Deep within Canberra’s soiled halls, where sellouts, drunks, psychopaths and megalomaniacs roam, strategically weaponised bullshit is conjured up for our consumption. Soundbites, slogans, dog whistles and distractions – “announceables” that fall well short of being actual policies. Or even things that might plausibly happen one day.
This is what Peter (“He’s not a monster” – his wife) Dutton is good at. And this is one of the many political tactics vast swathes of the mainstream press are utterly incapable of handling in a responsible manner. Instead, they offer him assistance, both unwittingly and deliberately, as he wastes everyone’s time and insults our intelligence.
Dutton and his team have recently begun a nuke spruik; a push for nuclear power in Australia. And when Dutton sets this sort of agenda, the papers and nightly news uniformly and dutifully follow, down the path of dreaming up a Jettson’s-esque atomic future for a land drowning in sun, wind, and coastline.
Excellent article in my opinion, and the final paragraphs are particularly poignant in regards to the modern media and human psychology.
A feel good story. Please forgive me for posting something a little lighter to start the year.
We had a Te gerfield Terrier pup born, an only child, a boy. He was born with a back foot missing, in late November, 2023.
His Mum is Lily, my son’s beautiful female dog.
(She is being desexed. No more sneaking out the back to meet up with my handsome dog. Long story.) Lily stayed at my home to ‘Lie In’ as it used to be called, for her first and only pregnancy.
I agonised over the life the pup would have and if I should take him to the vet for the trip to Rainbow Bridge (Euthanasia). The ethics of it all, and my compassion put my mind in a turmoil. After all, was I going to do that for just one foot, a disability he could cope with, as I believed?
Plus, Lily would have no babies to nurse.
So after talking to a friend who said that there has to be someone in Australia who would want him, I took the chance on that.
He grew strong, round and fat. I named him Teddy Bear.
He starting crawling, walking, climbing, and was the cutest baby Tenterfield Terrier puppy you could ever find.
I had put the word out, and a friend of a contact came back with a family. But at six weeks old, they decided they were not able to take him.
However, unknown to me, another family had heard of him and were eagerly waiting in line to take him.
This was family was looking for a pup for their children. I love Bear and wanted the best placement for him, where he could get more attention than we could give him. His missing foot was no barrier to them, and we talked about prosthetics and therapies.
My son had fashioned a small piece of silicone taped to the end of his leg to wear for a time during the day, a bush mechanic fix. It helped him, but it also was to get Bear used to having something on his leg. He got around well without it though, on the indoor floors. Later, he would need to protect the leg end when outside, of course.
Bear slotted right into the family. He is dearly loved and loves them back. He sleeps in the youngest’s bed. He is the apple of everyone’s eye. Bear has already had car rides and visits. I told the parents that Bear will definitely have a positive effect on their young children. I predict they will good attitudes to Disability in their lives.
He lives in a lovely place on an acreage, for a transport business family, less than 40 kms from me. Hence, truck rides for Bear!
The vet clinic they chose has a speciality in therapy and a special room just for that. He is now wearing a dog boot on his foot, cost $13. Later when older, he will get a 3D printed prosthetic foot.
It is a happy start to 2024, and a wonderful outcome for Bear. I hope everyone has a happy start to the New Year.
I am sending a big Thank You to Kirsdarke for his posts in 2023 and we hope to read from him in 2024.
(Yes I am registered as a dog breeder, and follow all ethical and care guidelines, beyond those required, with just one or two litters per year, of a specific breed line.)
On this dark and stormy night, a lot of us on the East Coast of Australia face a particularly challenging day tomorrow at Christmas with rain and thunderstorms predicted. So here’s best wishes that we all get through it for the most part and are able to hold festive cheer with our families, friends and loved ones, for those of us who celebrate it and happy holidays regardless for those that do not.
Also best wishes to everyone in the new year next week, and hope that 2024 brings good things to everyone here at The Pub.
THE PUB 