www.flickr.com

Friday, October 31, 2008

Stephen Conroy is Nuts

The Minister for Internet Slowdown and Sham Save the Children Censorship, Phillip Ruddock? Kevin Andrews?Stephen Conroy is wrong on his nutty plan to weed out wacko internet sites and save the children.

We don't need the World Wide Wall of China here in Australia. Just invest in the infrastructure and leave it to adults and parents to make wise choices for themselves and for children about what to watch on the net.

It is impossible for the Government to block every website with illegal or inappropriate material. This just gives parents a false impression the internet is safe for their children and abrogates their responsibility to monitor their child's internet usage. Parental supervision is the only way to ensure that children do not access offensive or inappropriate material.

The Government's own testing has revealed that the technology is flawed: it blocks content that should not be blocked, it is unable to block peer-to-peer traffic that comprises of more than 60 per cent of Australia's internet traffic and it can be easily avoided through the use of an encrypted Virtual Private Network.

Government testing has also indicated that the filter might slow internet speeds by up to 70 per cent. It is somewhat ironic that the same Government that is committed to a National Broadband Network would also slow internet speeds by insisting on a technologically flawed model of government censorship.


Watching commercial television of late, I would say that there is a greater case for censorship of puerile and moronic content, leaving aside some of the adult themed programmes shown far to early in the evening. Focus on that.

Deviants and wierdos will find ways to access the type of materials that the censorship plan is set up to block. Peer to Peer and Virtual Private Networks and the like will not be regulated by this plan.

Have your say too. This is Australian Government Policy and they are moving forward fast to make your home internet more expensive, slower and more restricted. Great policy guys. A massive internet age furphy. Guess who were the masters of that style of politics. The Australian people just kicked them out of office.

Laurel Papworth is coordinating some resistance. You can too.


Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Skywatch Friday

Looking east towards the Adelaide Hills from our back garden.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

How Low Can You Go?


What could possibly motivate this kind of evil behaviour?

A blind flamingo believed to be one of the oldest in the world is in a critical condition after being bashed at Adelaide Zoo. Four teenagers have been charged after visitors reported an incident to zoo staff that has left the unnamed male greater flamingo, aged about 78, "extremely stressed".

Zoo birdkeeper Nicholas Bishop told The Advertiser that it was impossible to know their precise ages and sexes.

"But I think he is the oldest in the world," Mr Bishop said at the time.

The bird lives on a diet of hard-boiled eggs, whitebait, lettuce, duck pellets and bird seed.


Adelaide Zoo has many open exhibits and at an international zoo convention here last week, experts commented on the proximity and closeness that the flamingos get to zoo visitors at the zoo. After 70 years that proved to be a horrific premonition.

I used to love to watch the flamingos during my primary school trips to Edinburgh zoo. That and the penguins.

And an appropriate punishment? Perhaps a set of stocks beside the flamingo cage or a humiliation cage or a years animal poo clean up duty.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Monday, October 27, 2008

Scotland Try for Up and Under Down Under


As Scotland heads into another sporting oblivion at the Rugby League World Cup here in Australia, starting off the tournament with a gritty loss to France and with matches against the like of Papua New Guinea and the Dream Time team, it is appropriate to pay tribute to Eddie Waring, Yorkshireman and Honorary Scots Rugby League Ambassador.

We used to watch Rugby League when it was shown on Grandstand on Saturday afternoon in my grandparents living room in Kirkcaldy, with black and white muddy encounters from Hull and the Warrington with teams of guys running into each other enlivened by Eddies commentary. The theatre of the event appealed to my Granddad.

Here in Adelaide, Rugby League might as well be Curling in terms of the interest. It is amazing to me that Scotland has a national team and that Scottish people are interested in it.

Turns out Eddie was also a wrestling commentator. It must have been his sense of humour and sense of showmanship that appealled.

And where else can you get a Scotland Papua New Guinea sports clash. Should be a cracker as Eddie would say.



Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Shock Horror The Anchorage Daily News Endorses....


Wrong

What do they know that we don't?

Sunday, October 26, 2008

High Wire Oops


Steady as She Goes


Lucky Escape

Travelling is one of the most dangerous things that we do according to researchers. This guy got lucky, but think of all those people who never made it to work in the middle ages because they were run over by a horse. Where was the horn and flashing light?
Nearly the same proportion of people died travelling in medieval times as today, with falling in ditches or being hit by a horse or cart the biggest dangers. Scientists examined coroner's records from Sussex between 1485 and 1688 when 30 per cent of people who died as a result of injury were involved in an accident while travelling on land.
Richard Havers debunks the research, but it still remains to be said, don't get out of bed and go to work if you want to be sure that you will make it through another day.

One of the cute things about Adelaide is that the radio stations still give warnings of dead kangaroos on the road, koalas crossing the road, ducks making their way through the town centre and other animals to look out for. They don't have roo bars on car for fun. A motorcyclist died last year after being hit by a large roo. If only they had radios giving out public service announcements and safety tips in the middle ages.

As for that guy in China. He got very lucky, managing to hang on to the wire until the highly organised climber dude made his way out to him and belayed him down. I have done some climbing and that is some skilfull stuff.

Next time take the train buddy.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Photo Hunt: Scary


Photos from our last scary party about a year ago for Ryan's 7th Birthday. In two weeks it is Hannah's 10th Birthday and she is having 15 friends for another scary party. Now that is scary! And the fact that she is ten already is very scary. 










Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Australia Set to Host Alternative Reality Summit



The Australian Government is set to host an Alternative Reality Summit in a bid to boost tourism and to counter the widespread cynicism about the proposed Capitalist Summit international swansong for Dubya .

"All this depressing stuff on world economic collapse is just depressing people" a spokesmen said. We will be providing important ways for people to get away from it all rather than being depressed, they can escape their grim reality.

Current plans include aboriginal smoking ceremonies, try a reefer stalls and other hallucinogenic treats to allow people to adjust to the McCain Palin Administration coming deep recession.

A theme song has been approved, consistent with the current world mindset.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Jet the Jack Russell as Guide Dog



Our dog, Spotty is just like this. He has longer legs, but I am confident that he would easily kill a blind person if he was a guide dog.

That said, we should all have a dream.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Skywatch Friday



Earlier today, just as the sun came up from our back door.

Human Resources 101


Don't post your hangover sickie on Facebook. Duh!

Be Careful What You Say Motherfucker

Thanks Hugh Manatee (and Mr Fish)

Boris Backs Picaninnie for President

Dick Whittington


Smiling Native?

In a surprise move Boris has backed Obama.

In a 2002 article in The Daily Telegraph, Johnson referred to Africans as "piccaninnies," a derogatory term for black people, and he once likened his party's internal conflicts "to Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing."

Now his second observation is likely to be closer to the Elephant Party after they get dispatched back to the jungles in November. Now that will be a blood bath from Arizona to Alaska.

Hang on to your hunting rifle Sarah. And don't let them take the clothes back when you head back to patrol the frontier with the commies up north.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

India See Through Emperors

Emperor Ponting, Minister for Controlled Aggression Hayden and the boys taken to the cleaners in Mohali.


I told you Amit, No Clothes!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Photo Hunt: Family


This is posted very late, but busy busy busy with family stuff. Yesterday and today was garden renovation central, parties, friend visiting, shopping and a Number One Buzz for my hair. That is the shortest I have ever had it. Other than the convict look, I quite like it. Oh and it was 33 degrees. Pretty hot.  

Today is my 49th Birthday, complete with party hat and it was Little Athletics with Hannah in the morning, climbing onto the roof to fiddle with the air conditioner, a  visit to the Australian Native Plant Show, baking a cake with the kids, more gardening and some dinner cooking. No days off for me. We got some nice Kangaroo Paws for the front garden. I learned that my lack of success in the past with them was likely overwatering. That is not much of an issue now with water restrictions. Perhaps they will
actually flower.

The cake was good too and the kids enjoyed blowing it out with me. Nothing like a family weekend. 






Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Friday, October 17, 2008

Financial Crisis Hits Home in Japan

Following the problems in the sub-prime lending market in America and
the run on Northern Rock in the UK, uncertainty has now hit Japan.

In the last 7 days Origami Bank has folded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up
and Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.

Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will
likely go for a song, while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended
after they nose-dived.

While Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks, Ninja Bank
is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black.

Furthermore, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop and analysts report
that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared
that staff may get a raw deal.

Bankzai?



Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Skywatch Friday


Spring colours looking over our neighbours garden looking towards the Adelaide Hills. The Ceanothus was in its prime at that time. The photograph reminds me of fall colours in America.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Bankers Wait for Bailout Cash before going Home



My wife always wanted one of those. I am sure that you can get them for a knock down " global bank bail out" special price.

Snake Charmer Rudd to the Rescue

President Kevin Rudd today announced the Department of Economic Stimulus with massive handouts to Labor core voters to see them through until he goes to the vote in a couple of years. The blame game has started early and it is probably a sound plan to shore up the Labor vote before the economy tanks.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today blamed "extreme capitalism" for the global crisis and said the seed for the economic meltdown was sewn in the United States' reaction to the bursting of the dotcom bubble at the beginning of the decade.
An mystic economic forecaster, who will be taking an office next to Rudd, has been appointed to divine the path of the economy going forward. We believe that it is a prudent measure to keep control of the snakes who got us into this mess in the first place, the PM said.

The Member for Wentworth and former extreme capitalist, supported the government, pending a change in public perception on the World Economic Collapse. We are evaluating whether water diviners would be able to foresee the future better, he said.
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Cheeta Cheats Death

Johnny Weissmullers best monkey buddy, Cheeta is alive and well aged 76, spending his retirement painting and eating bananas in Palm Springs California. He has recently published a book revealing all about his battle with alcohol and cigars and other of lifes travails. As they said on the radio last night, he and Elizabeth Taylor are the last of the contract actors from the golden age of Hollywood.

He is almost as old as my Dad, who is also an artist, who got over alcohol and tobacco but way more cool. He has a MySpace.

But will he get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Onya Cheeta, Carry On
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Photo Hunt: Lazy



There is a very fine line between relaxing and being lazy. Whatever it is Hannah, Ben and Daisy like to hang out in the sun. Spotty is also a sun worshipper. He is a master at finding that little area of reflected sunlight in the house. Of course it moves throughout the day, but you can be fairly sure that he will be there. As I write this he has just set himself up on the square foot of sunlight in the room. That or on somewhere comfortable like his bed or the couch or the cushion that Ryan is copying him with. Nothing like something comfortable to be lazy on..








Reblog this post [with Zemanta]