Punch on: Open thread 04/05/2012

subotic says:

10:04am | 04/05/12

Togas….

KH says:

11:20am | 04/05/12

Its resort wear for the under 50s…............at least it isn’t snot green and jaundice yellow…...............

TimB says:

08:00am | 04/05/12

LOL. It took me a second to realise what you were on about. Thought you were referring to the game tonight (although that doesn;‘t make much sense, it aint the Tiggers).

Bad Star Wars fan.

SimpleSimon says:

08:15am | 04/05/12

/Like

TChong says:

08:42am | 04/05/12

TimB
Doggies should account for Parra,  but…...
It aint been an easy season for the tipping comps.

Chris L says:

09:26am | 04/05/12

http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/129180051656290524.jpg

ausspud says:

12:36pm | 04/05/12

*and dont dith my lithp*

Aitch B says:

08:57am | 04/05/12

@subotic

Damn right…. the guy basically ‘invented’ surf music. I met him briefly in 2008 at a music convention in California. Lovely guy….

Sadly his health is constantly failing him so he’s not playing much in public these days.

Aitch B says:

09:01am | 04/05/12

@subotic

Actually I’d give the “King of twang” title to Duane Eddy but Dick Dale is a definite no brainer for the “Set Reverb to Stun Lifetime Award” 

Dash says:

09:22am | 04/05/12

What the world needs is more guitar heros!

My boys and I stayed up last night listening to Joe Bonamassa! That guy is a guitar hero. Lets get musical talent and instruments back into mainstream. Down with pre-pube boy groups!

First song I learnt on guitar was Duanne Eddy’s Rebel Rouser. Stayed up all night trying to work it out from Dad’s old vinyl record. Beats the shit out of plastic playstation guitar hero!

Zenith says:

12:13pm | 04/05/12

Dash
First thing you have to do is get the pokies out of the pubs
pokies have almost completely destroyed the local music scene.

ausspud says:

12:45pm | 04/05/12

One of my fav guitarist growing up was a arrogant Swede named Yngwie Malmsteen,the shit he could do on a guitar is amazing hence his arrogance almost wanted me to throw all my stuff in the bin. .And I agree more people should pick up a real guitar instead of playing that guitar hero crap.

Dash says:

01:39pm | 04/05/12

We may have the makings of a guitar club here boys?

What do people prefer, the Les Paul or the Strat? The SG or the Jazzmaster? Humbucker or single coil? Tremelo or hardtail?

The tele hasn’t changed in 60 years. Leo Fender was a genius designer. IMHO of course.

SimpleSimon says:

02:38pm | 04/05/12

@Dash - My Les Paul is my favourite guitar (I have 7). I’ve always had a soft spot for the SG though, but rather than just buy one I’ve recently ordered a kit guitar, SG style, which I’ll be building. Pretty excited for it! If I don’t totally ruin it, I’ll eventually order some quality electronics for it, but for now I’ll just see how I go.

As far as pickups go, I’m a humbucker guy through and through - I play rock n roll, with some thrash influence, so I like the thick tones. When I play more bluesy rock, my LP still gets a lovely thinner tone off the neck PU.

I have an Ibanez with a beautiful ballbearing run floating bridge that’s just beautiful - way nicer and smoother than traditional hinge-types. Generally I play hardtails, though.

Sorry, I could go on for a while, I love my guitars…

Dash says:

03:56pm | 04/05/12

SimpleSimon - I have been building guitars from scratch for a while now. You need to log on to the “Tele Home depot” and check out the build forum. Here is a link to my latest build:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/324369-better-look-cedar-top-tele.html

There was recently a great Les Paul build on there. I built one a few months ago from Queensland Maple. I’d love to see how your SG turns out!

Also check out the Stewmac site for everything you could possible need.

You must post a link here to some photos for us all.

patsy says:

01:07pm | 04/05/12

@Subotic-The Hard-Ons. Last time saw them nearly two decades ago I think, and remember the feedback in between the songs. They were supporting Radio Birdman.
You’re both in for a great night. I don’t need to tell you that. But I couldn’t find out who else was playing.

Scotchfinger says:

01:28pm | 04/05/12

the unnatural musculature of their calves does their femininity no favours. Women should be forbidden from competing at levels wherein their curves are compromised. It is obscene, what some of them are reduced to…

HappyG says:

08:58am | 04/05/12

Good to see they saved on footwear by supplying the good old Dunlop Volleys. Footwear of champions and roof plumbers….......also machine washable !

Dash says:

09:00am | 04/05/12

Yeah it’s OK. Although I’m not sure on the white strides for the blokes. A bit lawnbowlish for me. And you can’t wear your favorite multicoloured superman joks under those!

how ya going fairs?

Hamish says:

09:57am | 04/05/12

It’s the best opening ceremony uniform we’ve had in my memory. The worst was Barcelona. You guys should check that train-wreck out. These new uniforms are exactly like the ones they used to have in the ‘50s and ‘60s. They do look like the cricket team though…

wolf says:

10:14am | 04/05/12

I like it a lot.  The word “dapper” seems to leap out at me (and it’s not one I normally use).
Love the Volleys, although the newer ones out now just dont feel right. I dont know if they changed the rubber but they just dont seem to have the same grip.

Slothy says:

08:48am | 04/05/12

Yep, I was out at Battle Camp by the lake when it hit -3. Pushups on the frozen grass were… less than pleasant.

Based on past form I think it will probably drop another four or five degrees before we bottom out for winter. My mate said his leg hair froze when he was training on the morning it hit -8 last year, so that’s something to look forward to (or a reason to keep legs hair-free).

SimpleSimon says:

10:41am | 04/05/12

Yeah, I was out running the other morning, and had to stop because it was so hard to breathe! The air was so cold it was like having asthma. But as you say, we probably have another 5 degrees to go before we bottom out.

simonfromLakemba says:

02:41pm | 04/05/12

Last thing i need to hear, ill be done there next week.

Dash says:

09:05am | 04/05/12

You wont have to wait long nossy and there will be lots of conservatives like Boris in our parliament!

nossy says:

12:16pm | 04/05/12

@Dash   nice to see you back Dash - yes let hope so - Labor is cactus!

Draconian says:

11:02am | 04/05/12

It’s okay Max, we’ll just get our veges from China like we do now, even though the produce is not up to Australian standards.  :(

AdamC says:

11:13am | 04/05/12

What is wrong with allowing foreigners to buy farming land? Foreign capital - and, potentially, foreign manpower - could increase yields and raise export earnings. Those are good things.

Of course, if there was ever a really bad year that led to food shortages, the government could simply ban or limit food exports on a temporary basis. The Russians and Indians did just that a few years ago, when local harvests were poor.

Food security is a real issue, but locking out foreign capital is not the way to obtain it.

Max Power says:

12:30pm | 04/05/12

Giving control of our farming land to foreign interests is not a recipe for food security. What could happen and what does happen when it comes to our governments decisions are never the same.

So just like the resource sector, we should open up farming to foreign ownership, so that the profits head overseas and they control our resources. Just like the mining sector, when the profits increasingly head overseas and the government coffers receive less and less, they can just invent another tax to make up the short fall.

Considering most of our food bowls are now sitting on top of CSG, what is stopping the foreign governments/companies from ceasing farming and commencing mining, certainly not our Governments, who are have an insatiable appetite for mining revenue.

Despite the mining companies propaganda, I am not sold on the useability of the land for future farming.

AdamC says:

02:06pm | 04/05/12

Max Power, the reason we have ‘foreign’ miners exploiting our mineral resources is because we do not have enough capital available domestically to do it all ourselves. You seem to be operating on the immensely flawed assumption that, if we locked out foreign capital, domestic capital will suddenly materialise to replace it. That is cloud cuckoo land thinking.

To put it succinctly, were it not for foreign miners, we would have a lot of resources sitting in the ground and a lot less economic activity and taxation revenue. Agriculture is no different.

The CSG issue is a different one altogether. I share some conern about the effect of CSG exploration on farmland, but the level of hysteria around the issue means it is difficult to get much level-headed information about it.

Max Power says:

03:13pm | 04/05/12

The Arab states with oil seem to be doing ok with strict rules on foreign investment. Who says we need to mine the resources as fast as what we do. Why can’t we adopt policies similar to the Arab oil states and sustain our resource sector for as long as possible, spreading the wealth over more generations of Australian’s.

We have allowed the market to be flooded with our resources, where much of the profit ends up overseas. As a result the price is low, so we need to sell more and introduce a new tax to keep making the same profit. If we control the market, we control supply, we control the price, we still make profit.

If we diverted the funds we waste on middle class welfare, housing and processing the boat people, lucrative politician pensions and perks, useless reports, commissions, committees, the Australian government could provide the financial backing to mine our resources.

Not sure if it is constitutional, but all the profits would stay in Australia, and the profits could be used to fund infrastructure, health, education and lower taxes for all Australian’s. Why can’t our governments invest in our resource and farming sectors.

Let’s face it, despite riding a mining boom, we have bugger all to show for it.

Max Power says:

09:26am | 04/05/12

I am sure Defence can farm off the remaining locally produced equipment and weapons to China. That should save the ADF and the Government a few million.
I am just glad the stripping $4-5 Billion dollars from the Defence budget won’t have an impact on the troops on the frontline in Afghanistan, timor and Solomon islands and that Santa Claus is real.
What impact will it have on the ADF’s ability to aid the community during disaster relief. What impact will it have on the ADF’s ability to patrol our northern border.
I will bet the ALP’s last dollar, that Julia and Smith will be the first to whinge if ADF assets aren’t available to assist with disaster relief in the future or if one or more SIEV’s make it through the net to our shores. Actually, drop the SIEV, we all know they call up and give us their location as soon as they enter our waters.

Fiddler says:

09:36am | 04/05/12

yeah, I love how she says the front line will still be protected by the cuts…. except by leaving them using equipment that isn’t any more advanced than the first world war.

Christ Ethiopia has more advanced Artillery than we do

AdamC says:

09:40am | 04/05/12

Fiddler, Defence is one area where this rogues gallery of a government can project their stuff-ups into future decades, not merely plunder and despoil the present. Their idiocy is compromising our future national security. It is truly appalling.

And, as someone who expressed guarded optimism about Stephen Smith, I gotta say, what a hideous disappointment he is. Sadly, it seems the same Defence minister that trashed one of his senior soldier’s reputation - not to mention that of the ADF generally - for political gain has failed to protect them from Swansong’s cuts to our troops’ capability in the field.

Even the death-throes of this government are causing immense damage.

SteveKAG says:

09:54am | 04/05/12

AdamC - I agree, they know they are out, i doubt they are even going to fight that much, they are just going to push their social reform agenda now, I hope Tony is keeping track of everything, we can roll them back in 18 months….

It is just dangerous now for a year and a half

Hamish says:

10:02am | 04/05/12

It’s hardly surprising that the ALP targets defence for cuts…the ALP (outside of a couple of notable exceptions) have never cared about the military.

Stephen Smith has gone from a potential leader of the ALP to an embarrassment in 12 months.

John F says:

11:01am | 04/05/12

The reason why the F-35 is money poorly spent (it’s already out of date)
http://www.gizmag.com/boeing-phantom-ray-flight-test/18610/
We could build these in OZ if we had to.

Submarines are deadly, as long as we dont make the same mistake we made with the Collins class subs where we try to build them all at once and instead build one to prove all the systems it will also be money well spent.

Ready Fire Aim says:

11:37am | 04/05/12

I am not sure whether it is widely know but yesterdays public decision to axe SP Guns was the first anyone had heard of it. This included the South Korean Govenment. The Australian Ambassador was summoned to the Korean MoD for a “please explain” this morning. It may not have been a big deal to us (although the plan to buy more towed guns will cost significantly more over the long term, and the whole premise of the Combined Arms Fighting System might unravel because of this very shortsighted politically expedient decision) but it was a big deal to the South Koreans.
It also seems that we have chosen to buy a document (to decide something we already know the answer to, and the recommendations of which can be easily ignored if they are not politically suitable) instead of buying real capability.
Nice work Jules!

gobsmack says:

12:02pm | 04/05/12

Defence wouldn’t need so much money if its role was limited to defence of the nation rather than participating in expeditionary jaunts at the behest of the USA.

Fiddler says:

12:35pm | 04/05/12

@ RFA, as an ex RAA Officer who still has a lot of friends serving, yes this was a surprise, and this is a project that should have been implemented 30 years ago. We effectively have no Artillery assets, most of our Batteries are lucky to man 2-3 towed guns which are slow to deploy, very man intensive and offer no protection to the gunners. This project would have been the first step to change this.

@John F, I think these projects are still a generation away from being operational and certainly are a supplement to, not a replacement of manned aircraft. Definitely something to watch though

ausspud says:

12:56pm | 04/05/12

Sound’s like this government wants to outsourse our military to the US just to save a few billion.

MarkS says:

01:02pm | 04/05/12

Delaying purchase of the F-35, ho hum. Will not be on time anyway. Better to wait a little and not buy the first clunkers off the production line.

Study on submarines. Too little too late too restricted. Their terms of reference make it a waste of time & money anyway. Just another study review whatever instead of doing something.

Not buying the SP Guns, WTF. Are they insane or just utterly incompetent? Artillery is the main killer on the modern battle field, the side that loses the artillery battle had better have over whelming air cover or are they doomed.

Towed artillery is only any good fighting counter insurgent conflicts or little tin pot 3rd world nations. Modern defence forces have counter battery radar linked to rocket launchers. Within minutes of firing your position is covered with high explosive & shrapnel. The poor Iraq gunners in the Gulf War mark one found that out, the saying was “pull the lanyard & say goodbye”

SP guns are armoured & able to fire then move within the decision cycle of the counter battery fire.

jase says:

02:37pm | 04/05/12

The JSF was a poor choice regardless, the government should have put pressure on the the us to sell us fully functioning F-22’s or looked at the russian alternatives. Btw for anyone interested they had an SU-27 for sale, fully demilitarised for a reasonable $5.5m (this is an aircraft that would be competitive with our existing stock of F18’s now being sold to civilians as they replace them)

Fiddler says:

03:36pm | 04/05/12

@MarkS, yes this has been said by many, but lets face it Artillery, while extremely important on the battlefield isn’t as sexy as say tanks, so the government ministers, who demonstrate that they have no idea what they are doing ignore it.

Compare our current L119’s versus say an Archer system firing smart munitions. No comparison

SimpleSimon says:

10:43am | 04/05/12

There’s nothing about this that isn’t awesome.

One of my mates is trying to get me to do the tough mudder.

Lauren says:

12:29pm | 04/05/12

Geez man, good on you.

I would like to do tough mudder one day..although right now my only exercise is putting on a pretty dress and riding my red bicycle with the cute basket at a lesiurely pace to and from work.

maybe next year.

Slothy says:

12:42pm | 04/05/12

You should definitely do Tough Mudder. I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time until someone figures out what a ridiculous idea it is and makes it illegal, so you should get along while you can.

ausspud says:

12:59pm | 04/05/12

I guess that means *eye of the tiger* will be played as always.

Fiddler says:

01:22pm | 04/05/12

@slothy - don’t give the nanny state ideas.

I would enter, but am way too far away from any sites to do so

Slothy says:

02:02pm | 04/05/12

Yeah, there’s some Eye of the Tiger, some Danger Zone, a smattering of Rebel Yell and since it’s just us girls, a bit of Pat Benatar to get us all nice and fired up. I have so much I want to add, but I’m worried that many more and I’ll have a mutiny on my hands.

Lauren: I’ll tell you a secret: I’ve always wanted to be one of those whimsical European types pootling around on adorable bikes in pretty dresses. I’m simply not elegant enough pull it off though, so in despair I gave up on the idea for mud and cargo nets.

If you want to get a taste for mud while you get organised for Tough Mudder though, there’s Warrior Dash in Queensland and Valley Stampede in NSW in November. 5km is short enough that you can walk the entire thing if you have to, and the obstacles are more about holding your nerve than extreme physical conditioning. We did it dressed as ballerinas.

Lauren says:

11:10pm | 04/05/12

Thanks Slothy, will definitely check those out!

subotic says:

09:18am | 04/05/12

Is this the open-slather part of Punch?

Only for those sitting behind their monitor drunk.

In a toga…

Zenith says:

09:34am | 04/05/12

As if Australia would last a week against China.
We are a pissant country, No amount of defence spending will ever change that.
So tell us Einstein, which treasurer is the greatest in the Pacific basin?

SteveKAG says:

09:57am | 04/05/12

“No amount of defence spending will ever change that.”

Oh really?  What an absolutely stupid statement to make.  What if we spent a trillion dollars, would that help?
What if we got 5 nukes all aimed at China, would that help?

maybe you need to go sit with swan and get some maths lessons Zenith

Zenith says:

12:03pm | 04/05/12

skag
Are you serious or is this just your pathetic attempt at humour?
Australia could spend a googol on defence and wouldn’t even get to fire a shot against China.
We are a pathetic piss weak country.

Max Power says:

12:43pm | 04/05/12

There are plenty of examples throughout history, where larger numbers failed to carry the day. The Chinese military is not renowned for its Technology and high levels of training.

Fiddler says:

03:56pm | 04/05/12

Einstein,
I brought this up a little bit further up (with slightly more class than you I might add)
I don’t know where you came to the assumptions about pudgy old officers and ruddy Duntroon lads, but hey whatever.
@Zenith, yes we would, it’s called “power projection” and they can’t do it. Yet. We also have the air-sea gap. Google can help you

Fiddler says:

09:54am | 04/05/12

Yes, because Indonesia does so much, you know being a signatory to the UN Convention. And it’s not like any of the boat people ever set foot in Indonesia first, do they?

SteveKAG says:

09:58am | 04/05/12

I assume you will be housing a refugee for $300 a week then mate?

Zenith says:

12:24pm | 04/05/12

Go Ahead, pick a fight with someone who is a friend in the region and destroy the good will that has taken decades to build.
Oh wait, That’s what Abbott does best, destroy things. Not surprising his acolytes want to pick a fight.

Gillard is right, it’s a regional problem that requires a regional solution.
You can fluff up your feathers and look menacing as conservatives tend to do, but in the end, Australia cannot solve this problem by working in a vacuum.
If Indonesia pushes back Australia will fall over and begs forgiveness like a little puppy.
Here is Julie Bishop as she underestimates the Indonesians and then faces their superiority.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APMheQP3pgU&feature=related

Max Power says:

01:01pm | 04/05/12

Interesting that in light of the Asylum Seekers who were planning to travel to NZ, the kiwis have brought in Temporary Protection Visas.

ausspud says:

01:04pm | 04/05/12

It might be beyond repair thanks to Labor,so all the blame should be directed at them.

SteveKAG says:

10:24am | 04/05/12

So what are they going to do to now create jobs for these single mothers to go back to?

Reactionary stuff with no substance to it

Tim says:

11:21am | 04/05/12

SteveKAG,
If the ALP developed a perpetual motion machine, you’d complain about jobs lost in the automotive industry wouldn’t you?

jase says:

02:43pm | 04/05/12

I am shocked, the ALP is actually making a reasonable fiscal decision! Maybe the world is really going to end in 2012 after all…

Knemon says:

11:02am | 04/05/12

Too bloody right Blind Freddy - This is the one *major* problem I have with Tony Abbott…his flip flopping never ends, his position on issues changes depending on whom or where his audience is at the time… coincidently or not - Dr Joseph Goebbels was also a master at this game!

Jamin says:

12:03pm | 04/05/12

Also Knemon consider this - Stalin’s first name begins with a J, just like Gillard’s.  Coincident?  Creepy….

Hartz says:

12:36pm | 04/05/12

whoa @Knemon - I can think of a few other coincidences…. Dr Joseph Goebbels also lied to the population - hmmm Who can I think of who has done that recently, Idi Amin used his power in his debaucherous endeavors - sounds a bit like a certain MP in Dobell..??? There are plenty more…  Or we could look at this government’s multiple faces and flip flops… OMG - you, blind freddy and acotrel are seriously deluded individuals… and that’s a fact..!!

Dash says:

01:20pm | 04/05/12

Knemon - as opposed to say:
there will be no carbon tax - yes there will
I’m a fiscal conservative - ah actually I’m the biggest spending PM in the nations history.
Today i announce an East Timor solution - actually it never existed
It’s about making the big polluters pay - Actually it’s socialist wealth redistribution purely on the basis of income
fuel watch - $21m does not = cheaper fuel
grocerychoice - $13m does not = cheaper groceries
root and branch tax reform - shelved
Peter Slipper = backflip on Pokies deal
Craig Thompson
Williamson - HSU ALP president!
pink batts
BER rorts
Green loans fiasco
Cash for Clunkers
I fully support PM Rudd - yes i do, no i don’t yes I do
I fully support Craig Thompson - yes I do no i don’t yes I do
We haven’t sold ourselves out to the greens
the socialist forum was something I did in my 20s - actually a member right up until 2002!
There will be no onshore detention centres built - what is it; 3 now?
We’ll provide a coastguard - umm still waiting
We wont touch the Private health tax rebate - LIE
Working families = Union members = 14% of the working population!
we’re low taxing - flood tax, carbon tax, profits tax, health rebate, super contributions.
Peaceful carbon tax protest bad - yet Cavalcade to Canberra which resulted in looting, damage to public property, and hospitalisation of security personnel was perfectly fine was it Mr Combet?

Yes Blind Freddy - you are blind! I think perhaps the ALP has claim to a few more faces!

Blind Freddy says:

01:57pm | 04/05/12

I note that none of you could actually address my post. LOL

Knemon says:

02:04pm | 04/05/12

OK…sorry about the raw nerve, I won’t go there again.

I should have said “This is the one *major* problem I have with Tony Abbott AND Julia Gillard”.

Hartz says:

02:48pm | 04/05/12

@blind freddy - we didn’t need to address your post… What you said is a politician represents him/herself differently to different segments of society… oh big surprise, thanks Captain Obvious - I’m sure you’re not going to suggest that Tony Abbott is the only one who does this… surely even you can not be so one sided, biased and blind… oh hang on maybe you can..!!!

Blind Freddy says:

03:39pm | 04/05/12

@Hartz

Well stop crying when the Labor Party do it - ya big sook.

subotic says:

10:53am | 04/05/12

the South African Apartheid team.

Maybe they could wear a necklace? Winnie Mandela necklace?

Ben C says:

11:53am | 04/05/12

Shit, is it on this weekend? I thought it was next weekend.

Liverpool have been a brilliant Cup team, thanks in no small part to Steven Gerrard. If there was one player that I would want playing for my team in a Cup competition, it’s Gerrard.

I’m torn as to who to support. As a Manchester United fan, I can’t stand Liverpool. However, my brother-in-law supports Chelsea, so I want to be able to rub it in his face if they lose.

Either way, let’s hope it’s a cracker of a game - something like Liverpool vs West Ham United in 2006.

wingnut says:

12:19pm | 04/05/12

Unfortunately for you, I think Torres has hit his straps, he’s looking more and more dangerous by the match.

As a neutral, I’m looking forward to it, Liverpool for me 2-1, more riding it on for them, Chelsea have bigger fish to fry.

Happy G says:

12:48pm | 04/05/12

@ Ben C. It’s rare that I will actually converse with a Man U fan but in your case I’ll make an exception. Mate if we get the same result as 2006 I’ll be rapt….........a nervous wreck after penalties but one happy camper. Hopefully Stevie G can pull off one of his wonder strikes in the last minute like the 2006 final.

Ben C says:

03:23pm | 04/05/12

@ Happy G

If Liverpool can pull off a similar result tomorrow night, it will rank as better than the West Ham game, simply because of the quality of the opposition.

Would love to see a Stevie G rocket, that’ll definitely make for an exciting game.

Ben C says:

12:56pm | 04/05/12

Given this year they’ve relied heavily on Smith, Cronk and Slater, I think come Origin time, they’ll lose at least one game. Also, I think Brisbane could beat the Storm when they clash. Mind you, as a Storm fan, I’m hoping they don’t.

SimpleSimon says:

01:06pm | 04/05/12

I feel it too. Do you think it’s for the better? Personally, I don’t. I’m less interested in going back to comment threads as I used to be. Nowadays I’ll frequent the open threads, but otherwise I’ll drop a comment here and there and rarely check back to see if anyone bothered responding.

Tim says:

01:13pm | 04/05/12

I wouldn’t call that “good money” Knemon, I’d call it wasted money.

The Storm will definitely lose games this year and although they’ve been winning, I think they’ll be vunerable later in the season.

subotic says:

01:13pm | 04/05/12

@Knemon, I’d swap the whole damn Storm and their coach for an Erick comment.

Actually, I’d just like the Storm crushed under a few of the Bronco’s feet, but that’s another story….

FREE ERICK.

TimB says:

01:43pm | 04/05/12

“It could just be me but I feel like ‘the vibe’ around The Punch has changed since Eric got the flick.”

Couldn’t agree more Knemon. I suspect it’s because quite a few of the good posters, have reduced (or ceased) posting in protest since that travesty.

Knemon says:

02:13pm | 04/05/12

@ SimpleSimon - “Do you think it’s for the better?”  - No I don’t, I agree with what TimB said.

@ Tim - “I’d call it wasted money” - Yeah, after reading the comments, I’m not as confident now, wait and see.

Blind Freddy says:

02:35pm | 04/05/12

Banning Erick was just wrong.

simonfromLakemba says:

02:50pm | 04/05/12

I think its better since he’s gone, the whole topic always gets railroaded into his own personal agenda. Saying that Acotel could easily be gone as well and it would be just as good.

I can’t say we have lost any good posters because of it, Erick had his group of about 5 or 6 loyal followers who would back him up every single time.

Myself, 90% of the time I am here in the Open Thread, only time I stray out is when its a war piece or refugee piece.

The other threads are filled with the same people putting forward the same opinions as the day before, gets tiresome after a while.

HappyG says:

02:53pm | 04/05/12

Storm are looking good Knemon but whether they can go the whole season undefeated is another question. Their reliance on Slater, Cronk and Smith who will all be involved in State of Origin could see them come back to the pack. I’m a Knights supporter and we have a slightly used, bargain basement prop you can have if you’re interested.

FREE WILLY ( all offers considered ) and FREE ERICK too.

M says:

02:59pm | 04/05/12

The spirit of Erick lives on though.

JC says:

03:01pm | 04/05/12

Does anyone else see as Erick as Batman and Acotrel as the Joker?
No offense to either of them it’s just a funny/wierd thought that popped in my head.

Chris L says:

04:09pm | 04/05/12

Didn’t Bolt say that George W was batman? He may have been wrong.

marley says:

05:07pm | 04/05/12

I kind of suspect Erick is lurking over on the homeless thread.  I’m arguing with someone who sure sounds like him.  You might want to drop over and say hello.