The People’s Revolt goes ‘On the Buses’

G’day Swordians!

A group of Coalition supporters need transport to get themselves along to one of the Peoples’ Revolt rallies. They have put an ad in the Oz and have been contacted by a taxi crowd called CT (“CabTeam”), under the proprietorship of J Gillard and W Swan. However, even though the taxi firm offered cut-price rates, the Coalition knocked them back on the grounds that the roofs of their cabs are insulated with pink batts and they are afraid they will self-combust. Luckily for the Coalition supporters, a more suitable alternative presents itself with a tender from another outfit, this time a bus company (“The Independent Bus Co”) operated by its driver, Tony “Stan Butler” Windsor, and his trusty conductor who collects the fares, Bob “Jack Harper” Katter. However, to ensure as much as possible that things will go according to plan, the Coalition day-trippers insist that one of their own, Tony “Blakey” Abbott, fills the role of Bus Inspector. So, eager to join the Revolting Peoples’ Rally, the Coalition is, “On the Buses!”



The punters are queuing up on the pavement, but there seems to be some sort of a hold-up. Even though the bus itinerary is completely restricted to the Australian mainland, Inspector “Blakey” Abbott, keen to solicit contributions to his “STOP MY MORTGAGE” appeal fund, is insistent that, before they board the bus, the passengers need to fork out a $100 fare and an additional $100 if they can’t show their passport. However, the impasse is eventually overcome when Julie Bishop gets wind of Blakey’s scam, pulls out her portable counterfeiting machine and, for $10 a head, issues each of the punters with a near-perfect edition. However, even when subject to one of Blakey’s metronome-dome death-stares, Julie remains totally unflappable. “Why not?” she says, “isn’t everyone doing it?”

So, the Revolting People start to clamber onboard. The first is Mavis, one of Conductor Bob’s neighbours from North Queensland.

Mavis: G’day Bob...just got back from taking some tourists to the zoo, hey?

Bob (puzzled tone): Erm...not really Mavis...This is our first job today...Anyway, what’s the zoo got to do with the price of bananas?

Mavis: Oh, I just presumed you had been to the zoo, cos there are at least 20 or 30 crocodiles on the roof of yer bus...hee...hee...

[Before Bob can make an equally cheeky retort, Blakey insists that Mavis pays her fare, so that he can proceed with getting more passengers on. Having relieved Mavis of her $100, and passed it on to Bob the Conductor, Blakey quickly shoos her up the bus. The next boarder is none other than Malcolm Turnbull, who, typical of a multi-millionaire, is squabbling over the fare]

Malcolm: Are you sure we are getting value for our money here, old chap? You know, I think we need a jolly good cost-benefit analysis...

Blakey: Bullshit, mate!!! If you don’t fork out the $100 fare, it’ll cost you your front teeth and that’ll benefit us, as we won’t have to listen to any more of your crap...

[Suitably cowered by Blakey’s belligerence, Malcolm hands over the $100 to Bob the Conductor and moves up the bus. Next on board is John Howard]

Johnny: Urrrr...is this bus going to the cricket?

Blakey: It’s going to wherever you like, mate...as long as you hand over the fare...

Johnny: Urrrr...unfortunately I don’t seem to have any cash on me...do you accept a Gold Card?

[Johnny is unceremoniously booted off the bus by Blakey, who mutters ominously, “We will decide who comes on this bus, and the circumstances by which they pay”. Eventually, all the punters are on board, and Bob’s money satchel is bulging. Blakey is delighted with the money-collecting progress so far, and even promises Bob an extra commission at the end of the trip. However, Blakey’s fiduciary engorgement campaign has only started and so he starts on the next stage of ripping off the passengers.

With Bob in tow, Blakey moves up the bus, microphone in hand, asking them to describe their pet hate against Julia Gillard. The punters come up with the usual litany – her dangly earlobes...her ranga hair...her voice...her pointy nose...she’s Welsh...no handbag...her porno step-daughter...she doesn’t carry any letters to the troops when she visits Afghanistan...no gravitas (whatever that means)...is wooden...On and on they went, causing great merriment as each foible was broadcast over the bus speaker. However, Blakey had the last laugh, when he ordered everyone who said something to hand over $100 to Bob the Conductor. “Cash for Comment”, he called it – “Jonesie would be proud of me...heh...heh...”

So, Bob’s money pouch by this stage is so stuffed, it would make Joe Hockey’s belly, after he had consumed a few trays of party pies, look somewhat concave. Blakey is delighted, and can’t wait to use the dosh to make some headway into the burden of his crippling mortgage. However, during a lull in the money-grubbing processes, Bob takes Blakey aside and has a quiet word in his shell-like.]

Bob: Erm...Blakey...maaaate...in case you didn’t notice...but most of your passengers are close to getting a telegram from the Queen – shouldn’t we have a pit-stop and allow them to empty their bladders?

Blakey: Yes...yes...yes...you’re right of course, Bob – but don’t forget to charge them as they do their ablutions – and I don’t mean they should only spend a penny either...haw...haw...

[Bob dutifully concurs and informs Tony the Driver that the bus will need to stop as soon as possible. Tony pulls up at the side of the road and alights with Bob, seemingly to stretch their legs. Meanwhile, Blakey forces the passengers to empty their bladders and colostomy bags right there on the verge. And, true to form, and to add insult to injury, he charges them $100 a head for the “privilege”.

However, all of a sudden, a vehicle screeches to a halt close-by, and Bob and Tony quickly clamber into the vacant back seats, with the engorged satchel of money wedged in between them. Things were happening so quickly, Blakey couldn’t even identify what type of vehicle was involved. However, he could have sworn the driver, who looked like Col Gaddafi, shouted out the window: “tax the polluters – compensate us, the people!”]

Blakey (nodding his head in unspeakable rage and shaking his fist at the fast-disappearing vehicle): You bastards!! Come back with my money!!

[Then, Malcolm Turnbull sidles up to Blakey, looking like the cat who got the cream]

Malcolm: Erm...old chap...I think the costs have definitely outweighed the benefits on this particular excursion...hee...hee...And with this place looking like a latrine, you had better start cleaning up this particular environment, making sure you do just as good a job as Gillard did in cleaning out your wallet...haw...haw...

Blakey: But...but...but...are you sure it was her...I could have sworn it was Col Gaddafi?

Malcolm: Nah, it was definitely the CabTeam mob for sure – after all, if it acts like a taxi, and it hits you like a taxi, it is a taxi...heh...heh...

Blakey (still futilely shaking his fist): I ‘ate you, Windsor!! I’ll get you for this, Katter, you see if I don’t...

[To make matters worse for the Revolting People, it started to rain cats and dogs, so much so, the creeks began to flood. In the absence of Tony the Driver, Barnaby Joyce volunteered to drive the bus. No-one took up his offer. The long march home began. It resembled the biggest surrender since Singapore]

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Feral Skeleton

12/03/2011AcerbicC., And I'm sure that on the way home Tony 'Blakey' Abbott made his devoted supporters work for their keep: food, drink & a place to sleep for the night, through the days and nights that it took them all to get back to their homes again, in Sydney. 'Mutual Obligation' I think he calls it. Making them recite 'Whistle While You Work' kept their minds off the drudgery though. Those who travel by Walking Frame do not go very fast, you see. :)

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12/03/2011AC As if in a far flung monastery, those in their walking frames were heard to chant rhythmically in unison with Blakey's metronomic head nodding: THE PLANET IS COOLING NO NEED FOR A TAX. NICK SAYS THE PLANET IS COOLING NO NEED FOR A TAX, NICK HAS SAVED US FROM BURNING UP NO NEED FOR A TAX BLAKEY WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG CLIMATE CHANGE IS CRAP NO NEED FOR A TAX. Once more: NO NEED FOR A TAX NO NEED FOR A TAX JUST NO NEED AT ALL.

Lyn

12/03/2011Acerbic Conehead The giver of delight. Thankyou Acerbic Conehead, for another work of art, and so soon. Oh! what a wonderful feeling you give me, reading such funny stuff by a brilliant author. So far I can't find any news about the revolting people, wonder where they are.

Doug Evans

12/03/2011Plenty of media along with 8000 people at the Get Up Rally outside Federal Gov't offices. Apparently a couple of hundred folk made their way down to Werribee for their grump fest outside Gillard's office. Brief report on both channel 7 and channel 9 news web site. No pictures anywhere yet.

Lyn

12/03/2011Hi Doug Thankyou for letting us know about the numbers of rally people. I was hoping Getup would get quite a few million like say, 15 or so million would be just the best.(Joke) I hoped the anti zombies would get a little mob, in other words a fizzler. I see yesterday, Mr Abbott said he believes in Climate Change today, but not a price on Carbon, no, not any second, of any hour. I will still watch out for any pictures coming in. Cheers

NormanK

12/03/2011[b]Carbon tax protesters rally Victoria[/b] [quote]Outside Prime Minister Julia Gillard's electorate office in Werribee on Saturday, 400 protesters gathered with Liberal Victorian senators Mitch Fifield and Scott Ryan to protest against the federal government's plan to put a price on carbon. Meanwhile, at Treasury Place in Melbourne's CBD, an estimated 8000 protesters gathered to support the prime minister's carbon tax plan and call for action on climate change.[/quote] http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/carbon-tax-protesters-rally-victoria-20110312-1brz3.html My favourite quote : [quote]But Tony Hooper, who organised the rally against the tax, said the plan should be scrapped because Australians had been lied to.[/quote] That's reason enough not to act to save the planet, isn't it?

Lyn

12/03/2011Norman K Thankyou so much for the link. I love your favourite quote, sounds stupid doesn't it, plan should be scrapped because they were lied to, fair dinkum, they really are unbelievable. I copied this big bit, because it cheers me up: [b]400 protesters [/b]gathered with Liberal Victorian senators Mitch Fifield and Scott Ryan to protest against the federal government's plan to put a price on carbon. Meanwhile, at Treasury Place in Melbourne's CBD, an estimated [b]8000 protesters gathered to support the prime minister's [/b]carbon tax plan and call for action on climate change. Paul Mackay, a spokesman for political advocacy group GetUp, an organiser of the pro-tax rally, said [b]supporters for the carbon price plan had won the battle.[/b]"We were overwhelmed with the amount of people that came out - the entirety of Treasury Place was packed," he said. "[b]It certainly eclipsed that of the anti-carbon tax rally.[/b] "The message was loud and clear that there are plenty of Melburnians who are happy to, on their Saturday morning, come out and rally for swift and effective measures to reduce our greenhouse pollution.

BSA Bob

12/03/2011Re the last few posts; Good on the print media for reporting this, but here in lil' ol' Adelaide you wouldn't know this had happened if you'd only watched our national broadcaster. I know there's other things happening in the world today, but I can't escape the feeling that if the numbers had been reversed a space would've been found.

Feral Skeleton

12/03/2011BSA Bob, Don't you worry about that, a space will be found in the Liberal Party's website for an effusive Press Release proclaiming the overwhelming success and massive turnout to the Anti-Carbon Tax rally at the PM's electorate office, complete with 'vision', which they will be spruiking to the media, as of, say, about 1 minute after their little effort concluded. The gullible, content-hungry, ALiberalBC will gratefully accept the rewritten history, and it will be as if the GetUp rally never even occurred. Then you'll get your report in SA. :)

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12/03/2011Folks Time to call it a day.

Graeme

12/03/2011BS Bob. Happy to say that ABC Victoria covered both rallies and reported a 'couple of hundred' at the anti carbon tax rally and 'thousands' at the pro action rally, with the emphasis on thousands, as if to highlight the contrast.

Acerbic Conehead 2

12/03/2011Wow AA, I didn't expect you to put this one up so quickly! Thanks for your climate change chant. It conjured up for me an image about Young Lib zombies. But that's nothing new - even the Beatles had to deal with them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIWsMKZt3Eg&feature=related HS, I hope you've gotten over the dreaded lurgy. Yes, Flakey Blakey doesn't miss a trick - after all, he's got that big mortgage to service. Thanks also for your post on the rallies today. Lyn, Doug Evans, NormanK and BSA Bob, Thanks to you also for your posts on the rallies. I too heard reports that there was over ten times the number at the GetUp rally than at the zimmerframe zombiefest. Keep up the great work.

Feral Skeleton

12/03/2011FTA: [quote]"Julia (Gillard) said there would be no carbon tax and then six months later, we're seriously looking at one, right at a time when the Australian economy is doing it tough," he said.[/quote] That delusional dude from the Anti Carbon Tax Rally at JG's electorate office cannot be serious. 'The Australian economy is doing it tough'??? Best Terms of Trade eva; Current Account surpluses as far as the eye can see; the Debt/GDP ratio one of the lowest in the world; one of the richest countries with one of the highest standards of living in the world, whose housing market just keeps going up such that 'aspirational' whiners like the guy who organised the rally and spoke those words, can make a motza out of, still. And he has the bare-faced hide to stand there and proclaim to the other, probable, wealthy self-funded retirees and business owners, that the Australian economy is doing it tough!!! No wonder only 400 other delusional dodos turned up to swallow that malarky without question.

Lyn

12/03/2011Hi I found some pics, not the ones we were looking for, but it's probably all we will get. Actually, this report will probably be in the newspapers tomorrow: [quote]Over 500 Australians Rally Outside Gillard's Office, Menzies House This is the problem with this issue, groups like Getup send out a note and hey presto a couple of thousand turn up, but this not representative, these are activists who would protest at anything, we have seen them before in the streets during summits and visits by the US officials.” “[b]Our group was a true reflection of the community, not of an organised left wing movement,[/b] and the anger is there and growing and from what I understand the crowd in Canberra on March 23 will eclipse anything that groups like Getup and their left wing cohorts can arrange, and they will be true community representatives, [b]not just a group of paid activists[/b].” [/quote]http://www.menzieshouse.com.au/2011/03/over-500-australians-rally-outside-gillards-office.html

D Mick Weir

13/03/2011Swordspeople, I am getting more confused by the minute by this whole 'Carbon Tax Debate' - oh hang on a sec, debate? shrill screams of 'lies', 'carbon conspiracy', and on and on. In the interests of research I read a post by Tim Blair, [b]'One or two questions'[/b] in The Daily Telegraph. (The usual health/sanity warnings apply if you follow the link) http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/timblair/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/one_or_two_questions/ I won't bore you with the full list of about 30 questions but he starts off with this: [i]'Dear Prime Minister Gillard, Thank you for making the weather nicer by forcing us to pay more for everything. Who knew that fixing the global climate was so simple?'[/i] Well what can I say, Tim seems to invested powers in our Prime Minister that are usually reserved for dieties and other etheral beings. Good work Tim! This question has me in a quandary: [i]'Instead of creating a tax system that eventually gives people their money back, why not just let them keep their own damn money in the first place?'[/i] In some ways I agree with the proposition in that it seems pretty stupid to take in the form of taxes and give it back in the form of 'benefits'. I think the the jargon is 'Tax and Transfer System'. Whatever it is called most seem pretty happy with the system. Where I am confused is that the opponents of the proposed 'Carbon Tax' seemed to very happy that a GST was introduced with compensations (questionable but I will let that slip), to allow negative gearing for mum and dad property investors, give family tax bribes, oops sorry benefits and a host of concessions to farmers, businesses and well anyone who makes an appropriate donation to the cause. It seems to me that there a host of double standards in all of this and I remain confused. Can anyone help me understand all of this?

D Mick Weir

13/03/2011I don't know what an [i]'opmeta algorithm'[/i] is but they are my captcha words are for this comment. When I work out what it means I am sure if I apply the algorithm to Mr Abbots proposals to solve a problem that doesn’t exist I will have found my way to fame and fortune!

Casablanca

13/03/2011Lyn, The rally in Canberra scheduled for Wednesday 23rd March 2011 at High Noon is being organised by CATA (Consumers and Taxpayers Association) Their website is http://www.nocarbontaxrally.com/no_carbon_tax_rally.html When I went to this website a few days ago they had both a message board and a section where you could send a message to the PM. The Message Board is now closed but the link is still there in the left column. The link to where you could leave an anti-tax message for the PM has been removed but I discovered that it can still be accessed directly through http://www.nocarbontaxrally.com/your_message_to_the_pm.html So you and others may wish to send a positive message to the PM (tee hee!) Their main site also has a series of polls which could be evened up a bit by Swordians.

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011lyn, Didn't I tell you that the Liberal Party would dress up the meagre 'success' they had in dragging a few people along to JG's electorate office to shake their jewellery at the sky before it all falls in, as they have to pay the equivalent of a latte per week to contribute to doing our bit to turn the fossil fuel Titanic around before it hits a Climate Chnage iceberg? Before that iceberg melts, of course. :) I might also add that GetUp doesn't pay their 'activists' one cent to go protest. Unlike the Liberal Party who are subsidising the Buses to go to Canberra on March 23. What I'd like to know is who are the benefactors who are paying for them on behalf of the Liberal Party and the grubs from the 'Consumers and Taxpayers Association'? The CTA, I might add, which contains all of THREE Consumers &/or Taxpayers' members, and which does not speak for this Consumer and Taxpayer. Fair dinkum, that Menzies House website is turning into a pit full of vipers and rabid animals frothing at the mouth. Talk about 'Crying Wolf'. Of course the seemingly reasonable Mr Abbott projects a concerned face to the world, while the other side of his face encourages and sanctions those self-interested Liberal 'policy' wonkers. If what the Liberal Party peddles could be called 'policy'.

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Hillbilly You told me, and I thankyou very much, thank heavens for your wonderful,insightful information. Your are simply the best, Hillbilly my hero informat. Jeremy Sear, leading Today's Links, sees the truth, looks like the newspapers, or we know who's papers, are ignoring facts again. There is a couple of reports in the Herald Sun, you may like to read on Liberal leadership woes, I'll post them at the bottom of Today's Links.

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011lyn, You are a treasure you know, as I have said before. You should have an avatar that replaces Tweety's wings with angel wings. :)

Lyn

13/03/2011 [b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]The numbers lie” or, “I don’t like these numbers”, Jeremy Sear Pure poison[/i] Wait – paid activists? When we attend a progressive rally we’re supposed to get paid? Since when? Why weren’t any of us told? http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/13/the-numbers-lie-or-i-dont-like-these-numbers/ [i]A Price on Pollution - Carbon Tax, Introvoracious[/i] Here are some pictures from the Get Up protest for a price on pollution and sensible and progressive policy for business, http://infaernal.com/2011/03/12/a-price-on-pollution-carbon-tax/ [i]A time to bear witness, The Conscience Vote[/i] This is not a time for politics. This is not a time for racism or jingoism. This is not a time for sermons about repentance and the end of the world, http://consciencevote.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/a-time-to-bear-witness/ [i]Life and its fagility , Bleyzie, The Eye-Ball Opinion[/i] Mother Earth gives us the answers – if you live in Los Angeles – how would you be feeling ,right now – is the big one coming …. http://bleyzie.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/life-and-its-fagility/ [i]Abbott believes carbon dioxide is sadly misunderstood? Peter Martin[/i] the broadcaster Alan Jones repeated his well-known views, accusing the government of ''pursuing the ideological superstition that the planet is at risk''. http://www.petermartin.com.au/2011/03/abbott-believes-carbon-dioxide-is-sadly.html [i]Mining greed at irreversible Costs, Coffee with Ruby[/i] a large mining company which will move into this peaceful hamlet and change both the environmental and social landscapes http://coffeewithruby.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/mining-greed-at-irreversible-costs/ [i]Gillard’s travelling circus: $10k to report from the wrong side of the velvet rope, Harley Dennett, Crikey[/i] spare a thought for the poor cameraman who had to lug his equipment through up to three security check points per event, with up to six events in a day. http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/03/11/gillards-travelling-circus-10k-to-report-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-velvet-rope/ [i]Christopher Pearson: Julia Gillard needs a good sociologist on staff, Mark Bahnisch, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] Christopher Pearson’s contention that Julia Gillard’s chances of being an enduringly successful Prime Minister would be enhanced http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/03/12/christopher-pearson-julia-gillard-needs-a-good-sociologist-on-staff/ [i]Perth to Geraldton NBN backbone lights up, Renai LeMay, Delimiter[/i] Telecommunications and construction firm Nextgen Networks has finished building one of the most anticipated long-haul fibre links in the Federal Government’s flagship National Broadband Network http://delimiter.com.au/tag/national-broadband-network/ [i]Will NBN Co indeed facilitate a smart Townsville, Paul Budde, BuddeBlog[/i] Minister Conroy congratulating the City of Townsville on its smart city award, and to also hear him make reference to the NBN http://www.buddeblog.com.au/ [i]the end is nigh... for Minchin, Gus, Your Democracy[/i] Moronic Idiot, A Stupid Man, Or is he devious to the point of being brainless, dazed, deficient, dense, dim, doltish, dopey, dull, dumb, a dummy, foolish, futile, gullible http://yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/11917#comment-15191 [b]NEWSPAPERS[/b] [i]Libs face a leadership spill to stop the infighting , Simom Benson, The Herald[/i] Mr Robb was reported to have told shadow treasurer Joe Hockey that he was intent on taking his job, only http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/libs-face-a-leadership-spill-to-stop-the-infighting/story-e6frf7l6-1226005451255 [i]It's time Tony Abbott took his own advice, says Rebecca Wilson , Rebecca Wilson, Herald Sun[/i] But by going to Jones, and Jones alone, Abbott just showed he was running scared and in damage control. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/time-tony-took-his-own-advice/story-e6frfhqf-1226005399215

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011In one of Kurt Vonnegut Jnr's novels, Slaughterhouse Five, Billy Pilgrim by some chance becomes the sole male human saved by the Tralfamadorians and taken to their own planet to live in an idyllic dome with his ideal female companion and his dear Dog. Tralfamadore itself outside the dome has a cyanic atmosphere, the locals are actually invisible, but they are very very wise, having accidentally destroyed the rest of the universe while experimenting with a new kind of fuel. Pretty prescient imo. Japan's situation wrt the nuclear power stations is desperately grim as I see it. There are 4 reactors in a row: #1 is done for (but very far from done with!), #3 is heating up uncontrollably it seems, and if there's a meltdown there will be no power on earth, as far as I can see, which would then prevent the other ones from overheating and melting down. They must be kept cool ALL the time until they are actually decommissioned, and who's to do that? And where does that leave the locals locals, and all Japan, ntm all the people in the path of the presumably gargantuan radioactive cloud? Well ask Toe-Rag about the name of the creek. And no-one has a paddle, and with never a Tralfamadorian in sight. Wasn't it the Aztecs who reckoned 2012 was going to be rocky?

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011Laurie Oakes & Co this morning: Pretty pathetic: Condescending and pusillanimous. But Insiders - GRRNNHHH! WHY do they insist on having Bum-Bolt, it's a disgrace. WE MUST FIND A WAY TO RETAKE THE ABC!

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011Poor Japan. This, on the back of a struggling economy. The loss of life is awful, sure, but to be brutally true, at least there's no shortage of people. The damage to infrastructure, housing etc, terrible beyond belief. But the LAND! Did you see the rolling roiling black lip of oil surfing the leading edge of the tsunami? Rolling a layer of oil everywhere as it went. Those oil-soaked greenhouse agricultural areas, what on Earth is to be done with them? I can't see how they'll ever be rehabilitated. Wastelands they may be forever. The cost or even the feasibility of the task may prove utterly beyond us. Us, the human race. Yet even those oil-soaked fields might seem hospitable compared to the badlands that would result from a nuclear meltdown. Appalling though the other aspects are, they are almost negligible compared to the worst-case nuclear scenario. A 20Km exclusion zone around the NPS now . . . Iodine being given to people to help prevent thyroid takeup of radioactive material . . . Caesium, which I think is a highly radioactive uranium daughter, being found near the blown reactor . . . Venting of radioactive steam to release potentially disastrous pressures, and even that seems to have failed . . . Seawater being used as a desperate measure to cool reactor cores, this is a first time and a last option. Breaking news is that full-on meltdown is increasingly probable. It almost seems that the authorities are trying to get people used to the idea. ********************************************************** Meanwhile, nobody has replied to my wonderments about what happens wrt releasing all that high-pressure gas and oil from subterranean pockets . . . Does anyone know much about that?

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Talk Turkey, Wise words o gobbler. :) In answer to your question about what happens to the gas and oil from subterranean pockets, well, it's never been much good for the environment whenever oil's hung around on the surface, or fallen to the sea floor. Sure, there are bacteria that like to eat oil, however I doubt you could flood Japan with them and presto, chango Japan would be back to normal again anytime soon. No, as you alluded to, this is a calamity of monumental proportions that is still unfolding even as we discuss it here, and, of course, the responsibility has fallen to a Centre Left government to clean up the mess left behind from decades of Centre Right development at all costs policy. I mean, who was the bright spark in government in the past in Japan who gave the go-ahead for so many Nuclear Fast Breeder Reactors to be located within spitting distance of one of the most unstable tectonic plates in the world? Who was the tool of Big Business in government who didn't have the wit or foresight to demand that Japan embark upon a concerted effort to replace their Fast Breeder Reactors with eminently more stable Pebble Bed Reactors? If someone in previous governments had had that foresight and care & concern for their country and countrymen then they wouldn't be facing the most serious aftereffect of that earthquake which will just heap injury on insult to the Japanese environment and its people. Oh, and all that gas and smoke and the by-products of all the refineries burning? Well, hello more feed-in to the Global Warming feedback loop. But no, Tony Abbott, Nick Minchin, Prof Ian 'Halfwit' Plimer, Andrew 'Pi*ss & Wind' Bolt, and all the rest of the Fossil Fool Industry, blinkered clowns, will still keep fiddling while the world burns, leading 'the mob' of ignorant Lemmings off the cliff into the abyss. The funny thing is that, as with Pompeii, one day in the future, whatever sentient lifeform remains on Earth will dig up the remains of those who refused to believe in what was coming their way down the shute, and who ended up being swallowed up by it. And one of them will no doubt be Rupert Murdoch, whose lifeless form will still be clutching tightly the first dollar he ever made. Fat lot of good that it would ultimately do him under the circumstances.

Acerbic Conehead 2

13/03/2011TT: "The loss of life is awful, sure, but to be brutally true, at least there's no shortage of people." To say the least, a very indelicate use of words. Smacks of the teeming hordes of Asia.

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Talk Turkey I have found some information for you, and the news is horrific: [b]Video Channel Nine[/b] An explosion at a Japanese nuclear plant triggered fears of a meltdown after a massive earthquake and tsunami left more than 1000 dead and at least 10,000 missing. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/japanquake/8223179/meltdown-fear-after-japan-nuke-plant-blast Japan Nuclear Power Plant Scandal and Now Coverup? , Marketing Japan In a bit of news concerning my most recent blog about Japanese government responsibility for the nuclear accident at Fukushima (read that blog here), it has now been reported in the German press that the plant at Fukushima was allegedly scheduled for shut-down this month. http://modernmarketingjapan.blogspot.com/2011/03/japan-nuclear-power-plant-scandal-and.html In Japan plant, frantic efforts to avoid meltdown, Jeff Donn i hour ago the reactor core became exposed to the external environment, officials would likely began pouring cement and sand over the entire facility, as was done at the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in the Ukraine, Peter Bradford, a former commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said in a briefing for reporters. At that point, Bradford added, "many first responders would die." http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iM7SAc-6HKpSc0cHhRuTdQiwpabw?docId=1bb45fb635744b92b6eae8ff2e446565 Japan mourns amid fears quake toll could hit 10,000, guardian, Uk As rescuers fight their way through to the victims, workers struggle to contain radioactive leaks from a nuclear power plant http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/12/japan-mourns-quake-toll-fears AP. Frantic efforts to avert meltdown in Japan, Politics in the Zeros This after relentlessly perky propaganda from the Japanese government saying everything was a-ok, even as they extended the evacuation area, and had police in respirators scanning people for radiation. Now the truth is coming out. They’re pumping in seawater in a “Hail Mary pass” to avoid disaster. Look, everything here in Japan is off the charts in terms of magnitude of the multiple disasters, but I can’t help [b]contrast the response of Japan to that of the Australian PM before, during, and after their recent Cat 5 hurricane. She sugarcoated nothing, said it was going to be brutal, and people respected her and her government for it.[/b]http://polizeros.com/2011/03/12/ap-frantic-efforts-to-avert-meltdown-in-japan/ Japan Nuclear Power Plant - Frantic Efforts to Avoid Meltdown , YQI - Mission Trips News Power plant youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBZQZToDpXo http://youthquests.blogspot.com/2011/03/japan-nuclear-power-plant-frantic.html 50,000 join rescue effort, Times Colonist ? Neighbourhoods vanish ? Thousands trapped ? 215,000 in shelters, http://www.timescolonist.com/news/join+rescue+effort/4429536/story.html Climate Denial Crock of the Week a large nuclear reactor, damaged by the earthquake, has lost emergency cooling functions. The Wall Street Journal updates Videos of the plant http://climatecrocks.com/ A Japanese Three Mile Island?, The Atlantic [b]But once again, the limited information from Japanese officials has already made a bad situation even worse[/b], particularly since most of those covering the story for media outlets have little background expertise on what a nuclear meltdown might entail. http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/03/a-japanese-three-mile-island/72403/

Ad astra reply

13/03/2011Folks Today's edition of [i]Insiders[/i] was one of the most appalling I have ever witnessed, with Andrew Bolt again running the show, repeatedly bullying Barrie Cassidy and the other panelists, and spewing his anti-Government vitriol throughout the show. I was so incensed that I have send the following message to Barrie: "[i]Dear Barrie I have written to you several times complaining about the use of Andrew Bolt on Insiders, and have received the usual courteous generic reply. I do so again this morning, not in any expectation that Bolt will disappear from the program, but simply to once more make the case that this man is entirely unsuitable on an ABC program that purports to present balanced discourse on contemporary political events. While facilitating difference of opinion is stock in trade for current affairs programs, that is achieved by engaging panellists who exhibit a diversity of opinion, sometimes for, sometime against the various political parties and their policies. Check back on today's session and find even one occasion when Bolt said anything complimentary about Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd or any member of the Government. It was all negative, carping, destructive, finishing with his prediction: "Julia Gillard is finished". You cannot achieve balance by engaging someone who is consistently antagonistic to one side of politics, even if the others are leaning the other way. Balance is achieved by engaging balanced people. By no stretch of the imagination could Bolt be categorised as balanced. This week's programme was such a stark contrast to last Sunday's when you had the always-balanced Lenore Taylor, the sensible Dennis Atkins, and the irascible but reasonable Brian Toohey. I came away thinking - if only all editions of Insiders were as balanced and informative - if only all were like this how much better would be our discernment of the complicated politics of today. The other aspect of Bolt's conduct that I find disturbing is his bullying behaviour. He bullies his way into the discussion, he bullies you, an unedifying sight for those who have come to respect you, and he waves away with an imperious sweep of his hand or a supercilious smile any opinion among other panellists with which he disagrees. He accused Kevin Rudd of grandstanding, no doubt completely unaware of his own gross grandstanding behaviour today. I was pleased to see Malcolm Farr standing up to him on occasions, but Kerry-Ann Walsh was no match for Bolt. So Barrie you can continue to use Bolt and alienate those who regard him as Australia's most unbalanced journalist, you can continue to suffer the humiliation of being bullied into submission by him to the embarrassment of those who respect you, or you can make a decision to exclude him in future, which I am sure many of your viewers would loudly applaud. The choice is yours. Yours sincerely"[/i]

Ad astra reply

13/03/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

sawdustmick

13/03/2011Hi folks been a while since I last posted something that maybe interest to Swordariens. Watched Insiders today and they had "Bolt-Head" on the panel discussing the Carbon Tax. Bolt-Head had his usual rant about Global Warming was bullshit and when it was pointed out by Malcolm Farr that hang on a minute Bolty, Tony Abbott has an emissions reduction policy on the table called a Direct Action Plant to reduce Carbon. To my surprise Bolt-Head more or less stated that the Coalitions proposal was just a bit of Hyperbole to appease the voters into believing that Abbott was serious about doing something to reduce Carbon Emissions. Now these were not his exact words however that is the inference that I gleaned and I believe that Farr did to. Farr said to Bolt-Head are you saying that Abbott is fibbing to the electorate, Bolt made no reply and when the point was pushed by Cassidy lets say that Abbott's plan is more about "Tokenism" Bolt agreed. I think that all of us can take that to the bank it's official Bolt-Head has confirmd what all us knew that Abbott and Co believe that man made climate change is "CRAP"

nasking

13/03/2011[quote]Japan's situation wrt the nuclear power stations is desperately grim as I see it.[/quote] Talk Turkey, I agree. Kurt Vonnegut was a wise man. One of my fave authors. We've been lied to & conned for far too long...and it is deranged men like Andrew Bolt who works as hatchet man for the brain addled 80 year old Rupert Murdoch that spin the BS day after day. Murdoch is nothing but a confused hoarder & collector of media outlets who puts his hoarding compulsions & profiteering ways before rational thinking. His empire creates only confusion, cynicism & doubt when there should be vision and "moving forward" on policies & programs and schemes related to the NBN (in Japan the internet was the saving grace) and renewable energy such as solar, wind farms & other less toxic industries than nuclear, oil & coal. Andrew Bolt shoulda been slapped down for his loopy insolence this morning on 'Insiders'. Who the hell do Alan Jones & Andrew Bolt think they are insulting our PM & Foreign Minister in such a despicable, disrespectful fashion on public airwaves & TV? I don't remember anyone voting for those stooges? Cassidy you gutless enabler. I would like to know how many of these hosts & journos are in the pockets of Murdoch, big coal & big nuclear. Rupert Murdoch is not a visionary...he is a hurdle that is impeding essential progress...he must be forced to step aside. And Andrew Bolt should be told to find a new career by those who replace Murdoch. How can Murdoch's children possibly think this man is acting rational & in the public interest...or any of those loopy hatchet men & women he's paying such big bucks for? Bob Ellis was spot on this week on his negative appraisal of Murdoch & his stooges. Many of them got it wrong on the Iraq War, wrong on climate change and the types of reforms required, wrong on the NBN, wrong on the GFC, wrong on Kevin Rudd (good on Rudd for seeking REAL info on the nuclear emergency...a REAL man of action), wrong on BER, wrong on nuclear energy...the Murdoch empire is a bloody disgrace. It's time for those w/ real vision & who know what is right for Australia & the world to stand up & push thse louses and greedsters & pawns of a demented old man aside...and to get their messages out use tried and true methods, including emulating the old government educational docos and newsreels that once proudly explained government & worker vision & their accomplishments...shown in cinemas, in schools, on B/W TV etc...that enthused and informed and motivated the public. If Murdoch's empire had existed in the earlier parts of the 20th Century, sowing the seeds of cynicism, hate, despair, sexual stupidity, character assassination, doubt, confusion & chaos...nothing would've got done. No Golden Gate Bridge...or that across Sydney...no Fordism...no mass housing after the war...no great dams...no moon mission...no satellites...no telephone system across countries, no public health system, no public school system...nothing but monuments to Rupert...and a communication network owned solely by Murdoch. Pathetic! Move aside Rupert. Or be pushed. We want our world back. N'

Ad astra reply

13/03/2011Hi Lyn Many thanks for those extra links about the tragedy in Japan. They were informative, more so than the TV news bulletins on which there is precious little - there are more important things to report - super cars and football.

BSA Bob

13/03/2011F.S; Re our brief exchange yesterday- I wasted five bloody minutes of my life this morning glancing through a Murdoch rag seeking in vain for any reports of yesterday's climate rallies. It did, however, feature a two page beatup showing us people who don't like Julia Gillard, focusing on her Carbon decision. I'm still angry that the MSM's displaying considerably more interest in Labor's election policies now than they ever did during the election. This morning, you're right about it being the fate of leftist governments to sort things out once in a while, & then get kicked out for their efforts. T.T; I'd forgotten that bit of Slaughterhouse Five, must read it again. I redid Mother Night about a year ago. But don't worry about Japan mate, Tony's going to stop the meltdown.

Ad astra reply

13/03/2011Nasking I can see that you are as incensed as I am about Bolt on [i]Insiders[/i] today. This man is a disgrace to the once-proud discipline of journalism. Like many others, he has sunk to the bottom of the slimy pool of disingenuous, biassed, vitriol-emitting fellow-travellers of the conservative cause, whose supreme advocate is Murdoch. Bolt must be a Murdoch favourite by now, and that gives him the security he needs to continue to spew his hatred and venom unremittingly. What is our world becoming when the likes of Bolt reign supreme as he did on [i]Insiders[/i] today?

nasking

13/03/2011Might add, I deleted 'Insiders' after 35 mins of their lies, distortions and PM & FM abusing. One of the most despicable displays of opportunistic hypocrisy I have ever seen from those who had no problem praising the America of GW Bush and his sheriff John Howard, yet now piss on PM Gillard for trying to bring on side all Americans to the cause of innovative reform & using their once great visionary minds & capabilities to work in unison to create a better future. Insiders today...an embarrasingly cynical, BSing, sewer slime covered panel that do not deserve to be taken seriously...some of the same people who helped assassinate the reputation of an Australian PM...and his party. Trash. No wonder so many Aussies have been brainwashed into believing irrational garbage. And Bob Hawke needs to wake up and get off the nuclear bandwagon...I'm sick & tired of influential people selling off their principles for investments & moolah. Bob needs to get w/ the WINDS of change. See THE LIGHT. The saner, safer ways to generate energy. That goes for Richo too who has sold out for far too long. How he sleeps at nite is beyond me? Perhaps he doesn't, goin' by the look of him. If Hawke, Richo & others in the ALP don't WAKE UP and DO THE RIGHT THING then they will fall to the wayside as a Progressive Green Movement (PGM) roars ahead of them. As they once did in Germany...soon to rise in force again. NO LONGER EYES WIDE SHUT N'

Ad astra reply

13/03/2011sawdustmick Welcome back to [i]TPS[/i]. That was a very revealing moment when Bolt asserted that Abbott's climate change efforts were simply 'tokenism' to combat 'a non-existent problem'. If Bolt is correct, this puts paid to all Abbott's protestations that he really is a believer in anthropogenic global warming, a statement whose veracity we have always suspected.

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Ad Thankyou for sharing your letter to Barrie Cassidy, how wonderful it would be, if Barrie C paid attention. Did you notice, I did particularly, how they played a video of Malcolm Turnbull defending himself, marvellous. Be nice if they just occasionally played a video of our Prime Minister defending herself against the distorted reporting. Also this constant, constant, hair tearing stuff, bashing of Kevin Rudd is revolting me. He is, doing his job isn't he. Ad did you also notice the hard time Barrie Cassidy gave Wayne Swane, it's like as if to Barrie, Wayne Swane is second class and must be constantly contradicted, butted in on, treated like he is a nobody, certainly not the Treasurer of our Country. Another thing, I wonder, who Bolt's elocution tutor was, because he sure sounds unnatural, and fake to me. Your right Ad, the bloggers are the places to read, they are the only genuine source of reporting going on in this country.

NormanK

13/03/2011D Mick Weir It is far too early to make a considered evaluation of the current framework and subsequent proposal. Having said that, a few simple sums might be helpful. If low and middle income households are to be generously compensated for any extra expenditure, at-risk businesses are to be offered protection and abatement measures are to be funded then it stands to reason that the income side of the books will primarily come from sources other than domestic consumers. It is not conceivable that high income earners (who won't be compensated) will fill the coffers with sufficient funds to achieve all of these ambitions. So this idea that it will be a big money-go-round using 'our' money is a complete misrepresentation of the case. The main mind-shift that you might wish to entertain is to stop thinking of it as a tax. It is placing a price on pollution. If you don't buy products which require high levels of carbon dioxide output during production, you will avoid the consequent price hikes. For those items which you can't avoid e.g. electricity, you will be compensated. Also you will now have a very real monetary incentive to change you consumption habits - not because you will be paying more for things but because if you are canny you will be able to pocket some of the compensation by instigating changes in your approaches to purchasing and consumption. Don't let the nay-sayers pollute your brain with falsehoods and speculation. Let's wait for the outline and then pull the detail of that to pieces. Ad astra I tried to watch Insiders today, believing I could put up with a certain amount of Bolt but I'm afraid that I didn't last five minutes. Have we had a more single-minded commentator since Bob Santamaria left our screens? Well said in your letter to Barrie Cassidy. Casablanca Polls all done. Thanks for the link.

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Nasking [quote]Andrew Bolt shoulda been slapped down for his loopy insolence this morning on 'Insiders'. Who the hell do Alan Jones & Andrew Bolt think they are insulting our PM & Foreign Minister in such a despicable, disrespectful fashion on public airwaves & TV? [/quote] I couldn't agree with you more Nasking. You see Andrew Bolt is annoyed with Mr Abbott for not backing Nick Mitchim the other day, it seems AB said, Abbott is only saying he believes, Climate change is caused by humans to get votes. Cheers

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Sawdust Mick Good to see you here today,your comment agrees with me to the word. As I said above, Bolt is cranky with Abbott, Andrew Bolt did say Abbott is only trying to get votes, when he disagreed with Nick Mitchim. [quote]I think that all of us can take that to the bank it's official Bolt-Head has confirmd what all us knew that Abbott and Co believe that man made climate change is "CRAP[/quote] Spot on Sawdust Mick, Abbott's position is confirmed by the prize winning reporter of cynic.

Jason

13/03/2011AA, While your writing to insiders Bolt is writing this! Usual warnings Exit, laughing 239 Comments | Permalink Andrew Bolt Blog Andrew Bolt Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 11:07am I did have fun this morning, but others were choking with rage. The ABC switchboard is busy, dealing with people like viewer Steve: I am a reasonably articulate person with a fairly “centre” political perspective. But regarding your performance on Insiders just now, words fail me. Here are some that come to mind: ideologue, biased, bigotted, vitriolic, unpleasant, poisonous, destructive, unfair, own agenda, plain over the top, journalist impersonator, a fraud, a fake, etc etc etc ............ and sadly predictable in regard to all of these. You used the phrase “a joke” several times. You are a joke, a caricature of yourself. On the other hand, viewer David: To watch your obvious delight at those three attempting to defend Julia Gillard and the comedy entitled, The A.L.P.” on the Insiders program this morning had me in stitches. From Rogue Kevin, The Carbon Tax, Christine Milne and Tony Windsor’s view of the World have all surely been sourced directly from an Australian version of Monty Python. Like you, I await the Media to ask that obvious question:- “How Much Will the World’s Temperature Fall with this New Carbon Tax”. One thing we all know of course is, Pelicans and Australian Power Companies do have one thing in common...they can stick their Bills Up Their A...”. I must admit I was laughing out loud as walked from the studio to my car. You see, if you didn’t laugh at this government, you would cry. Be clear here: I don’t suggest that Insiders today has killed off Julia Gillard’s leadership. Rather, it’s a marker of her end. UPDATE Reader Andrewe: Gillard on skynews now talking about Japan. 10,000 dead and not a tear, its just lucky they werent landing on the moon because she would hardly be able to get a word out. UPDATE Reader Peter: Does anyone know if Barry went to St.Kilda beach and pissed in the bay after the show? Exit, laughing 239 Comments | Permalink Andrew Bolt Blog Andrew Bolt Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 11:07am I did have fun this morning, but others were choking with rage. The ABC switchboard is busy, dealing with people like viewer Steve: I am a reasonably articulate person with a fairly “centre” political perspective. But regarding your performance on Insiders just now, words fail me. Here are some that come to mind: ideologue, biased, bigotted, vitriolic, unpleasant, poisonous, destructive, unfair, own agenda, plain over the top, journalist impersonator, a fraud, a fake, etc etc etc ............ and sadly predictable in regard to all of these. You used the phrase “a joke” several times. You are a joke, a caricature of yourself. On the other hand, viewer David: To watch your obvious delight at those three attempting to defend Julia Gillard and the comedy entitled, The A.L.P.” on the Insiders program this morning had me in stitches. From Rogue Kevin, The Carbon Tax, Christine Milne and Tony Windsor’s view of the World have all surely been sourced directly from an Australian version of Monty Python. Like you, I await the Media to ask that obvious question:- “How Much Will the World’s Temperature Fall with this New Carbon Tax”. One thing we all know of course is, Pelicans and Australian Power Companies do have one thing in common...they can stick their Bills Up Their A...”. I must admit I was laughing out loud as walked from the studio to my car. You see, if you didn’t laugh at this government, you would cry. Be clear here: I don’t suggest that Insiders today has killed off Julia Gillard’s leadership. Rather, it’s a marker of her end. UPDATE Reader Andrewe: Gillard on skynews now talking about Japan. 10,000 dead and not a tear, its just lucky they werent landing on the moon because she would hardly be able to get a word out. UPDATE Reader Peter: Does anyone know if Barry went to St.Kilda beach and pissed in the bay after the show? Exit, laughing 239 Comments | Permalink Andrew Bolt Blog Andrew Bolt Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 11:07am I did have fun this morning, but others were choking with rage. The ABC switchboard is busy, dealing with people like viewer Steve: I am a reasonably articulate person with a fairly “centre” political perspective. But regarding your performance on Insiders just now, words fail me. Here are some that come to mind: ideologue, biased, bigotted, vitriolic, unpleasant, poisonous, destructive, unfair, own agenda, plain over the top, journalist impersonator, a fraud, a fake, etc etc etc ............ and sadly predictable in regard to all of these. You used the phrase “a joke” several times. You are a joke, a caricature of yourself. On the other hand, viewer David: To watch your obvious delight at those three attempting to defend Julia Gillard and the comedy entitled, The A.L.P.” on the Insiders program this morning had me in stitches. From Rogue Kevin, The Carbon Tax, Christine Milne and Tony Windsor’s view of the World have all surely been sourced directly from an Australian version of Monty Python. Like you, I await the Media to ask that obvious question:- “How Much Will the World’s Temperature Fall with this New Carbon Tax”. One thing we all know of course is, Pelicans and Australian Power Companies do have one thing in common...they can stick their Bills Up Their A...”. I must admit I was laughing out loud as walked from the studio to my car. You see, if you didn’t laugh at this government, you would cry. Be clear here: I don’t suggest that Insiders today has killed off Julia Gillard’s leadership. Rather, it’s a marker of her end. UPDATE Reader Andrewe: Gillard on skynews now talking about Japan. 10,000 dead and not a tear, its just lucky they werent landing on the moon because she would hardly be able to get a word out. UPDATE Reader Peter: Does anyone know if Barry went to St.Kilda beach and pissed in the bay after the show? http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/exit_laughing/

Doug Evans

13/03/2011Hi All Agree with all the comments about the odious Bolt. I have previously complained to BC about his presence but unlike Ad Astra don't rate a reply. Anyone looking for a few pictures of the 8000 or so at Get Up Rally try this link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=10150121512501443&id=679036442&aid=282582 Bolt's blog says about the rallies Our group was a true reflection of the community, not of an organised left wing movement, and the anger is there and growing and from what I understand the crowd in Canberra on March 23 will eclipse anything that groups like Getup and their left wing cohorts can arrange, and they will be true community representatives, not just a group of paid activists. http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/a_tale_of_two_rallies_the_numbers_lie/

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Ad So, Barrie Cassidy, decides it is time to drag out a big bag of salt and start rubbing, if there are no wounds he is determined to make them: Gillard's voter support tumbles, Barrie Cassidy, ABC Julia Gillard impressed US politicians last week but back at home voters showed their support for the Prime Minister is dwindling. http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/content/2011/s3162636.htm

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Doug Evans Thankyou so much for the pics on facebook. [quote]not just a group of paid activists.[/quote] Well as Jeremy Sear says on Pure Poison, if activists are being paid, there have been a lot of people asking where their pay is. Bolt is just repeating what Menzies House wrote up last night, bet he won't provide a link, because he pretends these are his own words. Cheers

NormanK

13/03/2011Acerbic Conehead I have been remiss, to be sure, to be sure. Thanks very much for your story. The world is a bit too serious at the moment so I will blame that distraction for my tardiness. Cheers.

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011AC Indelicate, yes. That's why I used the term 'brutal'. But I'm not just talking about the teeming hordes of Asia (which I am too and which is itself a brutal truth) but the teeming hordes of humanity generally. There's teeming hordes in every continent except Antarctica, and every subcontinent except Australia. I think you might do a fresh take on my meaning. People, like all successful species, can always replace numbers, and with humans whether the loss is one person or a million it's like punching holes in water. Simple fact; if to some that would seem unseemly, well you know. There's no them and us in what I said. 'Fact a line or two down I said, didn't I, "Us, the human race." Asia is incidental though it's true that ten thousand in Japan will make probably a less noticeable hole than the far smaller numbers lost in NZ. Another brutal truth: there are always more people in the world at the end of every war there's ever been, than there were before it. The human pain is sad but it passes entirely within a couple of generations. My point is that the loss of agricultural land can never be replaced. Australians do it with salt and desertification. But oil in those super-intense greenhouse growing regions is an anthropogenic tragedy that will last through the ages. FS, my musings re the release of vast pockets of oil and gas at stupendous pressure relate not the resulting and obvious surface and atmospheric pollution, but the fact that as the pressure in tyres keeps the car up, the pressure in those pockets MUST help to support the ceiling of rock above them. 100,000 psi and more! (tyre pressures being around 30-40 psi.) Some of those fluids are contained in porous rock, but some are in simple spaces: take away the supporting pressure, why wouldn't the ceilings collapse? And we've done it all over the planet. The assumption I think has always been and still remains that human influence has nought to do with earthquakes. How much did the Japanese earthquake destabilise the San Andreas fault, for example?

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Jason Thankyou for the link to Bolt's commenter, just shows the type of people he invites. What does Bolt call Labor voters (Lefties), or some other awful name, but I am sure Talk Turkey can think of a matching name for the Righties. [i]Be clear here: I don’t suggest that Insiders today has killed off Julia Gillard’s leadership. Rather, it’s a marker of her end. [/i] So now we have The Insiders capable of overthrowing the Government, I thought it Was Tony Abbott that was going to do the overthrowing. hee, hee. Jason I meant to thankyou too for the link you posted, to Tim Dunlop's brilliant piece, on the previous thread. Thankyou very much your a champion, Ad Astra enjoyed Tim's article very much, so did I. Cheers

Rx

13/03/2011Link to Insiders contact page to leave comment: http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/contact.htm

nasking

13/03/2011The Greens on nuclear energy: [quote]4. nuclear power is not a safe, clean, timely, economic or practical solution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.[/quote] http://greens.org.au/policies/climate-change-and-energy/nuclear Great motivating speech by Bob Brown today re: NSW election. I hope The Greens put it up on YouTube. I hope Anna Bligh rethinks this now: [quote]Anna Bligh joins nuclear chorus 24 Dec 2010 Queensland premier Anna Bligh has joined those calling on the Labor government to review its nuclear power policy, saying that renewable energy is not sufficient to meet power demands, according to a report in The Australian. Ms Bligh said that nuclear energy is the only available option given public resistance to dams that would have boosted hydroelectricity production. The premier joins other Labor figures, such as Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, Australian Workers Union head Paul Howes, former NSW premier Bob Carr and Labor senators Mark Bishop and Steve Hutchins in calling for a review of the Labor Party's ban on nuclear power. The central debate over the party's nuclear stance will likely occur at Labor's next national conference in December 2011, according to The Australian. [/quote] I don't blame Anna for thinking about a "suite of energy measures"...I was beginning to entertain the idea of nuclear energy too, but only 4th generation...but I think we've been lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to this mode of energy generation...and considering we have so many other options...and until it can be proven that the next generation of nuclear plants are failsafe...then we should put our investment money & focus elsewhere business & government-wise. I feel this is a dreadful tragedy for the Japanese people...uneccessary enormous & added strain put on them at a time of natural disaster...to have been used as guinea pigs by a nuclear energy industry...who fail to be honest to anyone. It's time environmental safety & real security of our countries came before profits and shareholders' ambitions & insatiable appetites. Remember this: [quote]We know John Howard is a nuclear enthusiast. That's why he set up a committee to get the greenlight to press ahead. But it requires a pressing commitment to counter climate change - something Howard doesn't convincingly portray.[/quote] http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/in-the-nick-minchin-camp/story-e6frezz0-1111112583202 [quote](Feb, 2010) OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott says nuclear power is the "only realistic way" for Australia to cut its carbon emissions but he will not take the policy to the next election. Speaking at the Menzies Research Centre in Canberra, the opposition leader said nuclear power was the only proven way of generating the base load power Australia needed without producing carbon pollution.[/quote] http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-advocates-using-nuclear-power-to-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions/story-e6frf7l6-1225834574545 and: Tony Abbott backs nuclear talks after senate block Labor's ETS scheme UPDATED: Samantha Maiden, Online political editor From: The Australian December 18, 2009 "How can the Rudd government be fair dinkum about reducing global emissions if it is not prepared to sell uranium to India," Mr Abbott asked. "I am not a theological opponent of nuclear power. "I am quite happy to have the debate about the nuclear option. And I note that there are lots of people in the Labor Party like Martin Ferguson who are on the record as saying that it is something that Australian should consider. I don't think it is anything we should rush into." His remarks were backed by his deputy Julie Bishop who said virtually every economy in the G20 had nuclear as a core component of their plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "It's the fact that Australia has amongst the largest reserves of uranium in the world. Australia should be playing it's part for example to sell uranium to India so that India is able to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through it's nuclear power program. So there is a debate to be had,’’ she said. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/tony-abbott-backs-nuclear-talks-after-senate-block-labors-ets-scheme/story-e6frg6xf-1225806149547 The Coalition must now be in MELTDOWN. ------------ Lyn, Mick, Jason, Aa...agree re: Bolt. A disgrace to journalism. A hack. Opinion muckracker. Not of the Progressive kind. Some useful links Lyn. Thnx. N'

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Ad Trev reports same as Jason: - News Limited Andrew Bolt causes ABC’s Switch Board to run Hot -Insiders, Saynotony, Trev's Political Rants [quote]Andrew Bolt tho stood out the most with his anti HATE comments towards the labor party in general he would not stop ranting with his shock jock comments and un educated views on all the topics he was asked. A source has told me today that the ABC switch board was running hot only 10 mins in to the show with complaints coming in via Facebook , Twitter , Email , Phone. So then I headed over to Bolts so called blog on News Limiteds Herald site and what did I find well Bolt was laughing all the way to his car from the ABC studios. Exit, laughing I did have fun this morning, but others were choking with rage. The ABC switchboard is busy, dealing with people like viewer Steve: I am a reasonably articulate person with a fairly “centre” political perspective. But regarding your performance on Insiders just now, words fail me.[/quote] CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR COMPLAINT DIRECT TO ABC AND BARRY http://trevspoliticalrants.com/2011/03/13/news-limited-andrew-bolt-causes-abcs-switch-board-to-run-hot-insiders/

Per Ardua

13/03/2011As a further insight into Andrew Bolt's character (as if any more were needed and as if he had one) when commenting on the rallies in Melbourne yesterday on the Insiders, he quoted attendance figures of about 200 and 400. When queried by Cassidy that figures quoted were more like 400 and 8000 he replied straight faced "Well I didn't see that". On his own blog site (I have since been purged)dated March 12 2011 9.45pm he quotes from from his own rag "More than 8000 people showed their support for putting a price on carbon outside Treasury Place in Melbourne, but only about 400 demonstrators fronted at Julia Gillard's electorate office in Werribee to protest against the carbon levy." On top of his the poor grasp of reality, he obviously has a short term memory problem!

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011Thank you Dog for TPS family. You are a great lot. To read what Ad astra has to say about Bum-Bolt, not to mention so many others of us, is strengthening, and Dog don't we need that. But WHAT'S TO BE DONE? HOW do we get our world back? How dare Crassidy run his show Onesiders like that? Damn. That's OUR ABC, and we WILL have it back. They are laughing at us you know. Thumbing their noses. Remember though, we are in Government, and we will be too. Toe-Rag Abbortt WILL implode. Snottynose Hockey and Malformed Turdball, none of the 3 above will EVER command a confident majority. All will be damaged goods long before the next election. See if Anal Jones and Bum-Bolt and Pus Acridman can laugh about that when we wipe the board clear of their slime. Go for the jugular now please please please Prime Minister. You have their measure on any fair level ground, we know. Choose your own turf. They are impossible to fight on their own ground, and you don't need to do that. You did great with Anal Jones on his own radio though. ************************************************************** Meltdown now virtually confirmed in #1 reactor. #3 in strife. Worst case scenario evidently in progress. 170,000 people evacuated. This is possibly headed to being the worst anthropogenic event - by FAR, even! - in all history. Dog help us all.

Acerbic Conehead 2

13/03/2011The day after the bus-trip debacle, Mavis, that self-confessed 2GB tragic, bumps into the driver, Tony Windsor. It had been a sobering experience for her and she is now beginning to re-assess some of her previous hard-line positions. No longer will the shock-jocks and their manipulating politician cronies be able to take her for granted. Here she is singing the old Who classic, “Magic Bus”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl9bvuAV-Ao :- ) Yesterday I got in the queue (too much, tragics’ bus) To get on the bus, my budget it blew (too much, tragics’ bus) Was so nervous, I just sat and smiled (too much, tragics’ bus) The speakers blarin’ out Jonesie’s bile (too much, tragics’ bus) :- ) Thank you, driver, you’re so full of cheer (too much, tragics’ bus) Unlike that inspector, charges too dear (too much, tragics’ bus) I don't want to cause no fuss (too much, tragics’ bus) But that Blakey’s ever so suss (too much, tragics’ bus) :- ) Yeeeeeeeesssssssss! :- ) He didn’t care how much we paid (too much, tragics’ bus) A Roman tax-collector, he’d leave for dead (too much, tragics’ bus) “I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it ...” (you can't have it!) :- ) The mongrel charged fifty bucks each way At our expense, makin’ hay Should make enough on a pollie’s pay An’ us on a tin of cat-food a day :- ) Tragics’ bus, tragics’ bus, tragics’ bus ... :- ) Not goin’ back on that tragics’ bus (too much, tragics’ bus) I said, not goin’ back on that tragics’ bus (too much, tragics’ bus) Tones’ carbon plan’ll make us all pay (too much, tragics’ bus) With the polluters like popinjays (too much, tragics’ bus) “I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it ...” :- ) Up til now I’ve been a doofus (too much, tragics’ bus) But I’ve seen through Tones as a shonky klutz (too much, tragics’ bus)

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011AC Indelicate, yes. That's why I used the term 'brutal'. But I'm not just talking about the teeming hordes of Asia (which I am too and which is itself a brutal truth) but the teeming hordes of humanity generally. There's teeming hordes in every continent except Antarctica, and every subcontinent except Australia. I think you might do a fresh take on my meaning. People, like all successful species, can always replace numbers, and with humans whether the loss is one person or a million it's like punching holes in water. Simple fact; if to some that would seem unseemly, well you know. There's no them and us in what I said. 'Fact a line or two down I said, didn't I, "Us, the human race." Asia is incidental though it's true that ten thousand in Japan will make probably a less noticeable hole than the far smaller numbers lost in NZ. Another brutal truth: there are always more people in the world at the end of every war there's ever been, than there were before it. The human pain is sad but it passes entirely within a couple of generations. My point is that the loss of agricultural land can never be replaced. Australians do it with salt and desertification. But oil in those super-intense greenhouse growing regions is an anthropogenic tragedy that will last through the ages. FS, my musings re the release of vast pockets of oil and gas at stupendous pressure related not the resulting and obvious surface and atmospheric pollution, but the fact that as the pressure in tyres keeps the car up, the pressure in those pockets MUST help to support the ceiling of rock above them. 100,000 psi and more! (tyre pressures being around 30-40 psi.) Some of those fluids are contained in porous rock, but some are in simple spaces: take away the supporting pressure, why wouldn't the ceilings collapse? And we've done it all over the planet. The assumption I think has always been and still remains that human influence has nought to do with earthquakes. How much did the Japanese earthquake destabilise the San Andreas fault, for example?

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011I just sent this to the Onesiders ABC address: Barry Cassidy You are a traitor to decent standards on the ABC. There is absolutely no excuse for your repeated choice of Bolt and Ackerman, and then you don't have the skills nor the decency to control them. You and your programme and virtually all the ABC political commentators are a disgrace and should be sacked for bias.

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011Sorry repeated post. comment came back at me somehow, I thought it had failed first time. Scusi. Lyn what did Bum-Bolt call Lefties? I'd love to find a good riposte. My stable of snidenames is getting impressive . . . BTW does everyone know what a bumbolt actually is? Pretty obvious, but it's used a good bit in The Sotweed Factor, whose author I forget for now. At one stage for losing a bet the anti-hero has to walk along behind a flatulent mare, "firing bumbolts" at him all the way. Yeah we ought to have a competition for snidenames. I think they're fun.

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Talk Turkey Good, smack it to them. Cheers

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Ad Astra, Thank you for having the composure and presence of mind to immediately send off an e-mail to Barrie Cassidy at Insiders. I usually get too shouty to be able to do such a thing. What I would like to know is when are the ABC going to realise that including one-eyed opinion-givers, for a journalist is the last thing you could call them, allied as they so obviously are to one particular political party, is no one's definition of 'Balance'? The sooner they place Insiders and similar shows on the ABC, such as The Drum, on an even keel which proportionately gathers in views from across the spectrum of the political divide, around the centre of the political axis, and just leave out contributors from the far reaches of the bell curve from both the Left and the Right, the better it will be for its audience. Not that I can name even one political commentator from what would be characterised as the Far Left. Can you? Also, as I didn't have the 'pleasure' of viewing Insiders this morning, having something far more pleasurable to do, I can only imagine the diatribe from the strident Mr Bolt that had to be endured by all concerned and the audience watching. The thing I can't understand is how browbeating people is so effective for Mr Bolt, and, you have to admit it, it is. Btw, did anyone else see Tony Abbott today conducting his own parallel Press Conference on the Japanese Earthquake as if he was the Prime Minister? He's obviously got a strategy to legitimise himself in that role in the eyes of the electorate such that when the next election rolls around , he hopes, it will be a comfortable thing for people to do to vote for him for that position. Not once in that Press Conference, also, did he make reference to the government's actions or the words that the Prime Minister, the real one, or the Foreign Minister have spoken about the tragedy. Instead he referred to our DFAT Consular officials and how he(!!!) spoke on behalf of the Australian people when he says... What a slimeball that man is.

nasking

13/03/2011Worth thinking about: Scientists to explore link between climate change and earthquakes, volcanoes http://www.greenfudge.org/2010/04/19/scientists-to-explore-link-between-climate-change-and-earthquakes-volcanoes/ [quote]The funny thing is that, as with Pompeii, one day in the future, whatever sentient lifeform remains on Earth will dig up the remains of those who refused to believe in what was coming their way down the shute, and who ended up being swallowed up by it. And one of them will no doubt be Rupert Murdoch, whose lifeless form will still be clutching tightly the first dollar he ever made. Fat lot of good that it would ultimately do him under the circumstances.[/quote] Well said Feral. It seems we have the intentionally blind deranged leading the negligent blind bought...and the temporarily blind confused. Time for people to open their eyes. Before this lot walk off the edge of the cliff. N'

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011Lyn, Yeah but you didn't answer my question. I want to know what the Lefties were called so I can try to think of a suitable reply.

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Talk Turkey Talk Turkey, I can't remember, it's been a long, long, time since I visited Mr Bolt's page. But I can remember him saying things like why are people on the left so violent, why are they so hateful, in other words, thugs and low life. Now is that a little bit of a clue for you. Cheers

Lyn

13/03/2011Hi Ad There is a word I think has been invented by Andrew Bolt that I have never heard before, have you heard it before, has anyone else heard this word before: [b]MISREMEMBERED[/b] Sunday Serve: Andrew Bolt, Nicwestfoy, The Parliamentary Secretary [b]Did he get his figures muddled[/b], or was this a planned attempt to actively deceive viewers on number of attendees? He stood steadfast after being called out on his incorrect figures and pleaded ignorance afterwards. http://parlysecretary.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/sunday-serve-andrew-bolt/ [i]A tale of two rallies: the numbers lie, Andrew Bolt, Herald Sun[/i] UPDATE Apologies. [b]On Insiders today I [i]misremembered[/i] [/b][b]the figure for the GetUp protest, and said 800 rather than 8000.[/b] http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/a_tale_of_two_rallies_the_numbers_lie/

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Rx, Thank you for the link to Insiders comments page. I normally couldn't have been bothered searching around the ABC website for it myself. As it was just there, well, I took advantage of it! :) Here's my contribution:[quote] Do you call that vitriolic, vindictive gobfest that went by the name of 'Insiders' today, a 'balanced political forum'? You should be ashamed of yourself for agreeing to let that nasty little gobshite, Andrew Bolt, onto your show(and, let me tell you, it certainly didn't seem like it was your show today). There is no way in god's known universe that Andrew Bolt will ever say anything reasonable about any Labor government, so why bother with him? And don't come back with any of that palaver about 'Balance' and a 'variety of points of view', as that man will never give a balanced or various point of view. He adds nothing to Insiders, in fact, whenever he is on I know for a fact that reasonable and fair-minded viewers turn it off. What have they got to gain from yet another of Mr Bolt's manufactured rants lifted directly from the Menzies House website or manufactured in the cesspit of his own twisted and perverted mind? If you honestly believe that Julia Gillard is doing such a bad job as Prime Minister, then you obviously haven't compared her performance to that which Tony Abbott would have done in the same instance. It's not too hard to do. He obviously does not possess one policy bone in his body, and he is simply all about politics and the style, as opposed to the substance of matters. That appears to titillate you, and your wife, but it is not what counts to the grown-ups in the room, that are those members of the electorate who tune into your show that are well-informed enough to know s*it from shinola, and who dearly wish that an equally well-informed government could be allowed to just get on with implementing policy solutions to those issues which beset the country at the moment. However, the way it looks to me the Canberra Press Gallery would prefer to be entertained by a political jester, in the form of Tony Abbott, whose intellectual capacity, Rhodes Scholar or no, pales against that of our real Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. Yes, the real one, no matter how much you may wish to bi*ch and carp about her legitimacy in your columns on The Drum(and, yes, there are those of us out here who follow your every utterance and discuss it and analyse it for worthiness or wan*ery, and certainly, in some instances, not wonkery). Mr Cassidy, if you want to become a Murdoch shill, then go and ask for a job on Sky or MTR with Andrew Bolt and all the other polemicists for the vested interests that they sing for their supper for every day. Please leave the ABC to the grown up commentators who tailor their output to those of us who are able to discern the half-baked rubbish that Bolt comes out with from the reasonable quality stuff that Insiders sometimes produces when you put well-informed and reasonable journalists(a term which I would never apply to Andrew Bolt), on the panel. Now, if you try and say that you are unable to stop Mr Bolt from coming on Insiders, then I say, call his bluff if he threatens to sue. I'd love to see the detail come out about his connections in an open court. Or, if you prefer the option of ever-declining audience share, then keep him coming back. The grown-ups have better things to do than watch puerile, self-interested ranting from the likes of Andrew Bolt on a Sunday morning. His kind do not increase audience share, they decrease it. We do not come back to watch car-crash performances, bit*hiness and unhinged bellicosity. I know I speak for many others, Mr Cassidy. And, if you are just going to send me one of those anodyne, mealy-mouthed form e-mails that say nothing effectively and fail to address the issue, then don't bother. I have better things to do with my time.[/quote]

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Nasking, Someone should have asked Faux Prime Minister TAbbott today, "How's that Nuclear Power thing going for ya, Mr Abbott? *wink*" On the other hand, I remain a firmly committed supporter of Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactors fueled by Thorium. They don't get super-heated should an earthquake occur right next door, hence no reactor core meltdowns, as there is no reactor core! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebble_bed_reactor (Read the part about Safety Features). :)

debbiep

13/03/2011 Yes- Thankyou Rx re link to Insiders. For me I didn't even last through the first interview between Cassidy and Swan before I turned off. Thinking it was 'just me' - after reading many different blogs this afternoon-I am amazed at the talk about this mornings Insiders- and to see others feel similar as I, proves the show is deteriorating . So , like FS I made use of the easy link and sent of this comment; Standards- Remember them? Well, what is there to say really. You could possibly like the backlash from people who are upset with your once great ( well at least I used to talk & think highly of it) journalistic show- which has since dropped to the level of Today Tonight in Opinionated Journalism- or like Bolts columns or blog . Which is fine , if you yourself can live with those( your) standands. Sadly, it is the next generation that will suffer because – with quality substituted for , what, ratings - or ignorance- or the ‘mob mentality’ of Bolt and Jones ? I fail to then see what the point of the show is anymore ! :)

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Re: 'Misremembered'. It's just another one of those mealy-mouthed prevarications that political purgatives, such as Mr Bolt use when they want to avoid responsibility for what they know is a lie being told when they are appearing in the media. The clarification at remove from the event of the 'misremembering' is just as effective as those 'Corrections' printed on p56 of The Daily Telegraph that Jonathan Holmes likes to point out on Media Watch, after the Daily Terror has spent the rest of the week villifying Asylum Seekers, or whatever, with absolutely false information. That is, the 'misremembering' excuse is merely an artifice to cover up after the intentended damage has been done by the perpetrator.

nasking

13/03/2011BTW AC, good work. Nicely spaced out too...easier on these aging eyes. "Blakey: Yes...yes...yes...you’re right of course, Bob – but don’t forget to charge them as they do their ablutions – and I don’t mean they should only spend a penny either...haw...haw..." LOL. I can see Abbott transforming into a moaning, anal, bitter old sod, unliked by the many...hmmm...perhaps he's already there? Of interest: [quote]Early on Japanese nuclear officials provided reassurances that no radiation has been released. However, because of the reactor remains at a very high temperature, radiation levels are rising on the turbine building – forcing to plant operators to vent radioactive steam into the environment. But the devastating Japanese quake and its outcome could generate a political tsunami here in the United States. For instance, in California it may become impossible for the owners of the San Onofre and Diablo Canyon reactors to extend their operating licenses with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The quake is also likely to further deflate the "nuclear renaissance" balloon. These two reactors are sitting in high seismic risk zones near earthquake faults. Each is designed to withstand a quake as great as 7.5 on the Richter scale. According to many seismologists, the probability of a major earthquake in the California coastal zone in the foreseeable future is a near certainty. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the largest registering 8.3 on the Richter scale devastated San Francisco in 1906.[/quote] more here: http://www.counterpunch.com/alvarez03112011.html Apparently Japanese nuclear energy officials are responding to Japanese newspaper accusations of "being unprepared" by arguing that they could not have foreseen such a disaster. So much for foresight & rational thinking & honesty in this industry. Japan is earthquake prone for Gawd's sake...how the hell can they have not think tanked/wargamed for such an event? Pathetic. If Indonesia builds these things they are mad...and irresponsible. N'

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Talk Turkey, Look, I copped heaps from commenters from the Right when I took this one out of the bottom drawer, but since that time they have declared all-out war on the Progressives of the Left of politics, so I give you my description of the Rabid Right as, 'Rightards'.

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011TT, Or, if you want to be more delicate, 'Rightoids'. :)

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011lyn, Thank you for your link to Nicwestfoy. A very reasonable journalist, pity it seems to be squeezed out of them after they get out of journalism school. :(

Doug Evans

13/03/2011Dear Sword people You seem an active bunch. I want to suggest that in this vitriolic climate of carbon pricing madness that encourages our fellow Australians to swamp our politicians with hate mail and the odd death threat it is a very good time to contact the members of the Multi Party Committee on Climate Change with messages of support for their endeavours on our behalf. There will be time for outraged criticism later. Perhaps you have had the same thought and have already done so, However, on the off chance that this strikes you as a good idea I am presumptuous enough to suggest that you might like to look at my blog for contact details and even some thoughts about issues to raise with our elected representatives. On the odious Bolt I have been thinking. For ten years I was in a formal sense an inept student of a sensational Buddhist teacher.One of the principles I retain from those years is the importance of seeing things for what they are. I have previously suggested that I can't find anything about the odious one to laugh about. As his appalling but utterly predictable performance on Insiders today shows, Bolt is not funny. He is a bully without scruples or principles. On previous occasion I have had reason to suspect him of homophobia. Today I think he showed just a tinge of misogyny. I think that it might be dangerous to regard Bolt as a figure of fun. There is a fable (Aesop?) about a mouse and a scorpion standing before a flooded stream wondering how they will get across. The scorpion asks the mouse who can swim if he will swim across with the scorpion on his back. The mouse at first says not because he believes the scorpion will sting him and kill him. The scorpion manages to convince the mouse that this is not in either his or the mouse's interests so they set off. Halfway across (of course) the scorpion stings the mouse. The dying mouse asks the scorpion why he did this as they will now surely both die. The scorpion's answer - I am a scorpion killing creatures with my venomous tale is what I do. Bolt is a scorpion not to be trifled with. It is important that he is seen for what he is. He is no harmless buffoon but a very angry, hardened and powerful cultural warrior.

nasking

13/03/2011Feral, it has alot to do w/ trust. If people can't trust their industry leaders and safety inspectors & governments then any useful projects will fall to the wayside. Murdoch's empire tends to distort and build up exagerrated or BS cases in order to undermine trust in government...think BER. Yet, how much real investigative reporting do they do when an industry, party or government suits their agenda? This can be asked of other corporatised media too. Exactly why the vertically & horizontally integrated media is so dangerous these days...and the public interest is too oft placed as lower priority in order to fulfill the obligations of vested corporate & dynastic interests. It doesn't surprise me our planet is melting down...and displaying extreme climatic disturbances...not unlike the seven billion "seesaw" brainwashed people who inhabit it...and their morally bankrupt industries & corporations that act like propaganda & hoarding machines working for the privileged FEW. What future for any alternative energy generation industry if we can't trust those in charge and the shareholders & investors?... ...and what trust can be created?...what lessons can be learnt?...if reporters don't do their job...but act more as infotainment talking heads & sales people...no better than avatars. Dangerous days indeed...if we don't put away the irrational and greedster tabloid & infotainment, American "college frat" style journalism...and start taking investigative reporting and general news reporting much more seriously. And find leaders of political parties who don't always do policy contortionist acts but rather negotiate based on real need...expert advice...a wide knowledge base...and rational & visionary-driven principles...rather than kowtowing to deranged & profiteering shock jocks & tabloid journos...and media empire builders who collect & hoard media outlets like the crazy old neighbour w/ dementia who buys every kind of pharmaceutical & tinned food and leaves them in the cupboard & under the bed to rot. N'

nasking

13/03/2011[quote]Japan ministers ignored safety warnings over nuclear reactorsSeismologist Ishibashi Katsuhiko claimed that an accident was likely and that plants have 'fundamental vulnerability'[/quote] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/12/japan-ministers-ignored-warnings-nuclear N'

TalkTurkey

13/03/2011Know what I reckon? I think Bum-Bolt has shot his bolt on the ABC. I think Crassidy has lost a lot of cred too. Bolt went away from his Onesiders interview (HIS Onesiders interview, mind) delighted with himself, and brayed tte on his blog. I now predict that Crassidy will not be game ever to invite him back. Many people have objected to their blatant bias and Crassidy's mischievous abuse of his position, and I think he will be feeling seriously chastened by decent people's response. And Swordies, if Pus Acridman is to be there ever again, SQUEAL! DEMAND that RW bigots be not invited! Bigotry has nothing in common with balance as Professor Skeleton has said. 'Rightard' ain't half bad FS. I certainly don't want more delicacy. More indelicacy if anything. I tend to favour scatological names for THEM, but Rightards it is unless I can think of something nastier.

Ad astra reply

13/03/2011FS What a brilliantly incisive letter you have written to Barrie Cassidy. If he ignores what you and I suspect many others have said to him today, we can regard him as beyond redemption, and give his [i]Insiders[/i] a miss whenever Bolt is scheduled. Nasking It is good to see you back actively blogging with a succession of insightful comments. Doug Evans We all should note your comments about scorpion Bolt. We ignore him at our peril. Folks I'm calling it a day and I'm now going to watch the final episode of Miss Marple.

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Ad Astra, You inspired me by making the initial effort, and Rx facilitated the actualisation of my missive. I thought that it was now or never in order to see whether the ABC has been completely remade in the Liberal Party's image by Mark Scott, or not. We'll see either via another piece on The Drum by Cassidy, or a statement on Insiders next week, I assume. However, if we all just get ignored, then we know that the ABC has been captured and not even such an open assault on it by a malevolent & manipulative media misfit such as Bolt is enough to make them waver in their determination to lead an assault on the intelllectual elites, the A demographic, that the Liberal Party have never previously been able to get on side. That's how I see it anyway. That as the tertiary-educated Baby Boomer generation ages, and naturally becomes more conservative, the Liberal Party and their agents in the Public Broadcaster media have decided to try and capture their votes by a strategic assault on the media outlets they/we give most credence to. It sounds a bit like a 'Grassy Knoll' conspiracy theory, I will admit.I'd be surprised if I was wrong, though.

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Nasking, Of course the Japanese Nuclear Plants have a 'fundamental vulnerability'. Even Blind Freddy could have seen that. However, it seems as if they were more concerned with having nice, tidy gardens around the plant and funkily-painted exterior walls on the reactors than any sort of sensible response to the obvious safety concerns that sticking with Fast Breeder Reactors, or mixed Uranium/Plutonium reactors, might suggest to the observant.

Feral Skeleton

13/03/2011Doug Evans, We are active because we believe in the Butterfly Principle. If we flap our gums enough, somewhere in Canberra things might change. :)

adelaidegirl

13/03/2011FS @ 4.38 - but did he cry? Casablanca, thanks for the link but I don't think I made much difference to the polls! I also wrote to Insiders. I suggested that Barrie and let Blot host the show. I said, "I'm done." Disgusting.

adelaidegirl

13/03/2011Lyn @ 5.24 - what's worse is that Barrie started the bit about the rallies by saying the figures were 200/2000. Then Blot said 400/8000, [b]then[/b] he slid the 800 figure in. Did they set out to deliberately confuse?

adelaidegirl

13/03/2011FS @ 5.34 - BRAVO!

Patricia WA

14/03/2011[b]An ‘Inside-Out’ View Of Things[/b] I am told by the Insiders, On the national news provider, That Labor’s brand’s been trashed. Their electoral hopes are dashed. That’s what they say the papers say. I wonder if it really is that way? They didn’t say the economy has ailed To show how government has failed. Nor asked why we are overjoyed So few of us are unemployed. Of course this is the Land Downunder But, really, is it any wonder, I feel as if the world’s turned upside down, When a Prime Minister now renowned For strong, effective decisive action Is dragged down by the damaging distraction Of media commentators turning truth about. Isn’t there some way to turn ‘Insiders’ out? I think that fits how I feel about Insiders today, don't you? Barry Cassidy and Andrew Bolt did a pretty good job of belittling the PM and the Carbon 'Tax' and having a good laugh about her low poll ratings despite what the Americans might think of her. Well, would you believe I actually wrote that for Larvatus Prodeo on June 20th last year when I was similarly outraged. It was just a few days before Rudd's spectacular fall from power. There was another verse which I just now excised relating specifically to PM Rudd and his problems with his team. But Andrew Bolt was on the panel that day too and all the debate was about the mining tax and Rudd's poll ratings. And that disastrous interview with Kerry O'Brien a few days before. I had a sort of [i]'deja vu'[/i] feeling this morning when Cassidy got stuck straight into the PM with his opening remarks. At every opportunity she was put down, ridiculed and her achievements belittled. Much was made of the so-called on-going rift with Rudd. Of course the next few days, last of this current Parliamentary session before the Greens take control of the Senate, are crucial if there is any chance at all of bringing her down. I felt there was a deliberate slurring over of the comparative numbers of those demonstrating for the carbon tax compared with the pitiful showing of the revolting people. There was something staged between those three News Ltd journos and Cassidy. Bolt's frenzied 'ha-ha-has' on- line later were phoney and his claim that the other three 'Insiders' were furious and disagreed with him was not true. Have I become a conspiracy freak? PS Here's the middle verse I took out from that June 20th pome. Today I could have replaced it with something similar about the Carbon Tax and Julia Gillard's problems with her Foreign Secretary, backed up by some gossip from staffers. But even if that were true that's the only sign of disunity within the government's ranks. So instead the Insiders had to look to Richo and his critical comments on this Labor government to get any sense of disunity on the left. [i]Instead they claim our PM and his ruling clique Have shown themselves to be too weak In letting the Coalition win on the ETS Supported by the Greens not saying yes. They talked of members of the ALP Whispering tales of disunity. Caucus is scared and Rudd’s so grim They will not publicly stand up to him. That’s right. In private he’s said to be so tough They cannot tell their leader he’s not tough enough![/i]

Lyn

14/03/2011[b]TODAY'S LINKS [/b] [i]So, we're going to sit back and watch Gaddafi slaughter his people, are we? Jeremy Sear,[/i] An Onymous Lefty surreal experience watching Insiders this morning. The panel did debate the issue of a no-fly zone in Libya – if by “debate http://anonymouslefty.wordpress.com/ [i]Tracking the fallout and falsehoods at Fukushima, Ben Sandilands, The Stump[/i] Japanese authorities, who lied unashamedly about the nature of the emergency until mid morning yesterday, claiming that there was no evidence http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2011/03/13/tracking-the-fallout-and-falsehoods-at-fukushima/ [i]from the old slave house , John Richardson, Your Democracy[/i]buy a property in Canberra, where they stay whilst Parliament is sitting, & then claim the $350 a night Travel Allowance: that's $23,000 a year, http://yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/11933 [i]Nielsen: 54 - 46 to Coalition, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i] it will make up half of tomorrow’s published Essential result there will cause to regard whatever it is as slightly flattering to Labor http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ [i]Tokyo After The Shock, James west, New Matilda[/i] The earthquake struck while I was inside drinking coffee in Akihabara, a major electronics district of Tokyo. http://newmatilda.com/2011/03/13/tokyo-after-shock [i]Background on Japan's stricken nuclear reactor - Fukushima daiichi No 1, Don Arthur, Club Troppo[/i] news and speculation about what is happening, or might happen, in Japan is traveling so far and fast that thoughtful discussion is nearly impossible. http://clubtroppo.com.au/2011/03/12/background-on-japans-stricken-nuclear-reactor-fukushima-daiichi-no-1/#more-14991 [i]Climate Change Minister Combet talked with Laurie Oakes on Channel 9[/i] before we get to climate change, can I ask you about the drama unfolding in Japan, http://www.international.to/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=892:climate-change-minister-combet-talked-with-laurie-oakes-on-channel-9-&catid=36:news&Itemid=74 [i]Anti-tax campaign coming to town,MICHAEL INMAN, Canberra Times[/i] Anti-tax campaigners plan to protest at Parliament House on Wednesday, March 23 http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/antitax-campaign-coming-to-town/2101727.aspx [i]Put a Price on Carbon, Rally 12th March, Melbourne Protest Web Blog[/i] The photos mostly speak for themselves. There is a brief report on Melbourne Indymedia, even briefer ones on ACF online and the AYCC Facebook page, http://melbourneprotests.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/put-a-price-on-pollution-rally-12-march-2011/ [i]Manufactured opposition to carbon price against our best interests, Nick Carson, Green Left[/i] This opposition-for-the-sake-of-opposition reveals a severe lack of leadership and an inability to partake in intelligent dialogue and discussion. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46966 [i]Carbon price plan heads in wrong direction, Simon Butler, Green Left,[/i] The right-wing crusade against the Labor/Greens carbon deal combines four main things: climate change denial, corporate greed, countless lies and an element of truth. http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/46968 [i]News Limited Andrew Bolt causes ABC’s Switch Board to run Hot -Insiders , Trev's Political Rants[/i] to my surprise each guest was a News Limited employee and it sounded more like a Abbott party room meeting then a chat show about the Sunday papers. http://trevspoliticalrants.com/2011/03/13/news-limited-andrew-bolt-causes-abcs-switch-board-to-run-hot-insiders/ [i]Bolt goes nuts, JMACED[/i] So who’s right? Bolt, or emminent scientists who examined some 5000 scientific studies http://jmaced.net/2011/03/bolt-goes-nuts/

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14/03/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Feral Skeleton

14/03/2011adelaidegirl@11.41pm, I suppose in Tony's world, 'Real Men' don't cry like girls.

Feral Skeleton

14/03/2011Re: the latest Nielsen poll. Like I care. I'm coming around to the belief that Julia Gillard meant it when she said she was not going to take any notice of the polls and not going to govern in order to find favour in the polls. UNLIKE KEVIN RUDD. Not for her trying to be 'Flavour of the Month'. She's interested in governing well and doing what's right for the country as she sees it, not trying to please all of the people all of the time. For that wasy lies the fatal failing of an Icarus politician. Like Kevin Rudd. He flew so high, then fell so far. And btw, if he gets the notion in his head that he would be better at being PM, again, then I think he's got rocks in his head. The electorate are just suffering a case of 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'. The Press Gallery are just making mischief by encouraging speculation about a Rudd return. Oh, and I wonder, has anyone thought to ask Tony Abbott whether he wants to give up being Leader of the Opposition so that the more popular Malcolm Turnbull can return? I think the answer would be a resounding, 'No!'. So would be the answer from JG.

TalkTurkey

14/03/2011Um. I been thinking about whether to do this . . . But o well wotthehell might as well I guess. (Hope Senexx won't get too distressed if I've exxceeded his attention span again.) And sincerely Swordsfolks, if you think it impertinent of me to take up so many bits, please let me know, and I'll desist. But I can't see it do no harm. [ The letter below I wrote to a fellow tessellator in Arizona, at the time of the Gulf of Mexico oil blowout. It is spooky. It was just about when I first started writing on the Sword. As you read it, remember that Japan has SHIFTED by (WHAT?) 4 METRES! If there is ANY shift in the bedrock where those oilwells are, and that's ANYWHERE where deep ocean wells have been drilled, surely those tubes far down into Gaia's skin will instantly rupture! What then? Anyway . . . Now read on . . . if you wish . . . but as Deep Thought the supercomputer in Hitchhikers Guide says . . You're not going to like it . . .] Hi Jim Just been reading some worst case scenarios about the oil eruption. Armageddon really could be imminent. Are you ready for the bad news? If not, don’t read on. I mean it. OK? Here we go then. The oil and the gas (mainly methane) is as I said before at fantastic pressure – once out of control it is far beyond the technology to bring back under control even at ground level. They must have been mad to try to tap it, I don’t know how the 4000-odd oil wells in the Gulf haven’t done this before, but they were somewhat more careful that’s all. There is believed to be a huge pocket of gas directly below the hole, and it appears that gas-fissures are appearing around the hole itself as the pipe wears away and the rock starts to crack. It is conjectured that the whole ocean floor could suddenly give way upwards, millions or is it billions of tons of gas and oil and water and rock, over many square miles, shooting up in one massive pressure-driven explosion, at supersonic speeds. The tsunami that would produce alone would drive would wipe out every Gulf state, and that’s just for starters. The massive gas cloud would inevitably catch fire, and a fantastic explosion would result. No-one has any clear idea how huge it would be. The gas would burn out in a supersonic flash (it might take a while to find enough oxygen, it would chase so much air away as it first erupted, and would have to spread far and wide over the whole area.) The initial explosion would burn up everything flammable on the surface. The oil would go on burning until mostly consumed, or worse, vaporise without burning, producing unprecedented and absolutely 100% lethal gas clouds. The enormous now-empty hole in the ocean floor, at high temperature still, would suck in massive amounts of sea-water, the leading edge of which it is thought would instantly flash into steam. The tsunami that this would generate would probably dwarf the original methane-driven one, though they may both be expected to be impressive. And I would suggest that all the foregoing would still be, like, you ain’t seen nothing yet. The ecological losses would spread right across the Atlantic, and directly affect many of the United States, the Antilles and other Gulf states. No-one has the slightest idea of the extent of the damage. The whole eco-system of the North Atlantic (at least) would be destroyed – if it isn’t on the way out as a direct result of the oil already. The huge disruption to consumer supplies would immediately lead to massive and irreparable breakdown in law and order, and this would become increasingly widespread as Wild West scenarios became actual. If anybody is still alive of course. Whoopee. BTW the rate of escape of methane in the Arctic, caused by global warming melting permafrost enclosing organic matter which is now biodegrading, is recently found to be at huge levels, far beyond the tipping point, for methane is a potent globe-heating gas, and the process is self-accelerating. Dear Oh Dear. I hate all this, but I suppose I do get the grimmest of all possible satisfactions at having been right about what would happen to our species if we didn’t change our ways. The obsession with military might is really to blame for all this. Greed, stupidity, ignorance. Religion makes it all officially built-in. Deliberate dumbing down of Westerners, and deliberate povertification of lesser beings. I think I’ll have to start believing in God myself. (As if!) (I wish!!!) [No I don’t.] At least Revelations gets it right. I wish not, but there’s no denying the imagery. There’s a line in it that goes something like “men will see His coming in the clouds, in power and great glory”. And that’s just the good bit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the meantime we just got a new (Labor) Prime Minister in Oz, first female PM here, local SA girl, a hot Ranga like I used to be, sharp and hard as a tack, but very much on top of her game. She’s quite special. Check her out. Just being announced as I write. She rolled her previous leader Kevin Rudd who was amazingly popular until just a few months ago, but she’s a lot better communicator. No good news for the Bombers though. I don’t follow them but they seem to lose mostly. You can at least get the results on the Net. Germans kicked Australia’s bum at wimpball. Heh heh. Now we’re ousted, but the press is trying to put a gloss on it. Gallant in defeat, etc. Ho hum. Hope you and yours are well and happy. Awaiting news on Cheer Squad tessellanimation. Bruce [Oh yes Swordies Jim's a Yank but Praise Dog he's an Aussie Rules fan (for the Bombers) and a fellow derider of other codes. They ain't ALL bad!] Oh but as I wrote those last few words the TV is telling me, "There are fears the steel reactor container may not be able to handle the pressure . . . " ALL ABOARD FOR TRALFAMADORE ! [ Dear oh dear oh dear though folks, I LOVE Life on Earth!]

Lyn

14/03/2011Good Morning Talk Turkey [quote]sincerely Swordsfolks, if you think it impertinent of me to take up so many bits, please let me know, and I'll desist. But I can't see it do no harm. [/quote] Talk Turkey, thankyou for your entertainment, I love your work, so much talent, and you don't scare me one little bit.

TalkTurkey

14/03/2011Folks, A few days later I posted this. Note the pressures! Jim Most of the talk of pressure re the oil blowout relates to “pressure on Obama” or “pressure on BP”, but when you google “pressure pounds per square inch” along with other key words – Horror! You find that this is the second greatest lake of oil and gas ever found, at a depth of 30,000 feet BELOW the seafloor (>5 miles, one of the deepest wells ever tapped) at a pressure of 160,000 psi !!!!!! Car tyres are around 40 psi. Another way of thinking of it, pile 79 family cars one on top of another, then put them on a hydraulic jack with a ram barrel of just one square inch, WHOOPS! Th’ar she blows! Should’a used 80 cars! Another way again: the pressure pulse in the firing chamber of a high-powered rifle is in the range 30,000 to 70,000 psi. This oil-&-gas is racing out at around 3X that pressure. There is talk of using a NUKE to melt the rock and seal the hole . . . According to one report Obama – who is NOT really to blame – has sent nuclear scientists there to actually suss the practicality of that possibility . . . O My ! And of course if it FAILED . . . . . . . Apocalypse Instantly! The most hopeful talk is for relief bore-holes maybe by August . . . But Hell, they could fail as well!!!!! Oil fountain? Oil geyser? Oil volcano? Geyser is closest but has benign overtones. There has never in world history been a need for the word that is needed now. B. I really am sad to hang all this on you Swordsfolks mes amis, but eyes open is at least truer than with them shut.

TalkTurkey

14/03/2011Lyn ??? ENTERTAINMENT ?!!! ??? I don't SCARE you? DOG you are a brave little birdie Lyn! I scare what happens out of me! Thanks for your reassurance Lyn. I know people don't like negativity, which I guess the above would rate as, but truth is more important. Trouble is there's no remedy for the damage we've done, so some would probably and understandably rather not think about it, but there it is.

Lyn

14/03/2011Hi Talk Turkey Sorry I'm not scared and sorry, you scare what could happen, out of youself, but you just have to read the papers, their not scared, they have another poll to report about. Oh! and Tony Abbott is in Perth today, now that's headlines for you: Voters turn away from Gillard http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/14/3162914.htm Rudd and Turnbull preferred to Gillard and Abbott http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3163012.htm Climate Ad Plan ready for rollout http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate-ad-plan-ready-for-rollout/story-fn59niix-1226020908538 Rudd playes down voter sppor http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8223490/rudd-plays-down-his-voter-backing Unimpressed voters still shun Abbott http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/unimpressed-voters-still-shun-abbott-20110313-1bsy4.html Rudd preferred as Gillard hits new low http://www.theage.com.au/national/rudd-preferred-as-gillard-hits-new-low-20110313-1bt2d.html?from=age_sb Gillard Slumps as Rudds star rises http://www.theage.com.au/national/gillard-slumps-as-rudds-star-rises-20110313-1bsy3.html Gillard takes double hit in new poll http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-takes-double-hit-in-new-poll-20110313-1bt33.html

TalkTurkey

14/03/2011The Right Honourable the Prime Minister Julia Gillard is the guest on Q&A tonight. (After Media Watch, don't forget that too.) Inevitably there will be Gotcha attempts galore, but do you know ANYONE who would measure up to her for unflappability and unstoppability in delivery? She is the BEST I've ever seen, look out lickspittles and interruptors tonight! I predict that she will put the first and second ones very firmly in their places tonight and the rest durst not try further. Her ratings will take a leap and so will those of the Government. Australians will appreciate her because she'll get to say it HER way. Just you watch. The real fightback starts here tonight. Courage, mon capitaine! We can do some good tonight too if we are prepared to speak out when someone says something outrageous. A great opportunity to strike a blow for decency. Swordies, EN GARDE! Attack media bias!

NormanK

14/03/2011Not for the first time, Rob Burgess is writing what I want to read. [b]The carbon tax is no RSPT[/b] .[quote]..... the growing view that the carbon tax is 'Julia Gillard's RSPT' is ill-founded. Superficially, the idea that 'Labor has botched it again' is appealing. Labor's strategy is focused on convincing voters of its carbon tax case some time before a 2013 poll ......[/quote] http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/carbon-tax-Julia-Gillard-Tony-Abbott-RSPT-pd20110314-EWRLU?OpenDocument

Casablanca

14/03/2011NormanK @March 13. 2011 01:40 PM and adelaidegirl@ March 13. 2011 11:41 PM Pleased to know that you did the polls at the Consumer and Taxpayers Association (CATA) website. Adelaidegirl you did make difference to the polls. When I first got onto this website the polls were running 99% against the carbon price. 89% against and 11% is a start. We just need more climate change believers to go to the CATA website to nudge the pro numbers along. Come on Swordians vote at CATA against their Rally nonsense. http://www.nocarbontaxrally.com/no_carbon_tax_rally.html

Ad astra reply

14/03/2011Folks I have just now posted [i]The Day News Limited Took Over Our ABC[/i]. http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2011/03/14/The-Day-News-Limited-Took-Over-Our-ABC.aspx

sandy

14/03/2011Feral Skeleton re: March 13 5.34 pm (Just caught up with comments from yesterday.) Your email to the ABC Insiders program says it all. I agree with everthing you said and feel the same. I turned the program off after bolts first comment. Could see where it was going. I am not going to bother watching it any more, as you say - I have better things to do on Sunday mornings. Also The Drum is, if anything, worse and now the 7.30 show - what a joke! I just do not appreciate being treated as an idiot which is what 'they' are doing by presenting such blatently biased missinformation. Well said, good on you and thank you!!

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14/03/2011Patricia WA Thank you for your comments and your always-delightful verse. You may be interested in the new post [i]The Day News Limited Took Over Our ABC[/i]. sandy You too may be interested in the new post. TT Your comments about the Gulf oil spill were most interesting. Thankfully the worst case scenario did not eventuate - otherwise it might have truly been Armageddon. Casabalanca Thanks for the link - I left a suitably caustic message.

2353

14/03/2011Just disinfected the computer after voting on the No Carbon Tax website
How many Rabbits do I have if I have 3 Oranges?