anthony js

2007-06-04T20:06:00.000+09:30

As from now, this site is not to continue.

There are definitely reasons involved. It isn't all to do with the fact that I find myself way too busy to be making anything-remotely-resembling-regular posts. The reasons revolve around the entire concept of blogging and what that involves. It's seriously time to stop. And don't take it the wrong way, but it's been pretty refreshing to have had a blogging-free period of late.

Thank you to dear Sarah, dear Lisa, dear Jennifer, dear Hayden, dear Don Quixote, dear Magic Bellybutton, dear David, and dear anyone who ever read a word on here since the May 2005 start and was either interested enough or loyal enough or obligated-under-duress enough to return now and then.

~ Greetings Reader ~

2007-05-02T20:59:00.000+09:30

I've decided to take a break for a while. I don't know for how long. But I'll let you know (somehow) if / when posting resumes.

Dennis Kucinich

2007-04-30T17:50:00.000+09:30

Kucinich is one of several Democrats who is seeking the party's nomination for the next presidential election in 2008. We hear mostly about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. However, after watching some of the first debate between the Democratic contenders last week, I wanted to learn a little more about the lesser-known ones.

Wouldn't it be nice if this man was a genuine frontrunner?

The Kucinich Plan

* Creating a single-payer system of universal health care that provides full coverage for all Americans.
* The immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq and replacing them with an international security force.
* Guaranteed quality education for all, including free pre-kindergarten and college for all who want it.
* Immediate withdrawal from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and North-American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
* Repealing the USA Patriot Act.
* Fostering a world of international cooperation.
* Abolishing the death penalty.
* Environmental renewal and clean energy.
* Preventing the privatisation of social security.
* Providing full social security benefits at age 65.
* Creating a cabinet-level "Department of Peace"
* Ratifying the ABM Treaty and the Kyoto Protocol.
* Protecting a woman's right to choose while decreasing the number of abortions performed in the U.S.
* Ending the war on drugs.
* Legalizing same-sex marriage.
* Creating a balance between workers and corporations.
* Restoring rural communities and family farms.
* Banning hand guns.

(From Wikipedia)

Boris Yeltsin

2007-04-24T22:17:00.001+09:30

French election underway...

2007-04-22T13:43:00.000+09:30

I'm not an expert on the French system, but I understand that if the margin separating the two frontrunners (of the four main contenders) is close enough, then there will be a second round of voting - which will be the decider. The frontrunners are Ségolène Royal of the Socialist Party and Nicolas Sarkozy of the Union for a Popular Movement.

I am hoping that Royal wins. However, despite the pair being neck and neck in the days leading up to the election, many are predicting a Sarkozy victory. We'll see. It is important, of course, that Jean-Marie Le Pen is kept well away from the Elysée Palace.

Streep!

2007-04-21T21:22:00.000+09:30

Dark Matter

I've mentioned this one on here previously. It premieres soon at the Sundance Film Festival.

Evening

I just watched the trailer for this one and it looks really good. Meryl Streep plays a much older woman and the rest of the cast includes Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Claire Danes, Glenn Close, Eileen Atkins, Patrick Wilson and Hugh Dancy.

Lions for Lambs

Meryl is reunited with Robert Redford, and is also alongside Tom Cruise in this one. She herself has described it as a "complicated political thriller", and she plays a journalist.

Rendition

This one sounds very interesting. A CIA analyst (Jake Gyllenhaal) "based in Cairo finds his world spinning out of control after he witnesses the interrogation of a foreign national by the Egyptian secret police. Reese Witherspoon is playing the pregnant American wife of the national. Alan Arkin also has been cast, playing a senator. Meryl Streep is a government official who orders the rendition of the national."

Mamma Mia!

The screen version of the stage production. Details about the cast remain sketchy, but it'll no doubt mean dancing and more singing for Meryl.

The Last Station

There is no official confirmation, but if indeed Meryl does appear in this film about Leo Tolstoy, her co-actors will likely include Anthony Hopkins and Paul Giamatti.

(the above image, a still from Dark Matter, is from SimplyStreep.com)

Wires crossed

2007-04-21T14:34:00.000+09:30

I went via a nearby convenience store on my way to the bus early yesterday morning to buy one of those ten-trip-saver cards that can be used on buses and ferries. The regular behind the counter is an extremely quiet Asian woman. I think her English is relatively limited.

I buy the adult version because my student card expired late last year, and drivers do occasionally ask to see concession cards if you have a concession ticket. Anyway...

I said
"Can I have a concession, two-zone ten-trip saver, thanks?"

She proceeded to get one, scanned it, handed it to me and told me it was $10.80c. I realised when I heard the price that I'd accidentally asked for a concession, not an adult. It was early and I wasn't fully awake.

I poked a look of frustration (with myself), and said
"Did I say concession? I meant adult. Sorry."

I then received a horrified look, before she responded
"but you said concession."

Thinking at the time that she was stating the obvious back to me, I just looked at her and she looked back. A couple of seconds later, she scanned the card again before fetching an adult version. I paid for it and left.

I have concluded that she misinterpreted and/or misheard me as
Did I say concession? I said adult.

And she must have seen the frustrated look on my face as being directed towards her.

Her upset expression made me feel quite bad afterwards.

The Big Dry

2007-04-21T13:55:00.000+09:30

For what seems to have been quite a while, I have been telling people that this drought isn't going to end. It isn't very optimistic of me, but I honestly believe that this is a new way of life now.

I just can't see it ending. I can't see the dams being full. I can't see weeks and weeks of rain. Mother Nature, long ago, became fed up with the abuse she was being subjected to and packed her bags, leaving us to our own devices.

It'll rain, but it'll only be for a few hours before those utterly irritating blue skies return for another long stay.

Remember a time when a hot and humid day would end with rain? A time when UQ and the Botanic Gardens had sprawling lushness? When lawn sprinklers were left on for hours? When people hosed their driveway? When weddings were ruined by damp weather? When people actually complained about rain?

It's depressing.

Rudd will be judged

2007-04-16T20:35:00.000+09:30

I was halfway through a post about all this Sunrise nonsense before I realised I was indeed posting about nonsense. But let me ask, did Kevin Rudd's actions (whatever they were...not reading an e-mail or something) result in anyone's death or vilification? No? Well, I'm sorry, but he remains an extraordinarily more respectable human being than the Prime Minister as far as I'm concerned.

And I've also got to tell you... I checked Google's online news for Australia not long ago, and the leading headline was Voters to judge Rudd over 'Sunrise': Howard. ...Well, as we're on the subject of the sun, can I just say that I would have thought global warming was a marginally more important issue than morning television.... So can we get back to real issues, thanks?

Bill Clinton - Crowd Control in Ghana

2007-04-15T16:36:00.001+09:30

I remember 'Good News Week' used to start its program with a series of different clips, one of which briefly showed a panicked Bill Clinton yelling out at a crowd of people. I now finally know what that was. Can you imagine people getting this excited around Bill's successor?

"Can't see the light or sense the heat"

2007-04-12T20:45:00.000+09:30

I do love Phillip Adams.

Reading his most recent column on Tuesday was a joy. And it was somewhat coincidental that he highlighted Michael Duffy, who I'd intended to make a post about.

I would normally give you the link, but I'm going to copy and paste Tuesday's column word for word. The bolding is mine.

10 April 2007

THE Weekend Australian's front-page story was headlined "Planet in peril, says UN". No, it wasn't about an invasion of aliens combining H.G. Wells with Orson Welles. Or about a huge asteroid heading for New York, invariably the preferred target. It was another episode in the ongoing story of humanity's attempts to commit suicide via climate change. Previously known as the greenhouse effect or global warming, the new name was coined by US conservatives because it sounded more comfortable.

Whatever you call it, it's nasty. The scientific consensus as of now? The Australian's science writer Leigh Dayton explained: "Nearly a third of the world's plants and animals face extinction, billions of people will be affected by water shortages and countries ... will be racked by disease and starvation." And, like the world's temperature, Dayton was only warming up.

This newspaper erred on the side of caution, but climate change is no longer the province of left-wing ratbags. Grim meteorological predictions crowd our pages. Yet many a conservative sceptic refuses to surrender.

Michael Duffy is a full-time bias balancer. Show him left-wing bias and quick as a flash he'll balance it. Duffy's ABC radio program Counterpoint is intended to neutralise this columnist's left-wing whingeing while The Sydney Morning Herald sees his columns compensating for the anti-Howard rants of Alan Ramsey. Better balanced than most conservative pundits, Duffy is too smart for simple-minded denial. Feeling duty-bound to rubbish climate change, he does so from a more sophisticated angle. Instead of deriding the science, he insists the crisis is wildly exaggerated because of the Left's psychological need for an apocalypse, that we get our rocks off by contemplating catastrophe. Anything less than the death of billions would disappoint.

There's some truth in some people needing to believe that the end is nigh. Millenarian members of Pentecostal Christianity are forever predicting the end - the Rapture - and regard the prospect of Judgment Day with jubilation. Far from being leftists, the fateful faithful identify with the hard Right, swearing allegiance to God-botherer extraordinaire George W. Bush.

It is Bush who pushes this barrow, which has always included blind support for Israel. According to American evangelicals the existence of the Jewish state is a precondition for the Second Coming, and an opportunistic Israel isn't going to say no to the backing of millions in the US.

Yet Duffy overlooks this brand of doomsayer while talking up the Left as Chicken Lickens on global warming. The people I know who've been warning about climate change for decades remain motivated by a desire to reduce it, whereas most Pentacostalists remain indifferent. Heading for heaven, who cares if there's climatic hell on earth?

Xenophobia is another odd tactic from those willing to make Australia a burnt offering for the coal industry and John Howard's prospects for yet another term. Alexander Downer is one of the voices chorusing that we shouldn't be taking notice of these foreign blow-ins, the likes of Al Gore and Nicholas Stern. Who do these people think they are? Coming here and telling the Australian Government, the Australian people, what do to!

This from the Government that takes its riding orders from blow-ins with their own Boeings: Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney.

This line of attack ignores the small problem that the Government has been ignoring Australian climatologists for 10 long, ever hotter years. And we now know that they've also been ignoring their head of Treasury.

But any excuse for inaction is gratefully received, whether it's in the form of private advice from mining chief Hugh Morgan to Howard, or pseudo-science from the nuttier think tanks. Switching from Bush-style denial to what he calls climate realism (think-tank code for "it's left-wing bullshit but we have to pretend to calm the voters"), our Prime Minister will strike appropriate poses and announce more time-wasting policies, macro and micro. Macro? A move to nuclear power that will take a mere 10 to 20 years, or to "clean coal", which may take forever. And in the micro category? A switch to fluorescent light bulbs. All this allows business as usual. Nothing changes, except the bulbs.

Or we're to have faith in the free market which, by and large, got us into this mess in the first place. Odds are our governments will fail us.

Our industries, lacking the lash of legislation that smog-choked California used to try to force responsibility on Detroit, dawdle. The Prime Minister's main concern remains the next election and corporate leaders remain focused on the bonuses they'll get from next year's profits.

Some apocalypse. Our world ends not with a bang or the Rapture. Just with very bad weather.

Maxine

2007-04-12T20:25:00.000+09:30

I refer you to Maxine McKew's clever and concise article in The Australian today.

Here are a few snippets...

"I'm sure that the young couple leaning over to inspect the CaesarStone kitchen bench tops will recall the Prime Minister's promise in 2004 to keep interest rates at record lows, but I'll remind them anyway."

"One anecdote doesn't make a case, but all across the country parliamentarians are hearing a similar tune: Work Choices goes against the culture of a fair go. Today it's your neighbour who's lost his penalty payments. Tomorrow it could be you."

"What's odd is that John Howard, normally such an astute reader of the political mood, has misjudged this issue [industrial relations]. Conviction politics is all very well, but an arrogant disregard for entrenched community sentiment is something else altogether."

Chaser 07

2007-04-11T21:58:00.000+09:30

I'm so far, expectedly, enjoying the current season of The Chaser's War On Everything. Along with being clever and witty, they're brave and willing to do almost anything it seems. Nothing will beat The Election Chaser from a few years back, when the politicians in Canberra had no idea who they were. But it's still good viewing.

Forgive my protection of the Clintons, but I have to comment on Charles Firth's segment from tonight's program. If Chaser is going to get that close to Hillary Clinton - I mean, to the point of shaking her hand and speaking to her face-to-face - why oh why must the opportunity be wasted with a clichéd, lame cigar joke?! It really didn't work, and it didn't deserve to. They could have made a gem from those few moments, but alas, no. I felt sorry for Hillary. It wasn't funny.

Apart from that low point, they're doing a good job - particularly with their regular analysis of A Current Affair and Today Tonight.

What is Emo?

2007-04-06T20:55:00.000+09:30

Wikipedia's display of "stereotypical emo fashion"

As any person who frequents the city (be it by choice or not) would know, a large group of what many would describe as emos are very regularly gathered in the centre of the Queen Street Mall, and often in areas of King George Square. The ones in the mall tend to sit/stand around a lot, talking to each other in their own familiar groups. Whilst the way they take up vast amounts of space in the middle of the city's busiest area for hours on end does sometimes bother me, I must say I personally have never experienced any trouble with any of them, or any other so-called emos for that matter. They keep to themselves somewhat. I've encountered many an unpleasant person in the city, but I'm pleased to report that not one looked like a member of the emo clan.

But what is an emo? I still can't say I really know. I have a general idea, but I have no idea when the labelling began. According to trusty old Wikipedia, the term "originated in the 1980s to describe a genre of music stemming from the hardcore punk music scene in Washington, D.C." But why the word emo? One source told me it derives from the word 'emotional', but I'm still not certain...

Personality-wise, Wiki suggests that emos are "candid about their emotions, sensitive, shy, introverted, broken-hearted, glum, and often quiet. Emo personality is also often connected with writing poetry, which addresses confusion, depression, loneliness and anger, all resulting from the world's inability to understand the author." It also refers to the other aspect of the emo culture: self-harm and suicidal tendencies (be they real or not), and draws the parallels between emos and the goth culture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_%28slang%29

I would be very interested to know what emos talk about. Does an emo have to do more than just look like one to be one? And if the individual in question is not a fan of self-harm? Must one be depressed and full of self-pity? When people refer to "the emos" sitting around in their black and white attire in the middle of the mall, what are they talking about? I know I dyed my hair black a few months ago, and one of the first comments I received was that I looked like an emo. So does it come down to the hair colour?

I really wish there was a clearer understanding, at least on my part, of what it's all about and why, precisely, it came about.

Let me tell you about my boat

2007-04-06T19:59:00.000+09:30

City...

2007-04-03T21:56:00.000+09:30

Thankfully, I no longer work in the city. I do, however, pass through it most days. Once, I didn't mind it. In fact, any sort of social activities I engaged in took place, largely, within the city. Now? On cue - as I step into it - I become tense. Anxious. Frustrated. Impatient. Disillusioned. Don't you love the way television promotions portray Brisbane's Queen Street Mall as classy and sophisticated? Spend some time in the middle of the mall, any day of the week at any time of the day. See if those clean and glossy magazine images match what surrounds you. What you'll find is a place seemingly determined to destroy any sign of even an ounce of classiness.

I have an ever-increasing problem with noise. Congregations of people who enjoy sitting in pedestrian thoroughfares at peak hour have always set me off. That's old news. But what I've found recently is how much I despise loud and ongoing noise. The noise of cars, trucks, buses and horns. I must be ageing abnormally rapidly. I jump when someone blows their car horn. I feel assaulted when some massive truck roars past, or when a motorbike tears by and drowns out the conversation I was in the middle of. It's an about-face for me, but I no longer carry any great desires to live in cities in the future. And Brisbane least of all. Any character it might have once had seems to fade more and more every day.

David Hicks

2007-04-03T17:28:00.000+09:30

Despite the madness of the way in which these military commissions work; despite the utter unfairness of the so-called "trial"; despite the way in which John Howard and friends failed so miserably in pretending to care about the welfare of David Hicks and his family; despite the fact that America and the Bush administration will get away with this absolutely sickening system they've got going; despite the fact that no one will ever be held accountable for the torture that is so unapologetically conducted at Guantanamo Bay; and despite the last five years,

...I am thrilled by the idea that on New Year's Eve this year, Mr Hicks will be free. Well, not free like you or me. But much, much freer than he has been for the last half a decade. I have no idea what his mental condition is or what it will become, but I am just so happy that a life away from confined spaces and bars and monsters in uniform does indeed await him.

May Bush and Cheney and their dear friends rot.

But first, it's Dems vs Dems

2007-03-28T19:53:00.001+09:30

I find it quite sad that the Democratic presidential contenders in the U.S. need to tear each other down before they tear down their true opposition. The contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will see many a spark fly over the next year or so.

This is a video made by an Obama supporter. It disappoints me that Clinton is portrayed in this fashion, but it seems anything and everything is fair in politics.

Dreaming of Kevin

2007-03-20T21:07:00.000+09:30

Last night, I dreamt that the ALP defeated Howard in the 2007 federal election.

I was dining at a restaurant, surrounded by sophisticated characters..and it was on a harbour, upon which yachts were scattered. Don't ask me why this was the case, but it was. The votes were being counted and as we watched the television screen, it looked like the Coalition were going to hold onto government... But then, it was suddenly announced that Team Rudd had crept up out of nowhere. The next thing we knew, Kevin Rudd had won. The Howard years were over.

It felt like some sort of new dawning. It was not one of those dreams in which you know you are dreaming. This felt very real.

When I woke up, I felt genuinely disappointed. Still work to do. Still an entire election to face.

Tom Tomorrow

2007-03-18T16:33:00.000+09:30

Click to enlarge

200

2007-03-18T16:30:00.000+09:30

This is the 200th post.

This site began in early May, 2005.

It works out at approximately 2.2 posts per week (8.8 posts per month), or thereabouts.

In defence of Charles

2007-03-09T16:26:00.000+09:30

I am truly disappointed by reactions from some sections of the media over recent comments by Prince Charles in relation to McDonald's.

Charles was at the 'Imperial College London Diabetes Centre' in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, to launch a public health campaign late last month. The British Press Association quoted him as commenting to a nutritionist,

"Have you got anywhere with McDonald's? Have you tried getting it banned? That's the key."

The Royal Family are probably some of the most misquoted people on the planet, and as there is no audio or video of the comment, we can't exactly be assured that the comment was made or that those precise words were said.

However, what disappoints me is the way some sections of the media reacted so negatively and so, well, predictably. Charles interfering. What does he know? Nutritionist studies indicate McDonald's is healthy! He needs to get up-to-date. Charles's Highgrove produce more fattening than McDonald's! Admittedly, there were only a handful of small articles that I read that had a go at Prince Charles over the comments. But Charles-bashing is a popular pastime within the media and amongst people in general, so it is only natural that newspapers, particularly in the UK, would have enjoyed a field day.

An excerpt from the Star Tribune:

After the comments, British newspapers reported that the prince's line of Duchy Originals Cornish pastries contained more fat, salt, and calories than a Big Mac. Proceeds from the organic food line go to his charities. The Guardian newspaper pointed out that it was unlikely that Charles had ever set foot inside a McDonald's.

McDonald's Corp., which operates 1,214 U.K. restaurants, said it was "disappointed" by the remarks.
Some analysts said the defense of the chain by some in the public and the media is a good sign for the company.

"This just shows that McDonald's has clearly turned a corner here in changing people's perceptions," said Allyson Stewart-Allen, who heads International Marketing Partners.

Right, so the media defends McDonald's these days? Good to know, good to know. But Super Size Me is a must-see, they'll also tell us.

I, personally, have purposely avoided eating anything from McDonald's ever since seeing that documentary at the cinemas. I don't think it was a fantastic movie, but it had enough of an effect on me. And I honestly don't buy into all that 'healthy choices', salads, bagels thing. If I'm after a salad or bagel, I don't believe I'll go to Maccas - of all places - for it. I don't consider myself an overly healthy eater (though I'm trying), but I just tend to think that there are so many better alternatives to McDonald's if you're out-and-about and feeling hungry.

But back to the Prince... More people should know that Prince Charles has, for many years, been very vocal about public health, nutrition and the environment. He is a strong advocate of organic farming and, in turn, a strong opponent of genetic modification. Indeed, he has just written a new book, titled The Elements Of Organic Gardening. The following is taken from his website:

'The Elements of Organic Gardening' breaks down the different aspects of the techniques used to maintain a garden without chemicals and pesticides.

The book gives practical advice on compost, healthy soil and propagation, plant combinations and rotations, and how to deal with pests the organic way.

His Royal Highness has been a keen gardener for 25 years and the estate at Highgrove is well-known as a flagship for the organic movement.

He recently received the Global Environmental Citizen Award in New York (presented to him by Al Gore and Meryl Streep). He has a lot of thought-provoking things to say about the environment, and has set up various schemes on his estates and throughout the UK.

His comments on McDonald's were quite reasonable, in my humble opinion. Banning McDonald's is obviously a pretty big deal and highly unlikely to happen anytime soon. But when it comes to health, that giant of an organisation shouldn't exactly be at the top end of the list for praise.

Honesty & Integrity

2007-03-05T11:01:00.000+09:30

John Howard and the federal government are having a lot of fun lecturing Kevin Rudd and the Opposition over honesty and integrity. Rudd covered it up! The alternative PM met with a disgraced and corrupt former premier! This is the man who wants to lead the country! Look at him! An image in tatters!

Firstly... For John Winston Howard to be lecturing anyone on honesty and integrity is a joke in itself. It goes past the point of being laughable. Howard lost any right he once might have had to accuse others of lacking honesty and integrity. He lost it quite some time ago. When it comes to honesty and integrity, he should keep quiet.

Secondly... Kevin Rudd met with Brian Burke. Alright. If his intention was to meet with Burke directly to discuss whatever it was, then it was not wise. It seems a person's adversary - particularly in politics - is capable of digging up as much dirt as they like if they so desire. Both sides of politics do it. So, if what we are being told is true, then it was not a wise move at all.

An uncharged Australian slowly rots in Guantanamo Bay for half a decade and his government can't give a flying. Indeed, they speak of him with contempt and subtly express their wish to see him rot completely. During this time, they support and contribute to a war led by none other than that beacon of honesty and integrity, George Walker Bush.

A quick Google search I've just conducted on the definition of "integrity" links it with the term, "moral soundness".

Refusing to give a shit when one of your country's citizens is the victim of torture on the other side of the world... Morally sound behaviour? Praising actions that result in the deaths of thousands upon thousands of men, women and children? I can only guess that it's morally sound behaviour in John Howard's world, because, after all, he appears to believe that if anyone's going to lecture and preach on honesty and integrity, it should be him.

2007-03-04T10:23:00.001+09:30

It seems Meryl Streep never stops acting... Lovely improvisation.

The Queen plays Helen Mirren

2007-02-26T21:34:00.001+09:30

To mark Dame Helen Mirren's well-deserved Oscar victory for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in 'The Queen', I'm posting this clever and very funny sketch from the UK's 'Dead Ringers', in which The Queen herself replaces Helen Mirren in 'Prime Suspect'.

"One assures you, one will catch the bastard who did this."

Bennelong

2007-02-26T10:12:00.000+09:30

Five Favourite Quotes

2007-02-22T10:11:00.000+09:30

I have been 'tagged' by Sarah. See her five favourite quotes.

http://todaysapatheticyouth.blogspot.com/2007/02/5-favourite-quotes-tag.html

Mine do not at all prove to be as amusing as Sarah's. I have a lot of favourite quotes, but here's a few.

"It's not that I'm afraid of death, I just don't want to be there when it happens."

Woody Allen, 1976

This has almost become clichéd, but I still think it's brilliant. What's more, it pretty much sums up how I feel about that inevitable event too.

"If they're not here by two o'clock, we're fucked."

Ryan Baines, 2005

It's a long story that's too hard to explain on here. Ryan is a friend, and this was uttered on a random set of stairs in a random street in Toowong in the early hours of 2005. The absurdity of the comment is still reflected on.

"To those of you who do not read, attend the theatre, listen to unsponsored radio programs or know anything of the world in which you live - it is perhaps necessary to introduce myself."

Addison de Witt (played by George Sanders), All About Eve (1950)

"What upsets me about the job? Wasted talent. People could come to me, and they could go, 'Excuse me, David, but you've been in the business twelve years. Can you just spare us a moment to tell us how to run a team, how to keep them task-orientated as well as happy?' But they don't. That's the tragedy."

David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais), The Office, Series One

'The Office' (UK) is the most quotable program I've ever seen, and expect to ever see. Virtually every line is quotable. So, this is just one of many.

"Life is no way to treat an animal."

Kurt Vonnegut, 2004

Musical Update

2007-02-20T21:43:00.000+09:30

I'm very, very happy to have just found out that Air has today released a new album - 'Pocket Symphony'. And I'd seriously, only the other day, been thinking about when they were going to re-emerge. I would usually be straight out to buy it, but money is currently a slight problem... So, for now, the suspense can only continue to build.

I'm reminded that I did not post the results of the recent 'My Favourite Album' poll. Here 'tis now. I voted for number one, and I do happen to believe that it is the greatest album ever... But there was no sight of Kate Bush anywhere in the top 100... Whilst I and others will be disillusioned, I've no doubt others will be relieved... David and Kieran, for example...

1. Pink Floyd — Dark Side of the Moon
2. Jeff Buckley — Grace
3. Radiohead — OK Computer
4. The Beatles — Abbey Road
5. The Beatles — Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
6. Nirvana — Nevermind
7. Led Zeppelin — Four
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers — Blood Sugar Sex Majik
9. Meat Loaf — Bat Out of Hell
10. U2 — Joshua Tree

Top 100: http://www.abc.net.au/myfavouritealbum/top100.htm

Sun sneezing

2007-02-19T17:26:00.000+09:30

I knew it wasn't just me! I've always wondered why the sun, particularly after I've been indoors for an extended period of time, makes me sneeze. It happens almost every day when I walk outside into the sunlight and face in the direction of the sun. Most people I've asked had never experienced it...

I finally remembered to look it up! It's a condition called "photic sneeze reflex", found in about one in four people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photic_sneeze_reflex

And for the less technical explanation, http://www.dankarran.com/sunsneezing/.

News

2007-02-19T12:19:00.000+09:30

Apparently, we're all supposed to give a shit that Britney Spears shaved her hair off.

The 'news' (let's use the term very loosely here) of a bald Britney made it to the first half of National Nine News. I couldn't believe the newsreader, Melissa Downes, introduced the story with a straight face. Huh? I changed channels.

What the hell was I doing even watching National Nine News?

There are important, news-worthy events occurring in this country and around the world every single day. The planet doesn't stop for Sunday in order to allow Britney's baldness and other trashy stories like it to become headlines. I am tempted to say that our intelligence is being insulted more and more, and not just on Sundays. But I think it's reaching the point where I can't use the word 'intelligence'.

This crap is gobbled up by the masses and, without doubt, is being discussed in workplaces everywhere. The top of Britney's head, I'm certain, will stir up plenty of passion in Australians - much more than what some dull story on Darfur or climate change ever could.

Tell me if I'm being harsh. But I don't think it's all that unreasonable to believe that there is a reason why commercial news embraces stories like this. They make us tune in. Viewers do actually care.

Blair finally gets a complex question

2007-02-12T22:19:00.001+09:30

With the help of some clever editing, this little video proves to very giggle-worthy. I myself have giggled rather hard.

(Too much time on my hands? Maybe...)

John's Reaching Out

2007-02-12T20:15:00.001+09:30

He's actually getting worse... There's no mellowing with age when it comes to our beloved Prime Minister.

On the day Democratic Senator Barack Obama officially kicked off his campaign for the US presidency, he told the crowd who'd gathered to hear him speak that he wanted to see a complete withdrawal of American troops from Iraq by the end of March, 2008. The very next day, in response to the proposal from Obama, dear old John said

That would just encourage those who want to completely destabilise and destroy Iraq to hang on and hope for an Obama victory.

If I were running Al Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and pray as many times as possible for a victory not only for Obama but also for the Democrats.

So, firstly, for anyone who was still doubting it, our Prime Minister is a very strong supporter of the US Republicans. This is the official confirmation right here. Secondly, it's funny, because he sort of already is helping to run Al-Qaeda in Iraq. And thirdly, since when did it become proper for the Australian Prime Minister to describe the Democrats, effectively, as terrorist-supporters? Since when did our Prime Minister feel it was his duty to spit on the thoughts and ideas of Democratic candidates? And we're talking about Barack Obama, not Jean-Marie Le Pen. We're talking about the Democrats, not some neo-Nazi party.

The best part is that Obama was made very aware of John's comments and correctly decided to counter them. The Senator said

I think it's flattering that one of George Bush's allies on the other side of the world started attacking me the day after I announced [my candidacy].

I would also note that we have close to 140,000 troops in Iraq and my understanding is Mr Howard has deployed 1,400. So if he is...to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest that he calls up another 20,000 Australians and sends them to Iraq, otherwise it's just a bunch of empty rhetoric.

Everyone's entitled to opinions and everyone should be free to express them. But the difference here is that George, John and Tony, and the ever-decreasing number of people who agree with them, are in a world of their own. Barack Obama, the Democrats, and the ever-increasing number of people who agree with them, are concerned with saving human lives - something never very highly prioritised by the great war trio. Additionally, it is not the duty of our country's leader to publicly lash out at people they may very likely have to work with one day.

John Howard's love for George W. Bush - and I do mean love - is totally, totally sickening. But it all adds up at the end of the day: Australia's worst prime minister, best of buddies with America's worst president.

I wish Senator Obama every success.

Read a much more interesting take on Howard's remarks over at Sarah's VTAY:
http://todaysapatheticyouth.blogspot.com/2007/02/pro-war-howard-attacks-obama.html

Just in from VP

2007-02-11T10:55:00.000+09:30

I'm not a great Putin fan, but I agree with his latest comments - regarding the United States as a superpower. He said the following during a speech in Germany.

"What is a unipolar world? No matter how we beautify this term it means one single centre of power, one single centre of force and one single master. It has nothing in common with democracy because that is the opinion of the majority taking into account the minority opinion. People are always teaching us democracy but the people who teach us democracy don't want to learn it themselves." [ABC News online, 11/02/07]

Of course, Putin isn't exactly the ideal person to be telling us what democracy is. Some of his past actions would indicate a slight misunderstanding on his part of its definition. But I agree with him here. The country constantly describing itself as some sort of beacon of democracy and freedom sets about successfully destroying democracy and freedom.

US government officials are "surprised and disappointed" by the comments... The truth just never seems to do it for them.

Kate Bush: Looking Good, Feeling Fit

2007-02-08T09:28:00.001+09:30

This is the best little video clip from a British television program in the early 1980s, "Looking Good, Feeling Fit".

It shows Kate Bush rehearsing her dance routines with her support dancers, and includes a discussion on keeping healthy.

It's a gem (particularly for KB fans).

Fiona Apple

2007-02-03T23:46:00.001+09:30

Why did it take me so long to find Fiona Apple?

David, having returned from Asia with a collection of purchases, lent me Fiona Apple's 2005 album, 'Extraordinary Machine'. I listened to it. Then again. Then again. And that was it - in love.

I had never heard of her before, despite the fact - of which I am now aware - that her first album was released as far back as 1996.

Her writing is highly original, and the voice is - like the great Kate - quite unconventional.

I'm really looking forward to hearing the rest of her work.

The clip above is the music video for "O' Sailor".

'Dark Matter'

2007-02-03T20:07:00.000+09:30

A new film with Meryl Streep - see website & trailer:

http://www.darkmatterthefilm.com/

Snippets from 'The Fight'

2007-01-28T10:58:00.000+09:30

I've just finished reading a thoroughly enjoyable non-fiction, part-biographical book called The Fight, by Martin Flanagan and Tom Uren. Flanagan reflects on the life of Uren - mainly his time as a federal Labor politician - , but also includes his own views on Australia: its history, its present and its future. I was struck by how clearly he stated his thoughts and how articulately he described the problems with the current Australian society.

Here are a few snippets from the book that I myself found particularly interesting.

Tom Uren on Gough Whitlam:
I think history will treat Gough Whitlam very generously. Working with him from the 1960s onwards, I saw the best and worst of the man. He proved to me that Labor did not need an economic downturn to defeat a conservative government. His vision and greatness engendered the development of a new nationalism in Australia, a new awareness of the importance of our art, our theatre, our science, our health programs, our cities, local government and regions, a new approach to our indigenous people, our Australian heritage and our environment.

Flanagan comparing Fraser & Howard in relation to apartheid:
An examination of Fraser's record reveals he spoke out against apartheid in the Australian parliament in the early 1960s. By contrast, John Howard was opposed to economic and sporting boycotts of the apartheid regime as late as the 1980s. Not only that, when fronted by a journalist, Howard admitted he had arrived at his policy position without discussing the matter with a single black South African... It's an important story since Howard is rarely challenged in any elementary way by journalists any more.

Flanagan on views during the 2004 federal election:
During the 2004 federal election, I found myself seated between a small businessman from Brisbane and a bikie, a bearded hulk aged about 40, now also living in Queensland. The small businessman...was worried about Costello becoming Prime Minister. The possibility of Costello becoming Prime Minister was the guts of the Labor campaign. The bikie...hated Costello whom he saw as a criminal re-directing wealth towards his class. Both...agreed Iraq was a mess and that Howard committing us to the war had made Australia a more dangerous place. And both were voting for... John Howard.

Flanagan on Howard & the environment during the 2004 election:
I began noticing other weird things in our national psyche. Our foreign debt was booming, but each night the story of the economy was told to us through interest rates and housing... In the course of stitching up a deal on Tasmanian old-growth forests forced on him by Mark Latham, John Howard - whose landmark failures include torpedoing the Kyoto protocol on global warming - called himself a conservationist and described Bob Brown as an extremist. No-one took him up on it. No-one in the federal Opposition, no-one in the national media... There were people out there who now believed John Howard was actively caring for the environment when his record in the area was zilch.

Flanagan on conservatives and political language:
We are in the process of becoming another nation, but the people taking us to a new Australia still speak the language of old Australia so that at the time of the Beaconsfield mine disaster John Howard could speak of the virtue of the working class ethic of mateship while bringing tax 'relief' to the rich and stripping working people of levels of workplace security...
Conservatism is the belief that humans are flawed, that notions of human perfectability are dangerous, particularly when applied en masse as the Left sought to do for most of the twentieth century. The question to be asked of conservatives is what exactly are they intent on conserving. Their own small-mindedness, however clever? Meanness? Common prejudice?... And who exactly are these 'neocons' who think with Dr Strangelove certainty of their ability to re-shape the world and treat war as some sort of video game?

Flanagan on Malcolm Fraser & the anti-terrorism laws:
Malcolm Fraser told me he wondered whether Australians understand that the anti-terrorism laws actually apply to them.
"If they're returning from another country, are taken in for questioning and are deemed obstructive, they have the potential of five years in jail. They don't have to be guilty of an offence."
Fraser said we had entered a new world where people cease to be people
"not because they are known to be something but because they are suspected to be something. It's the sort of law Stalin passed".

Oscars 2007

2007-01-27T09:57:00.000+09:30

It's that time of year again. Yes, the Oscars are political and overrated, but the level of importance placed on them continues...

Meryl Streep received her fourteenth Oscar nomination - this time for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada. She is the most Oscar-nominated actor of all time, but she has only won twice (and that was back in 1979 and 1982). It's unlikely that she will win this year, and it's not least of all due to the fact that Devil was a fairly lightweight movie.

Also nominated - and favourite to win Best Actress - was Helen Mirren, for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen. It really was an extraordinary performance and an excellent film. I hope she wins, and I hope the film itself is successful also.

The full list of nominess can be seen at

http://www.oscars.org/79academyawards/noms.html.

I don't quite know what sort of host Ellen DeGeneres will make, but we'll soon find out.

Hillary: Finally Official

2007-01-23T21:05:00.001+09:30

Hillary Clinton's online announcement.

Obama Running for President

2007-01-23T21:02:00.001+09:30

This is Democrat Barack Obama's online announcement.

There Goes A Tenner

2007-01-13T22:55:00.001+09:30

A crazy song needs a crazy video! The start and the finish are particularly interesting. The symbolism for "waiting" is excellent. It's very 1980s, given. But it's infinitely better than any of the recycled bubblegum used for a lot of music videos now.

It's simple. I hate him.

2007-01-11T13:39:00.000+09:30

Those familiar with Inspector Clouseau - the Peter Sellers character from the Pink Panther films - will probably recall Chief Inspector Dreyfus. Dreyfus despised Clouseau. His passionate hate for him, and the desire to see awful things happen to him, ended up driving the Chief Inspector completely mad. Psychiatric help was required.

Well, I am hoping that I myself do not meet a similar fate.

I'm convinced of it: I am slowly being driven insane by a man I've never even met. He lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. And I hate him.

I hate his face.
I hate his face expressions.
I hate his voice.
I hate the way he walks.
I hate the way he waves.
I hate his smile.

I kid you not when I say that I feel my body tense up and my blood pressure rise whenever he appears on the TV screen, or whenever I see his name in the newspaper.

Why did Americans keep this thing in power? How is it that such a brainless fuck ends up in the most powerful position on the planet? And why is he permitted to remain there?

The worst part is the way he's taken so seriously by the media. And I guess you can't blame them. This waste of space is, after all, the US President (with a little help from his friends). But I often wonder if he ever has to pinch himself. "How the hell did I get here? I was, afterall, just a coke-snorting, binge-drinking redneck."

The GOP actually allowed him to represent them. And then the United States of America, in turn, allowed him to represent them. That was in 2000. It's now 2007. And he's still there in the White House with that smug smirk - pretty much doing whatever he wants, and still acting like a spoiled brat (which, of course, he is).

I hate George W. Bush.

Saddam Hussein

2007-01-01T22:23:00.000+09:30

Just a quick comment on Saddam Hussein's execution.

No one deserves to die, no matter what sort of horrendous acts they have committed. You don't punish a murderer by murdering them. It defeats the purpose of punishment and the reason for pursuing punishment in the first place, if you know what I mean. I wish I could articulate myself a little better.

Secondly, what, really, is the difference between Saddam Hussein and George W. Bush? Why has George not yet been led to the gallows? Both are/were responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths (as well as the eroding of civil liberties). What makes George the good guy and Saddam the bad guy, exactly?

Is it wrong that I actually felt upset seeing the photo of Saddam Hussein with a noose around his neck? This is a serious question, too. Awful man. Sickeningly awful. But deserved of death? Did it really make any sense to say "You killed. This requires punishment in the form of killing you."

Food for thought, my little ones.

Happy New Year.

2007

2006-12-31T11:31:00.000+09:30

As done at the beginning of 2006, here is a list of 'events' that I hope are realised in the new year.

~ The defeat of John Howard at the federal election

~ The impeachment and subsequent incarceration of George W. Bush

~ Serious moves taken to save the environment and reverse climate change

~ The announcement of a new Kate Bush album

~ The arrival of a freezing cold winter in Brisbane - one requiring overcoats!

~ Constant rain

~ The banning of jocks from nightclubs...and all public spaces

~ A collective realisation that the Queen Street Mall is a place impossible in which to "let loose"

~ The release of David Hicks and dismantling of Guantanamo Bay

~ The announcement from Al Gore of another go

~ The surprise dumping of faeces on Dick Cheney during a public engagement

~ The revival of the Australian accent

~ The discovering of many a cure

~ The collapse of Channel Ten (let's try again)

Randomonium IV

2006-12-10T16:42:00.000+09:30

Kevin/Julia

2006-12-07T13:23:00.000+09:30

I was really pleased that caucus chose Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard to take the reins and lead the alternative government on the undeniably-uphill battle that awaits. It was hard not to feel for Beazley - the loss of his younger brother and the apparent conclusion to his career would have spelt a very unpleasant day for him on Monday.

Rudd and Gillard have a lot to offer and they are both very intelligent people. I enjoyed Rudd's interview on The 7.30 Report on Monday, and Gillard's too on Lateline (though I was disappointed by Tony Jones's uncharacteristically lightweight questioning).

It really shouldn't be as difficult a task as it is to defeat John Howard. He is, after all, incredibly and unashamedly dishonest, arrogant and prejudiced. But, unfortunately, the omnipotent JWH is - as an individual politician - probably the biggest obstacle facing Kevin Rudd. And those surrounding Howard - in true Republican, Gingrich style - will play very, very hard over the next months, doing anything and everything it takes to make Kevin Rudd look 'soft' (and inexperienced) on just about every issue imaginable.

I was looking back on some previous posts I made on the subject of the Labor leadership. I had for quite a while expressed my desire to see Kevin Rudd and particularly Julia Gillard in leadership positions, and I am very glad that this has at last happened. Of course, I should confess that my confident prediction on this site that 2007 would see a Howard vs Beazley contest was obviously off the mark. But I'm happy to have been wrong.

And...

2006-12-07T12:12:00.000+09:30

...a change occurred!

Overdue

2006-12-03T15:39:00.000+09:30

Too close to the election? Maybe. But let's face it: a change is needed.

As 2006 nears its conclusion...

2006-11-27T17:27:00.000+09:30

I try to avoid thinking about just how quickly this year has sped by. I do, in all honesty, find the way in which time flies scary and depressing. I know most of us comment each November/December on how quickly the year has gone by. But 2006 obviously wanted to move things along. I find it astonishing that Christmas decorations are up once again.

In January, I posted a short list of hypothetical events that I hoped would be realised in 2006. Let me reflect upon it...

~ The retirement of John Howard

Well, that sadly didn't happen. Indeed, our beloved PM pledged to run at the next election.

~ The rise of Julia Gillard

You probably couldn't say there was any significant 'rise'. There was talk, of course - on and off - about Julia Gillard's future, but there were no dramatic changes made to her profile. I still hope to see her as leader or deputy one day.

~ The re-election of Hillary Clinton as New York Senator

It happened (albeit predictably)!

~ The overwhelming nationwide success of the U.S. Democrats in the elections

It happened! The mid-term elections in the U.S. were indeed fruitful for the Democrats. They will, as a result, control the House of Reps and the Senate.

~ The severe trampling of George W. Bush by a large number of elephants and goats

It was always only going to be wishful thinking.

~ The collapse of Channel Ten

Alas, no. I remain hopeful, even though it already plays no part in my TV viewing anyhow.

~ The disappearance of Alexander Downer

Unfortunately, the arrogant bastard remains.

~ The arrival of a long, cold winter

It wasn't long and it wasn't cold enough for me. But rest assured, we'll get a fucking long, fucking hot summer. Yay (not).

~ The vast and speedy expansion of the CBD

I suppose it expanded vertically. So much digging going on in there. Such a mess.

~ The return of Fast Forward and Full Frontal

It'd be nice, but no.

~ The deterioration of James Blunt's throat

I don't believe it happened, though he has certainly been off the radar for a while. But I must take that wish back. A little harsh. And besides, I happen to have warmed to his song, 'Wisemen'.

The Australian

2006-11-22T22:56:00.000+09:30

I've been buying this newspaper for a couple of years. And we all know that it has always been considered generally conservative. The Murdoch-ness could always be found.

But now it's outwardly and unashamedly conservative, and I'm really tired of it. Almost every time I read it now, I end up telling myself to never buy another one... The thing is, I do keep getting it, because Queensland's alternative newspaper is even worse. And I happen to enjoy reading the newspaper. But the problem is, I can't read The Australian anymore without my blood pressure rising at least a couple of times...

In today's opinion/editorial section (pages 16 & 17), you will find

BRUVVERS PUSH PARENTS TO THE COALITION CAUSE: The teachers unions have hurt public education, but conservatives can save it (Janet Albrechtsen)

NEO-CONSERVATISM ISN'T DEAD, IT'S THE ONLY VIABLE OPTION: Don't blame the neo-cons for the Iraq mess; their ideas about exporting democracy remain valid (Joshua Muravchik)

POPULIST GREENERY WILL HURT GARDEN STATE: Steve Bracks's obsession with green policies threatens Victoria's future prosperity (Alan Wood, Economics Editor)

TANNER NEGLECTS ROLE PLAYED BY LEFT IDEOLOGUES IN ACADEMIA

Of course, there is an exclusive group (which, I might add, gets consistently closer to extinction) of non-conservatives at The Australian. And I suppose I should be thankful that the newspaper has them working for it at all. But, yeah... What can I say?

2006-11-14T14:49:00.000+09:30

I was rather mortified yesterday to realise that I had completely forgotten to vote for any Air albums on the ABC's 'My Favourite Album' poll (which has now well and truly closed). True, it's not really anything to get into a panic over, but I do genuinely count the French duo's Moon Safari and Talkie Walkie among the best albums I've ever heard. The sounds that emerge from both works completely transform the atmosphere. Or, at least, they bring an atmosphere to wherever one is lacking. I would recommend their music to just about anyone.

Democrats Take Back Congress

2006-11-09T17:26:00.000+09:30

The US Democrats finally have cause to celebrate.

They thumped Bush's Republicans in the House of Representatives and have now, it seems, won back the Senate - giving them control of Congress for the first time in twelve years.

www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1784684.htm
www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/08/election.main/index.html

These November elections - the outcome having been highly anticipated for many months - have produced some very good news.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi (pictured) will become America's first female Speaker of the House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Pelosi

Hillary Clinton was easily re-elected as Senator for New York.

And the awful, awful, awful Donald Rumsfeld has resigned.

Let us hope that the Democrats can now make some real changes and steer that country well away from the direction in which it has been heading since that disgusting administration successfully rigged the voting process in 2000. Which makes me think - in Bush's America, exactly how did the Democrats win something? In all seriousness, did the Republicans decide not to tamper with this one?

Is the neo-con phase coming to an end?? What a delicious thought.

Green Streep

2006-11-03T17:50:00.000+09:30

I stumbled across this very interesting article written by Meryl Streep for 'The Green Guide'.

Meryl Streep's Top Green Product Picks

"After the fun of playing Miranda Priestley, editor of Runway magazine in The Devil Wears Prada, I was delighted to edit The Green Guide, a real publication that provides practical eco choices for daily life. Green can be fun, too. And it goes with just about everything—your diet, your home and, of course, that perfect little green dress.

The first environmentally sound products I ever bought were organic fruits and vegetables because, as a mother of young children, I didn't want them exposed to toxic pesticide residues. Protecting children's health also involves trying to stop global warming, which is contributing to allergies and the spread of contagious disease, as I've learned from the Harvard Center for Health and the Global Environment (chge.med.harvard.edu). So the greenhouse gas emissions released in shipping foods long distances is another good reason to buy local. (To find a farmers' market near you, go to www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets.)

At the same time, as a working parent, I know it's difficult to consider the earth when you're just trying to get dinner on the table. The good news is that going green is easier and more affordable than ever: Mainstream retailers are committing to organic food and fibers and selling certified forest products. Also, fair trade labels, which protect workers' livelihoods, are on the rise.

Here are a few of my favorites..."

(Read on at http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc.mhtml?i=117&s=meryl)

2006-11-02T23:17:00.001+09:30

Kate Bush: the inspiration for 'Speed of Sound'

Here are the members of Coldplay explaining how one of Kate Bush's most commercially successful songs - "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" - was the inspiration for "Speed of Sound" (which happens to be my preferred Coldplay hit). And to celebrate the discovery of this insighful trivia, the music video for "Running Up That Hill" is below.

2006-11-02T23:17:00.000+09:30

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

Complete with KB's trademark interpretive dance...

Courtesy of VTAY's tag...

2006-10-30T17:55:00.000+09:30

1-Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?

I went through a period in late 2005 and early 2006 when I was pretty pleased with the contents. And the readership was at its highest level also (perhaps as a result of the topical posting). Of late, I have disappointed myself (and others?) with somewhat lazy posting (i.e. posting YouTube videos). This might, of course, have something to do with the fact that my internet access is limited nowadays.

2-Does your family know about your blog?

No, they do not.

3-Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?

Only four of my friends are aware of this blog's existence. Interestingly enough, all four are school friends. So, in that sense, I suppose I do consider it a private thing - there are a heck of a lot of people who I could have told, but have chosen not to. I guess I like the idea of only fellow bloggers visiting.

4-Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? Or do you try to discover new blogs?

With the limited internet access of late, I've become just a little bit lazy in this department as well. Lately, I've been visiting commenters' blogs and find I have a lot of catching up to do (Sarah's VTAY being the best example). Traditionally, however, yes - I do keep up to date with the blogs of my dear readers.

I try to discover new blogs when there is an issue out there that greatly interests me, and I suspect that other bloggers will be addressing the issue on their sites. Additionally, I'll try to track people down who have similar interests (by clicking on the profile links).

5-Did your blog positively affect (sic) your mind? Give an example.

Like Sarah, I don't quite understand this question.

6-What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?

I do not use a traffic counter.

I would like to think that I have a decent number of people who visit. I understand that the number of comments does not necessarily indicate the level of readership. But, unfortunately, I suspect that there is very little traffic flowing through at the end of the day.

7-Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?

Does this mean, do I daydream about what other bloggers look like? Or does it mean, when I finally saw a photo of them, did they turn out to be what I'd pictured in my mind...?

Well, I know what my regular commenters look like, and always have since they first began visiting. There are a couple of bloggers of whom I know that I am not familar with the appearance of. Alright, this answer's becoming as confusing as the question now...

8-Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

Well, if used correctly, it can be an outlet. And any activity that allows for views and ideas to be thrown around has got to be good.

9-Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?

No. It's got everything to do with the real world. In most cases.

10-Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?

A few blogs scare me I suppose. This is normally due to the beliefs being expressed by the blogger. But there aren't very many of these that I encounter. I avoid the inflammatory right-wing blogs. There's enough inflammatory right-wingness on the news every night. But the inflammatory left-wing blogs don't bother me :)

Generally, I think political blogs are a good thing. Most blogs that I visit will, at the very least, touch on politics from time to time.

11-Do you think that criticising your blog is useful?

My own criticism, yes. But I'll never be entirely happy with it.

Criticism from others? I can't say I've received very much (if any at all, to be honest). Those that visit will usually be supportive of the views expressed. John and George don't visit very regularly.

But I will say that constructive criticism is always useful.

12-Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog in case you died?

Ghoulish... No, I haven't. There is no real need for me to think about that.

13-Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?

Before I started? I didn't really read any. I knew that they existed, and I knew that a few notable people were using them. But it was a friend of mine who started one that gave me the idea of starting my own.

14-Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?

I really can't give a simple answer to that one. There are some parallels between me and all of my fellow bloggers. Most of the similarities are political, of course. There are different interests I have that I share with different bloggers. Yeah, there's no one specific blogger that I could say is the most similar to me.

15-Name a song you want to listen to.

A song I want to listen to right now? Oh, how about "Ruby Tuesday" by The Rolling Stones...

_____________________________________________________

Lisa of Desert Pea recently celebrated one year of bloggage. So, it's over to you Lisa!

2006-10-27T01:34:00.000+09:30

The Daily Show

George W's Job Description

2006-10-27T01:23:00.000+09:30

Scissor Sisters

Damn good song, this one. And an equally enjoyable video.

2006-10-26T23:35:00.000+09:30

Kate Bush - Delius

This music video is so exquisitely dream-like. I just wanna jump in and join her there in that forest... Forgive me, I have a thing for eccentric women.

(Note: the audio is a bit echo-ish for some reason. And the video ends slightly prematurely)

The Climate Crisis: Here & Now

2006-10-22T14:41:00.000+09:30

An optimist (which I am not) might say that the appalling levels of indifference and ignorance in relation to the climate crisis are slowly, but surely, reducing. Well, I hope the optimists among us are right. But I can say that I am glad that the degree of focus on this extremely frightening problem has begun to rise to some extent.

Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth was very, very scary - but, it was nonetheless an optimists's view on the crisis. Gore believes we have about a decade until the tipping point is reached. (Some scientists, of course, believe the tipping point came and went long ago.) My favourite quote from the film was "Is it possible that we should prepare for other threats besides terrorists?". And, of course, his point was yes. Believe it or not, terrorism doesn't hold the monopoly on international problems. In my opinion, global warming makes terrorism look pretty meagre on the threat scale. And I for one am a hell of a lot more concerned about climate change than I am about who might be sitting on the same plane as me. Oh, and our dear old sunburnt country got a mention in the film too. Yes, we are one of the two advanced nations who have not signed the Kyoto Protocol. I bet John feels special to be part of such an exclusive group.

www.climatecrisis.net

And Canadian environmentalist, David Suzuki, has been in Australia lately and addressed the National Press Club the other day. It was a bloody good address too. He covered various areas concerning the environment, but spoke mainly about climate change and its connection with problems like the drought and water shortage.

Phillip Adams talks about global warming a lot, just as everyone should be. A recent column on the subject concluded, "Get angry. Get going. Protest. Pray to God or write to your MP, though neither activity will be much use. But do something! Join something! At the very least see Al’s movie".

John Howard pissed me off the other day (nothing new, of course). Why? I saw him on the news talking about the money he's pledged to the farmers currently afflicted by severe drought. And, when asked about the bigger picture, said "As to the broader issue of the relationship between drought and climate change, obviously you can't totally separate the two. But I think it's important that we don't overdo the link." I wanted to punch the TV.

Barbra Streisand, with whom I have been patient, finally updated her blog (the link for which is on the right). And she lists some basic things that each of us can do to help combat the problem.

People need to get it. People need to understand exactly what will happen if we continue to neglect our responsibilities as the inhabitants of the only home we have. We also need to accept that we are the source of the problem, but that we are, at the same time, capable of cleaning up the mess we've made so far. Additionally - and I'm drawing from David Suzuki's speech -, our politicians need to end their obsession with short-term goals that serve only to get them re-elected. Basically, our way of thinking needs a major shake-up. And perhaps now you can understand why I'm a pessimist. But, Al Gore did say that too many people jump from 'denial to despair' in one leap without stopping to realise that the opportunity is there and that there still is a chance for us to solve this problem. In other words, there is no need for despair - yet. But there will be if we skip do.

Cut the 'Cut & Run' Crap

2006-10-21T20:18:00.000+09:30

As far as I know, the phrase 'cut-and-run' was thrust forward into the public's dialogue by the pro-Iraq-war Republicans in the US. And, like everything else that starts in America, it eventually trickled on down into Australia. It was - and still is - used by John Howard and Alexander Downer and those other low-lives in our federal government with a great deal of enthusiasm when they bag any person who suggests that perhaps the best thing for us to do is withdraw from that catastrophic mess.

I have always thought that 'cut-and-run' was, like everything else that comes out of George W.'s mouth, extremely simplistic and stupid. It seems that anyone in favour of withdrawal - in order to stop the killing of soldiers and to perhaps calm the widespread and completely understandable anti-American feeling in Iraq - is branded as a 'cut-and-runner'. We hear it all the time from George, from Tony, from John... 'We're not gonna cut-and-run like they would'.

Now, it seems that some of those opposed to our presence in Iraq have begun using the term as a way to describe their policy of withdrawal! And journalists, when describing the two main alternative policies, point to the approach of 'staying the course' and, on the other hand, the approach of 'cutting and running'. You know what? I think they've been watching too much GWB.

Simplicity and vagueness are the latest trends apparently.

Why do we look at a problem as complex and delicate as Iraq through such black-and-white eyes?

____________________________________________________

The death toll of American soldiers in Iraq will very soon pass 3000. Yes... Let us reflect... In response to a terrorist attack that kills 3000 Americans, the American President proceeds to kill another 3000 Americans... The Bush Doctrine indeed.

Our John makes some darn good friends, doesn't he?

2006-10-05T16:28:00.000+09:30

Sat In Your Lap

2006-10-05T16:10:00.001+09:30

Bill Clinton rips into Fox News

This is brilliant. You may have heard about it in the news. Bill Clinton's obviously had enough of Fox News, and he let them know. Republicans have been lately accusing Clinton of not doing enough to kill/capture Osame bin Laden. He is asked about this here, and turns it into an opportunity to tell it how it is. This is great. Note: the audio loses its balance with the image from time to time...

Hitting the nail on the head, yet again

2006-09-26T20:20:00.000+09:30

26/09/2006: "Coalition of the wicked and stupid"

Phillip Adams:

WITHIN days of 9/11 Susan Sontag gave the world some famous advice. "Let's by all means grieve together. But let's not be stupid together." Fearing a stupendously stupid response by Washington and Canberra, I began my next column with Sontag's quote, which provoked for me, as for her, the most enraged reaction in a long career.

Copping accusations of racism (I was deemed to be an anti-American bigot as well as a traitor) my column also responded to Christopher Hitchens' introduction of the term "Islamic fascism" into an already white-hot debate.

Islamic fascism reminded me that the US had never stopped "playing footsie with governments that slaughtered, disappeared, tortured and abused their hapless populations" - that the US "has for decades provided terrorist regimes with weapons, training and financial support" and that "among the recipients, Saddam Hussein, Washington's favourite dictator when it was confronting Iranians. And, yes, the Mujaheddin, predecessors of the Taliban, whom Washington saw as a kris pointed at the heart of the Soviet Union".

I argued: "Look, I hate to be critical of the country that gave us jazz, Singin' in the Rain and FDR, but the ineptitude of US foreign policy and the Keystone Kops absurdities of ventures such as Panama, the Bay of Pigs and Vietnam attest to the stupidities pf successive presidents, Pentagon chiefs-of-staff and secretaries of state. Not to mention the blithering incompetence of agencies such as the FBI and CIA.

"Now Bush demands justice. Not UN justice, only US justice. We're either with or we're against them. And John Howard, like Tony Blair, has signed a blank cheque for a US President who, as well as denouncing international agreements on global warming, biological weapons and torture, has refused to sign up for an international court to try war criminals. If Australia is to be a true friend of the American people, we must try to rein them in, not urge them on."

There's bigotry for you. As anticipated, Sontag's warning about grief versus stupidity was ignored and now provides an epitaph for the Bush administration and for hundreds of thousands of dead and maimed American troops and Iraqi civilians. And because Howard shared and cheered the same stupidity, the world is a far more dangerous place, as is Australia.
Now the National Intelligence Estimate, a 30-page consensus view of 16 spy services inside the US Government, quantifies the stupidity in regard to terrorism. Surprise surprise, the war in Iraq has been a recruiting agency for young Islamic militants. The result: their numbers are increasing faster than the US-led coalition is destroying the threat. That's what stupidity does for you.

Bush looks as silly as Mickey Mouse playing the sorcerer's apprentice in Fantasia, trying to mop the rising waters while a growing army of buckets add to the flood. And the apprentice to the apprentice, Howard, continues to back Bush in his grand delusion that things are getting better all the time.

Now, a colleague of Sontag, Joan Didion, has written an essay of immense significance in The New York Review of Books (October 5) focusing not on the Bush marionette but on that principal and unprincipled puppeteer, Dick Cheney. Her portrait of that huntin' shootin' rip-tootin' ideologue chills the blood.

Though fully aware that an invasion would likely trigger a civil war, Cheney supported it. When Colin Powell predicted such a negative reaction that the US would be forced to close its embassies around the world, Cheney said it was "not the issue". When Powell said "we could trigger all kinds of unanticipated and unintended consequences", Cheney said it again. "Not the issue." Just as he'd ridicule the Geneva Conventions and concerns about torture: "Not the issue."

Here's the issue. Cheney made more than $US44,000,000 as chief executive of Halliburton during his brief detour from Republican administrations, at a time when the company was coining it in Bosnia and Kosovo. One subsidiary, on its own, billed the US $US2 billion. Now Halliburton alone has signed contracts in Iraq worth $US11,431,000,000.

Didion tells the story of Joe Allbaugh, a Cheney acolyte, who left the Bush administration to share in the spoils of war. Having used his Texas CV to wangle a job as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he appointed Michael D. Brown to succeed him (he's the buffoon who helped stuff up the response to Hurricane Katrina, whom the President memorably lauded with the words "Brownie, you're doing a helluva job") so he'd be free to found New Bridge Strategies.

According to its website, Allbaugh's company "was created specifically with the aim of assisting clients to evaluate and take advantage of business opportunities in the Middle East following the conclusion of the US-led war in Iraq". As Didion observes, "this was the US-led war in Iraq that had not then yet begun". Talk about insider trading.

Didion's essay overflows with material on Cheney that makes stupidity the least of his crimes. And this greedy, brutal man is still profiting from Halliburton through deferments and stock options.

Nowadays, when not shooting friends, Cheney keeps a lower profile. And he is running out of time; at long last, the US electorate is running out of stupidity.

Gore in Oz

2006-09-14T11:56:00.000+09:30

No internet yet... But just quickly, the interview with Al Gore on Enough Rope on Monday night was excellent, as was his chat with Kerry O'Brien on The 7.30 Report earlier that evening. I hope you caught at least one of them.

Checking in...

2006-09-03T18:12:00.000+09:30

I moved a couple of weeks ago, and my new place does not yet have the internet... Hence the lack of recent posting.

I must say I'm completely fucking fed up with being unwell. I not long ago thought I was getting over what I rated as the worst cold I can recall having... It never quite went, and I've been blowing my nose constantly and coughing up gunk. Currently, I have a dry, sharp, irritating cough that just will not piss off... And I'm producing all sorts of colours from the sinus. I'm just FED UP.

Anyway, I should remember that this is blogger, not myspace...

Proper posting will re-start soon I hope.

In production: "Dark Matter"

2006-08-21T18:19:00.000+09:30

I posted photos taken during the production of The Devil Wears Prada a while ago, so I thought I'd chuck up a few photos from the making of Meryl Streep's latest project - Dark Matter.

Due in 2007 Directed by Chen Shi-zheng

Inspired by the true story of Lu Gang, DARK MATTER tells the story of Liu Xing (Liu Ye), one of thousands of Chinese academics awarded special visa status in the 1990’s to study in the United States. At university, Liu Xing devotes himself to research on the origins of the universe for the eminent and charming Professor Jacob Reiser. He rises quickly to the top, establishing himself as the star pupil through his brilliant aptitude and hard work.

Liu Xing boasts to his family in China of his rapid academic progress, sending money home and promising them a life in America very soon. But his pride is tempered by his struggle to understand the social and political dynamics of American university life. Joanna Silver (Streep), a wealthy socialite and patron of the university, reaches out to befriend Liu Xing. A woman of great passions and a fascination for China, Joanna devotes her time to helping the Chinese students as they assimilate into American culture.

Shortly into his studies, Liu Xing fixates on the Dark Matter theory, one of the great unchartered areas of physics. He announces to Professor Reiser that he wants to pursue Dark Matter for his thesis. To Liu Xing’s dismay, Reiser discourages him, demanding Liu Xing pursue topics that support his own research, specifically the Reiser Model. Against Reiser’s wishes, Liu Xing publishes a brilliant article on Dark Matter, but rather than finding success, he is hit with insurmountable obstacles.

Soon, his dreams of a brilliant career are dashed and ultimately, destroyed. With nothing, Liu Xing lashes out at his former mentor and colleagues with tragic and devastating consequences.

(Images and syopsis from www.simplystreep.com)

2006-08-19T16:00:00.000+09:30

MJ interview - as interpreted by Rowan Atkinson & Lenny Henry

This is much funnier if you saw the "Living with Michael Jackson" documentary in 2003.

Thoughts from Germaine...2001

2006-08-14T22:28:00.000+09:30

I heard a very enjoyable interview with Germaine Greer on Phillip Adams's program on ABC Radio National recently. On Friday nights, the program goes into reflective mode and plays interviews that are a few years old. This particular interview was recorded in August 2001 at Brisbane's Powerhouse.

The entire interview was great. I could listen to Germaine Greer for hours on end. The Bulletin said it well: she has a "drop-dead gorgeous way with words". Anyway, she spoke primarily about Australian Aboriginality (her views on which I have highlighted previously), but several subjects were discussed, including feminism, naturally...

Here are some of the many responses that I found profoundly interesting.

FEMINISM IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Adams: What part of feminism survives for this shiny, bright new century of ours?

Greer: Well, we haven't got it together yet. Nothing's really happened yet. All that's happened is women have shaken their ears and looked about. They haven't worked out what it is that they want. The most basic questions are still to answer. I mean, I would hope that feminists were pacifists. I would hope that 'women playing a more important part' would mean that war was no longer an option.

Adams: You'd put that right at the top of the list? Pacifism.

Greer: Yeah, I think so. Although 'pacifism' is, in some ways, the wrong word. It seems, to me, madness that we still have war. It's so obviously not a solution to anything. And, to me, it's quite shocking that 'New Labor' in England is incredibly bellicose. They can't wait to get into a fight. But there's lots of things. There's lots more things.

______________________________________

ART

Adams: You said we've got to reconsider what art is. And you've talked about a mother braiding a child's hair, and how this has got to be perhaps considered art, within a relationship. Not so much the pattern, but the act of doing it.

Greer: It's entirely up to you what you see as a work of art, nowadays. It's got nothing to do with putting colour on a flat surface, or sculpting a lump of something into a lump of something else. It's to do with giving the thing you do another kind of importance. And women are not very good at that. I mean, a woman cooks - we eat. A man cooks - he's a chef. And he's got a series on television. And he can be a frightful cook, as well, as far as I can judge.

Adams: As long as he's cute. Cute as a button.

Greer: And can talk. And presents things in a particular way. I'm not sure anymore what art is. Art is what you say is art. So if you decide that doing your daughter's hair in the morning is your artwork, then that's what it will be.....

Adams: But you extrapolated from this, and you said some things with which I wholeheartedly agree. You implied that a great deal of what is characterised or presented as art in our culture is, in fact, nonsense. And I think you talked about art rushing like a stram engine towards smashing into the buffers. And you said it can't happen quickly enough for you.

Greer: Yeah, something's got to happen to the whole sort of 'gallery business', because it's over-inflated. It's got itself into a mad position; Where one piece of paper that Picasso threw on the floor of the studio and stood on for several years is worth the income of a small African republic.

______________________________________

MEN THE NEW 'SILENT VICTIMS'?

Adams: Doris Lessing argued that men are the new silent victims in the sex war - "continually demeaned and insulted", said Doris, "by women, without a wimper of protest".

Greer: In England, in particular - but I think in Anglo-Saxon society wherever - , men really dislike women and put them down all the time. There's a whole dimension of their culture which is sneering remarks about women and assumptions about women and so on. And we've just put up with it. We know it's there, and we can't do much about it. We've tried to outlaw it, which I think was a mistake. Misogyny is so real and so pervasive, that for women to at last be public about their feelings about men, and putting their contempt for men into words... It's just much too early to be saying 'Oh, but the balance has shifted in the wrong direction'. Because, basically, the men don't give a fuck what we say about them. The difference between the two of us is that men don't care what women say about them, and women care passionately what men say about them.

______________________________________

BULLSHIT IN POLITICS

Adams: There's a lot of bullshit about. It doesn't diminish in magnitude. I mean, there's President Shrub and all that brand of bullshit over there.

Greer: Yes.

Adams: I mean, everywhere you look -

Greer: There's Tony 'Blur'.

Adams: Tony Blur, is that bullshit?

Greer: Oh, I can't stand him, honestly. I mean, the problem is that we don't have ideology anymore. We don't have policy anymore. Governments sell themselves like soap-powder. They just find a form of words that the electorate will accept. Which isn't to say the electorate is in favour of it. It means the electorate can't be bothered being against it. So, we have sloppy thinking. We have trendy words used all the time. I mean, it's Ad-Man politics and it is awful.

Big fat so-and-so vs Weak worthless tablet-taker

2006-08-12T11:11:00.000+09:30

I couldn't find the full version. But this is most of it.

"Bush's Favourite Democrat" loses to anti-war challenger

2006-08-09T22:48:00.000+09:30

Television debate: Ned Lamont and Joseph Lieberman

Joe Lieberman, the once invincible Democratic Senator from Connecticut, has been ousted. Yep, seeya Joe. That's what happens (or, at least, what should happen) when you align yourself closely with people like George W. Bush and when you support his war-mongering, catastrophic actions.

Lieberman's fellow Democrat, the little-known Ned Lamont, challenged for the position of Connecticut Senator in a vote that took place only a few hours ago. The campaign almost entirely revolved around Iraq, with Lamont taking a strong anti-war stance against Lieberman's infamous pro-Iraq position. He has supported the Iraq war since the beginning, and is not in favour of a timetable for troop withdrawal. His many parallels with Mr. Bush on various issues earned him the title, "Bush's favourite Democrat". Lieberman ran for Vice-President in 2000 on Al Gore's Democratic ticket, and attempted to gain the presidential nomination in 2004 during the Democratic primaries.

In 1998, Lieberman was openly critical of Bill Clinton's behaviour re: Monica (a decision that led to the president's impeachment). As far as I know, Lieberman has only been supportive of George Bush's bloodthirsty decision to invade Iraq. But, look, we all know that oral sex with an intern is far more deserved of criticism and scrutiny.

For information on Ned Lamont, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Lamont. The importance of Iraq as a political issue has been demonstrated by this result.

Here's the very interesting online letter that Michael Moore posted on his website shortly after the Lieberman loss.

Wednesday, August 9th, 2006

It's All About Who You Sleep With ... a Cautionary Note from Michael Moore

Friends,

Let the resounding defeat of Senator Joe Lieberman send a cold shiver down the spine of every Democrat who supported the invasion of Iraq and who continues to support, in any way, this senseless, immoral, unwinnable war. Make no mistake about it: We, the majority of Americans, want this war ended -- and we will actively work to defeat each and every one of you who does not support an immediate end to this war.

Nearly every Democrat set to run for president in 2008 is responsible for this war. They voted for it or they supported it. That single, stupid decision has cost us 2,592 American lives and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Lieberman and Company made a colossal mistake -- and we are going to make sure they pay for that mistake. Payback time started last night.

I realize that there are those like Kerry and Edwards who have now changed their position and are strongly anti-war. Perhaps that switch will be enough for some to support them. For others, like me -- while I'm glad they've seen the light -- their massive error in judgment is, sadly, proof that they are not fit for the job. They sided with Bush, and for that, they may never enter the promised land.

To Hillary, our first best hope for a woman to become president, I cannot for the life of me figure out why you continue to support Bush and his war. I'm sure someone has advised you that a woman can't be elected unless she proves she can kick ass just as crazy as any man. I'm here to tell you that you will never make it through the Democratic primaries unless you start now by strongly opposing the war. It is your only hope. You and Joe have been Bush's biggest Democratic supporters of the war. Last night's voter revolt took place just a few miles from your home in Chappaqua. Did you hear the noise? Can you read the writing on the wall?

To every Democratic Senator and Congressman who continues to back Bush's War, allow me to inform you that your days in elective office are now numbered. Myself and tens of millions of citizens are going to work hard to actively remove you from any position of power.

If you don't believe us, give Joe a call.

Yours, Michael Moore mmflint@aol.com www.michaelmoore.com

P.S. Republicans -- sorry to leave you out of this letter. It's just that our side has a little housecleaning to do. We'll take care of you this November.

Clarke & Dawe

2006-08-07T20:36:00.000+09:30

Watch this recent one from the ABC's John Clarke and Bryan Dawe.

Kim Beazley's new political strategy: impersonating John Howard.

Very funny.

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200607/r97061_294352.asx

2006-08-03T19:59:00.000+09:30

Some more Kate...

A nice little profile.

Not your usual Christmas carol...

2006-07-29T20:03:00.000+09:30

Kate Bush singing December Will Be Magic Again, and dancing without ever leaving her chair... I must say, I find her very sexy in this (despite the pyjamas).

Randomonium III

2006-07-26T21:22:00.000+09:30

^ Just press play

Earth Dialogues: Session 2

2006-07-23T22:39:00.000+09:30

Session Two began with its two keynote speakers (I missed Gorby, who addressed the booked-out Session One). First to speak was the former Vice-President of Iran, Massoumeh Ebtekar. She spoke well and raised some important issues, as well as giving an overview of Iran's past, its current situation and its very uncertain future. As she left the stage after finishing her speech, a man up the top (not far from us) got up and yelled out to the audience. I missed a lot of what he said, but he held a photo up (the details of which were impossible to see) and yelled, in broken English, something along the lines of "Look at this! She supports this regime! Look at this photo!". Another man called out "He's absolutely right!". Anyway, he was taken out by a security guard and yelled louder and louder as he approached the door. Immediately after that, another man nearby got up and protested the presence of Ebtekar. His extremely strong accent meant that we could barely understand a word. Interestingly, security guards who approached him were told several times by members of the audience to "Let him speak!". Anyway, once he was dragged out screaming by security, a man behind me yelled "Dialogue is two-way!", receiving applause.

Later on, I read a form that had been handed out by random audience members before the start of the session, titled Who is Massoumeh Ebtekar? I'd assumed it was a general profile, but it turned out to be an objection from the "Iranian Community in Australia" to the former VP's presence. It points out that Ebtekar was the spokesperson for the Iranian students who took 52 Americans hostage in 1979 (the Iranian Hostage Crisis). It also claims that she is an advocate for the suppression of women's rights, and ends by saying

We the members of Iranian Community in Australia object that Massoumeh Ebtekar is allowed to speak at the Brisbane Festival under the pretence of someone who is interested in the Global Environment.

The second keynote speaker was the Reverend Tim Costello (yep, brother of Peter). He is the head of World Vision Australia. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed his address, in which he made some very valid points concerning the greediness of corporations and the injustice of the existence of a massive gap between rich and poor. In appearance and mannerisms, he was a cross between his brother and the ABC's Peter Berner.

Three forums from which people could choose followed. We stayed where we were - the main auditorium - to hear Campbell Newman and the panel discuss issues under the subject of Cities and Spaces. Again, very thought-provoking. My favourite point made was by a member of the panel who said it's time to get things done. Discussion and debate are brilliant and necessary up until the point when they become just that and no more.

Finally, Phillip Adams - who'd just come from a 90-minute interview with President Gorbachev - moderated a review panel that talked about the major points of discussion that had been covered during the afternoon.

Earth Dialogues wraps up on Monday.

Gorbachev in Brisbane!

2006-07-21T20:41:00.000+09:30

I was very surprised when I heard a couple of days ago that Mikhail Gorbachev would be attending Earth Dialogues (part of the current Brisbane Festival). I've always said that nothing ever happens in Brisbane...but I suppose some things do from time to time. He will address the conference tomorrow morning in City Hall, in his capacity as the chairman of Green Cross International. Notables, including among others Barry Jones, Anthony Albanese, Anna Bligh, Peter Beattie and the truly brilliant Phillip Adams will also attend and deliver speeches on issues from the environment to education to human rights. Earth Dialogues runs from Saturday until Monday.

The public can attend and entrance is free. I was unable to get a seat in Session One tomorrow morning (and thus will miss Gorbachev), but I'll be going to Session Two in the afternoon. I'll report back on how it goes.

http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/earthdialogues/

Hollywood comes out for Hillary

2006-07-20T23:02:00.000+09:30

"Thank you J-Lo!"

Some interesting news came through yesterday about Hillary Clinton's Senate re-election campaign. Certain members of Hollywood have emerged to openly support her for re-election in New York. Of course, we know Hollywood has a long history of strong support for the Democrats, as well as for left-wing politics. But, from what I've read in the past, many members of the American showbusiness have been reluctant to come out openly rooting for Hillary - primarily a result of her support for the Iraq war and her refusal to support the proposal of a deadline for the withdrawal of troops. This is one area that we could say she is perhaps more a centrist politician, as opposed to the distinct liberal she is on issues like abortion and the feminist movement. (She was booed during a recent address she gave to Democrat supporters, when she announced her opposition to the idea of an immediate withdrawal.)

American media printed the names of some well-known financial donors to the Clinton camp, which included

Tom Hanks
Jennifer Lopez
Owen Wilson
Chris Rock
Bette Midler
James Caan
Rob Reiner
Billy Crystal

I suppose it isn't really all that surprising. Hollywood will almost always support a Democrat over a Republican, and Clinton seems to have done a good job in NY as Senator. But does it indicate the beginning of a Hollywood-backed Clinton presidential candidacy, despite the division over Iraq?

So far in this 2006 "election cycle", Hillary has spent $US21.7 million - even with the TV ads having not yet begun. It's a pretty grotesque amount of money, and the election itself - which she should win comfortably - is not until November.

Didn't last long...

2006-07-20T22:20:00.000+09:30

Alright, I've made a complete fool of myself. I've decided not to end the posts on here. It's a little addictive, I've found out. And I also received an e-mail from someone encouraging me to keep going. So that's what I'm doing.

Final

2006-07-13T19:08:00.000+09:30

The last few posts were pretty lazy ones, and it has indeed been evidence of my recent decline in enthusiasm over this exercise... I'm a little tired of it now. And I've come to think that perhaps it is a type of self-indulgence... Throwing one's personal views up into cyber space for others to read, and, we hope, be influenced or intrigued by...

Thank you Sarah, Hayden, Lisa, Jennifer for your admirable consistency in reading and commenting. And thanks to the others who would pop by now and then.

Fourteen months isn't too bad.

TIMES SQUARE LIVE

2006-07-12T22:21:00.000+09:30

Observe New York's Times Square, from a selection of different live camera angles...

www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/

Also, London...

http://www.earthcam.com/uk/england/london/index.php?cam=trafalgarsq

Visit http://www.earthcam.com/ for the rest...

2006-07-10T16:40:00.000+09:30

The lovely Naomi...

CNNNN: On the streets of America...

2006-06-28T12:35:00.000+09:30

This is very very funny. I'm glad I found this, I remember seeing it on TV a couple of years ago.

First, a member of the Chaser team goes around the streets of America claiming to be the Australian PM.
"It's just so nice to be recognised."

Second, Americans are asked who they should invade next. They're also asked to point those countries out on a map...

Third, more questions about killings and invasions...

(I understand that CNNNN would have been very selective in their editing. I know they would have encountered plenty of sensible people... But these responses are hilarious. And disturbing.)

Coincidence? Or am I just really influential?

2006-06-26T21:18:00.000+09:30

Ha...Very interesting. I just then came across this article by an American columnist, suggesting that Bush retire to Baghdad - pretty much what I said on my June 18 post. And this article was published on June 19... So I reckon this blog draws a wider readership than I thought it did... Either that or it's just a really good idea for George that everyone's suddenly thought of! Or maybe I'm getting a little carried away...

Anyway, he articulates the proposal much better than I did...

Here 'tis...

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/jun/19/bush_should_retire_baghdad/

Tom Tomorrow

2006-06-26T18:21:00.000+09:30

More of Tom Tomorrow's work can be found at www.michaelmoore.com. There are some really good ones...

Probably best to click-to-enlarge this one...
(Very interestingly, this was originally published in October 2002)

It'll be Howard v Beazley in '07

2006-06-23T12:21:00.000+09:30

Well, I have on a couple of occasions expressed my desire to see Julia Gillard (or Kevin Rudd) elevated to leader of the federal Labor Party. I still believe that a third shot for the prime ministership by Mr. Beazley is a bit ridiculous. Admittedly though, he probably is one of perhaps only two or three Labor Party members who actually could stand a chance of winning.

It seems pretty clear now that Kim Beazley will lead Labor to the next election, due next year. And I am going to now predict, as many others are, that John Howard will lead the government to the polls to seek another victory. There is no sign of Howard winding down, nor any real sign of Costello begining to step up. And the next election isn't really that far away.

Giving credit where it's due, Beazley is starting to look a little stronger. I don't know what the current public surveys are indicating, but I think Labor is beginning to emerge from the dire straits they've been in over the past months. Talk of possible leadership challenges has died down. Internal disagreements, though they no doubt continue, are not being scrutinised to the same degree by the media (which seems to have a short attention span sometimes). And a stance has finally been taken - on Australian Workplace Agreements. Certainly, it's only one of many issues on which Labor needs to establish a clearer alternative, but AWAs are a particularly important subject for Australians in this time of pretty major industrial relations changes.

We need a change of government in 2007. And I don't want that to sound like an opinion from a merely biased standpoint. At the next election, it will be almost twelve years since the Howard clan came to power. Twelve years! So we can hardly blame them for being an arrogant bunch. Think what you like about the Howard-Costello management of the economy, this government has a lot to answer for as far as the social health of this nation. Not to mention the way in which they handled issues such as the GST, Telstra, civil liberties, children-overboard, the ABC, Iraq, the AWB, and universities (see Sarah's recent post about UQ's Schonell theatre).

Now that it appears that Kim will lead the alternative government to the next election, I should stop ranting on about Jules and Kev, shouldn't I? Yep. Beazley has my support. Let the good times roll.

Ellen DeGeneres

2006-06-22T10:59:00.000+09:30

I found a very nice video clip of a chat between Hillary Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres on a ferry in New York City. Hillary seems to have quite a presence about her, not to mention a heck of a lot of people surrounding her in this clip... NYC is definately somewhere I'd like to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q15foJaQ-MM

On the subject of Ellen DeGeneres, here's another video clip: of Meryl Streep on her show, Ellen, during which they play a very amusing accent game...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA6irrNriOQ

Meryl as Miranda

2006-06-20T22:35:00.000+09:30

The definition of sophistication.

Couldn't help myself, I had to put these up...!

The Devil Wears Prada

Images from www.simplystreep.com

Due in September...

2006-06-18T23:31:00.000+09:30

www.devilwearspradamovie.com

The trailer is disappointing, and reveals very little. But I nonetheless am looking forward to this...

Let them finish what they started. On location.

2006-06-18T15:35:00.000+09:30

It's theirs to clean up.....

An immeasurable number of human beings have been killed as a result of decisions made by these men. As a result of their lies and manipulation. Why they are still in power beats me. How they can still smile is beyond my comprehension. I don't know... Maybe the act of mass murder isn't as bad as I thought it was.

After they leave political office, George W. Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard should not be permitted a peaceful retirement, making the odd speech and attending the odd book-launching or opening ceremony. Their retirement homes should be in Baghdad or Kabul. And each day, they can get out there and help rebuild the communities and the lives shattered as a result of their pointless crusade.

They started it. And we shouldn't let them bugger off to some luxury villa, making someone else clean up their mess.

Randomonium II

2006-06-15T20:22:00.000+09:30

Hillary Update

2006-06-06T23:47:00.000+09:30

Hillary has drawn criticism for her remarks over the way the U.S. House of Representatives is being run by the Republicans. The Democrats currently lack majorities in both the House and the Senate (hence the lack of feasibility of a Bush impeachment right now). But the elections are this year, and a very strong chance is held by the Dems to regain control and start getting things done.

The specific comment was:

"When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I'm talking about."

(The audience she was addressing was mostly black. As a result, the comment has been described by some as racist. And throwing in her two-bobs' worth, Laura Bush said the remark was "ridiculous". Defending the Senator, among others, have been Al Sharpton and Barack Obama.)

Here's a video of the fairly brief speech. You can see in this clip why some people describe Hillary Clinton as an "angry" person - a trait perhaps not ideal for a presidential candidacy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVaEuE90ifg&search=hillary%20clinton

And here's her response to the criticism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB66wwiTifY&search=hillary%20clinton%20stands%20by

Also making the sparks fly was when Hillary pretty much stated the obvious...

"I predict to you that this administration will go down in history as one of the worst that has ever governed our country."

____________________________________________

Also in Hillary World, the state of the Clintons' marriage is again under scrutiny. The New York Times conducted a study of their diaries, discovering that they spend an average of 14 days per month together... This was supposed to be a shock... And yes, some people did carry on about it. What? Just 14 days??

Personally, I reckon 14 days is pretty good. In fact, it's more than I would have thought, considering he's a jet-setting former president and she's a New York senator.

Happy with the Opposition

2006-06-05T21:32:00.000+09:30

On at least two occasions, pre-health crisis, I've heard Premier Beattie say something along the lines of "Well, as far as we're concerned, we're very happy with the Opposition".

We're happy, in other words, to have crap competition: an Opposition that should probably get used to the idea of being an Opposition.

We all know about the challenges that Team Beattie has faced during recent times. Very heavy criticism has come from around the entire country. The health system of this state remains a mess, and a lot of work is still needed. Some pretty disconcerting things have been revealed over the past year or so.

And, although some would argue me on this point, the Beattie Government remains all-but-unbeatable. Yep, approval ratings dropped for a while there. Newspapers were filled with pictures of frowning Petes. Talk-back radio stations received non-stop calls from Beattie-bashers. And yet! Mr. Springborg, in true Beazley-esque fashion, never came across as a genuine alternative for leader. He called for resignations, inquiries, investigations, revolts, the lot. And did he at any point allow us to imagine him sitting on the Speaker's right? Well, for me, it's a big fat NOPE.

Now, Springborg and Quinn - in somewhat comical fashion - have embarrassed themselves in front of the nation. Honestly, I could have put money on it. That whole "New Liberals" thing was doomed from the start - our omnipotent Prime Minister was opposed to it. It's difficult not to giggle, thinking about the grinning Lawrence and Bob, giving vague answers to questions that required detailed answers. They were confident. They were united. Hehe...for a couple of days, yeah.

I admit that the love affair between Beattie and the public/media is probably over. He looks a little tired, a little worn. He has lots of work to do yet. But defeat at the next election is almost impossible to fathom. He'll be Premier as long as he wants to. Reminds me of a certain John...

I reckon Beattie is a good guy. (A little more leftiness would be nice, but, this is sadly a big ask for most Labor politicians these days.) I like him, though I can't say the same for his cabinet members, some of whom are really not switched-on. And we should remember that this government was not the cause of the health mess. They were certainly not doing enough about it and made a lot of mistakes. But this was a problem - out of public view - during Queensland's previous governments. There's really no way to doubt that.

Though I've not heard him say it lately, I'm sure Peter Beattie remains happy with the Opposition.

Premier Springborg... Hmmm, sort of like an oxymoron, wouldn't you say?

Jamiroquai

2006-06-05T20:18:00.000+09:30

I've been a Jamiroquai fan for a few years. Over the last couple of weeks, I've been listening to some music from their earlier albums. And I tell you, they have supplied us with what is surely some of the funkiest/grooviest music ever produced. Anyone who hasn't heard Jamiroquai (well, more than just what's played on the radio) must get on to doing so. I challenge you to keep your entire body completely still whilst listening.

Here are some of my personal favourites.

Soul Education
When You Gonna Learn?
Emergency On Planet Earth
Seven Days in Sunny June
Travelling Without Moving
Cosmic Girl
Love Foolosophy
Don't Give Hate A Chance
Time Won't Wait
So Good to Feel Real

Getting local for a minute...

2006-05-30T22:39:00.000+09:30

Queen Street Mall. The middle. The newsagent, the Hungry Jack's that insane people buy food from, the place where policemen stand around and chat. You know the area? Well, just to the left of the photos above...

I couldn't find a photo of it, but recently completed in that spot is the refurbished public toilets. Work was being done there for quite some time. You couldn't see in to find out what they were doing. I'd assumed they were getting rid of the public toilets, which no person in their right mind ever entered. Some public art, maybe? A small take-away coffee store?

I was wrong. The public toilets remain. And it looks ten times worse than it did before. Who the fark designed this piece of shit? Concrete. Drab concrete. Walls of it, as well as on the ground. With green dots throughout. And, it looks custom-made for the dregs. I'm in the city almost every day, and it's become not only a major eye-sore in the dead-centre of town, but a gathering spot for undesirables. I've seen them call out comments to passers-by, ride around on the wheelie-bin (which has taken up a permanent place there), and contribute to their apparent goal to create a cigarette-butt hill.

What a disaster. The design is pure shit. And now the offscourings have a perfect spot for occupation - right in the middle of the mall, which, let's face it, is Brisbane city.

I accept that people have a right to sit/stand wherever they want, for however long they want. But what can I say? I guess my views change when I'm in the Queen Street Mall. I become a hypocrite, given. I become a little conservative, even. People will stand outside that Hungry Jack's for hours, and they won't move an inch for a soul. Get the hell out of the way and go find a life, people. It looks really really bad. (And they're usually either try-hard homies or 16-year-old girls who think it's 2016).

And these refurbished toilets have only enlarged the joke that Brisbane city often tends to be.

(I promise the old fogy in me will be gone by the next post...)

London's Daily Mirror...after the 2004 result

2006-05-29T21:37:00.001+09:30

I particularly like the "US Election Disaster", down the bottom... What a headline!

Massacre

2006-05-28T19:59:00.000+09:30

There's a very disturbing story that's come out of Iraq, of U.S. Marines having shot and killed twenty-four unarmed civilians - including women and children - in their homes, last November. The details are pretty horrific and revolting.

Details of the incident, and the subsequent investigation after the revelation this month...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1198862,00.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060527.IRAQ27/TPStory/TPInternational/Africa/
http://www.progressiveu.org/032415-marines-slaughter-children-in-iraq

Here's what Moby had to say about it...

May 27, 2006

on november 19th marines in haditha killed innocent men, women, and children in response to a lance corporal who had been killed in a suicide bombing.the marines apparently shot, in cold blood, the women and children who were trying to shield their husbands and sons.

that's it. we have no more moral authority in the world. we, the united states, have squandered any moral authority that we ever had. the war in iraq should end tomorrow and the troops should come home and we as americans should apologize to the world for entering into this disastrous and bloody quagmire. america needs to do a moral inventory upon itself, and enter into a period of humility and contrition.

george bush should apologize to the world and say, 'we're bringing our troops home. these men and women have been asked to serve in unspeakably brutal conditions and in service of a war that was started on lies and falsehoods. we will fund the iraqi government as it puts it's security forces in order, but the troops are coming home. and i, as the president, apologize to the to the troops, to the iraqis, to my fellow americans, and to the world for ever starting this bloody and disastrous war.'

when i hear stories about americans killing innocent civilians in cold blood it makes me deeply saddened and ashamed to be an american citizen.

http://www.moby.com/journal

Kate Bush

2006-05-25T23:07:00.000+09:30

About six months ago, I discovered Kate Bush. I'd heard of her before, knew she was a singer, but was not familiar with any of her work as such. The Weekend Australian carried a large feature article on her (either late last year or earlier this year) after the release of her latest album, Aerial. I read the article, and decided to learn more about her and hear her music. She's now one of my favourite artists. She has a magical voice, and her songs are very creative and, well, very different to anything the mainstream radio stations play.

She was 'discovered' by David Gilmour, a member of Pink Floyd, emerging in the late 1970s with her debut album, The Kick Inside (1978). This album featured one of her better-known songs, Wuthering Heights - an exhilarant number. Her music videos are quite abstract and interpretive. They are really very unlike anything that is made today. The ones I've seen take no use of any over-the-top special effects or extravagent sets. Here's a couple...

Wow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKh-HhzMXGE&search=kate%20bush

Babooshka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz07Hf5htfY&search=kate%20bush%20babooshka

The lyrics to Wow - a superb song that I would recommend to the ears of all - have me intrigued. It seems to hint to pretense, competition and homosexuality in the acting industry.

We're all alone on the stage tonight, We've been told we're not afraid of you,
We know all our lines so well, ah-ha, We've said them so many times,
Time and time again, Line and line again.
"Ooh yeah, you're amazing,We think you're incredible"
You say we're fantastic
But still we don't head the bill

Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow
Unbelievable

When the actor reaches his death, You know it's not for real
He just holds his breath
But he always dives too soon, Too fast to save himself
He'll never make the screen, He'll never make "The Sweeney", Be that movie queen
He's too busy hitting the Vaseline.
“Ooh yeah you're amazing,We think you are really cool"
"We'd give you a part my love,But you'd have to play the fool.”

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW,
Unbelievable.

Kate Bush is not for everyone. She may even be an acquired taste as far as music goes. But it's her originality, and her incredible voice, that make her a pretty amazing artist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Bush

Greer on Aborigines

2006-05-22T21:10:00.000+09:30

The front page of The Australian today has this article,

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19213838-601,00.html

highlighting the problem of overcrowding in the houses of Aboriginal communities. The photograph, which I can't seem to find on the Internet, displays a very unpleasant kitchen in a three-bedroom house occupied by ten people - apparently commonplace in the communities concerned. In my eyes, it is a problem. But then the issue of interference arises. Are Aborigines happy to live in conditions that we ourselves would refuse to be subjected to? I for one do not think so. But, who am I to know?

Where should the governments of this country draw the line? I have no strong stance on what the approach to Aborigines should be, the reason being that I simply do not know what the answers are. But Germaine Greer said something to Andrew Denton on Enough Rope in 2003 that really got me thinking, and it's stayed with me since.

GG: ...we agonise about Aborigines, but we still think of them as our problem.

AD: And what are they?

GG: They're themselves. We're their problem. And WE are the problem that WE can solve.

AD: And how do we solve it?

GG: Well, I'm saying, "Think." Think about different ways of doing things. Think about a different set of priorities. We keep raising… Every 10 years we have a new solution for the Aborigines. We've driven them half-mad with our mad solutions.

We're going to be separatists. We're going to be integrationists. We're going to be…we're going to load you with money, then jump all over you because you don't know how to spend it. We'll give you our own nominees to run your society, then we're going to tell you that they're corrupt. Well, why do you think they got the job in the first place? This is Australia. Jesus! And the unfortunate Aborigines are just saying, "Listen, we…you give us a new set of forms to sign every five years, and we've done it. We've played every game."

It's just unspeakable, the misery we put these people through. Stop thinking about them as our problem to solve. Try a really novel thing, try leaving them alone! And instead look at why we first of all deny our closeness to them, deny the extent to which they've interpenetrated our society, so that it's a big startlement, you know, when a popular talk show host turns out to have history, everyone goes, "Oooh, oooh, oooh," as if he's suddenly grown horns. There's much more interpenetration between our communities than people are prepared to admit.

We are alike, but I would rather think of us as an Aboriginal nation than as of some sort of mad colonial country with zoos for the containment of the original inhabitants.

Robert & Robert

2006-05-21T10:18:00.000+09:30

An interesting clip & a funny clip.

Clip 1: Robert Reford on Larry King Live in his capacity as an environmental activist, discussing alternatives to oil and promoting the 'Kick the Oil Habit' campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6MWoVZyh58&search=larry%20king

Clip 2: Robert DeNiro on Saturday Night Live, as the homeland security spokesperson. He names suspected terrorists the U.S. are tracking down, such as Graabir Boubi and Haid D'Salaami.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHT9XVMW3LE&search=de%20niro%20