Oh, Shut Up, All of You
Not really, but I made the mistake of "upgrading" my blogger template, which means that my haloscan.com comments feature has been lost, at least until I can figure out where it goes. I'm putting things back in, but it could take a little while, especially the third party stuff.
On the other hand, I rather like some of this new content management. Look: post labels.
(Meanwhile, I'll switch on Blogger commenting, just in case.)
22 November 2006
The Energy Debate We Had to Have
With our PM, John Howard, pretty well committed to the development of nuclear power generation (despite the preference in some states not to have these things foisted off in their jurisdiction – although that concept has been seriously damaged by the recent High Court decision on Howard’s “WorkChoices” override of states’ rights), should it be surprising that we’re not part of the new US$12.8 billion fusion development project? Not really, since it will take decades, and the next federal election is much sooner than that.
Besides, nuclear power, fusion or fission, won’t save us from bush fires - or will it? That’s part of the selling point, after all, that nuclear energy would increase “clean” energy production and thereby reduce global warming contributions in Australia.
Update: Former Telstra chief, Ziggy Switkowski, who headed up the report to his good friend, John Howard, on the viability of nuclear power, says the waste wouldn't be more than would fit in a household bathroom. Ziggy, mate, how's about we put the stuff in your bathroom? Seriously, I get the idea he just made it all up.
With our PM, John Howard, pretty well committed to the development of nuclear power generation (despite the preference in some states not to have these things foisted off in their jurisdiction – although that concept has been seriously damaged by the recent High Court decision on Howard’s “WorkChoices” override of states’ rights), should it be surprising that we’re not part of the new US$12.8 billion fusion development project? Not really, since it will take decades, and the next federal election is much sooner than that.
Besides, nuclear power, fusion or fission, won’t save us from bush fires - or will it? That’s part of the selling point, after all, that nuclear energy would increase “clean” energy production and thereby reduce global warming contributions in Australia.
Update: Former Telstra chief, Ziggy Switkowski, who headed up the report to his good friend, John Howard, on the viability of nuclear power, says the waste wouldn't be more than would fit in a household bathroom. Ziggy, mate, how's about we put the stuff in your bathroom? Seriously, I get the idea he just made it all up.
20 November 2006
National Service
Charles Rangel wants to reinstate the draft? I expected it from the Republicans, but to have the new, Democratic, Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee propose this is a bit of a shock. O.k., he’s been a supporter of registration for a long time and often proposed putting the draft back in place, but c’mon, the draft? Really? And he wants to extend mandatory military service to age 42. Sure, that might catch some of the Fighting 101st Keyboarders, as the on-line chickenhawk brigade are known, but, c’mon, really, the draft? Who’s he working for? O.k., now that Kissinger’s weighed in to say Iraq can’t be won, a bigger troop commitment seems like a good idea now? Not that Chuckie’s proposing the start up conscription right away, but keep in mind that the GOP did activate the Selective Service some time back, just in case. Oh, this sounds bad.
Charles Rangel wants to reinstate the draft? I expected it from the Republicans, but to have the new, Democratic, Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee propose this is a bit of a shock. O.k., he’s been a supporter of registration for a long time and often proposed putting the draft back in place, but c’mon, the draft? Really? And he wants to extend mandatory military service to age 42. Sure, that might catch some of the Fighting 101st Keyboarders, as the on-line chickenhawk brigade are known, but, c’mon, really, the draft? Who’s he working for? O.k., now that Kissinger’s weighed in to say Iraq can’t be won, a bigger troop commitment seems like a good idea now? Not that Chuckie’s proposing the start up conscription right away, but keep in mind that the GOP did activate the Selective Service some time back, just in case. Oh, this sounds bad.
Little Miss Sunshine
We made our first cinema excursion in months yesterday to see this movie, and we’re very glad we did. There isn’t much plot as such, but the dialogue’s terrific, the acting is top-notch, the picaresque occurrences along the way very funny, the characters well-defined and playing off one another brilliantly. It’s all one big set-up for the gag at the end, but the payoff’s worth it, all the dots pretty well connected at last for a painfully funny send-up of all your expectations. What’s that Tolstoy line about happy families?
We made our first cinema excursion in months yesterday to see this movie, and we’re very glad we did. There isn’t much plot as such, but the dialogue’s terrific, the acting is top-notch, the picaresque occurrences along the way very funny, the characters well-defined and playing off one another brilliantly. It’s all one big set-up for the gag at the end, but the payoff’s worth it, all the dots pretty well connected at last for a painfully funny send-up of all your expectations. What’s that Tolstoy line about happy families?
Politics as Usual
This is no time to be playing politics. While the 2008 Presidential election season is, effectively, already in progress, and so fund-raising matters, governmental ethics are long past due for a serious clean-up effort. Let’s have it, Democrats: let’s go all-out on ethics reforms. The Republicans may block parts, but not if they don’t want to be seen as the party of corruption they let themselves become. But it’s not just about who benefited from the K Street Project or who didn’t. Democrats are just as prone to abusing the loopholes as anyone else. God knows, Murtha’s got a rep for cosying up to the GOP when it suits him, and everybody loves some legislative pork. I’m with Obama: it’s about putting some bite in the rules. Then let’s move on to campaign financing.
This is no time to be playing politics. While the 2008 Presidential election season is, effectively, already in progress, and so fund-raising matters, governmental ethics are long past due for a serious clean-up effort. Let’s have it, Democrats: let’s go all-out on ethics reforms. The Republicans may block parts, but not if they don’t want to be seen as the party of corruption they let themselves become. But it’s not just about who benefited from the K Street Project or who didn’t. Democrats are just as prone to abusing the loopholes as anyone else. God knows, Murtha’s got a rep for cosying up to the GOP when it suits him, and everybody loves some legislative pork. I’m with Obama: it’s about putting some bite in the rules. Then let’s move on to campaign financing.
R.I.P.
I only got to one game when I was at Michigan, but it was at a time when Bo Shembechler could do no wrong. What a coach.
I only got to one game when I was at Michigan, but it was at a time when Bo Shembechler could do no wrong. What a coach.
16 November 2006
Environmental Indecision
While fires rage in the Blue Mountains, down in Tassie and Victoria, there’s snow, and more to come, with last night the coldest in Sydney for this time of year in a 100 years, too. Aberrant weather isn’t necessarily a proof of global warming, unless it becomes a pattern of its own, but maybe it’s just as well that our beloved PM has adopted a new(ish) position on the matter.
While fires rage in the Blue Mountains, down in Tassie and Victoria, there’s snow, and more to come, with last night the coldest in Sydney for this time of year in a 100 years, too. Aberrant weather isn’t necessarily a proof of global warming, unless it becomes a pattern of its own, but maybe it’s just as well that our beloved PM has adopted a new(ish) position on the matter.
13 November 2006
Justice for All
It's not just about a 'fair trial' or whether he's making use of the appeals process built into the U.S. justice system, as Ruddock and others persist in saying, but whether he is a legitimate prisoner of war or an Australian citizen eligible for repatriation and the benefits of Australian law. Like the British citizens Tony Blair retrieved from their legal limbo, David Hicks deserves the support of his government.
Here’s an Amnesty International video (produced by our friends at Ether Productions).
It's not just about a 'fair trial' or whether he's making use of the appeals process built into the U.S. justice system, as Ruddock and others persist in saying, but whether he is a legitimate prisoner of war or an Australian citizen eligible for repatriation and the benefits of Australian law. Like the British citizens Tony Blair retrieved from their legal limbo, David Hicks deserves the support of his government.
Here’s an Amnesty International video (produced by our friends at Ether Productions).
09 November 2006
Rummy Dummy Spit
Rumsfeld’s out, apparently in response to the Democratic majority in Congress (say, wasn’t it just this week that George II was going to “stay the course” with his Defense Secretary?), and Robert Gates is in. What is it with Bush and all these former Iran-Contra crooks? Can’t he bring in anyone to his administration but the worst of the Reaganites? First, Negroponte, now Gates. Who’s next? Ollie?
What an astute move by our lame duck Executive.
(Meanwhile, what can we expect from the first 100 hours? Nancy Pelosi’s agenda sounds pretty good.)
Rumsfeld’s out, apparently in response to the Democratic majority in Congress (say, wasn’t it just this week that George II was going to “stay the course” with his Defense Secretary?), and Robert Gates is in. What is it with Bush and all these former Iran-Contra crooks? Can’t he bring in anyone to his administration but the worst of the Reaganites? First, Negroponte, now Gates. Who’s next? Ollie?
What an astute move by our lame duck Executive.
(Meanwhile, what can we expect from the first 100 hours? Nancy Pelosi’s agenda sounds pretty good.)
08 November 2006
Too Bad, So Sad; But in Other Races, I’m Glad
There are many more returns yet to come in, but while Lieberman may have succeeded in his Senate bid (and I’d have given up any hope for a majority just to see him lose), at least we’ll have gotten rid of that devil’s minion, Rick Santorum. I remain hopeful for Virginia, too, where the Webb-Allen race is still close, with 96% reporting and only a 1% difference between the candidates, and Montana, where Tester's showing an early lead. Missouri looks like it'll go Republican, as does Tennessee, although they could both still swing.
There are many more returns yet to come in, but while Lieberman may have succeeded in his Senate bid (and I’d have given up any hope for a majority just to see him lose), at least we’ll have gotten rid of that devil’s minion, Rick Santorum. I remain hopeful for Virginia, too, where the Webb-Allen race is still close, with 96% reporting and only a 1% difference between the candidates, and Montana, where Tester's showing an early lead. Missouri looks like it'll go Republican, as does Tennessee, although they could both still swing.
???? [It's supposed to be Chinese for "Convenience Store", but Blogger don't do that.]
Marrickville will go to a vote on whether shop signs must include English. Apparently, some residents, or Councillors, anyway, are concerned about Asian-language shop signs they can’t read. What? Do they think they’re selling crack? (???? [Again, no non-Roman characters available, so never mind, don't bother contacting the Laowai; you'll have a pretty good idea what it probably said, anyway.]) Now, I’m all for being able to find a tea-smoked duck at the lowest price, or I would be if I was eating duck, let alone wasn’t thoroughly grossed-out by the shop display usual to such places as sell it, but this is forced assimilation and a little silly. It would be indicative of a desire to integrate for such shop owners as are deliberately catering to a particular ethnicity that they include English, and I’m sure delicatessens and bodegas anywhere in the English-speaking-majority world could attest to more success by expanding their signage past Hebrew or Yiddish and Spanish. I couldn’t begin to count the number of “Sino-Latino” restaurants I used to see in NYC, and back when I lived in Queens, it was a multicultural delight to walk into the local Chinese take-out joint and find it was run by Koreans who spoke English and Spanish as well as their native language. But, again, isn’t this just (legislatively) catering to a xenophobic few, already well-serviced by shops providing for mainstream consumers, who are otherwise intimidated by an immigrant presence maintaining their cultural identity through language and custom without otherwise interfering with the day-to-day lives of anyone else? If the shop’s signage puts you off, don’t go in. Or even better, go in and ask questions. What’s this? How much is it? Etc. Buy something. The operators may realize they’re missing out on some income.
Marrickville will go to a vote on whether shop signs must include English. Apparently, some residents, or Councillors, anyway, are concerned about Asian-language shop signs they can’t read. What? Do they think they’re selling crack? (???? [Again, no non-Roman characters available, so never mind, don't bother contacting the Laowai; you'll have a pretty good idea what it probably said, anyway.]) Now, I’m all for being able to find a tea-smoked duck at the lowest price, or I would be if I was eating duck, let alone wasn’t thoroughly grossed-out by the shop display usual to such places as sell it, but this is forced assimilation and a little silly. It would be indicative of a desire to integrate for such shop owners as are deliberately catering to a particular ethnicity that they include English, and I’m sure delicatessens and bodegas anywhere in the English-speaking-majority world could attest to more success by expanding their signage past Hebrew or Yiddish and Spanish. I couldn’t begin to count the number of “Sino-Latino” restaurants I used to see in NYC, and back when I lived in Queens, it was a multicultural delight to walk into the local Chinese take-out joint and find it was run by Koreans who spoke English and Spanish as well as their native language. But, again, isn’t this just (legislatively) catering to a xenophobic few, already well-serviced by shops providing for mainstream consumers, who are otherwise intimidated by an immigrant presence maintaining their cultural identity through language and custom without otherwise interfering with the day-to-day lives of anyone else? If the shop’s signage puts you off, don’t go in. Or even better, go in and ask questions. What’s this? How much is it? Etc. Buy something. The operators may realize they’re missing out on some income.
03 November 2006
How Do You Tuna Fish?
In less than 50 years, there will be no more fish. The ramifications of Dr. Worm’s report extend far beyond whether or not our dining options will become limited, because we’re not the only ones on the planet dependent on the ocean. (We’re better off than the whales and dolphins, obviously, in this projection; they don’t farm.) Meanwhile, the Bush administration denies there’s a problem. Somehow, back in the States, the trend is improving, but tell that to the men in boats hunting cod. Or Australia, where the concern over illegal fishing is a headline-grabber. I’m waiting to hear what Johnnie thinks: it usually sounds like whatever’s just popped out of George’s mouth.
In less than 50 years, there will be no more fish. The ramifications of Dr. Worm’s report extend far beyond whether or not our dining options will become limited, because we’re not the only ones on the planet dependent on the ocean. (We’re better off than the whales and dolphins, obviously, in this projection; they don’t farm.) Meanwhile, the Bush administration denies there’s a problem. Somehow, back in the States, the trend is improving, but tell that to the men in boats hunting cod. Or Australia, where the concern over illegal fishing is a headline-grabber. I’m waiting to hear what Johnnie thinks: it usually sounds like whatever’s just popped out of George’s mouth.
01 November 2006
GOTV
If your voting machine is easily hacked and doesn’t produce a paper trail, that’s o.k., but it’s a whole ‘nother story if your software company owners are Venezuelan and started with the referendum to elect Hugo Chavez. Anybody else smell brimstone?
If your voting machine is easily hacked and doesn’t produce a paper trail, that’s o.k., but it’s a whole ‘nother story if your software company owners are Venezuelan and started with the referendum to elect Hugo Chavez. Anybody else smell brimstone?
30 October 2006
"Whatever they are"
A major highway improvement project is stalled because a colony of platypus is living in a creek along the road. Senator Bill Heffernan wants the road finished, but doesn’t regard the animals as worth holding up construction, although they are a protected species. Maybe he doesn’t think they’re real. Did I mention he’s a Liberal? Of course he is. Do any of them care for anything beyond the expedient?
A major highway improvement project is stalled because a colony of platypus is living in a creek along the road. Senator Bill Heffernan wants the road finished, but doesn’t regard the animals as worth holding up construction, although they are a protected species. Maybe he doesn’t think they’re real. Did I mention he’s a Liberal? Of course he is. Do any of them care for anything beyond the expedient?
More Dog-Whistling?
It’s true that here in New South Wales, the government already provides some funding for
But the federal government’s proposal to pay for school chaplains strikes me as requiring a jaundiced eye, if only because of the continuing controversy over Sheik Hilaly and the timing of Mr. Howard’s announcement. Although I’m sure the bill, should it be presented in Parliament, would make no distinction in religious persuasion, there is no more than the mere tradition of freedom of religion in Australia, and even that’s relatively modern. It seems quite clear that this is not much more than an attempt to “get ‘em young” and establish a state-sponsored theology. As one interlocutor on a previous thread expressed it, all religion is a means of repression, or can be at least, and especially when the state inserts itself into matters of faith. Schools have counsellors, but what if they become proselytizers, too? It’s issues like these that make the Greens and Democrats look so much better than the Opposition.
It’s true that here in New South Wales, the government already provides some funding for
But the federal government’s proposal to pay for school chaplains strikes me as requiring a jaundiced eye, if only because of the continuing controversy over Sheik Hilaly and the timing of Mr. Howard’s announcement. Although I’m sure the bill, should it be presented in Parliament, would make no distinction in religious persuasion, there is no more than the mere tradition of freedom of religion in Australia, and even that’s relatively modern. It seems quite clear that this is not much more than an attempt to “get ‘em young” and establish a state-sponsored theology. As one interlocutor on a previous thread expressed it, all religion is a means of repression, or can be at least, and especially when the state inserts itself into matters of faith. Schools have counsellors, but what if they become proselytizers, too? It’s issues like these that make the Greens and Democrats look so much better than the Opposition.
Discontinuing the Constitution
Now that George II can declare martial law anywhere and anytime, should we be concerned for the present restriction on holding the Oval Office to two terms? We’ve pretty much already lost Habeas Corpus, so if the Democrats fail to achieve a majority in either or both houses of Congress, can we expect Bush to resolve his Cheney problem (the guy’s never going to pass muster to run, medically) by opening the way to a third term? How far would he go – would he even suspend the 2008 election? More immediately: how does he keep getting away with this stuff?
Now that George II can declare martial law anywhere and anytime, should we be concerned for the present restriction on holding the Oval Office to two terms? We’ve pretty much already lost Habeas Corpus, so if the Democrats fail to achieve a majority in either or both houses of Congress, can we expect Bush to resolve his Cheney problem (the guy’s never going to pass muster to run, medically) by opening the way to a third term? How far would he go – would he even suspend the 2008 election? More immediately: how does he keep getting away with this stuff?
26 October 2006
Mufti Muff
It’s hardly on the same scale as a global religious leader denigrating the faith of millions, but at what point will the Islamic leadership learn that the world has changed, and women can dress as they please? I don’t care if Al Hilaly was sermonizing about fidelity and abstinence or not: this isn’t a Third World country (not that that matters), let alone the nineteenth century and he needs to get over it. If there isn’t any other more serious problem in Islam as a religious organization, globally or locally, it’s that the rest of the “leadership” can’t make idiots like this shut up and sit down.
Update: Deporting the creep doesn't appear to be an option, unless it can be shown that Al Hilaly has spoken to incite violence against women, and that would take a member of his congregation carrying out such a crime. Even then, it would probably be a stretch to prosecute the cleric. Really, his statement is not much more than the often-heard "she asked for it" vileness still perpetrated by more modern members of societies around the world, though no less deserving of condemnation.
It’s hardly on the same scale as a global religious leader denigrating the faith of millions, but at what point will the Islamic leadership learn that the world has changed, and women can dress as they please? I don’t care if Al Hilaly was sermonizing about fidelity and abstinence or not: this isn’t a Third World country (not that that matters), let alone the nineteenth century and he needs to get over it. If there isn’t any other more serious problem in Islam as a religious organization, globally or locally, it’s that the rest of the “leadership” can’t make idiots like this shut up and sit down.
Update: Deporting the creep doesn't appear to be an option, unless it can be shown that Al Hilaly has spoken to incite violence against women, and that would take a member of his congregation carrying out such a crime. Even then, it would probably be a stretch to prosecute the cleric. Really, his statement is not much more than the often-heard "she asked for it" vileness still perpetrated by more modern members of societies around the world, though no less deserving of condemnation.
23 October 2006
Jiggity-Jig
Even as we speak, Mom & Dad are waiting in the airport (or possibly even on board the plane at this hour) to return to the U.S., although, due to the effects of time-travel, they are also already back in Los Angeles. Isn’t the International Dateline marvellous?
They’ve had a good trip, even if all they’ve seen has been Sydney and a bit of Canberra, and I think Dad feels a bit better than he may have previously about our move here four years ago, now that he’s seen the place. It is a beautiful country, with a fascinating history (that I’ve been pretty remiss in studying properly, at least its post-Federation story) and inexplicable wildlife. Why did Australia get all the marsupials except the North American possum (and why are our possums so different from the o- variety)? Why did the animals develop here they way they have with the absence of any major predators, the former thylacine notwithstanding? Why did Kerr really sack Whitlam? Some things we may never know.
While it’s my turn for an international jaunt, it will be a while yet before I accomplish it, barring any employment changes that offer me that opportunity, an eventuality now forestalled by six months, as I’ve taken up an extension to my contract here. I’d like to go back at some point, though maybe only once the Democrats are back in power.
Even as we speak, Mom & Dad are waiting in the airport (or possibly even on board the plane at this hour) to return to the U.S., although, due to the effects of time-travel, they are also already back in Los Angeles. Isn’t the International Dateline marvellous?
They’ve had a good trip, even if all they’ve seen has been Sydney and a bit of Canberra, and I think Dad feels a bit better than he may have previously about our move here four years ago, now that he’s seen the place. It is a beautiful country, with a fascinating history (that I’ve been pretty remiss in studying properly, at least its post-Federation story) and inexplicable wildlife. Why did Australia get all the marsupials except the North American possum (and why are our possums so different from the o- variety)? Why did the animals develop here they way they have with the absence of any major predators, the former thylacine notwithstanding? Why did Kerr really sack Whitlam? Some things we may never know.
While it’s my turn for an international jaunt, it will be a while yet before I accomplish it, barring any employment changes that offer me that opportunity, an eventuality now forestalled by six months, as I’ve taken up an extension to my contract here. I’d like to go back at some point, though maybe only once the Democrats are back in power.
Bizarre Food/Bizarre Ban
I’m no fan of Vegemite, but the ban on its importation – even going so far as having Customs agents preventing Australian tourists bringing the stuff in with their luggage – is just weird. Only breads and cereals can contain added folate (folic acid), a B vitamin, so Vegemite, which is mostly all about the B’s and high in folate, is illegal. What will Howard do? Can he get his mate, Bush, to rescind the ban? What will the ex-pat Aussies do? Hollywood better watch out, since they stand to lose a substantial amount of top talent when Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, et al. all decide they can’t work without their yeast-extract breakfast spread.
I’m no fan of Vegemite, but the ban on its importation – even going so far as having Customs agents preventing Australian tourists bringing the stuff in with their luggage – is just weird. Only breads and cereals can contain added folate (folic acid), a B vitamin, so Vegemite, which is mostly all about the B’s and high in folate, is illegal. What will Howard do? Can he get his mate, Bush, to rescind the ban? What will the ex-pat Aussies do? Hollywood better watch out, since they stand to lose a substantial amount of top talent when Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, et al. all decide they can’t work without their yeast-extract breakfast spread.
18 October 2006
Damn Tourists
It all goes well so far, with Mom & Dad safely ensconsed just up the road and having a fine time. We've been walking them off their feet pretty much daily, sometimes letting them have a bus tour to let them rest a little. We hit the foreshore first, of course, and down through the Rocks, and later in the week joined them for a Hunter Valley vineyard trip that really was very good. You never know, but Boutique Wine Tours went to a couple of good wineries, from which I brought home a couple of bottles of chardonney (well, I am a leftie, after all) I'm looking forward to with relish. Today, Dad and I did the Bridge Climb, which, regardless of the price, every tourist to Sydney ought to do, and probably most Sydneysiders, for that matter. We'll send them down to Canberra, soon, on their own, and I know they'll enjoy it, but most importantly, they went to the Blue Mountains yesterday. Now, apparently, Blue Mountains Cultural Tours" are relatively new, but we chose them because Mom made the trip west last year and we thought something different from that tour would be a good idea, and these guys did the Jenolan Caves as well as the usual Three Sisters stuff. But now I can never allow them back in the country. I've been here four years, and they're in the country for four days when they see a platypus. I haven't seen one, and it's been a goal of mine from the day I first heard such creatures existed. It's just not fair. After they've gone, I'm going to have to head up to the Blue Lake and spend as long as it takes. I can't let them get away with it.
It all goes well so far, with Mom & Dad safely ensconsed just up the road and having a fine time. We've been walking them off their feet pretty much daily, sometimes letting them have a bus tour to let them rest a little. We hit the foreshore first, of course, and down through the Rocks, and later in the week joined them for a Hunter Valley vineyard trip that really was very good. You never know, but Boutique Wine Tours went to a couple of good wineries, from which I brought home a couple of bottles of chardonney (well, I am a leftie, after all) I'm looking forward to with relish. Today, Dad and I did the Bridge Climb, which, regardless of the price, every tourist to Sydney ought to do, and probably most Sydneysiders, for that matter. We'll send them down to Canberra, soon, on their own, and I know they'll enjoy it, but most importantly, they went to the Blue Mountains yesterday. Now, apparently, Blue Mountains Cultural Tours" are relatively new, but we chose them because Mom made the trip west last year and we thought something different from that tour would be a good idea, and these guys did the Jenolan Caves as well as the usual Three Sisters stuff. But now I can never allow them back in the country. I've been here four years, and they're in the country for four days when they see a platypus. I haven't seen one, and it's been a goal of mine from the day I first heard such creatures existed. It's just not fair. After they've gone, I'm going to have to head up to the Blue Lake and spend as long as it takes. I can't let them get away with it.
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