The Journal
2009
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Frogs Misunderestimated
Up to 221 new species of amphibian have been discovered after a survey of Madagascan forests. Some interesting photos at that link to National Geographic. The work suggests that tropical amphibian diversity has been underestimated at…
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What The Fitzgibbon Is Going On?
Over a month ago I wrote about Defence Minister Fitzgibbons’s relationship with Chinese/Australian business woman Helen Liu: Fitzgibbon may genuinely have forgotten how well he knows Ms Liu, his visits to China with her, the functions he…
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Mysteries
It’s not much of a mystery in cosmic in terms, but I am still a little puzzled about why the Google advertising on this site is so consistently about eco-friendly plastic bags or solving the climate crisis…
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Solar Panel Subsidies
The Kangaroo Island Council has decided it will take responsiblity for local management of a government subsidised scheme to install solar panels on the roofs of homes. Even with proposed government subsidies, the installation of solar panels will not be…
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Science A Political Tool
John McLean has some interesting comments on the politics of climate change in an article in yesterday’s Australian. THE notion that human activity has an alarming influence on climate is based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate…
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Pakistan, The Taliban And The Tamil Tigers
Sri Lanka’s now virtually complete victory over the Tamil Tigers has been all but ignored in the western media. But it may very well have been a motivating factor in the March 3 shooting attack on the…
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Homophobia And Heterophobia
Some interesting observations here on healing, hope, and homosexuality. The article is not long, and is worth reading in its entirety. This is an excerpt: I saw a genuine love and acceptance of men and women…
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Homeland Security – How To Spot A Right Wing Extremist
Watch out for anyone carrying a pay cheque. He he.
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Disabled Protestors Arrested Outside White House
This is hardly a news flash – it happened a week ago. But I had seen nothing about this in the mainstream media, and only heard of it this morning from Uppity Woman. A fuller version…
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Dom DeLuise Dies
Comedian and nice guy Dom DeLuise has died after a year long fight with cancer. I’m not really a comedy person, but Dom DeLuise’s collaborations with Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds had me in tears of laughter.…
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Obama And Notre Dame
I am trying hard to imagine what the real Notre Dame, the Blessed Virgin Mary, would make of a Catholic university named in her honour, and I presume, relying on her patronage and intercession, inviting someone who publicy opposes…
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French Fail To Surrender – Inquiry Launched
A group of Somali pirates attacked a French war ship near the Seychelles. The captain of the frigate Nivose, Lieutenant Commander Jean-Marc le Quilliec, sent out commandos in small boats, with a helicopter for air support. Within…
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Turnbull Shows Some Sense On Emissions Trading
Malcolm Turnbull is too weak to back the government’s proposed emissions trading legislation, according to hot air minister Penny Wong. Wrong. Malcolm Turnbull has yet to be convinced that global warming theory is bankrupt. But he…
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Saudi Arabia Clamps Down On Women’s Gyms
In Saudi Arabia women’s gyms can only operate legally inside hospitals, where they are called health centres. They are so expensive (over $250 per month) that only the very wealthy can afford them. Other, cheaper gyms for women…
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WHO – Widespread Outbreaks Of Insufficient Panic
People aren’t scared enough, according to the World Hysteria Organisation. A spokeperson says the WHO may raise the global pandemic alert level to six – the highest possible. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El…