No doubt during the World Cup we'll be laughing in horror as Peter Crouch falls over, shins shots woefully wide and generally embarrasses us all. But for now, it appears he's the man of the moment. He scored a great goal against Hungary on Tuesday night and celebrated in a highly original way! See him move below and then read what The Guardian has to say about it...
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Prudish Paris
Paris, who became uberfamous due to a film of her sucking cock and swallowing love muck, is getting all prudish about her new film! Bless.
Go Julia!
Ha ha - doubt it will do her chances of getting the leadership of the ALP any good, but I admire Gillard's sentiment in the insult she threw Tony Abbot's way in parliament. I particuarly like the way she refused to apologise, stating:
"If I have offended grubs I withdraw unconditionally."
Not big, not clever. But at least someone isn't afraid to let Father Abbott what an utter cunt he is. Bravo Julia!
"If I have offended grubs I withdraw unconditionally."
Not big, not clever. But at least someone isn't afraid to let Father Abbott what an utter cunt he is. Bravo Julia!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Michael spits the dummy
Michael from Big Brother is spitting the dummy about his on air spat with host, Gretel Kileen on last night's show. As usual he attacks everyone around him rather than looks at the real source of the problem, himself. What a cunt he is. Was great television though - car crash TV at it's best!
Blair gets it wrong - Again
Tim Blair shouts his mouth off again about what he thinks progressive people may or may not think. Believe me Tim, I am as furious about this as I would be if it concerned a Christian school. True progressive people are against all forms of fundamentalism, Islamic, Christian or otherwise. And all progressives should be against faith schools...
Monday, May 29, 2006
Give them Crack
Rachel Campbell Johnson in The Times suggests that the best way to deal with hard drug use (although she does lump all drugs together in her article) is to give free crack and heroin away to addicts. The reason for this?
'.... to supply the addict with drugs is to force the endgame. You can'’t maunder on for decades with heroin or crack cocaine. You go down fast. You either die of an overdose. or you are brought to your knees. And it is only from your knees that you can beg for help.'
It's an interesting theory. Is someone dying due to obesity? Give them free cream cakes and Big Macs. You've got liver disease from decades of alcoholism? Well here's a bottle of vodka for niche! Enjoy. That'll sort you out. Have you got a smoker's cough? Well here's a years supply of Gitanes, hopefully you'll have cancer in no time!
Her bonkers plan seems to be to make people so ill that they are then forced to seek help from the state to kick their addiction. Ever heard of the phrase 'Prevention is better than cure' Rachel?
Look, I am an advocate of drug legalisation but I don't think that actually giving drugs away free willy nilly will actually help things. The thing with hard drugs like Heroin and Crack Cocaine is that the users usually do not know when to stop so I'd be guessing there would be far more overdoses than cries for help and I'm not sure that having a cull of drug users is either wise or ethical!
'.... to supply the addict with drugs is to force the endgame. You can'’t maunder on for decades with heroin or crack cocaine. You go down fast. You either die of an overdose. or you are brought to your knees. And it is only from your knees that you can beg for help.'
It's an interesting theory. Is someone dying due to obesity? Give them free cream cakes and Big Macs. You've got liver disease from decades of alcoholism? Well here's a bottle of vodka for niche! Enjoy. That'll sort you out. Have you got a smoker's cough? Well here's a years supply of Gitanes, hopefully you'll have cancer in no time!
Her bonkers plan seems to be to make people so ill that they are then forced to seek help from the state to kick their addiction. Ever heard of the phrase 'Prevention is better than cure' Rachel?
Look, I am an advocate of drug legalisation but I don't think that actually giving drugs away free willy nilly will actually help things. The thing with hard drugs like Heroin and Crack Cocaine is that the users usually do not know when to stop so I'd be guessing there would be far more overdoses than cries for help and I'm not sure that having a cull of drug users is either wise or ethical!
Carbon Dioxide is cool!
The Competitive Enterprise Institute in the US, getting a bit worried that too many people are starting to believe in global warming, have started broadcasting ads on US TV which try and salvage the reputation of Carbon Dioxide.
The tagline? ‘Carbon Dioxide: some call it pollution, we call it life.’
The tagline? ‘Carbon Dioxide: some call it pollution, we call it life.’
You couldn’t make this up!
Guess who funds the CEI? Exxon Mobil.
Watch the ads here
Ecstacy causes violent crime!
The Observer, usually a voice of sanity in this wild world of ours, had a very large report in it this Sunday about the shocking rise in violent crime in the UK and the equally shocking conviction rate. So what's the reason for this upsurge in violence on Britain's streets? Ecstacy. Obviously! Quote:
'a female judge at one of the country's busiest crown courts blamed changing social mores and alcohol. 'In the Eighties, the pubs shut at 11pm and the clubs by 1am or 2am. There were no alcopops, and women didn't start the evening by knocking back a series of double-measure shorts. Now, with dance music, ecstasy, and much harder drinking, young people are accustomed to staying out all night. The behaviour of women has changed especially: they're much more sexually aggressive and aggressive generally; some are armed. We see people accused of committing serious violence that we never saw 20 years ago, and some of them are women. At the same time, they are being exposed to much greater risks.'
So this is all happening, in part, to people staying up all night listening to doof doof music and taking happiness enhancing chemicals! Of course. The first thing you want to do whilst high on Ecstacy is not hug the person next to you and reach for the lasers, but get out your Stanley Knife and stab the person throwing shapes on the podium.
If more people spent more time listening to repetitive beats inside clubs whilst high on MDMA and less time sinking pint after pint in Yates Wine Lodge there'd be far less violent crime. The reason why so many people like clubbing is because it is a world away from the Saturday night crime fest that infects so many of the Britain's high streets. Clubbing is the antithesis to this 'scene' not a cause of it's problems.
So this is all happening, in part, to people staying up all night listening to doof doof music and taking happiness enhancing chemicals! Of course. The first thing you want to do whilst high on Ecstacy is not hug the person next to you and reach for the lasers, but get out your Stanley Knife and stab the person throwing shapes on the podium.
If more people spent more time listening to repetitive beats inside clubs whilst high on MDMA and less time sinking pint after pint in Yates Wine Lodge there'd be far less violent crime. The reason why so many people like clubbing is because it is a world away from the Saturday night crime fest that infects so many of the Britain's high streets. Clubbing is the antithesis to this 'scene' not a cause of it's problems.
Tory Party - Party of the employee?
Labour Humanist's expose the hollowness of David Cameron's latest 'Work/Life balance' crusade. Fact is that if the Tories get into power again they will do nothing to improve working conditions for people. They never do. Cameron has actually voted against every Labour measure on parental leave and flexible work. Cameron may be inspiring hype at the moment but it's clear to me that this is all he consists of.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Fuckwits all around me
Last week it was reported that this town in the US is trying to prevent unmarried couples with children living there and today I read in The Guardian that non-vegetarians are having a hard time trying to move into certain housing estates in Mumbai. If I had control over a town's population I would have just one rule - No Fuckwits. That would clearly rule out the bureaucrats from both of those places...
Thursday, May 25, 2006
The Australian - Knickers in a twist. Again.
Over at The Australian, they are getting more hot under the collar than a viagra-ed up Rex Hunt in a brothel at news that those crazy leftwing lunatics at the Education department in Western Australia have decided to incorporate modern music in their new high school syllabus.
The new co-ordinator for the course has decided to include PCs and turntables into the syllabus in an assumed effort to increase the relevancy of the course for the pupils. Richard Gill, thunders the report, describes the development as 'educational double speak and claptrap...It could just as easily be the curriculum for cooking as music' Eh? Ah yes, it'll be an easy mistake to make. Show the pupils a range of music making devices ranging from Guitairs to Violins to Turntables and whaddya know? The inclusion of those dastardly electronic things will confuse the students so much that they'll start turning up to class with the ingredients to make a Coq Au Vin.
The article bangs on, 'To describe turntables and computers as musical instruments was "totally meaningless" he [Richard Gill] said. " A computer is a computer and a turntable is a turntable. One of the points of education is to make the distinction"'
I mean, how thick does he think kids in Western Australia are? Clearly, if they are told that computers are instruments, they will naturally take this literally and start trying to play the keyboard like a piano. Oh! Just feel the emotion in that # key! Marvel at the sound the @ button makes! It's just like so musical man.
Or do you think, in reality, that the pupils will use a piece of software on their PC (these have been around for a number of years Mr Gill) which will enable them to create music? Just a thought or am I being far too leftwing & post modern for your liking?
The course co-ordinator rightly states that ' if there is a student from India who wants to play the tabla, they can and they wouldn't be able to do that in the old course'. The Australian sneers at this but what's wrong with it? Who is to say that playing the flute is better or worse than playing the tabla? Why is playing the guitar seen as 'better' than creating a tune on a PC?
The headline for the whole article is "Turntable music 'equal' to violins'. Well if I wrote that headline I would remove the quotation marks around equal. It is equal to violin music. Just because the Australian wishes the people of this country be bought up on nothing but Shakespeare and Beethoven doesn't mean that other forms of human creativity should be dismissed by writers who clearly do not know what they are talking about.
Richard Gill states that 'Reaction to music is a personal and subjective thing...' and that is absolutely correct. I'd rather wander around the streets of Baghdad wrapped in an American flag than listen to the flute or violin or fucking trombone for more than 10 mins. I imagine the staff on The Australian would rather french kiss Germaine Greer than listen to any of my doof doof music. That doesn't mean their music is 'better' it simply means that they have different personal taste to me. All opinions on music are subjective. All music has it's place.
Well, apart from Hard House. That's just rubbish.
The new co-ordinator for the course has decided to include PCs and turntables into the syllabus in an assumed effort to increase the relevancy of the course for the pupils. Richard Gill, thunders the report, describes the development as 'educational double speak and claptrap...It could just as easily be the curriculum for cooking as music' Eh? Ah yes, it'll be an easy mistake to make. Show the pupils a range of music making devices ranging from Guitairs to Violins to Turntables and whaddya know? The inclusion of those dastardly electronic things will confuse the students so much that they'll start turning up to class with the ingredients to make a Coq Au Vin.
The article bangs on, 'To describe turntables and computers as musical instruments was "totally meaningless" he [Richard Gill] said. " A computer is a computer and a turntable is a turntable. One of the points of education is to make the distinction"'
I mean, how thick does he think kids in Western Australia are? Clearly, if they are told that computers are instruments, they will naturally take this literally and start trying to play the keyboard like a piano. Oh! Just feel the emotion in that # key! Marvel at the sound the @ button makes! It's just like so musical man.
Or do you think, in reality, that the pupils will use a piece of software on their PC (these have been around for a number of years Mr Gill) which will enable them to create music? Just a thought or am I being far too leftwing & post modern for your liking?
The course co-ordinator rightly states that ' if there is a student from India who wants to play the tabla, they can and they wouldn't be able to do that in the old course'. The Australian sneers at this but what's wrong with it? Who is to say that playing the flute is better or worse than playing the tabla? Why is playing the guitar seen as 'better' than creating a tune on a PC?
The headline for the whole article is "Turntable music 'equal' to violins'. Well if I wrote that headline I would remove the quotation marks around equal. It is equal to violin music. Just because the Australian wishes the people of this country be bought up on nothing but Shakespeare and Beethoven doesn't mean that other forms of human creativity should be dismissed by writers who clearly do not know what they are talking about.
Richard Gill states that 'Reaction to music is a personal and subjective thing...' and that is absolutely correct. I'd rather wander around the streets of Baghdad wrapped in an American flag than listen to the flute or violin or fucking trombone for more than 10 mins. I imagine the staff on The Australian would rather french kiss Germaine Greer than listen to any of my doof doof music. That doesn't mean their music is 'better' it simply means that they have different personal taste to me. All opinions on music are subjective. All music has it's place.
Well, apart from Hard House. That's just rubbish.
Curing Homosexuality
This boggles the mind quite frankly.
And just think, CNN is the 'liberal' media outlet in the US. God help them all!
And just think, CNN is the 'liberal' media outlet in the US. God help them all!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Socialism comes to football
UEFA has proposed enforcing a salary cap scheme for European clubs as well as a requirement that they field a minimum amount of home born players in European matches.
Although I am against the quasi-communist system of sport economics that exists in AFL / Gridiron etc being applied to football I think these limited proposals are a good thing. And no, I'm not just saying that because Chelsea are now winning everything! Sport is not supposed to be a competition between a few billionaires - it's supposed to be a competition between athletes. Chelsea have Ambramovich and good luck to them but when they pay their star players in the region of
£130,000 a week the script for the season has already been written.
If the current system continues will a team other than Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal ever win the Premier League again? The answer is possibly, but only if that team manages to rope in a billionare who is willing to fund the challenge.
I am against drafts, I am against a closed market where players cannot be bought and sold. But a (reasonable) salary cap seems a sensible proposal to me. Chelsea can still pay Ballack his £130K a week but they would have to cut back in other positions to compensate for it. Let's be clear about this: Chelsea and Blackburn's Premier League titles were bought. Arsenal and Manchester United have a long, proud tradition in the top flight of English football and their wealth has been accumulated on the back of popular support and more importantly: results. If we want to see billionaires prevented from simply buying the title then action has to be taken.
Although I am against the quasi-communist system of sport economics that exists in AFL / Gridiron etc being applied to football I think these limited proposals are a good thing. And no, I'm not just saying that because Chelsea are now winning everything! Sport is not supposed to be a competition between a few billionaires - it's supposed to be a competition between athletes. Chelsea have Ambramovich and good luck to them but when they pay their star players in the region of
£130,000 a week the script for the season has already been written.
If the current system continues will a team other than Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal ever win the Premier League again? The answer is possibly, but only if that team manages to rope in a billionare who is willing to fund the challenge.
I am against drafts, I am against a closed market where players cannot be bought and sold. But a (reasonable) salary cap seems a sensible proposal to me. Chelsea can still pay Ballack his £130K a week but they would have to cut back in other positions to compensate for it. Let's be clear about this: Chelsea and Blackburn's Premier League titles were bought. Arsenal and Manchester United have a long, proud tradition in the top flight of English football and their wealth has been accumulated on the back of popular support and more importantly: results. If we want to see billionaires prevented from simply buying the title then action has to be taken.
Porn is to blame
Of course the reason why remote Aboriginal communities are descending into lawless chaos is not because of their lack of jobs, services, police, adequate housing and extreme poverty. No! Porn is to blame clearly. You can get rid of porn and alcohol from these places but the essential, fundamental problems still remain. It's just a simple solution to what is clearly a very complex problem. If you take away the porn and the booze you'll still have people living in third world conditions. Maybe it's time to examine whether these remote communities are viable anymore - if this lawlessness was occuring in white communities it would be stopped and stopped pretty damn quickly and I'm pretty sure banning porn would not be on the agenda.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Global Warming
Even Fox News now believes that Global Warming is fact. If the propaganda piece of the Right in the US believes it how long is it going to take for Howard & Bush to get it in their thick heads?
Meanwhile, a woman in the UK has been taken to court by Exeter Council for refusing to sort her rubbish and put it in the appropriate recycling bins. I say good on them, we all have a responsibility to do our bit for the environment and if she doesn't like it then tough shit. She doesn't live in a hermetically sealed cave (although she looks like she might) and so she should recognise that there are some things that we should all do, as members of society, in order to make the planet a better place to live on.
Meanwhile, a woman in the UK has been taken to court by Exeter Council for refusing to sort her rubbish and put it in the appropriate recycling bins. I say good on them, we all have a responsibility to do our bit for the environment and if she doesn't like it then tough shit. She doesn't live in a hermetically sealed cave (although she looks like she might) and so she should recognise that there are some things that we should all do, as members of society, in order to make the planet a better place to live on.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Evil Contributors
Polly Toynbee on the Guardian's 'Comment is Free' blog bemoans the rudeness of the contributors in the comments section. Choice quote:
'By the way, if anyone knows someone called Ian Birchall, do please tell me about him. He just sent me this email, all in capital letters, which would have been struck from this site: "You are a loathsome overpaid hypocrite. Nobody would miss you for 5 seconds if you were dead like your despicable shitball husband. I should like to see you in a cancer ward screaming with pain and vomiting blood.' His email is ian@ibirchall.wanadoo.co.uk. No, I didn't reply to that one'
Delightful eh?
'By the way, if anyone knows someone called Ian Birchall, do please tell me about him. He just sent me this email, all in capital letters, which would have been struck from this site: "You are a loathsome overpaid hypocrite. Nobody would miss you for 5 seconds if you were dead like your despicable shitball husband. I should like to see you in a cancer ward screaming with pain and vomiting blood.' His email is ian@ibirchall.wanadoo.co.uk. No, I didn't reply to that one'
Delightful eh?
Friday, May 19, 2006
Terrorist Trial
Faheem Khalid Lodhi's case in the trial currently being played out in a Sydney court is not exactly watertight is it?
Lodhi is accused of planning to bomb various sites around Sydney including Electricity substations and defence sites.
The defence asked why he had notes of how to make bombs lying around his house. According to his solicitor, Mr Boulten, he is just the inquisitive type:
"He was curious when he saw the information, perhaps foolishly he was interested," Mr Boulten said. "He, for no particular purpose, was attracted to it and wrote the details down. He had never subsequently paid attention to these notes."
Yeah, I must say it's a common thing for me too. In the midst of my Google searches for Paris Hilton and Britney I often stumble across sites like www.blowuptheinfadels.com where I accidentally come across instructions on how to make up bombs. And you know what I did upon hitting these sites? Well, the only logical thing that came to mind was to write the instructions and recipes down - why? Well, I'm just that kinda guy, I like things to be recorded and written down. Call it OCD if you will. No other reason, I promise.
When asked why he had a mobile phone account in a false name, Mr Lodhi stated that there was nothing untoward in this and doing such a thing was merely a 'bad habit' of Pakistani people. Eh?Picking your nose is a bad habit, biting your nails is a bad habit, smoking is a bad habit. But deliberately setting up a mobile phone account in a false name? That's a bad habit? I can just imagine it: 'Sorry Mr Vodafone, but everytime I fill in a contract I just can't help putting down a false name - I've tried everything - patches, hypnotism, I've even read "Allen Carr's Easyway to stop lying on Mobile Phone Contracts". But I just can't help it!'
And today comes the news that he lied about his name on various communications and of course it was just a mistake. Come on prosecutors - give the guy a break - everyone forgets their own name from time to time. I've lost count the amount of times I've called myself Dave or Simon or Martin. It's so easily done. Haven't you done it before? You haven't? Seriously? Shit.
I think the defence argument in this case is as strong as that expressed by men who go to Casualty with a broom sticks stuck up their arses. 'What happened?' asks the Nurse, "Well', replies the man', I was walking around naked and blow me but I fell over and landed straight on this lubricated broom stick. What a bloody terrible coincidence!'
Lodhi is accused of planning to bomb various sites around Sydney including Electricity substations and defence sites.
The defence asked why he had notes of how to make bombs lying around his house. According to his solicitor, Mr Boulten, he is just the inquisitive type:
"He was curious when he saw the information, perhaps foolishly he was interested," Mr Boulten said. "He, for no particular purpose, was attracted to it and wrote the details down. He had never subsequently paid attention to these notes."
Yeah, I must say it's a common thing for me too. In the midst of my Google searches for Paris Hilton and Britney I often stumble across sites like www.blowuptheinfadels.com where I accidentally come across instructions on how to make up bombs. And you know what I did upon hitting these sites? Well, the only logical thing that came to mind was to write the instructions and recipes down - why? Well, I'm just that kinda guy, I like things to be recorded and written down. Call it OCD if you will. No other reason, I promise.
When asked why he had a mobile phone account in a false name, Mr Lodhi stated that there was nothing untoward in this and doing such a thing was merely a 'bad habit' of Pakistani people. Eh?Picking your nose is a bad habit, biting your nails is a bad habit, smoking is a bad habit. But deliberately setting up a mobile phone account in a false name? That's a bad habit? I can just imagine it: 'Sorry Mr Vodafone, but everytime I fill in a contract I just can't help putting down a false name - I've tried everything - patches, hypnotism, I've even read "Allen Carr's Easyway to stop lying on Mobile Phone Contracts". But I just can't help it!'
And today comes the news that he lied about his name on various communications and of course it was just a mistake. Come on prosecutors - give the guy a break - everyone forgets their own name from time to time. I've lost count the amount of times I've called myself Dave or Simon or Martin. It's so easily done. Haven't you done it before? You haven't? Seriously? Shit.
I think the defence argument in this case is as strong as that expressed by men who go to Casualty with a broom sticks stuck up their arses. 'What happened?' asks the Nurse, "Well', replies the man', I was walking around naked and blow me but I fell over and landed straight on this lubricated broom stick. What a bloody terrible coincidence!'
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Go Paris! Down with Pink!
Kaka Mak puts up a spirited defence of Paris Hilton.
She says that many people dislike Paris because she is a 'whore'. Erm, that's exactly the reason why I like her! ha ha
Via: Erza Klein
She says that many people dislike Paris because she is a 'whore'. Erm, that's exactly the reason why I like her! ha ha
Via: Erza Klein
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Big Bros Antics
Michael was unveiled on Big Brother last night as Big Brother's 'insider'. If you haven't been watching Big Brother then I won't bore you with the details of what that involved or what it means since you clearly won't give a flying monkeys about it. I suggest you probably stop reading now in fact.
However, for the rest of you, I'll continue.
Now, you'd think in a competitive gameshow environment that the housemates would have forgiven Michael for the tricks he played on them as the insider as he had no choice in the matter (do it or be evicted). However, some of them completely lost the plot and there were more tears shed in the house than there were in my back garden when England lost to Argentina in 1998. WTF? Are these bunch of morons so emotionally retarded that they cannot cope with the fact that someone manipulated them in A GAME SHOW - And through no fault of his own I may add.
David looked like he'd just seen his Mum get buggered by Steve Irwin as he sulked his way through the evening and proclaimed that people like Michael were the reason why he lived 5 hours drive from Brisbane in the middle of nowhere. Well good! I'm glad you live out there you pathetic excuse for a human being. What good would you be in a city anyway? You probably couldn't cope with more than two cars being on the road at one time and would have a nervous breakdown everytime someone asked you for some spare change to feed their smack addiction.
Anna, the uber-bitch, also started blubbing like the snivelling little cow she is as she explained that Michael's fabricated story about custody of his 'child' was emotionally damaging to her as she never grew up with a dad either. Oh dear. Anna, yes you, stupid blonde bitch in the corner - IT"S A GAME SHOW - HE HAD TO DO IT. SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU ANNOYING BINT.
Krystal, the daughter of 'hippy' Karen, who likes to spend 6 hours a day trying to make herself look as unattractive as possible also joined in on the moral pontification saying '"He was already being annoying enough! It's such a sensitive topic, for me who never met my father." What else is a sensitive subject for you? Maybe that your fake tits DON'T make you interesting, that you apply 15 tonnes of slap to your face every day in a vain attempt to look attractive (fuck, this girl puts on new make up when she has a shit) or that you are a bland, boring, uninspiring retard. I reckon the fence outside my house has more opinions than you do.
But saying that, some people did act appropriately and honorable mentions must go to John, Gaelan and Katie. Who all appear not to have had their sense of perspective and humour removed from their brains before entering the house.
As for Michael, yeah I still think he's a cunt. But a cunt I now feel a little sorry for.
Iran Football
The Nation's David Zirn and John Cox report on a disgraceful attempt by conservatives to try and prevent football mad Iran from going to the World Cup in Germany... They correctly point out that if any country should be banned from going, due to their leader's belligerent attitude towards world affairs, surely that country should be the US of A. After all, they are the ones who launched an illegal war based on lies - when was the last time Iran did that?
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Robbie Rooting A Toff
Tara Palmer Tomkinson has been shagging Robbie Williams. My wife will be very jealous indeed...
Monday, May 15, 2006
Tabloid Hysteria
Friday, May 12, 2006
Cats with like, stuff on them....
Check out this completely mad website called stuffonmycat.com
Here's a taste of what's in store for you...
Here's a taste of what's in store for you...
Mum at 12
There are many things that could be written in jest about this but it really is a very sad story.
Choice quote:
'Yesterday she told how she took up drinking at just ten — sometimes downing a potent cocktail of Buckfast and vodka on nights out.
Choice quote:
'Yesterday she told how she took up drinking at just ten — sometimes downing a potent cocktail of Buckfast and vodka on nights out.
She said: “I can give up smoking at any time, but I don’t find it affects my pregnancy. I also don’t drink any more.”'
Very sad indeed....
Source: The Sun
Unions
Michael Costello writes about the Australian Government's attempt to emasculate the unions.
One of the Conservative movements most successful tricks of modern times (in all Western Countries) has been to portray unions as irrelevant, working against employees' interests and a barrier to modernisation. The public, on the whole, seem to have fallen for these lies. But while they spend their four weeks paid holiday per year enjoying themselves whilst getting maternity pay, sick pay, a 40hour week etc they might like to reflect on why they enjoy these benefits. They sure as hell didn't come about due to the compassion and decency of corporations nor the wisdom of Conservative politicans. The main force for improvements in worker's rights was the union movement and if they are reduced to an ineffective rump be prepared for these conditions to be as good as it's ever going to get.
One of the Conservative movements most successful tricks of modern times (in all Western Countries) has been to portray unions as irrelevant, working against employees' interests and a barrier to modernisation. The public, on the whole, seem to have fallen for these lies. But while they spend their four weeks paid holiday per year enjoying themselves whilst getting maternity pay, sick pay, a 40hour week etc they might like to reflect on why they enjoy these benefits. They sure as hell didn't come about due to the compassion and decency of corporations nor the wisdom of Conservative politicans. The main force for improvements in worker's rights was the union movement and if they are reduced to an ineffective rump be prepared for these conditions to be as good as it's ever going to get.
Real Tory Views Part 2
I've already posted about this topic here but I think I'll keep highlighting the occasions on which the real views of the Tory Party burst through the David Cameron 'vote blue, get green' spin. John Harris from the Guardian's blog located some rather illuminating comments from one of the Tory Party's 'A List' candidates, Maria Hutchings. Choice quote:
'I don't care about refugees. I care about my little boy, and I want the treatment he deserves.'
As John Harris rightly points out, that doesn't really chime with Cameron's new, cuddly, multicultural, Tory Party does it?
'I don't care about refugees. I care about my little boy, and I want the treatment he deserves.'
As John Harris rightly points out, that doesn't really chime with Cameron's new, cuddly, multicultural, Tory Party does it?
Porn FTW
ha ha ha...using the same Google trend service, it seems that the British like porn more than any other country. British cities occupy the top three places with Australia occupying three of the top ten slots which is very impressive considering the small population here.
Now, Brentford is a relatively small area of West London but ranks at number 3 in the top ten, above places like Melbourne, Seattle, Birmingham. I wonder why? Is it full of single, young men? How very odd...
Now, Brentford is a relatively small area of West London but ranks at number 3 in the top ten, above places like Melbourne, Seattle, Birmingham. I wonder why? Is it full of single, young men? How very odd...
Latinos Love Britney
ACT Gay Friendly Zone
Hurrah for ACT's government who have introduced civil unions for gay people.... No doubt families across the country will now start to fall apart due to this outrageous attack on family values....
Bloody Crouch
Excellent quote:
"If he is the answer, it's a bloody stupid question."
Former Cabinet minister and sports fan David Mellor on the selection of Liverpool striker Peter Crouch for the England World Cup squad.
Source: Newsnight
"If he is the answer, it's a bloody stupid question."
Former Cabinet minister and sports fan David Mellor on the selection of Liverpool striker Peter Crouch for the England World Cup squad.
Source: Newsnight
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Andrew Sullivan's admirable campaign against the threat of Christian fundamentalism in the US continues...
England are screwed.
So, let me get this straight. We're giving the job of England Manager to a guy whose team came14th in the league and lost the UEFA Cup last night 4-0? Jesus, we truly are fucked.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Britney RIP?
So, she IS pregnant with her second child after all. What the hell is she playing at? Maybe it's time for me to move on from my love of Britney. I don't want a domesticated, bloated, binge eating, down to Earth, housewife Britney. I want a writhing, wrapped in red PVC, nubile, fit, slim Britney goddamnit! Looks as if I am going to have to keep living in the past though, I'll have to concentrate on watching the Slave 4 U video (pic below) for the billionth time and try and forget about the Britney who is currently cleaning nappies, eating macdonalds and attending Weight Watchers classes...
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Are Angels Real?
This is an absolutely bonkers website.
From the FAQ section where questions include 'Are Angels Real?' to the four year forecast in which it states that the European Union is going to be the anti-Christ's power base, it's pure hilarity. But no, it's not a piss take - it's for real. And 10's of millions of Americans believe this stuff...
From the FAQ section where questions include 'Are Angels Real?' to the four year forecast in which it states that the European Union is going to be the anti-Christ's power base, it's pure hilarity. But no, it's not a piss take - it's for real. And 10's of millions of Americans believe this stuff...
Britney keeps us guessing
Britney update here
What could she possibly be announcing? That's she's rediscovered her self respect and is divorcing Kevin? That she's pregnant with his second child? That she's recording a new album? All will be revealed I guess...
What could she possibly be announcing? That's she's rediscovered her self respect and is divorcing Kevin? That she's pregnant with his second child? That she's recording a new album? All will be revealed I guess...
Tolerating intolerance
Robert Elisberg's take on the 'right' of Christians in the US to be intolerant....
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Blaine nearly drowns
Blaine hasn't pulled off his latest stunt and had to be rescued by divers after he failed to set a new world record in holding his breath underwater.
It's a real shame they managed to rescue him and thus avoided putting us all out of our misery. I'd like to avoid Blaine, I really would, but everytime he performs one of his 'amazing' stunts the press lap it up like Kevin Ferderline laps up Britney's cash. Please let's ignore this buffoon from now on, he's neither big nor clever.
The really irritating thing about him is that he is so god damn earnest about it all, at least the British knew to take him down a peg or two when he did his fasting thing in London a few years back. All the pissed clubbers and drinkers staggering by at 2am throwing burgers and chips at him made me strangely proud to be British.
Yeah, sure he can stand on a pole for 35 hours straight, he can be buried alive in a coffin for a week, he can survive for 40 days without food and he can stay in water for a long time. But can he stop being a twat? Clearly not.
It's a real shame they managed to rescue him and thus avoided putting us all out of our misery. I'd like to avoid Blaine, I really would, but everytime he performs one of his 'amazing' stunts the press lap it up like Kevin Ferderline laps up Britney's cash. Please let's ignore this buffoon from now on, he's neither big nor clever.
The really irritating thing about him is that he is so god damn earnest about it all, at least the British knew to take him down a peg or two when he did his fasting thing in London a few years back. All the pissed clubbers and drinkers staggering by at 2am throwing burgers and chips at him made me strangely proud to be British.
Yeah, sure he can stand on a pole for 35 hours straight, he can be buried alive in a coffin for a week, he can survive for 40 days without food and he can stay in water for a long time. But can he stop being a twat? Clearly not.
Bush - Not Conservative enough
The Conservative right are jumping off the Bush express like rats jumping off a sinking ship.
No doubt his aide Karl Rove will react to this by making sure that the Bush Administration ramp up their anti-gay, anti-liberal retoric from now until the mid term elections in November. They will be very interesting elections for sure...
No doubt his aide Karl Rove will react to this by making sure that the Bush Administration ramp up their anti-gay, anti-liberal retoric from now until the mid term elections in November. They will be very interesting elections for sure...
Monday, May 08, 2006
Cock and Bull
Tim Patch, an 'artist', has painted a portrait of John Howard by using his penis as a brush. Now, how the hell does that work? So many questions, so little time. Was his cock hard or soft? What type of paint did he use? Did he wash his cock with terps afterwards? Answers please....
Fishy goings on
So, when asked what was the greatest triumph of his life, George Bush said "I would say that the best moment of all came when I caught a seven-and-a-half pound perch while fishing on my lake."
Yeah, he was suposedly only joking but the sad thing is that it's probably true....
Yeah, he was suposedly only joking but the sad thing is that it's probably true....
Friday, May 05, 2006
Bonkers Time Op-Ed
Jamie Whyte writes a breathtaking piece of crap in his Times Column today. He proposes privatising healthcare and education and forcing people to pay for it all. It's the usual Tory rant questioning why we should have to pay for other people's healthcare and education. I tell you why Jamie, because we live in a society. What is it about community spirit and the desire to want to help other people out that so enrages the tiny little minds of Conservative thinkers?
To suggest that by making all schools charge fees this will help the poor is laughable. Schools, if this model were adapted, would inevitably try and charge the highest fees possible to attract the wealthiest pupils and the wealthiest schools would attract the best teachers. What then happens to people earning £10K a year? They will only be able to afford the worst schools with the worst teachers. How the hell can this be of benefit to them? People like Whyte like to bang on about choice but if someone has no money what choice do they have? None, they simply send their child to where they can afford it - what other option would they have? Ah, yes I'm sure the nice, caring, compassionate private sector will be more than willing to offer a top class, low cost alternative to those people living in poverty.
His use of the tired example about the NHS also doesn't stand up to scrutiny, choice quote:
' Jack smokes, drinks and overeats. Jill does not. Jack’s behaviour means he consumes more healthcare than Jill. It would be unfair if healthcare cost Jack and Jill the same. Yet this injustice is precisely what the NHS guarantees.'
No it doesn't by the very nature of the taxation system. If you smoke and drink lots then you are paying far more tax than someone who doesn't (assuming both earn the same wage) - therefore your contribution is larger to the NHS.
Sure, privatising both spheres would increase quality for those who can afford it but what about for those who can't? Just looking at the US experience regarding healthcare shows what a terrible mess it would be. The Government runs the NHS and Education and therefore it's answerable to the general public not a small group of shareholders. What's good for the private sector is not always good for the public - you may call it 'Marxist' Jamie but I'd call it 'Commonsense'.
To suggest that by making all schools charge fees this will help the poor is laughable. Schools, if this model were adapted, would inevitably try and charge the highest fees possible to attract the wealthiest pupils and the wealthiest schools would attract the best teachers. What then happens to people earning £10K a year? They will only be able to afford the worst schools with the worst teachers. How the hell can this be of benefit to them? People like Whyte like to bang on about choice but if someone has no money what choice do they have? None, they simply send their child to where they can afford it - what other option would they have? Ah, yes I'm sure the nice, caring, compassionate private sector will be more than willing to offer a top class, low cost alternative to those people living in poverty.
His use of the tired example about the NHS also doesn't stand up to scrutiny, choice quote:
' Jack smokes, drinks and overeats. Jill does not. Jack’s behaviour means he consumes more healthcare than Jill. It would be unfair if healthcare cost Jack and Jill the same. Yet this injustice is precisely what the NHS guarantees.'
No it doesn't by the very nature of the taxation system. If you smoke and drink lots then you are paying far more tax than someone who doesn't (assuming both earn the same wage) - therefore your contribution is larger to the NHS.
Sure, privatising both spheres would increase quality for those who can afford it but what about for those who can't? Just looking at the US experience regarding healthcare shows what a terrible mess it would be. The Government runs the NHS and Education and therefore it's answerable to the general public not a small group of shareholders. What's good for the private sector is not always good for the public - you may call it 'Marxist' Jamie but I'd call it 'Commonsense'.
Mexico caves...
Looks as if the USA's 'respect' for other democracies is once again proven to be a load of old balls. Mexico will now not proceed with drug decriminalisation after the US piles on the pressure....
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Boycott Cruise
I was chatting to the Wife the other week about how I was going to call for a boycott of anything to do with Tom Cruise on this blog but then I thought as I only have about 10 readers it's impact would be slightly limited. However, I see that Andrew Sullivan has called for such a thing on his massively read blog today and has asked other bloggers to sign up. Well, I'm definitely onboard Andrew - count me and my 10 readers in! (perhaps I shouldn't speak for all my readers - if you don't think that Cruise is a tosspot then please leave a comment explaining why...)
Agreeing with Abbott
This must be a first for me but I actually agree with Tony Abbott! He has called for fast food companies to show the calorie content of their food to their customers...Wow! What a revolutionary perspective - giving consumers clear, concise information on what they are eating. Predictably, the fast food giants are fighting the move with Con Mormanis of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia saying he believed that people should "take responsibility for their own health and welfare, and that includes nutritional selections".
That's all very well and good but surely in order to make an informed choice you need to know what the food contains? Fast food companies depend on misinformation and deception to sell their products so when anyone tries to get them to act in a more ethical way they can see their profits falling in front of their eyes. To be honest, seeing a calorie content of even 1000cal wouldn't stop me eating a Whopper burger after a night on the tiles, but it might make those people who eat them on a more regular basis think about the damage they are doing to their bodies.
There are warnings on fag packets and bottles of booze - with obesity becoming a major public health issue then I can't see why the same rule cannot apply to fast food.
That's all very well and good but surely in order to make an informed choice you need to know what the food contains? Fast food companies depend on misinformation and deception to sell their products so when anyone tries to get them to act in a more ethical way they can see their profits falling in front of their eyes. To be honest, seeing a calorie content of even 1000cal wouldn't stop me eating a Whopper burger after a night on the tiles, but it might make those people who eat them on a more regular basis think about the damage they are doing to their bodies.
There are warnings on fag packets and bottles of booze - with obesity becoming a major public health issue then I can't see why the same rule cannot apply to fast food.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Dear Janet....
Dear Janet,
I read your Australian op-ed piece with great interest today. In it you talk about howAustralia (and all liberal democracies) should be more vocieforous in encouraging their immigrants to learn about Western values. I agree with you, I think we have many things to be proud of here in the West including the rule of law, legal equality between the sexes, the right to protest etc.
However, if people had to be tested on the values you claim are 'uniquely Australian' - 'giving others a fair go, tolerance and compassion' - how do you think your chums in the Howard Administration would fair?
Was Howard giving others a fair go in lying about refugees chucking their children overboard? Is locking asylum seekers up in detention centres on remote pacific islands a demonstration of his compassion towards others? Or how about his government's tolerance of gays?
The problem you have in trying to convince others they should live by our values is that those who actually run this country are utter hypocrites in this and seem to living by the maxim, 'Do as I say, not as I do'.
Maybe if the government of the day really embodied the values that they claim are typical of the Australian character then new immigrants to this country would subscribe to them. Otherwise, they are mere empty words designed simply to increase distrust between communities. I am against Sharia Law as much as you are Janet but I suspect that those who actually want it to be imposed in Australia are very very few in number. I'd hazard a guess that there are many more people in Australia that believe that it should return to a White Australia policy. That doesn't mean they are representative of Australia, it doesn't mean 'Australian Values' are under threat. All it means is that a few idiots live in Australia. Of course they should be confronted and tackled, as should Islamic Fundamentalists, but let's not pretend we are facing a major clash of civilisations.
Yours, lovingly as ever
Shaun
I read your Australian op-ed piece with great interest today. In it you talk about howAustralia (and all liberal democracies) should be more vocieforous in encouraging their immigrants to learn about Western values. I agree with you, I think we have many things to be proud of here in the West including the rule of law, legal equality between the sexes, the right to protest etc.
However, if people had to be tested on the values you claim are 'uniquely Australian' - 'giving others a fair go, tolerance and compassion' - how do you think your chums in the Howard Administration would fair?
Was Howard giving others a fair go in lying about refugees chucking their children overboard? Is locking asylum seekers up in detention centres on remote pacific islands a demonstration of his compassion towards others? Or how about his government's tolerance of gays?
The problem you have in trying to convince others they should live by our values is that those who actually run this country are utter hypocrites in this and seem to living by the maxim, 'Do as I say, not as I do'.
Maybe if the government of the day really embodied the values that they claim are typical of the Australian character then new immigrants to this country would subscribe to them. Otherwise, they are mere empty words designed simply to increase distrust between communities. I am against Sharia Law as much as you are Janet but I suspect that those who actually want it to be imposed in Australia are very very few in number. I'd hazard a guess that there are many more people in Australia that believe that it should return to a White Australia policy. That doesn't mean they are representative of Australia, it doesn't mean 'Australian Values' are under threat. All it means is that a few idiots live in Australia. Of course they should be confronted and tackled, as should Islamic Fundamentalists, but let's not pretend we are facing a major clash of civilisations.
Yours, lovingly as ever
Shaun
Ronney
It's all over for Rooney according to The Sun.
I reckon Joe Cole playing in Rooney's usual role just behind Owen will be the smartest choice. The worst choice would be sticking Peter Crouch upfront and lobbing long balls to him all the time. He simply is not good enough for international football. I hope Ericsson sees sense...
I reckon Joe Cole playing in Rooney's usual role just behind Owen will be the smartest choice. The worst choice would be sticking Peter Crouch upfront and lobbing long balls to him all the time. He simply is not good enough for international football. I hope Ericsson sees sense...
News just in!
Goldfish swept away by floodwater but survives. Wow! That'll be on Channel Ten news tonight no doubt.
How the hell does this stuff become news? I mean imagine the conversation between the Goldfish Owner and the News Desk at Local News Weekly...
News Desk 'Hi there, news desk.'
Goldfish Owner ' Hi, I've got a hot new breaking story for you'
ND ' Really? What is it?'
GO 'It's my Goldfish, it's a miracle!'
News Desk bloke starts to get exited, after all animal stories sell papers! Will certainly be of more interest to the residents of Small Town than that bloody Iraq war business or the forthcoming recission
ND ' Really? What happened?'
GO ' Well, you know we had that really big storm the other day'
ND ' Yes'
GO' Well, our pond got flooded and little Nemo, that's what we call him, got washed away'
ND, eyes lighting up at the prospect of a cute animal AND tragedy in the same story ' Oh no!'
GO' But then we found him alive 5 days later'
ND 'Wow! How did he survive?'
GO 'Well it seems he must have been carried by the water to a flooded roadside ditch and he stayed there till we found him'
ND ' So, let's get this straight. A goldfish stays alive by staying in water.'
GO 'Well, yes'
ND' Brilliant - HOLD THE FRONT PAGE!'
ND bloke phones Editor, 'Boy have I got a story for you'
How the hell does this stuff become news? I mean imagine the conversation between the Goldfish Owner and the News Desk at Local News Weekly...
News Desk 'Hi there, news desk.'
Goldfish Owner ' Hi, I've got a hot new breaking story for you'
ND ' Really? What is it?'
GO 'It's my Goldfish, it's a miracle!'
News Desk bloke starts to get exited, after all animal stories sell papers! Will certainly be of more interest to the residents of Small Town than that bloody Iraq war business or the forthcoming recission
ND ' Really? What happened?'
GO ' Well, you know we had that really big storm the other day'
ND ' Yes'
GO' Well, our pond got flooded and little Nemo, that's what we call him, got washed away'
ND, eyes lighting up at the prospect of a cute animal AND tragedy in the same story ' Oh no!'
GO' But then we found him alive 5 days later'
ND 'Wow! How did he survive?'
GO 'Well it seems he must have been carried by the water to a flooded roadside ditch and he stayed there till we found him'
ND ' So, let's get this straight. A goldfish stays alive by staying in water.'
GO 'Well, yes'
ND' Brilliant - HOLD THE FRONT PAGE!'
ND bloke phones Editor, 'Boy have I got a story for you'
Berlusconi - Best EVER!
So, Silvo finally departs from the seat of power in Italy. But to prove to everyone what a joker he is he told the Italian people that:
'"We will be remembered as the best government in the history of the republic."
Erm, I'm not sure if such a government would preside over zero economic growth, join a disastrous war in the middle east and attempt to fiddle the system of government to give legal immunity to it's members who are corrupt. But hey, maybe I'm just being picky.
'"We will be remembered as the best government in the history of the republic."
Erm, I'm not sure if such a government would preside over zero economic growth, join a disastrous war in the middle east and attempt to fiddle the system of government to give legal immunity to it's members who are corrupt. But hey, maybe I'm just being picky.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Bush takes a beating
This has caused a bit of a furore in the blogosphere in the US, seems as if Bush has finally heard some criticism of his administration - and did he like it? Did he hell! Go Colbert!
Big Feet
Choice quote from this Guardian article regarding people's voting intentions in the forthcoming local elections in London...
Richard Smith, 77, "always votes BNP" because there are too many foreigners in the country. He says "they" burgled him four weeks ago. Asked how he knew it was "them", he said: "We knew by the big foot mark, I can't see many English people having feet as big as that."
Those bloody immigrants and their big feet!
Richard Smith, 77, "always votes BNP" because there are too many foreigners in the country. He says "they" burgled him four weeks ago. Asked how he knew it was "them", he said: "We knew by the big foot mark, I can't see many English people having feet as big as that."
Those bloody immigrants and their big feet!
Beazley
'Bomber' Beazley shows an amazing lack of political judgment by attacking the Howard Govt. over the Tasmanian Mine incident. He may be right in what he is saying but surely now is not the time to try and score political points over this while the two men are still down there? Could this have not waited until they are rescued? This is yet another example of why he is not suitable to lead the main opposition in this country.
Meanwhile, his approval ratings fall even lower. Labor have go to sort this out and fast if they have any hope of recovering to put up a good fight in next year's election....
The Australian attacks Beazley's leadership in today's editorial but to be honest, being attacked by The Australian is no bad thing. When they talk about the party's 'need to reform' what they really mean is that they wish Labor would drop it's ideology & principles and accept the Liberal Party's way of thinking. Drop opposition to full fee paying courses, drop opposition to millionaires receiving family benefits, drop opposition to lack of funding for public education and public healthcare. The Labor Party should not drop any of these things. The problem Labor has is a lack of visionary and firm leadership. Only by getting rid of Beazley will they be able to portray their values as those that can benefit Australians.
Meanwhile, his approval ratings fall even lower. Labor have go to sort this out and fast if they have any hope of recovering to put up a good fight in next year's election....
The Australian attacks Beazley's leadership in today's editorial but to be honest, being attacked by The Australian is no bad thing. When they talk about the party's 'need to reform' what they really mean is that they wish Labor would drop it's ideology & principles and accept the Liberal Party's way of thinking. Drop opposition to full fee paying courses, drop opposition to millionaires receiving family benefits, drop opposition to lack of funding for public education and public healthcare. The Labor Party should not drop any of these things. The problem Labor has is a lack of visionary and firm leadership. Only by getting rid of Beazley will they be able to portray their values as those that can benefit Australians.
Monday, May 01, 2006
TV
The Age reports that traditional TV broadcasting is facing it's most serious threat ever from 'on demand' download sites and torrents. I can only think that this is a good thing, people are sick of adverts every five minutes, of Channel 7 not showing Desperate Housewives and other top rating shows during Easter just because it is deemed as a 'non rating' period, of programs being moved around the schedules willy nilly, of programs being dropped after just 2 episodes... If you could download Desperate Housewives from the net (legally) then why the hell would you bother watching it in five minute at a time intervals on Channel 7? It's time for the networks to step up to the plate and improve the 'watchability' of their stations. My guess is though that they are too conservative and too monolithic to do this and will suffer badly as the new information age steams ahead...
Consumers in the US can now download their favourites shows from iTunes - when is this feature going to be made available in the UK or Australia? We wait and wait for a legal solution, meanwhile Australia and the UK head the league table of internet TV piracy. You can't keep a lid on this (as those in the MSM would like to) - give people what they want otherwise they'll get it through illegal methods. The music industry have finally recognised this, now it's time for the TV industry to get real.
Consumers in the US can now download their favourites shows from iTunes - when is this feature going to be made available in the UK or Australia? We wait and wait for a legal solution, meanwhile Australia and the UK head the league table of internet TV piracy. You can't keep a lid on this (as those in the MSM would like to) - give people what they want otherwise they'll get it through illegal methods. The music industry have finally recognised this, now it's time for the TV industry to get real.
Mexico follows Portugal in applying sanity to their drug laws. I hope that other countries such as the UK and Australia follow their lead, although the chances of Howard decriminalising Ecstasy possession are less than him saying sorry to those bloody abo's in my opinion.
Let's face it, arresting a clubber for possession of 2 pills is not making any contribution at all, in the wider sense, to the never ending 'war on drugs'. Police resources would be much better deployed at disrupting the organised criminal gangs that control the market. Of course, you could legalise the market completely and massively reduce crime but that isn't realistically gonna happen so the small steps that Mexico and Portugal have taken are most welcome. The day we stop punishing people for seeking to get high for a few hours is the day our society will become more grown up.
Let's face it, arresting a clubber for possession of 2 pills is not making any contribution at all, in the wider sense, to the never ending 'war on drugs'. Police resources would be much better deployed at disrupting the organised criminal gangs that control the market. Of course, you could legalise the market completely and massively reduce crime but that isn't realistically gonna happen so the small steps that Mexico and Portugal have taken are most welcome. The day we stop punishing people for seeking to get high for a few hours is the day our society will become more grown up.
Ingerland
Saturday was a bad day for England fans but Ericsson seems optimistic about Wayne's chances of recovering in time to play some part in the forthcoming World Cup. Owen is also looking doubtful at the moment. If both are out that means our strikeforce will most likely comprise of Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe. Yes, a donkey and a Spurs subsitiute. Germany, Italy and Brazil will be shaking in their boots! I have genuine optimism about our chances of winning this year but if Owen and Rooney are both out we can kiss any chance of winning goodbye...
Friday, April 28, 2006
Charles Clarke sinks further into it...
Charles Clarke is in even more trouble now. The thing to remember about these people is that they have actually served their sentences, therefore in reality they should be no more of a threat to people than any other British prisoner who gets released at the end of their sentence. The ever excellent Jonathan Freedland writes about it here with great clarity. I particuarly agree with this part of the piece and is something I talked about yesterday:
Was this Labour's Black Wednesday? Hardly. The Tories nightmare day in 1992 was horrendous because it affected every single voter - by hiking interest rates up to 15%. It destroyed the Tories' reputation for
competence in a stroke. The Clarke and Hewitt stories affect some people directly, but not everyone. And they erode Labour's image of competence, but they don't destroy it.
Nevertheless, this week's events do capture a mood - one of a government in a state of decay, no longer in control of events but buffeted by them. A resignation or reshuffle might dispel that mood for a while. But it won't go away - not until this government renews itself radically. And we all know what that will take.
Booze
As the years go on my body is becoming more and more intolerant of alcohol. Last night for example, I had a very nice meal at a friends place and over the course of the evening I had 4 glasses of white wine. That's all. No beer, no spirits and there was a meal in amongst that to soak it up. I left feeling tipsy but then the more I slept the more I seemed to get pissed. I woke up at 5am feeling very queasy and very drunk. The cat snoring (yes, really) irritated me and I spent an hour between 5-6 awake and feeling like I used to when I was 16 and drinking whole bottles of Martini in the space of an hour...
What on Earth is going on? It's not as if I am binge drinking. The last time I did that I found myself on the floor, with the wife, in a club in London making tune signs. Is it normal to become progressively more intolerant of booze? Or am I so out of practise that a few glasses of wine makes me feel like the drunk tramps who hang around outside tube stations in London?
Does anyone have a solution? Not drinking is not a solution, I live in Australia. That behaviour just isn't tolerated.
What on Earth is going on? It's not as if I am binge drinking. The last time I did that I found myself on the floor, with the wife, in a club in London making tune signs. Is it normal to become progressively more intolerant of booze? Or am I so out of practise that a few glasses of wine makes me feel like the drunk tramps who hang around outside tube stations in London?
Does anyone have a solution? Not drinking is not a solution, I live in Australia. That behaviour just isn't tolerated.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Leftwing reporter Robert Fisk makes a bit of an arse of himself in an interview with Tony Jones from Lateline last night...
Labour's woes
Labour are in their worst trouble in the UK since the 1992 election. The government is lurching from one disaster to another with the latest one being that a Home Office blunder has meant that 1023 criminals have been accidently released onto the streets of the UK rather than deported. Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, is hanging on to his job but it is clear that his position is untenable and he will have to resign.
Add to this Patricia Hewitt's embarrassing appearance before NHS workers (although being booed by a union is not necessarily a bad thing) and Prescott's extra-marital affair and the impression is of a government that is adrift.
But not all is lost. Labour's poll figures at the moment are at a 19 year low but the Conservative opposition do not seem to be benefiting as they should as they are only 2% ahead of Labour. For a Government, 9 years in, and perceived to be in 'crisis' these are amazing figures for Labour. Remember, in Australia where the Howard government is still wildly popular the Labor Party are 2% ahead in the polls. If the Tories were a realistic prospect then they would surely expect to be 10% ahead in the polls at this stage?
I agree with this Times Leader that Blair is running out of chances. He must have a full cabinet reshuffle and make sure that this time he gets it right. One more day like yesterday and I think Blair's time will be up. I have enormous respect for him (Iraq not withstanding) but I think that it is getting close to the stage where Brown will need to come in and renew the party and get them focussed on the job in hand - improving public services and making sure Labour are re-elected in 2008/9.
I've been constantly supportive of Blair and have wanted him to stay on for this full term but the future of Labour means more to me than the future of one individual and if Blair is becoming a liability to Labour it is time for him to step aside. I'll give you one more chance Tony...
Add to this Patricia Hewitt's embarrassing appearance before NHS workers (although being booed by a union is not necessarily a bad thing) and Prescott's extra-marital affair and the impression is of a government that is adrift.
But not all is lost. Labour's poll figures at the moment are at a 19 year low but the Conservative opposition do not seem to be benefiting as they should as they are only 2% ahead of Labour. For a Government, 9 years in, and perceived to be in 'crisis' these are amazing figures for Labour. Remember, in Australia where the Howard government is still wildly popular the Labor Party are 2% ahead in the polls. If the Tories were a realistic prospect then they would surely expect to be 10% ahead in the polls at this stage?
I agree with this Times Leader that Blair is running out of chances. He must have a full cabinet reshuffle and make sure that this time he gets it right. One more day like yesterday and I think Blair's time will be up. I have enormous respect for him (Iraq not withstanding) but I think that it is getting close to the stage where Brown will need to come in and renew the party and get them focussed on the job in hand - improving public services and making sure Labour are re-elected in 2008/9.
I've been constantly supportive of Blair and have wanted him to stay on for this full term but the future of Labour means more to me than the future of one individual and if Blair is becoming a liability to Labour it is time for him to step aside. I'll give you one more chance Tony...
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
This may destroy the reputation I (don't) have as a serious hard hitting political blogger but what the hell! Here's a picture of the wife and I dressed up for my fancy dress birthday party which was held on April 21st. We went as a Raver and a Shuffler . It was the first time in my life I have ever worn a singlet and it will be the last ever time. No need at all!
Big Brother Australia
So, my life for the next three months at 7pm is planned.
Big Brother 06 has started in Australia!
It looked at first as if the mix of contestants would be the same as last year: young, white, single and attractive. But the BB producers have gone all 'multicultural' on us this year and in amongst the youthful, nubile WASPs are a girl from China*, a guy from Bosnia and *gasp* a gay guy! It's political correctness gone mad I tell ya! There is also a Mother/Daughter team (who have both had boob jobs) in there who have to keep their relationship secret for the first week.
I haven't really sussed out who I hate the most yet, but it's early days. Early contender is Michael - the guy who is doing a political science degree and who wants to work as a political strategist for any party! Doesn't sound like Mr Prinicples has come a knockin' on his door recently eh? Also he has put 'Everything happens for a reason' as his 'life motto' which immediately marks him down as a cunt in my eyes.
One thing I did notice from the first episode was that a desire to fuck everyone over to get to where you want to be is seen somehow as a virtue. Never mind being kind, compassionate, considerate & generous it seems that all young people care about these days is how to get what they want and to hell with the consequences. For the first time in my life I actually preferred the hippy to any of them and for me to align myself with a hippy shows just how selfish and nasty our society is becoming.
Mind you, I could be over analysing (see Daniel Kitson rant for further evidence of this). I think the contestants have to big up their Gordon Gekko attributes to get on the show but once on there their kinder sides shine through. Well, I live in hope.
*ableit one that said that she hates people who move to Australia and don't become Australians! lol
Big Brother 06 has started in Australia!
It looked at first as if the mix of contestants would be the same as last year: young, white, single and attractive. But the BB producers have gone all 'multicultural' on us this year and in amongst the youthful, nubile WASPs are a girl from China*, a guy from Bosnia and *gasp* a gay guy! It's political correctness gone mad I tell ya! There is also a Mother/Daughter team (who have both had boob jobs) in there who have to keep their relationship secret for the first week.
I haven't really sussed out who I hate the most yet, but it's early days. Early contender is Michael - the guy who is doing a political science degree and who wants to work as a political strategist for any party! Doesn't sound like Mr Prinicples has come a knockin' on his door recently eh? Also he has put 'Everything happens for a reason' as his 'life motto' which immediately marks him down as a cunt in my eyes.
One thing I did notice from the first episode was that a desire to fuck everyone over to get to where you want to be is seen somehow as a virtue. Never mind being kind, compassionate, considerate & generous it seems that all young people care about these days is how to get what they want and to hell with the consequences. For the first time in my life I actually preferred the hippy to any of them and for me to align myself with a hippy shows just how selfish and nasty our society is becoming.
Mind you, I could be over analysing (see Daniel Kitson rant for further evidence of this). I think the contestants have to big up their Gordon Gekko attributes to get on the show but once on there their kinder sides shine through. Well, I live in hope.
*ableit one that said that she hates people who move to Australia and don't become Australians! lol
This proves the beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Dear old John - the flagbearer for Northern Socialism in the Labour Party has been caught with his pants down. And at the age of 67! Cripes.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
England Fans Start Praying
because if this is true then this World Cup may be the only chance we have of winning anything for a very very very long time....
Party
So tonight it's my birthday party which I am looking forward to immensely. It's fancy dress as well so stay tuned (if that's an applicable phrase for checking blogs?) on Monday and I'll put up some highly embarrasing photos of the wife and yours truly.
I saw Daniel Kitson at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival last night and very funny he was too. His rants against 'smokers rights' and Zoo magazine were highlights and in some places he hit comedy nirvana particuarly when he described someone as 'cunt cubed'. Exceptionally funny.
However, the whole premise of his narrative was that stuff that is 'alternative' gets shit as soon as it hits the mainstream and that success inevitably means that fuckwits will start to like it and therefore the appeal of it (whether it be a band, song, movie etc) becomes diminished.
Now, this is a perspective I have always had issue with.
I like ATB '9pm Till I Come' - the slightly cheesy tune that really launched the trance explosion in 1999. Now, this tune was loved by every Sharon and Tracey in the land, in Ritzy nightclubs from Aberdeen to Aylesbury but you know what, I still liked it and still like it to this day. The actual tune hasn't changed no matter how many Barrys in their Ben Sherman tops have oi oi'ed to it down Chasers. It's the same song. If you like the song for what it is then your love for it shouldn't have changed. If however, you liked it because at first it was a new 'in' thing and only known by a few people 'in the know' then I would say your love of that song was extremely shallow. Similarly, if a band you like gets big and they start playing to 5,000 people rather than 100 people then surely you should be happy for them that their success is reaping rewards? And yes, some of the 'great unwashed' may come along and see them but hey ignore them and concentrate on the reason you're meant to be there: the music.
The problem with a lot of well educated middle class people is that they really hate it when the working classes start to invade their turf. Whether it be in a cultural sense or an educational sense. For example, it's all very well for Tarquin to study Philosophy & Latin at Cambridge but dear god, look at those oiks studying Media Studies at Kingston University - surely they should be doing something worthwhile with their lives like carpentery or plumbing?
The argument Kitson and many of his ilk make is nothing but smug snoberry - he may be funny, but he's wrong.
However, the whole premise of his narrative was that stuff that is 'alternative' gets shit as soon as it hits the mainstream and that success inevitably means that fuckwits will start to like it and therefore the appeal of it (whether it be a band, song, movie etc) becomes diminished.
Now, this is a perspective I have always had issue with.
I like ATB '9pm Till I Come' - the slightly cheesy tune that really launched the trance explosion in 1999. Now, this tune was loved by every Sharon and Tracey in the land, in Ritzy nightclubs from Aberdeen to Aylesbury but you know what, I still liked it and still like it to this day. The actual tune hasn't changed no matter how many Barrys in their Ben Sherman tops have oi oi'ed to it down Chasers. It's the same song. If you like the song for what it is then your love for it shouldn't have changed. If however, you liked it because at first it was a new 'in' thing and only known by a few people 'in the know' then I would say your love of that song was extremely shallow. Similarly, if a band you like gets big and they start playing to 5,000 people rather than 100 people then surely you should be happy for them that their success is reaping rewards? And yes, some of the 'great unwashed' may come along and see them but hey ignore them and concentrate on the reason you're meant to be there: the music.
The problem with a lot of well educated middle class people is that they really hate it when the working classes start to invade their turf. Whether it be in a cultural sense or an educational sense. For example, it's all very well for Tarquin to study Philosophy & Latin at Cambridge but dear god, look at those oiks studying Media Studies at Kingston University - surely they should be doing something worthwhile with their lives like carpentery or plumbing?
The argument Kitson and many of his ilk make is nothing but smug snoberry - he may be funny, but he's wrong.
Women + World Cup = Bad
I like this:
World Cup Rules for Women
World Cup Rules for Women
LIST OF RULES
1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.
2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye).
3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month.
4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor....it wont happen.
5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.
6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or "don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.
7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying "one" game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together".
8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.
9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.
10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash.
11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the channel to something we can all watch??", the reply will be: "Refer to Rule #2 of this list".
12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank God the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words, because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish League, Premier League, etc etc.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Regards,
Men of the World
1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.
2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye).
3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month.
4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell from the second floor....it wont happen.
5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.
6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or "don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.
7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying "one" game, hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together".
8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.
9. Tell your friends NOT to have any babies, or any other child related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because:
a) I will not go,
b) I will not go, and
c) I will not go.
10. But, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Sunday to watch a game, we will be there in a flash.
11. The daily World Cup highlights show on TV every night is just as important as the games themselves. Do not even think about saying "but you have already seen this...why don't you change the channel to something we can all watch??", the reply will be: "Refer to Rule #2 of this list".
12. And finally, please save your expressions such as "Thank God the World Cup is only every 4 years". I am immune to these words, because after this comes the Champions League, Italian League, Spanish League, Premier League, etc etc.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Regards,
Men of the World
Bush Lies - Wow what a surprise!
The depressing thing about this is that most people in their heart of hearts knew before the 2004 election that Bush lied about Iraq but he was still elected with an increased number of votes. The reason that Bush got relected was due to the awesome Republican strategy department and the fact that John Kerry was simply not a credible, inspiring candidate and his party had no coherent message. The same is true of the Tory Party in the UK and the Labor Party in Australia - this is why the leaders of the 'coalition of the willing' have not been punished - there has been no credible alternative and that is a tragedy for Western democracy.
Mind you, I still backed Labour in the last UK election, Blair may have fucked up over Iraq but I'd rather grin and bear that than let the Tories back in and start to ruin the improvements in domestic policy that have been achieved under Labour.
Mind you, I still backed Labour in the last UK election, Blair may have fucked up over Iraq but I'd rather grin and bear that than let the Tories back in and start to ruin the improvements in domestic policy that have been achieved under Labour.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Driving, cycling, spots and double chins
Yay! Today, I passed my driving test today which I am very excited about as you can imagine. My test went very well with even my reverse parking going perfectly. I had 5 bad marks out of 53 so scored above 90%
It's taken me a long time to get it (I'm 28 today) but I'm now pleased I can drive to the shops to pick up bread, milk and the papers on the weekend thus completely satisfying my 'no exercise on weekends' policy (bar dancing of course!)
The only irritating thing was that I had a massive spot on my cheek which I was not impressed with at all. At least it makes me look like I got my license when I was a spotty teenager though eh? Saves the embarrassment that I often have in Australia when I tell people I have been learning to drive – not being able to drive by 18 in Australia is like not taking drugs by the age of 18 in the UK : unthinkable.
I also noticed a bit of a double chin action as well going on – arrrgggh middle spread is upon me. Although I do intend to step up my efforts at the gym. Last night the wife and I went to spinning which I quite enjoyed, I think it brings out the masochist in you as being shouted at by some fitness Nazi is not usually most people’s idea of pleasure. Why oh why do they always have such shocking taste in music? I’ve heard it all in spinning classes: euro pop versions of California Dreaming, DJ Sammy, The Corrs and last night we were ‘treated’ to Scooter. Nice. Possibly the worst tune I’ve ever heard in my life but it certainly encouraged you to ‘push to the end’ as you convinced yourself that the faster you pedaled the quicker the song would finish. Alas it didn’t. Fitness Nazi even kept it playing to the end of it’s 32 bar outro. Bitch.
(and for those of who don't know, here is what spinning looks like:)
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
One of the most bizzare party political ads I've ever seen. Although it may be amusing to us die hard Labourites, will the electorate really like it? I have my doubts.
Yes, I know. No posts for 5 days. Bad me.
Well I would have posted more today and yesterday if it wasn't for my bloody IT system at work going into meltdown at 11am yesterday. I accidently unplugged my modem and BAM! the whole mini network collapsed. So I spent the entirity of yesterday trying to get it back up and running but to no avail, after hours spent this morning we now have limited connectivity. Bizzare to say the least...It has meant that the spare time I have had outside of trying to fix it I have actually had to fill with work which has meant no time for the blog.
And to think of all the things I could have ranted about: Howard's new Asylum policy, Katie Holmes giving birth, USA V Iran and I could have talked at length about just how undeserved the Ice Age's success is. But they are all now rants under the bridge, swept away by time. Hopefully, there will be something worth talking about tomorrow...
Well I would have posted more today and yesterday if it wasn't for my bloody IT system at work going into meltdown at 11am yesterday. I accidently unplugged my modem and BAM! the whole mini network collapsed. So I spent the entirity of yesterday trying to get it back up and running but to no avail, after hours spent this morning we now have limited connectivity. Bizzare to say the least...It has meant that the spare time I have had outside of trying to fix it I have actually had to fill with work which has meant no time for the blog.
And to think of all the things I could have ranted about: Howard's new Asylum policy, Katie Holmes giving birth, USA V Iran and I could have talked at length about just how undeserved the Ice Age's success is. But they are all now rants under the bridge, swept away by time. Hopefully, there will be something worth talking about tomorrow...
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Philip Ruddock shows he is a man of integrity by saying that David Hicks can return to Australia if he is released from Guantanomo Bay. Gee, that's nice of you Philip! Meanwhile, it looks as if the only way Hicks is going to get out anytime soon is by claiming British Citizenship (The British have got all of their citizens out). This is a shameful situation for the Australian government. It should be their responsibility to try and uphold the legal rights of their own citizens, this isn't a British problem and it is shocking that a person has to claim another citizenship to try and see their legal rights enforced.
David Hicks may be a 'criminal' but he deserves due process and not to be locked up for 4 years without a trial date in sight. What the US are perpetrating in Camp X Ray is faciscm and Australia should not be aiding and abetting this flagrant abuse of human rights.
David Hicks may be a 'criminal' but he deserves due process and not to be locked up for 4 years without a trial date in sight. What the US are perpetrating in Camp X Ray is faciscm and Australia should not be aiding and abetting this flagrant abuse of human rights.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Damn those gays! Now they're trying to destroy society by attending the White House's Easter Egg Roll.
Pure evil I tell ya!
Pure evil I tell ya!
Iran
Not sure what I think about the alarming situation that is building up regarding Iran. On the one hand I can see that Bush is spoiling for another fight to try and salvage his poll ratings ahead of the mid term elections. There is also the matter of Iran attempting to sell it's oil in euros rather than dollars which, if followed by other OPEC members, would have an adverse effect on the US economy.
But the question that remains is why Iran is attempting to get nuclear power? It has natural resources of oil and gas in abundance, which are cheaper and easier to extract and use. There would seem to be no reason to spend so much money on a more expensive power source.
I would be firmly against the prospect of military action against Iran until the West can prove (and I mean real proof not like the 'proof' that was given re Iraq's 'wmd') that the Iranians are attempting to kickstart at nuclear weapons program. Maybe the Iranians are just grandstanding though in the way that the North Koreans do everynow and again. What the Iranians do know though is that the Americans do not start wars on countries that fight back and securing a nuclear bomb maybe their only way of guaranteeing peace....
We'll have to wait and see....
But the question that remains is why Iran is attempting to get nuclear power? It has natural resources of oil and gas in abundance, which are cheaper and easier to extract and use. There would seem to be no reason to spend so much money on a more expensive power source.
I would be firmly against the prospect of military action against Iran until the West can prove (and I mean real proof not like the 'proof' that was given re Iraq's 'wmd') that the Iranians are attempting to kickstart at nuclear weapons program. Maybe the Iranians are just grandstanding though in the way that the North Koreans do everynow and again. What the Iranians do know though is that the Americans do not start wars on countries that fight back and securing a nuclear bomb maybe their only way of guaranteeing peace....
We'll have to wait and see....
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Is this a truly shocking piece of music or what? My god, if this and Flaunt It are the sound of what the kids are listening to these days then I'm quite glad that I am about to celebrate my 28th Birthday.
Is it me or is electro house now awash with identikit, shallow, shite tunes? All of them sound exactly the same (listen to the week's new releases on Beatport to get an idea) and all the creativity and excitement seems to have been lost.
Dance music is still really good at the moment though - for some really great stuff check out Dave Seaman's new Renassiance Mix Cd - is fantastic!
Is it me or is electro house now awash with identikit, shallow, shite tunes? All of them sound exactly the same (listen to the week's new releases on Beatport to get an idea) and all the creativity and excitement seems to have been lost.
Dance music is still really good at the moment though - for some really great stuff check out Dave Seaman's new Renassiance Mix Cd - is fantastic!
Unsexy Britney
Apparently, Britney is in danger of not even getting into the top 100 of this year's FHM 100 Sexiest poll. Maybe we could vote for pre-Kevin Britney in honour of what she once was? I am afraid on current evidence she barely merits a place in the top 500...
I am trying to keep the faith with Britney but it's hard when she is looking like this:
Rather than this:
I am trying to keep the faith with Britney but it's hard when she is looking like this:
Rather than this:
It's not often I agree with an Australian columnist but Matt Price is bang on the money with this. Adam and Steve getting married does not threaten the basis of my marriage to my wife and why anyone thinks that it would threaten marriage is beyond me. Surely it is a conservative position to want two people to enter a legal contract and pledge life long monogamy to each other. The Right's bigotry is what stops this happening not their desire to protect 'family values'. The case for civil unions is compelling there is simply no good reason (not even one) to prevent them going ahead.
Labor's position on this has been pathetic (as usual) and a betrayal of the values the liberal left should hold dear. The pressure on the government is coming from within it's own party which reminds me of the concessions Georgiou & Moyland wrought from the government regarding the refugee situation.
How sad is that? That the Labor opposition are so utterly lame that the only effective opposition to government policy now comes from within their own ranks.
Labor's position on this has been pathetic (as usual) and a betrayal of the values the liberal left should hold dear. The pressure on the government is coming from within it's own party which reminds me of the concessions Georgiou & Moyland wrought from the government regarding the refugee situation.
How sad is that? That the Labor opposition are so utterly lame that the only effective opposition to government policy now comes from within their own ranks.
The problem for Cameron's new Tory Party is no matter how much he tries to dress them up as a 'compassionate, modern, inclusive' party, their member's real views will always be at odds with this new spun public image.
Monday, April 10, 2006
And so it begins. Even though he adds a caveat at the end, Simon Burnton is now starting what was inevitable - when England fans start believing we will win the World Cup. It always happens. We struggle through qualifying, we lose to Northern Ireland - we accept reality. We are good but not that good. There are better teams. It'll be wicked if we make it through to the Semis.
But then as the World Cup gets closer and closer we just can't help ourselves. We start thinking 'Well, this is the best England team in the last 30 years' or 'Brazil have never won a World Cup in Europe' or other such fanciful thoughts.
Then come the World Cup we'll scrape through the first round, again our hopes will be lowered to something near normal but then we'll win in style against Costa Rica in the second round and GAME ON! We're gonna win the world cup! Woo-hoo!
Then we'll play Germany. We'll be much the better team. We'll have a goal disallowed. We'll pretend we're Italian and try and defend a one goal lead. When Germany score to equalise in the last minute we'll realise that was very silly and perhaps we should have learnt from the 1000 unsuccessful attempts before when we've tried to defend a one goal lead. We'll hit the post in extra time. The whistle will blow. Peter Crouch will stand up to take our last penalty.
There'll be tears before bedtime.
It would be funny if it wasn't so fucking predictable.
But then as the World Cup gets closer and closer we just can't help ourselves. We start thinking 'Well, this is the best England team in the last 30 years' or 'Brazil have never won a World Cup in Europe' or other such fanciful thoughts.
Then come the World Cup we'll scrape through the first round, again our hopes will be lowered to something near normal but then we'll win in style against Costa Rica in the second round and GAME ON! We're gonna win the world cup! Woo-hoo!
Then we'll play Germany. We'll be much the better team. We'll have a goal disallowed. We'll pretend we're Italian and try and defend a one goal lead. When Germany score to equalise in the last minute we'll realise that was very silly and perhaps we should have learnt from the 1000 unsuccessful attempts before when we've tried to defend a one goal lead. We'll hit the post in extra time. The whistle will blow. Peter Crouch will stand up to take our last penalty.
There'll be tears before bedtime.
It would be funny if it wasn't so fucking predictable.
Beazley says something sensible for once. Yeah, so meritocracy may require another $150m of government money to keep it going but it's a price worth paying in my opinion.
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