Phantasmagorical Friday Raffles

joe6pack Uncategorized

Maybe we are living in a dream existence.

124765And it’s all just a Bad Dream

bad-dream_editedThat this idiot is our PM.

Abbott NSW BurnsAlas not. He is. So time for a kick along

download (13)Raffles are on again as usual

images (25)

And there is  a poll below to start deciding who we will donate the the proceeds to. Thanks to all pubsters that generously donated their winnings to the pool.

After we decide the general idea then we will get down to specifics.

Have a great night and good luck.

443 thoughts on “Phantasmagorical Friday Raffles”

  6. Gigilene,
    Those libraries are spectacular! I was especially taken by the one in China.

    I have a favourite library here in Melbourne, at Parliament House. It is a jewel of a place. I’ve offered to take it home and let it sleep on the end of my bed, but for some reason my invitation has been declined …

    Ignore the pink chairs:

  7. Just spent a pointless morning tussling with technology, current state of play, I have a phone line fault.

    I wanted to comment on the story in The Australian about the Abbotts remaining in their family home that Leone drew to our attention yesterday. It mentioned the opinions of 2 neighbours and that was enough to pinpoint the abode. I had never heard of Davidson before. I can only assume that News Corpse wants Tony in Kirribilli.

    Re Fiona and the students who can’t understand maximum word count must not exceed 1000 words.
    There are many teachers who reward students for length. My siblings suffer from brevity and we have all had occasion to tell the marker who asked for 1500 words that we have written 1495 words – other students submitted 3000 words

  8. Billie,
    I used to get away with lengthy assignments in my undergraduate days, but things are much stricter now as a matter of equity. Besides, there are many situations in the real world where word count – and even character count – is very strict. Grant applications, for example, abstracts for conferences, even many journal articles, are highly constrained. So in my opinion the art of writing well but succinctly is something students should acquire as soon as possible.

  9. fiona

    You’d never think the Chinese Library is a library. It blends in so well with its surroundings. As for your favourite one, just put all the lovely photos on your pillow …

  10. I always liked to go into the Mitchell Library in Sydney. The atmosphere was the most impressive aspect. The soft quietness was pervasive.

  11. I’ve visited 3 state libraries so far. The Queensland one was a bit small in a modern building, and nowhere near as impressive as the ones in NSW and Victoria.

    Sadly every time I go to the one in Victoria it’s utterly crowded, but it’s still nice to study in. The La Trobe reading room is wonderful. While I’ve visited the Mitchell Library only once, it was very elegant too.

    Next year I plan to visit the South Australian state library.

    Also it’s a pity the parliamentary libraries are only open to MP’s and staff. It’d be almost worth getting elected just to be able to use them, but I’m not really interested in the life of politics.

  12. I was overwhelmed by the size of the Mitchell Library. I believe it has a nice coffe shop as well. After a session in a library, I like to stop and have a coffee in the same inspiring area.

  13. When I was a lecturer I made it quite clear that I wasn’t interested in marking lengthy assignments at the start of the semester and allowed students to look at an assignment from a previous year. As an undergraduate the studenthood always ensured we always had access to the assignments of the year ahead and I wanted to control the scope creep on assignments – How much work should students put into an assignment worth 10% of the subject? I selected clear succinct credit standard assignments (not the high distinction ones) asked the authors for their permission to use it – which they always gave.

    I have always been critical of massive volumes of system documentation which is clearly never going to be kept up to date and is likely to never be read. People wanting to change the system have to read the programs so you need enough documentation to know which programs to look at.
    My justification is that I was asked to modify some programs used by First Boston to enable certain functions. I read the documentation that said the programs had be written by Arthur Anderson, each program took 2 days to write, really? what legends!. I checked the code. Yup the functions I was asked to include had been coded in originally. I wrote clear user instructions. I got my bum kicked for not billing enough and banished to Canberra. I think I should have buggerised around with the code and taken 12 months over it

  14. re The trebling of staff numbers in the Prime Ministers department and the removal of the CSIRO report into HIP effectiveness and deaths. Perhaps this 1200 is the kernel of the Department of Truth as per George Orwell’s 1984 . . and I bet I have referenced the wrong book

  18. Spoke to The Man about a quadcopter drone.

    It has everything:

    * GPS, return to base (either by command, or automatic if power is low), hover, fly to point;

    * 3-axis buffered (i.e. vibration-free) gimbal for mounting video camera (preferably a Go-Pro),

    * Video transmitter (with Screen in controller);

    * 4 batteries included;

    * Charger;

    * 2nd best controller electronics (best is quite a bit more expensive);

    * Free lessons (if reqd);

    * Spare blades;

    * 600 metre range;

    Downside is only 6 minutes flying time, sadly, but hey… you can’t have everything.

    $3600, plus user buys the camera (usually around $520 for a Go-Pro-Plus-Black).

    So say $4300 for change and you’re flying! One of those would be FUN!

    A lot of the stuff – gimbal, video transmitter, controller for example – are interchangeable with larger models.

  19. The insulation inquiry is no surprise.

    So far Abbott is following the same playbook being used by the LNP here in Queensland.

    Rudd lost the battle re this issue 4 years ago when he cracked and went on TV to apologize and then put the blame on Peter Garrett.

    It will be interesting to see ( if the inquiry goes ahead ) whether any previously unseen correspondence and or documents float to the surface putting Rudd right in it.

    Good time for payback I would think from any number of disgruntled public servants and others for the lack of support and guts Rudd showed during the all thing in 2009.

    How sweet that would be.

    Could well bury Rudd once and forever.

    I can only hope.

  21. you don’t think the COALition would be silly enough conduct an enquiry that deaded and buried KRudd. That would be just destroying their best chance of ruling forever

  22. The Coalition must believe their own shit.

    What would be gained by any inquiry of Rudd.

    One, it could destroy Rudd forever. Many Labor supporters would love that. He would doing Labor a favour.

    There is a danger, no matter how narrowly they frame the questions the inquiry will look at, the programme will be seen for the success, it was.

    It will not change the fact, that there are now million and quarter roofs that are insulated. leading to lower savings, summer and winter.

    Would not change the fact, that the industry is now much safer.

    Would probably show, the crime was in Rudd not supporting Garrett or the scheme.

    Yes, Rudd might have rushed things, so what. Is that a hanging offence.

    Did any of the deaths occur because of this. The answer is no, as all the employers would have known of the dangers, but ignore the safety issues. Yes, ignored them.

    As for the families, it is open for them to sue the employers. Why is this ot happening?

    It is not unknown for the coroners court to get things wrong. I suspect, that extending the cause of the deaths to any Federal government is a long bow to pull. I suspect, it would not stand up if challenged, as it is in my opinion, just the coroners opinion, not based on any fact. Fact could be interpret as the court playing politics.

    As for the coroners findings, re the employers, that is a difference matter. That was based on facts, presented to the court.

    As I have asked, what good will having another inquiry serve.

    Most of the information the Government is after, could be classed as cabinet documents, and not open to be released.
    Just a witch hunt, on the part of the government. What they hope to achieve is beyond me.

    Same goes for the upcoming HSU and AWU inquiries.

    One into Ashbey, and maybe Jackson, along with the boyfriend, is a different matter.

    One into the expenses of Abbott, along with many ministers is badly needed. Is current and answer given are not showing any light on the issue.

    Another inquiry, is who referred Slipper to the police. Maybe Abbott could just release the name, without the expense of any inquiry.

  23. Abbott has his foot on the throat of labor atm and he will not let go.

    Reason plays little part in his thinking.

    What Abbott hopes to achieve is to burn in the minds of the public how incompetent labor is.

    What Abbott hopes to achieve is to take the focus away from his short comings and the mistakes his government will make and put it squarly on labor.

    The OM have invested too much time and effort into destroying the programme to be fair now.

    They will report what they want to report. Any positives will be glossed over and any negatives, however slight, will be headlined day after day.

    Just have a look what has happened already re this programme and the BER.

    No matter how many reports and audits were released the OM refused to take them into account.

    They have decided the programmes were bungled and that labor is incompetent.

    That is what they reported and will continue to report and that is all people will hear.

    Whether there will be any more downside for labor on this issue I have no idea. It was over three years ago so perhaps people have moved on.

    However you can be sure there will no upside and along with the continuation of “insulation debacle” and “labor incompetence ” that is all Abbott needs and wants.

    Whether it works or not is not a major issue to Abbott.

    The focus will be away from him, he is giving labor a good kicking. Abbott will be happy.

    Remember who we are dealing with here.

    Abbott and a bunch of head kickers.

  24. Crown Prince Fred of Denmark and Princess Mary join the list of important people who have visited the Blue Mountains fire areas to meet and chat with the locals and commiserate with those who have lost everything..
    http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=918941&vId=

    Tony Abbott hasn’t been back since his fire fighting stunt last weekend. He still hasn’t met with anyone who lost property or suffered injury during the fires. Says it all, really. For the Prime Sinister it’s all about what publicity he can milk from a dire situation. Stuff the victims, all that matters is dressing up and getting in front of a camera. Abbott must be staying away because he’s scared he’ll be asked tricky questions about Centrelink disaster recovery payments if he goes near the place.

  26. Fed up

    Then there was the Darwin Award factor. At the inquest of one death we heard how the guy was told to use plastic staples and a suitable gun supplied. He instead went out and got metal ones because they were faster. Straight through the metal foil he was electrocuted.Apart from the fact that isolating the roof is 101 safety stuff people still have personal responsibility to work safely.

  28. Abbott must be staying away because he’s scared he’ll be asked tricky questions about Centrelink disaster recovery payments if he goes near the place.

    He was being hammered on that yesterday, and on ABC TV News too!

    He’s scared of Global Warming questions as well, and “Will the Army pay?” questions?

    He doesn’t want questions on whether this is a national matter (which is what the national leader – I use the word advisedly – being present would imply).

    In fact he’s just scared of questions.

    And according to Psephos, it’s a Labor voting area anyway.

    One thing I DO know: if this AWOL performance had been from Gillard, we’d would NEVER have heard the end of it. They pointed cameras at her face and searched every pore for expression. There was a lively market on 2GB as to whether her tears were genuine or not. They crucified her.

    No problem for Abbott: the pundits are all saying how brilliant he is for not showing up.

  30. I think one will find, the areas in question, have Liberal MPs. One bust trying to apologise for Abbott.

    This is what one is in for. All welfare, well at least welfare for those who need it will be cut back. Example in the cuts that went along with repealing the MRRT. Some have nothing to do with the mining tax.

    One was the supplementary package for those on benefits such as unemployment and like benefits. Yes, those who have suffered most over the last few years.

    The silly part, that package is a better way to help these people, as it is aimed at need, than raising the benefits themselves.

    Same goes for repealing the changes made to super. Yes, once again, those on the bottom will be paying higher rates of tax, than those at the top.

    Then one must not forget, the loop holes that Labor closed to the FBT and cars. Yes, one get a tax bonus for driving your car to work, but not if one catches the train or bus.

    I believe Labor should be about creating a fair society. Do we want the USA scenario, where the minimum wage is around $7.00 but they still pay nearly fifty percent tax on that lowly sum. Yes, in that show, where they showed people with degrees earning say $56.00, but after tax, received around $28.00. Yes, and for a fortnight.

    One now sees low wages and unemployment, a drag on the productivity of a nation. Yes, low wages and unemployment can be seen as waste.

    The Coalition is about one thing and one thing Lyon. Small government for the people, with no regulations or constraints. Yes, people are there for business.

    We are hearing nothing from them, but living within ones means. No assistance to those who can help nevertheless. Welfare leads people becoming helpless. All government s

    Private enterprise is always better.

    People should be able to provide for themselves. Government get in the way of this. The list is endless. What gets me, they are repeated with a straight face, as set in stone.

    They are looking for a way of off loading NDIS to the charities or a private provider.

    What the disable are sick of, is being treated an charity cases. They want to see their benefits as a right.

    Big difference.

    This government has let it known, no way woman working in low paid industries, that are so, because they are comprise of women workers, are not going to get justice, with higher pay, that Gillard set in motion.

    That is the women who work in welfare, nursing and and childcare.

    Abbott has said many are not going to like what he intends to do. Did not add, they would be all low income earners, including small business.

    He also intends to reverse Labor’s action in Medicare, returning rebates to high income earners.

  31. In fact Mark Latham was crucified when he didn’t visit a disaster area, even though he was suffering pancreatitis.

  35. “It will not change the fact, that there are now million and quarter roofs that are insulated. leading to lower savings, summer and winter.”

    Something C Milne could have mentioned on the Insiders, but did not. Just bashing Labor as usual.

  36. Three things the ALP should be doing right now:

    1. Putting a clamp on any talk about this BS enquiry into the insulation scheme – on the order of “We will be making no comment on that issue, firstly because there have already been a number of investigations and you can reference their findings, and secondly because the correct time to comment on the current enquiry is when it is over.”

    2. Using the opportunity to call for a thorough investigation into the AWB scandal – and to call for it every single time a journalist asks a question about pink batts. “The AWB scandal was one of the most disgusting and dishonourable acts in the history of this country, and the cover-up was shameful and cowardly. It demands a thorough, impartial and open investigation, especially seeing as some of the current government were around at the time.”

    3. Calling for an election, to get rid of this contemptible, cowardly, incompetent and petty government. “We’ve already seen in six short weeks their capacity to damage our reputation abroad, set action on climate change on a backward path when all the indicators show that immediate and urgent action is required, and to blow out the budget with excess borrowing and the massive rise in the debt ceiling. We can’t afford three years of this. They’re unfit to govern and their culture of silence only makes things worse.”

  37. Why the words “home insulation scheme” ALWAYS have to be preceded by the word “bungled” is beyond me. It’s utterly gratuitous and, many believe (with good reason) untrue.

    Canning it was the beginning of the end for Rudd.

  38. That pisses me off too, and every Coalition-loving journalist simply loves doing it whenever the subject of the insulation scheme turns up.

    Failed, Bungled, Disastrous, Botched, Deadly, etc. Funny how those words more accurately describe Abbott’s government

  39. I want one of those drones but not sure about the casa. requirements.

    Where is the enquiry into all the road deaths because of successive govts. road building policies?

  40. It’s too late to call for an inquiry into the AWB scandal now. That should have been started in December 2007, but Rudd didn’t bother, just one of his many failures. He was too busy playing the magnanimous leader and handing out cushy posts to Liberal failures to bother doing anything useful.

    The AWB conspirators – Vaile, Downer, Howard and the rest – have had more than a decade to get their alibis and cover stories in place, no-one is going to find anything incriminating now, it’s all just so much ancient history. If any documentation still exists in the archives you can bet it will be hitting the shredder within weeks as Abbott’s super-size staff get down to business.

  42. Michael at TPS has written a good piece about this guvmint’s penchant for enquiries.
    It’s already been said but I think the idea’s to establish a sort of drone bass “Labor incompetence & shiftiness” theme to underly discussion. As usual, ably assisted by the media protecting its investment & legacy, there’s too many “botched” stories out to stop now & anyway new ones write themselves.
    Be interesting to see whether any of the commentariat calls Abbott on this.

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