The Journal
2009
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From Well Meaning Politicians …
Good Lord Deliver Us. There should be a rule that anyone wishing to enter public life should have worked with his or her hands, and should have owned, or at least managed, some sort of business. This…
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Serial Murderer Milat Cuts Off Own Finger
Outstanding. He can cut off anything he likes as far as I’m concerned. And if that sounds harsh, well tough. The movie Wolf Creek, which was based in part on Milat’s murder of seven backpackers (it’s…
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All the News From The SAG Awards
Though not nearly as interesting as FAG, SAG nonetheless produced a night of some attractive frocks, and reasonable award choices. I haven’t seen The Reader, though I loved the book, and I can believe Kate Winslet…
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Australia is a Great Country
In how many other places would a state chief of police, in an official vehicle, on his way to an official function, be pulled over for travelling 12 kilometres (about 8 mph) over the speed limit, and…
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Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Obama
Still thinking about my earlier post on Obama’s inauguration speech. I have been reading Made in America by Bill Bryson. It is about the development of the American version of the English language, and like most of…
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Ding!
Just hit 70 with my Night Elf Druid (feral spec). When I logged on I noticed I had played this character for 14 days 8 hours and 22 minutes. That’s 344 hours on this toon alone. I…
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Empty Apologies
This was an article I wrote ten months ago after comment by The Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide in the Church Guardian of March 2008 that Anglicans welcomed the Prime Minister’s apology to indigenous people for the stolen…
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Strong Words
From a justifiably angry column in the Jersusalem Post: “Even if the Palestinians want peace, Hamas won’t let them have it, because Hamas knows best, and jihad “is the only solution.” Don’t believe me, read the…
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What the … ?
Australia Day honours and all that. A chance for recognition for people who have made a substantial contribution to their local communities or to state or nation. In addition to many other awards, numbering in the…
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NZ Police Shooting
For the first time ever, New Zealand Police have shot dead an innocent bystander. This was a tense and complicated situation, in which other lives were at risk. The criminal the police were trying to stop…
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Gay MPs Demand Death Sentence for Disagreeing With Them
No that is not an overstatement. Members of the European Parliament have called for the suspension of all aid to Nigeria following the Nigerian Parliament’s unanimous support for legislation prohibiting marriage between persons of the same…
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Why Can’t the Liberals Win an Election?
Or even a single seat in a by-election? How many elections now is it since the Liberals had a victory? (Not counting the minority government of Colin Barnett in WA). For non-Australian readers, the Liberals are the conservative party in…
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What Lifting Excommunication Means
It does not mean the Church agrees with every opinion expressed by the person concerned. It does not mean the person has been ‘reinstated.’ It simply means that the Church no longer regards the person as…
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Why is This News?
Debt collectors chase outstanding school fees. In the category of making a flock of pigs out of a sow’s ear, the article claims that parents are unable to pay fees because of the worsening economic situation.…
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Oh Yeah, That’ll Work
Hamas says it will be the only body to oversee relief efforts in Gaza. Given Hamas’ record in the prompt and careful delivery of aid, giving this job to some other organisation might produce a better outcome…
