Punch on: Open thread 16/02/2011

Esteban says:

11:38am | 16/02/12

Believe it or not but my family’s official motto is “No sea too rough - no muff too tough.”

TheRealDave says:

01:11pm | 16/02/12

Kudo’s for having such a liberated Mother Esteban

Dash says:

10:13am | 16/02/12

Q: What’s the difference between a woman and a computer?

A: The woman wont take a 3 and a 1/4 inch floppy!

These days, fewer people seem to get that joke.

Jack says:

11:08am | 16/02/12

South Africans used to refer to the 3 1/2 inch floppys as “stiffys” as they had an inflexible shell compared to the older 5 1/4 inch disks.

Chris L says:

11:31am | 16/02/12

I’m just glad I’m too young to remember the Punch Card era. That would be depressing!

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:00pm | 16/02/12

@Dash

LOL nice. I’m only 25 but I still remember that from school.

Markus says:

12:29pm | 16/02/12

I’m wondering who is going to be the first to stop using the 3 1/2 floppy disk as the symbol for ‘Save’, and what image they will replace it with.
A USB stick?

Servaas says:

05:25pm | 16/02/12

I am from South Africa and Afrikaans-speaking which means we don’t always think English terms through when we use them generically in Afrikaans. These comments above made me realise for the first time why a floppy is called a floppy and a stiffy a stiffy. Or I’m just super slow.

(Also we used the terms floppy drive and stiffy drive for their ports)

I read somewhere the other day that ‘casette’ was not included in the latest Oxford dictionary. Need to get that fact check though.

Sarah says:

11:09am | 16/02/12

Yes! My family and friends get all cranky with me - because once I’m home from work, I tend to put the phone on silent, or switch it off and put it away. They complain that its impossible to get a hold of me and that I never respond to their texts and calls.

Since when does having a mobile phone make me a 24/7 communications tower? Since when am I obligated to respond to every single communication that comes my way, no matter how asinine?

The home phone is still there - to call me on if its an emergency!!

I really really really miss the days before mobile’s - these stupid little pieces of plastic are the total pits.

Chris L says:

11:35am | 16/02/12

Remember the size of mobile phones when they first came out? People were mistaking them for small moons!

I don’t own any kind of phone as I despite small talk. My family and friends all email me when they need to tell me something.

Sarah says:

11:47am | 16/02/12

@Chris L

Yes! My first phone was not much smaller than a brick with a antenna that I had to pull out. A Motorolla that did calls only, no texts.

I prefer email too - they’re slowly learning that its the best way to get me. It doesn’t make me a recluse by not wanting to be trapped to my mobile, just someone who wants to get off the crazy roundabout of life from time to time. I watch my flatmate get constantly barraged by texts and calls every single night after work - they constantly interrupt any conversation we’re having as she has to stop and respond. Stuff that.

Dieter Moeckel says:

12:20pm | 16/02/12

I’ve never even had a mobile - what are they?
I had an Apple 11 with 8kb memory and it was the ants’  pants.
Had a motor car without a computer and watch the first moon landing as an adult.
Never had a walkman but used a reel to reel and a manual type writer for Uni assignments.

TimB says:

07:00am | 16/02/12

Hmm. Either:

A) Acotrel is trolling with his apparent change of heart

B) Gillard is hitting him *personally* in the hip pocket. In which case, LOL.

MarkF says:

07:22am | 16/02/12

I have absolutely no problem with those who have money actually paying full cost for their health care…years ago I couldn’t afford it (low income earner with a mortgage and kids) and now thanks to little Johny Cowards idea that for every year over thirty you pay two percent more (I’m 49) I still can’t afford it.  What is is with these idiot politicians charging more for those least able to afford and giving breaks to those who can?

marley says:

07:35am | 16/02/12

@Tim B. - he’s trolling.  The question is, for a guywho allegedly believes in “continuous improvement,”  why do his comments never get any better?

Against the Man says:

07:44am | 16/02/12

Is this really acotrel or an imposter?

acotrel says:

07:55am | 16/02/12

@marley
continual improvement - it is the reason that industrial democracy is important -  ‘continuous’ means something else.

jay-ded says:

07:55am | 16/02/12

@ATM - I call imposter.

TimB says:

08:02am | 16/02/12

Its not an imposter Jay-ded. Look at the exclamation marks.

acotrel says:

08:04am | 16/02/12

@TimB
Loved your response. Private health cover is OK as long as you don’t admit you have it when you go to a public hospital.  I know I shouldn’t shit stir but I don’t go to work any more, and I don’t have any other outlet for it.  I just enjoy giving you guys a rev.

Anubis says:

08:16am | 16/02/12

Can’t be the acotrel we all know. Under no circumstances would our acotrel put “rotten job” and Julia Gillard” in the same sentence

Ben C says:

08:33am | 16/02/12

@ Anubis

He will, so long as “rotten job” is a reference to Tony Abbott as a comparison to Julia Gillard.

nossy says:

09:08am | 16/02/12

@acotrel   hahhaha good one acotrel - the old “reverse Psychology” ploy - play with their minds fella - got ATM and TimB in a twist anyway!

Fred says:

09:17am | 16/02/12

I can’t believe the amount of morons who think $120k per year is rich. A lot of them want these people to pay for their own health entirely American style. Whilst still benefitting from the tax the $120k person pays.

We really need to sort out these unis and stop them from producing so many idiot arts degree people. Why didn’t Howard do that? I’m no Liberal fan boy but in 11 years he didn’t seem to do that much really.

James1 says:

09:20am | 16/02/12

Anyone can do that Tim !  See, I’m even doing it now !  Tony Abbott !  Et cetera !

TimB says:

09:51am | 16/02/12

True James, but still it’s little details like that that most people don’t think about

Balance of probabilities and all that.

” I know I shouldn’t shit stir but I don’t go to work any more, and I don’t have any other outlet for it.”

Perhaps you should go annoy your kids instead, then we can have proper discussions here.

Against the Man says:

10:02am | 16/02/12

@ nossy - I’m not in a twist because I’m not Julia Gillard! And ALPers jumping off the Gillard Titanic comes as no surprise.

marley says:

10:02am | 16/02/12

@acotrel - you missed the point entirely.  Improvement.  Continuous or continual, it still revolves around improvement.

Tim says:

11:46am | 16/02/12

The only time acotrel dislikes socialist policies is when he’s the one paying for them.

Dieter Moeckel says:

12:28pm | 16/02/12

Why does everybody eschew socialism but still want socialist benefits?
National public health is an anathema to any real free market capitalist.
Let’s get real and chuck out public health, public education and legal aid (and all the other socialist public welfare.) If you can’t pay for it yourself die you bastard, let your kids remain illiterate, go to gaol and if you can’t work fuck you and starve.
There is no practical hybrid system, although there might be a place for Catholic charity dying hospices.

libertarian vegetarian says:

03:36pm | 16/02/12

@Dieter
Who wants these “socialist benefits??”  I don’t want public schools or public hospitals or public anything else. 
Socialists don’t understand the concept of generosity (except with someone elses money)
I’m all for seeing disadvantaged kids getting an education and health care for those that can’t afford it. These things are properly the function of charity and I would happily donate money to fund them.
If I ever find myself in circumstances where I have to ask for a hand out I would sure as shit prefer to take money that was freely and happily given than take money that was taken compulsorily.

acotrel says:

06:57am | 16/02/12

The lack of a rail connection between Melbourne CBD and Tullamarine airport shows that democracy has failed us.  Maintenance of the abysmal status quo is an obvious indication of inappropriate friendships.

TimB says:

07:20am | 16/02/12

The stupid thing about this is the latests arguments:

‘Oh no you can’t do this NOW. We’ve started building right up to the edge of the proposzed zone! You guys should have done this years ago, when the area was less built up!’

That’s when they WANTED to do it FFS! Goddamn NIMBYS.

As an aside, I remember seeing something about this in relation to the Richmond air base. Defence are looking to shift forces to the north-west of the country because it makes zero sense to have forces deployed all the way down here where the only potential threat they face is Kiwi backpakers.

I say go ahead with that idea, and then convert Richmond into a full blown civilian airport. Upgrade the Richmond train line and you’ve got your transport right into the city. Plus it would encourage growth out that way, maybe a new business district away from the crowded CBD.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

09:21am | 16/02/12

‘‘Maintenance of the abysmal status quo is an obvious indication of inappropriate friendships’’ 
 
Well phrased. And entirely accurate. There is no excuse for this. 
 
The Albion-Jacana line should be electrified (giving the western suburbs access) and a spur run UNDER Tullamarine to Sunbury with an underground station. Those in the southern suburbs would get there via the city and the Broadmeadows line.

Wickerman says:

09:56am | 16/02/12

I suggest:
1. Create a freight only airport west of Sydney, say Gosford area that is connected to the hume highwat & the train lines. Less traffic into Mascot.
2. Make Canberra international ie. can take flights from overseas directly.
3. Goverments to stop mucking about and get high speed rail: Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane.

SimpleSimon says:

09:57am | 16/02/12

@TimB - “NIMBYS”? Not In My Back Yard(ers)? Not familiar with the acronym, so just taking a stab..

Ben C says:

10:21am | 16/02/12

@ Wickerman

“1. Create a freight only airport west of Sydney, say Gosford area that is connected to the hume highwat & the train lines. Less traffic into Mascot.”

You’re definitely not from Sydney, are you?

TimB says:

11:14am | 16/02/12

Sorry Simon, should more accurately be ‘NIMBY’s’. Plural of NIMBY. got carried away with my caps .

@ Wickerman, just to follow on from Ben’s comment, FYI:

- Gosford is on the Central Coast, north of Sydney. Also sits off the Pacific Highway, not the Hume.
- West of Sydney (i.e beyond Penrith) are the Blue Mountains. Not good airport territory.

Chris L says:

11:42am | 16/02/12

@TimB - The Kiwis have already invaded. Couldn’t you tell?

Ben C says:

11:46am | 16/02/12

@ TimB

If we were to combine your idea about Richmond with Wickerman’s idea about the freight only airport, would that be feasible in your opinion?

Tim says:

11:48am | 16/02/12

Canberra
Very Fast Train
Freight Hub.

Problem solved.

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:10pm | 16/02/12

And of the day it all comes down to cost.

I’m actually a signed up supporter of the high speed line from Sydney to Canberra. It would be great for everyone concerned.

Another point, wouldn’t the airlines kick up a stink as it would decrease their profits?

Wickerman says:

12:12pm | 16/02/12

Yeah sorry - meant Golburn.

TimB says:

12:27pm | 16/02/12

@ Chris L- Yes they have. And our air force did a bang-up job of repelling them didn’t they?

Shift the base to WA , convert Richmond to civilian use, then fly the Kiwi’s back home! Everyone wins!

....Well everyone except the sheep

Wickerman says:

12:56pm | 16/02/12

@TimB
If all the Kiwis are sent home, what are you all convict spawn going to do for?:
Bouncers
1/4 of NRL footballers

Is this suggestion due because the Kiws are quicker getting to the sheep than you? (since they dont have leg irons like you convicts) and you want to easier pickings than your aussie wombats that put up a fight?

TimB says:

01:14pm | 16/02/12

@ Ben C, yeah maybe. It’s an interesting thought.

I assume this would shift all freight operations from Kingsford Smith out to Richmond? How much air traffic out of Sydney does freight account for anyway?

Just trying to determine if this would be the pressure release needed for Sydney or if we would still need to run commercial flights out of Richmond.

And they should take another look at shifting some domestic operations to Bankstown.

Ben C says:

01:55pm | 16/02/12

@ TimB

I’m not sure if Bankstown will be able to handle anything the size of A330 upwards, but it definitely could handle more capacity. Services like QantasLink or Rex definitely could utilise Bankstown. Problem that I can see is traffic and transport:

- The intersection of Milperra/Newbridge Rd and Henry Lawson Dr is heavy at the best of times.
- Public transport is scarce - the nearest train stations are Yagoona, Bankstown, Panania and Revesby. Revesby would be a good option for a dedicated bus terminal to service Bankstown Airport, given its recent upgrade and now acting as a terminal stop for CityRail plus it is on the Airport Line, but it is still a good 5-10 minute drive from the airport.

(I could well be the only Bankstown resident that supports using Bankstown Airport as a passenger hub.)

TimB says:

02:35pm | 16/02/12

Possibly technically correct Ben.

I’m an *ex*-Bankstown resident who supports it .

Parents are still there though, & Mum’s dead against it. Not sure about Dad.

Knemon says:

02:57pm | 16/02/12

@ TimB - Bankstown…If it wasn’t for Paul Keating - People wouldn’t have even heard of it.

SimonFromLakemba says:

03:05pm | 16/02/12

@Knemon

Aww I don’t know, there is enough crime there to always keep it in the papers..lol

Chris L says:

03:21pm | 16/02/12

@Wickerman - Wombats are faster than you’d think!

acotrel says:

06:54am | 16/02/12

It’s nice being married, isn’t it ?

ibast says:

07:47am | 16/02/12

I prefer crumpet in the morning.

bec says:

06:21am | 16/02/12

Ah, the rattie - the single biggest barrier to employment.

Of course what I say is highly bigoted but wevs; a rats tail is a message broadcast at large to the world saying “eff y’all - I’m going to cook meth in the cistern of my toilet”.

S.L says:

06:54am | 16/02/12

So true bec….............SO TRUE!

fairsfair says:

08:49am | 16/02/12

I always find muffins a bit dry. I won’t go there Nossy.

Carrot cake however… hold me back!

nossy says:

09:20am | 16/02/12

@fairsfair - you may commence to drool fairs! Yum doesnt it look good.
http://tinyurl.com/78hoxqa

jay-ded says:

07:40am | 16/02/12

If it didn’t have a gratuitous shower scene, it wasn’t a real movie. 

TimB says:

07:53am | 16/02/12

What about Starship Troopers?

I love that movie. So over the top.

Fiddler says:

08:05am | 16/02/12

@TimB, it was copied from an earlier novel, but yes, loved the pointless shower scene

TimB says:

08:36am | 16/02/12

Yeah I know, Rob Heinlein. Always meant to go back and read the original novel, but never got around to it.

Gratuitous nudity just doesn’t have the same impact in mere written form anyway

S.L says:

11:13am | 16/02/12

I read that all the “naughty” scenes in movies like “Porkys” and all the other B grade high school flicks (where all the students look like they’re in their late 20s)  were based on the movie we all know about but few admit to have watched…...the porn movie “Debbie does Dallas”.

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:14pm | 16/02/12

SBS got back into the the other weekend, took me back to my teenage years..lol

Saw a nice Spanish one.

Fiddler says:

12:45pm | 16/02/12

Yes, I remember actually having to work hard to find boobage.
I wonder if I can find some somewhere on this internet thingy

acotrel says:

07:13am | 16/02/12

There are even scientists who work for tobacco companies knowing full well the associations between cigarette smoking, and many diseases.  A dollar is a dollar, you’ve got to look after number one first !

TM says:

08:15am | 16/02/12

The warmists are getting desperate.

http://heartland.org/press-releases/2012/02/15/heartland-institute-responds-stolen-and-fake-documents

gobsmack says:

08:54am | 16/02/12

@TM
Perhaps you should apply some of your scepticism to the response from Hearland.
They say “at least one” document is a fake (meaning anything up to all but one are real).  Also, as a matter of construction, a document can’t be both stolen and faked.
As reported in the linked newspaper article, Professor Carter did not deny being paid by Heartland.

iansand says:

09:12am | 16/02/12

TM - Can I quote you next time we get one of the interminable “they are only in it for the money” critiques of climate scientists?

TM says:

10:24am | 16/02/12

Oh dear, didn’t read the link in full?

If the info in the Heartland statement is false there will be no charges ensuing. Laws have allegedly been broken so time will be the judge.

So what if Carter gets paid by Heartland for his services,  ‘it will never rain again’ Flannery also gets paid a ridiculous amount to make a fool of himself. The difference being the taxpayers are footing the bill for his outlandish propaganda.

iansand says:

10:31am | 16/02/12

TM - You no doubt advocate the prosecution of the Climategate hacker, and expect all references to those stolen emails to be removed from the Internet.

It would be funny if - oh the hell with it - it is just outright hilarious.

iansand says:

10:32am | 16/02/12

TM - You no doubt advocate the prosecution of the Climategate hacker, and expect all references to those stolen emails to be removed from the Internet.

It would be funny if - oh the hell with it - it is just outright hilarious.

TM says:

10:57am | 16/02/12

OK, I read you the first time.

Don’t know about hacker or a leak but the authors have admitted that they were genuine. But since you brought up the Climategate emails they are pretty damning.

The ‘travesty’ of no warming, now that’s hilarious.

gobsmack says:

11:59am | 16/02/12

Lol.  If only the climate were as predictable as some of the posters on Punch.
I was wondering when the F-word would get a mention.

onlooker says:

07:04am | 16/02/12

I hate thinking ill of people, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth but the only excuse I can think of for Gillard is menopause. It makes some disorientated. She is at any age where menopause is looming. I might be wrong but gee she is getting herself totally disliked with silly fibs that she can be caught out on. Even going on the program showed a lack of judgement. She has a knack of annoying everyone on a weekly basis

acotrel says:

07:05am | 16/02/12

At least Julia Gillard doesn’t have the arrogance to expect her lies to be accepted as normal behaviour ! :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc5ljcri6Nk

That is what a pathological liar looks like !

craig2 says:

07:09am | 16/02/12

@Viv
I know i’ve said this before before but Labor bashing is now too easy, i’m almost bored of it and it’s no fault your own, you’ve found another problem with Juliar and it’s now, sadly, an accepted norm for her. No-one believes what has to say anymore and everybody has tuned out. She sucks.

Marco says:

07:15am | 16/02/12

Gillard is losing support from her colleagues by the hour.  They are simply prolonging her and the nation’s misery ... and ultimately increasing public distrust of the Labor brand.

Against the Man says:

07:43am | 16/02/12

The ALP don’t know what to do? Ditch Gillard now and save the party in the long term. Keep her and you will burn all bridges and as a political party will be extinct in 5 years!

More job loses, carbon tax….....it is political party suicide to keep her on!

jay-ded says:

07:45am | 16/02/12

@onlooker.  Menopause causes a female to lie?

I call bullshit.

AdamC says:

08:30am | 16/02/12

The poor thing. She can’t even swicth off the BS machine when it is in her best interests to do so. But she has survived infractions as bad as this before, so I am not convinced she’s gone yet. But I sure *hope* she is!

Still Not Rusted On says:

09:26am | 16/02/12

yawn

Mahhrat says:

07:10am | 16/02/12

God yes, I’d never thought of that.  Dammit, I was looking forward to screening boyfriend calls!!

Eva says:

07:46am | 16/02/12

My youngest son refuses to get a mobile so for weeks I was disconnecting an interested party who always began the conversation with “is that Mrs ??” giving me the impression that it was a junk call. It was only after my son told her to ask for him directly that she got put through.

nossy says:

09:39am | 16/02/12

@Kerryn what you said Kerryn. Sadly I am showing my age here (60) but I cant remember a time WITH Sonic the Hedgehog!  hahah have fun Kerryn.

Dash says:

09:54am | 16/02/12

@nossy - can you remember a time when the ALP were capable of managing money? Hasn’t existed in my lifetime.

nossy says:

10:10am | 16/02/12

@Dash no your right Dash my memory doesnt go back that far either. Rex Connors took the cake in the Whitlam government trying to raise a loan from Saddams country via Khemlani - strewth that was crook. When Whitlam told him to desist he went behind Goughs back and continued - Gough duly found out and sacked him. A young Paul Keating became the youngest ever Minisiter at age 25 - just for a short time anyway before Gough got the heave ho. Ahhh memories Dash - poor old Gough probbably plays this jingle daily!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jykIqQxEOw

nossy says:

10:29am | 16/02/12

@Dash for what its worth in all seriousness Dash I do see great similarities between Abbott and Hewson - Hewson had the 1993 election shot to bits way back in 1992 - voters really wanted to get rid of Labor BUT in the end as election day drew near they just didnt want Hewson - Abbott fits that same mould perfectly. Keating in fact had far worse polling than Gillard has now and went on to win in 1993 - thanks to Hewson. I do believe Labor will have an unliked Abbott to thank for victory, however close, in 2013.

Ally says:

10:33am | 16/02/12

I’ve still got my original Mega Drive. I remember mine was the Jurassic Park edition with a special slip case over the box. Sadly, I can’t get it to work on my flatscreen, so I have to dig out my ancient 12 inch screen analogue tv. Kind of ruins the Sonic and Columns fun.

You should try and get hold of the Tiny Toons game. Great fun and an incredibly irritating theme song.

Kerryn says:

10:34am | 16/02/12

How does a comment about Sonic the Hedgehog become political?

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:20pm | 16/02/12

@Kerryn

One word. DASH.

nossy says:

12:21pm | 16/02/12

@Kerryn   forgive Dash Kerryn he has a BIG axe to grind as he works his way around the blogs. But we love him and its a free country.

Chris L says:

12:39pm | 16/02/12

That’s nothin’ Kerryn. I have a stand up arcade machine with over 1000 of the old classics, starting with space invaders, continuing through Dragon’s Lair, and ending in Street Fighter Vs Marvel! Happy, happy day!

The only game it doesn’t seem to have is Rock ‘n Rope!

Kerryn says:

01:24pm | 16/02/12

@Alley I managed to get mine to work with my plasma - without any 3rd party add-ons!  Helps that I don’t watch Free-to-Air on that TV I guess.

dash says:

03:31pm | 16/02/12

@nossy - You’ve changed!

@SimonFromLaborville - you haven’t!

nossy says:

04:01pm | 16/02/12

@dash 4.31pm no change from me old fellla - am a passionate exponent of free speech - and just to claify once again am a “Katter Australia Party” voter - however when we talk of Fed Elections only two parties can form govt - Coalition and Labor. Dont see the Coalition forming government for a long time Dash as long as they stick with the modern day John Hewson as their leader. As Bart Cummmings once said a win by a short half head is as good as a win by 14 lengths - Labor will win 2013 by a half a length I suggest Dash. Please be the 1st to correct me if I am wrong come say Nov 2013 - cant be fairer than that.
http://www.ausparty.org.au/

Li says:

07:49am | 16/02/12

Wow ... that was kind of scary o.O - but also really really funny :D

jay-ded says:

08:01am | 16/02/12

Omgawd!!! But bwahahahahahahahaha too.

James1 says:

09:31am | 16/02/12

One could substitute Karl for Mohammad or Joseph Smith, and this would work just as well.  Every Abrahamic religion relies on the exact same circular logic.

Thanks for the link Erick.

RyaN says:

10:45am | 16/02/12

@Erick: You know when I saw the movie “The Island” I was dead set sure they were trying to subtly point out the same thing in the beginning part of the plot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Island_(2005_film)

Chris L says:

12:49pm | 16/02/12

Stop attacking Hank! You are trying to deny us the right to kiss Hank’s arse!

SimpleSimon says:

10:10am | 16/02/12

Did they play the Girls on Film clip on Countdown? I expect it was banned. Definitely Duran Duran’s best.

jay-ded says:

08:55am | 16/02/12

Children under the age of 18 cannot sign legal documents.

Ben C says:

09:09am | 16/02/12

It’s only allowed in exceptional circumstances. I would presume that such circumstances would include not being able to live with the parents.

If the child is still under the care of their parents, then health insurers won’t allow children only cover. Firstly, the child is still the legal responsibility of the parent. Secondly, I’m not aware of children being allowed to take out any form of insurance in their own names; insurance being a form of contract (if memory serves me correctly), minors aren’t allowed to enter into contracts on their own, it must be countersigned by a parent or guardian.

Happy to stand corrected.

Dash says:

10:10am | 16/02/12

Hey Robert - The ALP lied to us all again when they wrote to private insurers promising not to touch the rebate. People who call it welfare are dumb! Forcing someone to incur a cost is not welfare. And when you consider the people the ALP are wacking with this are the ones paying for the system in the first place, it’s nothing but another tax grab because the ALP cannot manage money!

It’s funny that the people who are benefitting from higher income earners subsidising their health care, also seem to be the ones screaming the loudest for the ALP to punish those people.

My hope is that the people who are being subsidised now have to wait in a longer line for health services as a result of the people paying for the system now choosing to use it as well.

The ALP continue to play class wars. My guess is the super contributions tax consessions will be next on the list for this socialist government. Soon there will be no reason at all to work hard and become successful.

The so call rich are subsiding everyone elses healthcare, they are subsidising the Carbon tax compensation, they subsidised the $900 handouts, they are paying for the ALP’s inability to insure against flood, and yet the people who benefit from all of this, now think they should pay some more! The top 10% of taxpayers are also contributing over 50% of the PAYG tax revenue. More and more of the financial responsibility for running the country is being forced upon the same few.

The ALP has reduced the tax base and increased the tax take! That’s not fair or sustainable. In fact it’s bloody wrong!

At what stage does this become Socialism gone made?

Chris L says:

08:23am | 17/02/12

“My hope is that the people who are being subsidised now have to wait in a longer line for health services” - That’s a rather spiteful attitude Dash, much like how many Coalition supporters seem to want out economy to crash just because Labor is in charge.

Personally I prefer our country to prosper and for everyone’s individual situation to improve no matter which party will benefit from the PR.

marley says:

10:01am | 16/02/12

@JC - you can’t toast a real muffin, only an English muffin - and they’re not muffins.  A cupcake is, well, a cup-sized cake, same texture, same ingredients, and sweet.  A real muffin is a type of quick bread, heavier than cake, not necessarily sweet, often containing fruit like blueberries or raisins.  I am partial to zucchini bran muffins, myself.

Pass The Sauce says:

10:16am | 16/02/12

I remember when they used to be called “patty cakes”. No one ever said cup cake because that’s an American term.

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:24pm | 16/02/12

Surely you are pulling my leg, too busy in the Public Service?

Whats your best solitaire score?

ibast says:

09:07am | 16/02/12

Hey, it’s Queensland.  They would have just shot him in Joe’s day.  This is progress

fairsfair says:

11:32am | 16/02/12

If it was Victoria… they would have shot him in current day…

SimonFromLakemba says:

12:30pm | 16/02/12

FairsFair is right.

Victoria its generally shoot first and ask questions later.

Honestly what an idiot is that Commissioner? I can understand if the offender is swinging punches at you, by all means go for it, but when they are in handcuffs and surrounded by about 3 other police its just a pathetic excuse for a cop.

Police these days are just used as political footballs, train em quick and send them in so they can say that they have increased Police numbers. Anyone ever watched recruits? I just don’t think they are ready for real world situations of violence, drugs and career criminals.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

09:26am | 16/02/12

I thought the redheaded liar had a plan for this? How about we send Malcolm Farr to do an in-depth piece on how well her policy has worked and provide excuses when it is found lacking?

Anubis says:

09:35am | 16/02/12

@ Tony of Poorakistan. Of course she has a plan (or two)
1. The East Timor solution…..Ah no
2. Manus Island ... not that either
3. Malaysia swap….whoops got that one wrong
4. Nauru and TPVs….Not on your bloody life because Abbott supports that
5. aaaaaaargh well…..ther’s a plan…..I’m sure there’s a plan….trust me I am your Prime Minister

How’s that for a plan

The Red Queen says:

09:38am | 16/02/12

People of Australia - Some of you are wondering whether I have a plan to discourage people risking their lives on leaky boats, of course I have a plan. Your Government intends to ......Oh look, Tony Abbott, it’s all his fault

Black Abbott says:

10:46am | 16/02/12

Actually it is Abbott’s fault.
If he had supported Labors proposed changes to allow off-shore processing, he may have helped avert the terrible loss of life and the continued arrival of refugees. Instead he opted for on-shore processing and encourages asylum seekers to continue to seek asylum by any means possible.

He is a purely political animal who cares not for the welfare of the vulnerable.
He is a disgrace.

Tatty_Anne says:

10:56am | 16/02/12

Did anyone hear this?

http://www.2ue.com.au/blogs/2ue-blog/horror-of-patrolling-asylum-detainees/20120216-1ta4l.html

Anubis says:

11:09am | 16/02/12

@ Black Abbott - say what?  Your comment just proves the point that when anything goes wrong for the current Government they have to blame Abbott.

When Labor came in to office there was a functional deterrence to people jumping on leaky Indonesian boats. But Rudd (ably assisted by Gillard) dismantled that solution (Nauru and TPVs) saying that they could do better. Problem is they had no plans to do anything better. What they have tried has all turned to mud.

As for blaming Abbott, what rot. Labor’s proposed canges to allow off-shore processing could not have taken wing whether Abbott supported it or not - the High Court put the knockers on that. Maybe if Rudd/Gillard had not dismantled the existing set of policies all the asylum deaths since 2007 would not have happened. But, out of sheer political pig headedness (and under pressure from highly vocal, minority interest groups) they went ahead and pulled it apart. In the process they created the necessary pull-factors that have exacerbated the problem. They are now in the position (of their own making) where they don’t have a clue, or a plan, on how to remove these pull factors. In the process they have spent billions of dollars on detention centeres (new and existing) and are seeing no let up in either genuine refugees (a small proportionof the arrivals) and economic country shoppers taking advantage of the weaknesses in the refugee scheme.

Labor don’t have a clue.

Donny says:

11:20am | 16/02/12

@Black Abbott

Most ALP supporters claim it’s Abbots fault for not supporting the PM’s legislation. Please explain why its Abbotts fault (and why she has to rely on their support) when the PM supposedly has the backing of the Independents and the Greens to assist in passing any legislation.  (Why have the Labor supporters not blamed the Indies and the Greens ?, or explained the reason for them not backing the so called legislation?)
Considering the PM did not even present the legislation before Parliament for a vote, I think it is laughable that people still fall back on the old standard ALP response - “It’s all Tony Abbotts fault””

TimB says:

11:40am | 16/02/12

@ Black Abbott

Why isn’t it Julia’s fault for not securing the vote of her minority government partners (The Greens? ). I thought she was supposed to be this hotshot negotiatior?

Why isn’t it the Greens fault for not supporting her either?

Why is it the fault of the one political bloc that ISNT part of Julia’s minority government and thus is under zero obligation to support her stupid ideas?

Why is it that logic eludes you and all others who seek to blame Abbott for a situation of the ALP’s own making?

Now these are questions worth answering. Lets see what we get.

Black Abbott says:

12:14pm | 16/02/12

Pure political animal Abbott is.
Would sacrifice peoples lives to pander to the right wing fringe to gain office.

There is no other explanation for Abbott’s refusal to support changes to allow off-shore processing. Your words are meaningless and do not dispute this fact. He opted for on-shore processing.

Knemon says:

12:17pm | 16/02/12

@ TimB - “Why isn’t it the Greens fault for not supporting her either?”

Simple Tim. (The answer!)

The Greens have never supported offshore processing whereas the LNP have always supported offshore processing, so based on that…Why didn’t the LNP support Gillard on this issue? Because the LNP were playing pure politics and didn’t give a damn about boat people.

Black Abbott says:

12:24pm | 16/02/12

@ TimB
The greens have always been supporters of onshore processing and humane treatment of refugees is a core belief. I don’t expect you to understand since you appear to be part of the right wing fringe.

The greens have one individual in the lower house, how many does the LNP have? Logic is not your strong suit is it TimB.

Your questions are shallow and lack any substance.

Why didn’t Abbott support the changes allowing on-shore processing TimB?
You do realise that the only option since the Supreme Court ruling is on-shore processing don’t you?
Don’t you think Abbott would propose changes that enable off-shore processing should he become the PM?
He is a disgrace.

ow these are questions worth answering. Let’s see what twisted reply we get.

Anubis says:

12:42pm | 16/02/12

@ Black Abbott - as commented on by the other posters - please explain why, as J Gillard is such a brilliant negotiator, she couldn’t get the rest of her Government (Greens and independents) to back her supposed off-shore plan. With the full support of her government (read coalition of the inept) she would not need support from Tony Abbott. It is not the job of the Opposition to support shit policies, and that seems to be all that Gillard is capable of coming up with.

As the Greens and the Independents refused to support her then why is it not their fault it didn’t get up?

Oh, that’s right, Gillard didn’t actually present anything to the Parliament so there was no proposed legislation to enable off-shore processing. On that not @Black Abbott all your comments are null and void.

About the only thing that Gillard and Co have been any good at is using union funds to (allegedly) pay for hookers and using staff to “race bait” the indiginous population in the hopes of getting a poll boost for a drowning PM.

Tim says:

12:44pm | 16/02/12

C’Mon,
anyone that doesn’t see that Abbott was playing politics with the Malaysia deal is kidding themselves.*

The only reason he didn’t like it is because he didn’t think of it first.

He had a chance to put politics aside but the urge to sink the boot into Julia was too great.

*Note, this doesn’t mean Labor weren’t playing politics as well.

TimB says:

12:58pm | 16/02/12

@ Knemon re the Greens stance:

Great. They’re sticking to their guns on this one regardless of their minority government deal with the ALP.  Props to them for integrity. Doesn’t change the fact that they still won’t support offshore processing.

Anyone blaming Abbott for the deaths resulting from onshore processing,  must logically place equal blame on the Greens. To not do so betrays a motive of political pointscoring.

Alternatively you can do what those of who possess common sense do, and blame the ALP for dismantling the Howard governments working (and thus relatively non-deadly) policy in the first place.

Why didn’t the LNP support Gillard?

Because whilst they support offshore processing,  they *don’t* support is the ridiculous Malaysian solution version. That is what the Gillard government is asking them to support and the Coalition is under no obligation to do so.

@ Black Abbott

“The greens have one individual in the lower house, how many does the LNP have? Logic is not your strong suit is it TimB.”

Does it matter? Gillard is in power thanks to the support of the Greens, and Independents. Those are all the votes she needs. If she cannot secure their votes, then maybe she shouldn’t be in goverment.

The Coalition is not supporting her, because it isn’t part of her goverment and is under no obligation to.

“Your questions are shallow and lack any substance.”

No they’re pointed and highlight your double standards. Giving Gillard a free pass even though it was her own amendmendts to the previous LNP policy that led to this situation. Giving the Greens a free pass even though they gave Gillard exactly as much support as Abbott did. Laying all the blame at the feet of Abbott even though the Coalition is not in power and it’s not their responsibility.

“Why didn’t Abbott support the changes allowing on-shore processing TimB? “

Because they’re already doing that. Idiot. It’s offshore processing that the ALP wants. Try not to confuse yourself.

And offshore processing can go ahead, just as it did under the previous government. The courts didn’t kybosh offshore processing, just Gillard’s stupid Malaysian version.

“You do realise that the only option since the Supreme Court ruling is on-shore processing don’t you?”

No it isn’t. See above. Or alternatively, click here.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/offshore-processing-still-possible-despite-high-court-decision-20110911-1k40s.html

“Don’t you think Abbott would propose changes that enable off-shore processing should he become the PM? “

No need for changes IMO. All they have to do is go back to the same policy they had in place pre-2007.

“He is a disgrace.”

As are you.

“ow these are questions worth answering. Let’s see what twisted reply we get. “

One with facts, logical arguments and a link to back it up. Let’s see if your response can come even close.

TimB says:

04:56pm | 16/02/12

Hmm. I hear crickets chirping. Interesting.

nossy says:

10:21am | 16/02/12

@Shane From Melbourne   now that is just plain M.A.D. Shane.

jay-ded says:

10:49am | 16/02/12

So why don’t people fear nuclear war as they used to?

You can only live in fear for so long before you:
a)  lose it completely and lie in the corner in a foetal position slowly rocking.
b)  go “meh”, if it happens, it happens.
c)  stick your head in the sand and pretend to be an ostrich.
d)  tell yourself it will never happen because nobody is stupid enough to hit that button.  Are they?

Chris L says:

01:00pm | 16/02/12

@Jay-ded - The idea that ostriches stick their heads in the sand is a fallacy. You’re thinking of politicians.

jay-ded says:

02:03pm | 16/02/12

@ Chris L.  You are correct.  I stand corrected and apologise profusely. 

nossy says:

10:37am | 16/02/12

@Secret Squirrel I have no answers for you Secret Squirrel other than to tell you to hang in there. The glas is always half full Secret Squirrel. You are very brave and I do hope something comes along soon for you - maybe other better qualified persons have some good advice? Best wishes.

Lauren says:

12:40pm | 16/02/12

Whenever I have gaps in my resume, I always use the same reason: Travel

Coop says:

12:41pm | 16/02/12

Im definitely no expert on depression but have thought about a guy working with me who says he has probelms with it. He is erratic and generally unreliable and has to keep pulling this card to gain forgiveness. This guy is highly intelligent. I’m absolutely positive having to explain away poor performance is humiliating in the extreme. This,in turn, would have consequences for him I would think.

The solution: Start your own business.

If you have a history of short employment or dropping the ball then you must consider if this is going to cease.
Being terminated or having to leave a job is likely to exacerbate depression I would think.  I’d wonder why you seek a position where the decisions of others impact upon your state of mind. Why allow yourself to become a victim to the decisions of others?
Take some control. Work with others instead of for them. Achieve something you can call your own and be proud of. Employ people to help you.
Delegate where necessary. Success from your own sweat will also improve your self esteem. As will employing people who need it.

Ben C says:

11:54am | 16/02/12

Haha, that is cute Esteban.

Edna E says:

01:42pm | 16/02/12

I totally agree with you Cookie - You caught me in the middle of making some lovely mushroom cakes for poor old Norm. I can’t for the life of me fathom why we insist on American names, if they had a sense of humour it probably wouldn’t be so bad, but sadly, they don’t!!

Hang on Norm…I’m busy replying to Cookie.

Cookie says:

02:47pm | 16/02/12

Beauty Edna.  Gabby and me here were trying to get ours in the oven on here and we got stuck in the old 78 groove.  Time to change the needle on the gramophone.

Cookie says:

02:47pm | 16/02/12

Beauty Edna.  Gabby and me here were trying to get ours in the oven on here and we got stuck in the old 78 groove.  Time to change the needle on the gramophone….and still stuck it seems !.

Pat says:

03:44pm | 16/02/12

My mother innocently called cup cakes by what would be now the very politically incorrect name as ‘queen, cakes’. No offence is meant by stating this! As for muffins…yuk! They are nothing but so called ‘in’ treats for the latte set. It figures,since they cannot drink coffee without stuffing it up with mucky soy milk and added syup flavors. Haaaave you ever tasted soy milk that was just slightly off! S…...T!

Gabby says:

02:42pm | 16/02/12

OOps the submit button was more sub than mit !

SimonFromLakemba says:

03:16pm | 16/02/12

Sssshhh don’t tell them, they think they are always right, they get angry when they are wrong

Knemon says:

04:46pm | 16/02/12

The silence is deafening!

Flower says:

06:10pm | 16/02/12

I hear crickets chirping.

Knemon says:

01:52pm | 16/02/12

” A 6000-calorie Triple Bypass Burger” - FFS…Are they insane?

Only in the good old US of A hey?

I shouldn’t have laughed but I couldn’t help myself.

PS - I believe that Gina eats three of them for breakfast!

jay-ded says:

02:07pm | 16/02/12

Not without having a heart attack anyway.

Knemon says:

02:47pm | 16/02/12

Why jay-ded…for doing his job? He gave everyone notice the other day, so they all knew how Slipper would react to childish antics.

This guys a better speaker than Jenkins. I’m looking forward to when he dons the wig.

nossy says:

02:54pm | 16/02/12

@Jay-ded sadly the Coalition have turned QT into a rowdy mess jay-ded - bloody shameful actually. Jenkins had lost control and now Slipper is sticking it up ANYONE from either side who is breaking the Standing Orders. So far only Coalition Members have been ejected - tell you something? A few days ago Chrissy Pyne was singing his praises!

iansand says:

03:03pm | 16/02/12

Did anyone notice that they were gone?

SimonFromLakemba says:

03:18pm | 16/02/12

The Coalition had all the chances in the world to get rid of him, but didn’t.

jay-ded says:

03:20pm | 16/02/12

I think the power has gone to his head myself.  The Q&A sessions have always been loud, obnoxious and abusive (or as Knemon says “childish”), but it seems to only be the coalition that is repeatedly ejected even though both sides are equally “childish”.

Me thinks he’s playing favourtism and should be ejected himself.

Knemon says:

03:23pm | 16/02/12

@ nossy - Spot on. Once upon a time (prior to the coalition being in opposition) QT was used for discussing policy, questioning ministers Etc…Not now, Abbott and his merry band have turned it into a farce, “who said this”, “who did that”, “she said what”. I’m starting to think that all coalition members have the women’s weekly tucked below the benches they sit at and use it for reference material.

nossy says:

03:53pm | 16/02/12

And more just in - Abbott staffer Peta Credlin was the offender - hes not even an elected Rep!.
“POLITICAL advisers have been warned they face permanent expulsion for misbehaving in the House of Representatives chamber after Tony Abbott’s chief of staff was accused of interjecting from an advisers’ box.
Speaker Peter Slipper issued the edict during a spiteful session in which the Coalition targeted Labor advisers in questions to Julia Gillard.”

Indeed as i said in an earlier blog the Coalition do have the modern version of John Hewson as their leader. When Hewson lost the 1993 election, which he expected to win handsomely, staff at the Wentworth Hotel got to eat his celebration cake - which Hotel staff will get to eat Tones cake - or is that a pic of it at head of Daniels blog today - a muffin!  hahahahahah ?

marley says:

05:27pm | 16/02/12

Well, they would back her, wouldn’t they.  How does the saying go?  It’s better that we hang together, than be hanged separately.