Hi All,
I’m leonetwo’s son, Steve.
Just to let you know that Mum had a fall on Monday and as a result, broke her hip. Mum is fine, had a hip replacement yesterday and is in little pain and good spirits.
I’ll add in further updates as I get them.
50 thoughts on “A message from Leonetwo”
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THE PUB 
Sorry to read Leone! Get well soon! Thanks Steve for letting us know.
I guess we will make this the new thread. So posting some of my links below.
Get well really soon and with as little pain as possible.
Dear Leone/Steve, Sorry I can’t effectively link the only ‘smiling me’ picture from polliepomes.com to send with a get well soon message! Those of us fortunate enough to have supportive daughters and sons like your Steve know how much that will help in your recovery. My own limited but initially excruciating experience of needing hospitalization and bed rest gave me heaps of time to write about it. It’s all sitting on my desk waiting for me to publish my views on the still unfolding debate Australia has to have about its health services and particularly medical practice and hospital staffing. ALP policy right now offers a chance to focus on that in the weeks of the election campaign and thereafter. I must talk to Fiona about that! How long before you might be able to be a front-line correspondent yourself ? Now in good hands, you’re ideally placed to write what I suspect you might about how hospital care workers are so deserving of much better pay rates and conditions. Cheers, Patriciawa
Oh noes x 10!!!
Devastating news.
Get better quick Leone we will miss you heaps.
By the time you read this “I hope you’re feelin’ betta”. –
Good that there was no ‘mucking about’ what needed to be done was done quick smart.
Oh my 😆
Notice Bullshit Man’s ‘cack hand’, a little ‘stained’ . It does look like he hasn’t been using the paper provided.
Very sorry to hear. I hope Leone has a swift and full recovery.
Also this week I have been absolutely disgusted with the conduct of the Australian media.
As a whole they’ve been as bad as Pravda in their sheer fanaticism in supporting the Coalition and attacking the opposition.
In fact I have more respect for the journalistic integrity of those in Pravda in the USSR than I do for the current Canberra Press Gallery in that it can be argued they at least were working under duress. After all, if they didn’t churn out headline after headline to the effect of “Workers Praise Comrade Brezhnev as Silos Overflow from Record Grain Harvest”, they would expect a visit from the KGB and effectively cease to exist. These soulless ghouls only do it for the money. They’re despicable.
That would be a fitting name for the CPG. “Pravda Downunder”
Blimey, us senior Pub patrons are a worry aren’t they!!!!
I had I hope, my last appointment at the Base Hospital, Orthopedic Fracture Clinic this afternoon.
I arrive home to find that a fellow senior Pubster had had a hip replacement yesterday after a fall on Monday!
If Leonie does get a chance to read this comment, I hope that she recovers quickly and heals well. If it’s a ball & socket replacement/reconstruction then she unfortunately is looking at quite a lengthy recovery. Just a ball replacement without too much ligament damage will have a much shorter recovery time and she should be able to get around on crutches quite soon.
My fall down the stairs has had me laid up since the 2nd of January. I had multiple fractures in my right heel bone and got a plate with 9 whooping great screws inserted on the 14th of January. There was 5 patients in the Orthopedic ward (all from falls) and the groans and loud cries of agony would keep you awake even without the Obs etc!!!! LOL
I’ve only recently been able to get around briefly with the aid of a walking frame wearing a “Moon Boot”. Crikey, they both make it hard going getting around even if briefly over a short distance. The whole experience has sure been a test of my sense of humour and I certainly couldn’t have got this far with it without the fabulous nursing care from my definitely, better half, Mrs Scorpio.
I was only in the hospital for 3 days and nights but was glad to get home as they were taking Obs every hour all night and giving me Endone every 4 hours so no sleep for 3 nights and another 3 or 4 after I got home because of the pain and to me it seemed as though the Endone was no better than Panadol.
After the Endone ran out (much too quickly) I went on to Tramadol but had to experiment over 10 days to work out the best dosage etc to at least control the worst of the pain.
I was put on 100mg slow release pills to start off with only getting 20 pills at a time. Trying to take one every 12 hours was an experience I would rather not ever have again. They take 40 minutes or so to even start acting, only deliver small doses which do beggar all as far as pain relief goes and wear off after about a bit more than 6 hours if you are lucky which means that there is a periods in between doses when you are getting no pain relief whatsoever.
So next he tried me on 50mg fast acting and that was worse than the !00’s because trying to take one every 6 hours (at best you get 4 hours relief) 20 pills only last 5 days if you are lucky and less if you take some to fill in the gap when they wear off.
The medical profession are so paranoid about patients getting hooked on them or saving them up to make ice or something (you need a bloody lot of them for that) or saving them up to top yourself. That last thing that I was confronted with made me laugh. Actually, it does occasionally cross your mind with chronic pain as you can get quite depressed and find the light at the end of the tunnel to be out of reach. It’s not, but can take longer than you prefer!
When you are suffering chronic pain, you are never going to be in a position to save them up as you can only get them from the one prescribing Doctor and you don’t get prescribed enough to give tolerable pain relief. As soon as your Doc suspects you can get by on just Osteo Panadol, they cut you off and won’t prescribe them to you any more!
It’s all a lot of bull that they don’t want you to suffer from constant chronic and acute pain. I think it’s even worse if you have full on pain from cancer and such like. That’s why people turn to Cannabis etc in addition to whatever they are prescribed to try and make life bearable!!!!!
Mega OUCH!
So take note you younger Pubsters.
As you get older, take care and don’t do foolish things like climbing up on unsafe items (like wobbly chairs or stools) take care on ladders and as you get older, don’t climb up on roofs etc.
Get younger ones to do that for you. Their bones mend quicker and don’t break as easily!!!!! LOL
Also and take care on Stairs!
Those railings are there for a reason. Use them.
Not like me. Probably the only rare time I went up our stairs with things in both arms and hands I ended up in a crumpled heap at the bottom unable to move and with tears streaming down my face from the unbelievable pain!
And, I thought I was tough. What a laugh. Severe pain sure is a leveler!!!
You have been in the wars. How long until you lose the screws and or moon booties ? Or rather how long do you hope/expect to ?
Leone and son
Razz and I are sending lots of hugs and get well soon. It has been a bit quiet at the Pub without you. Not to put any pressure on you, but get well soon and hurry back.
Kirsdarek
Until tonight I was 100% in agreement with you. BUT is the worm turning ? Some ‘green shoots’ to cheer you up.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10718471/Lisa-Wilkinson-slams-Liberal-party-not-delivering-promise-federal-corruption-watchdog.html
kaffeeklatscher,
Probably another few weeks and they reckon I should be able to advance to wearing Joggers and barefoot around the house and ditch the moon boot.
Then get Physio to improve movement in the foot. I will lose most of the sideways ability of my foot though and have a 100% chance of developing arthritis in it fairly quickly. (apparently it is because of the nature of the break.
As for the plate and screws, they’ll have to rake them up with what’s left of my bones after I am cremated!!! I’ve got them for life.
Unfortunately I’ll have to get special shoes now because my right heel is now wider on one side because of the plate. Joggers are ok though as they have more room to move in and are softer.
The ligaments in my foot that are connected to the heel bone and the Achilles tendon which connects from the heel bone to the back of the knee were damaged and are still healing and once properly healed will need Physio to stretch them back to their normal condition.
I certainly did a good job of it but from what the Orthopedic Specialists said and what I researched on the net it could have ended up a damned sight worse. If you GOOGLE up “comminuted calcaneal fracture” it will outline what I have been lucky enough so far to dodge!
kaffeeklatscher,
Anne Ruston wasn’t on Q & A tonight was she?
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. There’s more here than I had expected to trawl on a Good Friday.
It was a ragged week for Albanese, but soon the tables turned for Morrison, says Michelle Grattan.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-15/election-albanese-morrison-tables-turned/100993738
As the Coalition plays a shameless repeat of its last victory – buying votes – Albanese botches his message, just as Shorten did three years ago, writes David Crowe who concludes with, “Albanese is not doing as badly as the conservative media wants but his mistakes are greater than his progressive supporters admit. He is losing ground. It is too early to know if he has lost the campaign.”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/2019-time-warp-pm-walks-the-pork-while-albanese-baulks-the-talk-20220414-p5adfp.html
Morrison says he has ‘honoured his proposal’ for a federal ICAC. He is wrong, declares a strongly written SMH editorial. It describes it as the first decent political issue to emerge from the trivia of the week. OUCH!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-says-he-has-honoured-his-proposal-for-a-federal-icac-he-is-wrong-20220414-p5adkj.html
Crowe writes that a national row over trust in politics will be used to galvanise campaigns against the Coalition in marginal seats after Scott Morrison abandoned a pledge to set up a corruption watchdog and blamed Labor for not supporting his preferred plan. Rightfully, Morrison is getting panned by all and sundry for this.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/moderate-liberals-face-independent-integrity-campaigners-after-pm-abandons-pledge-20220414-p5adln.html
Royce Millar and Najma Sambul have been on the ground in the seat of Goldstein and find the debate on an ICAC is drawing the battle lines.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-chill-winds-of-change-and-the-battle-for-goldstein-s-golden-mile-20220407-p5absh.html
Barring the usual Labor backstabbers, Albanese can rise from his fall, writes Peter Beattie who says, “Albanese’s weakness is his strength. He is not a slick politician. What you see is what you get, mistakes and all.”
https://www.smh.com.au/national/barring-the-usual-labor-backstabbers-albanese-can-rise-from-his-fall-20220413-p5add5.html
At Morrison’s media party, there’s no such thing as a ‘free’ drink, explains Jennifer Wilson.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/at-morrisons-media-party-theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-drink,16264
The Morrison Government likes to flap their arms and say they’re strong on national security, but the evidence actually proves otherwise, posits Michael Springer.
https://theaimn.com/scott-morrisons-national-security-fail/
Michael Koziol reports that the Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves has issued another public apology after she was found to have compared her anti-trans activism to the Nazi resistance movement and claimed in a tweet that “half of all males with trans identities are sex offenders”. Not a good start! And she’s put Morrison into the position of flipping on support of some of her views.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-candidate-apologises-for-comparing-anti-trans-activism-to-nazi-resistance-20220414-p5adij.html
Paul Karp tells us that another of Morrison’s NSW “captain’s picks” has found himself in trouble and has deleted his Twitter account.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/15/morrisons-captains-pick-for-nsw-seat-accused-indian-pm-of-causing-hatred-and-fear
The former Coalition staffer Rachelle Miller has challenged Scott Morrison to publicly release details of the settlement payment she will receive after alleging harassment and bullying while working for senior ministers. Let’s hope our erstwhile journos follow through on this opportunity.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/rachelle-miller-challenges-scott-morrison-to-release-details-of-settlement-following-workplace-bullying-claims
For election underdog Scott Morrison, Thursday’s steady jobless rate could be unexpectedly politically advantageous, writes Ronald Mizen.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/steady-jobless-rate-could-be-blessing-in-disguise-for-morrison-20220414-p5adg3
At the last six federal elections the Greens have mounted a willing campaign in Albanese’s electorate. So how do they deal with the bloke who might slay the hated Coalition government, wonders Mark Sawyer.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/green-supporters-in-a-pickle-in-albaneses-patch/
Michael Yabsley writes, “An independent ousted me as a Liberal MP in 1989, but now many of the old unassailable strongholds are slipping. We are seeing a permanent change to the two-party equilibrium.”
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-erosion-of-two-party-hegemony-is-not-new-but-this-time-it-could-transform-australian-politics-20220413-p5adbh.html
Security staff at Sydney Airport have been promised $1000 bonuses if they work every shift in the next two weeks, in a scheme the workers’ union says is reckless and unfair, writes Josh Dye. The ghost of Max Moore-Wilton lives on.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/unfair-and-reckless-sydney-airport-security-staff-offered-1000-bonus-20220414-p5adim.html
The worst debt blow-out in the developed world refutes the Coalition’s claims of economic competence, argues Alan Austin.
https://theaimn.com/worst-debt-blow-out-in-the-developed-world-refutes-coalition-claims-of-economic-competence/
The Australian Electoral Commission and voters have both raised concerns over political parties sending and receiving postal voting applications which ask for personal information.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7699887/aec-warns-against-applying-for-postal-voting-through-parties-despite-it-being-legal/?cs=14329
The Greens want Medicare to cover a trip to the dentist. It’s a grand vision but short on details, writes Lesley Russell.
https://theconversation.com/the-greens-want-medicare-to-cover-a-trip-to-the-dentist-its-a-grand-vision-but-short-on-details-181239
“Are Australia’s unemployment figures cause for celebration or is the devil in the detail?”, asks Peter Hannam.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/15/are-australias-unemployment-figures-cause-for-celebration-or-is-the-devil-in-the-detail
Scott Morrison has promised he will not support “any shutdown of native forestry” as he pledged $220m for the industry as part of his bid to hang on to marginal seats in Tasmania, but conservationists are saying it is “bad news” for threatened species.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/coalitions-220m-pledge-for-native-forestry-bad-news-for-threatened-species-conservationists-say
Scott Morrison has “let her rip” on the pristine native forests of Tasmania today. It was his “This is coal” moment for another dying industry. Former Greens leader, farmer and 40 year logging activist Christine Milne explores the government’s latest bizarre and destructive pork barrel.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/scott-morrison-lets-rip-on-native-forests-in-strange-oblation-for-tasmanias-logging-companies/
Liberal candidates have replicated Premier Peter Malinauskas’s popular campaign advertisement that helped him win the South Australian election in March.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/federal-election/liberal-rachel-swift-channels-labors-malinauskas-in-boothby-election-ad/news-story/ec151e0e3622015d16064348d4dfc1c0?amp
Following the inquiry, Lucy Cormack writes that a former Star compliance manager has said he would have altered his advice about money laundering risks if he had not been kept in the dark about a junket operator’s alleged criminal links. He has pointed the finger as some senior executives for withholding a report linking the junket’s operator to drug trafficking and triads. Counsel Assisting described the report as “horrifying”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/casino-officer-would-have-acted-differently-if-he-had-seen-horrifying-report-inquiry-20220414-p5adgq.html
The nation’s largest home care provider says its aged care workers are at “breaking point” and are only receiving a fraction of the Coalition’s promised $800 bonus due to flaws with the scheme’s design. The vast and systemic problems facing aged care were exposed during the pandemic, including in home care, where workers have faced increased demand for services, huge staff turnover, abuse from families, and continuing low rates of pay.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/15/home-aged-care-staff-at-breaking-point-as-most-miss-out-on-coalitions-800-bonus
Local tenants are being priced out of some regional NSW communities, with rents soaring by more than 20 per cent over the year. When will this stop?
https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/cashed-up-sydney-tree-changers-send-regional-rents-to-record-highs-20220414-p5adi7.html
And it’s a similar story in Victoria.
https://www.theage.com.au/property/news/the-regional-victorian-towns-where-rents-are-higher-than-melbourne-20220414-p5adit.html
The Morrison government is facing criticism for excluding flood victims outside Lismore from a new $350-a-week “top-up” paid to those unable to work. The disaster recovery allowance is paid at the jobseeker rate of $642.70 a fortnight to those who are temporarily unable to earn an income.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/15/coalition-faces-criticism-for-limiting-top-up-payment-to-lismore-flood-victims-only
Judging by the latest inflation numbers, developed nations are turning into emerging markets. The US reported 8.5 per cent year-on-year jump in March, while inflation in the UK soared to 7 per cent, a 30-year high. Meanwhile, Chinese consumers saw only a 1.5 per cent rise in prices last month. Bloomberg’s Shuli Ren looks at how China managed it.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/china-can-teach-the-west-a-valuable-lesson-on-inflation-20220414-p5adf4.html
An internal survey of staff at Opera Australia found a third of employees believe bullying and harassment is an issue at the company.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/opera/at-least-one-third-of-opera-australia-employees-believe-it-has-bullying-problem-20220414-p5adlq.html
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has made a $US43 billion offer to buy Twitter, declaring that the social media giant needs to be rebuilt as “an inclusive arena for free speech.”
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/elon-musk-launches-hostile-takeover-of-twitter-20220414-p5admv.html
Cartoon Corner
Simon Letch
Mark David
Jim Pavlidis
John Shakespeare
Fiona Katauskas
Alan Moir
Peter Broelman
Mark Knight
From the US
Take care during your rehab Leonie.
It is clear that you are missed.
Let’s hope your recovery is much less involved than Scorpio’s fun and games. Mate, you have had a terrible time.
brianmcisme,
Happy Easter, Brian and everyone else at The Pub.
Even though that light at the end of my bloody awful journey through the health care system seems still some distance away, I’m at least some distance along the path to the best degree of recovery that I can expect. It hasn’t restricted my ability to comment on here though!!!!!!
Poor Leonie is just at the beginning of her latest experience with the health care system and I’m sure she has mine and all our hopes and best wishes for a speedy recovery back to her old self. We will certainly miss her many daily wise and informative comments here but hopefully it won’t be too long before we see her appear back here on The Pub!
The human body is amazing with what it can endure and yet has a tremendous and almost miraculous ability to mend itself from injuries and recover from the extensive variety of illnesses that it’s possible to suffer from during a lifetime!
So I’m looking forward to reading all the “welcome back Leonie” messages on this WONDERFUL blog!
Today is one of the few days off for BK with his daily contribution of links and cartoons that we so enjoy reading.
Happy Easter BK and enjoy the day off!
I hope the Easter Bunny visits you Sunday morning with lots of lovely eggs!!!!!!
It just shows you can’t keep a good man down, even when he has the opportunity to have a break and BK has done us the honour of his usual postings today!
With the meager media offerings that are usual for the Saturday of Easter, BK can have a well earned break from his postings tomorrow morning though.
Leone, sorry to hear about your accident.
Best wishes for your recovery
Hope you can post here again soon
Scorpio
You’ve had a bit of a rough trot. Glad to see you posting more often, even if it is just to take your mind off yourself.
Grandson broke the bone at the base of his thumb over Xmas. Because he had a very physical job, he still isn’t allowed back full time, only a couple of days a week. It should get the all clear in about a month. It is good that we are back to Nan’s driving school, to try and get his hours up. It’s a long haul.
This is good.
2gravel,
Scorpio
[ You’ve had a bit of a rough trot. Glad to see you posting more often, even if it is just to take your mind off yourself. ]
You hit the nail right on the head with that last sentence.
Probably the hardest thing to overcome following a serious injury or diagnosis of a potential fatal illness is firstly, the shock you experience in the early stage, followed by a descent into varying degrees of depression when the awareness of the difficult time that you now have ahead of you, hits!
I was in that position from when both of the discs in the joints of my L4 and L5 vertebra finally collapsed completely in early November last year and then even more so after the fall down the stairs on the 2nd of January, this year till just days ago.
You tend to somehow get some degree of comfort by unconsciously enveloping yourself in the cloak of Black Dog.
Coming out of that Black place proves difficult because of that degree of comfort that it gives you but it gets easier as your health gets closer to that wonderful point where you get back to or as close to normal health as you can!
Staying positive the whole time is something that people rarely are able to achieve, but pulling yourself out of that black cloud is almost an essential part of your recovery.
I believe that its far better if you can do that without leaning towards using chemical means to help clear that fog of blackness from your mind.
That not only works better, there are also no adverse side effects from achieving it yourself. You actually gain a sense of satisfaction from using your own strength of mind in that regard!
friendlyjordies –
Ben Small: WA senator resigns because dual nationality breaches Australian Constitution
Lanai Scarr
The West Australian
Fri, 15 April 2022 1:21PM
WA senator Ben Small has resigned because he is a dual citizen with New Zealand, meaning a breach of section 44 of the Australian Constitution.
Mr Small, who took former finance minister Mathias Cormann’s Senate position in a casual vacancy in 2021, rendered his resignation with President of the Senate, Slade Brockman, on Friday morning.
Mr Small discovered last week that he was a dual citizen with New Zealand, when the Liberal Party was conducting checks ahead of the Federal election on May 21.
“While the question of my ineligibility to have been appointed to a Senate casual vacancy would need to be confirmed by the Court of Disputed Returns, I believe that my circumstances are sufficiently clear and it is most appropriate that I promptly resign from the Senate myself,” Mr Small told The West Australian.
More to come.
Rachel Maddow –
Stephen Colbert –
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Good old Betoota keeping up the satire.
https://www.betootaadvocate.com/breaking-news/i-cant-give-you-a-federal-icac-because-you-wouldnt-vote-for-us-if-you-knew-what-we-did-says-pm/
If you have 8.5 minutes to spare, you will be absolutely amazed when you watch the following you tube video.
[ Rachel Maddow reports on the seizure of the lavish assets of Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian official loyal to Vladimir Putin and now arrested for treason in Ukraine. ]
Leone,
Thanks to you and Steve for letting the Pub know about your poor broken hip. My apologies: I’ve been offline for >24 hours, except for a frivolous bit of Twittering late yesterday evening.
Please get better quickly!
And many, many thanks to Leroy for taking control of the good ship “The Pub”.
Scorps,
I am lost in awe at Mrs Scorps’ patience nursing you!
And I’m lost in awe at your cheerfulness in biting the bullet and working to the best recovery possible! I’m also delighted that you have resumed your post as a Pub regular – even if it’s for all the wrong reasons.
Take care, and best wishes for the most positive recovery possible.
Many thanks, Fiona. I very much appreciate your concern and best wishes. As I mentioned previously, the finest thing I ever did in my life was getting married to Mrs Scorpio.
Besides providing us with four wonderful children (the youngest now about to turn 30) who would make any parent proud, they have in turn, so far brought into the world, our four wonderful Grand Children.
As far as Mrs Scorpio’s patience, nursing me through all my recent health issues, I do feel really blessed in that regard. She has been a wonderful nurse being so caring and has had to also undertake all the jobs around the place that I used to be responsible for, and for some time now, haven’t been able to do. Especially in recent times as I have mostly been bed ridden and all that in addition to her usual duties!
I confess that I really did enjoy the bed baths that she did for me for a month and a bit (LOL until I could crawl into the shower and do it myself while sitting on a low stool. I’m still having meals in or on the bed, brought in for me on a tray but now I am starting to gain a bit more mobility, I will soon have to wander out to the dining room to eat like most normal people do.
It’s still going to be some time before I am allowed to safely drive a vehicle but it has been a pleasant change to be a passenger since November last year. It’s amazing just what you can miss when you are constantly the driver and which is so easy to observe when you become just a passenger.
Mr Scorpio, you have always been a sheer delight at The Pub – and your truly wondrous spouse even more so!
On the occasion
I’m listening to https://youtu.be/IE-PonP8-DY
Something I’ve been wondering, off and on, for some time – and Leone and Scorpio have highlighted it for me.
I know we have Pubsters who have died without our knowing. All of whom I love so much: Janice Piper, such an advocate for animal care. Mike in Canberra, so passionate about the needy. Ian, who wrote so exquisitely on tropical foliage, and first nations’ creations.
The interactions I’ve had with all of you over the last decade have been life-affirming to me. And funny. And thought-provoking.
We are, in some sense, a family.
Is another way of acknowledging that connexion letting each other know when the link with The Pub is broken?
The background to this is (Thanks google translate)
a sea of scarves
The massive call left a shocking postcard with the square dyed with the symbol of the struggle of the Mothers and Grandmothers; how this action was conceived that was immortalized through the lens of Eitan Abramovich
The image is so big that it moves. A Plaza de Mayo full of people, painted white by the raised handkerchiefs of the 500,000 people who attended the event in repudiation of the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice that enabled the benefit of 2 x 1 in cases of crimes against humanity.
The white scarves are the symbol of the struggle of the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo. In the days before the concentration, the idea of attending with them came up on social networks. Some didn’t think it was right because they belong to their members. At the insistence, they were consulted and they gave their approval.
“The Mothers said, why not? The handkerchief is also the symbol of the 30,000, and here we are all gathered together with that white handkerchief, which is the fight that does not let up,” explained Taty Almeida, leader of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo Línea Fundadora.
“There is little or much to say about this massive demonstration,” Taty told the media after the act and was visibly moved, stressing that the demonstration was not born of “any kind of partisanship,” but of popular rejection of the “barbarity that ordered the Supreme Court.”
“It was a request from the social networks, which began to ask if they could wear the white scarf today,” Almeida clarified about the choice of wearing this garment, with which since April 1977 they have been claiming for their disappeared children during the dictatorship.
Among the attendees there were those who brought their own. Others were handed over by the Ombudsman’s Office. Others belonged to a textile company that decided to donate 30 thousand.
Near the end of the act, Almeyda asked everyone to raise their handkerchiefs, leaving behind a shocking and indelible postcard taken by AFP agency photographer Eitan Abramovich .
Another image of Abramovich in the march:
———————-
Text and photos at
https://seniales-blogspot-com.translate.goog/2017/05/un-mar-de-panuelos.html?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
Just caught up with the news about Leone.
Shite! Get well soon
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Shane Wright and Katina Curtis sum up Week 1 of the campaigns.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labradors-beer-cans-pigeon-poo-and-interest-rates-and-it-s-only-week-one-20220413-p5adbm.html
The Coalition fits the “daddy” template and Labor the “mummy” formula. Labor, in particular, needs to campaign as both, writes Peter Hartcher who reckons the parties are prisoners of stereotype.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/bored-by-the-campaign-the-parties-are-prisoners-of-stereotype-20220414-p5adib.html
Michelle Grattan says Albanese’s poor first week of campaigning raises big questions.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-s-poor-first-week-of-campaigning-raises-big-questions-20220415-p5ado5.html
Australia now remembers Scott Morrison can campaign. But will voters forget the past three years, wonders Katherine Murphy. At the end of her reflection, she encourages voters to think deeply.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/16/australia-now-remembers-scott-morrison-can-campaign-but-will-voters-forget-the-past-three-years
After a messy first week, it’s increasingly clear that the election campaign will be about the authenticity of the leaders, opines Karen Middleton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/16/can-albanese-overcome-messy-start-the-election-campaign/165003120013710
Here’s Paul Bongiorno’s take on Week 1. Worth reading, as usual.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2022/04/16/nobody-likes-bad-dentist/165003120013718
Josh Gordon analyses Morrison’s verbal gymnastics on his ICAC commitment.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/fact-check-what-did-morrison-say-about-a-federal-icac-20220415-p5adq9.html
And Stepen Charles declares that Morrison and his cabinet are frightened of an effective integrity commission. He makes a compelling argument for such a body. He also says that Morrison’s explanation his position is a pathetic attempt to justify the indefensible. This is in the MUST READ category.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-and-his-cabinet-are-frightened-of-an-effective-integrity-commission-20220415-p5adro.html
The PM’s stance on a corruption watchdog makes it hard to back him, declares the editorial in The Age. It says it does not normally endorse one party over another until the end of the campaign. But we would find it extremely difficult to support the return of this government unless it rethinks its approach to integrity and accountability issues, including an integrity commission and donation reform.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/pm-s-stance-on-corruption-watchdog-makes-it-hard-to-back-him-20220415-p5ado6.html
Taxpayers have funded $55.6 billion in federal grants over less than four years under rules that give ministers sweeping powers to decide the payments, with new research fuelling an election row over calls to establish a national integrity commission to safeguard public funds, writes David Crowe.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/taxpayers-fund-55-6-billion-in-federal-grants-over-less-than-four-years-20220415-p5adrg.html
Phil Coorey writes that Anthony Albanese has sharpened his commitment to establishing a national integrity commission, vowing to do so by the end of this calendar year, should he win the May 21 federal election.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/albanese-promises-national-anti-corruption-body-by-christmas-20220415-p5adsd
Paul Kelly writes about Morrison’s Easter revival.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/easter-miracle-for-a-revived-scott-morrison/news-story/2d17b12cb5e98aeb3dc2190fc3b7e284
Never mind the bollocks: Albanese’s non-gaffe on immigration was just media hysteria, says Katherine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/15/never-mind-the-bollocks-albaneses-non-gaffe-on-immigration-was-just-media-hysteria
That a figure like Scott Morrison comes across as competent, able and free of imbecility after a day of electioneering in Australia suggests a broader sickness in politics, laments Binoy Kampmark.
https://johnmenadue.com/stumbles-and-fictions-the-australian-election-campaign-begins/
In the final days before the federal election was called, the new South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas came to Canberra to deliver a blistering National Press Club address. One seasoned journalist described the speech as Obama-esque, writes Ben Oquist who says that Canberra is increasingly outsourcing its national role. He says it was the type of speech to make you believe in politics again. And it was delivered in Canberra where such speeches should be made. A very good read!
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7701142/canberra-is-increasingly-outsourcing-its-national-role-that-needs-to-stop/?cs=27845
Peter van Onselen bemoans that the major parties have no plans for updating the engine of an ageing tax system.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/major-parties-have-no-plans-for-updating-engine-of-ageing-tax-system/news-story/75762decc8906c17fd3bad4ab161f8e2
Julia Banks tells us when voting for ‘the devil you know’ isn’t good enough.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/federal-election-2022/2022/04/16/julia-banks-scott-morrison-election/
David Crowe reports that the Australian Christian Lobby has fired the opening shot in a campaign targeting rebel Liberal MPs who crossed the floor to amend the federal government’s religious discrimination bill. The vindictiveness is being rolled out.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/christian-lobby-fires-first-shot-in-campaign-at-mps-who-crossed-floor-on-religion-20220415-p5adrj.html
Michael Koziol tells us how Tony Abbott has defended Deves after the big “pile on”.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-admire-her-abbott-backs-embattled-deves-to-remain-as-candidate-20220415-p5adri.html
In the seat of Warringah, there is a peculiar pall of frustration in the air. But it’s got nothing to do with transgender issues, writes Julia Baird who says our children need climate action not culture wars.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/our-children-need-climate-action-not-culture-wars-20220414-p5adia.html
Now that the election has been called journalists-and not just those locked in the Canberra bubble will be salivating with anticipation over what will happen over the next six weeks: all the gotcha moments, all the dirt, the denials, the photographic moments. Everything but the detailed policy statements, declares Greg Bailey. He’s got a point!
https://johnmenadue.com/election-2022-the-journalists-delight-and-the-avoidance-of-policy/
Malcolm Knox looks at the loss of faith in traditional “horse race” polling and suggests the question being polled should be “If you are buying a car, will you fall again for the smooth swindler who really, really wants his commission and knows how to play you, or from the uncertain bumbler who seems more worried about his after-care responsibilities once you realise what you’ve bought?”
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-question-the-pollsters-should-have-been-asking-australians-is-too-frank-for-insiders-to-bear-20220414-p5adi4.html
In what could hardly be described as a “scoop”, Troy Bramston says Anthony Albanese will replace the secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Philip Gaetjens, if he wins the federal election in May.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/election-2022-anthony-albanese-will-replace-the-nations-top-public-servant-if-he-wins/news-story/3b07adf71e3108a6e4f3aaaddcc5f59c
As a former government staffer moves to settle a $500,000 complaint over mistreatment, new details emerge of sexual harassment she allegedly suffered from another Liberal MP, (who is still in parliament) reveals Karen Middleton in another exclusive.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/16/exclusive-harassment-claims-against-another-liberal-mp/165003120013707
“I’m travelling with Scott Morrison, and we haven’t met a real voter yet”, writes the AFR’s Michael Read.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/i-m-travelling-with-scott-morrison-and-we-haven-t-met-a-real-voter-yet-20220414-p5adgr
Sarah Martin and Nick Evershed have been tracking the pork being distributed by the major parties.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/16/pork-this-way-which-electorates-have-been-promised-the-most-in-the-federal-election-campaign
Ben Smee reports that the business case for the proposed Urannah dam in north Queensland – backed by a $483m federal government grant announced last month – reveals the project has been designed to support a massive future expansion of coalmining in the Bowen Basin. Well, fancy that!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/15/urannah-dam-business-case-assumes-massive-growth-in-queensland-coalmining
Gerard Henderson pokes his silver head up and asks, “How independent are candidates if they have hidden past links to the Labor Party?”
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/how-independent-are-candidates-if-they-have-hidden-past-links-to-the-labor-party/news-story/ba994e73f20730c12097064452aff9c0
John Hewson writes that, despite the efforts of the media to discredit the independents’ movement, attempting to tag them as “fake independents” and otherwise minimising their coverage, there should be little doubt that many conservative members sitting in what they had thought were “safe” seats are already recognising the strength of the contest.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2022/04/16/independents-vs-broken-system/165003120013719
With founder Brian Houston resigning from Hillsong amid scandal and allegations, and his wife, Bobbie, being pushed out, the global megachurch is now facing its own day of reckoning, explains Rick Morton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/religion/2022/04/16/hillsong-after-the-houstons/165003120013709
A month after the Queensland-based party named Rebecca Lloyd as its candidate for Brisbane, she has been unanimously dumped for allegedly refusing to follow directions. So, PHON DOES have standards!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/one-nation-dumps-freedom-aligned-candidate-for-brisbane-seat-20220415-p5adrr.html
Health experts, from a former chief medical officer to an emergency doctor, have shared their vision on how governments should fix Victoria’s healthcare system.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/hospital-bed-blocks-ambulance-ramping-here-s-six-suggestions-to-fix-them-20220412-p5acsu.html
There have been few civil courtroom contests in Australia to match the sheer scale and drama of the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case as it has unfolded over the last three months, writes Deborah Snow who tells us how the trial is reaching a crucial watershed moment.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/marathon-ben-roberts-smith-trial-reaches-crucial-watershed-20220413-p5ad86.html
As the people of Lismore attempt to rebuild following the second major flood this year, residents are divided over what to do next and whether to relocate the entire town, reports J.J. Rose.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2022/04/16/what-lismores-future-after-the-floods/165003120013714
Star’s chief legal officer has told an inquiry that its board held “calls that were not held as formal meetings and were therefore not minuted” during a 2019 crisis period. Oh dear.
https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/star-board-had-off-the-record-meetings-during-suncity-crisis-20220414-p5adgp
Lawyers who have devoted years to representing gay-bashing victims will not be readily assured that a judicial inquiry in NSW will, at last, deliver all the answers. Rick Feneley details the differences between the two processes.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/lawyers-wanted-a-royal-commission-into-gay-attacks-an-inquiry-is-not-the-same-20220415-p5adp7.html
The Pine Gap base near Alice Springs is expanding, and so is its importance to the US military. It also means Australia is becoming a more obvious global target, whether we realise it or not, writes Brian Toohey.
Supratim Adhikari tells us how Musk, the professional agitator, would make Twitter a worse place.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/musk-the-professional-agitator-will-make-twitter-a-worse-place-20220415-p5adpe.html
Meanwhile, Twitter has adopted a “poison pill” measure that would shield it from hostile acquisition bids, taking steps to thwart billionaire Elon Musk’s unwelcome offer to take the company private and make it a bastion of free speech.
https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/twitter-adopts-poison-pill-to-ward-off-musk-takeover-20220416-p5adud
Russia’s mass rapes in Ukraine are a war crime. Its military leaders must face prosecution, argues Gaby Hinscliff.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/15/rape-weapon-ukraine-war-crime-sexual-violence
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Jim Pavlidis
Alan Moir
Matt Golding
Jon Kudelka
John Shakespeare
Richard Giliberto
Leak
From the US
I am so sorry this has happened to your Mum, but glad she has come through it ok. There will be much rehab ahead of her and I wish both of you all the best.
Leone, My husband had the same thing, so I understand where you are right now. Hugs.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. Quite a feeble offering today, I’m afraid.
After days of political heat on Scott Morrison over his broken promise to introduce a federal integrity commission, seven members of the prime minister’s backbench have spoken out to declare the issue isn’t a top order concern with voters. We’ll see about that!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voters-don-t-care-about-integrity-commission-seven-liberal-mps-20220416-p5adw7.html
James Massola reckons Queensland is at the crossroads for Anthony Albanese.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/queensland-at-the-crossroads-for-anthony-albanese-20220414-p5adju.html
A Pharmacy Guild campaign for a subsidy hike has been described as a cash grab aimed at lessening competition from discount chemists. Dana Daniel explores the arguments.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pharmacy-turf-war-reignited-in-election-pitch-for-cheaper-medicines-20220415-p5ado9.html
For most, Easter is a time for rest and renewal. For Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp it is a time to keep shaking the pom-poms for the Coalition and thrashing Labor, writes Michael West.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/news-corps-easter-albo-shellacking/
Joel Jenkins notes that the Prime Minister and his Government, beleaguered by poor performance and mismanagement, is still in contention this election because of Australia’s media coverage.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/media-sets-up-protective-barrier-to-seal-morrisons-victory,16269
Decapitating the Liberals, eliminating the Nationals from the councils of state: what’s not to like for progressive voters about the strong push by the climate independents at the May 21 federal election? Apart from the fact that they are pushing Labor where it cannot realistically go and eating the Greens’ lunch, quite a lot. Mark Sawyer looks at the progressive case against these independents.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/is-teal-the-real-deal-its-not-just-the-right-facing-a-shake-up-from-independents-on-may-21/
The Australian Electoral Commission and Facebook have voiced alarm at a bubbling campaign from minor party candidates raising baseless claims about election fraud or ballots being altered, warning of “dangerous” voter integrity misinformation being imported from the United States. Candidates from One Nation, United Australia party and other micro parties have begun seeding Facebook with advice to supporters tinged with claims about ballots being erased, amended or hidden. Quelle surprise!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/17/aec-alarmed-at-dangerous-voter-claims-spreading-before-australian-election
The Morrison government would reintroduce parts of its scrapped industrial relations bill to parliament if re-elected. Last year it dumped its omnibus bill after failing to secure votes on parts of the legislation. Provisions to criminalise wage theft and changes to enterprise bargaining were scrapped, as were award simplification and the ability to lock work sites into eight-year pay agreements for major projects. But Morrison has flagged the bill will be reintroduced to parliament if the coalition wins the federal election.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7701875/pm-flags-industrial-relations-bill-revival/?cs=14329
According to James Massola, every Australian with type 1 diabetes will get access to a potentially life-saving continuous glucose monitoring device under a $273 million plan to be outlined by the Morrison government today.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/glucose-monitoring-device-price-slashed-on-diabetes-support-scheme-as-anne-ruston-named-health-minister-20220414-p5adjw.html
NineFax looks at the Liberal party’s internecine problems with its candidates for Warringah.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/she-won-t-win-the-seat-liberals-dismayed-as-pm-digs-in-on-deves-20220416-p5adw6.html
Scott Morrison is facing a mutiny over the Liberal party’s controversial candidate in Warringah, Katherine Deves, with intensifying calls for her to be dumped because of “hurtful and divisive” comments about transgender people, write Katherine Murphy and Elias Visontay.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/16/scott-morrison-faces-liberal-mutiny-over-warringah-candidate-katherine-deves-trans-views
The editorial in the SMH calls for clearer disclosure of political advertising on social media.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/clearer-disclosure-of-political-advertising-needed-on-social-media-20220415-p5adsq.html
Michelle Jongenelis expresses concern that Australia failing its youth on vaping harm.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-failing-its-youth-on-vaping-harm-20220413-p5ad6o.html
Vaccines are no match for long Covid. Treating it is science’s next great challenge, writes Danny Altmann.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/16/vaccines-long-covid-science
Residents fought with police in Shanghai, China, when officials tried to seize their homes to make space for new COVID quarantine centres, in the latest sign of widespread discontent after three weeks of strict lockdown in the megacity. Bloody hell!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/shanghai-residents-beaten-while-begging-police-not-to-seize-their-apartments-20220416-p5advg.html
Cartoon Corner
Peter Broelman
Mark David
Badiucao
Mark Knight
From the US
There is a new thread-starter here
https://wordpress.com/post/pbxmastragics.com/10899
I am sorry to intrude with this one, but the new thread is themed for Easter and was ready written before I saw this post.
My best wishes to Leone2 for a speedy recovery. My (late) husband broke his hip and after rehab was able to go back to his previous activities.
Rest up Leone, before the physiotherapist gets hold of you.
I will leave this thread open for now, for messages to Leone2.
Leone, I was sorry to read about your accident. I hope you have a speedy recovery and that we see you back here PDQ.
You and I have a similar number of years under our belts and I’m now being more careful how I do things, and what I do. I know how easy it is to become a statistic in the broken limb category.
I send hugs and best wishes, my cat sends purrs and head bumps.
Helen
Dear Leone and Steve,
In the interest of continuity (i.e., I’m scared BK will do tomorrow’s Dawn Patrol on this post rather than Puff’s newest) I’m closing this thread to comments.
The award ceremony for both of youse will happen at high noon tomorrow.
Meanwhile:
NEW POST