For start, that old stand-by at the back of the media fridge, hiding behind an opened packet of ‘Cutest Baby’ and next to the storage jar of ‘Grief For People We Didn’t Know And Have Never Heard Of’ was the old stand-by for a frenzied snack – ‘Fat Shaming’. And as always with our fierce, independent media,it spread like wildfire.
Further proof of a slow news week, was found across the media in their headlines and choice of stories … The Magpie offers a selection to dramatically, sensationally sicken you with their tragic bombshell shocks.
And happily, there’s a bit of Bentley brilliance when our man does the maths on Labor’s Housing Of Cards.
More maths failures from local Coles stores … or was it a failure. Probably soon a hundred bucks for a snack bar will be reasonable …. well, it is an organic snack.
And while we will have our regular US gallery The Magpie tidies away his collection of British drollery on the Pom’s far from funny clusterfuckery … but ya gotta laugh.
Weekly Commercial Break: Big blog administration bill plopped into the Nest this week. The ‘Pie sincerely thanks those who have contributed to these on-going overheads, and if you feel you also can help, it will be sincerely appreciated. Donate button at the end of the blog.
Now onwards we ramble.
How Does This Work?
The cowardly weasel word ‘downsizing’ started out about 20 years ago as a cynical metaphor for mass firings by rationalising – read ‘rapacious’- companies. But it has now morphed across to other parts of the economy to disguise other unpalatable actions Retired folk and empty nesters are now exhorted to be not be selfish and ‘downsize’ out of big old places to more compact arrangements. Many do, and those who don’t are made to feel guilty about being selfish despite their lifetime of hard work.
But it seems Treasurer Jim Chalmers has either downsized his calculator or graduated from the Bulletin’s Math Masters course.
Bentley took a look at the federal budget promise of boosting social housing stocks(oldsters, read housing commission homes) to accommodate a problem that will probably cure itself in two or three years anyway. But Bentley did the maths in the traditional way and discovered that the promise of $350million for 10,000 new homes turns out to be $35,000 per ‘home’, which would include architects, headworks, planning permissions and associated infrastructure. Not to mention the effects of inflation and costs over the decade span of the plan. Bentley reckons the outcome will be on the nose in more ways than one.
Oh, well, it looks flood proof.
There’s Inflation, And Then There’s Inflation
Coles dodgy maths, reported here this week …
… have moved into the world of wishful thinking. This from Nest regular The Wulguru Wonder.
The person who put on these price tags was probably reprimanded for putting up next week’s prices this week
But Some Inflation Is Just Something To Do With The Tyres On Your Ratepayer-Funded Car
If you’re a TCC councillor, rising costs are is no concern of yours.
Page 90 of the TCC annual rerort … oops, sorry, that’s report … shows why when it details some of the expenses claimed by councillors.
Maurie Soars
Printing +advertising $3,709 (like what?)
Motor vehicle costs $15,795 (around 50% higher than the other Councillors)
Anne Marie Greaney – $4,386 hospitality on whom? And where … US snowfields?)
Margie Ryder – $5757 printing +advertising (higher than the Mayors)
Mark Molochino – hospitality $7,761(a total mystery – like who?)
Mayor Hill Hospitality $9,521 (the Patriots Bikie Club must’ve raised bar prices)
The $50,000 Question
‘I’m a real estate agent, your secret is safe with me … it’s all commercial in confidence.’
Or so it seemed when the Bulletin wrote up an interesting sale out at Kirwan, a property that featured it’s own dirt bike track. The last line is a rippa.
So until the sale is registered and we look up RP data, we won’t have an inkling of the sale price … well, give or take $50,000.
But those real state wallahs are always a tight lipped bunch, hard to get a word out of them at the best of times.
But What If Other Businesses Adopted The Real Estate Model On Pricing.
Well, the funny folks at The Shovel have a good idea.
“We were surprised by the strong interest in this coffee. It certainly surpassed our expectations,” owner Mark Crawford said.
The real estate agent said he was caught unawares by the price, and was not able to secure the coffee. “I only came in here with $1.50 to spend – which is a good 20% above the upper end of what they were quoting, so I’m pretty guttered that I’ve walked out of here today without a flat white,” he said.
The café’s owner said he was unaware of sales of similar coffees in the area, which all reached between $3.50 and $4.50.
Noted Elsewhere In The Week’s Media
Is this double jeopardy, does he get two life sentences?
The Cairns Post reported on the death of a popular young fisherman in a local marina, and then a couple of days later, the paper seemed to suggest that his mates were having a delayed shot at saving him.
And our own good old Astonisher never fails to give us pause to wonder. This week, it was this story that offered was some inadvertent humour and an unanswered question.
Turns out the mystery holes are no mystery at all, the bell tower isn’t a bell tower, it is there to cover four holes ‘that let hot air out’. The ‘Pie imagines a very thoughtful arrangement for a religious establishment.
As to the other matter, The Magpie is at a loss as to what prompted reporter Daneka Hill to ask Bishop Keith Joseph the somewhat inane question ‘Where is your favourite spot?’ but the good bishop’s answer was somewhat ambiguous … he said he liked the area in front of the altar ‘because you get the cross winds’.
A crucifix that doubles as air con? Brilliant idea, really cool one, Lord.
Chewing The Fat – Again.
As the media thrashed around for something beat within an inch of its life this week, an obliging tweet popped from Magda Szubanski , breathing new life in the old stand-by, fat shaming. Magda, whose been chosen by the ABC to front a health series (no, I don’t, either), went all atwitter about something apparently nasty that someone had said about her online – but The ‘Pie suspects it was a tad more about cynically promoting the show than being upset.
And with that, our independent media was off like a hamster on a wheel.
But once this perennial subject emerges, it gets real silly real quick.
In the Townsville Bulletin this week, we read about a local woman who was whinging about doing everything about her weight but doctors were unsympathetic, saying she always felt she was being judged when she saw her GP. The story reinforced this notion, when we read:
‘It comes as a study by Juniper, a weight loss program, revealed 79 per cent of Australian women who struggle with their weight felt so judged at the doctors they were avoiding medical care — not only for weight issues, but for all health issues.’
Yes, well duh!! That’s what bloody doctors do, gals! When someone has superior knowledge of a subject and your ask their advice on that subject, you are asking them to ‘judge’.
‘Fat shaming’ is nasty and pernicious but ‘’fat enabling’ – saying it is OK to be overweight and you really don’t have to do anything but be yourself – is both dangerous and irresponsible.
Somehow, for some, ‘believe the science’ is a very selective catchcry.
The Ripple Effect
Townsville businessman Mike Abraham, who operates Partington 4-wheel Drive at the Bohle, has a front row seat to the tragedy of juvenile crime in this city. Mike has spoken publicly about the ineffective approach of our local politicians, but what galls him most of all is the unseen flow-on of what the general public only note as ‘just another car theft by the little bastards’. Through his business, he meets many people who have suffered at the hands of the criminal youth around here, and the dilatory do-nothing performance of people like Aaron Harper (Mike didn’t name names, but he really doesn’t have to, does he?)
Here’s what he has to say about what he calls the ripple effect.
The unfortunate side to being in the Auto-recycling industry is sometimes having a victim of car theft share the pain and how losing their car was so much more than just the monetary value. One lady who’s tears still haunt me told of how the ripple effect the theft of her car was a life changer in so many ways. She was woken by police shining a torch in her room after her car had been taken, and from that moment on the actions of some fun seeking joy riders resonated through her life. Her son used the car to commute daily to his job which was 50 kilometres away out west after he had recently moved back home to settle down with family. As they could not afford to buy another car straight away the lad ended up losing his job and he found himself shrinking back into the dark place he had hoped to have left behind.
A few weeks went by, and she found him getting more withdrawn and trying to shut himself off from the world and unable to shake the black dog he took his own life. Now the juveniles that stole that lady’s car may not have tied the knot but by their callous actions they supplied the rope and motivation for him to end his pain.
Unfortunately, their actions sent the ripples into this family’s world and while they would never have intended to cause this to happen it was a direct result of pulling the safety net out from under a young man’s life. The worst part is that as society we rarely talk about suicide, and it gets hidden away and remains that family secret and those left behind have to try and pick up the pieces and move on.
To many people losing their car to thieves will have a different result and each week I share their experiences as we buy what’s left behind for scrap value or recycling. Sometimes the story is so hurtful to hear I am angered by a government that has the weakest youth crime policies in the country telling us this is the best we can expect from them. With Townsville alone racking up hundreds of stolen cars this year this ladies experience is sure to be repeated in some form or another. We must find a way to stop this and fix this mess. Certainly, this lady’s son can not come back, but we owe it to him to do better!
And There’s Someone Else Who Can Do Much Better
Seems the mob who wanted to plonk down some imported criminal children in the middle of an Annandale neighbourhood have been weaving their magic in the Northern territory.
Reckon Annandale missed a bullet there (maybe literally) and the TCC owes a duty of care to residents to keep a close eye on other planned CASPA operations here. They clearly have questions to answer about competency.
Tidying Up The Tories Turmoil
Before we go to the regular US gallery this week, perhaps time to pay a visit to Old Blighty, and check out the humourist’s picnic the shambolic musical chairs of government have provided.
And such a collection would not be complete without a contribution from acidly funny pen of Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. Today, she passed judgement on the latest recycled Home Secretary, Suella Braverman: “Her sole previous cabinet experience was as Boris Johnson’s attorney general, a role with all the prestige of being Donald Trump’s STD doctor. Or, indeed, Donald Trump’s attorney general.”
And Across Those Waters
This time next week, we will know the nature and extent of the disaster awaiting Americans … and the world. Polls are suggesting the Republicans will seize control of both houses of government. The outcome doesn’t bear contemplating about, unless you think The Handmaid’s Tale is light entertainment. But there is a certain uncertainty, many clinging to the hope that sanity and decency might prevail.
But Enough Of The Trivial Stuff Like Threats To World Peace …
No, we must end with the some deeply serious good news that has frustrated us all and driven strong men to tears. Watch and learn … and feel relieved that you are not alone.
……………..
That’s the lot for this week, get stuck into comments to have your say … and the donate button to help out with the Nest’s upkeep is below.
Does Mayor Mullet know that Keith Joseph has raided her collection of purple outfits?
Pie , thanks for the heads up on Councillors expenses . I checked the page and noted Fran costs were 60% lower on average than the other Councillors clearly with ratepayers in mind and not part of a Team . Im worried about power for Christmas with two major issues at Callide Central Qld that wont be fixed until January 2023 ? . GOC ” Government owned Corporation ” failed like our hospitals / ambulance to address maintenance of equipment burnt out like some of the frontline healthcare staff .
The ‘Pie deliberately Fran’s expenses, because she had not been a councillor for the full year if memory serves, although noting they were pro rata much lower than the others mentioned. That way, The ‘Pie had hoped to discourage the dishonest baying of the Jenny kneelers.
The extent of the Callide issues are woeful. Asset sales are purported to be a good thing that creates competition which theoretically lowers prices. In reality that is a croc of shit. The sell off of our ports, airports, energy sector and a host of other entities has resulted in a gutting of these assets or a lack of spending on their upkeep. All of this so that a quick profit can be turned. However, eventually the chickens come home to roost. With reference to our energy sector, the Greta Thunberg loving environmentalists have gotten into the ears of dopey politicians looking for cheap votes and the result is a shutting down of coal fire plants which is contributing to electricity price rises. Just a short sighted gutless mob of fools. Back to the Callide issues, it hasn’t been widely reported, but it should be. The level of issues are in the extreme and should ring warning bells for the rest of the industry. Our coal is of the best quality in the world, and our emissions are minimal compared to India, China and other parts of Asia. Until a cleaner alternative is actually introduced and up and running this mentality of shutting down the coal plants or taking them offline is fucking ludicrous.
Worth noting that the management and maintenance of Townsville’s Water Treatment Plants are in the hands of Trility. Owned by China.
https://trility.com.au/beijing-enterprises-water-group-limited-finalises-the-acquisition-of-trility-group-2/
Wasn’t that mob in some sort conflict a while back, seem to remember the name? However, that said, The ‘Pie frequent call for Austra;\lia to not allow foreign entities to own our water and charge for it doesn’t apply here … Trility would be under contract just to operate the plant, not own water and set prices. Or are they?
Pie,
2 Trility work vehicles live in my patch.
Not sure what they do,but whenever I drive past,day or night,weekends or weekdays at any time,they are always in the driveway.
I doubt that they do a lot,so a good match for TCC
Trility are contractor who have the O/M contract at TCC water treatment plants. They were also doing maintenance on the bulk pipelines but got arseholed from that.
Prince – Callide is still Qld Government owned. The big problem there is that government has been pulling huge profits out of these generating companies (Callide & Stanwell) to prop up the budget every year, and the maintenance work is just not getting done.
Assuming for the moment that global warming is a fact, and that human intervention can arrest it, I object to woke zeal damaging our economy. We need cheap reliable energy to rebuild our manufacturing industry like never before, and renewables alone will NOT cut the mustard. Whether we build nuclear, hydro, gas, or coal-fired power stations, the solar and wind farms MUST be backed up by a network of on-demand energy sources. Not batteries. Unless we are talking dams (great storage of energy, thanks Malcolm Turnbull for Snowy St. 2). Tasmania had it right 50 years ago until the two Bobs (Brown and Hawke) stepped in.
Yeah, pretty ironic that Blossom Brown and The Greens were born in opposition to renewable energy. “No Dams” indeed.
Yes Grumpy, I was in Hobart when Brown and his disciples were in full flight. I could not understand why they opposed dams. Unfortunately Bob was a great orator and was able to distort the truth very convincingly. Then of course along came Hawke and the rest is history.
Tasmania has an abundance of water for it’s clean hydro power the same as the Scandanavian countries, Australia has lots of sunshine but by some freak of nature it doesn’t shine at night time, this bullshit about battery storage is light years away as is Jenny’s battery factory, Putin turned off the gas supply and now Germany is pulling down it’s useless bird killing wind farms as there is brown coal below it’s Stonehenge windmill foundations, these green/teal fantasies will be one of the worlds greatest environmental disasters if they are allowed to continue.
Well, it’s not quite as you say, you are using a highly selective and emotive manner to gloss over some pertinent facts that have absolutely nothing to do what you term ‘green/teal fantasies’. The wind farm is a mickey mouse set up of windmills with bugger all capacity of note; the decision that the coal beneath was of better use was made by the company in the face of the Ukraine War and Putin cutting off Russian gas supplies to Germany (hardly a scenario we will face here, or anywhere much else outside Europe), and the miner says it is reacting to an immediate and unforeseeable situation of social importance, indicating this is a short term fix; and the company emphasises it remains committed to phasing coal in favour of renewable by 2030.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/in-germany-a-wind-farm-is-dismantled-to-make-way-for-expanded-lignite-coal-mine/
The debate about renewables is a valid one, but if you want to be taken seriously OT, don’t try to sell a load of pants wetting incorrect tripe or your argument is immediately lost.
This reply isn’t about the renewables debate, it’s about calling out selective bullshit arguments. (The ‘Pie will offer two points of view to the argument: I still favour nuclear because we’ve got the uranium and we’ve got the space, which will rouse other pants wetters to the keyboard no doubt, probably with fallacious argument about costs of this option and the chances of a tsunami wiping out Winton or Bourke.)
And the second point is the rush and political posturing for votes is a classical example of what should go down in the text books at The Newman Fallacy … too much too soon. A more orderly phase down to renewables in Australia would have cost a minute contribution of the environmental damage, and it would’ve saved us the irritation of endless and wildly exaggerated Olympic class virtue signalling wailing Greek chorus led by Tim Flannery, Adam Bandt et al. Panic and political expediency never combine to make good policy.
Couldn’t agree more, Nuclear power is the way to go. Shove it inland where there is little impact and away from the east coast, far enough inland to avoid the very rare Cat 5 cyclones and a once in a thousand year tsunami. And speaking of tsunamis, we also don’t get the frequency and severity of earthquakes like Japan or Indonesia gets, so once again the risk of a nuclear facility I. Australia doing a Fukushima would be one in a thousand, if not more. I say build the fucking things, then scale back coal power to a lesser used option.
The ‘Pie is greatly dismayed at the negative retrograde reaction that seems to be automatically introduced into the nuclear power argument. Whether we like it or not, it is the future, and it is exciting in its versatility, especially for this country. Opposition is mostly knee-jerk reaction prompted by the truly horrendous history, from A bombs to Chernobyl. But that denies the advances in science, and while there will be opposing arguments, it is now not possible to quote safety as a reason.
Here’s a factual overview of the the current progress of the technology and its applications, not all of which are yet available, but will be in the relatively near future. It is a lengthy detailed article which should excite the flexible thinker seeking a saner future, but here is a snapshot – note the last two bullet points and think of all the communities in western Queensland, indeed in all of inland Australia that could benefit.
The World Nuclear Association lists the features of an SMR, including:
Small power and compact architecture and usually (at least for nuclear steam supply system and associated safety systems) employment of passive concepts. Therefore there is less reliance on active safety systems and additional pumps, as well as AC power for accident mitigation.
The compact architecture enables modularity of fabrication (in-factory), which can also facilitate implementation of higher quality standards.
Lower power leading to reduction of the source term as well as smaller radioactive inventory in a reactor (smaller reactors).
Potential for sub-grade (underground or underwater) location of the reactor unit providing more protection from natural (e.g. seismic or tsunami according to the location) or man-made (e.g. aircraft impact) hazards.
The modular design and small size lends itself to having multiple units on the same site.
Lower requirement for access to cooling water – therefore suitable for remote regions and for specific applications such as mining or desalination.
Ability to remove reactor module or in-situ decommissioning at the end of the lifetime.
https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-power-reactors/small-nuclear-power-reactors.aspx
Solar was never the answer, to generate sufficient power would mean we’d have to carpet 25% of Australia according to an article in today’s The Oz (behind a paywall). Solar was only ever really practical for domestic and small/to medium industry.
Nuclear is certainly viable, but the idiocy dating back to the 60’s still lingers in the narrow entrenched minds of the hippy/greenies who now infest our “leaders”.
There seems to be a very real alternative on the horizon in hydrogen as the clean and green fuel to power the generators and transport vehicles.
The elusive nut to crack, Nuclear fusion, is beginning to appear a little more promising.
But not before we get a lot of fruitcakery and nuclear con-fusion. (See what I did there?)
Achilles, you really have to subscribe to the Australian, read the articles, and importantly, understand them before you make any comments based on that site.
This isn’t the first time that you’ve invented an elaborate fantasy based on the short snippet before the paywall, but it’s impressive that you’ve completely misunderstood the summary of an article which is clearly stated twice (in the lede and image caption).
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/massive-land-use-needed-for-global-green-alternative/news-story/f0a77c326bce918db9070de231b4a33f?amp=&nk=d6d85f86d27307861812058d63a87c70-1667747156
Wait until demand management raises its ugly head Bentley, that’s going to really fuck anyone in the tropics or subtropical areas of the country. Want to run your air conditioner at peak times in the late afternoon and evening, no worries as long as you are willing to pay 2,3,4 times the standard tariff during that period. This will be done to compensate all the big power users in the country who will be paid to shut their businesses down when demand on the grid is too high, it happens already a lot more than people think, but as our once secure supply becomes less so it will become much more common. Currently the costs are offset by the market operator but as costs escalate a peak time tariff will be on the cards.
The costs aren’t offset by the market operator. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) operates on a user-pays cost recovery basis and recovers all operating costs through fees paid by industry participants, those industry participants being retailers (like Ergon retail) and large market customers like Sun Metals, amongst others. Those market participants in turn will look to recover those costs from customers. As for time of use tariffs the Qld Govt have been very clear to this point that they will not allow mandatory assignment of TOU tariffs by retailers Ergon retail in regional Qld.
Yawn. Demand management already happens with coal and gas, particularly when the plants break down, or the coal mines are flooded, or the gas prices are too high. So stop with the chicken little act.
Ducks Nuts , i am with Cankers and other experts . Callide supplies 30 % of the States energy and with summer months all across Australia you can only manage what power generation is in the system at what time and what cost . Albos $275 reduction per household per year = $27 mil a year broken promise just for Townsville per year savings .
Not to the point where it has effected retail tariffs it hasn’t, pricing is a vital part of the strategy to reduce demand, the market will have a 4- 6 hour window each day where demand is at risk of exceeding supply, part of managing that will be to raise prices during that period, with the expectation many users will simply not want to pay that price, and reduce their usage accordingly.
Cankers users will adapt to that price increase. They always do. It doesn’t mean demand will decrease immediately because of a pricing increase. It may temporarily. But they will likely reduce expenses on other things and pay the price. And eventually, when the burden becomes too much, look at ways to use the same things (lights and appliances) for less energy.
The only way to immediately make a difference is to have rolling power cuts.
Pie been busy so haven’t checked in for a while. As for crime, word is 9 houses in Summerland dve Deeragun, 1 in Silverwing ct were hit and a car stolen from Lashmar ct Deeragun in 1 night. A few nights before Burdell was targeted. Something needs to be done or this will get ugly again as emotions are rising and I note media doesn’t even bother to cover.
Love to know where Ryders material is going I haven’t seen a skerrick of it. That said have seen nothing of Damento since I have been back, he still the Hinchinbrook member??? Phil Thompson on the other hand has been quite engaging.
That said spent the arvo at Townsville Stadium at the Celebration of the Strings, hearty well done to the Barrier Reef Orchestra and the kids. There are still some diamonds in the roughs.
Stadium? Are you talking about Total Tools? All power to them if it was, but how would the acoustics work?
Or was it the Entertainment Centre?
New Basketball Stadium next to the old shed in Murray Sporting Complex. Not the Lancini monstrosity that fleeced us ratepayers.
Let’s give it a name then, to avoid any future confusion. How about Hoops Stadium.
How about “ Big Balls Stadium”
Or “Dribblers”.
Bouncers R Us?
How do we go about getting this bunch, “Honest Government Advertising” or something like that to do an exposay on the Mullet and her junta. If the link works it is a nice bit of (to use the woke ‘in’ language) truth telling about WA.
https://youtu.be/Key8y1yg2yQ
Heavy handed and blatantly one sided … but basically although selectively factual. But this mob are generally very clever at getting their message across and are always funny in their impudence. love the way they spell Australien.
Keep an eye on this bloke … you may be getting your first glimpse of the man who may well one day be the first Jewish president of the United States.
https://twitter.com/FPWellman/status/1589078956258787330?cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email
mazel tov
Slow down there Pie, the US has only just voted a Catholic back into the White House for the first time since 1960. Given the level of anti-Jewish rhetoric in the US at the moment (including from the Orange Ejit whose has Jewish grandkids), a Jewish President might just be a step too far. It is a shame though – Josh Shapiro is one of the smartest operators out there. He will be fantastic as the PA Governor.
You probably right, I mean, those Americans eh? What next, a black president …. oh, hang on a sec ….
Pie to counter your “fruitcakery and nuclear con-fusion”, we’re going to need heaps of rational de-fusion ….
another great post Pie, maybe if fat people spent more time like a “hamster on a wheel” and ate a few salads they wouldn’t be so obese.
And right there we have the problem in a nutshell, an assumption that being fat is some sort of sin against the general population . Obesity (unless morbid) is like so many other issues – being gay, being Christian, abortion, private sex lives – in that providing it is within the law, it is nobody else’s business. Exactly the same as any other medical/health issue. Want to talk about your anal warts? A casual observer is not privy to whatever emotional or mental traumas might be behind many heavy people, and it is the bottom of the pitiless barrel to make public and specifically targeted comments. Best keep such opinions to yourself, like you do about your anal warts, or own doubts about, say, your obsession with small furry animals or thinking Trump is a good bloke.
Fat enabling – actively saying it is a desirable state that does not need attention – is just as wrong as fat shaming, and those who do either must have doubts about their own human adequacy.
Well that escalated quickly
Listen and learn.
Democracy depends on, amongst other things, a clear separation of church and state. The religious right (dangerous nut jobs) with a clear and now enacted plan to infiltrate the Liberal Party is a dangerous threat to our democracy. The results of this infiltration, taken to it’s logical extreme, is clearly on view in the Failed Disunited States of America.
I wonder if the Liberal Party has the intestinal fortitude to deny the religious right any influence within the Party. They had better act now as this cancer is already established.
Phillip Thompson, are you reading this?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-07/religious-right-roadmap-infiltrate-liberal-party/101611840
The one heartening thing standing in the way of such a takeover is the fact that Australians are not as gullible or prone to be swayed by fascist infiltration as the Yanks. Yes, agree there is an attempt to seek power by the far right fascist ‘churches’ (read ‘tax dodgers’), but The ‘Pie has confidence that there are more average Aussies with active bullshit detectors than those without. Also, thanks to a healthy power hungry union movement of yesteryear, Australians, unlike the US majority once did, have never revered or been in awe of politicians, and they have always been regarded with deserved skepticism. Scummo was just the needle on this poisonous syringe, and the electorate forced its withdrawal before full injection was upon us.
There will never be a separation of church and state because religion has loads of money that is used to pay off the political parties. If the political parties shun the religious donators then they will lose the religious vote. To put it bluntly, political parties are in bed with religion, the same way they are in bed with the Murdoch’s and other elite and and influential people. The whole lot of them, religion and politicians, are thieving, lying, crooked charlatans. They deserve each other.
… but we don’t.
You would think that there would be some concern about these religious fruitcakes entering the political parties. As an example Morrison was PM and a Pentecostal and they speak in tongues and make speech sounds that even they don’t understand. Then you have the ultimate weirdo Mayor on the Gold Coast, Tom Taint, who hired a spiritual adviser (on the Council payroll) of which the two of them are trying to set up the Gold Coast as the kingdom of god. This shit has really taken a turn towards complete weirdness.
Agree, but to points: sunshine is the best disinfectant, so knowing what these crackpots are doing is better than nit being forced into the shadows to be discovered when too late. And the curative medicine is administered in the voting booth.
The bloody coppers just stood by and let the dangerous little snots run amok all night. FFS, there in lies the problem.
A few weeks ago three cars stolen from a Deniliquin caravan park, again by the snots. This is becoming an Australia wide problem.
Way too much sit down money for delinquent negligent irresponsible parents who ultimately fail their children.
Now here is a phrase that is shunned, and for which I will get much criticism for uttering, here it is,
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-07/cars-stolen-drug-alcohol-services-australia-alice-springs/101624750
Seems the Stolen Generation has been replaced by the Stealing Generation.
Pie, At least when there was a ‘stolen generation’. There was a bit more discipline and less crime.
Are you advocating a return to that government policy of forced removal of children from ALL indigenous households? And has it occurred to you that the trauma, outrage and sense of helplessness that affected three generations has so shattered some of the indigenous community that they have passed on the justified simmering resentment to the current generation? That does not excuse the lawless behaviour of these kids, or the parents, who should be punished under laws we all have to obey, but we need to be careful where we point the finger. Delinquent parents? Why have they become delinquent? Odds are the parents we deplore today were directly affected by a racist removal policy … whether it was well meaning or not is irrelevant, it was wrong. Were they part of the stolen generation?
And Ala, you inadvertently tell the truth in an ambiguous way …. yes, there was more discipline and less crime back in that era … it existed within the indigenous families until it was ripped apart by well meaning but nevertheless racist policies. And we are now reaping the wind, by being lax in punishment and rehabilitation of these kids because of political guilt.
DoK, that “solution” has been tried, the current situation is the proof of its efficacy.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Any chance of some constructive ideas? that won’t invoke the wrath of the deniers who will simply scream RACIST, which is as far as they will tread down that slippery slope.
A,
I have articulated my constructive suggestions on this blog more than once and as a witness before the Parliamentary Committee on youth crime when it was in Townsville.
Sorry, but I have no desire to repeat myself again.
WTF but I cannot understand the complete selfishness of Townsville drivers. Sitting at a Hyde Park Centre cafe last week and saw cars keep driving through the Woolcock Street/Kings Road intersection as though nothing was happening and completely ignoring an ambulance with siren blaring and lights flashing. This morning the same thing happened but this time it was two police vehicles. It’s about time the government equipped all emergency services vehicles with high definition dash cams and review the footage and issue take the licenses of these ignorant f**kwit drivers away for 12 months or more. Bet these idiots would have something to say if the blocked emergency services vehicle was on its way to save one of their family members lives or property.
Bit of over-egging the cake there, Crits, in a couple of ways. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pony up for a miniscule albeit serious problem like this, The ‘Pie would be surprised if ambulances don’t already have dashcams … for insurance if no other reason, and anyway, most roads and intersections with roundabouts and traffic lights already have cameras that coukld do the job.
But totally agree that wilful arrogance in hindering emergency vehicles should attract heavy penalties (in fact, the Qld Govt only a couple of months ago upped such fines from ‘ouch’ to ‘oh, shit’.)
Media watch seems to have got the Magpie scoop!
Well played sir
Yet another victory for the Pie:
https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/gleeso/101626086
I’d love to have been a fly on the wall at his home when Media Watch went to air on ABCTV last night.
Bad guys sometimes do lose.
Probably straight up to Noosa to hear Bazza’s reasons why he should sue the ABC … not satisfied with his Melbourne Cup windfall (Taylor own 10% of Gold Pass), our legal gouger can never resist an easily persuaded sucker.
Hmmm, wonder if how Rabeh Krayem has paid off Barry’s humungous losing fee in the aborted action against The Magpie.
News Corpse may say plagiarism is theft, but luckily Sky has no such concerns about truth or accuracy.
S aying it isn’t enough, doing. something to enforce a fair code of conduct is required.
Word on the street is that Taylor laid a 100K bet on his horse. If it’s true, he made more in three mins than you or me have in three decades.
More like ten percent of a third share.
Media Watch – Gleeson – OUCH
Ha ha ha old mate Gleeso, he who sounds like he has been sucking back helium, has taken ‘personal leave’! That actually means; “go take 4 weeks annual leave and when you come back hand in your resignation son”. What a shonk, busted big time plagiarising several news outlets. What a lazy, retarded fool. Perhaps someone will give him a job writing reviews for Avon products or something similar as that is all he is capable of doing.
Often wondered what ‘personal leave’ actually is. If you take, then of course it’s personal, nobody else can take it for you … but in reality, bit’s code for fuck off for a while and we’ll see if it blows over’.
That sounds more likely and if there’s any backlash when he comes back, they can just blame the radical left and ABC bias.
I have good news! From the Everything Townsville site I am informed that Containers for Change Qld are now accepting glass wine and spirit bottles. Oh joy! LOTS more pocket money for DoK, and perhaps others
Quick, man, hurry up , A BLOODY LINK, MY WINE CELLAR FOR A LINK. And one to superyacht sales, while you’re about it.
Hmmm! Seems Everything Townsville is a bit ahead of themselves. Not being able to find a reference to this change on the web I sent an email to Containers for Change. Below is the reply.
Reference Number 221108-000050 Subject [QLD Webform Submission from: Feedback & Enquiries] – General Enquiry Created Date 08/11/2022 09:01 AM Status Solved
Response By E-mail (Maggie) (08/11/2022 10:47 AM)
Hi David,
Thanks for your email.
These changes are currently in discussion but have not yet been finalised, and so spirit and wine bottles remain ineligible containers for the time being.
I apologise for any inconvenience or confusion.
Kind regards,
Maggie
Containers for Change
p | 13 42 42 (13 4CHANGE)
e | email hidden; JavaScript is required
w | containersforchange.com.au
Damnation!!! Keep us posted, mate.
Strewth, what is a bloke to do? On the original info I rushed out, dug out the plonk bottles and lined them up with great anticipation. Upon advice from Containers etc etc with tail between legs put said bottles back in bin.
Now it seems, (I said ‘seems’) that I should get back into the recycling bin for those bottles.
I do regret offering these honest trifles only to disappoint in the greater consequence.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-08/recycling-glass-wine-and-spirit-bottles-queensland/101630824
Not so much ‘Ummm’ as’ Ommm’.
It’s a slow news day perhaps, but didn’t know it was this slow. We’re walking backwards now.
All the elements beloved of The Daily Bizzaro are there – especially the 87-year-old ‘Lucan’ living in a Buddhist Temple outside Brisbane. So maybe it’s not so much ‘Ummm …’ as it is ‘Ommm…’.
Wonderful coincidence though … yesterday, November 7th, was the 48th anniversary of when Lucan mis-read the instructions on an iron bar and bashed the family nanny to death. He subsequently disappeared, with all the good wishes of news editors around the world for the gift of years of ‘sighting’ stories on quiet days.
Interestingly, although the pommy prof insists ‘this is not a guess, this is science and maths, it is him’, not one publication The ‘Pie can find has published the incriminating pic in unpixellated form. But one supposes it is a wise legal precaution, for as all editors know, hell hath no fury like that of an 87-year-old murdering Buddhist in the backwaters of Brisbane. Mind you, if he looked like this, you’d think he would’ve been spotted years ago, and charged with the hundreds of crimes this person has been accused of in the media.
As the media does, the bandwagon has dropped the boarding stairs and everyone is piling on. Most are carrying straight bats, but this wonderful and hilarious pisstake by the Guardian is one for the ages.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/nov/07/its-him-lord-lucan-hunt-continues-48-years-after-nanny
Most telling quote is also a wonderful summation of the McMedia here in Australia today.
Garth Gibbs, when telling of his career in not finding Lucan, noted: “As that brilliantly bigoted and crusty old columnist, John Junor, once cannily observed: ‘Laddie, you don’t ever want to shoot the fox. Once the fox is dead there is nothing left to chase.’
Where’s Peter Newey, he would be all over this story. Who knows, maybe Lord Lucan was abducted by Aliens or perhaps he did abscond only to be abducted along with Harold Holt by a Chinese submarine?
Maybe, just maybe, Pete Newey IS Lord Lucan.
I have no (printable) words for the story by Caitlan Charles in the Bully today on spending at the last election.
This is one of the people who is ALLEGEDLY holding our politicians to account. In the story, Charles states that both John Ring and Phillip Thompson received zero dollars in donations. She goes on to say that the donations usually flow through the major parties not the candidates.
Not sure if Google was on the fritz when Ms Charles churned out this piece of brilliance? If she did google the electoral disclosure rules, she may have noted that in a Federal election, the disclosure limit per donor is $15K before it NEEDS to be publicly disclosed.
I might go out on a limb and suggest that the reason the ALP and LNP candidates disclosures had zero dollars, was more to do with the fact that donors may have kept their donations below disclosable thresholds as opposed to not donating at all.
Lets set aside the debate on the need for the level of disclosure at this point and focus on what appears to the the fact that neither the Bulletin Reporter, nor anyone further up the chain, joined those dots. How can any reader expect to have any faith in the quality of public accountability with this level of skill?
Magpie, that last question was rhetorical as well.
Media Watch’s Gleeso Special conjured up memories of the squeaky voiced (then) Bully editor wandering around the betting ring at the local dog track with his shirt hanging out and his pants down around his hips, revealing his bum crack.
One can’t help feeling sorry for him in his latest nightmare.
Nah, just joking.
Typo Gleeson has The Magpie’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers.
Nah … also just joking.
Watching the COP27 Summit clips on the news, is watching a junket of Global “leaders” jumping through hoops, stating the bloody obvious, as they preach piously behind some splendid graphics. But offer no constructive solutions.
The UN is well intentioned but has no muscle, China and India are both members, but are also the most culpable when it comes to polluting emissions, BUT not one delegate in this charade had the “temerity” to call them out.
Smart move by our PM to avoid being lumped in with this pantomime. As in loads of acknowledging there is a serious problem, but we don’t really have a solution
There is a parallel here in Townsville, with regard to the lawless youth issue. Its the elephant in the room spliced with the Emperors new clothes syndrome.
No! I don’t have a solution either, but I pay taxes to our government to employ wise minds and provide adequate facilities that may be able to.
Seems Twiggy is there sweet talking China with his solution
Awesome stuff On media watch this week mate.
Union basher and ‘children overboard’ faker Peter Reith carked it today. A man who spent many years sucking off the public teat, and probably John Howard’s also. Bye bye Peter.
Kicked your arse, though, Comrade.
Classy post from the pillars of morality that are the MUA.
In signing off for the night and heading to his virginal couch, The ‘Pie feels empathy with this lady in The New Yorker, as America goes a-voting.
You gotta feel sorry for the Yanks though, there aren’t many nice sweets in the lolly bowl to choose from. It seems the quality of those running for office in any country is complete shit. No bright stars at all.
…and the latest Fox News broadcast.
Just nearly got side swiped by a driver stuffing their face with a Maccas on Fairfield Waters Drive, Idalia and then saw this news article on my newsfeed. Coincidence or not but it’s not the first time that I’ve seen drivers stuffing their face while driving.
Wish the police would fine a few of these idiots.
https://7news.com.au/travel/driving/little-known-road-rule-that-could-land-aussie-drivers-with-114-fine-if-broken–c-8780168.amp
Relieved to see that Americans weren’t prepared to give up their freedom to the red haired antichrist. And the Pakistanis, against all odds, have qualified for the T20 World Cup final.
Miracles still do happen
Now, let’s start working on that one way ticket to Malta for Jenny Hill.
I’m happy to contribute.
Apologies for my mistake in referring to Trump as “the red haired antichrist”.
I got my hair colours mixed up, but I do have a legitimate excuse: I knocked off a bottle of red while waiting for the US election results last night, then polished off a bottle of champers celebrating, before posting on the Magpie blog.
Thought it was a good idea at the time, but not so this morning, for many reasons.
The Best and Worst So Far.
The political heart is a roller coaster ride as the counting continues, dipping low and soaring high with some outcomes already decided.
Best to date:
In a major rebuke to Trump, Josh Shapiro romped home in Pennsylvania’s governorship race 55.9% to 42.3% … Shapiro is one of the most gifted orators in the Dems, if he can walk the talk, he is one of the new younger breed of Democrat (he’s 49) who can lead America back from the brink. The Magpie sticks by his prediction that Shapiro will one day be the first Jewish POTUS.
In the same mould as Shapiro, Californian governor Gavin Newsom,has won a second term even more convincingly, at this stage leading hi opponent 57.6% to 42.4%. Newsom overcame one of the dirtiest Republican ‘recall’ campaigns to triumph, and he too will bring new young blood to the Democrats when he inevitable moves onto the national stage.
Worst Result to date:
Sally Huckabee Sanders, well remembered as one of Trump’s most blatantly lying Press Officers, has won the governorship of Arkansas, a position once held by her father. It was a thumping victory – 63.1% to 35.1% – in a state where pick-up trucks outnumber teeth. She has never held elected office, and will be the first woman to govern Arkansas’s banjo strummers. The only upside is that she won’t be infesting the halls of the Capitol pro tem.
where pick-up trucks outnumber teeth.
That is bloody brilliant! Thanks for the laugh.
Why did you put up a caracature of Sally Huckabee Sanders? That cannot be her real face unless she has just realised she shat her shorts.
Which is possible, the pic was from her time in the White House when there was some fuck-up or other by Trump, and she blamed everyone else across the spectrum, including the media. Felt it was the most suitable manifestation of her character.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a beast of a woman. She would have a set of nuts on her the size of cantelopes. Like her or hate her, it takes a giant set to be able to work under Trump and face the media scrum looking for blood every day.
That said, America is fucked. $30 trillion in debt and rising. They get involved in every war, breed the fattest people on the planet, and the country’s claim to fame is that they produce record amounts of deranged mass killers/shooters. Then they choose fucktards like Trump, Biden and the Bush’s for President! Lord help them….
Not a bad result overall, neither side will have the numbers to fuck the country anymore and Biden won’t be able to waste trillions more on worthless shit, the place might actually do well for a couple of years. The republicans might finally realise they are fucked unless they dump Trump, but only after another loss I would imagine. Newsom will likely never see the White House, he is from California, despite being the 2nd biggest state is doesn’t produce too many presidents, and Shapiro for other obvious reasons, he is in the wrong party.
What are the ‘obvious’ reasons? You mean the same sort ‘obvious reasons’ America was discussing 20n years ago … that a black man would never be president? This time, seems you are saying a Jewish man will never be president? Given the American political and social fuckerama of the times, brave call.
oy vey!
You’re dreaming Pie, a Jewish president is always a possibility, a Jewish Democrat president, not a chance, they would cut him down first round of primaries.
The Italian Government believe Australia is a Mafia State. They have been providing information to the Australian authorities for many years about how the Ndrangheta are controlling the importation of 70% of cocaine in Australia. They buy into legitimate businesses, they also make political donations via these businesses. The Italian government are frustrated by our governments inaction. They also believe the Mafia have infiltrated government offices and their tentacles have spread far and wide.
The Trojan horse App has revealed information about their dealings. You have to ask yourself. Why haven’t the AFP been able to charge anyone yet? It’s because The Honoured Society are deeply embedded into this country and are able to control certain decision makers. Their headquarters in Australia maybe in Melbourne, but they are spread throughout this country and no doubt probably even own property on Victorian’s favourite holiday destination – Magnetic Island
So what does all this mean. Our country is corrupt like most others. What can we do about it?
SWEET FUCK ALL.
Oh, dunno, lots we could do … panic, run around like headless chooks, blindly believe comments without a single link to verify anything that is said in it. Lots of things to do, Pizza Putz.
You ask what can we do about it? easy we stop buying their Pizzas
There must have been at least a small celebratory glass of red Magpie when all was revealed about Typo on Media Watch.
How could he imagine his indiscretions would not be revealed.
Goodbye career. Goodbye Typo.
Shut up and pissoff, still got a hangover (two aspirins please, and don’t slam the lid on the box.)
BTW what’ ‘a small glass’?
They are facts about the Mafia which is readily available on the internet.
I cant blame you for being fearful of retribution if you publish my comments.
Oh, bambino, can’t we read yet, diddums? The Magpie was pointing out that the more serious commenters in The Nest provide links to support whatever claims they are making. Your stuff needs verification, with statistics from reputable checkable sites and not from fat guy sweaty guy with wild eyes (hi Pete!) sitting in a singlet in his basement bashing out all sorts of clutch-my-pearls calamities.
And your lazy arrogance in posting a comment and when questioned, airlily suggest we waste our time checking if some anonymous bozo is right. Really? Fancoulo, buddy.
What you say is already partly known, but if you want further credence here, provide the links that show … well, for just one instance … the 70% figure. And any proof of the corruption you talk about should be taken to the authorities not this blog. Oh, wait, that’s right, those authorities are riddled through with Luigis, Armandos and Enricos, who would suppress any such info and start measuring up a car boot for you.
As far back as I can remember the Remembrance Day poppy was always worn on the left.
Today on various TV news channels a significant proportion of the commentators of either gender have worn their poppy on the right,
A,
You are correct.
Etiquette in this country is dead. As a child and throughout my professional career it was a given that a gentleman does not wear his hat indoors. Seems there are fewer and fewer gentleman these days.
I would like to think that most of the male contributes to the Magpie’s blog remove their headdress when going indoors.
Further, what does a gentleman wear beneath his sarong? Sandles.
What about ‘women wearing hats indoors’? Or don’t we count? I’ve noticed some women wearing hats indoors also, very disrespectful. There are no values left within society anymore.
E.B.,
A lady may wear her hat indoors.
Now for the hand shake between men and women. It is the lady who initiates the hand shake. If the lady does not present her hand it is not for the man to present his and force the issue. Lady’s choice.
It appears Donald Trump went to a different school of etiquette.
And have been surprised that the clitterati haven’t got onto the churches dictum that males may not wear hats in church, but – in some sects anyway – women must. Churches by and large remain the domain of the dickeratti.
Is this really the biggest problem facing society today? I’m happy that so many people did wear poppies and stopped to remember.
No of course it isn’t, but is it wrong to note the erosion of a small but significant tradition of honour … wearing a poppy over your heart?
EXCLUSIVELY REVEALED:
The notorious credibility killer, dubbed Mr Alleged, has made another heinous attack on Queenslanders – well, those who read the Courier Mail. The carnage was a shocking devastating bombshell horror shock … and tragic, too. But it was all alleged so maybe it never happened.
Saturday Morning Briefing
An alleged Queensland gangster and his crew are accused of shooting people to provide fodder for their gang’s rap lyrics, police have alleged in court documents.
The Courier-Mail has obtained extraordinary security camera video which shows the moment designer-clad Hanad Mohammed Mohammud allegedly shoots an alleged senior Comanchero bikie in the face, with the intent to kill him. But alleged unemployed bikie Kyle Lefu Leofa has allegedly told police that he got the bullet in his throat when he “fell on a fence”.
The Courier-Mail has exclusively obtained the shocking security camera video of the moments police allege shots were fired by 23-year-old Mohammud, allegedly from the K12 gang, at Leofa who was a passenger in a Toyota HiLux in an Underwood shopping centre’s rooftop carpark on September 12.
Do you think Media Watch will deal with this?
Doubt it. They’ve moved into an agenda of going after the big issues … and boy, are they not doing a cracking job on that, including the shredding of Pete The Plagiarist. All of which is good. Media Bites on Thursday’s iView might pick it up.