Saturday 31 May 2008

Too Late to Shut the Gate....



The children taken from the sect The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which runs the west Texas ranch, are to be returned to the mothers. It is a very grey area when children are involved. So there was errors in numbers, how many does it warrant to then be a problem? This is what is said:
Texas officials claimed at one point that there were 31 teenage girls at the ranch who were pregnant or had been pregnant, but later conceded that about half of those mothers, if not more, were adults. One was 27.

So, this would mean that approx 15/16 underage kids was then at risk? That is 15/16 too many.

The Third Court of Appeals last week that the state failed to show that any more than five of the teenage girls were being sexually abused, and had offered no evidence of sexual or physical abuse against the other children.

Only five?? If five were being abused sexually, that is still five TOO many. How is it then justified that the kids are to be returned, with restrictions. Perpetrators of sexual abuse are well known to brain wash and put ideas and use scare tactics against those they abuse. This gives them a chance to give it their best shot and these kids will never speak up against what is happening. They are ALL at risk, if it is occurring with some. High chance it will with others.

In an ongoing criminal investigation separate from the custody dispute, Texas authorities collected DNA swabs Thursday from sect leader Warren Jeffs. A search warrant for the DNA alleges that Jeffs had "spiritual" marriages with four girls, ages 12 to 15.

Jeffs, who is revered as a prophet, is serving a prison sentence for a Utah conviction of being accomplice to rape in the marriage of a 14-year-old girl to a 19-year-old sect member. He awaits trial in Arizona on similar charges.

Adults can ' usually' protect themselves. Who is going to protect these kids from this kind of monster and his teachings. Be damned if you do and be damned if you don't.

Odd Couple


One word.....CUTE says it all. I have christened them already.
You can find more of these type photos of Odd Couples here.

Friday 30 May 2008

Vatican to excommunicate women priests

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican issued its most explicit decree so far against the ordination of women priests on Thursday, punishing them and the bishops who try to ordain them with automatic excommunication.

The best way to promote something is via word of mouth, so why does it concern the church so much that women are being ordained as priests? Women as much as men can communicate successfully and what is more important, the gender of the informer or getting the message out there.
The Church says it cannot change the rules banning women from the priesthood because Christ chose only men as his apostles. Church law states that only a baptized male can be made a priest.

If following the laws of the church is so important and the above statement is true, then wouldn't it be more morally correct to listen to the written laws of the church than those of women who want to step into a male dominated area? The reason I ask is that I am not Catholic and have no understanding of the church laws and am really inquiring as to what readers, if any are Catholic, consider to be the rules/laws to adhere to.

When teaching crosses the line

Here we have a case of a female teacher being charged with sexual offences against a male student. Whilst some may say it is a common fantasy of teen boys to have fantasies about their teachers, what this teacher allegedly done was wrong. Her solicitor says she will plead not guilty and that she has fully co-operated with police. Too bad. IF, and only IF she is guilty of these offences, she should face the full brunt of the law as a male teacher would. When we see male teachers that are brought before the courts with similar charges, they are vilified and hounded and rightly so. I don't know why but there seems to be an air of going more softly in the sentencing of female offenders than the males. A teacher is in a position of trust and responsibility and whether it male or female, that trust should never be breached and the teacher should never cross that line. Be interesting to see what sentence this teacher gets compared to that of a male teacher for doing the same.

Getting in Early


I have found what I would like for the next Christmas. Am placing this 101 carat diamond on my Christmas wish list. Who has a spare $6 million in the piggy bank? I'll settle for the flecks of diamond that was chipped off when the stone was cut.

Thursday 29 May 2008

Bribery does work

Amazing what an offer of $2 to find a pair of missing football shorts will do. All day we have spent looking in every cupboard, going through every single item of clothing piece by piece, searching all school bags even the freezer for these shorts. They form part of one son's uniform when he plays in the junior rugby league competition and at a cost of $30 each, I was determined that they had to be somewhere right in front of us. Much yelling, frustration and cursing and still no shorts. This afternoon I offered up a monetary reward for the first person to find these shorts and within 5 minutes, they was discovered. In the laundry which had been pulled apart, hiding under a wet towel, there they lay. Now, I might offer same reward to find my sanity , having lost it over a flimsy piece of material.

A Case of Klingons?

Have you ever wondered how those astronauts go to the loo when in space? With no gravity and no knowledge of just how it is done, the imagination comes up with a few scenarios. One would think the guys wouldn't have as much difficulty as the women but what about all the rest of the nasty business that has to happen. How many logs are in the Captains book?
Alas, the toilet on the International Space Station has broken down. Visions of meteor showers of the poo variety would be a nightmare. This of course does not happen but the astronauts have been making use of a loo on an escape craft that is attached to the International Space Station. Awaiting parts for the mending of the space toilet, it will then convert the urine of the astronauts into drinking water. Eeew that puts end to my space travel ideas.

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Steve from Mars

Don't worry about Biker Mice from Mars, look what has happened now. I couldn't help myself and had to post it.I left a message in the guestbook and asked, "What happens to furballs in space?". Steve the cat is on a mission.

Then...I had this sent to me, apologies as I can't recall which site and can't find the link but thought it was funny just the same.

Tuesday 27 May 2008

Rainbow Skies


Third rainbow in less than 24 hours. One son asking if we can go search for the pot of gold.

Monday 26 May 2008

Re: Naked Teens Photos

It matters not if the photos that Bill Henson took are not classed as pornographic. Taking photos of teenagers 12-13 naked is NOT appropriate. It is NOT art. If people want to view naked images, then go look at adults naked, not kids. What in the hell was the parents of these teenagers thinking in allowing their children to be photographed this way? Why not have pictures taken of the kids with their clothes on? Bill Henson may be highly regarded as his photography skills but surely he is not naive to see that his naked photos are just a magnet for all the twisted perverts and paedofiles who crave this type of publication. He isn't stupid , or is he? Again, the parents need to be dealt with for allowing this to occur.

Bill Henson's controversial photographs of naked adolescents are void of any pornographic suggestion, a former director of the National Gallery of Australia says.

Twenty of Henson's images, believed to feature a naked children aged 12 and 13, were confiscated by police during a raid on a Sydney art gallery late last week.

Police are considering whether to lay criminal charges against those involved with the exhibition, condemned by politicians from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd down.

Former NGA director Betty Churcher said there was "absolutely no suggestion of pornography" in the images.

"They (photographs) are breathtakingly beautiful, they are about the vulnerability of life," she told ABC Radio on Monday.

"How they could incite anything other than admiration I can't imagine."

Banning the photographs was censorship gone too far, Dr Churcher said.

"In this day and age, we are going far to far in the wrong direction of censorship.

"Will we end up being so censored that there's nothing left for us to contemplate?"

Henson's photographs had captured adolescence in a very poignant way, Dr Churcher said.

"I don't believe the rest of us should be in any way censored so that we can't see these things because he is, without a doubt, one of Australia's most important artists and he is one of a few with a genuine international reputation."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/080526/2/1708u.html?f=mv


Life imprisonment is not enough..Greenough Family Massacre

In a small town called Greenough just outside of Geraldton in Western Australia, Bill Mitchell systematically killed a mother and her three children in the most callous and brutal way. Karen MacKenzie 31, her son Daniel 16, daughters, Amara 7 and Katrina 5 were bludgeoned to death with an axe. Karen was also raped after she had been killed. Amara was sexually assaulted also. The injuries to the deceased were so severe that it was ruled the finer details were never to be released to the public ever. It took five weeks of long drawn out investigations, scientific and otherwise before police had their culprit. When police brought Bill Mitchell in for questioning he confessed to the murders. His defence at the time was that he was high after smoking marijuana and shooting up amphetamines . Originally William Patrick Mitchell was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with the right to apply for parole after. Such was the public dismay and outrage that the Crown appealed and he was ordered to spend the rest of his natural life behind bars. William Mitchell went to the High Court and the original sentence was re-instated. In the year 2013 he can apply for parole. This is outrageous. This animal took the life of a mother who refused his sexual advances at a previous party, he then brutally murdered her young children and went about his daily life for the next five weeks as if nothing had happened. There is no second chance for Karen and her children, and surely a case like this gives credence to the death penalty to be re-introduced. There is little chance that will ever happen but he does not deserve to be released after 20 years. He will only be 44. Four lives taken by a selfish, sadistic, drug fucked poor excuse for a human being, the term of his natural life in prison is far less than what he should get. William Patrick Mitchell should die in prison. He gets a second chance, those he murdered do not.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21759207-5005382,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenough_Family_Massacre

Sunday 25 May 2008

MEMORIAL DAY----AMERICA


Memorial day is celebrated as a National Holiday the last Monday of May. It is sometimes called Decoration Day or Poppy Day. It is set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives for their country. Similar to our Anzac Day and Memorial Day in November. Whether you agree with various troops stationed throughout the world or not, spare a thought for what they are going through and the ultimate sacrifice that thousands have made.

Which Sports Car are You?

Thanks to Sally, she posted this quiz, have a go and a laugh to see what it comes back with:

I'm a Ford Mustang!



You're an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. You're not snobby or pretentious, but you have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.


"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Saturday 24 May 2008

Test your reaction..

The automobile driving manual says the average driver's
reaction time is: .75 seconds....... or 1 car length for every 10 mph......
Test your average reaction time..
Be very careful this can be addicting. Click on the link below and good luck.

Reaction Test

Keep Your Undies On..

Workers at a shrine in India have won a case to keep their under clothes on whilst counting donations made. Previously the workers at Sabarimala hill shrine in Kerala had to remove all clothing and wear only a dhoti..a cotton wrap worn around the waist..nothing under it. The police and temple authorities say it would stop the the workers from having places to stash any donations they might help themselves to. Beware of the spitting cobras...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/080523/15/16zi7.html

Nude Teens , is it Art?

A well renowned photographer Bill Henson is waiting to be charged by police after photographs he took of teenage girls naked were seized and the art show in which they was being exhibited was closed. It is stated in the following link that intent will be very hard to prove. It is highly inappropriate to show these kinds of photos and call them art. How can nude pictures of teenagers be considered art and who would be wanting to look at them anyway?
For further details, check the following:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/080524/21/16zqe.html

Friday 23 May 2008

Lazy Days Dinner


The rain has set in, its miserable and cold. Having a lazy dinner but very tasty...garlic prawn pizza.

Thursday 22 May 2008

Does Every Child Need a Father?

This would have to be one of the saddest Bills to pass through. Children do not ask to be born and as is asked in the following article, "Does every child need a father?". The answer is yes. Every child has a right to have a father. I always thought any fertility treatment was to be paid by the ones seeking treatment. Does this Bill mean that the British taxpayer will be footing the costs for Lesbian couples to have children? If you look at the following article, in the comments some valid points are made.

1: Who will be sought after to pay child support should the couple separate?

2: A bad father is far worse than no father.

3: Does the legislation give the sperm donor an option to decide against same-sex parenting?

4: THIS ONE TAKES THE CAKE: 178. Posted by Dorothy P on May 21, 2008 08:25 AM

Better to have two loving female parents than the all too frequent scenario of having a father who dominates the household with aggression, bullying, over-competitiveness and the hideous risks of paedophilia and domestic violence.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/1997002/

The change reflects the fact that in a heterosexual couple when the woman is inseminated with donor sperm the man is treated as the father even though he has no biological link to the resulting child. Male gay couples who have children via surrogate mothers or by adoption are not covered by the new legislation.

The Bill says that where there is reference to the father of a child such as on birth certificates this is to be read as reference to the female parent who did not give birth.

It will also say for the first time that babies born through fertility treatment do not need to have a father figure and parents will be banned from choosing the sex of their child.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1996358/Two-mother


In this world a persons sexual orientation should not be used in a discriminatory way against them. Do Lesbian couples have the rights to consciously bring a child into the world through tax payer funded fertility treatments ?

Wednesday 21 May 2008

A Day in the Life of A Postie Down Under


Beware of the hazards if you are a postie when it has been raining. This postman from Mackay in Queensland found out the hard way....*laughs*

Prisoner Work Camp

Since Cyclone Larry came to town, so did a group of low risk prisoners to help in the clean up. A base was established right next to sports grounds that is frequented by adults and children alike.There has been no break ins at the sports ground since the temporary camp was set up, every week hundreds of kids play and practise right next door, including my own. The camp has its prison supervisor onsite , you do not see them outside watching the sports being played, they have rules that they have to abide by or its straight back inside.The prisoners are screened for eligibility and only those who are imprisoned for non violent crimes and are close to release are accepted into the camp. Rapists, murderers,drug related criminals, child molesters and those who are deemed violent or are a risk are never taken into the camp.
Now, the Queensland government is attempting to establish a permanent prison work camp and the site for this is close to the residence of the superintendent of the Innisfail hospital. The proposed permanent camp will be 150 metres from the doctor's house.
Peter McKenna has stated that he is being forced to live in fear for his children's safety and that of his own and his wife with the camp being so close. He has also stated that he will leave town, therefore the hospital will be one doctor short which will have an impact on services.
What part of "the prisoners are carefully screened, extremely low risk, non-violent offenders" does Dr McKenna not understand? You have more chance of an everyday member of society committing an offence against you than those at the work camp. It is time that this town moved ahead with the times, accepted that there are things in life we may not like but it is all part of progress. The prisoners performed clean up duties and maintenance work around the town and still do. Many sat on their ass and collected donations and relief money and the prisoners as part of their work and rehabilitation went ahead sometimes in atrocious weather conditions.
Yes prison is for offenders who break the law, but come on, unpaid fines, petty crimes, does that make you less human? Our local MP, Bob Katter had the following to say:
"If I was the superintendent I would not want my wife and young family left alone while I am on night shift near these criminals, so I would leave too."
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/05/16/13113_news.html

If the prison work camp was to be situated near my house, I would still sleep easy at night. Like I said before, we are at much greater risk from a "free" member of the community. Better the devil you know than the one you don't. A thousand signatures were collected in protest of the camp, yet this district has over 25,000 people.
Dr. McKenna may be a valuable staff member of the hospital, he however is not indispensable. He is holding this town to ransom with the threat of resignation if he doesn't get his own way. Pity he wasn't so passionate about gaining speech pathologist services that have been lacking for months. Pity he wasn't so passionate about the lives of babies Jaimi and Lorraine.

Fly



This is for Jaimi x, who would of been 7 on Friday and to all the parents in China, waiting and hoping for a miracle that their children have survived the earthquake.

When I came to the end of the road, and the sun had set for me,
I wanted no tears in a gloom filled room, why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little, but not too long, and not with your head bowed low,
remember the love that we once shared, miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take, for each must go alone, it's all part
of the bigger plan, a step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the family an friends you know, and bury your tears in their arms,
miss me but let me go.

Tuesday 20 May 2008

FUN with LEGO

Lego has long been a favourite for many generations of youngsters and some not so young. From the simple to the mind boggling creations, Lego provides hours of fun and aids the creative side. Have a look at this world record attempt. Over 500,000 pieces, this tower measures over 100 feet in height.

STATE of ORIGIN



The annual interstate rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales begins tomorrow night. The first of three games of rugby league will be played and winner of the best of 3 games will hold aloft the Winfield State of Origin Shield. If the series is drawn then the previous winners from last series retain the title. Queensland Maroons are often referred to as the Cane Toads and those in the New South Wales Blues camp are named the cockroaches. Whilst the game venues will be packed, right across both states the pubs, clubs and lounge rooms will be geared up for the big game that has fans wearing their teams colours, cars decorated with streamers, shop fronts adorned with football memorabilia. To play State of Origin (as well as for Australia) is what aspiring football players dream of. The screaming and whooping at the highest of decibels when a try is scored or the cries of forward pass, knock on or offside at the referee, or the referee is on the opposition's payroll is infectious. One friend of mine held an Origin party, she was barracking for Queensland , her husband for New South Wales. Friends over for the mandatory bbq, red, white and maroon balloons all over....she made sure the drinks esky was on her side of the room much to the disgust of hubby.
It is intense, it is passionate, it is what rugby league fans wait for every year . No surprise who I will be hoping to win.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_League_State_of_Origin

QUEENSLANDER !! QUEENSLANDER!! QUEENSLANDER!!

Monday 19 May 2008

Say it with Flowers


He knew I was waiting for him so I could go home from work, and took his time, was dawdling along. Approaching the car, he held out his hands and said, "Mummy these are from **** and me". Then he gave a nervous giggle and looked at me waiting for any reaction. How could I not smile and say thank you when he handed them over. He knows how to get in my good books. They are a common flower that grows on a vine that is akin to a weed. It is the thought that counts.

I was bored...





http://www.shadowfire.de/warholizer

Sunday 18 May 2008

SECRET AGENT ORANGE TESTING !!

I am at a loss for words over the following article, will wait to see what further develops but I have to admit, a knee jerk reaction makes me want to move my children away, yes I am scared for them.

THE Australian Army tested chemical weapons on a town which now has deaths from cancer 10 times the state average.

Military scientists sprayed the toxic defoliant Agent Orange in the jungle that is part of the water catchment area for Innisfail in Queensland's far north at the start of the Vietnam War.

The Sun-Herald last week found the site where military scientists tested Agent Orange in 1966. It is on a ridge little more 100 metres above the Johnstone River, which supplies the drinking water for Innisfail.

Forty years later the site - which abuts farmer Alan Wakeham's land - is still bare, covered only in tough Guinea grass, but surrounded by thick jungle.

"It's strange how the jungle comes right up to this site and then just stops. It won't grow any further," Mr Wakeham said.

Agent Orange was sprayed extensively in Vietnam to defoliate the jungle and remove cover for North Vietnamese troops. It contains chemicals including the dioxin TCDD, which causes forms of cancer, birth defects and other health problems.

Researcher Jean Williams found details of the secret Innisfail tests in the Australian War Memorial archives.

"These tests carried out between 1964 and 1966 were the first tests of Agent Orange and they were carried out at Gregory Falls near Innisfail," said Ms Williams, who has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her work on the effects of chemicals on Vietnam veterans.

"I was told there is a high rate of cancer there but no one can understand why. Perhaps now they will understand."

Ms Williams unearthed three boxes of damning files.

One file showed the chemicals 2,4-D, Diquat, Tordon and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) were sprayed on the rainforest in the Gregory Falls area in June 1966.

The file carried the remarks: "Considered sensitive because report recommends use of 2,4-D with other agents in aerial spraying trials in Innisfail."

Ms Williams said: "It was considered sensitive because they were mixing together all the bad chemicals, which just made them worse. They cause all the cancers."

Ms Williams claims a file which could indicate much wider testing in a project called Operation Desert had gone missing. The contents were marked "too disturbing to ever be released".

"Those chemicals stay in the soil for years and every time there is a storm they are stirred up and go into the water supply," Ms Williams said.

"The poor people of Innisfail have been kept in the dark about this. But these chemicals cause cancer and deformities that are passed on for generations. It is shocking. I am just an 83-year-old war-weary battler. I don't want any more medals, I just want justice for the people of Innisfail."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/agent-orange-town/2008

South Australia's Biker gang laws!

New legislation in South Australia means that bikie gang members will be subject to tough control orders and anyone at all who associates with a gang member could go to jail.
Bikers have a bad reputation as bad men who do evil, are criminals and mixed up in the drug world. Not all members of bike gangs are involved in criminal activity, many like to just get together, they often do fund raisers for under privileged such as toy runs. Primarily it is targeted at the more notorious bike gangs around the country but this new legislation could be applied to any group of bikers who meet up together. It would be up to the indiscretion of the police and we all know how an over zealous cop can be. Most of the laws are self explanatory and there is a need , but any bike club will be fair game not just the so called bad ones. All those innocent bikers who are doing nothing more than social networking will be affected by this. Be interesting to see if police will apply the law to all bike gangs.

The highlights of the new laws are:

*
The Attorney-General can declare a criminal bikie gang as an outlaw organisation;
*
Gang members who engage in acts of violence that threaten and intimidate the public will be guilty of serious offences;
*
Gang members charged with some of these new offences will find it much more difficult to get bail;
*
Police will be able to seek control orders from a Magistrate prohibiting members of declared organisations and others who engage in serious criminal activity from associating or communicating with one another and attending premises, such as gang clubrooms;
*
Police will be able to prohibit members of a bikie gang from attending a place, event or area where this would pose a serious threat to the public;
*
The old law of consorting will be replaced with a new law of criminal association that prohibits telephone calls as well as meetings in the flesh;
*
Stalking a person with the intention of intimidating a victim, witness, court official, police officer or public servant will become a serious offence and;
*
It will be easier for police to secure orders to dismantle fortifications protecting gang clubrooms.


http://www.ministers.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=3097

Kinky Canuks

They say it takes all sorts and we know there are plenty of kinky ones out there but for one Canadian couple , it almost cost the man his life and her a jail term. While creasing the sheets, or where ever they were indulging, the man asked his lover to carve a heart shaped symbol on his chest and in her enthusiasm she pressed a little too hard and pierced his heart. Luckily the 24 year old man made a full recovery. Imagine having your kinky biz splashed around the worlds media, next time they might think twice.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/080515/15/16vi3.html?f=mv

Saturday 17 May 2008

Giant Moth



Measuring 26cm wing tip-to-wing tip, this giant moth appeared on the veranda of a home north of Cairns. It is known as a Hercules moth.
The giant insects have a 10-day lifespan and are attracted to veranda lights, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary manager Anja Bakker says.
http://www.cairns.com.au/

LOUD SHIRT DAY

Yesterday, May 16th was Loud Shirt Day. People were asked to wear their loudest shirt to help raise funds for deaf children in Queensland, to develop their listening, language, and speech skills.
One in six people suffer from some form of deafness, with between two and three children in every 1,000 born with a hearing impairment each year. With the above figures, it is devastating to realise that there isn't enough speech pathologists or therapists to go around. Many children are sadly missing out on what they need and parents, teachers and aides are having to make do without and continue to do what little they can. It was always in back of my mind that my youngest would be teased when he started school and even though he has copped a fair bit in his first year, am happy to see the school stamp on any kind of ridicule to any student less fortunate. There are students, people in this world who are worse off than my son and I hope that with awareness comes tolerance and more aid for those who require it.
http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/

Cyber hoax by a mother

The cyber world is filled with those who lie about details , and many would do so to have anonymity. Then there are those who lie and create false details and set out to deliberately hurt and abuse others. A 49 year old woman, Lori Drew created a fake Myspace account, making her a 16 year old boy and then set about on her plan to get talking to 13 year old Megan Meier who lived only 4 doors away. This unsuspecting 13 year old girl knew her daughter and they had a falling out and this gave the older woman motive . The profile was complete with a photograph of a male teenager who was unaware of the web of deceit about to unfold. After talking to the 13 year old for quite a few weeks and developing a close friendship, the "boy" suddenly broke it off with Megan and ended the relationship with telling her the world would be better off without her. The heartbroken 13 year old girl then hung herself. Lori Drew faces a possible maximum 20 year jail sentence if convicted. Anyone can enter false details on the social networking sites available and it would be impossible to police. Parents should be more vigilant as to what their children get up to when on the net, have safeguards in place on the home computer. I thought there was an age limit on Myspace so how 13 year old Megan came to have the account is obvious she had either unlimited access and/or lied to set it up in first place . A 13 year old teenager is at the most vulnerable stage of their lives and for a woman/ mother to deliberately set her up for a fall that ended with the young girl killing herself, she should spend the maximum time in jail. What a disgusting abhorrent act for a so called mature woman/mother to do.
http://press.jrc.it/NewsBrief/

Friday 16 May 2008

America...not so bad after all

This post is not mine, but copied from The Australian, I couldn't of said it better myself. Get tired of hearing peoples bag out the Americans yet they would only be too happy to take the assistance that they afford to those in need. I think it is well written:

THERE is a certain familiarity to the concomitant series of actions and reactions when disaster strikes in the world. The US stands ready, willing and able to offer assistance. It is often the first country to send in millions of dollars, navy strike groups loaded with food and medical supplies, and transport planes, helicopters and floating hospitals to help those devastated by natural disaster.

Then, just as swift and with equal predictability, those wedded to the Great Satan view of the US begin to carp, drawing on a potent mixture of cynicism and conspiracy theories to criticise the last remaining superpower. When the US keeps doing so much of the heavy lifting to alleviate suffering, you'd figure that the anti-Americans might eventually revise their view of the US. But they never do. And coming under constant attack even when helping others, you'd figure that Americans would eventually draw the curtains on world crises. But they haven't. At least not yet.

So it was last week. The US stood ready to help the cyclone-ravaged Burmese people. It did not matter that Burma's ruling junta was no friend of the Americans. With more than 100,000 people feared dead and many more hundreds of thousands left destitute, US Air Force cargo planes loaded with supplies and personnel started arriving in nearby Thailand to begin humanitarian operations in Burma.

A US Navy strike group in the Gulf of Thailand sent helicopters ashore, ready to arrive in Burma within hours. Alas, Burma's military leaders left their people to die for 10 days before finally accepting help from the evil empire. Even if the Yanks are allowed to boost their assistance to Burma, they can expect a groundswell of criticism.

Back in 2004, the Americans - along with the Australians - arrived within hours to help the hundreds of thousands of people left devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami in Asia. A US carrier group steamed towards Indonesia's Aceh province. A second US Marine Corps strike force made its way to Sri Lanka with water, food and medical supplies.

The Pentagon spent millions of dollars sending C-130 transport planes from Dubai to Indonesia with tents, blankets, food and water. A navy chief in charge of co-ordination efforts said the US would deliver "as much help as soon as we can, as long as we're needed".

The resentment that comes from needing the military and economic might of the US translated into the most absurd criticism. Jan Egeland, the former UN boss of humanitarian affairs, cavilled about the stinginess of certain Western nations. His eye was on the US. Former British minister Claire Short was equally miffed, describing the initiative by the US and other countries as "yet another attempt to undermine the UN", which was, according to her, the "only body that has the moral authority" to help.

I love moral authority as much as the next guy, but the UN's moral authority is a mighty hard sell given that the UN club includes the most odious regimes in the world, such as Burma. And notice how the UN's moral authority did not quickly translate into helicopters laden with food and water?

When the UN finally does anything of use, it's propelled in large part by US dollars, with the US contributing more than any other country. Those other giants, China and Russia, are not filling the coffers of the UN's moral authority.

Then came the even more toxic comparisons between Iraq and US humanitarian assistance in Asia. In the anti-American mind, opposition to one US policy means blasting everything the Americans do. Of course, Egypt's Al Akhbar newspaper said the US was helping tsunami victims to "consolidate its hegemony" and had nothing to do with humanitarian and moral principles. But similarly rank reasoning was common. London's The Guardian newspaper columnist George Monbiot was not alone in sneering at US marines who, just a few weeks before saving lives in Sri Lanka, were "murdering civilians, smashing the homes and evicting the entire population of the Iraqi city of Fallujah".

The need to paint Americans as a greedy, selfish, war-mongering superpower cannot be disturbed by facts. It matters not that, in the year before the tsunami, the US provided $2.4 billion in humanitarian relief: 40per cent of all the relief aid given to the world in 2003. Never mind that development and emergency relief rose from $10 billion during the last year of Bill Clinton's administration to $24 billion under George W. Bush in 2003. Or that, according to a German study, Americans contribute to charities nearly seven times as much a head as Germans do. Or that, adjusted for population, American philanthropy is more than two-thirds more than British giving.

There is a teenaged immaturity about the rest of the world's relationship with the US. Whenever a serious crisis erupts somewhere, our dependence on the US becomes obvious, and many hate the US because of it. That the hatred is irrational is beside the point.

We can denounce the Yanks for being Muslim-hating flouters of international law while demanding the US rescue Bosnian Muslims from Serbia without UN authority. We can be disgusted by crass American materialism and ridiculous stockpiling of worldly goods yet also be the first to demand material help from the US when disaster strikes.

The really unfortunate part about this adolescent love-hate relationship with the US is that, unlike most teenagers, many never seem to grow out of it. Within each new generation is a vicious strain of irrational anti-Americanism. But unlike a parent, the US could just get sick of it all and walk away.

The US has had isolationist periods in the past and it must be enormously tempted sometimes to have another one soon. The consequences of that possibility deserve some serious thought. If the neighbours worry about Russian bullying over oil and gas, just imagine a Russia unfettered by a US military presence in Europe. How long would South Korea, Israel or Taiwan last if the US decided it wanted to spend on itself the money it presently devotes to military spending in the Middle East and Asia?

None of this is to say the US does not deserve loud and frequent criticism. No country has as many or as strident critics - internally and externally - as the US. The US actually promotes such debate. But just occasionally we should moderate that criticism when circumstances demand a dose of fairness.

Indeed, why not break into a standing ovation every now and again? As more US C-130s and helicopters stand waiting on Burma's doorstep, desperate to help a shattered populace and stymied only by an appalling anti-US regime, this is one of those times.

Let's hear it for America.

Thursday 15 May 2008

Spam emails

The creators of these emails must think we are as thick as what they are.
Dear Sir/Madam
Wednesday, 14 May, 2008 8:00 PM
From:
To:
undisclosed-recipients
Dear Sir/Madam


I have been waiting for you since to contact me for your Confirm able Bank Draft of $11.4 MILLION

US DOLLARS United States Dollars, but I did not hear from you since that time. Then I went and

deposited the Draft with FEDEX COURIER SERVICE, I travelled out of the country for a Months

Course and I will not come back till end of December.

What you have to do now is to contact the FEDEX COURIER SERVICE as soon as possible to know when

they will deliver this parcel to you because of the expiring date covery it. For your

information,I have paid for the delivering Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate

Fee of the parcel showing that it is not a Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in

your Country.

Again, I would have paid for the Security Keeping fee of $440 usd but they said no because they

don't know when you will contact them and in case of demurrage.You have to contact the FEDEX

COURIER SERVICE now for the delivery of your Draft with this information, All you have to do
is contact furnish FEDEX COURIER SERVICE identification for verification of the details there in

there office:

Names in full,.............
Residential ...............
Zip code,..................
Country,...................
Telephone number,..........
Fax number,................
Age,.......................
Marital Status,............
Sex....................
Nationality............

NAME: Mr.James Collins (dispatch officer)
TEL..+234 80 571 377 37
COMPANY: FEDEX COURIER SERVICE.
EMAIL: fcfedexcourierservices1@gmail.com

Then you will know when it will get to your address.

Let me repeat again, try to contact them as soon as you receive this mail to avoid any further

delay and remember to pay them their Security Keeping fee of $440.00 US Dollars for their

immediate action. You are send this payment to them to enable the dispatch the parcel to you.

You should also let me know through email as soon as you receive your
Draft.

Yours Faithfully,
Mrs. Joanna Benz

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http://www.sat-gps-locate.com/english/index.html

Seven Songs Meme

Thank the lucky stars I went looking through links and came across KATE's site where she tagged me. I had nothing to post about so I accepted the 7 Songs Meme. I like many different genres of music, just close my mind to the outside world, let the music take over, not just listening to it but to feel the music from within. These are the 7 songs I am listening to at the moment , although the Il Divo one is an album.

The rules:-

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.



The Raspberries....Go All the way, never heard of them until last year and I really like the music.

AC/DC....Heatseeker, any AC/DC song I will listen to, I just like the feel of the music itself .

Brian McFadden....Like Only A Woman Can, this is the one just makes me think about what someone means to me.

Savage Garden....Affirmation, Darren Hayes has an excellent voice and it has an upbeat tempo.

Def Leppard....Let's Get Rocked, reminds me of the defiance within.

Il Divo....Greatest Hits, I can chill out, let the stresses of the day go with this album.

Ted Mulry Gang....Jump In My Car, The good old sound of a rock group from the 70s, always been a favourite.

Now, who do I tag for this... I will be cursed for it but tag all those whose avatar shows on either of the windows on the left. To those who don't wish to post up, put your answers in comments instead.


Wednesday 14 May 2008

Biggest Load of BULL !!

He is only 9 years old but Chilli is a massive fresian bull who stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall, is 6 foot 7 inches long and weighs over a ton. Thank you Lordsomber.
http://dailymail.co.uk

Morning After Pill Free?

Accidents do happen but to make the 'morning after pill' free is a joke. Who is going to ultimately pay for the indiscretions of MOST seeking the tablet? YOU...the tax payer! It is time people accounted for their own actions. Only in the cases of those who fall pregnant due to being raped or minors who are ignorant to the fact there is contraception available BEFOREHAND, should have this pill given free. We live in a world where there is plenty of education regarding contraception and in the cases of s teenager falling pregnant, let the parents pay.

Whilst the pill is over 99% effective against pregnancies, it is cited as the biggest reason behind the 40% of unplanned pregnancies in the UK*. 70% of women forget to take one pill a month and 10% forget to take it four times or more, showing the pill’s main flaw is user error.
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news/pressoffice/pressreleases/2006/cdata/june/remember+fuse

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT wants Australia to adopt a scheme, introduced in New Zealand, to distribute emergency contraceptive pills for free.
The organisation's executive director, Tim Bavinton, says the so-called 'morning-after pill' is currently available over the counter through pharmacies.
He says the cost can vary between $20 and $50, making it too expensive for those on low incomes.
Mr Bavinton says free distribution of the 'morning-after pill' would have to be accompanied by safeguards.
"Currently anybody who comes in and requests emergency contraception can access that," he said.
"The pharmacist is required to ask some more information about any other medications they are taking and to form a view that the person receiving the pharmaceuticals understands their purpose and understands the risks of taking them."http://au.news.yahoo.com/080513/21/16uce.html

Not every woman who falls pregnant wishes to be that way but you can't rely on a man to always have a condom in his pocket and in the heat of the moment, people get carried away. So, girls take responsibility and use contraception before, don't expect the morning after pill to be free, pay up like everyone else has to. I for one, do not want my tax dollars paying for your ignorance, better yet, keep your legs shut until you become more learned on contraception and stop looking for a quick fix.


Tuesday 13 May 2008

Music with Messages


Shown on television tonight was a list of the top 20 most powerful songs with messages. Music is a must in my house, an easy medium to get lost in my own thoughts and to relax with, the silence is deafening if there is no music being played. I missed the first few but managed to write down the ones from #11 down. The list comprises of songs that the older generation most likely would of heard, although I had never heard the songs, War by Edwin Starr or Redemption Song by Bob Marley. Do any readers remember these songs, and do you have any favourites of your own to add?

11....War....1969/1970....Edwin Starr....depicts the general anger and distastes towards the war in Vietnam.

10....Papa don't Preach....1986....Madonna.....generally about a teenage girl making up her own mind when she became pregnant.

09....Zombie....1994....The Cranberries...written about the mindless conflicts in Northern Ireland known as"The Troubles", with references to the Easter Rising of 1916.

08....Treaty....Yothu Yindi....1991.... relating to This song was written after Bob Hawke promised there would be a Treaty between Indigenous Australians and the Australian Government by 1990.

07....Another brick in the wall....1979....Pink Floyd...written about the inadequacies perceived in education in Britain, a protest song against rigid schooling in general and in particular, boarding schools. Questioning authority. Was banned in several countries.

06....Redemption Song....1979....Bob Marley....expression of his life and values, last song recorded before he died of cancer.

05....Do they know it's Christmas time?...1984.... Band Aid....To raise money for awareness of starvation and poverty in Africa, masterminded by Bob Geldof.

04....Cats in the cradle...1974....Harry Chapin....would be dads, spending quality time with your kids, the most important relationship a father/son can ever have....Harry wrote it after reading a poem his wife composed then Ugly kid Joe recorded it 20 years later.
'
03....Dear Mr President....2006....Pink...gay rights, poverty , Iraq war, originally written as a letter to the president.

02....My Generation....The Who....1965...youth culture and the problems that afflict the young generation, Pete Townsend, after a run in with royal family and the notion the older generation do not listen to youth.

01....Imagine....John Lennon...1971...John Lennon's vision of a peaceful world, his most recognised song.

These next three songs were mentioned but I cannot recall the numbers at which they was listed though they were above #11.

I am Woman....1972....Helen Reddy....became the anthem for feminists wold wide.

I was only 19....1983....Redgum....another protest song and a soldiers account of the Vietnam War.

Hurricane....Bob Dylan....In 1966, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was working towards a middleweight boxing title when he was arrested for three murders and sentenced to three life sentences. Twenty years later, Carter was released from prison after a Brooklyn teenager and three Canadian activists proved his innocence. Carter's story initially inspired Bob Dylan to pen "Hurricane" back in 1975

Monday 12 May 2008

Colector de la ardilla

FIGHT 4 MENTAL HEALTH





Kate has asked if anyone can come up with ideas for badges to help Callum Carr and his wife's fight for a more better, reliable and accountable NHS. This is my amateur attempt, I realise they are not exactly what Kate was asking for but thought I would have a go anyway.

Sunday 11 May 2008

Catholic school bans gay partners at Formals

Queensland Catholic Schools have followed suit with Brisbane Anglican Grammar and banned Year 12 students taking their gay partners to the school formals.
Mike Byrne the Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director had the following to say:
"The Catholic Church has a particular vision of family and sexuality flowing on to a responsibility to model this vision for children through formal activities in the life of the Catholic school.
As such it is not seen as appropriate for the students to attend an event such as a school formal as a same-sex couple."
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail
I don't see that there is a big problem that a student is gay and wishing to take his partner along to share in the celebrations of their lives at school. Most schools would be asking for appropriate behaviour from the students and their guests at formals but just because some are gay does not mean they will not conduct themselves accordingly. This kind of thinking is dated and we are in 2008 not 1968.

Saturday 10 May 2008

MOTHERS DAY


Happy Mothers Day to Coopers mum, your gift of life has brought much happiness and joy.
Happy Mother's Day to the mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers and those who may not have children but share their love as if they did, may you all have an abundance of love and happiness.
If you are lucky enough to have a mother who cared for you, nurtured you through your younger years, loved you unconditionally, show her how much you appreciate her.

Vale Jack Gibson (AM)


Australia, his wife Judy and family and the world rugby league community mourn the death of Jack Gibson, one time player of the game and all time Supercoach. Jack Gibson played 154 first grade games and first started in 1953 with Eastern Suburbs which is now known as Sydney Roosters.

He began his first-grade NSWRL coaching career at Eastern Suburbs in 1967, the year previously they had not won a match, he took them to the semi-finals that year and once again in 68'. He then left Easts to join St George, taking them to the 1971 Premiership Grand Final. On leaving the Dragons he linked up with Newtown where he enjoyed immediate success taking out the Wills pre-season Cup tournament and helping the foundation club to its only club championship. Upon re-joining Easts he led the team to back-to-back premiership titles in (1974, 1975). After leaving Easts' Gibson endured the leanest spell of his career failing to get South Sydney Rabbitohs as far as the semi-finals in his time at the club, Gibson then linked with Parramatta leading them to their most successful era in their history. Gibson guided the club to their first ever premiership title in 1981. The Eels went on to win the competition for another two years (1982, 1983). The 1983 title took Gibson's personal Grand Final wins tally to five, making him the then joint-most successful coach in Australian premiership history. On 17 April 2008, Gibson was selected as Coach of Australian rugby league's Team of the Century. Part of the code's centenary year celebrations in Australia, the elite team is the panel's majority choice for those considered to be the best of all time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Gibson_(rugby_league)

National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop said every player and coach in the game was a beneficiary of Gibson's career.

"Jack's philosophy was to build the club from the front office to the playing field and to develop men, not just footballers," he said.

The Order of Australia medal for services to rugby league as a coach was awarded to Jack in 1988 and he retired in 1990. Jack was often sought out by players, coaches and news hounds for advice and opinions or even one of his quotes for which he was well known for.

In 2003 Gibson launched his book The Last Word which featured his recollections, wisdom and his favourite quotations. When asked if the book ould be the last of his work, Jack was quoted as saying, "No I think I've still got a movie in me."

In 2004 Jack took great pride in taking part in the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay when it was in Sydney.

Gibson was confined to a nursing home requiring 24 hour around the clock care as he waged a battle; which eventually took his life, with alzheimers disease and dementia.

Jack Gibson passed away only 90 minutes before Australia took on New Zealand in the Centenary Test last night at the Sydney Cricket Ground, no doubt he would of been watching from above and cheering the guys on.

Friday 9 May 2008

COME ON AUSSIES !!!




Tonight the Aussies face off with the Kiwis in the Centenary Test and as at time of typing , the Aussies have drawn first blood with a converted try, so at moment score is 6 Australia , 0 Kiwis.....cant help but say...YAY! Members of the Aussie team are formed from selection from the national teams and have players we love to hate, but when they all play for Australia's pride and glory, we support them.
Come on big Willie Mason, Go Billy Slater, (home town hero) , Woohoo Jonathon Thurston(Nth Qld Cowboys Capt).
The sight of them Kiwi guys would make me pack my daks, there some HUGE men in their team, especially the forwards. STOP PRESS........AUSTRALIA SCORES AGAIN!!

I barrack for the Kangaroos to win but I love to watch the Kiwis do the haka, a traditional dance performed at the start of every match, they look fierce and mean and when it's over, start yelling at the referee about that forward pass, offside play, high tackle or raking of the ball.

The most well-known haka is "Ka Mate", attributed to Te Rauparaha, war leader of the Ngāti Toa tribe. The Ka Mate haka is classified as a "Haka Taparahi" - a ceremonial haka. The "Ka Mate" haka is about the cunning ruse Te Rauparaha used to outwit his enemies, and may be interpreted as 'a celebration of the triumph of life over death' (Pōmare 2006).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haka
Oh my I was distracted getting these pictures from the net, at 33 minutes into the first half , the score is AUSTRALIA 22 - KIWI'S 0.
Full time results will be posted here at end of the game.
72 minutes into the game, the score is (close eyes if you are a Kiwi fan) Aussies 28 - Kiwis 6

FULL TIME SCORE: AUSTRALIA 28 - NEW ZEALAND 12 , Yeehaa