Punch on: Open thread: 01/03/2011

MarK says:

09:34am | 01/03/11

It was John Howard than done it.

And Costello. Why Kevin Andrew didn’t fix it is appalling.

Rudd declared war on it though so in this year of action plans and delivery plans it will be looked at by committee and passed onto the Greens for approval.

Soon.

Well soonish.

Maybe later actually.

PTom says:

11:12am | 01/03/11

@Budz,
I have been thinking the same thing. I also asked why we don’t use count down either.

acotrel says:

11:14am | 01/03/11

@ Mark
’ it will be looked at by committee and passed onto the Greens for approval.’

Given the green light, so to speak?

TimB says:

12:36pm | 01/03/11

That was actually rather amusing Acotrel. Kudos.

Syl says:

01:09pm | 01/03/11

PTOM

I dont know why our green light periods are so short but the countdown is unneccessary and dangerous, it s a recipe for disaster as you just increase the temptation to jump the lights.  Wait for the green, then go, it isnt hard.

I hardly think Bankok traffic is something we should be trying to model here…...

acotrel says:

05:21pm | 01/03/11

That countdown idea is a good one.  We need that at Winton Motor Raceway for the green light used to start the motorcycle races.

Likes Joining Dots says:

09:29am | 01/03/11

For some sort of cruel (but funny experiment) in online anarchy, I’d like to see the Bolt and ABC moderators swap jobs for a week. The resulting chaos would make great reading.

fairsfair says:

09:30am | 01/03/11

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to say the earthquake was climate change.

My cousin reversed into a large orange pole at the servo on the weekend. AGW strikes again.

Joel B1 says:

09:44am | 01/03/11

Nice idea LJD!

And to go one step further “Mod Swap Australia: Crikey and Bolt ”

Likes Joining Dots says:

10:55am | 01/03/11

@fairsfair

Are you implying AGW is now spawning cousins? It’s worse than I thought.

TheRealDave says:

11:02am | 01/03/11

Try posting a comment on The Australian and get back to me.

iMitchy says:

01:06pm | 01/03/11

@Joel,

Are you thinking what I’m thinking B1?

TimB says:

09:25am | 01/03/11

Come on Nossy, don’t be that guy.

For those of you who haven’t/can’t/won’t click the link, some quotes from the article:

In an interview with the BBC that was aired yesterday, Mr Turnbull said nobody could honestly say they disavowed any desire to hold high office.

Advertisement: Story continues below “But if you ask me frankly, do I think it is likely that events would transpire that I would become leader again or prime minister, I think that is very unlikely.”

And to allay all doubt:

Mr Turnbull said Mr Abbott would take the Coalition to the next election

*shakes head* That Nossy. So one-sided.  Very naughty of you Nossy.

TheRealDave says:

11:04am | 01/03/11

Well TimB you’ve allayed my doubts….Turdball said so. An you can take the word of ANY politician in Canberra when they state categorically that ‘Leader X’ has their full support and backing.

Surely history is replete with such statements and leaders going on to serve long reigns?

acotrel says:

11:11am | 01/03/11

Australia needs Tony Abbott as leader of the oppositon! ’ Keep the bastards honest’ You’re doing a good job Tony, playing ‘good cop, bad cop’ with Julia!

The Badger says:

12:16pm | 01/03/11

Comments appear in order on my screen timmie.
Based on the crap that comes with your posts, I suggest a conservative poltergeist has taken control of your computer. I would recommend you ask Abbott if he could have a word with Pell about sending over an exorcist.

TimB says:

12:34pm | 01/03/11

Is that so Badger?

He must be infecting your computer too. Because he’s moved your comment to the wrong post.

And I can see I’m going to have to explain this slowly to you, so bear with me:

You see when you make a comment on the Punch it has to pass something called “Mod-er-ation”. This means comments aren’t posted automatically, rather there is some delay.

Now when comments are eventually posted, & a previously submitted comment appears not to be present, whilst other later comments are, one assumes it has been “re-jec-ted”. This means that the comment has not been published.

After a short while though, the comment that was thought to have been rejected gets posted. Whilst it appears in order after the fact, the actual posting/publishing of the comment has taken place out of order.

Now, is that all clear now? Hope I haven’t used too many big words for you. Or do I need the trusty finger puppets again? I haven’t put them away yet, they just finished a show for AASQ.

@ Dave, lucky Turnbull didn’t say anything like that then isn’t it?

NicoleG says:

12:54pm | 01/03/11

Hahahaha. You been taking lessons from acotrel Badger?

The Badger says:

01:22pm | 01/03/11

Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.

iMitchy says:

01:24pm | 01/03/11

This is the only thing that I can discredit Turnbull with. As far as pollies go I love the guy. Sometimes he can be stubborn instead of determined (utegate) but occasionally that can be a good thing.
I don’t agree with putting a price on carbon but…. I respect whole heartedly the way Turnbull crossed the floor to vote for it even when he (politically) should have been in damage control regarding his leadership.
In my opinion, this is a man who doesn’t put his own political interests above (what he believes would be for) the betterment of the nation. Australia needs a leader like that right now.

The Badger says:

10:05am | 01/03/11

AnthonyG
Just for future reference, there is their and there is there.
Using the wrong one can convolute the meaning you are trying to convey.
Perhaps Nicole could explain the difference to you if she’s not too busy head banging the desk.

TimB says:

10:25am | 01/03/11

Way to answer the question Badger.

Don’t worry Ant, the more educated among us understood what you meant. In fact I encourage you to make more errors. The confusion it would bring to Badger alone would make it worthwhile.

BTW Your argument can also be applied to the carbon offsett option on flights. Not many people take that up either.

fairsfair says:

10:26am | 01/03/11

Because people want to be proactive MrG until it is going to cost them directly. Human nature is a b*tch. You should see the data on the implementation of smart meters in Victoria (the “greenest” state). I chuckled.

At least I am upfront about my views that Climate Change is not man made and that is the basis of my objections to this farce. The ones who fein interest in and knowledge of the science and spruik it, claiming that a Datsun 180B with shot rings caused cylone Yasi, but then ark up at the tax… They are the worrying ones. Though, still not as worrying as a PM who flatly rejects a notion the day before an election and then does a double backflip half pike twist 4 months later.

NicoleG says:

10:31am | 01/03/11

Actually Badger, I despise the spelling police. And I couldn’t give a toss if MrG’s spelling is sometimes wrong. And he’s a lot smarter than you’ll ever be. Now, do you have an answer to his question? I’d love to hear it.

fairsfair, we’ve got ‘Dipshits Law’ called after someone calls ‘Goodwin’s Law’, now we need one to call after numptys pick on peoples spelling. Any ideas?

AnthonyG says:

10:53am | 01/03/11

There their were where i couldn’t care less. I didn’t realise this was a spelling test but since my spelling is such an issue I will start using spell check and when i am not at work mrsG may check my punctuation.

fairsfair says:

10:54am | 01/03/11

In honour of my favourite botched boob job and fitting last name, what about a clear link with Tori Spelling? Though that might confuse the idiots with Tories and Tory…. ok, thats out.

TimB says:

10:57am | 01/03/11

Need to be careful on that one Nicole.

We should be free to mock someone who’s spelling/grammar is so utterly poor (i.e multiple constant errors) that it makes their post incredibly difficult to decipher. Bonus points if whatever point their trying to convey is stupid.

But you’re right in that nitpicking on the odd spelling/grammar error in absence of an actual argument should always be frowned upon. Especially if the error doesn’t result in any misunderstandings.

In honour of our furry nuisance, I propose the following:

Any pedantic nitpicking of spelling or grammar (in lieu of a proper point), should be subject to a call of “Badger’s Law”.

What say we all?

Reg says:

10:59am | 01/03/11

What’s this I hear? Hasn’t Nicole got enough problems without someone picking on here spelling. I’d like to hear her say “interest’ and “umbilical.”

And let us not forget the importance of using “either” in combination with “or” and “neither” in combination with “nor.” Anything less invites the jeopardy of verbal disparity and lowers the tone of PUNCH.  sniff!

Likes Joining Dots says:

11:06am | 01/03/11

Spielings Law?

acotrel says:

11:19am | 01/03/11

@ The Badger
How about ‘they’re’?  It can be used when referring to ‘them and us’! As in the way of the Howard government - ‘is he one of us’?

TimB says:

11:25am | 01/03/11

Dammit. I suggested “Badger’s Law”, but it doesn’t appear to have gotten throughthe mods. Maybe this will.

NicoleG says:

11:33am | 01/03/11

Right, ‘Spieling- Badgers Law’ it is. What does it involve? Two really, really, hard uppercuts to the chin. Off you go Badger.

fairsfair says:

11:34am | 01/03/11

Reg, WTF is your beef with the Gs? We have all overlooked so many stupid jibes from you and it is clear that you have some issue with them. Out with it now or get off the podium. Nobody comes here to be bullied or witness other people be bullied. You claim to be so mature and intelligent in your lower post - lets see some of that champ.

@LJD - Gold. Lets run with that. We’ll have to develop some kind of back story though and create a website so we can link it back We may as well create some legitimacy here, god knows THERE isn’t much being generated out of Canberra Acotrel.

fairsfair says:

11:36am | 01/03/11

Jesus H. Christ TimB - there is a space in between ‘through’ and ‘the’. How do you even dress yourself in the mornings?

TimB says:

11:55am | 01/03/11

Oops it did get through. Comments are being posted out of order again.

I really hate it when that happens.

@ Fairsfair- I have no idea .

The Badger says:

12:12pm | 01/03/11

PS
Timmie
Are you sure you don’t want to make the rest of this thread bold like you did on the weekend?
epic fail.

iMitchy says:

02:07pm | 01/03/11

I propose “itchy’s law”.
This is when a comment is posted and the ensuing thread gets so caught up with bickering at each others’ replys that the subject of the initial comment is never actually addressed.
This law is so named because
a) It reminds me of when an itch strikes which causes a lapse in concentrating on the matter at hand and scratching that itch becomes the first priority. Once it has been scratched, one may forget what they were doing in the first place.
and b) I want to be eponymous so it’s getting named after me.

“Scratchy’s law is when one gets back on point. Watch me incite scratchy’s law now:

@AnthonyG,
I opt not to pay extra for clean power for two reasons.
a) I cannot see how that money is contributing to me receiving cleaner power when I am hooked up the same power lines as everyone else who is not paying. If the infrastructure to provide that clean power is already in place then I am receiving it anyway and it is unlikely that the power company will switch off a facility that generates clean power just because noone is paying extra for it.
b) Why should I pay more for clean energy when (if I owned my home) I could buy solar panels and get a government rebate, then receive clean energy for free? Some schemes even pay the owner of the panels for power put back into the grid!

Why doesn’t the government subsidise those few dollars on everybodys’ bill and make it the power companies’ responsibility to deliver the percentage of clean power that they advertise you will receive for that money, to everyone? Let’s say it’s 25% clean power for an extra $5 per month. Well I pay approx $1000 per month in tax on an average salary, so it would seem quite reasonable that the government chip in $20 for every house hold on the grid per month and hold the power companies responsible to deliver 100% clean power. Now that’s a CPRS! And cheaper than an ETS.

Reg says:

02:07pm | 01/03/11

@ Fairsfair; “We have all overlooked so many stupid jibes from you and it is clear that you have some issue with them.”

“Stupid jibes…”  You mean like this from her loudness?    ” Hahahaha. You been taking lessons from acotrel Badger?”

WTF are you talking about flossie? Issues with what? If you want to see inane comments refer to NG, and since it seems you aspire to a similitude I can only think you fit the same mold. Now say what you mean or f***-off.   Got it?

fairsfair says:

03:02pm | 01/03/11

Yep, got it Reg. Couldn’t have made it much clearer but go ahead and not answer my question and then do exactly what I called you on.

@iMitchy - I used to work for Ergon (Qld Govt owned Company) and they were very proactive in green power. They are heavily investing in geotherm (Birdsville), solar (Cloncurry), hydro (Cairns) and wind (various locations). They are essentially running at a loss because of it and are propped by the govt to some extent. Being GOC the govt caps pricing and sets them 5 year “plans” as to how much they can charge, how much profit they can make etc etc.

They do not necessarily supply you with green power for the money that you pay, but they use the money to reinvest in infrastructure. There is accountability on this and you can’t obtain proof that it is being done. It is a weird situation because the govt does not want to assume responsibility for greening up supply, but the people want it done with little to no cost to them and the organisation is actually taking the short term financial hit for the longterm gain. “Clean” energy is phenominally expensive to generate. Instead they are doing a lot of research into tariffs and trying to change people’s habits to lessen the peak load come 6:30pm at night when Neighbours starts and dinner is on the go (like get your pool pump out of peak times). They buy back power fed into the grid at a higher rate than they sell it at. The idea with that is people generating their bulk supply themselves will lessen the need for future infrastructure. This will have to stop at some point as it is not sustainable but I agree, I think the more people with panels on their roof the better. But they are massively expensive and there are some really crappy deals about. Where this gets bad is that other states (like NSW) where their govt has privatised the industry. There is no accountability like there is in QLD. We may not have the price competition (outside of SEQ), but the govt’s involvement sees that we aren’t being taken for a ride by a sole provider.

Where I live building costs are higher due to codes (cyclone) - I think we should look to making solar power and solar hot water systems compusory on all new homes and we need to start building to climate. It should be treated like a code and not negotiated. I live in the tropics and you CAN NOT build a house in some areas with a white roof. If it is slightly elevated it must be a dark colour. Some developments stipulate floorsizes that are just way to big and forces people to build a monstrosity that far exceeds their needs. These kinds of covenents are just craziness. I think these kinds of measures and changes to lifestyle and out culture of consumption would be far more efficient than hiking up the price of everything with a carbon tax.

AnthonyG says:

03:48pm | 01/03/11

Fairsfair stop talking sense. Only half the readers understand you. By the way Reg or anyone else doesn’t bother us. I think he and the other sheep are starting to realise how gullible they are.

iMitchy says:

04:25pm | 01/03/11

@fairsfair,
I was talking to my dad last night about this. He lives in Port Macquarie NSW and took up the rebate schemes for solar water and power. He got in early and secured the 60 cents per kW buyback contract.
The scheme was taken up at nine times the expected rate so the state government canned it and reduced the buyback rate for all panels bought after a certain date.
It seems that bad budgeting due to poor market research caused an incredibly succesful government green scheme to be canned for being *too succesful*.
Obviously these figures show that people want to be green but they also want to get green power for free which is made possible by solar technology. There is a lot of talk about how expensive it is to generate clean power on a large scale but it seems to me that it is a lot cheaper to the end user than other methods, especially when the government kicks in some dosh.
The concern about the costs of ongoing buybacks can easily be solved by simply subsidising the initial cost of the panels and installation further and scrapping the buybacks.

I think the government would get a lot more positive feedback to a CPRS were they to market it as a method to minimise our country’s reliance on fossil fuels, (so that we can export more of them $$$ and become world leaders in green technology in due process, for when those fuels start to run out and the rest of the world comes to us to buy the solution $$$) rather than trying to back it with the flimsy global warming arguement.
I’d love to see the ETS investment go towards getting more solar panels on rooves (roofs if you’re not in Aus) instead of a mini stock market trading licences to pollute.

TheRealDave says:

12:01am | 02/03/11

@AnthonyG

Why do people buy made in China Home Brand tinned food at Coles for 10c a tin cheaper than Aussie made and produced tinned food?

Make Green Energy a viable affordable alternative and people will take it up in droves. Not going to happen when its a more expensive option…which I believe is what this tax is all about?

Not that I agree with it at all.

TheRealDave says:

11:06am | 01/03/11

Reg, the Onion would be lost on 3/4’s of the posters here

Reg says:

03:40pm | 01/03/11

It seems I have misjudged PUNCH as a serious discussion site when in fact, for 75% of its corespondents it is nothing more than just another chat site, or one for unloading their right-wing political vomit.

I suppose it was expecting too much of THAT 75% to know that Eisenhower the President, was also the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during WWII, while all this time the credit was his performance was being heaped on Ronald Reagan, a very second-rate actor whose main claim to fame was playing second banana to a monkey.  Even Nancy said he was a dill and he was in a reserved occupation as well. Which is probably code for something worse

TheRealDave says:

12:02am | 02/03/11

Excuse me Reg, Regan was much more famous for being ‘the Gipper’.

fairsfair says:

03:11pm | 01/03/11

I remember when The Thin Red Line was being filmed around Port Douglas back when I was a kiddy. It was exciting to know that ‘stars’ were in the area. Much like when The Pacific was being filmed and Nemo was released…. oh and South Pacific. That was another one, even though it was painful to watch Glen Close singing. My cousin’s (coincidentally the one who hit the pole at the servo) partner was an extra and Harry Connick Jnr rang her one afternoon while we were lazing by the pool. We were all sooooo excited!

Less and less filming going on in Oz these days. Sea Patrol is regularly in my area (though Yasi blew out Mission Beach so I am not sure where their back up plan is), but not much international these days. Its a shame really, we have vast landscapes, competent industry and plenty of room to accommodate it. Dare I say it, is it a tax thing?

acotrel says:

05:15pm | 01/03/11

@Kim I suggest the Brits have a much better education system than us.  You’d never see those types of mistakes made over in the UK!

Reg says:

05:58pm | 01/03/11

I’ll go one further. Judging by the standards of the the BBC Knowledge Channel, particularly the Scottish Division, I’d say the British are more inquisitive than either the Aussies or the Yanks and it generally shows in the shallowness of the majority of the subscribers to this site.

MarK says:

07:31pm | 01/03/11

“...subscribers to this site.”

8snicker*

Someone sold Reg a subscription to The Punch. GG.

NicoleG says:

08:18pm | 01/03/11

@Mark, hahaha. I’ve had a good larf today, I tell ya. That just topped it off.