But at least we have the consolation of a couple of the funniest observations on the series of mishaps – one ranks among the funniest replies to a social media post ever. And as a bonus, their story on this rocket fizzer is an hilarious example of the Bulletin’s questionaphobia. It begs the question whether the paper has been pranked.
All in all, it hasn’t been a good week for the paper, the usual quota of cock-ups, playing catch-up with The Nest, and a couple of matters aren’t funny at all, with low yellow journalism featured in two stories on the most serious subject of police shootings. Editor Poulson really does need to a take a long hard look at how she is running the rag that claims to be all for us.
The aforementioned catch-up is the Astonisher finally deciding that the Delegation List giving Joe McCool unprecedented power to by-pass the elected council might be worth a story. It was an OK story, but just another example of yesterday’s new tomorrow.
Acting mayor and division councillor for Maggie Island breaks cover to talks about banyans and beach usage at Picnic Bay. Well, not really talks, that woukld involve mingling with the great unwashed of the island, so she … sent them a letter.
Hope Clr Robbo is burning the midnight oil in preparation for this week’s council meeting … it’s all about finances. We have a look at what’s to be discussed. And a council spokeswoman … possibly named Alice Wonderland … gives one of the best imaginable Humpy Dumpty answers about the delegation list of CEO powers.
And in the US, Ghislaine Maxwell gets a comfy new B&B as a reward for whatever she told Trump’s interrogators about the Epstein files, as Trump himself angles for his latest ‘Wot me?’ floundering excuse. As usual, we let the American cartoonists tell that story, as well as some telling views on other matters, including the Gaza genocide.
The Nest remains an independent voice for Townsville, which cannot be coerced by advertisers’ whims – for the ‘well, duh’ reason ads are not accepted. But this weekly missive still costs money to run. If you can voluntarily lend a hand, it will be greatly appreciated. The ink to donate is at the bottom of the blog.
Explaining Rocket Science In Down To Earth Terms – Bowen Style
It’s a saga that’s been on again and off again more often than a whore’s draws on a shore leave weekend. But finally, it has delivered one world first … Gilmour Space has topped the PR Euphemism Of The Year standings, beating even Elon Musk’s super-euphemism for a rocket failure ‘Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly’
But even more spectacular that fifty metre, 13-second ‘flight’ fizzer, was the spectacular and thigh slapping PR fail that followed.
Gilmour Space co-founder Adam Gilmour posted to social media that the company was happy with the launch attempt.
“Got off the pad, I am happy, Of course, I would have liked more flight time. But happy with this.’
The phrase ‘easy to please’ springs to mind, but wait there’s more.
Ignoring that another great Aussie first, the stump-jump plough has risen higher for longer off hidden rocks, Gilmour Space released a statement with further information celebrating the unprecedented event.
“Today, Eris became the first Australian made orbital launch vehicle to lift off from Australian soil. For a maiden test flight, especially after an extended 18-month wait on the pad for approvals, this is a strong result and a major step forward for Australia’s sovereign space capability.”
At least that’s how the ABC and most outlets reported this very down-to-earth matter. But according to the Townsville Bulletin, Gilmour tried to make out is was a planned manoeuvre.
And there you have it … although global media had been alerted to a full launch, that naughty scamp Gilmour has all along planned a ‘Pad Avoidance Manoeuvre’ .
Yeah, right. So we are supposed to believe this was a deliberate sequence, and you had been so jacked off with the damn thing just sitting there, you resorted to the same impatience as that the copper who tasered the granny and like him, said ‘Ah, fuck this’ and pressed the button anyway. Then somehow frog-marched it sideways to leave the pad undamaged?
Mate, there is only one real Pad Avoidance Manoeuvre, which is achieved naturally by all women over 55.
But Hang On A Sec …
Did Gilmour actually say that, or has someone pranked the Bulletin with this quote (the story presumably coming from the Mackay Mercury)? You’d think that there may have been a question or two arising from that statement … like, if this was what was planned, why did you invite the world to watch an embarrassing failure? Or wouldn’t it be cheaper remove the rocket to a safe place? Or just leave it sitting there? Agreed that rockets aren’t designed just to sit on their pads, but neither are designed to blow a few million bucks for a sideways jaunt of 30 or 40 metres.
But no, nothing occurred to the Bulletin – it really was all just rocket science to them.
This Project Has Had A History Of Not Getting Off The Ground
Last week’s entertaining failure – if you don’t mind a chunk of taxpayer’s $70m going up in smoke – wasn’t the first for this so far jinxed project. There was a previous glitch earlier this year, and Gilmour posted their prime suspect responsible for an electrical failure on social media.
The company said it suspected but hadn’t proved that a sulphur crested cockatoo had chewed wiring. Disparaging comments came thick and fast, but one of the funniest was short and to the point: ‘“Lucky he didn’t launch, could have turned into a flamin’ galah.”
Priceless.
Sadly, It Seems Ethical Reporting Remains Beyond The Bulletin Still
Looks like they have worked their ‘exclusive’ banner to death and it is now suffering excommunication … geddit, geddit.
There was nothing amusing about two other stories in the Astonisher during the week, both co-written by two reporters experienced enough to know better. Or were they having a joke on The Magpie, arch critic of the misuse of ‘allege’, something other readers wouldn’t understand?
Last Monday, this story went up on line.
Apparently someone named ‘Bruce Highway Rest Stops’ has gone into the stick up/hijack business, but apart from that year 5 grammar howler, worse lay in wait. Now, The ‘Pie must say that the following may be some misguided humour, because the story that ended up in the print edition was a sensible and more crisply written story. But then, anything would be better than this buffoonery.
If you count the number of idiotic and meaningless uses of ‘allege’ in this story , you’ll find only two of the eight are correct usage … most of the others are in fact putting words into the mouth of the police spokesman. And having someone say something that they didn’t say is a major black mark in reporting, sometimes even attracting legal consequences.
But it’s not a case of ‘so fucking what?’, because inserting unspoken words into a quote (brackets or no brackets) is just childishly stupid and insulting to the speaker. It in essence casts doubt on the whole story, in the mistaken belief that if it turns out in court to all be a bit of a misunderstanding and the trio are let off, they will not be able to sue News Ltd.
And there is one instance of Goon Show-ish stupidity – ‘the alleged robbery’. This ignorance of language not only casts doubts on whether the tourist was robbed and his car stolen but he might be just making it all up for a little bit of typical German merriment. Perhaps no robbery took place after all, whereas in the very next sentence, it is clearly stated as fact that his car was stolen.
This surely cany have been the work of Master Bates, even he would not need to explain what PolAir is, or the favourite copperspeak word ‘decamp’ which reporters have always corrected to ‘ran away’ or ‘fled’. Whoever was responsible for this disrespectful garbage, perhaps they should, as cops say, ‘ perambulate along the eastern side of the carriageway, decamping to JCU’, for another crack at journalism 101.
But That Wasn’t The End Of Cock-up Week For Master Bates
Following up on his disgraceful reporting the previous week of the Strand shooting, basing his story on an apparently clairvoyant witness who knew what the machete-wielding man was thinking, Bates went one worse after this story broke on Monday.
Reporters Caitlin Charles and Daneka Hill played the story with a straight, giving a factual account of the information provided by police (although, kids, you don’t have slavishly follow copperspeak, an officer didn’t ‘discharge his weapon’ , he shot the wanted man ffs.)
But the paper desperate for a follow-up and Cameron Bates desperate for newsroom back-slapping glory, brought us this gem on Friday.
Turn to page 6, and we get this irresponsible piece of bad judgement, which amounts to groundless media copper bashing.
The family member in question here was the aunt of the shot grub, she wasn’t present and only knew her nephew was unarmed after the event. The police could only confirm afterwards, despite the grub twice threatening them that he was had a weapon. The usual whingeing self-entitled attitude of making a violent perpetrator the victim again says a lot about criminal behaviour starting at home. Bates ran with this predictable and completely unsupported allegations (yes Master Bates, that’s what they were, but somehow this time, you didn’t recognise them as such). You even used a quote from this muddle-headed woman that made a nonsense of her claims and your story anyway.
Geezzzuzz, Cameron, fucking really? Clearly, our wounded man isn’t the only idiot involved here.
This IS NOT a matter of putting both sides of a story, Auntie should have been left to grouse her thoughts over the kitchen table, not on the front page of the community newspaper. Specially trained coppers don’t fly in from Brisbane chasing someone wanted for shoplifting Iced VoVos from Coles, FFS. This isn’t a contest of ideas, the police did their job, only to be undermined by a front page story based on no evidence whatsoever.
You owe them an apology, Mr Bates.
And it’s time you started doing your job, editor Poulson. Disgraceful all round.
Idle Thought
While we’re with language, an annoying affectation which began a few years ago is describing people who are shot or blown up as ‘injured’, which tends to suggest an element of blameless hurt. The word is wounded.
Playing Catch-UpBut Still Lagging
Should The ‘Pie be flattered?
This story, a good fresh perspective on the delegation of powers to the CEO, comes about three weeks after The ‘Pie first raised the issue, receiving a strong response from readers recognising they may have been taken for a ride, but for the alert intervention of Clr Robinson.
But the Humpty Dumpty Award, so named for the famous egg’s declaration that ‘when I use a word, it means just what I choose it mean – neither more nor less‘ goes to an anonymous council person suspected of being named Alice Wonderland.
As ‘clarificatioins’ go, and on what the public has been told so far, all that is arrant nonsense. Complete and utter bullshit.
And who is ‘Alice’ to speak for the councillors who may very well want to reinstate the committee system that our crooked suspended mayor managed to scrap before being himself turfed out. If anything, it really is time for that system to re-examined and maybe reintroduced … although Alice’s masters won’t like the pesky intrusion of elected community representatives (let’s call them … ummm … how about ‘councillors’?) gumming up their system of smoothly running self-interest.
Speaking Of Which ….
Proposed redevelopment of the Picnic Bay pub
One supposes the paper will catch up with this yarn around the end of August.
There was a MIRRA (Magnetic Island Residents & Ratepayers Association) yesterday where the matter was one of the things under discussion. Here’s an excerpt from the report on the meeting by our special overseas correspondent.
With her crowded schedule of public commitments as acting mayor, our division 3 representative, Cr Greaney , has less time to attend MIRRA meetings. The new model she’s implemented appears to suit everyone, really: sending written correspondence.
In the absence of dignitaries this morning it was a calm meeting, with but a single misunderstanding. This arose from the comment that Council was considering an alternate method of disposal of the harbour spoil other than the Kelly St site. This happened when the acting chair read out a stream of correspondence. One from state MP, Adam Baillie, which was his regular island update; a second from Greaney; and a third from Mattypants Richardson. When he realised the possible alternative had been raised by Adam Baillie, and not Council, one punter said “Well that’s not worth diddley squat.” It’s a fair measure of the esteem Mr Baillie is currently enjoying on the island that the acting Chair stopped this in its tracks. He’s the state member for Townsville, so it must be true. Hard to imagine that comment under Scott Stewart’s tenure.
Referring to the Picnic Bay redevelopment proposal, Greaney’s correspondence acknowledged there were concerns about “drinking on the beach”; and banyan trees. She was “waiting for more detailed planning information ” to explain why the project had been deemed code assessable. “Notwithstanding”, she said, the DA will be referred to Councillors. And Community Engagement will occur, so not much reassurance there, in light that Community consultation provided on the Kelly St proposal consisted of a heated meeting where Council explained what was going to happen. So again, it seems we will be told, not asked.
Man of the match again goes to senior citizen, Tony. While commenting on Matt Richardson’s bloated base salary ($480K ) he quipped ” And he gets bonuses, too ,because sometimes he has to think.”
Concern about the 457 page Delegation to CEO document was raised from the floor. One resident noted the Townsville Bulletin was running a story this very morning stating Councillors had already passed this document in early July. This confirmed at least two things: no one reads the Bulletin, as only one other resident could confirm the published storyline; and if the story is true then Councillors could only have passed the motion at a secret meeting closed to the public.
With succinct island style, the chair concluded:
“I’ve had enough. Has everyone else had enough? OK meeting closed.”
Council Watch – Don’t Miss Wednesday’s Meeting
Get out your council ouija boards ‘two taps for one million, three taps for a billion, five taps for stop asking questions and just pass the report’. Yep, it all about the financials this time around.
Let’s see how they try to hoodwink us this time. Hope Robbo’s on to ‘em.
AMERIKA
So Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein procurer of under age sex for the unlamented Epstein and his panting pals, has suddenly got more comfy surroundings after her secret chat with Trump’s interrogator general, who said she ansered his questions ‘truthfully’. How would he know? Anyway, soon after their chat, Maxwell was transferred from Florida to a low security jail in Texas, while she awaits were Supreme Court application to have her conviction overturned. Given that Trump has completely corrupted the court, it seems it is going to be a staged payoff for Maxwell, but only if Trump is somehow off the Epstein hook because of her new undisclosed ‘naming of names’. which will only work if she says Trump was never on any list.
Now it’s a race to see which collapses first … Trump’s Epstein denials or the American economy now feeling the bite of this turkey’s tariffs. Or we all end up in Gaza conditions following a nuclear war with Russia. Our cartoonists are over it all …. and many are just plain over it.
…………………..
Usually like to end on a laugh, but finding it harder and harder to do so. Join in comments if you want to get something off your chest. To help with Nest finances, the link is below, thanks.
I believe the acting mayor is a calculating and duplicitous figure – always in the know behind closed doors, yet she wears a mask of ignorance in public. When controversy erupts, she distances herself with practiced innocence, pretending to be just as shocked as everyone else. In truth she is a master manipulator who navigates the corridors of power with quiet cunning, always keeping her fingerprints off the mess she created.
loves limelight always posing for photo shoot thinking she is important
this council is joke
You got that in one, Barbara. Council undertook not one but TWO community consultations, in 2017 and again in 2018, on making the Community Facilities site in Kelly St industrial. Both times Council received a resounding NO. Yet it was Greaney herself who put the motion to Council; which was passed unanimously. No surprises there under despot Hill. A decent Councillor might have spoken to the motion to make the wishes of her constituents known, and /or abstained from voting. Her multiple duplicity leaks may prove just too many to plug. She’s made herself a bigger target as Acting Mayor. Competitors will not find it hard to dig up dirt on Greaney.
While it seems inevitable, the last thing we need is a dirty election campaign. Above all, what we need is a mayoral candidate we can believe in not to put thrusting personal ambition ahead of the running of this city in a fair and equitable manner. At this stage, Molachino looks like running, which must be worrying the Meter Maid, and there is a growing idea that Andrew Robinson might just be what Townsville needs to steady the ship. Although she appears diligent enough, the ‘Pie thinks it unlikely Suzy will have a shot, her family is probably too young for her take on the extra responsibility.
BTW, we are no longer a tin pot regional backwater, we learn from a council document coming up in council onWednesday that we are officially past the 200k population mark. Strange the Bulletin didn’t make a front page out of this significant milestone.
A bit like you Barry…I mean Barbara
Womp womp
The problem with the bowen launch vehicle is wrong design. Too complicated, less reliable, incorrect use of hybrid engines. Wrong motor type for stage 1. The whole philosophy of the rocket is wrong for cost, reliability and objective.
A successful design would be solid fuel 4 X first stage boosters attached to a second stage solid fuel rocket. ( ever wondered why ICBMs, SAMs are solid fuel?)
You’d have slightly under expanded nozzles on the first stage , ONE slightly underexpanded nozzle on the second stage. Nozzle efficiency is dictated by let’s say air pressure around the end of the nozzle. The higher you go the less ambient pressure and the exhaust balloons out of the nozzle. The under and over expanded nozzle shape for understanding nozzle efficiency clouds the understanding that you ideally need ALL of the exhaust gases going directly backwards. For purposes we all only need to understand that theres an interplay between chamber pressure/ temperature, nozzle shape, nozzle throat exhaust speed ( mach 1) and the pressure of the exhaust gas at the end of the nozzle.
You’d be better off with using a launch rail and getting enough forward speed so fins can control the pitch, yaw and roll of the rocket in flight. This is achieved by using a star shape cut out in the solid fuel slug ( increase surface of the reaction) in that first critical first few seconds of acceleration. You might have dedicated thrusters on the first stage to assist in attitude control.
The third stage could definitely be hybrid , more efficient than solid fuel, the nozzle could definitely be gymballed.
Wrong location
Build the rocket in Australia and take by boat to Nauru which is very close to the equator, increase the rockets orbital speed from the location of the launch pad ( you are moving faster at the equator sat in a deckchair in Nauru than from a launch pad in Bowen. )
Funny you should mention that.
The ‘Pie once had an uncle with exactly that nozzle problem, and was constantly emitted balloons of exhaust gas in clouds. Cousin Marty Magpie, the joker in the family, decided he’d gymball uncle’s thruster, so one day while uncle was having a nap on the back verandah (at Bowen, coincidentally enough) he inserted a mango in the main nozzle. Marty then suddenly clanged two rubbish tin lids together next to our slumbering uncle, who woke with such panic and alarm that his lift off into the back garden was a perfect malodorous parabola.
Uncle was so pissed off he left for overseas. We heard later that he had died while quietly nozzling away in a deck chair in Nauru.
Jeeze Guy, that’s a trailer load of information/suggestions! Are you a former NASA engineer, or a wannabe commenter on anything, at all, and an attention seeker..???…Parts have your effort have a distinct unpleasant odour.
Addition Guy: An AI initiated comment – AI for arsehole initiated. In my opinion!
No
Its called understanding the subject.
What’s interesting is that other than attacking me personally I can see no comments telling me WHY i’m wrong.
Allow The ‘Pie to be gentle about this, Guy.
No one wants to argue the validity of what you post … most, like The ‘Pie, imagine it may well be correct, AI and the web are wonderful tools … but what brings on the derision is that you think this esoterica is of the slightest interest to Nest readers. It just seems like you’re showing off… or as we used to say in Australia, skiting.
It’s not as if it’s rocket science, hey Guy?
Invetitable, just bloody inevitable.
Politician, Water engineer, psychologist, now rocket scientist. Can’t wait for next week’s brain surgeon chapter, Guy.
Yep, a veritable Leonardo Da Reece of our time. Wonder if he can paint ceilings?
Fuck the ceiling. The sky’s the limit with Guy.
Guy,
I am excited to learn that we have a common interest, both being rocket scientists, although in my case I was a junior member of the team, and it was many years ago.
I am proud to say we had a 100% launch and flight success rate.
My division in the company, Pikki and Amaroo Space Research, was responsible for procurement, launch pad design and construction, and launch initiation and flight monitoring.
The companie’s space year revolved around a launch date of 5th November each and every year, and, as previously stated, a 100% success rate.
Sadly there is nothing left of the launch pads as the site is now occupied by the front door to the Myers shopping centre at Maroochydore.
You confidently critique a multi milliondollar rocket program like you’ve just fixed a lawn mower.
Next time Gilmour Space has a $70m launch on the line, I’m sure they’ll pause and hopefully give you a call.
I was aware of the design probably just under ten years ago and knew someone who briefly worked at Gilmore and mentioned to them the problems I saw it.
Good Morning Pie
Your upbeat correspondent’s take on the MIRRA meeting is substantially accurate. But it gives the impression that Foodtrucks and Major Matt contacted the community pro-actively. It would appear they were responding to questions from concerned island residents who had got wind of the Picnic Bay Hotel proposal during the week ( courtesy of the Magpie and the Magnetic Island Community News).
And there was a serious issue brought up at the meeting not addressed by Greaney: the impact of such a large development on the capacity of the sewerage system. After what’s already happening on the mainland in Wulguru you can’t blame locals for genuinely beginning to worry about Council shit bubbling up in their bathrooms.
Understandable, but if you look at the wholly professional application plans, the water and sewerage questions are laid out in detail, and will be checked by council engineers.
With all headworks costs paid for by the developer !
Exactamento.
Clarabelle
The Picnic Bay Water Treatment Plant is not running anywhere near capacity, processing the shit is not the problem.
The problem is TCC has no where for the treated excess water to be utilised. The water is apparently safe to drink although it is high in nitrate, over the years couple of councillors have consumed the water and they are all still alive.
As mentioned in last week’s edition TCC has a license to release some of the excess water on the land adjacent to the treatment plant.
The environmental group are opposed because it will introduce weeds in the area, by doing this their action stymies new sewerage connections.
It is part of their plan to stop any progress. TCC needs to stop making back room deals.
I wasn’t aware that there was a single “environment group” on Magnetic Island, IV. Could you be more specific?
Clarabelle
Have a look around TCC magnetic island sewer strategy for information.
Oh, IV
it looks like this portal does not accept emoji comment.
My reply consisted of three in sequence:
Let me see, now ; mum’s the word; cool.
I may not need to access Council’s sewerage strategy after all.
They could look at running the waste water through reed beds, they will typically remove many pollutants from the water.
The expert strikes again.
Just imagine if you had listened to me back in 2010 when I started ringing the bell on unsustainable debt. I don’t understand why you get so animated , they weren’t listening, they aren’t listening now. Stop worrying about about it – stupid and greedy has established its grip on Australia so theres no future. Mission accomplished.
Going back to rockets it turns out that the shape of the V2 comes from a german aerodynamics book on artillery / rifle round shapes of the 1920s/30s.
The V2 is split into 3 , the nose cone and tail cone ogives and the middle cylindrical mid section. The reason the V2 was shaped the way it was , was because they worked with what they already knew. The V2 was retired fairly soon after ww2. The thing that survived was the black and white colour scheme that made it through to the Saturn V moon missions
I well remember your regular rants about debt when you took on the wonderful Les Tyrell. You were the only person who took you seriously…and he won.
WHAT THE ‘L’.
Apologies, the link on this week’s email lacked an ‘l’ in townsville .
The correct link is of course
http://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au
That’s what you get for trying to finish of the Nest after a long day at the keyboard and at the same time watching qualifying for the Hungarian GP.
Our little Aussie legend Oscar Piastri has big things ahead of him. Brilliant young racer with a massive career ahead of him, even though he is kicking goals now.
Shame about last week’s delayed weather affected Belgian GP … the most spectacular. beautiful and race inviting track on the circuit. Hungary is different, but our boy looks to have it covered. Amazing how McLaren, Piastri and Norris have breathed so much life back into FI. The TV coverage and new gizmos have helped, except one happily could live without that fuckwit wandering around annoying celebrities and drivers before the action.
Yep! Just like the Exorcist’s, Gemini Killer he too always doubled his L’s!
I thought qualifying for the Hungarian GP was a simple Sieg Heil ??
Another week goes by and another week of Foodtrucks being gutless and hiding from the Maggie Island issue. Seriously, she is as gutless as Albo. We need a Mayor and a division councillor who has the balls to turn up to public meetings and not just send a pissweak written note.
Thompson, maybe, eh?
You’re being a bit mean, there DP. You know what a happening place Townsville is. And Our Councillor always sends apologies. Yesterday she had to officiate at the Talisman Saber event. On the first Saturday last month it was the Townsville show. That weekend, she stayed Friday night at her place on the island then caught the ferry back to the mainland in the morning. Who does that?
I also believe Seren McKenzie, the previous Director of Infrastructure and Services possessed significantly more integrity and intelligence than her successor, but struggled to integrate into the ‘entrenched TCC ‘old boys club’ and unfortunately left.
In contrast the new director, whose career has been shaped by institutional obedience has to rely on collecting intelligence to make decisions. In my view, it’s only a matter of time before he loses his rank.
Spot on, there, Barbarra. Those of us who watch the sometime Major repeatedly lie to us in MIRRA meetings wonder why he does it. The more circumspect among us realise that what he tells us is only as good as what he is told. It would be very easy to set him up with dud information. At his current level of governance he is potentially within striking distance of the CEO position.
Great blog this week Mal, thanks for the work you put in.
My comment relates not to local issues, but to Trump. The fact that this fuckwit publicly admitted/stated that he was moving two nuclear submarines to within reach of Russia is a catastrophic failure of security at the highest level. Presidents and Generals never make comment on where nuclear subs are located while on active duty. He basically told them what he was doing, giving the enemy time to now search for the active subs. This is a treasonous and extremely dangerous action. I still can’t believe that he has done this. Dangerous pig headed fool.
Or maybe it wasn’t,……he didn’t say exactly where nor when, for a sub to work its magic, it doesn’t actually have to be there…..it just has to be not seen (or heard) which it can equally do by not being within cooee!
Rollmop, all US subs are nuclear and patrol the seas at all times. Yes it is stupid. The man is an idiot. But he’s not telling anyone anything they didnt already know. It’s purely for a media kerfuffle.
Been listening to Emily Maitlis’ daily commentary on the Epstein situation. I feel like Ghislaine Maxwell will not make old bones.
Think you’re correct Headmistress. If I were Maxwell, I’d be quickly adopting and projecting an attitude of ‘if I’m going down I’m taking everyone of you fuckers with me’ !
I’d be making sure that every persons name on that list is exposed to the world by paperwork held by her lawyers in the event she gets snuffed out as her partner in crime most likely was. This would ensure that everyone on that list would be falling over themselves to secure Maxwell’s continuing good health.
Surprised she’s lasted this long.
And the problem with your suggestion, Jatz, her lawyers themselves are held by Trump. That’s are far this coup has gone.
In Russia people in high places who fall out of favour fall out of windows.
How would the Yanks do it?
Move the person from a high security prison to the lowest security prison where there is much less surveillance giving said person all the time and privacy to conveniently and obligingly commit; “suicide”.
I would say that she has agreed to keep her mouth shut in exchange for a nice comfy prison farm. A reward for continuing to protect the elites.
Say WHAT, Headmistress??? As the Senator with the shrill voice says PLEASE EXPLAIN! Thank you
I have no issues with the rocket project. However, to say it was a success story is utter tosh. The fucking thing lifted off, went sideways, then crashed. Hardly a success story. The spokesperson for the company involved, and the media, are absolute fools calling this expensive failure a success.
The ‘Pie understands there is $70m of taxpayers money involved here, so, yes, we deserve better than a pathetic PR fucktangle more worthy of the Dudley Do Nothings at TEL. Or Troy Thompson.
According to ABC news “Gilmour Space Technologies is backed by private venture capital and received $5 million from the Australian government towards the launch of the Eris launch vehicle”.
Bob, don’t you mean $5m towards the crash of the Eris launch vehicle?
No. I quoted an ABC news item. I didn’t need your opinion.
It seems Townsville Enterprise is more worried about job losses at the ISA than the workers themselves. Or maybe they are embarrassed about the fact that no one will be left out there by the time their little Copper String baby gets there.
There used to be sign on the road heading to Cloncurry.
It read
ECSTASY IS SEEING MOUNT ISA IN YOUR REAR VISION MIRROR
And those workers who were interviewed on TV the other night seemed happy to be leaving
The Glencore matter is heaven sent for Claudia ‘Ms BS’ Brumme-Smith, finally getting her within cooee of a national issue, where she can hoodwink a wider audience into believing she is somehow relevant to this or any other matter, and perhaps deserving of a senate ticket. The ‘Pie guesses even she is smart enough to know she has no prospects for House of Reps. Now just a matter of which party sees any value in her.
In the current climate of political stupidity, where quotas of candidates exceed quality of competence she’ll be a prime candidate to maintain the current overall decline!
The New G’day mate tourism and.
The new lily white AI generated Australian tourism ad is out on YouTube for the world to see us as we truly are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TuPvQG2ArA&pp=ygUbdGhlIGdyZWVrIGJvaGVtaWFuIHJoYXBzb2R5
Now do the same thing in Yiddish and see how long it takes for The Australian to have five pages of howling outrage.
Mazal tov!!!
Seems it’s a News Ltd thing.
This column is a bought-in regular timeline op ed page feature, featuring a small single pic at the top. But not everything is right just because it’s in black and white.
Above???
Seems it was more likely severe melanin poisoning.
There has been talk of the suspended mayor taking legal action against the TCC
I can’t find any evidence of that. I imagine he would have sort help from a firm in Brisbane. I can’t see any cases with his name .
Can’t see this bozo doing anything against the TCC, staff or councillors. For the simple reason that he would need any legal action to be financed, even thieving two or three grand a week off the ratepayers and taxpayers, he knows it wouldn’t go far. And the most likely source he counted on, the LGAQ, must’ve found itself in a ticklish spot. Whereas it would normally fund action by a mayor or councillor in, say, a defamation action, if it ran true to its charter it would have to fund the councillors et al as well … or be charged with discrimination !!! So perhaps they’ve chosen to stand on the sidelines on this one, citing … hahahahaha … conflict of interest.
So TwoNames has pulled his head in, and is wondering what he will do come November. Well, guess we all are wondering that, knowing one thing for sure, it would be utter lunacy to even contemplate his return as an option.
Twonames is relying on a big payout to support his life of bludging and doing nothing. I agree with Malcom, I don’t think he will receive a life changing settlement. I could see him getting maybe $50k to $100k for the so-called epilepsy discrimination, but zero dollars for any other fictional claims against him. Time will tell and we should see some outcomes later in the year.
He is a stain.
Why an epilepsy discrimination? Did TwoNames provide medical evidence that he was not likely to be impaired in his duties as mayor? Wouldn’t Joe McCabe have a duty to have such evidence before him, especially when Thompson put himself on sick leave for ‘mental health reasons’, to allow Thompson back into the council offices? McCabe’s first duty of care is to the staff.
Barfly, Troy Thompson is seeking $1 million in damages from the Townsville City Council, alleging he was discriminated against. The matter was closed after Thompson failed to attend hearings, but he claims he lost access to emails following a Crime and Corruption Commission probe and did not know the matter had been listed.
According to the ABC in April 2025, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission is considering whether to reopen the claim, with Commissioner John C Dwyer yet to hand down a decision.
I can’t find an update so presumably this matter is still ‘on foot’.
Bob, that excuse is lamer than Clubfoot Curly. It is irrelevant if TwoNames had lost email access, it is his lawyers who would be dialled into any moves, and may well know court dates even before Thompson himself.
The bullshit is endless.
Did he even have a lawyer? It’s probably not compulsory.
His Lame legal adviser dropped out when he found out that 27 names proposed Mayoral assistant was not going to be him. Since then, there has been all threats, bad advice, and nothing of any substance.
He may have LGAQ on his side for some matters, but the defamation case fell over because he didn’t turn up twice and it is unlikely the LGAQ would help for that case. He would need to appeal the case dismissal decision before the defamation case could be reopened.
Much by that time he will be in court for his own CCC investigations.
Barry has been very quiet since he bought his new car and all that building material from Bunnings. Perhaps he finally has something other than social media to keep him busy? November will be here before we know it. Can’t wait for the outcome of the CCC investigation.
I am really uncomfortable at the time this fiasco has been festering. Nine months and nothing. If it cannot be resolved in nine months what is another three months going to produce. Come November Threenames, with more hide than a brahman bull, will front up to Walker Street and then what???!
I would really appreciate somebody who is trained and practiced in these matters to explain the process, what is being considered, why it is taking so long, what disciplinary/punishment action can be brought against Threenames, and what happens if there is a finding of no wrongdoing that will stand up in a court of law.
The whole thing really isn’t legal, it’s political. A lack of spine.
Pie, is it a Crisafulli issue with a lack of decision making or other connected parties ?
I thought that David had more ticker than this if its lack action on his part.
The ‘Pie thinks it is more the nanny state laws that favour government safety from costly actions rather than bringing an openly criminal con man to book. Let’s face it, they’ve already rewarded him with a $250k holiday at the public’s expense, now, thus emboldened, he’ll try for more. He’s probably already browsing next year’s Lamborghini catalogue.
Magpie, obviously you would prefer a gung-ho approach to some sort of prosecution of the Mayor although you aren’t very forthcoming about the possible grounds. If the Premier and the best legal minds in the state apparatus are unable to find a single charge to poke at Thompson what would you suggest they do? Have a go anyway? Throw some book at him just to clear the air and show some “spine”? If it comes down to saving face, perhaps they should be looking only at the cost and who is going to pay it. Suspending him for the remainder of his term might be the smartest option. Dull and boring perhaps but cheap considering the alternatives.
Fo the record , Discom-BOB-ulated, The Magpie has never advocated such a stupid childish suggestion, what he has consistently done is voiced criticism of the CCC dragging it’s arrogant, publicly-silent feet on this matter. And The ‘Pie has also been consistent in believing the government and any other entity Thompson is trying to shake down with empty threats grow a pair and let him have his day in court. But let HIM bring the action.Then we’ll find out who’s got any balls.
It would all fade away so quickly.
Unfortunately Magpie, Thompson offered the ball to the minister and she took it, willingly apparently. The ball is now in the government’s court. It is their move and Thompson needs to do nothing but wait. Come November 20-something, if the government hasn’t made a move he can re-assume the mayor’s chair. And pursue the million dollar discrimination case in his spare time.
That is rolled gold nickel plated crap, but good to know you’re still with us here, Troy.
Suspension on full pay for one year to give the relevant integrity agencies time to finalise their investigations. We could reasonably assume a deadline in this statement from the Minister. He not only agreed to this but at the time claimed he submitted a written request to the minister. This request was confirmed late Nov 24 by Ann Leahy and she thanked him. He can’t claim he was forced out. Surely if this isn’t resolved within the year, the terms of suspension will be reviewed and adjusted? W/out pay (ideally) or reduced pay? That should hobble him while consideration is also given to his actions during the paid year including publicly and consistently undermining the TCC ,targeting individual councillors and even seeking to have them all sacked without adequate grounds or supporting evidence. If he trys to claim backpay for his unpaid suspension this decision should be be deferred until investigations are concluded and his conduct scrutunised during the psst 12mths.
His first crime was accepting political donations from developers, then not declaring properly. That is a serious crime. Everything else happened cumulatively since then. The only place he is returning to is the court house. If needed, the suspension will be extended.
I wonder if Troy the flog will have the decency and common sense to hand in his MYR046 number plate once his ass is finally booted the curb.
Whispers getting around is he’ll change it to a more media friendly; APPLE CIDER VINEGAR #2.
…or simply BELLE 02
Hey, no knocking the very valuable ACV … it is brilliant at reducing blood sugar levels. Two reaspoons a day diluted in a suitable drink does the trick. Recommend the Braggs’ ACV brand.
Careful the acidity doesn’t rot your teeth.
Correct, it is recommended that you clean your teeth after taking a slug, but then, who doesn’t clean their teeth two or three times a day.
Why would he?
Good question, OED, why would someone so blinded by self-absorbtion and blind to accidental self-mockery continue to drive around with a number plate that proclaims his misplaced and discredited vanity? Why indeed.
This may sway a few people in their attitude to Gilmore
Qld Government:-
1. Equity Investment via Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC)
• In July 2021, the Queensland Government made a multi‑million-dollar equity investment in Gilmour Space as part of its Series C funding round. This raised the round to approximately $61 million, solidifying Gilmour’s ability to scale rocket and satellite manufacturing capabilities in the state. 
2. Series D Funding Round (State‑backed)
• In February 2024, the state government–owned Queensland Investment Corporation again led a $55 million Series D capital raise, channeling state-backed financing into Gilmour Space’s continued development of its Eris rocket and Bowen launch capabilities. 
3. Co‑Funding for the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN)
• The Queensland Government is a co‑investor in the ASMN consortium, alongside the federal government, Gilmour Space, and various research and industry partners. Their support contributes to the $156 million ASMN project, which covers construction of manufacturing facilities, test centres, and the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.
Federal Government:-
the Australian government has actively invested in Gilmour Space through significant federal grants:
• A A$52 million injection in mid‑2023 to drive commercial scale manufacturing and space infrastructure via the ASMN collaborative stream.
• A more recent A$5 million grant in July 2025 to support propulsion technology for future launches.
These represent substantial and targeted financial backing to help Gilmour Space advance Australia’s first commercial orbital rocket initiative.
The neighbors have been setting off fireworks in the last few weeks. Perhaps they need to get into this Govt. funding. It would be better bang for buck, and they are getting closer to the moon.
Sounds great. Just need one to actually fly..
Rocket science is littered with failed launches
https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/g18751736/rocket-launch-failures/
Yep. Excellent investment. Should be more investment like this in science and technology within Australia. We have the smarts, we just don’t invest in them.
This morning on a ride to Pallarenda I passed the shutdown Garden Settlement. What bit of political bastardry caused this to be shut down? It appears the buildings contain Asbestos, which like snakes is not dangerous unless you disturb it. I have lived in a house sheeted with asbestos for over 50 years and am still alive and well (or as well as any other 80yo with a history of industrial accidents and pulmonary diseases NOT caused by Asbestos). It seems a terrible waste of well built housing, which is fast falling into decay caused largely by vandalism, when there is such a shortage of affordable or otherwise accommodation in Townsville.
As first suggested in a researched article here in the Nest a year or so ago.
The site is owned by a hypocritical sanctimonious mob of non-tax paying bible bashers who won’t have a bar of fixing the place to house anyone.
Thanks for that! I figured it had to be political BUT I was wrong! It was the money and GOD, an acronim for Gets Off Dirt!
Found it!
Pie, could you reshare? Or give the date of the post regarding the Garden Settlement? If it is still owned by Uniting Care/Church, I thought useage of the site is restricted to residential aged care due to some past agreement with the government. I’d be interested to know if this is still the case.
Emergency housing or aged care, both in desparate short supply in Townsville and aged care in particular reaching crisis levels.
Here ya go … about third or fourth item down … but for soaring intellectual stimulation, rare wit and high literary endeavour, read the whole edition right through. Breathtaking!!!
https://www.townsvillemagpie.com.au/a-week-of-superciliousness-and-of-super-silliness/
As Three Names goes about in his expensive personalized plated car plus his building materials purchase, will he demand reimbursement for these as part of a settlement given a claim he was building a home office and secure garage for work purposes on his November return to office. Surely the only way he will go is by way of a settlement. They won’t sack him and if he returns to work it will be untenable, so the only way out is by (BIG) settlement. Perhaps he’s creating a settle list already. This will also include broken heart for his break up with whatsherface plus medical episodes. It’ll be the biggest Christmas list in years. Only then will he head west toward the setting sun with his saddle bags full of cash, bitcoin, and broken promises; he’ll then buy Mt Isa mines and be their savior. And that will be chapter one of ‘How the West was won’.
Perhaps we’re all missing a salient strategy here, especially if this jelly backed government and hopeless LG Minister (OK Ok she gets her riding orders from lawyers) want the cheapest way out, as they should. The settlement should be they sack him, with a agreed pay out of the magnitude or somewhat less than he would likely get in the highly unlikely event he would test his claim in court (maybe another year of purloined salary for being a cunt). That serves two purposes: he gets what money he might have got in court anyway, and the government saves a shit load of legal costs. AND we get some justice through the sacking, Thompson would never be allowed to be an election candidate at any level ever again, and would have major trouble getting a gig in any organisation that is publicly funded.
Twonames will get a payout for the discrimination, you can’t write a letter that’s states this a reason and that’s why the QHRC forwarded to industrial relations, it’s coming up in September. Crisafulli will payout Twonames to be rid of him, 12 months should do it, with many conditions, let’s hope. He has good lawyers in Guest Lawyers, paid for by our (TCC ratepayers) Councillor and officers indemnity insurance. It’s a farce, he’s put on suspension but councillor insurance pays his legal!
It seems the commercial property on the Picnic Bay esplanade that has been on the market may haven been sold or has gone under contract.
A master chef was seen inspecting the property a couple of weeks ago. So fingers crossed something eventuates!
Well, if you know the person was a master chef, presumably you know who it was. So who was it?
The chef could be Twonames. I’m sure he has ‘chef’ on his CV.
That would certainly be exciting news for Picnic Bay and the island as a whole.
There is nothing exciting about magnetic island. The place is inhabited by yuppies and miserable old sods who have nothing better to do than whinge about infrastructure and their supposedly negatively impacted lives. Stop your moaning and go do something productive.
In other words – negatively charged?
Turtle Boomer Bob
Yuppies is a term from the 1980s meaning “Young Urban Professionals”. By definition, they may well now be the complaining old sods you refer to. Well spotted.
Also as an alternative, Young Upwardlt-mobile Professional’. Both mean someone obsessed with material wealth and fashion.
Pie
You seem to have at least three separate contributors now all claiming to be Bob. How odd.
Just another day at the office for The ‘Pie, Clara.
@Bob aka Troy: It might be time to reboot ChatGPT and ask it to give you a fresh line of defence. If the same old tired diatribe doesn’t give your real identity away then your writing style does. Take a hint and rack off
Funny how the suspended Mayor keeps popping up under different names saying he will be either reinstated or paid to leave. He is the only one to believe this.
Laying criminal charges and silencing the drivel, cannot come soon enough.
It’s all part of his cracked plan to embed the idea that it’s is inevitable that he will get, as a matter of course, a massive financial pay out. If there is any justice left in this busted-arse legal system, what he will get will be a massive pay back.
More of Yesterday’s News Tomorrow from the Daily Astonisher.
TODAY, we get:
A nasty incident, albeit revealed in a very timely manner by an anonymous source, just when teachers and nurses and medical staff are taking to the streets highlighting the woeful working conditions they are subjected to by a tight-fisted government.
BUT it seems Cameron ‘Master’ Bates had his Ku Fu Panda undies in such a frenzied bunch, he overlooked a kinda important fact, when we read towards the end of today’s report:
Well old mate, today is the 7th, yesterday was the 6th, so our man, who can now be named but hasn’t been, has already appeared in court. Weren’t you there?
One would’ve thought if a story gets front page and then prominence inside the paper, it would be best to keep up with it.
Otherwise, Master Bates, people might start saying you don’t even know what day it is – which, in this case, you didn’t.
The newspaper is rooted. Gone are the days in which Conrad Black or Kerry Packer backed and financed a decent news service. Todays newspapers are only good for starting fires or for lining the budgie cage.
It’s only the terminology and method of delivery that has changed, init is the driving prionciples that have gone to hell in a handbasket.. The rot set in before digital took over, all in the name for more money for Rupert and fuck any standards that evolved over 100 years of our society.
The punning and the leaning in to common vernacular is getting really tiresome. My pet peeve is the paper’s replacement of “offender” with “grub/s”. It feels like Alf Stewart from Home & Away is writing the articles.
He is, didn’t you know?
There seems to be some confusion regarding Freeloading Barry. He was referred to the CCC in MAY 24. The trough was placed under his snought in NOVEMBER 24. This simple, clearcut, open and shut investigation (the more complicated council inquiries are normally completed in 12 months) has continued on for 15 months.
EAnd, when/if a report the report is eventually presented to the Govt, there will be much humming and harring as it’s shoved back and forth across the table before the peasants are told about it.
If the CCC recommends charges be bro
ught against him, there will be another delay while the prosecution case is developed to a stage where Barry can be charged. Then there is the matter of physically getting him into court. He has a history of missing appointments before the bench.
After all that, we have to have a hearing/s and fuck nose (sic) what he and his cooker crowd will come with to drag the matter out.
This nonsense will go for at least another year leaving the obvious question – In the absence of anything meaningful being exctreted from the CCC, will The Kid give Barry another 250 grand (politically dangerous), sack him (once again dangerous if the elephant trackers in the CCC find no case to answer and it was all just a big misunderstanding), legally catastrophic, or will Barry, to the shock, horror and dismay of all reasonable people, be able stride (in his strange hunched shoulders gait, probably assumed during his three months hazardous operations in the Catering Reserves) back into the Mayoral office?
In the Fantasy Land of North Queensland, anything possible. Thank you and goodnight.
One thing that is impossible is Thompson’s return to Walker Street in any capacity (except, as one perceptive reader previously suggested, unless it’s to the court complex along the street). Think about it.
He has constantly called for the sacking of all current councillors, is making empty threats about taking the CEO to court, and Premier Crisafulli has said on more than one occasion, he position as mayor is untenable.
It would be of consuming interest to see how a master politician would spin a reverse of that judgement .. a year of thieving a Mayor’s salary for doing nothing except rant and rail like a spoilt child against the council is hardly the stuff to make The Kid do a Trump-like back flip.
The number and severity of charges will lengthen the time before charges are laid. It is quite possible the scope of the investigation is changing as more information is uncovered.
The will be NO criminal charges filed against the suspended mayor. The State Government will avoid litigation by all means necessary. Should legal proceedings be initiated, such action would grant Mr Thompson broad discovery rights, including access to internal documents relevant to his defence. This may lead to previously undisclosed -matters that could reveal systemic issues inc mal administration and corruption.
In addition to the above, the defendant would almost certainly argue that the one sided media narrative has prejudiced public opinion, thereby bolstering his defence.
Thank you again Troy, for gracing Nest readers with your amateur-hour exposition of legal dreamtime.
That any charge against you would open up some pandora’s box of discovery rights is pure and utter bullshit. You will find, should charges be brought against you, that a judge will keep you within the defence boundaries of such charges, because the matter before the court is about YOU, and you can’t pull your deflection stunt of ‘discovery’ of matters not relevant to the charges.
Mate, going to court on criminal charges is never about ‘butwaddabout’ extraneous matters, that’s for the verrry expensive civil process. You seem to depending on some cooker’s idea of ‘the devil made me do it’ defence.
One sided media coverage is only relevant if it’s defamatory … and that has to be proved by you in a civil action.
If and when charges are ever laid, Troy boy, you’re toast.
Pass the marmalade, please.
I doubt Mr Thompson is losing any sleep over this matter Magpie.
Given your longstanding and public criticism of the council, your remarks appear not only inconsistent, but fundamentally lacking in credibility.
Furthermore it’s foreseeable that part of the defence’s strategy would involve challenging the integrity and conduct of the council itself. In doing so, they will be well within their rights to obtain and present evidence that may demonstrate dishonesty or procedural impropriety on the part of the council.
That’s the reason my friend this matter will never proceed to trial.
The ‘Pie stands by his understanding that any attempt to put the council on trial will fail miserably if any incompetent lawyer would even attempt such a wild veer out of strictly policed legal lanes. Because if you go to trial on charges, Troy, they will be criminal charges regarding matters BEFORE you came to council, ergo nothing to do with the TCC councillor or staff, and it will be up to you to disprove them. Not excuse them with deflection towards the council.
The ‘Pie is flattered that you think The Nest is worthy of your frenzied bloviating … it would even be amusing if it wasn’t so morally repugnant.
Now go back to soiling your velveteen, ratepayer funded undies, mate, tick tock tick tock.
Hello Troy, you’ve been quiet lately. Been busy making cups of tea for mum and Michelle? Anyway, you are history mate. The CCC and Crisafulli government will make sure that you are permanently and democratically removed from office. You’ve done this to yourself with nobody else to blame. You are a cheap grifter looking for easy money any way you can get it. You are not Mayor material and you are better suited to being a used car salesman or realestate agent role, like your mate Mr Lane. A role where bullshit and cheap promises abound. Enjoy the 12-month holiday gift because your world is soon to come crashing down around your ears. Muppet.
Troy, receiving a political donation from a prohibited donor (i.e. property developer) Maximum penalty—1,500 penalty units or 10 years imprisonment.
From the Local Govt. Electoral Act 2011 in force.
“113B Political donations by prohibited donors
(1)It is unlawful for a prohibited donor to make a political donation.
(2)It is unlawful for a person to make a political donation on behalf of a prohibited donor.
(3)It is unlawful for a person to accept a political donation that was made (wholly or in part) by or on behalf of a prohibited donor.”
Considering it happened 3 times, I agree with the Pie, you are toast.
This allegation has been made before, but no one has offered a link to this information … which if true, is a slam dunk. Where is the report and more importantly, the proof contained in any report?
For the record, The ‘Pie is personally aware of a major business figure in Townsville who could be considered a developer had offered a large donation to Fran O’Callaghan, who refused it point blank. The ‘Pie suspects this is why wannabe puppet master Max Tomlinson quit her campaign in a mighty huff.
So did this person also make a similar donation ($10K according to Fran, if memory serves) which he accepted?
This raises an interesting question: if business people outside the development arena .. let’s say, car dealers, lawyers, supermarkets, even in this brazen age, a newspaper dependent on big advertisers with vested interests … can make declared donations, could they not be stalking horses for secret favour seeking developers (The ‘Pie is thinking The Hive, Magnetic Views etc)? Do these laws need to be further tightened?
You can find it under the Disclosure of political donations on ECQ’s website, under the suspended Mayors name. https://disclosures.ecq.qld.gov.au/Map?resetNav=true
Also a second declaration can be found on TCC’s register of interest where it also lists other things of interest. https://mitownsville.service-now.com/webapps/councillor_statements.do
Echo chamber… normal people just put their affirmations on the fridge. Or perhaps the bathroom mirror.
Damn, damn, damn … and The Magpie was saving this up for Sunday’s Nest.
Newspaper apologies … often coyly labelled the less flagellating ‘corrections’ or ‘clarifications’…. are retro-legal defences against possible legal action, and are usually tucked away inside the paper at the bottom of a distant page,
So it’s fair to say the old bird could hardly believe his eyes when he scanned today’s editorial. In 60 years in the game, he has never seen an apology of this nature anywhere in the print world.
Well, Jill, full points for having the guts to do what no other editor before you had either the gumption or decency to do … acknowledge inter alia the appalling drop in grammatical standards of your – our – newspaper.
Although your hand was perhaps forced by the mistakes appearing on the front page, please don’t downgrade or dismiss the errors littered throughout just about every edition of the Bulletin. They too, every one of them, “fall well below the professional standards our community expects and deserves from their local newspaper”.
You’ve put the ball firmly in your own court, Jill, it is now up to you to reflect your words in a tighter policy on these and other shortcomings of the Townsville Bulletin.
The $3.50 cover price is the biggest mistake of all. Didn’t see her apologising for that, though, not that I’d buy the rag at half that amount.
In fairness, not her call. All monetary decision are made in far off Holt Street, and passed on through Brisbane.
“In 60 years in the game, he has never seen an apology of this nature anywhere in the print world.”
Of course you haven’t, up until recently, our progeny could at least read and write and even do sums.
And these so called teachers went on strike last week, …. they have failed the usual requirements of employment, that is to produce results up to a certain standard and preferably exceed it and get an A+ to justify a bonus or increase,
Looking at some of their banners pretty much shows why they “can do better” “must try harder” et al.
Be that as may, Heel, it is the very real threat of violence that is at the core of their reasonable disquiet. It is a reflection of the break down of respect in society generally, fostered by rampant, unrestrained social media. Harumph!!
A problem easily solved … give the lamb to Troy Thompson.
Then it will always have an arsesole to shit on everybody and everything.
Naughty Magpie….
Lambasted?
What’s continually attended lamb on the spit got to do with it?