Was that the question running through Nattie’s mind last night?
If so, then I’m sure she is hoping for something edible.
What will Nattie get for Christmas? I’ll be sure to provide photos after she receives them.
Samuel
(Yes, this was just an excuse to run a picture of Nattie…did you really see through it that quickly?)
December 24th, 2007 at 12:42pm
…and perhaps the most useless scientific study of the year.
TWO scientists studying at the Australian National University are part of an international team that has discovered the Milky Way galaxy actually spins in different directions.
In their paper to be published in the journal Nature, the scientists describe how the outer edge of the Milky Way, the halo, is made up of two components that rotate in opposite directions.
(Source: Herald Sun: Milky Way ‘likes it both ways’)
Can anybody explain to me why we are funding studies like this when we could be using that funding to find a cure for cancer or any number of other medical ailments?
Samuel
4 comments December 13th, 2007 at 10:37am
Either that or the door to the lunatic asylum have been left open and unguarded.
An academic says nations need to cut greenhouse pollution by 50 per cent by 2025 and 100 per cent by 2050 .. to avoid climatic disaster.
Climate change researcher IAN MCGREGOR says the kind of emissions cuts being discussed at the UN conference in Bali would not avert catastrophic climate change.
Mr MCGREGOR .. from Sydney’s University of Technology .. says the recent dramatic melting of ice in the Arctic shows the world’s in greater trouble than originally thought.
Somebody’s been paying a bit too much attention to Lachlan Connor’s policies.
First it’s the Melbourne taxi drivers wanting to be immune from demerit points, then New South Wales transport minister John Watkins informs everyone of his delusion that Morris Iemma can’t be run over by a bus because of the marvellous job he is doing as transport minister, then Western Australia’ Corrective Services Minister launchers her own branch of mathematics, and now this. Did somebody fly me to a different planet while I was sleeping?
Honestly, some days on this planet should just be skipped.
Samuel
1 comment December 7th, 2007 at 02:44pm
Western Australia’ Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk declares that 7 + 5 + 5 = 31
DRUG trafficker Holly Deane-Johns has landed back at Perth Airport after seven years in a Thai jail for heroin trafficking. She’ll serve the rest of her jail term in WA.
[..]
Deane-Johns — convicted in 2003 in Thailand for heroin possession and trafficking after trying to mail 10.4 grams of the drug to Australia three years earlier — has so far served seven years of a 31-year sentence.
[..]
She will serve five years in prison and five years on parole unless the King of Thailand pardons her, in which case she is likely to be immediately freed.
Has something been put in the nation’s water supply today?
Samuel
December 7th, 2007 at 02:36pm
The order from New South Wales transport minister to bus drivers in the state is clear, no running over the premier:
Deputy NSW premier JOHN WATKINS denies any deal has been done .. for him to take over from MORRIS IEMMA.
Mr WATKINS says he has no ambitions for the top job .. and he doesn’t think he’ll ever be premier.
Asked what would happen if Mr IEMMA got hit by a bus .. Mr WATKINS said that won’t happen .. because he’s transport minister.
Considering Mr. Watkins’ amazing track record of making train drivers adhere to timetables, I’d be keeping clear of bus lanes if I was Morris Iemma.
Samuel
December 7th, 2007 at 02:21pm
An email has been forwarded to me which purports to be from “The Victorian Taxi Driver’s Association with support of taxi drivers of Melbourne”, the email claims that taxi drivers in Melbourne will be striking on Monday. I’m not sure if the email is legitimate or not as I have, so far, been unable to find any news stories about the planned strike, but I thought it would be worthwhile sharing it with you as some of the aims of the strike are rather amusing.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
This is to inform you, and all the people concerned, that
we the taxi drivers of Melbourne are going on a peaceful “taxi protest ” on
Monday 10th Dec from 3.00 p.m onwards at the steps of Parliament House on
Spring Street against the authorities who manage ,regulate and bully taxi
industry. We were promised a number of solutions 16 months ago but its
highly regrettable that none of them have actually been implemented. Hence
we were left with no option but to go for protests once again .Please make sure that necessary traffic alterations are made in advance.
Any inconvenience caused to general public is regrettable .
Victorian Taxi Drivers Association with support of taxi drivers of Melbourne
Attached to the email is the following document, outlining the aims of the strike.
TAXI PROTESTS
ON
Mon 10th DECEMBER 2007
At
3:30 PM onwards
Venue: Corner of Spring Street, and Bourke Street.
TREAT TAXI DRIVERS AS “HUMAN BEINGS”
To pressurise Govt. to fulfill the following demands of Taxi Drivers and Taxi Operators
Pressurise the government? “Pressure” perhaps? I’m pretty sure that turning the government in to either a balloon or a marking on a synoptic chart isn’t going to achieve much.
1. Stop the dictatorial powers of Depots such as 13 Cabs for imposing harsh and inhuman penalties such as “Two Hour Recall Penalty” and other unjustified harsh monetary penalties. A two hour penalty literally destroys the whole day income of taxi driver. Maximum penalty should be half an hour. NO MORE BULLYING OF DRIVERS BY MONOPOLISTIC TAXI DEPOTS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.
2. Monitoring by VTD not just of drivers, but also of service provider depots such as 13 Cabs and Silver Top. (We were promised this by Mr. Peter Batchelor on 15th Aug last year at Flemington Racecourse, but no action till now)
A deal struck at Flemington race course? It sounds a bit suspicious to me.
3. A six month trial of Safety Measures was announced on 15th Aug last year. Sixteen months have passed, but driver safety and security still remains neglected. We want results and not just trials. No one should have a problem with Detachable Safety Screens.
I can’t see any problem with safety screens, but how much do they cost and who will fund them? The taxi industry, to the best of my knowledge, is a private industry. Surely if the taxi drivers are so interested in safety screens they would be willing to purchase and install them themselves. I would have thought that the cost of such devices would be quite small when compared to the cost of purchasing and operating a taxi.
If, on the other hand, there is some legislation which prevents the installation of such devices, then I can understand the protest.
4. No constructive input yet from Victorian Multi Cultural Commission to reduce racism against taxi drivers. RACISM is a curse on Victorian Society.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission can produce as many reports as they like…none of them will reduce racism. Racism is an attitude issue, not something a bit of paper can solve.
5. Mandatory upfront payment during hours of 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM on all days, to reduce Taxi Runners (If 9,000 runners a week are too less to wake up Government). This will also help curb racism and violence against taxi drivers.
I have no problem with up-front payments, especially during those hours. It would help prevent “runners” and probably help prevent some violence, but I can’t see how it is related to racism…I have never met anyone who chooses whether or not to pay a taxi driver based on their nationality. It would appear to me that racism is just a pet topic of this group and they are just trying to link as many things as they can to it.
6. Assaults on Taxi Drivers should be punishable in the same manner as assaults on other public transport workers. (We also come under ministry of Public Transport, and there are at least 400 cases of reported assaults on taxi drivers every year. Are they a bit too less to wake the sleeping government)
“A bit too less to wake the sleeping government”? Who wrote this?
For what it’s worth I agree with them, but their grammatical errors don’t help their cause, especially in a public document.
7. Fare increases to match inflation. (1% fare increase is a Joke).
8. Stop undue favoritism to Cab charge and City Link.
9. Drivers to get a 3% share on EFTPOS charges. Stop the EFTPOS regime.
10. Drivers to get 3% share on Account Booking Charges.
11. Tolls on taxis went straight up from $2.20 to $3.50 and from $3.85 to $5.60. Unjustified increment of approx 50 %. Stop the TOLLS regime.
12. Depot fess should increase in the same manner as Taxi Fares. Otherwise it is totally unjustified for taxi operators. VTA should not get any share from the taxi depot fees. Depot fees are unrealistically high and should be reduced. Share to VTA puts unnecessary burden on Operators. Depot fees should be justified by the services provided.
13. Increase in Taxi Rank Spaces. Taxi rank spaces should match the number of taxis on Road. SAVE THE TAXI INDUSTRY FROM PARKING FINES, Stop the PARKING FINES regime.
At each taxi rank or as a collective? Either way, that is insanity. Even if we ignore the fact that they are requesting a change in the number of taxi ranks every time a taxi is commissioned or decommissioned, surely taxi rank spaces should depend on the demand in a particular area, and the space available, not an arbitrary number.
14. Re introduce the NEW YEARS EVE surcharge. Otherwise, NO taxis will be on road on New Year’s Eve.
Blackmail. I don’t know why the surcharge was removed or what its purpose was in the first place, but I can’t see the point in bringing it back. The taxi industry already has a public holiday surcharge, why should they have a “night before the public holiday” surcharge?
15. Increase the driver facilities at Melrose Drive Holding Area at Melbourne Airport.
16. District Destinations to be logically modified to make it practically applicable on Road.
I’m sure that means something, but could somebody translate it in to English please?
17. Clear laws to be made for TAXI DRIVER CHANGE OVER.
And finally, the most laughable request of the lot.
18. Demerit points incurred while driving taxi should not affect the personal demerit points of taxi drivers.
So taxi drivers should be allowed to speed, run red lights and commit various other traffic offences on the basis that they are driving a taxi? And on what planet would the rest of us be safe?
BE THERE FOR YOUR RIGHTS
BRING AS MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS YOU CAN.
IF OUR DEMANDS ARE NOT MET, ANOTHER ROUND OF PROTESTS WILL BE ON NEW YEARS EVE.
Ah well, plenty of their “rights” (or “delusions” as many of them could be more accurately described) won’t be met, especially not the 18th one, so if you are intending on requiring transport on New Years Eve in Melbourne, you might just have to wait for the next train…or an escort in the back of a police van.
Samuel
December 7th, 2007 at 06:09am
It could very well be a sign of where Telstra are headed, American telecommunications company AT&T plan to remove all their payphones over the course of the coming year.
AT&T will continue to provide wholesale payphone services, so other companies will be able to cash in on AT&T’s exit, but if it’s good enough for AT&T, then I do have to wonder what the future has in store for Telstra’s payphones.
Thankfully, for the moment at least, Telstra have to adhere to a minimum standard known as the Universal Services Obligation, although the more I look into it, the less confidence I have in the USO’s ability to make Telstra do anything, especially after the government department responsible for the USO, the Department of Broadband, Communications and The Digital Economy (who names these things?) wrote this (page 15):
As currently drafted, this regulatory framework is quite flexible, and commits Telstra to ‘all reasonable efforts’ to provide a payphone and gives it discretion in weighing up the relevant factors.
That document shows a decline in the number of payphones by nearly 25% between 2000/2001 and 2005/2006 (although the actual dates on that are ambiguous).
Telstra normally receive a bit of a public backlash whenever they announce the removal of payphones, so I would be surprised if they were as bold as AT&T in announcing a removal of all payphones in the next year, or in any timeframe…but when I consider that their propaganda website nowwearetalking.com.au has an entire section devoted to extolling the virtues of their payphone service, I just have to wonder what they are capable of.
The precedent has been set, I can only hope it is not followed.
Samuel
5 comments December 5th, 2007 at 11:35am
In chronological order, here are the four main speeches of the election.
Firstly, an ecstatic Maxine McKew’s speech where she doesn’t quite claim victory over John Howard in the seat of Bennelong (Note: the host broadcaster for this audio had to cut to another event, so this is missing roughly the last minute of Ms. McKew’s speech)
[audio:https://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/2007FederalElection-MaxineMcKew.mp3]
Download link
Next up Peter Costello’s victory speech for his seat, where he avoids mentioning John Howard, and avoids mentioning the Liberal leadership.
[audio:https://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/2007FederalElection-PeterCostello.mp3]
Download link
Then John Howard’s graceful, statesman-like concession speech. This is the speech John Howard will be remembered for.
[audio:https://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/2007FederalElection-JohnHoward.mp3]
Download link
And last, but definitely not least, Kevin Rudd’s victory speech. It may have been reminiscent of a shopping list, but Kevin Rudd has every right to be proud of his comprehensive victory.
[audio:https://samuelgordonstewart.com/wp-content/2007FederalElection-KevinRudd.mp3]
Download link
Samuel
November 25th, 2007 at 02:01am
Labor: 72 seats
Coalition: 47 seats
Independent: 2 seats
Still to be decided: 29 seats
Congratulations to Kevin Rudd and Labor on an emphatic victory. They have clearly gained the support of the vast majority of Australians and therefore deserve to be in power. I’m obviously disappointed because I disagree with Labor on a number of issues, but so be it. As I said after I voted yesterday, I am but one person in a country of millions.
My prediction of a coalition victory by two seats was very wrong, and as such I owe 2CC’s Mike Welsh a Mars Bar.
I’ve got to say that I’m not disappointed by the results in the ACT house of representatives seats. I would have preferred to see at least one seat change hands, but it was always unlikely. The good news is really in the ACT senate where two very effective senators, Labor’s Kate Lundy and The Liberal’s Gary Humphries kept their seats, and nutcase a person who has always appeared to me as being a bit of a nutcase, Green Kerrie Tucker, did not get a seat.
I thought John Howard’s concession speech was very graceful and a great way to end a wonderful career. I thought Kevin Rudd’s victory speech sounded like a shopping list, but I’m not going to judge him on it…Kevin has a parliamentary term ahead of him, and I’m sure his performance will be better than his speeches.
The media coverage was interesting. I thought 2UE did a great job examining the results as they came in, and did a very good job of keeping an eye on what the three free-to-air television broadcasters had to say. Also a congratulations is in order for 2CC and their local updates which were very good.
I’m going to miss John Howard. I strongly believe that he will go down in history as one of the greatest prime ministers this country has ever seen. As for who will take his place, Peter Costello may be the immediate successor, but I believe it will either be Malcolm Turnbull or Joe Hockey leading the party to the next election.
There is one thing that concerned me in Kevin Rudd’s speech…his comment about “the great trade union movement”. For somebody who has been distancing himself the unions, I find this comment odd. As long as it is not the start of the return to union control of Labor, and therefore the start of Peter Garrett’s promised change of policies, I’ll be happy.
I wish Kevin Rudd and federal Labor all the best for their term. I hope that they govern well, keep the country strong, and act in the interests of the vast majority of Australians.
I am reminded of something I said to Grods Corp back when Kim Beazley was Labor leader.
I would much rather see Kevin Rudd as leader as I think he has some leadership potential… although he needs to work on his interview technique as he is a bit repetitive and long-winded and therefore self-defeating through sheer boredom when left to babble.
It still seems incredibly accurate, even if I do say so myself!
One thing which stands out for me is the performance of Maxine McKew. If things go well for her I think she will, one day, be the prime minister of this country, and I think she will do a very good job.
I also think her victory in Bennelong will herald a new era for the Liberals. The old guard (Peter Costello, Alexander Downer, Phillip Ruddock and, to some extent, Tony Abbott) are hopefully out, and by the next election we will see a new, fresh Liberal party.
Anyway, the people have spoken and we have a new Labor government.
As such, the song for Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard is “We’ve Only Just Begun” by The Carpenters.
We’ve only just begun to live,
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way.
We’ve only begun.Before the rising sun we fly,
So many roads to choose
We start out walking and learn to run.
And yes, we’ve just begun.Sharing horizons that are new to us,
Watching the signs along the way,
Talking it over just the two of us,
Working together day to day
Together.And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow,
And yes, we’ve just begun.Sharing horizons that are new to us,
Watching the signs along the way,
Talking it over just the two of us,
Working together day to day
Together, together.And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow,
And yes, we’ve just begun.
Samuel
7 comments November 25th, 2007 at 12:48am
Federal (74% counted)
Labor: 72 seats
Coalition: 47 seats
Independent: 2 seats
29 still to be decided.
ACT and surrounds seats
Canberra (74% counted)
Labor: 51%
Liberal: 35%
Greens: 13%
Eden-Monaro (74% counted)
Labor: 45%
Liberal: 43%
Greens: 7%
Acacia Rose (Ind): 2%
Christian Democratic Party: 1%
Fraser (73% counted)
Labor: 52%
Liberal: 31%
Greens: 13%
Democrats: 2%
Kerri Taranto (Ind): 1%
Hume (76% counted)
Liberal: 48%
Labor: 39%
Greens: 8%
Christian Democratic Party: 2%
Family First: 2%
ACT Senate
Labor: 40.72% (1.22 effective quotas)
Liberal: 34.07% (1.02 effective quotas)
Greens: 21.91% (0.65 effective quotas)
Democrats: 1.74% (0.05 effective quotas)
Bennelong (77% counted)
Labor: 46%
Liberal: 45%
Greens: 5%
November 24th, 2007 at 11:54pm
Kevin Rudd acknowledges John Howard’s contribution to the nation, and wishes him and Janette all the best for the future.
“The future, the future, the future”
Kevin Rudd thanks Australia for voting for him and his team, and promises to never take Australia’s trust for granted.
A lot of this is regurgitated from previous speeches, and there doesn’t seem to be much content here…nearly five minutes of “I will represent all Australians, here are all the categories”.
Kevin Rudd wants to get rid of the “old battles” between various interest groups…but he wants to “forge a consensus”, how do you force people to agree with each other.
“The future, the future”
Reads the headlines of the policy list.
“Build a 21st century infrastructure for a 21st century economy” (Huh???)
More cliches and headlines
“The task ahead will not be an easy one”.
Kevin wants to “prosecute” his agenda…implement perhaps Kevin?
“Hello to the US, and Asia, and Europe, and beyond”.
Thanks his electorate.
“My local community is the rock on which everything else is built”.
More from the policy sheet.
Thanks the Labor supporters for keeping the faith.
Gives special mention to asbestos sufferer and campaigner Bernie Banton…and uses it to (alarm bells) mention “the great trade union movement”. I thought we were distancing ourselves from the unions? Peter Garrett’s promised backflip starting already?
Thanks Julia Gillard.
Thanks Wayne Swan.
Thanks his team.
Thanks Labor president John Faulkner.
Thanks the campaign team.
Thanks the supporters “one and all”.
Thanks his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff “He’s had to put with me for five years” (in a “that’s a bad thing” tone).
Thanks his wife Therese Rein, doesn’t show her as much affection as I would have thought, but does speak highly of her without ever mentioning the “love” word.
Thanks his kids individually (how much longer can this list go on for).
Thanks his entire family.
Honours the memory of his parents
“You know something”
Finally some content…perhaps…nope, more campaign stuff.
“The team”
“We have a job of work to do”
“I thank the nation”
Finally hugs and shows his wife lots of affection.
Twenty minutes of that speech…if you’re wondering why I wrote it up as a list, it’s because it was presented as one. Kevin Rudd is an awful public speaker, but hopefully he will do a good job as prime minister. I was disappointed that the speech was presented that way…perhaps he should have spoken before John Howard because the speech wasn’t as good.
I will put both speeches online later.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:29pm
Prime Minister-Elect Kevin Rudd takes to the podium to even more fanfare.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:05pm
Kevin Rudd walks in to the room to extraordinary fanfare.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:04pm
QLD Premier Anna Bligh about to introduce Kevin Rudd
November 24th, 2007 at 11:03pm
Kevin Rudd will make his campaign speech in the next few minutes. 2UE have just crashed the news while they wait for it. One does have to wonder if any of the network stations are automated and went haywire at 11pm.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:01pm
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