Punch on: Friday review 24/02/2012

kl says:

09:38am | 24/02/12

You seriously need help.

Erick says:

09:53am | 24/02/12

@kl - What’s your solution to the problem of boys falling further and further behind girls in education? Or are you happy with the idea of raising future generations of undereducated men?

SimonFromLakemba says:

10:30am | 24/02/12

Well we are all getting dumber unfortunately, we dropped from 3rd in the world to 13th in some sections, all under Howards watch.

@KL

Erick did raise a valid point with no bitterness, as a male we do get left behind and put in the too hard basket at school.

TimB says:

06:24am | 24/02/12

Nah Acotrel. The funniest thing about this spill was watching you come on here day after day claiming the leadership tensions were all a Liberal daydream. And the others who railed against the media for ‘making stuff up’

And now it’s here and it’s reality, we watch you spin like crazy trying to defend it. Instead of, y’know, admitting you were dead wrong.

That’s what’s truly funny.

Erick says:

07:04am | 24/02/12

Got it in one, TimB! For weeks we’ve seen acotrel and the other Labor stooges - including Julia herself - denying that there’s a leadership struggle in the ALP.

What do you know, acotrel was wrong and Julia was lying - just like they always are. At least they’re consistent.

acotrel says:

07:46am | 24/02/12

@TimB
Freedom of the press might become a really big issue in the future.  I notice that Murdoch has just escaped a public trial by paying out big time.  The beat up in his rags has been a major stimulus for the current ruction in the ALP.  Perhaps there should be some requirement for truth to be printed.  The stuff about saying what various people believe, is obvious speculation in the majority of instances. It constitutes outright LIES.  The Murdoch press is unambiguously biassed against the ALP, and the LIES are there to help the LNP slither back into power ! News Ltd is an utter disgrace, and that’s why they are in the gun in the UK !

Erick says:

08:35am | 24/02/12

@acotrel - If you want to talk about Lies, I have one word for you: Juilliard.

You’re were wrong about the leadership challenge being made up by News Corporation, just as you’re wrong about everything else.

TimB says:

08:41am | 24/02/12

I believe James1 called this reaction the other day. That now they’re finally faced with undeniable evidence of the leadership spill, the ALP supporting numpties would try to then claim that it was media speculation that CAUSED the spill.

Ponder on how ridiculous this logic is. It would mean that the ALP leadership is so weak, so spineless, so easily influenced, that they would tear their own party apart simply because of something they read in the paper. 

In which case there is no way they deserve to be in power.

So Acotrel (and Badger, etc ). These are your choices.

1. That Julia, Kevin, and the rest of the ALP are so retardedly stupid that they succumbed to a collective media-delivered Jedi mind trick.

2. That you were wrong. Just plain 100% wrong.

Tim says:

08:52am | 24/02/12

TimB,
Did the media cause leadership tensions? No

Did they fuel the fires and exacerbate the tension through their constant hounding for a story? Yes.

It’s like Chinese whispers.

AdamC says:

09:07am | 24/02/12

TimB and Erick, indeed. It is remarkable to consider that the ALP caucus, which established a media inquiry just to persecute News Limited and denied its associates broadcasting contracts worth millions of dollards despite their superior tender, is also quite happy to dance along to the Murdoch tune. Either that Rupert is one hell of a convincing guy, or the members of the Labor caucus are very easily led.

Meanwhile, we are left to contemplate the point at which partisanship becomes a form of mental illness.

TimB says:

09:31am | 24/02/12

@ Tim, what would you suggest the media does then? Ignore the story?

The media are just doing their job. If the ALP didn’t want the media reporting on their leadership issues, then maybe the ALP shouldn’t be causing issues for them to report on.

Or y’know, we can just have a censored media and punish any outlets that dare report negatively on the ALP. Either/or.

Tim says:

09:54am | 24/02/12

Yes TimB,
censorship is the only other option to the media going over the top.

The Labor party are obviously a complete shambles. How a government can perform so badly politically I don’t know.

But my point is that to deny the media has an influence on stories like this is naiive. They didn’t cause the issue but they definitely inflamed it because they knew it made for great news and higher sales.

I don’t think that we can expect the media to change but we do need to acknowledge their influence.

SimonFromLakemba says:

09:57am | 24/02/12

@TimB & AdamC

Are the Labor party paranoid about News Ltd - Yes

Was the Media tender a stupid decision - Yes

Was the Media inquiry not needed - No ( the News Ltd Journo’s didn’t even show up when Fairfax did )

Do News Ltd have an agenda - Yes

Was there friction between Rudd & Gillard - Yes

My main beef with this whole thing was the the Daily Telegraph ( I read this so I can only comment on it ) had a clear agenda from 2010 to keep the leadership tension in the spotlight as front page news. The Tele ran a pat on the back little story yesterday how they were on it as far back as 2010 and I had to laugh, some of the front pages were completely wrong ( The Australian put a complete fabrication on its front page ).

Now if the media were so on the ball why didn’t they predict he would quit? since they didn’t it leads me to believe that they were just reporting rumors as fact.

Knemon says:

10:02am | 24/02/12

If Rudd challenges and he is successful then the entire political discourse on The Punch will take a dramatic change…or are the ALP that far gone that it won’t matter?

I admit to being ‘slightly’ sceptical of the media, I accept that I was wrong (that won’t surprise many!) but seeing the end of Gillard will certainly change the political landscape…will it not?

@ TimB - You said recently that I lost a bet to you and that I hadn’t bought my Liberal membership…would you mind refreshing my memory, thanks.

TimB says:

10:10am | 24/02/12

But that’s my point Tim. Exactly what influence is that? Would the situation be different if the media wern’t reporting on it? Would Kevin not have made his move? Would Crean not have told Kevin to pull his head in? What about Swan’s spray? Cheeseman’s opinion on Julia?

And if the media is somehow responsible for even *part* of this, what does that say about the ALP for letting themselves be influenced in such a fashion?

TimB says:

10:27am | 24/02/12

With pleasure Knemon

http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/abbott-has-the-strength-and-will-to-go-the-distance/#comment-407129

“If you can show me one election in Australian history that has elected a PM who went into the election with an approval rating less than that of their opponent - then I will apply to join the Liberal Party.”

You’ll find my response further down that page Knemon

As an added bonus you can see some of Acotrel’s disgusting racism elsewhere in that thread.

@ Simon,

“Now if the media were so on the ball why didn’t they predict he would quit? since they didn’t it leads me to believe that they were just reporting rumors as fact. “

At a guess, I would say that all the leadership rumours were coming from various sources in the ALP- Ministers counting for Rudd or Gillard as the case may warrant. Clearly nothing from Kevin himself, he was pushing the ‘happy little vegemite’ line.

So if Kevin didn’t share his decision with anyone, there would have been no source for the Telegraph or anyone else to pick the story up from. That’s entirely consistent with the stories they’ve been running.

We *all* got blinsided by his resignation- Politicians, Media, and the public.

Tim says:

10:42am | 24/02/12

TimB,
If the media weren’t reporting on this so heavily in the last few months I doubt it would have come to a head now. As Simon says, the media has been running rumours from “unnmaed sources” as facts for well over a year. That kind of reporting gains momentum.

“And if the media is somehow responsible for even *part* of this, what does that say about the ALP for letting themselves be influenced in such a fashion?”

It tells me that ALL politicians not just ALP ones can be influenced by media reporting, It’s just that the ALP have been particularly vunerable to it lately because they’re retarded.

Mouse says:

11:20am | 24/02/12

@TimB & SFL, I suppose the fact that Rudd wasn’t in the country when he made the decision to resign may have had some bearing on the Australian media not knowing or reporting about it too.  It appears gillard had no idea it was going to happen either so, obviously, Rudd never confided to anyone here, ergo no rumours!  :o)

SimonFromLakemba says:

11:24am | 24/02/12

@TimB

Not really, they were way off if you go far back.

I’m not denying where there is smoke, there is fire but they were reporting everything no matter what so that’s why I said they were reporting rumours because they didn’t see the resignation.

Well of course *we* got blindsided because we rely on the media for our information.

ausspud says:

11:53am | 24/02/12

Here we go again,blaming everyone else for their incompetence.
Typical bloody Labor,more concerned about power than running the country.

Knemon says:

12:07pm | 24/02/12

@ TimB - Oh dear, are you able to send me an application form, although I’m sure that I’m the type of person that the Liberals would NOT want as a member?

I’m still in shock that you were able to find that link - I wasn’t ‘Welshing” I simply forgot

Tim says:

01:02pm | 24/02/12

Knemon,
here you go:
http://www.liberal.org.au/Get-Involved/Join-the-Party.aspx

I hear that Tony Abbott is looking for volunteers for the next election, apparently it’s not too far away.

TimB says:

01:03pm | 24/02/12

Oh I’ve got all sorts of goodies stashed away in my bookmark folder Knemon .

Silly predictions, ridiculously & hilariously wrong statements, and an entire subfolder dedicated to the myriad times iansand has made a complete knob of himself.

@ Simon, “Well of course *we* got blindsided because we rely on the media for our information. “

On the face of it yes, but you more than anyone should know better to rely purely on the facevalue of media info. Sometimes to get the real story you have to read between the lines.

Case in point: When Gillard stabbed Rudd in 2010.

The move apparently took everyone by surprise (and by everyone, I mean the media, the majority of the public, and Kevin Rudd) . But in the weeks leading up to the event media reports made it clear that Kevin’s Prime Minestership was quickly becoming terminal. Had he been allowed to continue, Abbott would have wiped the floor with him in the election.

If Knemon will allow me to dig into my memory bag again, we can see my views on this in one of my very first posts here (predating the ‘B’, and when Nossy was still Nosthow!)

“Apart from Turnbull’s occasional sniping from the sidelines, the Liberal party is united behind Abbott. In the meantime, with every new poll painting bleaker pictures for the Labor party, they’re forced closer and closer to a critical decision: Dump Rudd or not? “

http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/five-reasons-why-rudd-will-lead-labor-to-the-next-election/#comment-152872

This was mere days before Rudd got knifed. The writing was on the wall for anyone who chose to see it- The media remained wilfully blind though.

SimonFromLakemba says:

01:27pm | 24/02/12

Poor old Knemon..haha..I’m sure Abbott would be glad to have a true greeny on his team. You could help him plant his trees.

@TimB

How you find all those pre existing links?

Knemon says:

01:33pm | 24/02/12

@ Tim - Hahaha…Very funny

@ TimB - Without wanting to sound like nossy (no offence intended nossy) - I’m starting to believe that you do work for the Libs

Tim says:

01:53pm | 24/02/12

TimB,
“Had he been allowed to continue, Abbott would have wiped the floor with him in the election.”

That’s one thing where I definitely disagree with you.
If Rudd had have still been PM at the last election, I think he would have won. It may have been by a small margin but I don’t think we would be in the position we are now.
Or maybe it might have been like that wise TimB said two years ago:

“I reckon it could go either way at this point”.

Although I suppose all of that’s irrelevant now but I think the ALP made a massive mistake by getting rid of Rudd and the electorate didn’t forget.

Knemon says:

07:39am | 24/02/12

Thanks for that nossy - After this last week it was just what I needed, some good humour to calm my grouch! Very funny. The likeness between Ackroyd and Rudd is amazing. Cheers…

jay-ded says:

07:59am | 24/02/12

Good one nossy.  That made my day.  The “stare” is just a crack-up. 

nossy says:

08:29am | 24/02/12

@Knemon and jay-ded - hes just brilliant isnt he - heres an older one when Rudd was PM - hilarious. P.S. keep cups of hot coffee well clear when laughing!  hahaahhhahahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wksMvWCsh4

jay-ded says:

09:27am | 24/02/12

Rudd is in the air.  hehehe classic nossy. 

Elphaba says:

09:02am | 24/02/12

I’m going to take myself to the movies on the weekend.  I bought a 2 yr membership to the Dendy and resolve to head out to the movies at least once a month.  Previously, it’s been far too cost prohibitive, but my ticket this weekend will only cost $8.  Yippee!

I’m thinking of seeing My Week With Marilyn.

TimB says:

09:50am | 24/02/12

I’m still trying to muster up the courage to go see The Phantom Menace 3D.

I know I know, Episode 1, eww. But It’s Star Wars. On the big screen. I’m torn. Also if this doesn’t do well at the box office then they’re talking about shelving plans to redo the other 5. And I really want to see ESB.

Potentially an empty threat- Would Lucas really throw away all that cash? Why base your decisions on the performance of your worst movie?

Still. I feel like I have to go see it anyway. The curse of the Star Wars fan.

TChong says:

10:29am | 24/02/12

TimB
I reckon the original Star Wars ( a new hope) will be one hell of a box office biggie, if / when it is ever 3deed.
Everyone will want to see it, even us oldies who were overawed as younguns when we first saw it.
Agree about Phantom Menace - it sucked , specially Jar Jar

Elphaba says:

10:30am | 24/02/12

Oh TimB, you are a tool of the awful Star Wars prequels.

Seriously, up-converted 3D looks like crap.  Have some class.

Tim says:

09:55am | 24/02/12

Well I’m going to the races and then Soundwave on Sunday.
Is work over yet?

ausspud says:

12:11pm | 24/02/12

Your right,It’s a very flawed concept,but good on you for trying.
Now you can see what a Labor leadership does to the brain,so you might need to Irish up that coffee.

subotic says:

08:27am | 24/02/12

Shhhhh M, the last thing we need in politics is someone who might actually just speak their mind or who might possibly bring about some kind of change to politics.

Don’t touch that status quo kiddo!

SimonFromLakemba says:

08:36am | 24/02/12

At least you know what you are going to get from him.

fairsfair says:

08:58am | 24/02/12

I too am considering it. However, the LNP have just pledged a fair amount of policy for my neighbouring electorate of Cairns - things that would really have a benefit to our region. I can’t get passed the fact that Katter looks bigger picture though, so I am still a bit torn.

Anna Bligh announced that she plans to make Townsville QLD’s second capital. Cairns media are trying to beat this up to be an issue. I’m Cairns born and bred and I thought the “rivalry” between Cns and Tsv was just a joke. Like Aussie/Kiwi etc. I can without a doubt state that Townsville is a better city than Cairns (to live in). Yes, it lacks the natural beauty, but there is far more industry, population and wealth in that town and if someone from Cairns thinks for a second that Cairns is “better” than Townsville they are a deadset clown.

nossy says:

09:16am | 24/02/12

@M - you wont go wrong - a good honest man who tells it like it is.
http://www.ausparty.org.au/

seanr says:

09:55am | 24/02/12

@fairsfair…whilst I agree with you that T’vlle has more going for it at present that just confirms the need for Cairns to diversify its base more. Instead of the useless talk we have had from politicians of both sides over the last few decades, we need to see action. Ideas that would make the employment environment more stable such as dredging the port and making Cairns a fly in/fly out base are good starts as would moving some government departments up here. 
Based purely on lifestyle and the environment Cairns is a lot better place to live (I lived in Townsville as well).

re Katter, I like him because he says what he thinks, even if I don’t always agree with it. However I don’t see his party being anything more than a minor player and hence I’ll be voting LNP.

fairsfair says:

10:36am | 24/02/12

Hey Seanr - true. My only worry is that if Campbell Newman doesn’t get in.. then what… who will be the Premier? He seems to be the driver of change and without him steering the ship - what will the LNP do?

I agree - Cairns is a nicer place. But it is just so dead. There is nothing to do here for the locals. It is a top place for a week or two, but after then - you’ve done it all. In economic terms - Townsville would have to be the second capital (even if it is a brown hole). I was just down there on the weekend… it is so busy, the stand is beautiful, the roads are full, there are so many new shopping centres etc. The lawns are mowed, there are gardens absolutely everywhere. It is far prettier than it used to be.

I need to look more into the LNP’s notion of the four tiered local economy. Cairns is only tourism and I think back about all the small things that showed so much promise that Anna Bligh destroyed (construction industry, NQEA etc) I just think that she has a bloody hide to even show her face up here and ask for votes.

Ben C says:

10:50am | 24/02/12

@ fairsfair

All this Townsville pandering, nothing to do with a particular male that lives there…

I don’t know if Queensland really needs a second capital city, to be honest, although given the proximity between Brisbane and the rest of the state, it would be wise to set up an administrative centre in FNQ.

M says:

11:03am | 24/02/12

@ Seanr, I’ll be voting Katter on the principle that I don’t like either Labor or Liberal. If we encourage the independants by voting for them, we may actually get the two big parties to have a think about seriously engaging their constituents.

As it is, Australians apathy to politics and voting for one party because that’s what they’ve done all their lives ensures we get the politicians we deserve.

Testfest says:

11:49am | 24/02/12

Hmm, those were some remarkably sensible policies and aims. Sorry if I seem surprised, it’s just that every picture I see of Bob Katter he always looks like a bit of a nutter in that enormous hat.

My question is - when will the Australia Party expand to other states?

I’ll vote for them. An alternative to the ALP and LNP that is not the Greens? Bring it on.

Greed&Envy; says:

12:22pm | 24/02/12

Cairns used to have a sugar industry, and a sugar mill. Our reefs were colourful.

Lost most of our cane farms to development, over-tourism killing the reef, and Indonesians freely fishing in waters Australians would lose their boats, licenses, and be fined for.

JCU was necessary but I’m not sure how much of an impact it has had (in retaining talented people in the north).

The sheer mess in politics now makes me think about coming back and running for MP.

seanr says:

02:22pm | 24/02/12

good point M re encouraging minor parties, still my concern would be that unless they have the balance of power nothing much will come to their electorates.

M says:

03:48pm | 24/02/12

That’s not a good reason to write them off and say you’re going to vote lib/lab because you’re worried they won’t achieve anything. That attitude ensures they won’t achieve anything.

fairsfair says:

04:23pm | 24/02/12

Ha ha BenC - maybe

Sunny Skies says:

09:28am | 24/02/12

AdamC, it is the same for women in that age bracket, although I’m a tad older than you. It’s all to do with economics I suspect. Retailers have decided that our age doesn’t have a lot of disposable cash to spend (too old to still live at home with mummy and daddy and sponge off them, too young to draw out our super) so they have forgotten us. Never mind the fact that nudity is not an option! I tried shopping online for overseas brands but even their choice is limited now, probably because the economic situation over there is even worse. I’ve resorted to a uniform too. Jeans and a tshirt. Boring but there’s no choice. I wouldn’t worry though, a man in a nice pair of jeans and a polo shirt always looks nice. And remember, it’s what’s inside the clothes that counts

Tim says:

09:29am | 24/02/12

A Gay guy asking for fashion advice?

Well I never.

And are you saying there’s something wrong with polo shirts and jeans?
That’s like my uniform.

SimonFromLakemba says:

09:43am | 24/02/12

I stick with Oxford can’t go wrong with them, can get pricey but worth it.

I do go shopping at Politix on occasions but they are pretty expensive for what you get.

But being from South West Sydney, my usual attire is a pair of Nike Air TN’s, shorts and a shirt, helps me fit in with the local Arabs.

gobsmack says:

09:49am | 24/02/12

Become a hipster.
If anyone comments on your attire you can claim you are being ironic.

Anubis says:

09:53am | 24/02/12

Hoodies are the biggest dress-sense crime ever perpetuated against the Australian populace. No one, I repeat, no one looks good/cool/street cred in a hoodie. They are dorky and do not deserve to be worn out in public, ever.

When I was growing up hoodies were nowhere near as ubiquitous as they are now. They mainly the provionce of the nerd and/or unpopular kid who couldn’t get along with anyone - usually the hoodie was attached to an over stuffed parka/anork type top. Definitely not cool

Zeta says:

09:58am | 24/02/12

Dude, Polo shirts are for dickheads and yachting. I immediately judge people as soon as I see that stupid little horse over your man boob - you are an uncreative, private school boy in a man’s body.

Having said that, there are times when they are appropriate. Mind you, actual, Ralph Lauren polo shirts are never appropriate, they’re like Ed Hardy for lawyers.

Try a dark colored polo shirt with a pair of chinos but for Christ’s sake tuck that shit in soldier, wear a nice, canvas two tone belt, roll your cuffs up and rock a sweet pair of boat shoes and look like you’re about to swag on someone’s wife at a luxury yacht orgy.

Next, make an objective assessment of your legs and get a pair of jeans you look good in. Just because you don’t want to be seen in skinny jeans, don’t write off a fitted cut because a bunch of hipsters ruined them for everyone. If you’re a normal sized guy, something a little tighter around the thigh will look good on you, and ffs, make sure they fit. The waist of your jeans should obscure your pubes, and you should be able to squat in them without feeling like your balls are ascending.

If you like dark jeans, look into a pair of plain black ones. Black Levi 501s are a cheap classic, pair them with some Chuck Laylor All Stars and a t-shirt and you’ve got ageless style.

If you like to wear your jeans with shirts and blazers, don’t get dickhead jeans with shit and holes all over them. And for the love of Odin, don’t go wearing a suit jacket with them. Get your self an actual blazer or sports coat.

If that’s your style, I recomend Ted Baker, good, classic fits, interesting, but not too interesting colors - perfect for the older gentleman about town. Ted Baker isn’t that expensive either, not compared to big brands like Boss or Calvin Klein, it also sets you apart. They have interesting linings and stitching that says, ‘I am not a drone dressed at David Jones’.

Tim says:

10:48am | 24/02/12

Zeta,
agreed that Ralph Lauren polo shirts are shit but you do realise that’s only one brand right?
Yachting?
You’ve never been on a golf course I take it?

SimpleSimon says:

11:10am | 24/02/12

I have to wear loose fitting jeans. Anything else and I feel horribly uncomfortable, and even if I wanted to my shape doesn’t lend itself to skinny clothes.

Zeta says:

11:23am | 24/02/12

@ Tim - I just block out the concept of golfing. It’s too horrible. The notion that otherwise sentient humans would put on trousers and play a sport using a ball big enough to swallow scares me on a sub conscious level, like the last 15 minutes of Inland Empire.

Do you ever wonder if maybe everyone who mimes golf swings in their office are actually child molesters? I think, if you funded a study of child sex offenders, and just put tiny little web cams in every child sex offenders cell, you would find they all do that. Serial killers too. It should be on the check list:

Killed small animals as a child?
Lit Fires?
Wet the bed?
Mimed golf swings?

I have this idea for a horror movie, it would be called THE 33RD HOLE, where a group of psychotic Freemasons design and build an occult golf course that slowly drives players mad as they move around it, they discover they can never leave, the golf course seems to spread out in all directions, and they are to be the play things for some extra dimenisional intelligence that appears as the color ‘Tweed’ that can’t be perceived by the human eye.

Erick says:

11:55am | 24/02/12

@L. Mountbatten - Interesting indeed. Perhaps the government’s persecution of males in the defence force may yet create a backlash!

jay-ded says:

09:17am | 24/02/12

It’s a win win situation!

HappyG says:

09:41am | 24/02/12

You got my attention there Skepdad. Although I detest all of the Labor front bench, the “milkman” holds a special place in my heart. He’s got a kind face. You know the kind you’d like to hit with a shovel. What a whiny, whingy little pussy he is. You just know he’d wet himself if he ever had to up against someone with any integrity or guts. Anyway not long now till they all eat each other and we can finally consign them to the dustbin of history.

PW says:

09:22am | 24/02/12

Motorbikes also have their issues-

-Apart from scooters they are not all that cheap to run.
-They are rather dangerous things in the hands of the inexperienced (borne out by the gross overrepresentation of motorcyclists in road fatalities), who tend to lock up the front wheel when confronted with the need to brake heavily. ABS would help here but very very few bikes currently available have it, on the grounds of cost.
-When it rains you get wet or at least have to wear cumbersome gear. This really is the clincher for a lot of people.
-Scooters are cheap to run but most have insufficient oomph to stay safe in the face of loonies in tintops.

Maybe scooters will see greater popularity in the cities when peak oil bites. However, the motorcycle as we know it in this country (large capacity, powerful, dangerous) will never be any more than an enthusiast’s vehicle.

Marc says:

09:35am | 24/02/12

I saw that study, good luck trying to encourage motorcycling. The victorian government is activly trying to ban it, and the RMS would happily see it banned as well.

More people on motorcycles would be a great thing to see in my lifetime, but alas, it seems that too many people are caught up in the idea of us being temporary australians.

What makes these people think they’re so permanent?

Marc says:

09:35am | 24/02/12

I saw that study, good luck trying to encourage motorcycling. The victorian government is activly trying to ban it, and the RMS would happily see it banned as well.

More people on motorcycles would be a great thing to see in my lifetime, but alas, it seems that too many people are caught up in the idea of us being temporary australians.

What makes these people think they’re so permanent?

Marc says:

10:35am | 24/02/12

Hey PW, you realise they make motorcycles in 125cc and 250cc capacities that are cheap to run and easily keep up in traffic right? Not every bike is as expensive to run as a 1000cc superbike.

ibast says:

12:35pm | 24/02/12

Bikes are only expensive to run because the bike parts industry is shonky and rego costs are disproportionately high.  Hence my points above.

As for safety, there is little denying motorcycles are less safe than cars.  The training in NSW and more recently VIC have gone a long way to address that and having more people riding makes more people motorcycle aware and thus improves safety.

To my above list I should add there needs to be recognition of previous provisional status on other vehicle types.

In NSW (at least) when getting a license for a different vehicle type requires you to undergo 3 full years of provisional driving again.  Given that you have already got a lot of the stupid out 1 year provisional on a different vehicle type is more than enough.

M says:

11:16am | 24/02/12

Apparently people are offended about the fact that cigarette smoke smells bad, and hence they want to ban it in public places.

Fat people also smell bad, as well as adding aesthetic visual pollution to the public environment. Can we ban them from bustops, taxi ranks and sports parks too?

Ben C says:

11:45am | 24/02/12

The fact that he also praises her for looking sexy is vom-inducing - inviting her friends for treatment as well is going into American Beauty territory.

I wonder if she asked for the boob job, or if he just gave it to her as a present without her even asking for it.

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:00pm | 24/02/12

@BenC

Every time I see something like this coming out of America I smile, because I’m an Australian and hope we are better then that.

@M

Not sure what your comment has to do with this link?

M says:

12:15pm | 24/02/12

I accidently hit the wrong reply box SfL

seanr says:

01:48pm | 24/02/12

very strange. On a similar note Ben C, I have Californian cousins, the parents gave up renovating their kitchen to give my then 18 yr old cousin a boob job, the Australian side of the family was bemused to say the least.

jay-ded says:

11:46am | 24/02/12

Only if you also ban overpowering perfumes and aftershaves.

Anubis says:

01:12pm | 24/02/12

I’d vote for banning overpowering perfumes. Ladies - if you have not been able to have a shower for a couple of days, marinating in your perfume does not mask that fact, it advertises it (especially when the hair is a bit greasy). Your vomit inducing overdose of perfume only smells good to you - don’t bring it on to public transport, into the office or any where in public.

Knemon says:

03:40pm | 24/02/12

The comments on Steve Williams article are classic…as good as I’ve seen on The Punch for awhile, they are well worth reading.

ausspud says:

12:19pm | 24/02/12

You seem to be getting lost a lot M

M says:

04:17pm | 24/02/12

I’m all over the shop today aren’t I?

ibast says:

01:01pm | 24/02/12

The difference is that Chuck Norris is real.

Tim says:

12:59pm | 24/02/12

“The obvious aim was to open discussion into what was the closed shop mentality of the team and to enhance the scientific method into climate science which had been perverted by a group of political scientists.”

Bahahahahaha

So selectively taking emails out of context is aimed to open discussion on research but finding out who funds Heartland and what their conflict of interests are is:

“To embarrass funders. To intimidate.” 

Does anyone honestly believe that? Surely no one is this stupid?

Anubis says:

01:15pm | 24/02/12

Since when have you ever been able to equate the terms lawyer & ethics - @vivian states “you are actually a lawyer and thus I would have thought at least a little bit interested in ethics ”  That’s like equating Labor politician with the term moral fortitude. They just don’t belong together.

SimonFromLakemba says:

01:30pm | 24/02/12

Your not married to TimB are you by any chance Vivian?

gobsmack says:

02:21pm | 24/02/12

There was a story recently about a thief who stole a mobile phone and found child porn on it.  The thief was sufficiently disgusted to turn the phone and himself into the police.
The fact the the unsavory contents of the phone were discovered by a thief does not in anyway excuse the owner of the phone.

TimB says:

02:40pm | 24/02/12

I have a sneaking suspicion that Vivian is not my type Simon

iansand says:

03:08pm | 24/02/12

Here is a searchable database of the emails http://www.ecowho.com/foia.php

Srlect your favourite smoking gun, drop it into the searc bx and read the email in context.  If you do that with an open mind your opinion of Mr Watts’ ethics may change.

TimB says:

03:32pm | 24/02/12

*chuckle*

Oh I predict plenty of mirth for myself over the coming months. Too funny for words.

iansand says:

05:56pm | 24/02/12

Little TimmyB squeaking around the edges hoping someone will slay the big bad iansand.  It’s a bit sad.  Although I will say one thing for Vivian - he makes Timmy’s prose style look good.