Punch on: Open thread 08/03/2011

acotrel says:

08:19am | 08/03/11

@ TimB Tony Abbott is the true face of the Liberal Party.  He must also be the true face of Australia?

fairsfair says:

09:12am | 08/03/11

TimB, I’m looking forward to seeing how this pans out in today’s news (on my new tv!!). Persephone has stated in another article that at least “she is doing something” unlike the coalition. Apparently they did sweet FA in the 12 years they were in. I near fell off my chair…

The thing that is getting me even more annoyed is that they seem adamant that it will proceed - does this not tell them that majority Australia is uneasy about the decision and it warrants further discussion (and I mean about the concept of AGW and if/how a Carbon Tax will seek to reduce emissions and what are possible alternatives?).

On a side note though, I think she is doing really well in the US of A at the moment. She seems really friendly, comfortable and actually looks like the PM. I have to give her props for that.

Lily J says:

09:25am | 08/03/11

@fairsfair,
Happy with your TV purchase?  Enjoyed the River Boys abs in high def yet?

fairsfair says:

10:25am | 08/03/11

Purchasing it at lunchtime today LilyJ. Methinks I’ll still be trying to work out how to set it up come Home and Away time this eventing, but I am most certainly seeking to confirm if muscle definition is in fact better in full HD. I’ll report my findings

Scarneck says:

11:33am | 08/03/11

fairsfair says “The thing that is getting me even more annoyed is that they seem adamant that it will proceed” - and why wont it fairsfair? Come July you will be even more annoyed. The LNP simply don’t have the numbers to stop it!!

TimB says:

12:48pm | 08/03/11

@ Scarneck-
The Greens could still torpedo it in the senate for not being harsh enough just like the ETS.
The Independents could come to their senses & knock it back in the House of Reps.
A few disgruntled Labor MP’s could grow a spine and do the same thing.

The point is Gillard is moing ahead with this because she claims that’s what Australian want. That’s a lie (yes another one). We don’t want this. And she’s doing it anyway. She doesn’t have a mandate to turn our economy upside down, whatever she might claim.

fairsfair says:

01:22pm | 08/03/11

@ scarneck - the issue is that they are not listening to public opinion. The polls say that. The very same polls and “reason” for rudd roll. This is really quite unprecidented so it will be interesting to see if it pans out anyway, but I think it is pretty clear the Australians don’t like taxes.

OK, really important stuff - TV update. The sale ended yesterday. TimB I nearly snapped at the salesman! So I was looking at $699 for a 32”. “Coincidentally” the 42” had not come on sale, so I got that one for $999 and he threw in the 4 year warranty, saving me $179. I think I was had by a geek, but at the same time I don’t care - I have a new TV!

TimB says:

02:01pm | 08/03/11

42-incher. Nice.

And the same price I paid for my 26” . Bah.

I’m sure someone will probably come along and tell you you could have got such a such a price elsewhere, wish I could have been more help in that regard. Unfortunately I haven’t been seriously looking at TV’s for a while so I couldn’t tell you for sure if it was a good deal or not.

But as long as you’re happy with it, that’s all that matters

Reg says:

02:55pm | 08/03/11

This is what used to be referred to as a Claytons. What you drink when you’re not having a drink. A watered down apology for the missing right to free-speech.—— “Many ‘citizen journalists’ seeking to claim its protection could fail because they may not have extended a promise of confidentiality.”

So you still don’t know what your rights are. Nothing’s changed.

Here’s one for you on Women’s Day Erick.

If we had absolute freedom of speech such as the Yanks have, could there be any such thing as a sentence that was sexist or sexually offensive?

Bilby says:

08:49am | 08/03/11

Don’t forget android while you’re at it… In fact, give me some specs and I’ll find a highly paid consultant *cough* me *cough* to look into it.

Seanr says:

09:47am | 08/03/11

Android please Bilby..the cheque will be in the mail…

mary says:

06:47am | 09/03/11

Would you like us to sign a petition .. where’s Fairsfair when we need her?

fairsfair says:

11:28am | 09/03/11

Macca, my phone is practically a 1997 model. It sends and receives calls and texts. Sadly, the “app” (is that what you kids are calling them) would be of no use to me.

Wait until I have a new phone, then I’ll care Meanwhile, nobody even listens to me so….............

James1 says:

09:39am | 08/03/11

I didn’t buy one in 1979 because I hadn’t been born, but my first CD was Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood sugar sex majik.

NicoleG says:

09:53am | 08/03/11

Tell me about it. I’m not going anywhere near them. It’s dangerous!

My first album was Chicago. I just loved them. I’m old. And I’ve just depressed myself. First CD was ABBA. Gawd, I’m tragic.

Elphaba says:

10:16am | 08/03/11

@James1, me neither.  After Silverchair came an obsession with Nirvana, followed by Pearl Jam, Pumpkins and Metallica.

I’d say I did alright, lol

@NicoleG, except for the bitch-fest about Gillard.  Anything relating to Women’s Day, I’m out.

I’m such a bad feminist, lol

James1 says:

10:40am | 08/03/11

My iPod is still loaded up with Nirvana Elphaba.  Their stuff never gets old.

NicoleG - Ms Mirabella has an interesting discussion going.  You’d love it.

Elphaba says:

10:52am | 08/03/11

@James1, true.  Timeless stuff.

NicoleG says:

11:01am | 08/03/11

I was just reading some of the comments James. LOL. There’s some serious mud slinging going on there. And the one on Gillard is pretty funny too Elphaba.

fairsfair says:

11:06am | 08/03/11

Metallica brings back bad memories. From grade 9 through 12 my school bus had one tape and one tape only…. enter the sandman. After five years of that garbage my ears bleed every time Metallica is mentioned. There was a brief bus stereo dalliance into Nirvana in grade 8 and it never really grabbed me.

My sister had the immaculate collection, but she would never let me listen to it. My favourite song was that playground one from A League of Their Own (how fitting on this day), but she would always skip it! Nasty Pasty!

@NicoleG - I don’t mind a bit of Chicago! How bout David Bowie?

I’ve never tollerated Bowie though until I saw “Extras” the other night. Oh my god. I have had that “Pathetic little fat man, chubby little loser” stuck in my head for about three days. Might have to listen to some of his actual songs as “Ground Control to Major Tom” is the only other one I know….

Likes Joining Dots says:

11:19am | 08/03/11

@NicoleG - relax.

Rumour has is it Julian Assange is now working on the Abba-Leaks website. Everyone will be exposed eventually - it’s just a matter of time, so I may as well ‘fess up’ now.

First vinyl. Abba album with Ring Ring on it (it was a gift, a gift I tell you).
First CD. London Calling - The Clash

Legal Disclaimer: I am in no way intimating the Assange has anything against the good people of Sweden.

Reg says:

11:29am | 08/03/11

Let us pray the above is not an indication of the musical tastes of a cross-section of the contributors to Punch. Much lower and you’ll be breaking wind in China.

fairsfair says:

11:57am | 08/03/11

@Reg, do share with us your higher tastes in music. We are just hanging to hear of your superior preferences.

Unfortunately we aren’t familiar with anything requiring the use of a gramophone, so you may have to explain it further.

James1 says:

12:17pm | 08/03/11

I will admit, Reg, that Nirvana sits a little uncomfortably next to Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony on my iPod - only the first two movements, of course.

As for Nirvana and Silvershair, I guess you had to be there to understand…

NicoleG says:

12:24pm | 08/03/11

LOL fairsfair….........Now, I went to a David Bowie concert in Melbourne when I was about 15. It was shit house. So nup, don’t like him. Do you remember Adam Ant? He was bizarre.

LJD, thank God someone else is as tragic as me. And you bought it, fess up.

Elphaba says:

12:36pm | 08/03/11

@James1, don’t defend your music tastes.  You like whatever you want to like.

Reg - sod off.

Elphaba says:

12:39pm | 08/03/11

Forgot to add to my last post - when Cliff Burton wasn’t shredding the bass, he was obsessed with Bach.  His broader musical tastes was what notched Metallica above other heavy metal bands in the early years and ultimately lead to the S&M album.

You don’t choose what you love, it chooses you…

Elphaba says:

12:54pm | 08/03/11

And speaking of the boys from the Bay…

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/blog/the-big-four-featuring-metallica-slayer-megadeth-and-anthrax-could-be-coming-to-australia/20110308-bmbg.html

How amazing if it’s true…

LauraBoBaura says:

01:51pm | 08/03/11

@Elphaba -  I’m going to make sure my boyfriend never sees that link, I don’t think I could handle a Slayer concert.
Since we’ve been together, I have attended: Metallica, Hellyeah (Vinnie Paul’s supergroup), Mudvayne, Slipknot and a few others… I think I’ve earnt my break from paying lip service to heavy metal

Elphaba says:

02:00pm | 08/03/11

@Laura, lol, if he’s anything like me he would have already heard about it!  Hehehehe… finger on the pulse.

You sound like you’ve been a good gf to him, that’s tops.  We metalheads are a strange breed, I agree… but holy hell, that gig would be EPIC!

I missed Soundwave this year, this would more than make up for it…

Reg says:

02:15pm | 08/03/11

@Elphaba ”  You don’t choose what you love, it chooses you…”

For the mindless and easily influenced that may be true, but for the higher order of man and womankind, mental application plays its part. I mean to say, for a start, the originators of any music don’t grab it out of the air, they work at it. For those who let music flow over their ears a repetitive ditty is just the thing. They don’t really listen anyway.  Muzak is your thing.  Sodding off with gusto.

See .... none of you can stand anyone disagreeing with you. In the best tradition of MarK .....

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

So revealing.

James1 says:

02:19pm | 08/03/11

Elphaba, I guess my point for Reg was that one can like both Nirvana and Mahler.  Like you say, we don’t choose our tastes, they choose us.

Elphaba says:

02:33pm | 08/03/11

@James1, Mahler gives me chills - esp after it featured in Shutter Island.  Creepy!  But good.

I’m a sucker for Bach, myself.

Elphaba says:

02:36pm | 08/03/11

@Reg, it may surprise you, but I don’t expect anyone to agree with me on here - ever.

I just post what I think.  If people agree, that’s a bonus.

Likes Joining Dots says:

02:48pm | 08/03/11

C’mon Reg, get with the spirit of the open thread.

It’s not about what music you like now. It’s about the first piece of music you owned. Whether it be embarrassing, a classic or just plain ‘out there’. I’m sure there must one of those in your catalogue.  Share it and have a laugh like everyone else.

It’s not about which music is better.

LauraBoBaura says:

02:49pm | 08/03/11

@Elphaba - You metal heads are indeed a strange breed, the only people I know who can argue passionately with each other over liking the exact same music (See any Metallica fan).. Yes, I get it Dave Mustaine couldn’t hold a candle to Kirk Hammett….

There is nothing more amusing than when my partner walks down the street with a shirt that says ‘TOOL’ in massive letters & wonders why people look at him strangely…

Bitten says:

02:56pm | 08/03/11

Reg, you are a doofus. But not entirely unloveable.

Elphaba, I think I have to confess to a John Farnham thing. Pretty sure the first CD I ever got was one of his for my 10th birthday. What is more distressing is that I can’t entirely remember - which I think means I am officially old now. I’ve been a young’un for such a long time…

Elphaba says:

03:16pm | 08/03/11

@Bitten, John Farnham was my first concert.  8 years old… it must have been the Chain Reaction tour?  He played under a tent in the local showground.  My brother and I stood on an esky.  He still had long hair, and he winked at us.

Thank goodness this is an anonymous forum, lol

We had one of his live concerts taped on the TV, I think we wore the tape out eventually…

Likes Joining Dots says:

03:17pm | 08/03/11

@NicoleG

Allow me to clear up this misunderstanding between us once and for all.

I did not have a financial transaction with that Abba album.

Elphaba says:

03:24pm | 08/03/11

Lol, @ Laura - I don’t really think about Mustaine much, to be honest, because he’s always been a big whinger.

“Oooh, they kicked me out of Metallica and I’ve sold 15 million records but that’s not enough…” Jesus Christ, someone call him a waaaaambulance.

I do like a good stoush over which is the best Metallica album though.

NicoleG says:

04:05pm | 08/03/11

Ok LJD, I believe you.

fairsfair says:

01:49pm | 08/03/11

I love Garbage. Cherry Lips is my fave. I once saw Shirley Manson offering moral suppot to Delores O’Riordan (Cranberries - remember them?!?) outside the courthouse when I was living in Dublin. Delores had punched her housekeeper and was being tried for assault. She was crying on the back stairs of the courthouse as I wandered past on my way home from work.

Good times….

AFR says:

10:39am | 08/03/11

You’re an idiot. Seriously, the old “taxpayers dollars” and “send them home” arguments? You realise these are young kids, right? Can you serously put hand on heart and say you are happy with 6 year olds being detailed behind like this?

Tony of Poorakistan says:

12:16pm | 08/03/11

That choice is their’s (or their parents’, anyway). Stay home, emigrate to a country that will let you in without question (one that is more closely aligned to your culture and religion might be a good choice), or ... spend time in detention while we assess what sort of risk you pose. 
 
(Hint: Don’t throw your papers overboard, it makes that process quicker)

iain m says:

12:24pm | 08/03/11

Yes AFR and they are traumatised by the boat trip and their parents knowledge that they will be detained behind bars. and what about these “asylum seekers” from Iran! what! you can go on a holiday to Iran if you choose its safe and friendly i have a mate whos just been there with his family visiting historical sites and rated it as one of his favourite holiday destination. He felt like a welcomed guest at all times.

LauraBoBaura says:

01:43pm | 08/03/11

Oh god CDB. I remember them! I had that single too….

Although I think the first CD I bought with my own money was Best Of Crowded House…. that was about 15 years ago, I think it’s stood the test of time pretty well.

Mouse says:

04:33pm | 08/03/11

LOL, “Let’s Groove Tonight” one of the best songs to dance at that time!  I was a bit older when CDs came out. My vinyl collection, still got most of them, was to die for! They still play too! Old 45’s & 33s, you had to be careful dancing near the record player though or the stylus would jump on the record!
My first CD was Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon, had the vinyl, then the tape then was talked into the CD. LOL, modern technology!!
My daughter is right up there with iTunes so she does all that for me. I knew there was a reason I had kids! lol
ps congrats on your new TV! Enjoy H&A

TheRealDave says:

02:45pm | 08/03/11

How’s your Time Machine going? A CD in 1982…...  ??

stephen says:

03:37pm | 08/03/11

Well i think it was, but i bought it certainly before the mall was built in that shop which i thought was built in 83.

fairsfair says:

04:14pm | 08/03/11

I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…..Oh no, that is bad. Mine would have to be Celine Dion’s greatest hits.

Worst CD injury: I was carving up the dancefloor with a group of friends when the DJ announced a CD giveaway. Wow we all thought, how are they going to do this? Cue “Shakira” “Hips don’t Lie” CD single upside the head. It was a frizbee style trajectory, so I am sure you can imagine what eschewed. I have hated that bird ever since. I have a minor residual scar. I should have sued the establishment