to opt out of responsibility by putting power in the hands of private enterprise and ducking the blame for price hikes.
The lack of any plan to meet future power needs by letting tenders for power generation is putting this state at risk. Any company planning extensions to present manufacturing or new companies thinking of setting up in Australia would dodge New South Wales because there is a question hanging over the future availability of electric power.
Citizens face the prospect of conditions similar to third world countries such as Pakistan - where power is not continuously available and power shedding means intermittent supply - and regular blackouts !
The supply of electricity is the basic responsibility of the state government. It is time Iemma bit the bullet - dumped plans to sell off this vital item of infrastructure - and made decisions of how to generate power to meet this state's needs.
Citizens accept that electricity is going to increase in price and few would object to state borrowings to create the power generators to meet those needs. What is needed is a decision of what form that generating will take - and tenders to get construction under way.
Unless that happens promptly, we have a failed government presiding over a failing state !
The recall was a bluff to force the Liberal/National opposition to support the move against strident opposition from the unions and an estimated eighty percent of citizens.
The opposition held it's ground - arguing that a rational decision was impossible until the details of the Federal government's " cap and trade " emission legislation was known - whereupon Iemma withdrew the legislation and fell back on " Plan B ", an end run to retain the generators and only sell the distributing arms - which can be accomplished without the consent of parliament.
This debacle is the culmination of years of indecision by the state Labor government - including the Bob Carr years.
The problem is that power generation in this state is falling below demand and unless additional generating capacity is built we will face load shedding in a few short years when nature delivers hot summer days or cold winter weather strikes.
Building any sort of power generator is a long process, but the biggest headache will be deciding what sort of generating system to adopt. The quickest and cheapest base load relief would come from a conventional coal fired station - but what cost " cap and trade " will impose is yet to be determined.
Public demand calls for renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and possibly wave action generation, but none of these can deliver a guaranteed base load option. The other way of delivering power without adding to Co2 emissions would be nuclear - but this has been ruled out by the Federal government.
The almost hysterical need to dump power generation from government ownership seems to stem from the sure knowledge that whatever happens the cost of power to residents is going to hike to astronomical levels.
The state government claims that if it has to borrow to build power stations spending on health, schools and transport will almost cease and the standard of living will drop sharply.
It would prefer to opt out of responsibility by putting power in the hands of private enterprise and ducking the blame for price hikes.
The lack of any plan to meet future power needs by letting tenders for power generation is putting this state at risk. Any company planning extensions to present manufacturing or new companies thinking of setting up in Australia would dodge New South Wales because there is a question hanging over the future availability of electric power.
Citizens face the prospect of conditions similar to third world countries such as Pakistan - where power is not continuously available and power shedding means intermittent supply - and regular blackouts !
The supply of electricity is the basic responsibility of the state government. It is time Iemma bit the bullet - dumped plans to sell off this vital item of infrastructure - and made decisions of how to generate power to meet this state's needs.
Citizens accept that electricity is going to increase in price and few would object to state borrowings to create the power generators to meet those needs. What is needed is a decision of what form that generating will take - and tenders to get construction under way.
Unless that happens promptly, we have a failed government presiding over a failing state !
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Education revolution !
The plan for prime minister Kevin Rudd's " Education Revolution " has been revealed.
All schools will be evaluated under criteria which has yet to be determined - but which will certainly include pupil achievement - and graded accordingly.
As a consequence, schools will appear on a list headed by the one considered to offer the best education - and will name the worst school at the bottom of that list.
The idea is to then throw money at the worst listed school, provide supplementary staff to improve performance and possibly enhance the school buildings if they are a detracting factor.
There is also the suggestion of added pay or bonuses to teachers who work harder to improve the performance of their pupils - but also punishment for failure. Schools which do not lift from the bottom ranking could see headmasters face the sack - or be amalgamated with another better performing school.
It sounds like an idea suggested to Rudd by someone with high academic qualifications and a string of letters after their name - and not the faintest clue about living in the real world !
Rudd would be wise to have his staff investigate a similar idea tried in Tasmania in the 1960's.
Some genius in the education department came up with the idea of amalgamating all the " dull " students into a single school. As a result, headmasters took the opportunity to transfer students who were disruptive in class, not interested in sport - or simply " did not fit in " to the envisaged framework of the " ideal student ".
It was an immediate disaster ! The kids transferred to this school saw themselves branded as " second rate no-hopers " - and quickly started to act accordingly. The school name quickly became synonymous with job application rejections - and parents threatened a physical revolt if a transfer was suggested.
We live in a fragile society where mud sticks. Give a school a bad name and that becomes a negative on future job resumes. We pride ourselves on being fair and compassionate - but reality is a horse of a different colour.
The school teachers reject this idea because they are at the cutting edge of education - and they know that branding any school as the worst is a recipe for disaster.
It is one thing for schools to be known by their reputation in the community - and quite another when that grading is confirmed by inclusion on a list - and being the school at the bottom of that list imposes a handicap no student should be forced to carry.
Our prime minister would be well advised to think long and hard before implementing this plan !
All schools will be evaluated under criteria which has yet to be determined - but which will certainly include pupil achievement - and graded accordingly.
As a consequence, schools will appear on a list headed by the one considered to offer the best education - and will name the worst school at the bottom of that list.
The idea is to then throw money at the worst listed school, provide supplementary staff to improve performance and possibly enhance the school buildings if they are a detracting factor.
There is also the suggestion of added pay or bonuses to teachers who work harder to improve the performance of their pupils - but also punishment for failure. Schools which do not lift from the bottom ranking could see headmasters face the sack - or be amalgamated with another better performing school.
It sounds like an idea suggested to Rudd by someone with high academic qualifications and a string of letters after their name - and not the faintest clue about living in the real world !
Rudd would be wise to have his staff investigate a similar idea tried in Tasmania in the 1960's.
Some genius in the education department came up with the idea of amalgamating all the " dull " students into a single school. As a result, headmasters took the opportunity to transfer students who were disruptive in class, not interested in sport - or simply " did not fit in " to the envisaged framework of the " ideal student ".
It was an immediate disaster ! The kids transferred to this school saw themselves branded as " second rate no-hopers " - and quickly started to act accordingly. The school name quickly became synonymous with job application rejections - and parents threatened a physical revolt if a transfer was suggested.
We live in a fragile society where mud sticks. Give a school a bad name and that becomes a negative on future job resumes. We pride ourselves on being fair and compassionate - but reality is a horse of a different colour.
The school teachers reject this idea because they are at the cutting edge of education - and they know that branding any school as the worst is a recipe for disaster.
It is one thing for schools to be known by their reputation in the community - and quite another when that grading is confirmed by inclusion on a list - and being the school at the bottom of that list imposes a handicap no student should be forced to carry.
Our prime minister would be well advised to think long and hard before implementing this plan !
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Sex - in our city !
The advertising control body that regulates advertising in this state has ordered the removal of signboards containing the word " sex " from display. These signs contain the message " enjoy longer sex " and are aimed at those with erectile dysfunction.
It seems that the prudish in our society simply can not abide the word " sex " - and obviously the act to which it refers.
The objection is that these signs invite questions from children which cause embarrassment to their parents. Many would suppose that if children are old enough to be able to read they are equally old enough to start learning about the birds and the bees !
One wonders how these prudish parents cope with newspapers, magazines - and movie posters extolling " Sex and the City ". There would be a multitude of blank spaces if this word was banned from public display.
It seems that the ghosts of the Victorian era still haunt us. The bikini may have finally escaped the ban of notorious Bondi beach inspector Aub Laidlaw - but the one word that strikes fear into the hearts of our prudish citizens from a bygone age - is the one that drives our advertising economy and lifestyle.
It is a fact of life that - sex sells !
It seems that the prudish in our society simply can not abide the word " sex " - and obviously the act to which it refers.
The objection is that these signs invite questions from children which cause embarrassment to their parents. Many would suppose that if children are old enough to be able to read they are equally old enough to start learning about the birds and the bees !
One wonders how these prudish parents cope with newspapers, magazines - and movie posters extolling " Sex and the City ". There would be a multitude of blank spaces if this word was banned from public display.
It seems that the ghosts of the Victorian era still haunt us. The bikini may have finally escaped the ban of notorious Bondi beach inspector Aub Laidlaw - but the one word that strikes fear into the hearts of our prudish citizens from a bygone age - is the one that drives our advertising economy and lifestyle.
It is a fact of life that - sex sells !
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Monarchy v Republic.
The United States convention season provides a good opportunity to review the differences between a Monarchy and a Republic.
In November the American people will go to the polls to elect one person to run their country. That person will have great power - but not absolute power. The presidency is subject to the scrutiny of both the Senate and the Congress - the political nature of which may be the opposite of the view held by the president.
The president has the power of veto and can strike down legislation to which he or she is opposed.
In Australia the voters select a political party to run the country. The political party that wins government selects a prime minister who selects ministers to run the various sections of government.
In the event of that government losing the numbers by way of by-elections the politics of government changes - and so does the prime minister.
This process of government is subject to oversight by " the Crown " - in the person of the Sovereign - who remains politically neutral.
Both systems have positives and negatives. In Australia the " Crown " is located twelve thousand miles away in another country - and is represented here by a Governor General. This person is purely a figurehead and takes no active part in the politics of the day - unless the constitution is breached.
Pro Monarchy opinion sees this as a plus. The prime minister and the government are free to govern without the interference of a third party while the Governor General and the courts prevent that rule from straying from within the bounds of the constitution.
Republican opinion objects to the head of state being a person who is resident of another country. It calls for an Australian citizen, elected by the people to occupy that position.
The problem for some people is that such an elected person could have strong political views and could assume that voter support put the presidency into combat with the office of prime minister - a situation that does not happen where the monarchy is involved.
It seems inevitable that eventually this country will become a republic. An ever increasing percentage of the population is from countries other than Britain and loyalty to a British head of state is already perilously close to the even divide mark - as evidenced by a referendum on the subject.
The question of what sort of republic will emerge has yet to be decided. Whether a president will simply replace the governor general in a ceremonial role - or whether an active president will replace the power of prime minister is yet to be seriously debated.
The presidential system has worked well for America - and the monarchy has worked well for Australia - but this country's ties to Britain are drawing apart as the population grows and the present government has promised that the question of a republic will again be revisited.
Many will watch the emerging contest in America with interest and draw comparisons with politics in Australia !
In November the American people will go to the polls to elect one person to run their country. That person will have great power - but not absolute power. The presidency is subject to the scrutiny of both the Senate and the Congress - the political nature of which may be the opposite of the view held by the president.
The president has the power of veto and can strike down legislation to which he or she is opposed.
In Australia the voters select a political party to run the country. The political party that wins government selects a prime minister who selects ministers to run the various sections of government.
In the event of that government losing the numbers by way of by-elections the politics of government changes - and so does the prime minister.
This process of government is subject to oversight by " the Crown " - in the person of the Sovereign - who remains politically neutral.
Both systems have positives and negatives. In Australia the " Crown " is located twelve thousand miles away in another country - and is represented here by a Governor General. This person is purely a figurehead and takes no active part in the politics of the day - unless the constitution is breached.
Pro Monarchy opinion sees this as a plus. The prime minister and the government are free to govern without the interference of a third party while the Governor General and the courts prevent that rule from straying from within the bounds of the constitution.
Republican opinion objects to the head of state being a person who is resident of another country. It calls for an Australian citizen, elected by the people to occupy that position.
The problem for some people is that such an elected person could have strong political views and could assume that voter support put the presidency into combat with the office of prime minister - a situation that does not happen where the monarchy is involved.
It seems inevitable that eventually this country will become a republic. An ever increasing percentage of the population is from countries other than Britain and loyalty to a British head of state is already perilously close to the even divide mark - as evidenced by a referendum on the subject.
The question of what sort of republic will emerge has yet to be decided. Whether a president will simply replace the governor general in a ceremonial role - or whether an active president will replace the power of prime minister is yet to be seriously debated.
The presidential system has worked well for America - and the monarchy has worked well for Australia - but this country's ties to Britain are drawing apart as the population grows and the present government has promised that the question of a republic will again be revisited.
Many will watch the emerging contest in America with interest and draw comparisons with politics in Australia !
Monday, 25 August 2008
Unclaimed money.
It would be interesting to know how much unclaimed money the state and Federal government quietly pockets each financial year - and it would certainly be a motza.
How many times does a citizen have a bet on the TAB, shove the docket in a pocket - and some time later that docket goes unclaimed through the washing machine ?
How many people subscribe to Lotto or the Jackpot lottery without ticket registration - and don't get around to checking the results ?
These are certainly cases of carelessness on our part, but there is also a carefully orchestrated scenario where governments deliberately avoid giving us our rightful dues.
For instance - some share dividends are " franked " - meaning the company involved has paid tax and therefore they are tax free to the receiver. The computers at the tax office know precisely who is entitled to this money, but they remain silent unless a claim is lodged - and some people forget to claim back money to which they are entitled.
Then there is the " safety net " associated with health benefits. Where an individual or a family reaches a certain purchase amount the safety net kicks in and further prescriptions are free for the balance of that calendar year.
The only problem is that the individual has to lodge a claim, despite this information being tallied on the Health department's computers. If the customer shops at a single pharmacy the chemist may keep track of purchases, but if the customer shops at various places - the government pockets money for scripts that should be free.
The only consolation is that if this source of funding suddenly ceased because the governments of both the Commonwealth and the states had a change of heart and decided to be " fair " - then income tax would have to be hiked to make up the shortfall.
A case where the status-quo is less painful !
How many times does a citizen have a bet on the TAB, shove the docket in a pocket - and some time later that docket goes unclaimed through the washing machine ?
How many people subscribe to Lotto or the Jackpot lottery without ticket registration - and don't get around to checking the results ?
These are certainly cases of carelessness on our part, but there is also a carefully orchestrated scenario where governments deliberately avoid giving us our rightful dues.
For instance - some share dividends are " franked " - meaning the company involved has paid tax and therefore they are tax free to the receiver. The computers at the tax office know precisely who is entitled to this money, but they remain silent unless a claim is lodged - and some people forget to claim back money to which they are entitled.
Then there is the " safety net " associated with health benefits. Where an individual or a family reaches a certain purchase amount the safety net kicks in and further prescriptions are free for the balance of that calendar year.
The only problem is that the individual has to lodge a claim, despite this information being tallied on the Health department's computers. If the customer shops at a single pharmacy the chemist may keep track of purchases, but if the customer shops at various places - the government pockets money for scripts that should be free.
The only consolation is that if this source of funding suddenly ceased because the governments of both the Commonwealth and the states had a change of heart and decided to be " fair " - then income tax would have to be hiked to make up the shortfall.
A case where the status-quo is less painful !
Sunday, 24 August 2008
A can of worms !
The revelation that some children from India who have been legally adopted by Australian families were snatched from their poor parents and sold for profit opens an unimaginable can of worms.
Under the Hague convention Australia has an obligation to return those children to their rightful parents - and this is the only possible just decision - but at what cost ?
Most of the children abducted by criminal gangs were tiny babies and their only recollection of life involves a western society upbringing. They attend an Australian school, have Australian friends - and they don't speak the language of India.
Imagine their dismay to be wrested from such a life and returned to a country they do not know - to a language they do not speak - and to parents who live in a slum - have no sanitation or running water - and struggle to find daily food.
To the adoptee Australian parents it will be like a death in the family. To the child it will be the worst possible change of circumstances that a human can endure - and to their Indian parents - obviously joy to find their child alive - but sadness at what might have been their child's life.
This is an almost impossible dilemma for all concerned - and the Australian government should be generous in trying to solve a problem that was not of it's making.
It would be nice to offer the reunited parents of these children the opportunity to migrate to this country.
If they accept - they should go to the head of our annual migrant intake, and the government should provide initial support within a migrant centre while they acclimatise to a western way of life, learn the language - and gain skills to get a job.
Obviously the checking of children offered for overseas adoptions needs to be enhanced, and those Australian parents of children who have been returned to their Indian mothers should go to the head of the line for further selection.
There is no perfect answer to an imperfect problem, but with a bit of goodwill and a shredding of red tape an impossible situation can be made marginally better !
Under the Hague convention Australia has an obligation to return those children to their rightful parents - and this is the only possible just decision - but at what cost ?
Most of the children abducted by criminal gangs were tiny babies and their only recollection of life involves a western society upbringing. They attend an Australian school, have Australian friends - and they don't speak the language of India.
Imagine their dismay to be wrested from such a life and returned to a country they do not know - to a language they do not speak - and to parents who live in a slum - have no sanitation or running water - and struggle to find daily food.
To the adoptee Australian parents it will be like a death in the family. To the child it will be the worst possible change of circumstances that a human can endure - and to their Indian parents - obviously joy to find their child alive - but sadness at what might have been their child's life.
This is an almost impossible dilemma for all concerned - and the Australian government should be generous in trying to solve a problem that was not of it's making.
It would be nice to offer the reunited parents of these children the opportunity to migrate to this country.
If they accept - they should go to the head of our annual migrant intake, and the government should provide initial support within a migrant centre while they acclimatise to a western way of life, learn the language - and gain skills to get a job.
Obviously the checking of children offered for overseas adoptions needs to be enhanced, and those Australian parents of children who have been returned to their Indian mothers should go to the head of the line for further selection.
There is no perfect answer to an imperfect problem, but with a bit of goodwill and a shredding of red tape an impossible situation can be made marginally better !
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Fire - and brimstone !
Premier Morris Iemma is literally playing with fire as he locks horns with this state's firefighters.
Inflation is running well above four percent, and yet the Premier has stubbornly refused to increase a pay offer beyond two and a half percent. What he is demanding is that the people who put their lives on the line in a dangerous job take a pay cut.
He does suggest that there is a way around this impasse - provided the firemen and firewomen are prepared to negotiate away many of the hard earned conditions of their award - and agree to closing a number of fire stations.
Is the Premier suggesting that this state has too many fire stations ?
The firies have dug in for a long battle and they clearly have the public on side.
Those with long memories will recall that this same deal was offered to the transport union manning our trains - and just a week or so before the Catholic Church's World Youth Day ( WYD ) that union suggested that they would hold a strike during that event.
Without firing a shot the state government caved in - and the transport union got it's money - and there was no strike during WYD.
What makes the Premier think the train crews are worth more money - but the firies should agree to a pay cut ?
It's a long way to the next state election and the Premier obviously hopes the firies and the public have short memories. He may find that is a very wrong assumption.
The firies have put together a fighting fund and it is their intention to actively oppose the reelection of this government.
Picking this fight was not one of the Premier's better decisions !
Inflation is running well above four percent, and yet the Premier has stubbornly refused to increase a pay offer beyond two and a half percent. What he is demanding is that the people who put their lives on the line in a dangerous job take a pay cut.
He does suggest that there is a way around this impasse - provided the firemen and firewomen are prepared to negotiate away many of the hard earned conditions of their award - and agree to closing a number of fire stations.
Is the Premier suggesting that this state has too many fire stations ?
The firies have dug in for a long battle and they clearly have the public on side.
Those with long memories will recall that this same deal was offered to the transport union manning our trains - and just a week or so before the Catholic Church's World Youth Day ( WYD ) that union suggested that they would hold a strike during that event.
Without firing a shot the state government caved in - and the transport union got it's money - and there was no strike during WYD.
What makes the Premier think the train crews are worth more money - but the firies should agree to a pay cut ?
It's a long way to the next state election and the Premier obviously hopes the firies and the public have short memories. He may find that is a very wrong assumption.
The firies have put together a fighting fund and it is their intention to actively oppose the reelection of this government.
Picking this fight was not one of the Premier's better decisions !
Friday, 22 August 2008
Street racing.
Street racing is not new. Ancient documents record that it was a problem in biblical times when young men raced chariots through the streets of Rome.
Unfortunately it has taken on a cachet of it's own with a growing band of adherents putting others at risk - and statistics show an increasing death toll of other road users.
State governments recognise this risk and have enacted legislation accordingly. Cars may be seized for this offence, and the courts are imposing harsher penalties on those caught.
Street racing is not confined to the young. Men of mature age are often the culprits and with modern cars speeds of 160 kph are not uncommon. That is a sure recipe for disaster on urban roads - where other traffic and light signals are commonly ignored.
When the offender appears in court it is not uncommon for a long list of similar driving offences to be revealed. Often the offender is already barred from driving for over a decade - and this ban is being totally ignored. In many cases, the vehicle is neither registered or insured, putting victims at risk without any hope of compensation.
The question is - what to do with people who simply refuse to obey court orders and continue to drive - and offend ?
The obvious answer is to remove them from the community of law abiding citizens - or in other words - gaol !
But that creates another problem. Keeping a person in gaol costs the taxpayer a huge amount annually. Perhaps it is time to consider another option.
It might be time for the government to establish a major farm where such prisoners are required to work to grow food for use in hospitals, prisons or simply to be sold in a conventional manner. These prisoners would be paid the award rate for their work - the only thing they would lack - would be their freedom !
These prison farms would not be lock-up institutions and security would be light - but the penalty for absconding would be to serve the remainder of their sentence in a conventional gaol - with an added time for the offence of absconding.
In that way the cost of removing an offender from society could be replaced by a dividend from the work of the prisoner - and the spectre of time in a regular gaol would make individuals think long and hard before becoming an absconder !
Unfortunately it has taken on a cachet of it's own with a growing band of adherents putting others at risk - and statistics show an increasing death toll of other road users.
State governments recognise this risk and have enacted legislation accordingly. Cars may be seized for this offence, and the courts are imposing harsher penalties on those caught.
Street racing is not confined to the young. Men of mature age are often the culprits and with modern cars speeds of 160 kph are not uncommon. That is a sure recipe for disaster on urban roads - where other traffic and light signals are commonly ignored.
When the offender appears in court it is not uncommon for a long list of similar driving offences to be revealed. Often the offender is already barred from driving for over a decade - and this ban is being totally ignored. In many cases, the vehicle is neither registered or insured, putting victims at risk without any hope of compensation.
The question is - what to do with people who simply refuse to obey court orders and continue to drive - and offend ?
The obvious answer is to remove them from the community of law abiding citizens - or in other words - gaol !
But that creates another problem. Keeping a person in gaol costs the taxpayer a huge amount annually. Perhaps it is time to consider another option.
It might be time for the government to establish a major farm where such prisoners are required to work to grow food for use in hospitals, prisons or simply to be sold in a conventional manner. These prisoners would be paid the award rate for their work - the only thing they would lack - would be their freedom !
These prison farms would not be lock-up institutions and security would be light - but the penalty for absconding would be to serve the remainder of their sentence in a conventional gaol - with an added time for the offence of absconding.
In that way the cost of removing an offender from society could be replaced by a dividend from the work of the prisoner - and the spectre of time in a regular gaol would make individuals think long and hard before becoming an absconder !
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Euthanasia.
The euthanasia debate is ever lurking in the background since the previous government overturned the Northern Territory's legislation.
It is legal in all states for a person to end their own life. The stumbling block is a law that makes it a crime for any person to provide material or in any other way assist that person to achieve death.
As a result many people face an agonising death from disease and in some cases simply because they have lived too long. There is no point in living when the quality of life has departed.
We are told that palliative care offers total control of pain and offers a reasonable alternative. Those who have experienced palliative care know that this is a huge lie. The medication to relieve the worst pain would push the suffering over the thresh hold of death - and this is where legality enters the equation.
We are told about " the right to life " but this ignores the equal " right to death ".
Unfortunately - despite the wish of most people to have this question settled by referendum - that is unlikely because of the churches - and their " make them suffer until their last breath " attitude !
It is legal in all states for a person to end their own life. The stumbling block is a law that makes it a crime for any person to provide material or in any other way assist that person to achieve death.
As a result many people face an agonising death from disease and in some cases simply because they have lived too long. There is no point in living when the quality of life has departed.
We are told that palliative care offers total control of pain and offers a reasonable alternative. Those who have experienced palliative care know that this is a huge lie. The medication to relieve the worst pain would push the suffering over the thresh hold of death - and this is where legality enters the equation.
We are told about " the right to life " but this ignores the equal " right to death ".
Unfortunately - despite the wish of most people to have this question settled by referendum - that is unlikely because of the churches - and their " make them suffer until their last breath " attitude !
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
This mobile world.
Later this year we will see the vanguard of change that will alter the world of motoring. The first Chinese built cars will be offered on the Australian market.
Initially they will be cheap and cheerful - and the choice offered will not be large but their arrival will signal the end of the present era.
Already the last two manufacturers of cars in Australia are facing a dwindling demand for their product. The price of petrol has turned buyers away from the family sized Commodore and Falcon and both models now rely on fleet sales to justify production.
The entry of the Koreans to car manufacturing several years ago introduced a new element. The low price of a new Korean car decimated the used car market. Why pay the same amount of money for a used car with unknown problems when a new car - with a five year warranty - can be had for the same price ?
The Chinese will lower the bar - with even lower new car prices - and with luxury inclusions at no extra cost that will dazzle buyers.
There is only one problem. We are still reliant on petrol to run these vehicles and that will be the inhibiting factor, despite improvements in fuel economy.
It is said that necessity is the mother of invention ! If that is so, the world awaits with bated breath for the first genius to discover a means of locomotion that uses a freely available component - whatever that may be !
Until that happens, cars will get cheaper to buy - but more costly to run !
Initially they will be cheap and cheerful - and the choice offered will not be large but their arrival will signal the end of the present era.
Already the last two manufacturers of cars in Australia are facing a dwindling demand for their product. The price of petrol has turned buyers away from the family sized Commodore and Falcon and both models now rely on fleet sales to justify production.
The entry of the Koreans to car manufacturing several years ago introduced a new element. The low price of a new Korean car decimated the used car market. Why pay the same amount of money for a used car with unknown problems when a new car - with a five year warranty - can be had for the same price ?
The Chinese will lower the bar - with even lower new car prices - and with luxury inclusions at no extra cost that will dazzle buyers.
There is only one problem. We are still reliant on petrol to run these vehicles and that will be the inhibiting factor, despite improvements in fuel economy.
It is said that necessity is the mother of invention ! If that is so, the world awaits with bated breath for the first genius to discover a means of locomotion that uses a freely available component - whatever that may be !
Until that happens, cars will get cheaper to buy - but more costly to run !
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Money - and gold !
One thing the Bejing Olympics has clearly illustrated is the relation between money spent and the results achieved.
The days of athletes reaching the top of their profession by sheer ability have long gone. These days the tally of medals won bears a direct relationship to the amount their country spends on training and the facilities needed to produce winners.
China is a classical case to illustrate this point.
In previous years China was a non event when it came to sport. Sport did not rate highly on the Communist party's list of priorities.
All that changed when China was awarded the 08 Olympics. The Communist leaders decided that China would showcase itself to the world and therefore an amazing thirty billion dollars was spent on building the venue, organising the entertainment - and virtually rebuilding the city.
To complement that expenditure it was necessary to ensure that China became an instant front runner in winning medals - and from a standing start huge amounts were spent on providing training right across the sporting spectrum.
Chinese athletes not only appeared in non traditional sports, but they were trained to a calibre that amazed competitors.
China is not the only country to spend big amounts on sport. The Americans have long been dominant at past Olympics - and this time the Poms diced their reputation as perpetual losers and threw money at sport.
Australia has been heading in the right direction with the Canberra based Institute of Sport - but it is clear that money and sport will exist in tandem in the years ahead.
If we want to remain in the winners circle it will be necessary for the government to continue to support our athletes !
The days of athletes reaching the top of their profession by sheer ability have long gone. These days the tally of medals won bears a direct relationship to the amount their country spends on training and the facilities needed to produce winners.
China is a classical case to illustrate this point.
In previous years China was a non event when it came to sport. Sport did not rate highly on the Communist party's list of priorities.
All that changed when China was awarded the 08 Olympics. The Communist leaders decided that China would showcase itself to the world and therefore an amazing thirty billion dollars was spent on building the venue, organising the entertainment - and virtually rebuilding the city.
To complement that expenditure it was necessary to ensure that China became an instant front runner in winning medals - and from a standing start huge amounts were spent on providing training right across the sporting spectrum.
Chinese athletes not only appeared in non traditional sports, but they were trained to a calibre that amazed competitors.
China is not the only country to spend big amounts on sport. The Americans have long been dominant at past Olympics - and this time the Poms diced their reputation as perpetual losers and threw money at sport.
Australia has been heading in the right direction with the Canberra based Institute of Sport - but it is clear that money and sport will exist in tandem in the years ahead.
If we want to remain in the winners circle it will be necessary for the government to continue to support our athletes !
Monday, 18 August 2008
The Socialist mantra.
We have a socialist government in Canberra - and as a consequence we are getting socialist solutions to problems.
The farming sector - and specially the fruit growing segment - is desperately short of people to pick the crop and get it to market. The socialist answer is to issue short term visas to the residents of Pacific island countries to come to Australia and do the work that our own unemployed refuse to do.
Australia has long been the desired destination for many in the Pacific region. We have an advanced standard of living and this contrasts unfavourably with the third world status of their home countries. What makes us think that they will peacefully go home when their visas expire ?
The unions have their doubts on the wisdom of this scheme. It is likely that many so called " fruit pickers " will simply vanish off the welfare radar and quickly join the underground of illegals working in cafes, driving trucks and working on building sites.
Unemployment in this country hovers around five percent - with a peak of people under twenty years of age. It seems that socialism does not believe in making the unemployed undertake jobs that they reject.
The conditions of the dole clearly demand that people must move to where jobs are available - and if this was properly enforced there would be no problem bringing in the fruit crop.
Instead of creating a new problem of overstaying visa people we need the government to show a bit of backbone - and enforce the rules that apply to those who say they are looking for work.
There is plenty to be found in our agricultural areas !
The farming sector - and specially the fruit growing segment - is desperately short of people to pick the crop and get it to market. The socialist answer is to issue short term visas to the residents of Pacific island countries to come to Australia and do the work that our own unemployed refuse to do.
Australia has long been the desired destination for many in the Pacific region. We have an advanced standard of living and this contrasts unfavourably with the third world status of their home countries. What makes us think that they will peacefully go home when their visas expire ?
The unions have their doubts on the wisdom of this scheme. It is likely that many so called " fruit pickers " will simply vanish off the welfare radar and quickly join the underground of illegals working in cafes, driving trucks and working on building sites.
Unemployment in this country hovers around five percent - with a peak of people under twenty years of age. It seems that socialism does not believe in making the unemployed undertake jobs that they reject.
The conditions of the dole clearly demand that people must move to where jobs are available - and if this was properly enforced there would be no problem bringing in the fruit crop.
Instead of creating a new problem of overstaying visa people we need the government to show a bit of backbone - and enforce the rules that apply to those who say they are looking for work.
There is plenty to be found in our agricultural areas !
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Tilting at windmills.
Many people in Wollongong will be surprised to learn that the State Emergency Service is preparing an evacuation plan in the event of a Tsunami.
We have not experienced a Tsunami of any consequence since the arrival of the first fleet in 1788, but scientists have found evidence of earlier inundation. The scenario the SES is working on involves a major earthquake off the south island of New Zealand, generating a Tsunami with a six metre wall of water intruding a kilometre inland - giving a warning time of about two hours.
If such an event happened, major damage and loss of life would occur at Woonona, Bellambi, Corrimal, Towradgi, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong and Port Kembla.
This whole exercise is rather fanciful. A Tsunami may range from a few inches of water higher than usual on a beach - to a major, catastrophic wall of water that roars inland and reaches the escarpment.
Wollongong - walled in by the escarpment and with just two escape routes - Bulli Pass and Mount Ousley road - could not possibly handle an evacuation even if given much more than two hours notice.
Just thinking about it is mind boggling. Suppose the Tsunami centre sounded the alert at three in the morning ? Who would take that alert ? Probably the police - but how would they alert the citizens ? Most would be asleep in bed - with TV and radios turned off !
This sounds like something dreamed up by the public relations side of government - to give the impression that they are alert and on the ball - and are doing something for our safety.
In reality - there can be no defence against a major Tsunami - but probably it may be possible to alert residents in beachside suburbs to move to higher ground in the event of a six metre event - provided we are prepared to spend millions of dollars.
We would need to return to the days of the second world war and install air raid sirens in all suburbs fronting beaches. In the event of a night time Tsunami warning these sirens would awaken residents - and a publicity campaign would condition them to turn on TV or radio to be advised of the threat and given evacuation instructions.
Of course that is not going to happen. We will not spend any money and the evacuation plan will be a quaint document that will rest undisturbed in some minister's office.
But - the government will be able to claim that it is " alert and functional " in addressing our needs !
We have not experienced a Tsunami of any consequence since the arrival of the first fleet in 1788, but scientists have found evidence of earlier inundation. The scenario the SES is working on involves a major earthquake off the south island of New Zealand, generating a Tsunami with a six metre wall of water intruding a kilometre inland - giving a warning time of about two hours.
If such an event happened, major damage and loss of life would occur at Woonona, Bellambi, Corrimal, Towradgi, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong and Port Kembla.
This whole exercise is rather fanciful. A Tsunami may range from a few inches of water higher than usual on a beach - to a major, catastrophic wall of water that roars inland and reaches the escarpment.
Wollongong - walled in by the escarpment and with just two escape routes - Bulli Pass and Mount Ousley road - could not possibly handle an evacuation even if given much more than two hours notice.
Just thinking about it is mind boggling. Suppose the Tsunami centre sounded the alert at three in the morning ? Who would take that alert ? Probably the police - but how would they alert the citizens ? Most would be asleep in bed - with TV and radios turned off !
This sounds like something dreamed up by the public relations side of government - to give the impression that they are alert and on the ball - and are doing something for our safety.
In reality - there can be no defence against a major Tsunami - but probably it may be possible to alert residents in beachside suburbs to move to higher ground in the event of a six metre event - provided we are prepared to spend millions of dollars.
We would need to return to the days of the second world war and install air raid sirens in all suburbs fronting beaches. In the event of a night time Tsunami warning these sirens would awaken residents - and a publicity campaign would condition them to turn on TV or radio to be advised of the threat and given evacuation instructions.
Of course that is not going to happen. We will not spend any money and the evacuation plan will be a quaint document that will rest undisturbed in some minister's office.
But - the government will be able to claim that it is " alert and functional " in addressing our needs !
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Gobbledeegook !
Why is it that the makers of television sets, video recorders, mobile phones - and a vast array of similar appliances insist on writing the instruction manual in Swahili ?
It might as well be in Swahili for all the sense it makes to the average person.
The fundamentals of these appliances are certainly space age, but what the average person wants to know could easily be condensed to plain language instructions. There is not much point in referring to the controls by the technical jargon understood by technicians if that leaves the purchaser unable to identify what needs to be done.
This has now reached the point where a whole new sub-strata of technician has emerged. Having bought the item you need to find one of these technicians to come and install the product and show you how to control it - and they usually charge a fifty dollar fee for that service.
But - times are changing. The downturn in the economy has made electrical goods much harder to sell, and as a consequence more and more retailers are adding the words " we deliver and install " to their sales pitch.
Now all that is needed is for the product manufacturers to add a step by step instruction in plain English - completely removing jargon - so that the moderately gifted consumer can figure out how to install frequently celled numbers in a mobile phone or hookup a video recorder.
Hopefully - the job of writing the instruction booklet may pass from a technical boffin to a real person. That would be a form of progress welcomed by many !
It might as well be in Swahili for all the sense it makes to the average person.
The fundamentals of these appliances are certainly space age, but what the average person wants to know could easily be condensed to plain language instructions. There is not much point in referring to the controls by the technical jargon understood by technicians if that leaves the purchaser unable to identify what needs to be done.
This has now reached the point where a whole new sub-strata of technician has emerged. Having bought the item you need to find one of these technicians to come and install the product and show you how to control it - and they usually charge a fifty dollar fee for that service.
But - times are changing. The downturn in the economy has made electrical goods much harder to sell, and as a consequence more and more retailers are adding the words " we deliver and install " to their sales pitch.
Now all that is needed is for the product manufacturers to add a step by step instruction in plain English - completely removing jargon - so that the moderately gifted consumer can figure out how to install frequently celled numbers in a mobile phone or hookup a video recorder.
Hopefully - the job of writing the instruction booklet may pass from a technical boffin to a real person. That would be a form of progress welcomed by many !
Friday, 15 August 2008
The transport tax question !
The tax burden on owning a car and using it for transport is rapidly reaching " mission impossible " status. We are urged by the government to leave the car at home and use public transport, but the public system is already staggering under the load and if drivers abandoned their cars it would collapse.
The car owner is probably the most taxed human on this planet. After paying income tax and GST to the Federals government the state weighs in with a drivers license fee, registration fee, Green slip fee and the assorted fines from police and fixed camera revenue raising.
And it doesn't stop there. The local council imposes annual rates, part of which go to maintaining the municipal road system.
Then comes the cost of buying a car - which involves sales tax - followed by that most draconian tax of all - that imposed on petrol and diesel.
All that would be tolerable if it resulted in good roads that were not congested. Unfortunately neither city arteries or interstate highways come even close to meeting that criteria - and we are increasingly being forced to pay another tax to use them - this time a road toll !
The law prevents any government imposing a toll road as the only means of access from one point to another - but it does not prevent that government from imposing all sorts of restrictions on that alternative road to discourage use.
These restrictions can mean deleting a lane by nominating it a bus lane only, imposing no right or no left turn signs, lowering speed limits to ridiculous levels or implementing traffic calming measures such as speed humps.
The average motorist has every right to be enraged when this plethora of taxes - supposedly levied to provide a good road system - is siphoned off to other purposes.
In fact, an incredibly small percentage is spent on actually upgrading our road system - and if the present trend continues the day may be fast approaching when travelling between cities on any sort of decent road may include a toll.
The biggest single group of taxpayers in this country are car owners. It is about time that they used their clout to deliver a message to all levels of government.
They are fed up with poor roads, revenue raising " safety " fines, rapacious fuel taxes - and tolls imposed on roads already more than paid for from this taxation system.
It would seem that the slogan " No tax without representation " could well apply to motorists in this country !
The car owner is probably the most taxed human on this planet. After paying income tax and GST to the Federals government the state weighs in with a drivers license fee, registration fee, Green slip fee and the assorted fines from police and fixed camera revenue raising.
And it doesn't stop there. The local council imposes annual rates, part of which go to maintaining the municipal road system.
Then comes the cost of buying a car - which involves sales tax - followed by that most draconian tax of all - that imposed on petrol and diesel.
All that would be tolerable if it resulted in good roads that were not congested. Unfortunately neither city arteries or interstate highways come even close to meeting that criteria - and we are increasingly being forced to pay another tax to use them - this time a road toll !
The law prevents any government imposing a toll road as the only means of access from one point to another - but it does not prevent that government from imposing all sorts of restrictions on that alternative road to discourage use.
These restrictions can mean deleting a lane by nominating it a bus lane only, imposing no right or no left turn signs, lowering speed limits to ridiculous levels or implementing traffic calming measures such as speed humps.
The average motorist has every right to be enraged when this plethora of taxes - supposedly levied to provide a good road system - is siphoned off to other purposes.
In fact, an incredibly small percentage is spent on actually upgrading our road system - and if the present trend continues the day may be fast approaching when travelling between cities on any sort of decent road may include a toll.
The biggest single group of taxpayers in this country are car owners. It is about time that they used their clout to deliver a message to all levels of government.
They are fed up with poor roads, revenue raising " safety " fines, rapacious fuel taxes - and tolls imposed on roads already more than paid for from this taxation system.
It would seem that the slogan " No tax without representation " could well apply to motorists in this country !
Thursday, 14 August 2008
The Russian bear roars !
The Berlin wall came down - Democracy came to Russia - and it looked like Europe was moving into a new era of peace and prosperity.
Nothing really changed. Deep in the hearts of the Russian Politburo - whatever name it is now called - lurks an ambition to rule Europe and subject the races that makeup that Federation to Russian dominance.
The invasion of Georgia had many pretences. The tribes that makeup Europe are scattered and divided by boundaries drawn by past invaders and commercial interests. It was unrest by these tribes that brought about the numerous civil wars that killed thousands and redrew the map of the former Yugoslavia.
Georgia was once a Russian possession - and the new Russia wants it and those other states that broke away after Glasnost returned to the fold. All of them are under threat from the Russian armed forces - and all that has been missing is an opportunity.
Dissidents with a Russian background wanting to secede to Russia provided that opportunity - but there was another greater prize to be won by a contrived invasion.
Russian oil and gas has not only provided the money to enlarge the Russian armed forces. It has also given Russia a stranglehold on the west because Europe is now dependent on this vital commodity for heating and commerce.
The only fly in the ointment was a single pipeline running through Georgia - outside Russian control - and therefore capable of neutralising the power of oil and gas supplies being used as a commercial weapon.
With an invaded Georgia returned to Russian dominance that escape hatch for the west has closed. Russia has thumbed it's nose at the European Union and the United Nations - and once again Russian tanks have crossed borders and reimposed control.
Watch for more of the same in the short term as imperial Russia reclaims it's empire !
Nothing really changed. Deep in the hearts of the Russian Politburo - whatever name it is now called - lurks an ambition to rule Europe and subject the races that makeup that Federation to Russian dominance.
The invasion of Georgia had many pretences. The tribes that makeup Europe are scattered and divided by boundaries drawn by past invaders and commercial interests. It was unrest by these tribes that brought about the numerous civil wars that killed thousands and redrew the map of the former Yugoslavia.
Georgia was once a Russian possession - and the new Russia wants it and those other states that broke away after Glasnost returned to the fold. All of them are under threat from the Russian armed forces - and all that has been missing is an opportunity.
Dissidents with a Russian background wanting to secede to Russia provided that opportunity - but there was another greater prize to be won by a contrived invasion.
Russian oil and gas has not only provided the money to enlarge the Russian armed forces. It has also given Russia a stranglehold on the west because Europe is now dependent on this vital commodity for heating and commerce.
The only fly in the ointment was a single pipeline running through Georgia - outside Russian control - and therefore capable of neutralising the power of oil and gas supplies being used as a commercial weapon.
With an invaded Georgia returned to Russian dominance that escape hatch for the west has closed. Russia has thumbed it's nose at the European Union and the United Nations - and once again Russian tanks have crossed borders and reimposed control.
Watch for more of the same in the short term as imperial Russia reclaims it's empire !
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
The " almost " Olympics.
The Bejing Olympics will go down in history as a strange contest between a fanatical government and the world of sport in the quest for perfection.
Few could complain about the venue. Thirty billion dollars was spent to provide the best facilities the world has seen. The opening ceremony was a masterpiece of entertainment and the planners had every right to include digital themes and mime artists to achieve a television spectacular for the world.
And yet there is something missing. Many events are played out to rows of empty seats. There are no milling, smiling crowds in the public spaces surrounding the Olympic venues. That missing something is - atmosphere.
Perhaps it is a case of the Chinese Communist government trying too hard. There is a perception that everything is being stage managed to the smallest degree - and this has become intimidating to the Chinese people who are not sure what is expected of them.
Security is tight - and it has to be. People are dead from bomb attacks in the Muslim majority areas of China and threats have been made against the Olympic venue.
Tibet and it's quest for autonomy is an ever present threat that could boil over at any time - and the one certainty that hangs like a sword over these games is the perception that the government simply does not trust it's own people.
That manifests itself in broken promises. Press freedom was curtailed when sites on the Internet deemed sensitive were blocked from journalists. Citizens speaking to foreign visitors are under observation and being filmed by security people - and the purpose of that surveillance is unknown.
The Chinese government is making frantic efforts to loosen up. No doubt citizens will be dragooned to fill those empty seats and we have the expectation of a closing ceremony bonanza to come.
But somehow these Olympics will be remembered for the promise that didn't eventuate - and for many Bejing will be remembered as a place to avoid because - despite a huge effort to close factories and reduce motor traffic - this city has foul air and perpetual smog.
It held an Olympics that " almost " achieved it's objective.
Few could complain about the venue. Thirty billion dollars was spent to provide the best facilities the world has seen. The opening ceremony was a masterpiece of entertainment and the planners had every right to include digital themes and mime artists to achieve a television spectacular for the world.
And yet there is something missing. Many events are played out to rows of empty seats. There are no milling, smiling crowds in the public spaces surrounding the Olympic venues. That missing something is - atmosphere.
Perhaps it is a case of the Chinese Communist government trying too hard. There is a perception that everything is being stage managed to the smallest degree - and this has become intimidating to the Chinese people who are not sure what is expected of them.
Security is tight - and it has to be. People are dead from bomb attacks in the Muslim majority areas of China and threats have been made against the Olympic venue.
Tibet and it's quest for autonomy is an ever present threat that could boil over at any time - and the one certainty that hangs like a sword over these games is the perception that the government simply does not trust it's own people.
That manifests itself in broken promises. Press freedom was curtailed when sites on the Internet deemed sensitive were blocked from journalists. Citizens speaking to foreign visitors are under observation and being filmed by security people - and the purpose of that surveillance is unknown.
The Chinese government is making frantic efforts to loosen up. No doubt citizens will be dragooned to fill those empty seats and we have the expectation of a closing ceremony bonanza to come.
But somehow these Olympics will be remembered for the promise that didn't eventuate - and for many Bejing will be remembered as a place to avoid because - despite a huge effort to close factories and reduce motor traffic - this city has foul air and perpetual smog.
It held an Olympics that " almost " achieved it's objective.
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
A dim view !
Residents of Shell Cove have every reason to be disgruntled. They bought very expensive land and built their homes on the promise they would have water views over an iconic marina. Instead they will have a view of a dry, dusty paddock.
The developer cites the downturn in the property market for calling an indefinite delay in starting the marina.
That being the case, the marina may be years away - and there is also the
possibility that it may never be built.
The next stumbling block may be rising sea levels. There are rumblings in government and council circles that global warming and the melting of glaciers may result in litigation if flooding makes coastal housing unlivable.
Nothing would be more prone to damage than a marina if rising ocean levels consigned it and it's services to become a suburb of Atlantis !
Up until now global warming has been something of a joke, only taken seriously by a few scientists with a droll sense of humour. We can't even get agreement on how far sea levels might rise - and because of that little has changed as far as building regulations are concerned.
Anybody considering building or buying a house would now be well advised to do some hard thinking. The pundits may be wrong and this Co2 thing may be simply pie in the sky - but right or wrong decisions will soon be made that will have an affect on the value of property.
The wise will opt for higher ground - and maybe a beach front address will not be so attractive in the immediate future !
The developer cites the downturn in the property market for calling an indefinite delay in starting the marina.
That being the case, the marina may be years away - and there is also the
possibility that it may never be built.
The next stumbling block may be rising sea levels. There are rumblings in government and council circles that global warming and the melting of glaciers may result in litigation if flooding makes coastal housing unlivable.
Nothing would be more prone to damage than a marina if rising ocean levels consigned it and it's services to become a suburb of Atlantis !
Up until now global warming has been something of a joke, only taken seriously by a few scientists with a droll sense of humour. We can't even get agreement on how far sea levels might rise - and because of that little has changed as far as building regulations are concerned.
Anybody considering building or buying a house would now be well advised to do some hard thinking. The pundits may be wrong and this Co2 thing may be simply pie in the sky - but right or wrong decisions will soon be made that will have an affect on the value of property.
The wise will opt for higher ground - and maybe a beach front address will not be so attractive in the immediate future !
Monday, 11 August 2008
Legal guns.
What strange thinking some people apply to firearms !
An application is before Wollongong council for the establishment of a sporting goods shop - which happens to include guns amongst it's wares - in the suburb of Fairy Meadow.
This proposal has created a groundswell of opposition from otherwise fair minded people. There have been protest meetings and dire predictions of doom. The proposed site of the shop is near a school, and those in opposition have conjured up visions of gun toting louts swaggering through the streets and frightening children.
There are other stores that sell guns in this city - and they have existed for years. How come the problems these people in opposition claim are not happening as a consequence of these stores ?
Hunting is a legitimate sport and those that take the trouble to obtain a firearms license have every right to buy a gun and gun supplies. It is evident that the people opposing this new store would voice the same opposition - nomatter where it was located. They are simply " anti-gun " and want to ban a legitimate product from public sale.
The council planners gave this store the nod because it complied with all planning regulations. The councillors - frightened of a voter backlash that might deprive them of their plush seats - turned it down, despite the certainty of legal costs if the case went to court.
Now the case is back before the administrators - who do not have the same fear of being voted out of office. Hopefully, sanity will prevail. Public hysteria is not a valid reason for rejecting a legitimate development proposal !
An application is before Wollongong council for the establishment of a sporting goods shop - which happens to include guns amongst it's wares - in the suburb of Fairy Meadow.
This proposal has created a groundswell of opposition from otherwise fair minded people. There have been protest meetings and dire predictions of doom. The proposed site of the shop is near a school, and those in opposition have conjured up visions of gun toting louts swaggering through the streets and frightening children.
There are other stores that sell guns in this city - and they have existed for years. How come the problems these people in opposition claim are not happening as a consequence of these stores ?
Hunting is a legitimate sport and those that take the trouble to obtain a firearms license have every right to buy a gun and gun supplies. It is evident that the people opposing this new store would voice the same opposition - nomatter where it was located. They are simply " anti-gun " and want to ban a legitimate product from public sale.
The council planners gave this store the nod because it complied with all planning regulations. The councillors - frightened of a voter backlash that might deprive them of their plush seats - turned it down, despite the certainty of legal costs if the case went to court.
Now the case is back before the administrators - who do not have the same fear of being voted out of office. Hopefully, sanity will prevail. Public hysteria is not a valid reason for rejecting a legitimate development proposal !
Sunday, 10 August 2008
The comparison challenge !
The splendour of the Bejing Olympic games opening ceremony achieved a new high. China is rumoured to have spent thirty billion dollars hosting the games, and that presents an impossible challenge for future Olympic cities.
London has the honour four years from now - and inevitably the world will expect an opening ceremony that it bigger, brighter and better than that presented in Bejing.
There simply can not be an even comparison. China is a one party dictatorship and there is no check on the spending decisions it's leaders make. Huge numbers were involved in the opening ceremony - and many were drawn from the People's Liberation army. There are no statistics on whether performers were paid for their services - or merely drafted - and huge numbers of people were relocated without adequate compensation to make way for the Olympic site.
Whatever decisions the London Olympic committee make will be subjected to intense scrutiny by the media and the British parliament. Every penny will be counted and in a democracy that expenditure will be measured against unmet social needs in the community. To even meet the spending level of China would provoke an unprecedented level of criticism.
This may be the time to make a necessary change. Maybe we have gone too far in creating ever bigger extravaganzas. Perhaps the time has come to scale back to an achievable format so that in the years ahead staging the Olympics can not only be considered by the richest of rich countries.
The Olympics are a world event and they originated in Greece, a country not considered wealthy. The last Olympics taxed their resources to the extent that they will be paying off that debt for many years.
The Olympics bring fame and glory to any country hosting the event. The media showcases that country to the world - and tourists come in droves.
Perhaps the Olympic spirit would be enhanced if staging the games became within reach for even the poorest country on this planet - but to do that fresh limits need to be placed on the cost !
London has the honour four years from now - and inevitably the world will expect an opening ceremony that it bigger, brighter and better than that presented in Bejing.
There simply can not be an even comparison. China is a one party dictatorship and there is no check on the spending decisions it's leaders make. Huge numbers were involved in the opening ceremony - and many were drawn from the People's Liberation army. There are no statistics on whether performers were paid for their services - or merely drafted - and huge numbers of people were relocated without adequate compensation to make way for the Olympic site.
Whatever decisions the London Olympic committee make will be subjected to intense scrutiny by the media and the British parliament. Every penny will be counted and in a democracy that expenditure will be measured against unmet social needs in the community. To even meet the spending level of China would provoke an unprecedented level of criticism.
This may be the time to make a necessary change. Maybe we have gone too far in creating ever bigger extravaganzas. Perhaps the time has come to scale back to an achievable format so that in the years ahead staging the Olympics can not only be considered by the richest of rich countries.
The Olympics are a world event and they originated in Greece, a country not considered wealthy. The last Olympics taxed their resources to the extent that they will be paying off that debt for many years.
The Olympics bring fame and glory to any country hosting the event. The media showcases that country to the world - and tourists come in droves.
Perhaps the Olympic spirit would be enhanced if staging the games became within reach for even the poorest country on this planet - but to do that fresh limits need to be placed on the cost !
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Swings and Roundabouts !
Bulk buying of groceries will mean lower prices ? Right !
Everyone will benefit ? Wrong !
The first law of commerce is certain to apply to the bulk buying fad. There must be a strong incentive for people to buy more than they need - and that incentive is a price saving.
To achieve that incentive it makes sense to make the single item price less attractive by increasing it sharply. In contrast - the price for bulk buying several items looks much better.
That's just fine - provided every purchaser is a bulk buy customer. But what about the disadvantaged ? Those on a pension or low wages who have no option other than to buy single items ?
The more unscrupulous supermarket bosses will also see a cute way of improving their markup. There is no certainty that mini bulk buying is going to continue indefinitely. It may be a passing attraction - but those inflated single item prices will look quite normal because we have become used to them.
The problem in this country is that we lack meaningful competition. Two giant chains control the grocery market and when they negotiate a lease in a new shopping centre they insist on excluding possible opposition stores.
There are moves to make this illegal, but apart from Aldi there is no serious challenge to the supremacy of the big two - and with the purchase power they wield smaller grocery chains have no hope of matching them when it comes to purchase price.
Beware the bulk buy tactic. It is a Trojan horse to quietly lift the single item price !
Everyone will benefit ? Wrong !
The first law of commerce is certain to apply to the bulk buying fad. There must be a strong incentive for people to buy more than they need - and that incentive is a price saving.
To achieve that incentive it makes sense to make the single item price less attractive by increasing it sharply. In contrast - the price for bulk buying several items looks much better.
That's just fine - provided every purchaser is a bulk buy customer. But what about the disadvantaged ? Those on a pension or low wages who have no option other than to buy single items ?
The more unscrupulous supermarket bosses will also see a cute way of improving their markup. There is no certainty that mini bulk buying is going to continue indefinitely. It may be a passing attraction - but those inflated single item prices will look quite normal because we have become used to them.
The problem in this country is that we lack meaningful competition. Two giant chains control the grocery market and when they negotiate a lease in a new shopping centre they insist on excluding possible opposition stores.
There are moves to make this illegal, but apart from Aldi there is no serious challenge to the supremacy of the big two - and with the purchase power they wield smaller grocery chains have no hope of matching them when it comes to purchase price.
Beware the bulk buy tactic. It is a Trojan horse to quietly lift the single item price !
Friday, 8 August 2008
Justice denied ?
There is a strange aroma about the sittings of the " Special Tribunal " being held at the American base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The legality of the process has been and still is questioned by legal authorities in the US - and special legislation has been needed to overcome repeated findings that it does not meet the standards of justice required under the US constitution.
Despite this, the first case has concluded with a finding of " guilty of providing material support " to al Qaeda and it's mastermind - Osama bin Laden.
The astonishing thing is that the charged person is not a field commander or an operational terrorist - but the lackey given the job of driver for bin Laden.
At the end of the second world war - when German war criminals were tried at Nuremberg - few can imagine Adolph Hitler's driver making a court appearance.
This " Special Tribunal " has all the hallmarks of a set-up to provide theatre for the anti terrorist war. Legislation has been rushed through to clear legal obstacles, with the result that the legal process under way bears no resemblance to the legal process that would apply to American citizens.
Salim Hamdan - the man found guilty - will probably get a sentence out of all proportion to the alleged crime committed. He will likely serve life in gaol for what is probably not even a crime in the eyes of the World Court of Justice.
This first court case at Guantanamo Bay seems to have been a " dummy run " to test the system and iron out any bugs before more serious offenders get their day in court - however legal that may be !
This system of " justice " has about it a foul stench, being held well away from an American court room and under military jurisdiction, with the jury comprising serving officers who can be expected to deliver a verdict favoured by their bosses.
" Fairness " seems to have been a victim of " expediency ! "
The legality of the process has been and still is questioned by legal authorities in the US - and special legislation has been needed to overcome repeated findings that it does not meet the standards of justice required under the US constitution.
Despite this, the first case has concluded with a finding of " guilty of providing material support " to al Qaeda and it's mastermind - Osama bin Laden.
The astonishing thing is that the charged person is not a field commander or an operational terrorist - but the lackey given the job of driver for bin Laden.
At the end of the second world war - when German war criminals were tried at Nuremberg - few can imagine Adolph Hitler's driver making a court appearance.
This " Special Tribunal " has all the hallmarks of a set-up to provide theatre for the anti terrorist war. Legislation has been rushed through to clear legal obstacles, with the result that the legal process under way bears no resemblance to the legal process that would apply to American citizens.
Salim Hamdan - the man found guilty - will probably get a sentence out of all proportion to the alleged crime committed. He will likely serve life in gaol for what is probably not even a crime in the eyes of the World Court of Justice.
This first court case at Guantanamo Bay seems to have been a " dummy run " to test the system and iron out any bugs before more serious offenders get their day in court - however legal that may be !
This system of " justice " has about it a foul stench, being held well away from an American court room and under military jurisdiction, with the jury comprising serving officers who can be expected to deliver a verdict favoured by their bosses.
" Fairness " seems to have been a victim of " expediency ! "
Thursday, 7 August 2008
The wheels of justice !
In recent months there have been a number of vicious rapes in south western Sydney. An investigation culminated when one of the victims thought she saw the rapist on a busy street.
The police culled through cctv coverage of rail stations in that area - and the victim spotted a person she believed was her attacker. The police released footage to the media with the comment that they were inviting help in identifying a rapist.
The young man pictured promptly attended a police station to clear up what was a matter of mistaken identity. He was arrested, strip searched and thrown into gaol. No attempt was made to verify his whereabouts at the time of the rapes.
Days later - when the police finally bothered to make these checks - it was revealed that he had been at work at those times. He was further vindicated when DNA left at the rape scenes did not match the samples he provided. The police simply released him without an apology.
Whatever happened to " innocent until proved guilty ". This seems a prime example of sloppy police work. A simple check with his employer at the time he attended a police station would have resolved the matter. Instead he was named and shamed as a rapist - and for those folk who believe in the adage that " there is no smoke without fire " he will have a permanent stain on his character.
There is also the matter of risk. Rapists are not treated kindly by fellow prisoners and after his arrest he was paraded before the media cameras and named. It seems pure luck that he survived for days in the prison system without being bashed and seriously injured.
To add insult to injury the Premier refuses to apologise and the only hope of redress is for this man to sue the government and the police department.
Even then, he will be at a disadvantage. The government will mount a defence employing high quality lawyers - paid for from public funds. Any verdict will no doubt be appealed to a higher court - again with the applicant footing the bill.
The government will hope that the victim will simply give up because the cost of justice is beyond his reach.
The average citizen will read of this awful travesty of justice with a shudder - and remember that old adage - " There but for the grace of God go I ! "
The police culled through cctv coverage of rail stations in that area - and the victim spotted a person she believed was her attacker. The police released footage to the media with the comment that they were inviting help in identifying a rapist.
The young man pictured promptly attended a police station to clear up what was a matter of mistaken identity. He was arrested, strip searched and thrown into gaol. No attempt was made to verify his whereabouts at the time of the rapes.
Days later - when the police finally bothered to make these checks - it was revealed that he had been at work at those times. He was further vindicated when DNA left at the rape scenes did not match the samples he provided. The police simply released him without an apology.
Whatever happened to " innocent until proved guilty ". This seems a prime example of sloppy police work. A simple check with his employer at the time he attended a police station would have resolved the matter. Instead he was named and shamed as a rapist - and for those folk who believe in the adage that " there is no smoke without fire " he will have a permanent stain on his character.
There is also the matter of risk. Rapists are not treated kindly by fellow prisoners and after his arrest he was paraded before the media cameras and named. It seems pure luck that he survived for days in the prison system without being bashed and seriously injured.
To add insult to injury the Premier refuses to apologise and the only hope of redress is for this man to sue the government and the police department.
Even then, he will be at a disadvantage. The government will mount a defence employing high quality lawyers - paid for from public funds. Any verdict will no doubt be appealed to a higher court - again with the applicant footing the bill.
The government will hope that the victim will simply give up because the cost of justice is beyond his reach.
The average citizen will read of this awful travesty of justice with a shudder - and remember that old adage - " There but for the grace of God go I ! "
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
The Mall - Decision time !
The Wollongong Mall has been surveyed to death - without a binding conclusion. Unfortunately a decision can be delayed no longer because a huge extension to the shopping precinct is about to happen.
The debate is about whether to open the Mall to one way traffic at night, or leave it as a pedestrian friendly closed promenade. There is no doubt that the majority of Wollongong citizens want it to remain closed to cars.
The Mall was originally created in panic mode. Crown street - the main street of Wollongong - was a strip of archaic 1930's style shopfronts in decay. Population growth was occurring in the southern suburbs and Wollongong feared losing it's focus as the capital of the Illawarra to Shellharbour.
The Mall is a great place during the day. It is well patronised and hosts a buoyant shopping precinct - but this dies at night. At six o'clock the shops shut their doors, the lights are turned off and Wollongong Mall becomes a pedestrian grave yard.
Unfortunately all the banks have chosen to locate their ATM's in the Mall. As a result, anybody needing to make a withdrawal is forced to park their car at least a block away - and chance walking through the Mall with it's coterie of drunks, drug pushers, bashers and general misfits !
The initial Mall concept was for night shopping and a concentration of eating establishments to make a shopping spree an entertaining experience. It didn't happen that way. The shops were not interested in night trading - and the restaurant districts established themselves in Keira street to the west and Corrimal street to the east. There is no prospect of a restaurant revival in the Mall.
The Mall shows signs of life from about 6 am. Council workers appear and spruce the place up and delivery trucks disgorge merchandise to restock stores.
Shop people straggle in from about 7-30 am - and the shoppers arrive sometime after 9 o'clock. By mid morning the Mall is a bustling success.
All that dies an instant death st six pm - and that is the problem facing the decision makers.
If the new and bigger shopping extension in Keira street embraces night shopping and has restaurants in the plan then there is a high chance that an unchanged Mall will simply die.
The planners are confronted with a challenging decision. Defy the wishes of the people and open the Mall to cars - or do nothing and see a more modern duplication drain the life from the existing " birdcage ".
At least the implementation of motor traffic at night would bring those needing ATM's the much needed security of more pedestrians.
The debate is about whether to open the Mall to one way traffic at night, or leave it as a pedestrian friendly closed promenade. There is no doubt that the majority of Wollongong citizens want it to remain closed to cars.
The Mall was originally created in panic mode. Crown street - the main street of Wollongong - was a strip of archaic 1930's style shopfronts in decay. Population growth was occurring in the southern suburbs and Wollongong feared losing it's focus as the capital of the Illawarra to Shellharbour.
The Mall is a great place during the day. It is well patronised and hosts a buoyant shopping precinct - but this dies at night. At six o'clock the shops shut their doors, the lights are turned off and Wollongong Mall becomes a pedestrian grave yard.
Unfortunately all the banks have chosen to locate their ATM's in the Mall. As a result, anybody needing to make a withdrawal is forced to park their car at least a block away - and chance walking through the Mall with it's coterie of drunks, drug pushers, bashers and general misfits !
The initial Mall concept was for night shopping and a concentration of eating establishments to make a shopping spree an entertaining experience. It didn't happen that way. The shops were not interested in night trading - and the restaurant districts established themselves in Keira street to the west and Corrimal street to the east. There is no prospect of a restaurant revival in the Mall.
The Mall shows signs of life from about 6 am. Council workers appear and spruce the place up and delivery trucks disgorge merchandise to restock stores.
Shop people straggle in from about 7-30 am - and the shoppers arrive sometime after 9 o'clock. By mid morning the Mall is a bustling success.
All that dies an instant death st six pm - and that is the problem facing the decision makers.
If the new and bigger shopping extension in Keira street embraces night shopping and has restaurants in the plan then there is a high chance that an unchanged Mall will simply die.
The planners are confronted with a challenging decision. Defy the wishes of the people and open the Mall to cars - or do nothing and see a more modern duplication drain the life from the existing " birdcage ".
At least the implementation of motor traffic at night would bring those needing ATM's the much needed security of more pedestrians.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Doha failure - again !
For decades good citizens have hoped that world trade could become a level playing field - and that the huge imbalance against the developing world could be corrected.
Hope is one thing. Achievement is another - and once again that gathering of nations called the " Doha round " has concluded - in failure !
In the past, failure has been the result of the developed world refusing to open it's markets because it's farm lobby has refused to give up lucrative subsidies that have supported inefficient farming practice.
This time it was different. Fast developing economies China and India have a sharp imbalance between the prosperity of their cities and their impoverished countryside. They fear that opening their markets to western farm products would cause such a backlash that it could lead to civil war - and as a result they were the stumbling block that led to failure.
One thing is certain. Further change is on the future horizon - and once again the dice will roll heavily against the developing world.
This planet Earth is becoming overcrowded. At the same time, global warming is going to bring with it more droughts and lower food production - and this will be further enhanced by farming land being reserved for ethanol production to alleviate the oil shortage.
Food prices are already slipping out of reach of the world's poor. When the rich countries run short of food there is no doubt that they will use their financial clout to buy what they need to sustain their wasteful lifestyles.
Doha may be the aim of reaching some sort of nirvana - but when push comes to shove the needs of the developing world will fall a long way short when it comes to competing with money !
Hope is one thing. Achievement is another - and once again that gathering of nations called the " Doha round " has concluded - in failure !
In the past, failure has been the result of the developed world refusing to open it's markets because it's farm lobby has refused to give up lucrative subsidies that have supported inefficient farming practice.
This time it was different. Fast developing economies China and India have a sharp imbalance between the prosperity of their cities and their impoverished countryside. They fear that opening their markets to western farm products would cause such a backlash that it could lead to civil war - and as a result they were the stumbling block that led to failure.
One thing is certain. Further change is on the future horizon - and once again the dice will roll heavily against the developing world.
This planet Earth is becoming overcrowded. At the same time, global warming is going to bring with it more droughts and lower food production - and this will be further enhanced by farming land being reserved for ethanol production to alleviate the oil shortage.
Food prices are already slipping out of reach of the world's poor. When the rich countries run short of food there is no doubt that they will use their financial clout to buy what they need to sustain their wasteful lifestyles.
Doha may be the aim of reaching some sort of nirvana - but when push comes to shove the needs of the developing world will fall a long way short when it comes to competing with money !
Monday, 4 August 2008
Tobacconists.
One person in every six in Australia regularly smokes - and to service these people every city and town has tobacconist shops specifically designed to service their needs.
Cigarettes are also sold by corner stores, petrol stations and supermarkets, but it is the local tobacconist who stocks the widest range of tobacco products, including pipe tobacco and cigars.
Tobacco is a legal product - but now the government has legislation pending that will deprive tobacconists of their living. It is hard to imagine any shop surviving when it is refused the right to show the product it sells or refer to that product by way of signage or window displays.
Does the government have a moral right to cause a shopkeeper loss and prevent the owner from earning a living without recompense ?
This same government greedily pockets the heavy taxes levied on tobacco but in the interests of public health sets out to impose impossible trading conditions on a product which remains legal.
There is a better way to improve public health by reducing smoking. The government should offer a one off bounty to those who sign a commitment to cease selling tobacco products. Those that break that contract at a later date would be subject to a draconian fine.
That would be a good way to sharply reduce the number of outlets selling cigarettes, and if tobacco is difficult to find then there is an added incentive for smokers to quit.
It would also compensate speciality tobacconists for shutting up shop - and achieve what is the hidden agenda of government with this legislation - to drive tobacco sales to the stage when making the product illegal is possible.
Cigarettes are also sold by corner stores, petrol stations and supermarkets, but it is the local tobacconist who stocks the widest range of tobacco products, including pipe tobacco and cigars.
Tobacco is a legal product - but now the government has legislation pending that will deprive tobacconists of their living. It is hard to imagine any shop surviving when it is refused the right to show the product it sells or refer to that product by way of signage or window displays.
Does the government have a moral right to cause a shopkeeper loss and prevent the owner from earning a living without recompense ?
This same government greedily pockets the heavy taxes levied on tobacco but in the interests of public health sets out to impose impossible trading conditions on a product which remains legal.
There is a better way to improve public health by reducing smoking. The government should offer a one off bounty to those who sign a commitment to cease selling tobacco products. Those that break that contract at a later date would be subject to a draconian fine.
That would be a good way to sharply reduce the number of outlets selling cigarettes, and if tobacco is difficult to find then there is an added incentive for smokers to quit.
It would also compensate speciality tobacconists for shutting up shop - and achieve what is the hidden agenda of government with this legislation - to drive tobacco sales to the stage when making the product illegal is possible.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Snoopers !
From Friday - the first of August - police gained new powers. They are now able to put an electronic trace on your car - or bug your phone or computer - for four days without having to get a warrant from a Supreme court judge.
This is in the interests of combating terrorism, of course ! But the powers are even wider. Police are now able to cross state borders - and surveillance warrants are valid for ninety days in place of the previous twenty-one days.
We are assured there are safeguards. In the event that the police apply for a warrant from a Supreme court judge - and it is refused - all information gained must be immediately destroyed.
How do you erase facts gained from the mind of an investigating officer ? And what if those facts - now deemed to be illegally gained - are used at some time in the future to process an entirely unrelated matter ?
These " special emergency powers " are an awesome increase in the police arsenal. Some people will believe that only the guilty have reason to fear them, but not all police are model citizens. Some have a dark side and the ability to intrude on any citizens private world opens an interesting can of worms !
The only advice civil liberty people can offer is " get used to it ! " We are gradually slipping into becoming a police state because the twin threats from criminals and terrorists can not be controlled by the previous range of laws.
The electronic age brought both benefits and challenges - and as the criminal mind accepted new opportunities so the investigating powers needed new tools to level the playing field.
Today we would be wise to live our lives with the expectation that at any moment someone somewhere is looking over our shoulder !
This is in the interests of combating terrorism, of course ! But the powers are even wider. Police are now able to cross state borders - and surveillance warrants are valid for ninety days in place of the previous twenty-one days.
We are assured there are safeguards. In the event that the police apply for a warrant from a Supreme court judge - and it is refused - all information gained must be immediately destroyed.
How do you erase facts gained from the mind of an investigating officer ? And what if those facts - now deemed to be illegally gained - are used at some time in the future to process an entirely unrelated matter ?
These " special emergency powers " are an awesome increase in the police arsenal. Some people will believe that only the guilty have reason to fear them, but not all police are model citizens. Some have a dark side and the ability to intrude on any citizens private world opens an interesting can of worms !
The only advice civil liberty people can offer is " get used to it ! " We are gradually slipping into becoming a police state because the twin threats from criminals and terrorists can not be controlled by the previous range of laws.
The electronic age brought both benefits and challenges - and as the criminal mind accepted new opportunities so the investigating powers needed new tools to level the playing field.
Today we would be wise to live our lives with the expectation that at any moment someone somewhere is looking over our shoulder !
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Pay TV.
Recently released figures reveal that Pay TV is making inroads into free to air TV audiences. More and more people are agreeing to the highest Pay TV rates in the world - to escape the frustrations that free to air inflicts on viewers.
Free to air planners simply do not get it. They engage in a crafty war to enhance ratings by deliberately running over time to discourage viewers from changing channels.
They figure that if the opposition's show has already started - viewers will stay where they are. This infringes on the viewers right to a choice - and stokes discontent with the free to air networks.
Then there is the complete lack of adherence with the published programme guides. The major networks delete shows and substitute others on a whim - with disdain for the wishes of the viewers.
Another source of friction is the increased number of TV advertisements creeping into each hours viewing. That is sheer greed on the part of free to air channels.
More advertisements equate to more dollars in the network's bank account - and have you noticed the annoying habit of boosting volume to ear splitting level during commercials ?
This contempt for the viewer is not shared by either the ABC or SBS, but the arrogance of the three major networks will continue to erode viewer numbers and drive them into the arms of Pay TV.
The only good thing is that the arrival of digital mode may create more competition with new channels entering the free to air offerings.
Free to air planners simply do not get it. They engage in a crafty war to enhance ratings by deliberately running over time to discourage viewers from changing channels.
They figure that if the opposition's show has already started - viewers will stay where they are. This infringes on the viewers right to a choice - and stokes discontent with the free to air networks.
Then there is the complete lack of adherence with the published programme guides. The major networks delete shows and substitute others on a whim - with disdain for the wishes of the viewers.
Another source of friction is the increased number of TV advertisements creeping into each hours viewing. That is sheer greed on the part of free to air channels.
More advertisements equate to more dollars in the network's bank account - and have you noticed the annoying habit of boosting volume to ear splitting level during commercials ?
This contempt for the viewer is not shared by either the ABC or SBS, but the arrogance of the three major networks will continue to erode viewer numbers and drive them into the arms of Pay TV.
The only good thing is that the arrival of digital mode may create more competition with new channels entering the free to air offerings.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Responsibility !
Whatever happened to the notion that people given a responsible job were held accountable for the outcome ?
Highly placed operatives in the Health Department took Graeme Reeves lies when he applied for the obstetrics job at Bega and Pambula hospitals without bothering to make the necessary background checks.
Reeves got the appointment - and as a result hundreds of women were sexually abused - had genitalia mutilated - and some may have died. This could have been prevented had the civil servants responsible for the appointment done their job properly.
So - did anyone get the sack ? Was the Health minister banished to the back bench ?
Absolutely nothing happened. The state government protected it's own - and the Health minister is still in charge.
The public servants who were either incompetent or just plain lazy are members of a union - and in the union view no unionist is ever to blame for any sort of disaster. It is always someone else - and in this case the union tries to sheet home the blame to the government.
It's no different in the commercial world. The big - and greedy - banks have just announced the loss of billions of dollars as a result of the American sub-prime mortgage debacle.
Their CEO's are still in place - receiving obscene salaries - and they have the cheek to suggest that if interest rates fall they may not pass on the savings to mortgage holders because they will need the money to bolster their bottom lines.
Self funded retirees and those on superannuation have taken a big hit because of the incompetence of the banks and financial bodies - who lacked the insight to see this mess coming. But for those who failed in their jobs it is simply " business as usual ! "
We will never get good management practice while wrong doers are shielded from retribution in the commercial world and in government employ.
The first tenet of keeping people on the ball is the certainty that failure to maintain standards will result in unpleasant consequences - loss of a job and the income it provides - public disgrace - and possibly even gaol !
That is not even on the horizon - and until it is we will continue to court disaster as we live in a blameless society !
Highly placed operatives in the Health Department took Graeme Reeves lies when he applied for the obstetrics job at Bega and Pambula hospitals without bothering to make the necessary background checks.
Reeves got the appointment - and as a result hundreds of women were sexually abused - had genitalia mutilated - and some may have died. This could have been prevented had the civil servants responsible for the appointment done their job properly.
So - did anyone get the sack ? Was the Health minister banished to the back bench ?
Absolutely nothing happened. The state government protected it's own - and the Health minister is still in charge.
The public servants who were either incompetent or just plain lazy are members of a union - and in the union view no unionist is ever to blame for any sort of disaster. It is always someone else - and in this case the union tries to sheet home the blame to the government.
It's no different in the commercial world. The big - and greedy - banks have just announced the loss of billions of dollars as a result of the American sub-prime mortgage debacle.
Their CEO's are still in place - receiving obscene salaries - and they have the cheek to suggest that if interest rates fall they may not pass on the savings to mortgage holders because they will need the money to bolster their bottom lines.
Self funded retirees and those on superannuation have taken a big hit because of the incompetence of the banks and financial bodies - who lacked the insight to see this mess coming. But for those who failed in their jobs it is simply " business as usual ! "
We will never get good management practice while wrong doers are shielded from retribution in the commercial world and in government employ.
The first tenet of keeping people on the ball is the certainty that failure to maintain standards will result in unpleasant consequences - loss of a job and the income it provides - public disgrace - and possibly even gaol !
That is not even on the horizon - and until it is we will continue to court disaster as we live in a blameless society !
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