PLEASE NOTE: THE MAGPIE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BY ERGON THAT POWER WILL BE OUT IN THE NEST FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS – 8 TO 12 ESTIMATED – THIS MORNING. SO COMMENTS WILL NOT BE POSTED UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON.
It seems new safety rules covering next years state election are signalled by Townsville’s three state members.
Our Wanker of the Week was a crowded and competitive field, but we have a winner …
Big Bazza Taylor’s legal bovver boy reputation gets another hammering in court … but -phew- no damage to his bank balance. Can’t say the same for his latest suc … err, client.
Are we a nation of hypocrites when it comes to honouring Margaret Court’s unparalleled tennis career? The ‘Pie thinks we might be.
And with Bentley again away livin’ the dream, The ‘Pie presents two pictorial galleries this week … in addition to our regular Trumparama, The ‘Pie has a series of instances to show that it ain’t just the Bulletin that can right royally cock up in print.
Let’s get to it, starting with …
Wanker Of The Week Greasy Glove Award
It was a tough decision.
The Astonisher, with it’s self-congratulatory front page was well in the running if for no other reason its incomplete headline… it should of read ‘Finally, Still Nothing’, so desperate was the paper to claim a ‘campaign’ success. It seems the self preservation instincts suddenly catching up with two of our oinkers with their rotters in the trough, Messers (not sure that needs a capital) Stewart and Harper.
But at no stage it occur to either of them, or their fellow oinker O’Rort, that this crime crisis has been partly if not wholly reached crisis point because of their ostrich-like inaction.
Scott ‘Capt Cupcake’ Stewart was well in the running for the Greasy Glove wanker award, ,who told us he had requested an urgent meeting with Youth Minister Di Farmer, demanding the bail house ‘crash pad for little crims’ be scrapped.
Di bloody Farmer, mate? You just don’t get it. At all, do you?
If you can’t recognize that this situation demands attention from the very top, and you should be kicking down the Premier’s door, seriously, you should resign, this is just mealy mouthing words to try and avoid justified heat. That’s not a day late and a dollar short, that’s months late of anguish and pain for victims ‘short’ and tens of thousands of wasted taxpayer dollars for a program. And he nearly took the gong home for his bromide to the paper that cops on overtime ‘babysitting’ young crims ‘was not the best thing police could be doing with their time.’ That this Inaction Man personified thought he was qualified to to tell anyone the best way to spend their time is more than a bit rich when he clearly hasn’t got that prioritized in his own job … like representing us.
But no, in the end, it is Aaron Harpic Harper who gets the Greasy Glove for his imbecilic and panicked thought fart that young crims and their families be ‘relocated’ out of Townsville. Aaron, put as simply as possible, you are an idiot. You are scrambling fruitlessly to save your flabby quivering arse. Just a couple of questions, Einstein, if he ‘Pie may – relocated to where, pray tell? Because even if this half-arsed fairy floss idea ever eventuated, you can bet wherever it was would have a local member with more brains, responsibility and guts than you to knock it on the head immediately. But your idea of social problem management is not to solve it, just move it. Instead of resolute government action, move the problem to another community.
But the Wanker Award was clinched when we consider how such a law would be framed and carried out? Short answer: it could not be in any way, shape or form, me old amoeba.
How can it be that you’re is on a nice little extra earner heading a committee looking into age care rorts while his own constituents are being terrorised by junior thugs in your own electorate? Aaron if you had one decent principled bone in your body, one single shred of decency, you would resign your seat immediately. It would also be the honourable thing to do for your party, at least that way, the government could appoint someone else who might give Labor an outside fighting chance of retaining the seat. A chance you definitely do not have … or knowing this town, should not have.
Fashions In The Campaign Field
For all that, it would seem our three blind mice have had a revelation of biblical proportions, and have moved to ensure that should voters decide to hurl more than well deserved insults at them, they are protected. Here they model the standard safety measure they will be wearing from now through to the election.
Worth Noting
Most times, the best reading in the Astonisher is the Letters page. The totally inexplicable and highly whiffy Jamie Durie rort has attracted much comment, the best of that is Shari Tagliabue’s nicely crafted demolition of Mayor Mullet on Saturday’s paper, And there was a suggestion by one of the paper’s regular letter writers, David Thoumine, that the message that FIFO Durie is cynically conveying would’ve been done more adequately, skilfully and inexpensively handled by local horticulturalist Phil Murray.
Long time a regular on ABC Radio, the genial and informative Mr Murray would have filled the bill on several grounds but above all being a local with firsthand understanding of the particular challenges Townsville gardeners face. And he even looks like a real gardener, not some latterday perfumed gigolo who looks adorned the Chelsea Flower Show to nip young things in the bud.
And the council’s Inga Davis continues with her idiotic insistence that giving away free stuff has been one of the council’s most successful campaigns. Trouble is, Inga love, you’ve even fucked that up, with poor judgment of what response you would get to ‘free stuff’ – crikey, whoda thort it would be so popular – so now there’s a back log of many months.
Just another day, just another clusterfuck.
Big Bazza Taylor’s Horror Run Continues
Times once were when Bazza Taylor and his legal outfit Enema Legal (motto: ‘we go through your wallet like a dose of salts’) was the go-to outfit for any spot of legal bullyboy work around the place. It helped that Bazza was well connected with Walker Street, and in particular chummy with a mayor known for her vindictiveness. And before her, even chummier with His Radiance Mayor Tony Mooney, who was never averse to some creative political and business solutions to help a mate (Strand beach sand contract anyone?)
More than one target folded in the face of Bazza’s tender ministrations which were often the legal equivalent of nipple clips, a car battery and a wet towel. But most of this matters were tiddlers, and Bazza has always fancied himself as a big game fisherman.
Unfortunately some of his clients, but not so unfortunate for himself, Bazza has proved to be no match for the marlins of the legal world … he has received the legal equivalent of a swordfish’ sharp end up his well-padded kyber on several occasions in recent times. Among such matters, the Supreme Court convinced him to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars to a client he had gouged in a losing land matter, and he then came out on the wrong side of the Mater Hospital opposition to a private hospital project in West End.
And now, this crash and burn.
The nub of the matter was an appeal against the official permits allowing the Goodsell Earthmovers to increase their operations from 20,000 tonnes of materially every year to a mammoth 320,000 tonnes involving unlimited heavy vehicle movements through the suburban streets at Cluden. The company was given limited permission for certain increased activity and a timeline of two years to find a new location that would not impact on residents. But it seems Mr Goodsell’s legal advice was to take the government to court to allow him to operate at his current site. He did, and he lost. So (presumably) Barry Taylor recommended an appeal to that decision … which has now been firmly booted into the long grass by Judge Peter Applegarth.
Actions like these aren’t done with spare change, and Bazza is particular known for his enthusiastic billing regime.
Mr Goodsell may be over-egging the pudding a bit when he hints that the decision will spell the end of his business but if it does, the decision won’t be the only factor, nor will the general turn-down in local business. This from the Bulletin story:
‘Goodsell principal Russel Goodsell said the initial approval, which cost him $100,000 for a permit and millions of dollars in fees for consultants, lawyers and dust monitoring was ’a joke’ because it achieved nothing. Somewhat tellingly, he later added that relocation of the business ‘was not an option after the money we spent’.‘
Ah, Russell, mate, ‘fraid the joke’s on you … good advice is so hard to come by – and bad advice is always expensive.
The Bulletin:’ All For You … Depending’.
‘Depending’ whether you are likely at some stage to spent advertising bucks this the paper, a truism exposed by the Goodsell story. Let’s start with that front page headline, not only silly but just simply WRONG.
So unless the Astonisher’s policy is to dismiss the separation of the courts from the government as a piddling side matter, of no importance (a Murdoch view globally) it was the judicial system in a putative democratic state that made the decision. Perhaps the dog whistling here is that the state, i.e. ‘all for jobs’ Palaszczuk regime should have stepped in, which is tosh of the most juvenile sort.
The Magpie first revealed exclusively (cop that, Astonisher heh heh heh) the plight of Cluden residents back November 25 last year, with graphic photographs illustrating the impact of just 60 to 80 trucks a day driving through suburban streets.
Several residents contacted The ‘Pie about the matter back then and the story did alert the paper to Goodsell’s original application to up the ante. Interesting to note that all contact between The ‘Pie and residents dried up shortly after one resident reported that a black Rangerover she believed belonged to Barry Taylor had been slowly trolling through the streets, looking in at properties. But nary a dicky bird from the paper about this downside for ratepayers and ratepayers representative Les Walker firmly standing on the sidelines. And even now, no balance about the other side of the community coin from the paper.
Despite the fact that it was local resident opposition that landed the matter in court in the first place, the Bulletin didn’t take the effect on local residents into account in the slightest.
The Bulletin continues to show signs of growing a bit of editorial spine, but it’s still self-interest and not community interest that often holds sway, it’s just not in the paper’s DNA. This is a shining instance of that.
Australia: A Nation of Double Standard, Cowardly Hypocrites
The ‘Pie generally leaves the navel gazing to his readers , probably because at this stage of life, the old bird has trouble even seeing his navel, let alone anything of dwindling interest further southwards.
But he’s going to indulge himself here for a moment to contemplate the massive hypocrisy of the Australian psyche … and its attendant moral cowardice.
Contrast these two scenarios; An Australian sporting captain, his experienced lieutenant and a newbie star-struck player conspire to make a cack-handed attempt at outright cheating in a cricket match in South Africa. An attempt it might be said that given the situation of the tour, was an unnecessary piece of unprecedented looney irresponsibility. But they get caught, and our nation is globally shamed, by association and historic hyperbole about our founding antecedents – we are branded a nation of cheats and unprincipled players on the world stage. Many … and The Magpie is among them … believed all three should have been banned for life from ever representing their country again, such was the disgrace they brought upon the whole nation.
But no, Smith, Warner and Bancroft are hit with a suspension and fines, there are buckets of contrite tears, lots of media quacking, but eventually, they all return to the world arena, with Smith in particular performing record-breaking feats with the bat. So all OK, eh? Because we Aussies above all else, including self-respect, love a winner, don’t we? Almost as much, we just love a good old story of redemption, one of – if you accept some of the media gush – of biblical proportions. But of course it would be very different if Smith failed at the crease on his return, and perhaps the matter may have been revisited. We may not forget, but we all love a winner in the green and gold, so we forgive. We do, but it is certain the world doesn’t, its respect for Smith’s achievements is grudging and Warner’s frequent failures grimly enjoyed. The scorn for Australia remains.
Now by comparison, let us look at the matter of Margaret Court, Tennis Australia and the generally silent nation ’s buckling under to the virtue-signaling outrage industry over whether one of our greatest athletes should receive the recognition for her unmatched feats on the world’s tennis courts. Feats, the reflected glory of which everyone in Australia was then, and is now, happy to bask in – the reflected glory of achievements of this one single woman.
No, we are told, and Tennis Australia quivers and goes all knock-kneed, because this woman who NEVER CHEATED IN HER ENTIRE CAREER had the temerity to voice her faith-based opinions on and opposition to gay marriage and homosexuality. Margaret Court never had the power to change the course of that particular historical change in social values, but she certainly had the right to disagree with the views of others. If she had done otherwise, she would have been untrue to her sincerely held beliefs, loopy and hurtful though they may have been, but others think she sandpapered the national consciousness with those beliefs. She didn’t, she was just exercising her right to free speech of both religious expression and social commentary. Which is more than be said for the massive silent majority on this issue. There are many Australians who are happy to let the issue of gay marriage ride, they felt they had better things to do with their time, but they firmly fit in with those great couplets by Samuel Butler:
He that complies against his will
Is of his own opinion still
Which he may adhere to, yet disown,
For reasons to himself best known
Now, before you head to the keyboard in high dudgeon, please recognise that is not about yesterday’s cause du jour, gay marriage, it is about the relative values of these two examples. We as a nation should hang out heads in shame at this appalling double standard and cowardice in the face of the fashionable and powerful chatterati who are anything but magnanimous in their hard won and deserved victory. They are small people, these petty thought-dictators, despite that Australians now accept gays and gay marriage as a factor of our national life. Indeed, there is little serious resistance to it … but now there may well be because of this insidious program of revenge. The spite of the victors is shameful to behold.
So, some of you will rise up with a shaking fist at The Magpie, and cry “what do YOU, you simpering apologist, believe should happen in acknowledging Margaret Court on the 50th anniversary of the feats that so honored Australia and in which we basked?”
Simply this.
Accept the fact that Margaret Court in her post-tennis days made the personal decision to join the Pentecostals, one of the fancy dress fringe of dingbat religions (they all are, but there are degrees, one supposes). In 1991, she became a minister of that church, and later founded the Margaret Court Ministries. So also accept with fairness and equanimity the fact, as you yourself would if an otherwise excellent friend was a flat-earther or Trump admirer, that Margaret Court became a religious ding-bat, just a sultana short of outright fruitcakery.
AND RECOGNISING THIS, the gay community, their supporters and of course Tennis Australia, should directly address her with a message of both compassion and admiration – a public message of forgiveness for what many found offensive, voice your disagreement in the spirit of free speech, but tell her that for all of what may be termed her ‘human fraility, NO ONE can rewrite history to take from her one of this country’s most remarkable sporting careers. And that we all want to recognition of the honour she has brought to us all as Australians.
And if the argument against this that doing so will only amplify her views, then we are a country that is very unsure of our own strength in pluralism.
PS: But Steve Smith and Warner should still be banned for life.
The Latest On The Screaming Midget, Richard Beckett … Apparently, He’s Still Screaming
From The ‘Where Are They Now’ File
A recent local sighting of Stephen ‘The Screaming Midget’ Beckett, late of the Townsville Council executive branch, has send TCC staff all a flutter, like nervous chooks seeing the rooster take a Viagra pill.
Beckett you’ll remember was one half of the professional Labor carpetbagging couple, who with his wife Shayne Sutton, graced us with their presence during the big shake-up at the council. One assumes they scurried back out of town when Mr Beckett’s loud, boorish and bullying behaviour became too much even for Mayor Mullet. But it seems TCC staff can rest easy on this score. Seems our favourite little fellow with a big chip is off terrorising the most unlikely crew down south … he is the head of some youth charity outfit. Although he has blocked The ‘Pie from viewing his deeply fascinating tweets, others have been kind enough to ease The Magpie’s grieving heart.
But before we go on, The ‘Pie wants to make it clear that he doesn’t know who the people are in the above pic, he doesn’t know any of them. Looks all chummy and everyone having a jolly time old time, a staff proudly supporting their loved and respected boss, eh?
Er, well, no, perhaps not, all may not be what it seems.
No less than three people – apparently not all staff – have contacted The ‘Pie with a different tale to tell. They all googled Beckett to, as one put ’find out who the hell we are dealing with’, and it seems Mr Google led with The Magpie’s occasional assessments of him. So The ‘Pie was contacted.
One message read:
Never in our lives as charity workers have we come across this type of person working for a charity. The last few weeks/months since he started at Act for Kids have been horrific, and for some unknown reason he has a dislike for some of us, and we are feeling the force of a very mean Stephen Beckett. Many of the staff are feeling brutalised. However, we aren’t in a position to stand up to this man unless we want to get the sack from work we all love. Has been like this with past Hoping you can shed some light. Any advice would be helpful.
Well, folks, first of all, there will be many a sage head nodding in understanding of your predicament down at the Townsville Council offices. The Magpie has never met the bloke – which is perhaps the safest circumstance for both of us – but the mountain of trusted information that has been offered over time would point to a person in severe need of counselling.
For an unsolicited opinion, it would seem that Mr Beckett is suffering from the twin emotional problems of the unfocused and unmanageable temper of ‘short man syndrome’, and being married to a highly capable and far more successful person that he could ever hope to be. Added to that, his wife, Shayne Sutton, a former Brisbane City councillor, has more clout in his beloved Labor Party than he will ever have.
So here’s the best of the limited advice The ‘Pie can offer. The Labor Party holds itself up as the champion of workplace rights and considerate behaviour towards colleagues (that’s the theory, anyway). It took a while, but that may have been why he ultimately left the Townsville Council. So The Magpie seriously suggests you contact his wife … at the political level.
Just To Prove It’s Not Just The Astonisher
Newspaper have always been a minefield for the inadvertent cock-up. Time was when print publications employed adequate skilled staff, bloopers, particularly headlines were rare and even more hilarious because of the old regime of rigorous checking. When one whoopsie got through, it was cause of for hilarity tinged with a little schaudenfreude. These things happen far more frequently nowadays, as accurate and balanced news presentation is across new platforms and no longer the preserve of trained professionals. It has long been an industry saying that one of the greatest attributes a good sub can have is a dirty mind, to pick up the unintended, particularly in those pesky headlines. So, knowing a lot of these have been floating around the web for a while, here The ‘Pie presents something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Let’s begin with something blue.
And It Wouldn’t Be A Week Without The Weekly Trumparama
The impeachment caravan grinds on slowly, and it is clear the sun-lamped carrot in the White House is starting to lose it.
And Finally, This Sums Up So Much Of Modern Public Debate.
……………..
Let The ‘Pie think, now is there someone he hasn’t managed to offend this week … hmmm, nope, that seems like it, another week like any other week here in The Nest. And have your own say in comments, they’re always there for your opinion. If any of you would like to support The Magpie in his efforts to keep the bastards honest and you amused, a donation would be of great assistance, the donate button is below.
Crime cost Labor’s Cathy Otoole her seat ( her words ) , Crime has forced Aaron Harper and Scott Stewart to break from Labor’s ineffective policies and say juvenile bail houses arnt working and recidivist offenders need to be relocated and Coralee Orourke fence sits as she has also done . Will crime have an effect on the Council election with Paul Jacobs breaking from Labor’s Team Hill and one Councillor failing to commit to running . Mayor Mullet is dogged by sticking with $800k Jamie Durie , Townsville looks like a war zone on crime , mismanaging maintenance on mowing , hard rubbish removal , etc , etc . Will we see Councillors break rank to stay on the ratepayers gravy train ?.
Small correction, Mike … crime didn’t force the gormless Cupcake and Harpic to break from Labor’s ineffective policies … self-interest was their one and only motivator, if you look at the timelines and previous party line gabble … their petrifying fear of being thrown off the gravy train and no longer being able to bludge off the taxpayer has stirred them to unaccustomed action..
Mike, Remember O’Toole won by 37 votes as adjudicated by the AEC. That figure could have been argued against by the Liberals, but they chose not to and took it on the chin. I know personally that 2 of those votes were determined by the AEC to be ineligible because they didn’t initial the outside of the envelope even though the paperwork inside was deemed correct. Go figure
So withstanding Adani, the high crime rate etc she was always going to lose the next election.
Top notch, top of the tree comments from Magpie today. A great blog. Smith, Warner and Hanscombe should have been banned for life from all Australian teams. There are cheats. I do not have much love for Aussie cricketers certainly since that atrocious match in the 1980’s against New Zealand when Trevor Chappel was ordered by Ian Chappel, the captain to bowl underarm. Although legal then it was hardly ‘cricket,’ old boy! Now to Margaret Court. She has her strong religious views as I so it is not necessary to knock Christian’s beliefs. For Christians there are variable churches all teaching the same message but in slightly different ways. Loved the section about headlines Magpie. I too collect headlines and I was struck with one in the Astonisher’s Saturday edition. PENIS OP A HIT FOR RAY. A returned serviceman called ‘Ray,’ had a donor penis fitted. All seems ok now. (Say no more). One headline I collected read: ‘Two ships collide, one dies.” Loved the article about the missippi river! Should it not be ‘Mississippi?’ Magpie I am concerned at the low standard of journalism and the lack of sub-editors. Does the print media think we are dills? Magpie, we met on a branch long ago and you encouraged me and although you have different views to me I respect my feathered friend. Good flying Magpie.
The ‘Pie encouraged you? Ha ha ha, like they say, no good deed goes unpunished.
Greg, not Ian, Chappell
Well done Polythene Pam, it was indeed Greg Chappell
The locals pronounce it Missippi, I guess someone forgot there should have been another syllable in the spelling!
Yesem.
Continuing my proposal on alternative to lynching and the stocks as suitable punishment for the vermin running loose in TSV.
How about making the magistrates and defense lawyers liable for subsequent delinquent activity of these brats?
Or there has to be a guarantor who will be liable for any subsequent illegal activity, preferably a parent or close relative.
Same goes for the faceless unaccountable drongo`s who release on parole dangerous vermin onto our streets.
As the names of the juvenile offenders cannot be published, get the TB to publish the names of all the lawyers and judiciary who release a “juvenile” offender who promptly re-offends. That should hurt them in the hip pocket. When someone is seeking a lawyer, they can avoid these bleeding heart, fairy tale fabricators. The usual premise they use to defend these snots is, its not their fault, its the company they keep or they’re from a dysfunctional family. So lets send them right back to the root cause.
Sending them to those social experimental mid way houses which resemble Fagin’s “youth hostels” each with a plentiful supply of Artful Dodgers and gullible Oliver Twists is tantamount to cultivating criminality. Don`t the social engineers realise they are juvenile today committing juvenile “petty” crimes. BUT they will become adults with the same mindset and will no doubt advance (or should that be degrade) to much higher levels of criminality. Its already moving on from property crime to personal violence in Cranbrook with organised ambush and robbery of Iggy Park students.
It would also prove useful at the next cheese and wine soiree, “see that’s the lawyer/magistrate etc. who released the little snots that wrecked your house and car”. Reduce the arrogant detached to pariah status within their own coterie.
There should be a register of the number of the re-offenders legal reps and judiciary, who when reaching a certain total may be suspended, demoted or ordered to do community work.
Let’s pretend you weren’t joking, but that deadly arrow of your namesake got you in the brain, not the heel.
Just about all of that is pure and utter rubbish, illegal, undemocratic, a call to mob rule, a call to class warfare, and your whole diatribe is shot through with the politics of envy (who says legal professionals, even judges and magistrates, don’t get have their vehicles stolen, get robbed or get mugged themselves, but still have the principles to still stand up for an individual rights that are decided by the lawMAKERS, i.e. (God help us) POLITICIANS?).
But on the other side of the coin, your rambling rant shows the depth of the problem, so serious it drives usually intelligent and educated people to vent by writing this sort tripe.
It doesn’t help, mate. Really. But The ‘Pie did laugh as he visualised your flying fingers, the wide staring eyes of the totally discombobulated, the fevered brow with the missus dabbing away at your forehead with a damp cloth and the spittle flecks dotting your screen. Send a pic next time.
Don’t get me wrong, I like a crucifixion as much as the next bloke. Nothing like taking a few beers down to the Strand with your mates and watching a few of the little snots squawk as they are being nailed up.
The trouble is, it doesn’t seem to work. You come home after a fine afternoon yahooing and cheering the tradies, to find your house has been broken into, and your beer fridge raided. Now I’ll allow that if they catch the latest little turds it will provide next weekend’s entertainment. But how does that refill the beer fridge?
I know the bleeding hearts say that the solution is to give the little shits a job and a future. You can’t steal cars if you are at work, worrying about your mortgage and keeping your own kids on the straight and narrow.
But I am not buying it. There are no jobs. I am more worried about keeping mine, what with the coming of the robots- and my skin is the right colour. What chance have they got?
Sure we could start thinking about how we are going to manage the future when most people will be unemployed- not just the current mucus brigade.
But that’s too hard. As long as the beer holds out, let’s just increase the size of the crucifixion grounds- maybe open a new one up at the old Smiles Stadium so I can walk down if the cars been stolen.
Great to see someone with their priorities sorted.
B,
Crucifixion is fine but I still prefer the stocks, as it will be a family affair. For the three weeks for first offence, and continually doubling from there, the family of the Snot in the Stocks will have to feed, water, and wipe the arse of their incaracaerated snot. No cost to taxpayer.
A gallery of stocks would be at each shopping centre. On a lazy weekend you could walk there and provide lifestyle advice, or read them poetry.
Can’t do that with crucifixion, at least, not for very long.
OK, thanks for your contributions. We’ll call you, don’t you call us.
You’re a lunatic whose gone real potty Kelso. Enough of the stock crap!!
I b p,
You are right, and I have become boring on this matter. I am happy to receive criticism, some of which I accept, occasionaly.
Now, on this matter, what is your suggestion to fix youth crime in this town? Be brave, criticism does not hurt at all.
Dave you sound a little to the right of Hitler.
Sniffed too many fumes in that workshop you grew up in?
Nope, Genghis Khan, and it was the two pack varnish fumes that did it.
In 30 years from now we will still be debating the question of youth crime. Nothing has changed in 30 years. A car accident happened near my house in which a young person was killed, on the spot. Apparently he was part of a gang stealing cars. I came across his teacher and the teacher said he was a good kid. Now he’s dead. A waste. Who is to blame? My solution is to take these young offenders under court orders and put them into the old style orphanage style accommodation. Take them away from violence and neglect and each them and give them trades or careers. It will not happen. Governments do not have the courage to take strong action. Offenders need support. Now is the time to change the system. Amen.
EEEEKKK!!!! STOLEN GENERATION, WHITE BASTARDY, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION, RACIST BIGOTS. Need we go on? And forget YOUR human rights, they just steal cars, you stole a country. Apparently. It’s all your fault anyway, you came here from a civilisation that knew how to make cars, among other things. So really, it’s you’re fault. As the insurance meerkat says ‘Simple!’ (You’ll see him on television, another thing we bastards brought to bring down the noble savage.)
Oops – Thanks Darin, suitably amended.
‘Pie, Margaret Court is one ‘married’ (not single) woman. No one (that I know of) ever suggested she cheated – like those Australian cricketers – so that is a ‘straw man’ argument. The tennis great has been ‘honoured’ by having a major tennis centre named after her. Now she is requesting (if not actually demanding) that her 50-year career be commemorated and celebrated, by Tennis Australia, in the same way that her peer, Rod Laver, has just been recognised. But their ‘careers’ over those 50 years have been very different. Where Laver has been statesman-like in his modesty, Court has gone out of her way to attack fellow tennis greats and bring unpleasant controversy on her sport and its administration. Not because she joined a faith, established her own church or chose to take sides in the marriage equality debate – all actions that are entirely consistent with her freedom of religion, speech and human rights. No, she went in a separate and more divisive direction by opining, publicly, that gays, including high profile tennis gays, are (I’m paraphrasing) ‘the work of the devil’. Specifically and pointedly, just in case anyone was not clear about it, Court said that there are lots of lesbians on the tennis circuit. Whether these views are offensive to those particular gay players is quite irrelevant. Those position statements directly contradict and challenge the regularly-stated social inclusion objectives of Tennis Australia – the body that Court is now insisting should be reaching out, to her, to offer another suck on the sauce bottle.
Now there’s a totally predictable reaction which is just simply wrong start to finish, although The ‘Pie allows that reading plain English is not everyone’s forte.
1. Single as in ‘sole’ … same as applies you in this instance, but perhaps you may add four letters to the front of it
2. That she never cheated was a statement of fact, and therefore of course there has never been any suggestion of it – it was a clear comparison with Smith, Warner and Bancroft. Really, you do need remedial reading training. Seriously.
3. As far as The ‘Pie can find, regarding demands about her ’50 year career’, she is demanding no such thing as you suggest because it is an anniversary … she is seeking that her stellar tennis career be suitably recognised, not anything that came after.
4. ‘The work of the devil’ is exactly a stock standard phrase one would expect from religious dingbats like Court, Filou and Scott Morrison et al, but taking them seriously legitimises and amplifies their sad mental state in this area … compassion is what is needed, if we insist on taking the moral high ground on this issue, but it still doesn’t diminish her accomplishments when she was the full quid. And there’s a point to ponder … what if Court was not a religious nut but suffered, say, dementia, would she be chucked on history’s rubbish pile? There really is no difference, it’s just who has appointed themselves to sit in judgement.
5. What is wrong with stating the fact that there are many lesbian pro tennis players? Otherwise, please send in a list of facts we are not allowed to discuss. That is an issue openly discussed by others in the sport, without rancour and with acceptance by those who do not share that orientation (marvellous how the threat to a multi-million dollar career pulls you into line, isn’t it?). You really aren’t to good at social analysis are you, Dredger? On the one hand you agree that gays and lesbians should not have to hide and be branded social pariahs, it is OK to follow your personal inclinations in public (that’s not a granted freedom, that’s an inalienable right), but on the other hand, you whale into a woman for stating simple facts and a point of view which you – and Tennis Australia, or The Magpie – do not share. You really are a chump, chum.
6. ‘Offensive to those gay players is irrelevant’ … the one part of your ramblings on which we agree. Salman Rushdie coined a sadly neglected truism of the age when he said … ‘no one has the right to NOT be offended’. It’s free speech.
7. Tennis Australia’s policy of inclusion is also irrelevant … because it does not give them the right to re-write, erase or downgrade history.
Your reference to ‘sauce bottle’, in the sense of an undeserved perk, is just stupid.
The ‘Pie’s argument amounts to this (remembering this all started with aa a comparison of relative values). Tennis Australia, and fashionable claqueurs like yourself, are, as is the Magpie, all for inclusion, particularly of gays. But only if you adopt their opinions and don’t dare disagree with them. So much for fucking inclusion.
You can really be a ratbag when you depart from areas in which you have a smattering of knowledge, Dredger.
But The ‘Pie looks forward to your inevitable reply, it will give the old bird the opportunity to give you another serve … and again, it will be an ace.
‘Pie, I’ll only waste your time on Point 3. You say “she is seeking that her stellar tennis career be suitably recognised, not anything that came after.” I made the point that she already has the Margaret Court Arena named after her years ago – are you, like her apparently, feeling that that is not sufficient recognition?
Once you go for the “anniversary” thing aren’t you inviting attention to “anything that came after”? Sure, she didn’t get in a drunken brawl she can’t even remember in Bali. But she did opine, sincerely probably, that gay tennis players are of a lower order than her and that Tennis Australia should take note. Would TA be out of order if they laid on an insincere token gesture to avoid the possibility of some sort of ugly public display of inalienable rights – you know, booing or turning of backs. It really would be a shame wouldn’t it?
Crikey, you really do have comprehension problems, Dredger.
Court appears to be simply seeking equal billing to Rod Laver in Aussie tennis history, which her record certainly entitles her to, and the similar honours accorded him on his anniversary. No matter what flowery speeches may have said, Laver was honoured for his record alone, no other male player comes even near meriting the accolades. Or getting them. And boy are you going to have the feminazis on your tail with that arrogant suggestion that naming a tennis court after her is ‘sufficent recognition’. Now now, girly, now stop whinging eh? Why doesn’t that measure apply to Laver as well then in this brave new garbled world of yours?
And since we’re in this territory, isn’t it passing strange that Court achieved her accomplishments in an era that, while competition was as tough as it ever was, womens tennis was very much the poor cousin in the game, really ranked below mens doubles. Tennis was run by neanderthals in their Wimbledon cave in that era, and Court like her colleagues of the time, did it a lot tougher than their males counterparts. So where are the feminists in this spat, why aren’t they out there defending one of their pioneers? Oh, yes, that’s right, a heroine only until she refused to embrace all the tenets that come with the gals movement, although had nothing substantial to do with tennis. More hypocrisy.
As to your last bit, seriously, can’t make head nor tail of what you’re saying, in terms of English, it doesn’t make sense.
Let!
Try again.
Advantage Magpie
As Grumps observed last week, Dredger’s mind is like four cats in a cloths dryer.
Margaret Court never said Lesbian tennis players were lower than her. She said there were lesbians back then and no doubt now. Who cares? I don’t. Her faith gives her strength. Try being sexually assaulted by a member of your church like I was and then you can complain. Try severe depression. You mugs have nothing to whinge about! Try living for a change! God give me strength!
uppa, if we can agree on something we can continue. Ms Court used a set of words which suggest that being homosexual is the work of the devil. Meaning that, to a Christian such as her, a homosexual person is a deviate, choosing to be a deviate. That is, she believes, for whatever reason, that homosexuality is a choice.
I’m not arguing about all that other stuff: the Bible, Court’s human rights, religious freedom or freedom of speech or whether she is a deserving sports star. She’s got it all and no one has tried AT ALL to stop her speaking her mind. She can say whatever she likes whenever she likes – and she has. I’m suggesting that if she believes that homosexuality is a choice and a morally wrong choice at that, and she wants to broadcast that belief, which she does, then she is a bigot. She’s free to be a bigot of course. There’s no shortage of them in the world. But maybe she’s not entitled to expect others to ignore or accept her new-found bigotry and to create a forum and decorate it with honours and accolades for her when she is a self-declared bigot.
This gets me going. As with Israel Filau, Margaret Court has the opportunity to make a comment. Margaret said that there were lesbians in tennis. She did not condemn them simply made a comment. Margaret Court is being vilified much the same as Filau for expressing an opinion. Because these opinions may differ from gays is irrelevant because they are just that, opinions. We live in a free society, don’t we? I back Filau and Court, not only as a Christian but because we should be able to express our opinions so long as they do not cause harm. The reason Filau has been dumped is that a sponsor took personal offense to a statement made by Filau which was a direct quote from the bible. Christians stand by this statement from the bible. The major sponsor for RA got their knickers in a knot thinking it was a personal attack on them which is not true but a statement from the Bible. Surely Christians can express an opinion or quote from the Bible? The Australian Rugby team did well didn’t they? Lord give me strength!
I voted against gay marriage. Now kill me for my opinion you drongos?
Ok. Name and address please. (Wheeze, chortle, snurffle).
Ummm, The ‘Pie will sit this one out, he’s got his hands full with Dredger, but suffice to say, your world view is somewhat fanciful. And you’re leading with your chin when you suggest opinions do not cause harm. But now gays get recognition, the luvvies (not all of them gay) are hanging on to that argument to bolster their hair-tossing lip pursing stance.
And his name Folau.
Israel Filou has done nothing wrong except quote from the Bible. Duh!
Christ, you people and English. Do you realise what you’ve just said, treerooter? Work it out.
For the love of God (no pun intended), can we at least get the bloke’s name right. It’s Israel Folau
I venture onto a limb here (see what I did there) and suggest that what he has done is breach his employment contract – his opinion is irrelevant.
So its wrong to quote from the bible mate.
Here is none for you R.W.N.J’s
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”Matthew 6:24
Well that’s Australia rooted.
So at last, someone is facing the consequences of their actions. Now to be fair pass consequences of action to all members of society, no matter their age.
Mr Magpie, this is a Labor town and my state colleagues and I will all be re-elected despite your constant derision. I look forward to staying on the gravy train and regaining my rank of Captain, despite being demoted many times over the last 5 years or so for apparent inaction. Enjoy your day I’m off to another function.
You may look forward to your dishonourable discharge next March.
Ewwww, a cupcake discharge, no thanks
Margie shouldn’t have even been playing tennis, according to Saint Paul in 1Timothy 2:12
“I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man, she must be silent”
Or 1Corinthians 11:3-10
“The head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is a man-blaa blaa
So Margie get back in the kitchen where you belong.
Eye roll
I read this crap and I simply thank God that I am an atheist.
There are approximately 4,200 religions in the world. That’s right, four thousand two hundred.
For any Christians that may take umbrage, I also think the other 4,199 are bullshit as well.
You need to think about that: “thank God that you are an atheist”
Nah, not really. I always put it in and someone always bites.
Glad to give you your jollies.
During my days involved in tennis I had the honour and privilege of chatting with Rod Laver, Ashley Cooper, John Newcombe and a host of other greats from the Golden Years of Australian tennis.
I can tell you from those experiences every one of the boys would expect Tennis Australia to give Margaret Court the same recognition Rocket Rod has deservedly received.
Margaret Court’s record for Grand Slam singles titles (24) has stood the test of time, despite the best efforts of Serena Williams and other female champions over the years, so there is no way she can be ignored on performance.
So it comes down to whether she will pay a price for daring to have her own beliefs, and standing by them.
Will be interesting to see how the (female) Tennis Australia president and former Jetstar boss, Jayne Hrdlicka, aka Jetstar Jane, handles the situation.
Well, they could do worse than adopt The Magpie’s blueprint, Doug. At the moment, they seem to be saying ‘We have a policy of inclusion, but toe the line … or you’ll be excluded.’
Doug K, with respect, dropping names doesn’t advance your argument unless the ‘names’ have something to say. A few minutes ago I discovered an opinion piece in the New Yorker which drops a few names and their personal opinions. I think it makes a much better discussion piece:
“Should Margaret Court’s Name Be Removed from an Arena at the Australian Open?”
By Gerald Marzorati January 24, 2019
So now we should take our lead from the luvvies in the world centre of #metoo outrage and virtue signalling?
‘Pie, I thought even you would draw the line when someone invokes Hitler to present an argument. Here is a quote from Margaret Court which is just her opinion, not something “from the Bible”, just something she made up by her good old Christian self. She’s a bigot, there’s no other word for it. If TA tries to ‘honour’ her or ‘celebrate’ her tennis achievements in some sort of gala event it will be entirely appropriate for the fee-paying ticket holders present (ie. fans, who are, after all, the people who actually provide the financial support for professional tennis) to stamp their feet, turn their backs, walk out or whatever rude, disrespectful, childish or odious behaviour they personally think is appropriate for the unctuous bigot parading herself in front of them. This is Australia. Some people can’t help themselves.
“Far from modifying her denouncement of gay marriage, tennis champion Margaret Court has broadened it, saying that it was causing huge problems in countries where it was legalised, that homosexuality was an ungodly “lust for the flesh” and that LGBT tendencies in young people were “all the devil”.
“That’s what Hitler did. That’s what communism did,” Court said, “get in the minds of the children. There’s a whole plot in our nation and in the nations of the world to get in the minds of the children.”
Honestly, The ‘Pie gives up on you and your inability to understand, or otherwise to wilfully twist simple language. While Court’s view on gays is lamentably prehistoric, the quote you slaver over is her describing – correctly – mind control regimes of the past. One supposes she saying that that is what the gay lobby has been doing on the gay marriage issue, but for someone in her position to criticise it is more than a bit rich, relying as she does on an antiquated, out-dated and barbaric texts written in barbaric times to control the ignorant masses.
And you seem somehow obsessed in ensuring Court isn’t subjected to public opinion being vented by tennis fans at any ceremony honouring her. You’re almost like a mother hen. Why? That, you numbskull, is exactly what free speech is.
Indeed, you appear to be obsessed with the possibility – indeed, it sounds like you want to protect her – that a crowd at any ceremony honouring her will boo, jeer, stamp their feet and turn their backs (put it to music and you have a new dance craze – the Tennis Australia Tango?). So what if they do, and why not? That would be a far more honest thing for the public to do and an open expression of a general rejection of her views, rather be denied the opportunity to openly express an opinion. That is called free speech, a concept you are still wrestling with (let alone with simple language).
WHOA, OH, HANG ON JUST A MINUTE THERE, SPORT!!! Actually, are you afraid of precisely that … ah, yes, that’s it – you and your dictatorial brigade of thought police are shit scared that such a crowd will do no such thing but instead – shudder, horror – exercise their free will and cheer a champion tennis player of yesteryear.
But you summed up your on tedious Irish word jig when you said ‘This is Australia. Some people can’t help themselves.’ So true, mate, so true.
It’s 40-love so far.
Apparently name dropping has no baring with this subject. After all Margie Court dropped the biggest name of all and it appears not to have done much good for her. Whilst Rocket Rod goes close, he cant walk on water nor turn water into wine.
How do you know, done a taste test?
Well said, Doug K.
Although Tennis Australia has handled some stuff pretty poorly as of late, imagine if instead or ‘Jetstar Jane’ we had an absolute disaster like Peter(Dentures) Beattie running the show! Now THAT would take some topping!!
BHP turned over $44 billion last year and the screaming midget only got 8 push bikes out of them, useless wanker.
Who is this screaming midget and what is its claim to fame Tankers?
He’s a nobody who thinks he’s somebody. Just ask him he’ll tell you. In fact he’ll probably scream it at you while he stands on his step ladder
Bloody hell Pie you’ve sent those poor souls into the lions den carrying steaks! As one of the very few people to stand up to the midget I can safely say if he has decided he doesn’t like you from the beginning, you might as well pack your desk and move along. What will follow is constant harassment, bullying (not just from him but also any followers who think he’s the way to a promotion, at TCC there were a few) insults and when you do leave he will ensure your name is mud so you have no chance of return. He will ensure you know how well connected he is (has known Adele for 20 years and the Mayor even longer) reminds you constantly that he was ‘headhunted’ to the role and is wanted and you are not. And as for being instantly disliked he’s got short man syndrome, he hates anyone taller than him, especially women who won’t bow down to him. Save your energy, HR will ignore his behaviour, you will destroy yourself worrying about it, and the end result will be unemployment either way, so do yourself a favor and go before you waste energy fighting the angry little leprechaun.
Sounds like the world would be a better place without him. But who will take the contract?
No one. They all aim too high.
We don’t seem to be hearing much from Gomer Pyle (the P-plate Federal member for Herbert). C’mon Gomer, the honeymoon is over, make your mark, convince us your the one………
Anyone know the faceless folks in the Townsville office and Canberra, who are in Gomers camp?
Very smart people in his office Plucka, what would you like to know?
Plucka, there’s a very capable bloke named Phillip Calder who seems to know his way around. If you have a problem or an issue why not take yourself to the electorate office and present your credentials rather than waiting (and waiting) for some media outfit to pifflepaffle wifflewaffle in your ear about nothing in particular. Or do you just want ‘news’?
Pie, better be careful if you play golf in Port Douglas because I doubt this bloke will put his feet over his eyes as you prepare to take a hit
https://www.tropicnow.com.au/2019/november/6/tropic-now-video-croc-hazard-at-port-douglas-golf-course.html
The Titantic’s captain talks about the future of the ship’s rats.
Australian Tennis is in much better heterosexual hands these days with Kyrgios and Tomic.
Ironic that they’re both c….s.
Speaking of free speech …. an d every word is absolutely true.
https://www.facebook.com/paul.bailey.7777019/videos/2358051624306587/
One thing I notice when these bushfire disasters occur. You never here ‘boo’ from the greens.
I bet Tony Abbot is out fighting the fires with the RFD.
Alahazbin, not sure where Tony Abbott is right now today but someone is looking after him elsewhere:
“Media mogul Kerry Stokes and the former prime minister Tony Abbott are set to gain an extra $30,000 and $15,000 a year for their service on the Australian War Memorial council – a 57% pay boost.”
Typical.
Careful Dredgers,
You are beginning to sound as if you are a supporter of the woman who, in 1966, in Sydney, at a welcome home parade, doused in red paint, assaulted and smeared the CO of the First Battalion.
Just who are you?
You are ‘No More Anything’, without the courage of a usefully suggestion. And a disrespect for the Australian War Memorial and those who serve it’s purpose.
I will restrain myself from willing yourself to contract a hideous pox.
FFS Dave, your faux outrage button seems to be jammed on ‘high alert’. I referred to ex-PM Abbott’s nice little earner in his newly arranged spot at the War Memorial because of someone else’s virtue signalling (thanks ‘Pie) about what a triffic bloke Fireman Tones is. Whilst Tony Abbott MIGHT have been doing what many of us in rural fire brigades do as a matter of course, he is in an almost unique position to donate his time to other less demanding roles (like at the AWM) without having to pull strings for a pay rise. Ex-PM Abbott already earns in excess of $300,000 per year on his parliamentary pension. On top of that he he has an office laid on and can fly business class return anywhere with his spouse ten times a year. Give something for nothing? No way, Jose.
NMD – you really are a bitter and twisted piece of shit. Rather than acknowledge that the bloke is doing his bit for the community, you have to disparage and demonise him.
“Many of us in rural fire brigandes”??? I call bullshit on that. Are you trying to steal valour, or are we going to play your usual game of semantics?
L.Berry, spare your blood pressure. Serial stirrer Alahazbin, in reference to nothing in particular wrote: “I bet Tony Abbot is out fighting the fires with the RFD.” No evidence, no knowledge just the usual brain fart about some hero of his.
As for rural fire brigade, I’m a member, on the local committee. I get a regular email update from the Commissioner. I’ve just received my now-mandatory Blue Card. And I cop shit from disgruntled locals about prescription burning and how inconvenient it is. What about you?
15 years as an Auxiliary FB.
I still call bullshit on you, Dredges.
L.Berry (15 years as an Auxiliary FB), it’s all about you then? Call out whatever you like. No one’s listening.
Ok, The ‘Pie thinks he’s given you all enough rein, in this and other threads, but he is not going to allow his blog to become an arena for a pointless slanging match between people of opposing views, which is neither wittily amusing, entertaining or informative. Facebook awaits your presence – here, unless you have something of value to say, you will be deleted.
And it really is…
Jealous prick
Kerry Stokes isn’t short of a quid either, but nary a word about him getting a pay rise for being on the AWM Council. Why is it only the payment to Tony Abbott that is raising your hackles?
Well, while The ‘Pie doesn’t give a toss about this whole issue, Kerry Stokes is a successful businessman who knows how to run things. He has no axes to grind, or favours to be granted by ex-colleagues.
Tony was out fighting fires in northern NSW last month so don’t be surprised if he is out there again. Good on him – I wonder where Malcolm is?
You really don’t read this blog at all do you, Dredger.
Not sure how much truth is in it, you can’t do hazard reduction burns willy-nilly if the conditions don’t allow it.
Precisely, and red tape is a massive time consuming and expensive problem even when it is safe to do so.
Hazard reduction burns were always done in the cooler months until the greenies and the lefties jumped up and down. The blackfellas always did it that way and it seemed to work.
And with the changing climate, it’s harder to do that.
Nonsense!
Sam1, what’s with this “nonsense” stuff? You seem to be full of opinion but no facts to back it up. There’s heaps of recent material about prescribed or controlled burns publicly available such as:
“With climate change, what we’re seeing is that the summer season is getting longer so it’s staying too dry for too long for [prescribed burning authorities] to undertake their prescribed burns.”
Deb Sparkes
Coordinator for the Centre of Excellence for Prescribed Burning
“In Victoria, fire services have been challenged to complete prescribed burning targets safely during 2018. Only around 30 per cent of prescribed burning programs were able to proceed, with most of the 66,000 hectares of prescribed burning condensed into a two-and-a-half-week window.”
Even when prescribed burns are possible and have been carried out successfully, there is no guarantee of protection. Some of the fires that devastated inland north coast NSW yesterday crossed over areas burned off only one year ago – in one case, only one month ago.
NMD…Settle Petal. You must hold the record for getting uptight about other people’s comments. A check of this edition’s comments would prove that. All very well to quote reports that suit you but perhaps you should read further and you may have seen this.
Conversations on Country about cultural burning.
As part of the AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ Professional Development Program, Traditional Owners and Indigenous and non-Indigenous fire practitioners and agency representatives walked together on Wurundjeri land (Healesville, Yarra Ranges) to discuss cultural burning for management outcomes.
Uncle David identified the common fear of fire as a major barrier to the implementation of regular ‘cool burning’ to manage landscapes in Australia.
I guess he was referring to the greenies!!
Sam1, “a” major barrier to “cultural burning”, not the major barrier to hazard reduction.
When Magnetic Island was on fire a few weeks back, I heard many comment on how terrible the situation was.
Apparently this was all down to the greenies not allowing any controlled burns.
Imagine their surprise when they found out that the Magnetic Island fires were in fact, controlled burns.
Pre Polling in the local elections next March open on Monday 16th.
You reckon they might have commemorated the right war…
https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/the-imminent-surrender-of-japanese-forces-has-sparked-wild-celebrations-on-the-streets-of-townsville/news-story/b66fc15fa3f235ee523c0f06b779f806
Don’t be picky, any old war will do.
Can you get us past the pay wall?
NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH
SAM COX WILL ANNOUNCE TOMORROW THAT HE IS RUNNING AGAINST JENNY HILL IN THE TOWNSVILLE MAYORAL RACE NEXT MARCH.
It is understood Cox, a former state LNP MP, will be running solely in the mayoral election against Hill, and will not be fielding a team. Instead, it’s understood he will be pledging to work with any current or newly elected councillors ‘not as their boss, and not to be telling them how to vote on issues’, but he will emphasise a return of pride and dignity to Townsville by giving neglected basics priority.
It is understood that Mr Cox will lay out his ‘back to basic priorities’ campaign, and will be seeking the support of local business for his tilt at Walker Street. Several influential community leaders are said to be already on board.
A deep throat at the Astonisher tells The Magpie the paper will have an interview with him tomorrow. They will presumably have a printable comment or two from the current mayor.
Good thing we have a news feed in Townsville that doesn’t wait until tomorrow to release a story, thanks Pie, looks like we finally have a candidate and an opportunity to get rid of the Mullet, time to get serious.
When an aspirant for the seat of Thungowera Sam and a couple of others spent a couple of hours on my back veranda listening to my views and hopes. In office I found him a reasonable bloke. And a back-bencher cannot change things over night in those turbulent times. I could vote for Sam. Is there any one else?
Sam is not afraid of hard work and is one of the best door knockers I have ever seen, mainly because he actually seems to enjoy it, unlike many candidates who find it beneath them to actually talk to and listen to the man on the street. He will need to knock plenty in the next few months and mobilise a good ground crew which he should be able to do, now he just needs to get the policy settings and narrative right and he is in with a chance.
Oh FFS Astonisher, will somebody please pull your ignorant little on-line snots into line – in fact, get them to ‘toe the line.’
Surely we can expect from a paper that charges both readers and advertisers money some semblance of education over and above Facebook.Twitter level. Common sense would be handy. You make it worse by getting wrong in the digital version and right in the print version. So no consistency and one wonders how this shambles of cross platform bumbling is actually managed.
And this is not an either/or choice, tow is wrong, It is ‘TOE the line’ and TOW IS NOT an alternative, as Prof Google tells us.
Misspelling as “tow the line”[edit]
“Toe the line” is often misspelled “tow the line”, substituting a familiar verb “tow” for the unfamiliar verbal use of “toe.” “Tow” does not accord with any of the proposed etymologies, so “tow the line” is a linguistic eggcorn
The most likely origin of the term goes back to the wooden decked ships of the Royal Navy during the late 17th or early 18th century. Barefooted seamen had to stand at attention for inspection and had to line up on deck along the seams of the wooden planks, hence to “toe the line”.[1] The first mention of this use in literature stems from a story about navy life widely published in 1831 and written by Captain Basil Hall RN.[2] Hall served in the Royal Navy from 1802.
On an airport note, the Australian airports association has its annual conference Nov 19-22, this year on the Gold Coast. Many many airports have been nominated for a variety of awards, but poor old Townsville has missed out. No nominations at all. Personally, I thought Gill would receive a nomination for ‘Most incompetently run airport’ or ‘Airport manager most absent from office’ , or perhaps the award for ‘Townsville, Qantas most hated Airport’? Oh well, if you are looking for Gill next week at Townsville airport don’t bother – he will be absent, again, even though he won’t be receiving any awards.
When these kids who get picked up for all their stealing, break and enter, and assault breaches, appear in Court and duly get fined and/or released on bail, who pays their fines and/or bail because supposedly they have no money?
Doxie, read the link below on the Qld State Penalities Enforcement Agency and you’ll see that there are a few out areas for this lot to plead that they can’t pay their debts and of course they have an army of tax payer funded do-gooders to help them argue their case to SPER.
It’s been suggested that Qld government should abolish SPER and have it’s debt collection managed by non-governmental debt collection agencies like Federal government agencies and other States. However this is apparently unpalatable to this government because of perceived electoral backlash in some electorates and pressure from welfare agencies and some do-gooders who say that it will adversely impact on their clients. Well, the counter argument is that if they do the crime then they should pay the consequences.
As far as I know, if they come under youth crime legislation, then they don’t have bail to pay.
https://www.qld.gov.au/law/fines-and-penalties/overdue-fines/enforcement-order
They don’t
So that really IS discrimination – a word I rarely use because like “icon” it’s reached the hackneyed/cliched stage. However, in this case it certainly applies because if I fronted a Magistrate and pleaded “lack of funds”, would that be accepted without challenge and dumped on the poor, old, long-suffering tax-payer? Methinks not!!
‘Pie, this announcement should please you no end:
“The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ application to NAIF has progressed, with NAIF’s Board making an investment decision to approve a loan to the project.
The $20m NAIF loan would complement the existing $15m federal government grant announced in March enabling the construction of the project to commence. Completion is targeted for the facilities to be available for the 2021 NRL season.”
Yup, had a good chuckle with that one.
Definitely not sure of, or a fan of Mayor Mullet. Not sure about this Cox fella.
So simple decision, do you think things could get any worse than the current fucked status of Townsville today under Jenny Hill, if not then your answer is obvious.
Invite him into you home and spend an hour or so in conversation with him, then you will be sure, one way or the other.
Mayor Mullet must be jumping through hoops – her opponent is a failed multi-party politician who claims he now has no political affiliation. Oh dear! Anyone else out there?
Hey just like Jenny, who never made it out of Townsville, blown out the water when she took on Peter Lindsay as the Labor choice for Townsville in the 2003 Federal election. She has also been rejected on at least two occasions to run for state. So take your choice, Plucker.
I want a third or more choice Pie, not these two lemons!
Yes, it’s been noted that you want a split vote so Jenny can get back in … hey, Plucker, never try to kid a kidder, we’re all on to you.
Let me make it crystal clear Pie – no Mullet, no Burdekin boy – EVER! Both would be a disaster.
Deep and intelligent analysis there, chook… we thank you for letting us know what cred we should afford in future local government matters.
Pie, I enjoy your blog and appreciate all that you do to keep matters of interest and concern in the spotlight. One thing I don’t crave is ‘cred’; I don’t give a rats arse what you or anyone else thinks of my opinion. Thank you for the continued enjoyment via this blog.
Just as well you don’t crave cred … you’d have gone craving mad years ago.
I bet the Mullet right now is trying to arrange a third opponent to reduce Sam’s vote count.
Any dirty tricks about, she will know them all.
Probably arranged some time ago … even in the event of no opponent, it would make her look good as a victorious campaigner.
Surprised Jones hasn’t thrown his hat into the ring !
‘Pie, sorry about my pedantry but in relation to your remarks about the “2003” federal election won by Peter Lindsay in Herbert – the election was actually in 2004 and “Jenny” (Hill I presume you meant?) was not a candidate:
Oops, both wrong. It was 2001 to which The ‘Pie referred. And she got trounced by Lindsay by 6000 votes in a field of fancy dress fringe candidates. Funnily enough, blow-in (and quickly blown-out) Labor carpetbagger Anita Phillips suffered an even worse bludgeoning, going down by more than 10,000.
Jenny Hill is a bare faced lier which I have personally witnessed. I have articulated this episode on the ‘Pie’s blog previousely albeit some time ago. I cannot say the same for Sam Cox.
Odds for Jenny Hill and Sam Cox for the mayoral race?
0% each! Fishframe where’s your business-type candidate???
I have seen first hand … Sam Cox has a very strong business team working with him (I’m not talking developers as they are excluded by law). Locals. Experienced. Know the Townsville business landscape. Know what’s wrong. Have good ideas on what needs to be changed to get the measurement curves trending upwards instead of the current downward slide.
But the battlers in the burbs will vote Jenny back in … and then start moaning about the Big End Of Town. Gotta love the ‘ville.
Predictably the paper runs a story that mullet has a new team to be announced in coming weeks. Same day as Cox puts hand up. Wow didn’t see that coming, NOT!!! “we’re for you” must think we are idiots. I won’t call them bulletin anymore. I don’t care anymore who runs against her I’ll vote for them. Over 65 comments already on “we’re for you” page and bone have any surport for mullet. Might have backfired on the rag??
BooHoo Doyle definitely won’t run (she’s had a gut-full of Jenny, which is a shame, she had become one of the more sensible councillors), Jacob probably won’t (he wants to run a Labor team, but there’s no way that’s going to happen, and he knows it – Sue Blom has said she’ll have another gallop on the northern beaches), Frothy Molachino still fancies himself as mayor one day, (a sort of Jamie Durie empty-headed pretty boy choice for voters) and Margie Potty Mouth Ryder might as well give it away, given that she has about seven companies and other inter-locking interests, you can imagine the time wasting mess she’d cause if she’s eyeing off the scarlet robe trimmed with possum fur. Cox’s ‘no team’ option is a pretty smart move, because folks seem to be fed up with Mayor Mullet’s aerobics class team.
Anyway, the Astonisher is happy, Jenna reckons she’s now back in the ‘king(or queen) maker’ box seat. She’s actually not, the paper’s credibility is shot to pieces still and her inept grasp of local issues and early bum kissing of Jenny and the local power elite has done irreparable damage It’s going to immense fun watching Jenna try and see which way the , but it will see a welcome sales boost for the Bulletin’s flagging fortunes.
It’s going to be fun watching how Jenna flounders around trying to work out which way the Townsville wind in blowing.
With structural change and staff reductions in the wind at the Port could it be the next port of call for the Impaler ?
Do tell?
Mayor Mullet’s not in a good mood – indeed, indelicate as it may be, it is reasonable to assume she is , as they used say back then ‘ soiling her small clothes. This very reliable info just dropped into the Nest.
At a citizenship ceremony held at the Townsville City Council today, Jenny Hill asked Cr Paul Jacob to leave. He was told that he could not be there in an official capacity as he was not appropriately dressed.
He had on jeans and a TCC polo shirt.
This was done front of other councillors that were there and the citizens who were nearby, would have heard her asking him to leave. Apparently it got quite heated. The Bulletin later interviewed him. Should be in tomorrow’s paper.
So her tantrum today bears witness to the fact that she’s rattled – especially since she was attacking the only councillor to oppose her views on a number of issues.
Forced to pay Palmer damages, forced to back down on Qantas boycott, forced to back track giving her mate Adani $18.5million for an airstrip, little wonder she’s getting a tad jumpy and lashing out at those who openly oppose her.
Just a thought on the villain relocation programme circulating in Aaron Harper’s head, it seems to me about as clever as the scheme the Catholic Church ran, whereby when a Priest was found to be a bit naughty with members of the parish, rather than a jail term he was relocated? somewhere else. And we all know how that turned out, don’t we!!
Mayor Mullets double standards are well know and at least Paul Jacobs turned up and on time . I paid to attend a recent Reserve Bank of Australia breakfast in Townsville and when the MC was announcing distinguished guests the chair the Mayor had at the official table was empty she said “ the Mayor must be running late “ . Late she was , she didn’t turn up , couldn’t find an alternative with all the Councillors and senior T.C.C staff ? . How many functions has the Queen bee held up and when she does arrive tells the audience some Bogan story about her V8 and how she loves the V8,s. The biggest two property owners Peter Tapiolas and Lozza Lancini negatively summed up T.C.C. . Try and get a positive comment on the Mullet in the business community and you hear of all the companies that lost T.C.C business under the LGAQ preferred supplier deal at the same time our Mayor collected her stipend LGAQ directors fees+ travel allowance .
She is famous for her late entrances, if she turns up at all … comments on this blog from those affected have been coming in ever since she became mayor. Perhaps we can say ‘the late Jenny Hill’ after next March (no not dead, although it might be hard to know the difference.)
Mike is the business community backing Cox, I would say they have no choice as they didn’t raise a candidate before now and another candidate will dilute the field and hand Mullet a victory, will the business community grow a pair and not only fund but endorse Sam Cox.
Cantankerous , not much feedback from the business community with some waiting to see whether Sam Cox is the only Challenger . Based on the fact the budget for the Federal seat of Herbert on average is $300k and Sam is running as a independent how much $ is required to run and win the Mayoralty of Townsville ?.
Jenny previously had a war chest of around $250k based on past efforts, but that may be drastically different on the shifting ground of this electorate and modern message delivery.
A smart-spent $75k or so by Cox (concentrating on social media but it looks like he’ll get a fair shake from the Bulletin, too) should even the playing field.
A third candidate backed by business people (Barry Taylor, anyone?) would spell unbounded joy for an incumbent who knows sh is up shit creek in a barbed wire canoe with a bent safety pin for a paddle.
Surely no one in business seriously believes Mr Cox is going to get at least 5 supporting councillors elected?
Name one of the incumbents – and then try to get to five – at risk from a campaign run with no money, for a single division, by an as yet unannounced candidate.
If Mr Cox can’t secure a majority, then handing him money simply risks having decisions made by the surviving members of the current council, probably under the leadership of Mr Walker.
The 2012 to 2016 council is ample evidence that the councillors will remain united against a Mayor of a different political stripe.
Anybody contributing to Mr Cox’s campaign given that high-probability outcome is a person who thinks buying Lotto is a strategic investment.
That doesn’t redound of good business decision-making, unless they are playing a long-game in which Mr Cox gains a majority in 2024. I doubt that there are enough with both the dollars and that level of patience…
Well, there’s a barely hidden agenda flowing quietly under that great steaming pile of bilge. The ‘Pie has no brief for Mr Cox – have you been reading this blog previously Mr Morgan? – but your grasp of how this all works is fanciful at best, incoherent at worst. Cox says he is only running for the mayoralty and that he isn’t running a team, he says he will work with whoever is the community decides is the right person to represent the interests of every division. All of the current councillors are declared independents (and three that The ‘Pie knows of are heartily fed up with Mayor Mullet and won’t be running again), and may well welcome a change to the way things are run. Each decision will be reached democratically and without any coercion from Mr Cox, one presumes.
You are either a Jenny plant Mr Morgan (or whoever you really are), or you know something we don’t about another candidate from within the business community, and are alarmed that Mr Cox has entered the race, making it a three cornered race. Otherwise why would you exhort people to NOT financially support a candidate opposing the current mayor, who is universally loathed and resented by a cowardly silent business community (hi there, CoC).
The rest of your rambling discourse is just nonsense.
‘Pie, one of the advantages of running for mayor without a ‘team’ is that if you get elected then you have no more authority than any other councillor – and the buck never has to stop with you. If Sam Cox became mayor with an otherwise hostile council and wanted to, say, open the books and make everything transparent, if the majority of councillors voted against the proposal he would just have to wear it. He might be able to say “they made me do it”, but it would mean he was a lame duck. So there are pros and cons with this ‘team’ thing.
Just love the way you construct your self-serving hypotheticals, Dredger. You conveniently overlook that councillors voting in that manner on that issue would then have to explain that to their constituents … unless, of course, they had told their councillor that ‘no, no, we don’t want the books open or transparency, we want to be kept in the dark.’ And seriously, if ALL the current councillors were re-elected with Cox as mayor, you’d hear more changing of tunes than a juke box in Charlie’s Milk Bar.
I hadn’t intended to be “self-serving”. Perhaps I didn’t choose a good example. What if the issue was the budget and whether rates should be frozen to save ratepayers pain or increased to provide better services or pay down debt? Ultimately, the mayor would be fronting the media explaining the decision. Of course such a situation would mean that Council meetings would become very interesting public events (a good thing) but the mayor would still be the spokesperson for the decisions.
Yes. So?
So, “councillors voting in that manner on that issue would then have to explain that to their constituents”. But they probably wouldn’t because with the media the way it is, the only opportunity for “explanations” would be via the mayor. But things might change. Perhaps the local media would attend Council meetings and interview individual councillors but in my experience there’s less and less of that.
Christ, you don’t give up, with the carefully tailored hypotheticals, do you? Listen just once, cloth-head – it would be the constituents asking the councillor to explain why they voted in a certain way. And of course, it’s all the media’s fault – while the Bulletin leaves a lot to be desired, they are starting to sniff the disaffection of the electorate with the way things are done so secretively and unaccountably, (Adani airstrip, anyone? Maybe a Jamie Durie contract to AEC?) they may become more accountable to their readers in the hope of re-establishing themselves as an authoritative community voice. And where do you get the idea that a mayor is bound by council decision to support them? That only happens when the mayor is the leader of a majority team.It didn’t apply to Jenny Hill during TF’s time when she was a mayor without a majority … she did not support ONE SINGLE PASSED MOTION THE ENTIRE TIME and voted no out of principle, she said, and loudly voiced her disagreement in the media. Her whingeing against the democratic process led the paper into it’s totally fabricated alarmist clap trap about a warring split council.
But hey, let’s go with you Dredger, and roll out the red carpet for a triumphal return of Mayor Mullet. Of course, no responsibility on you when the town goes further down the tubes. You’re just lucky that The Magpie doesn’t (normally) include commenters in his Wanker of the Week Wrist Gold Wristy RSI Award.
The Cowboys secure a loan from the NAÏF in November and will start construction in December, meanwhile over at Townsville airport Numbskull Gill secured a loan from the NAÏF in March and hasn’t done a single thing 8 months later, what a pathetic joke, in future any NAÏF funding should have a defined start date and the funds withdrawn if the project doesn’t start, otherwise it is open to abuse from companies like TAPL.
Pie, good comment;
“Forced to pay Palmer damages, forced to back down on Qantas boycott, forced to back track giving her mate Adani $18.5million for an airstrip”. She truly is as useless as a crocheted condom.
YIKES!!! You mean they’re useless???
With any luck we`ll get to see the official report on the who did what at the RRD gates opening
We love you Townsville Magpie! Come sink a few with us at the Sov.
HAHAHAHAH …. NOW WE’VE HEARD IT ALL … JENNY HILL GIVING FASHION TIPS.
Spare us (wheeze, snurffle, gasp).
Listen, look and learn, Clr Jacob.
Grooming and personal pride are essential for your position, Clr Jacob.
Awww, Paul darling you don’t turn up to an important ceremony dressed for the footy! Come see us at the Sov for a chat and some tips and to try a few things on. We tried it with poor Jen and got nowhere I’m afraid.
What are you after, an inside leg measurement?
And understand the problem with Mayor Mullet, dressing the Michelin Woman is sooooo hard, darrrrhlings.
Ahhh, Mr Magpie you naughty boy! Don’t forget our invite to you.
Written like a 200kg truckie in a sweat stained blue singlet who gets an unthinkable itch from the vibrations after 100kms or so.
You will have to hurry through as the sovereign closed months ago.
Just another for sale sign on that street. There are dozens of them.
Not to worry, just some of Jenny’s friends trying to lure The Magpie into a mugging.
That’s a funny way to spell it !
AT LAST SHE GETS IT … THE MAYOR’S FRANK ADMISSION.
And neither is Townsville under you, m’dear.
Is that the correct spelling on the front page?
Hill to run again with new feces? Should it be faeces?
Apologies to you Pie, I plagiarised your words in TTE today. I knew they wouldn’t print it if they gave I gave credit to you. Thankyou.
You’ve caught The ‘Pie early, Ala, what are you talking about? TTE? E is nowhere near B on the keyboard, so I’m just wondering what it’s all about.
About Jenny not going anywhere, so is Townsville.
Oh, gotcha now … not surprised it wasn’t on The ‘Pie’s radar, never looks at that echo chamber olf bogan ignorance (mostly) Text The Iditor. But you’re welcome to spread that message loud and strong, no attribution needed for a self-evident truth.
Don’t know what happened with that last sentence.
I meant today. “I couldn’t give you credit as I know they would not print”
And after all the papers I sell for them.
That’s 100% on what she has been seen wearing Wonder.
Dave, no point in publishing your comment without an image. Send to email hidden; JavaScript is required
Why has the website gone awry?
Comments box has disappeared and formatting has gone to shit.
Malcolm what have you done?
Somebody is playing silly buggers … we’re working on fixing things up. Apologies.
My money’s on Plucker.
I I tried to fix it (turn computer off and then back on)
Did not work!
Sorry who are you replying to? About what? If its the gremlins in the system, so far seems OK if you just google the blog (if that’s what you’re talking about).
Did that, still stuffed, tried another computer, still stuffed. Tried a different browser, still stuffed.
I think theres something wrong with the website code.
You’ve probably been hacked. Question is Putin, Xi Jinping or Hill? or
…or Bazza? We’re looking into it.
Pie, the problem appears to be the HTTPS has not been applied to all pages. Also update your WordPress through your Control Panel and then apply that all directories use HTTPS.
Thanks, John, good advice, already on to it, have a mate sorting it all out. Hopefully OK by tonight or tomorrow.
Hand on wing, not guilty Itis. I am guilty of jousting with the Pie; as for hacking, only did that when I was in the horse show game. Thanks for thinking of me though!
Comments box is in the top right hand corner of the opening page.
Yes but not all of it can be seen at once.
This telling Paul Jacob off thing is the funniest thing I’ve seen this year. The Mullet must have Rhino skin. The outright hipocracy. Has she EVER looked at her reflection? A photo perhaps? Has she seen what she turns up to events wearing? She should be ashamed.
OMG, disgusting photos. One with her looking like Cruella Deville, and one of her looking like a giant pink doona. Absolutely hideous. I now have no desire to masturbate for the next month.
If the TCC polo shirt is so uncooth, why are staff and Councillors allowed to wear them in the first place? Who approved them? Not only that, we are talking about Townsville, not Canberra. A citizenship ceremony with a councillor wearing jeans and polo shirt is perfect for our relaxed, hot, NQ weather and location……. It’s obvious that ‘she who dresses and looks like a hobo’ is very disconnected from her community.
Don’t count on it.
Times up Jen – would be good if you would consider a graceful and quiet withdrawal!
ATTENTION Mr Cox, two points at this stage if you are elected: First, I suggest we want and deserve to know the exact financial position of TCC, that is what you inherit and transparent as casper the friendly ghost going forward when it comes to decision making and finance matters.
Second, I suggest a freeze on any rate increases for your first term, in fact a significant rate reduction is in order. If you are going to focus on the basics, as you currently claim, then a rates reduction is most manageable, given that there appears to be waste of tens of thousands/hundreds of thousands/ maybe millions as a result of this council over the years on ‘the non-basics’.
You may have thought of these already, in which case you should win the election. If you haven’t, well here’s a couple to get the ball rolling.
You want to know the exact financial position of the council- which you as well as everybody else including The ‘Pie suspect will hold some nasty surprises – but in the same breath are demanding a financial move that may very well be impossible without any knowledge of the position our current mayor has dug us into.
Think things through a bit before sounding off, The Chook The Colonel Rejected.
Go fuck yourself you obnoxious bastard
Hmmm, comment posted at 10pm. Just hope you don’t bash the missus when you go wild on the Pimms Number 1 Cup, mate.
I am the missus you smart arsed prick!
Then it would be a fair bet The ‘Pie will be the only prick with which you’ll be involved with this evening, there would seem to be little chance of you getting plucked tonight, m’dear.
No chance at getting a rates reduction when TCC has a shortfall after the rates freeze hill had to have. If anything like pie said about hidden problems, rates would have to increase to catch up from the freeze as well as anything else she’s hidding. Alot of pain on the way. We can’t blame anyone new for what has been kept secret. Sam would need to part water to fix what’s wrong in TCC. And I’m guessing it will take longer then 2 terms. But Townsville will have short memories as usual
Shhhh …. Missus Plucker has only just been calmed down by the neighbours, and sensible comments like yours only make matters worse.
There’s easy savings to be made. If they bothered to hire anyone who’s worked anywhere but government positions and sent them on a mission to save. I would suggest starting in the stupidly overstocked stationery cupboards filled with the most expensive items you can buy. A pen doesn’t have to cost $3, only to be lost/taken home/ stolen from front counter
Interesting article in the Oz today about population shifts and towns that have a high turnover of population, Townsville was near the top with 48% or 71,000 people have moved in the last 5 years, a staggering amount. If we couple that with the fact that the average household wealth of Townsville has collapsed over the last few years it once again reinforces the fact that the money is moving out and the dregs are moving in, more of Jenny Hills type, Sam Cox has got a tough job infront of him, but winning the election might be easier than turning this town around if he should become Mayor.
The ‘Pie has said it before and you have reinforced the dystopian view that the next council election might be a good one to lose.
Cantankerous, I didn’t see the Oz article and don’t know what other data they revealed but from what I’ve read elsewhere, particularly about the demographics of particular towns, Townsville is not at all like any of the other nearby towns (Cairns, Mackay) and therefore hard to compare. For example it’s likely that TSV has a big turnover of military personnel and state/federal public servants whereas CNS has big numbers of tourism/hospitality people and Mackay has lots of coal country FIFO compared with the others. No idea how that affects ‘household wealth’ in each town but surely “the money is moving out and the dregs are moving in” is a bit of a stretch? Did Cairns and Mackay feature at all on the turnover scale compared to TSV’s 48%?
One only has to visit Castletown to see the proof of Cranky’s puddin’
While on the suject of mayorality, does anyone know what happened to the old Thuringowa Mayoral Gold Chain of Office?
Try Cash Converters.
They gave it to us Arthur – we use it when we play dress ups; they also gave us the robe things old Les used to gad about in.
Goodo that saves me another phone call, I was about to ask upa”GumTree”person if she has seen it.
If you go to Aaron Harpers MP Facebook page, nearly every post he has put up manages to get exactly 3,821 likes. How clever is that ? Must be a very exact science getting the same amount of people to like all the postings. No … No, there is no way Aaron would fudge something like that. He also implies that the funding for the Hells Gate study that has been paid into TEL‘s account is provided by the Queensland Government.
Ignorance and stupidity of many Townsville people on not understanding the updated social media laws and making defaming comments on politicians, business people , teachers , principals etc in their own names astounds me . The current tally on the mother’s who set up a Facebook page to air their views on a school principal stands at , 2 sets of parents financial settlements ( prior to court action) , 2 sets parents have had to file bankruptcy and the last awaiting the judges verdict but $200k ( per sets of parents ) was the Principals claim . As the Pie and many others have said, over at TRRA Facebook gossip page the individuals that are silly enough to make defaming comments open themselves to defamation . Have the authors of the Gossip site actually laid a punch on any of the individuals they have defamed? . Stupidity and having no assets is no excuse if financial judgement is issued by the courts then Spers can’t negotiate the monthly fine instalments .
Hmmm, well not too sure The Magpie is in any position to virtue signal, but as a policy, the old bird knows when he is out on a limb but there is always a public interest, and subject matter of a derogatory nature is always aimed at public figures or those accepting public funds, who should and do accept an amount of criticism and there is some latitude in this area (not much but some). For what it’s worth, The ‘Pie reckons the only classy and funny thing the mayor has ever done is use the Magpie as a darts target. Probably Dolan’s idea.
Mayor mullet achievements this term. Ashes said kept most of the promises plus some she didn’t tell the public.
Hard rubbish collection, fucked!
Rates freeze, fucked! And future fucked after next election because of lost revenue
Mass sackings not told to the public but only internally to unions to gather surport, fucked!
Hiring of a CEO that was 5th in line, fucked!
Adani everything, fucked!
Stupid stadium for landing, fucked!
Water pipeline that Jane Arlett promise, unfucked because she actually did it with pressure from public and an empty dam. FUCKED because she built a cheap version.
I can’t think of anything that she failed at??? Mesagebank fucked the bus hub.
She must be exhausted from all the ‘fucking’, Outsider………
How about the rezoning and renaming flood plains, and permitting buildings at ground/water level?
Absolutely no reason certain areas can only be developed with high-set houses. There must surely be eager architect and modern technology that could almost create a Townsville-style house for these areas. Seems like madness to build on the ground anywhere around here.
Just wondering if the bulletin could do there better mayor surveying in Fairfield waters and Annandale see what results come back. 2k results in favour of Sam. Would be much higher in his favour in those suburbs. And also the time it took for the flood report th a t cleared the mullet only took a couple of months, I remember the Brisbane flood report took over a year. And that one went after everyone who did anything during the event. Am I guilty of a tin foil hat with Pete newie thinking about conspiracy theories?
Sure why not? But for all The ‘Pie has to say about Pete, his grammar and spelling are usually OK. Cant make out what you’re saying in the first two lines.
Back on the air and flying high Pie???
Fingers crossed. Had a genius mate sort out the prob lem, which wasn’t hacking – The ‘Pie always doubted he was important enough for that. Hopefully things should be OK now.
Pie this all seems to have started about the same time as I received that spyware, which still pops up every time I click View full story » my firewall quarantines it, but it still lurks somewhere at your end. My firewall identifies it as Aware.Agent XYI
Should be all OK now, local expert has spent some hours checking things out and it seems it was a rogue code accident which has now been fixed. Might be some minor issues but wasn’t hacked. And site is now a secure site.
It looks like Jenny’s revenge on Palmer, with all the hoarding in front of his newly acquired building limiting his access for asbestos removal. Mind you, it’s not like Jen is a vindictive person.
It’s not as if Clive has ever had a bitch about anyone either.
No it’s for the building next door to clives new palace