Punch on: Open thread 28/05/2012

Buzz says:

06:39am | 28/05/12

What’s this mighty under 7s?  Where do they play?

S.L says:

09:46am | 28/05/12

@ Buzz…They’re a soccer team I coach….......

gobsmack says:

07:46am | 28/05/12

I liked it.  There were some shaky bits as well as some pearls.
I like him on “my Generation”.  However, in my opinion, he would be really, really good if he were part of a duo.  Some of the best comedy has been produced by duos.  Not only does it prevent the humour from becoming all the same, one person acts a filter for the other.

Maryjane says:

09:26am | 28/05/12

Yep, but the producers need to find someone who can word process the content correctly.  I love Shaun Micallef’s work but had to turn it off because the captions didn’t make sense.
There are many hearing impaired Australians, like me, with a sense of humour!

Maryjane says:

09:29am | 28/05/12

The person most strangely obsessed with Chris Pyne’s comings and goings would appear to be Pyne himself.

Knemon says:

10:21am | 28/05/12

I loved it TimB. Some of his better work, it certainly beats the crap he was doing on ten.

TimB says:

10:23am | 28/05/12

“The person most strangely obsessed with Chris Pyne’s comings and goings would appear to be Pyne himself. “

I don’t know about that. The screeching coming from Albo and various lefty types here seems to indicate an unhealthy outside interest.

Blind Freddy says:

11:51am | 28/05/12

@TimB

““I don’t know about that. The screeching coming from Albo and various lefty types here seems to indicate an unhealthy outside interest.  “

And here I was thinking TimB might have a sense of humour. But, even here he is partisan.

P.S. I think in time you might find the AFP showing some interest in the “comings and goings ” of Pyne and not just the “various lefty types” as you so open mindedly put it..

TimB says:

01:46pm | 28/05/12

Oh Freddo. Poor poor Freddo. One wonders why you feel the need to make such a goose of yourself constantly. You should choose easier targets to have a go at.

Lets start at the top:

Sense of humour: Present and accounted for. See, I watched in amusement as an absurd renactment of Pyne’s whereabouts on a specific night was revealed. Thus making a mockery of the various queries coming from ‘Albo various lefty types’.

Accusations of partisanship- Never denied having an opinion. And I won’t apologise for having those opinions.
Nevertheless, when Maryjane makes and odd observation about Pyne, my demonstrating that it is not Pyne who is obsessed, is not ‘being partisan’. It’s simply stating a fact.
A fact that you clearly happen to agree with incidently given your use of ‘not just’ with reference to my own observations, so not sure why my observation got hit with a ‘partisan’ tag.

And finally your AFP reference. Tell me why is the AFP interested in Pyne’s movements? What crime do they suspect him of? I’m sure you can provide a link to the AFP release that answers all these questions.

..You can do that can’t you Freddy? You haven’t just made something up on account of you being a partisan raving lefty? (Oh the irony).

Blind Freddy says:

04:21pm | 28/05/12

@TimBBo

LOL. I take it back. You are a clown.

TimB says:

06:33pm | 28/05/12

Three hours to come up with that Freddo?

Can’t say I’m paticularly impressed.

Oh well. Maybe tomorrow.

Blind Freddy says:

10:32am | 29/05/12

@TimB

2 hours and 10 minutes to come up with that?

“Three hours to come up with that Freddo?”

I have a real job - not one where I can short change my boss by skiving off on The Punch all day - unlike some.

Shane From Melbourne says:

01:17pm | 28/05/12

Simple, anyone under the age of 18 who is found with alcohol in their possession in a public place gets handed a $1000 on the spot fine by the police.

John (KRE) F says:

08:23am | 28/05/12

Apparantly men dont shop for things like kids shoe’s, clothes, toys etc.
Funny I must be female having done those very things over the weekend.

nihonin says:

12:06pm | 28/05/12

John (KRE) F, so I was right, I thought I saw a man dressed as woman at Kmart on the weekend. 

John (KRE) F says:

07:53am | 28/05/12

Good on him. Congratulations Mark.

SimpleSimon says:

09:02am | 28/05/12

The F1 season is shaping up beautifully. First time ever that 6 different drivers have won the first 6 races. It’s good - makes for more interesting sport. Good on Webber, too.

Chris says:

08:05am | 28/05/12

No. Never watch that crap.

John (KRE) F says:

08:54am | 28/05/12

Thats Funny Cris, my Mrs says the same thing then she is mesmerised by at least one story on the program

Draconian says:

09:52am | 28/05/12

Used to watch it years ago.  Is Mike Willisee still on it?

Draconian says:

09:54am | 28/05/12

Damn Dash.  I didn’t get the invite!

Knemon says:

10:38am | 28/05/12

Good grief Dash, if I had a weekend like that, I wouldn’t be able to walk for a month (Gout)...I’m so jealous.

gobsmack says:

12:20pm | 28/05/12

Lol
“Got them seafood munchin’, shiraz sippin’ blues…”.

Dash says:

01:37pm | 28/05/12

@gobsmack - Classic!

GOT DEM LOW DOWN SEAFOOD MUNCHIN SHIRAZ SIPPIN BLUES

Got me accused of peepin’,
I can’t see a thing
Got me accused of petting,
I can’t even raise my hand

Bad luck,
bad luck is killing me
As I’m sittin ere sipping shiraz and
Munchin’ food from da sea

Got me accused of murder,
i aint never harmed a man
Got me accused of forgery,
I can’t even write my name

Bad luck,
bad luck is killing me
As I’m sittin ere sipping shiraz and
Munchin’ food from da sea

Got me accused of taxes,
but I aint got a dime
Got me accused of children,
and aint nary one of them was mine

Bad luck,
bad luck is killing me
As I’m sittin ere sipping shiraz and
Munchin’ food from da sea

AdamC says:

09:37am | 28/05/12

The government really are a mornic rabble. That announcement about bringing in guest workers on the big Rinehart project could have been a big plus for the government, as it shows:

1) that they can - at least occasionally - stand up to their union financiers in the national interest; and

2) despite the antics of superbitch-cum-wannabe Hugo Chavez, Wayne Swan, the government does not let petty personal animosities affect good policy decisions.

But, rather than simply take a rare win, Labor MPs had to start attacking each other again ...

Gregg says:

04:37pm | 28/05/12

@Adam C
The ironic part of the Rinehart deal announcement is that for it to happen outside of existing regulations there would need to be new legislation.

Ministers of Immigration are unable to do their own sweetheart deals and both Bowen and Gillard should know that, all immigration regulations being the result of legislation.
The existing regulations do allow for many foreign workers to be used, either through permanent sponsorship, temporary sponsorship that can lead to a PR application or through labour agreements.

All Bowen could do re exiating legislated regulations would be to set up special Immigration taskforces to expedite processing, very discriminatory that could be!

As for Gillard saying workers would not be imported if an Australian was available to do the job, Oh ha ha ha! for older Australian workers are continually being overlooked as it is already.

John (KRE) F says:

09:45am | 28/05/12

Sick hay ! Anyway I’ll have to be carful eating the Mrs in the bedroom in case someone bursts through the door and tries to shoot me heheheheh

Zeta says:

10:24am | 28/05/12

I immediately activated my household zombie apocalypse protocols.

Chris says:

10:55am | 28/05/12

Yeah there are some things you don’t expect to read.  That’s one of them…

C

Baloo says:

01:36pm | 28/05/12

Similar to what Zeta said, I find it funny how that’s likely how a zombie apocalyspe would start. Just a news story about some unresponsive crazy guy eating some other guy in the open, police deal with it, we move on.. Until the other guy goes a bit crazy.. in the hospital..

Of course there’s no such thing as zombies is there…...

Elphaba says:

12:19pm | 28/05/12

Article doesn’t work, looks like USA Today agreed with you.

John (KRE) F says:

10:42am | 28/05/12

Here’s a thought Rosie, what business in the history of the world advertises to use less of their product and then charges you more for it ??? The electricity company’s. I’m guessing that because there has been no new infurstructure built they can’t suppy us all with the electricity that our encreasing population needs. So to save themselves the cost of new power stations they encourage you to use less wile charging you more. The money for the NBN would have been better spent on solar panels for every home and business, unfortunatly that would have taken money away from the power company’s so we couldnt have that ! $6500 per house buys a lot of solar panels !

Rosie says:

12:13pm | 28/05/12

Thanks John, a good thought but I have exhausted myself trying to figure out why this Govt will insist on dishing out all this crap making out they are actually governing for the people while attacking Tony Abbott, Gina Rhinehart and Clive Palmer. I see no purpose for anything they do or say but because they are rotten to the bone. The attack on billionaires and then we see they are in bed with Gina Rhinehart which angered the union man Paul Howes, the man that helped Gillard knife Rudd for the PM job!

Blind Freddy says:

12:59pm | 28/05/12

It’s funny how only the Liberal voters seem to have trouble keeping themselves warm and/or cool. Coincidence or just whinging?

“My sympathies go out to those struggling now that will have to take even more drastic methods of saving on their electricity bill only to have those savings used on putting food on the table and a roof over their heads.”

Anyone doing it that tough will be OVER compensated -  every one else should take personal responsibility and organise their finances better.
Disclaimer: I am not receiving any compenstation.

Knemon says:

01:00pm | 28/05/12

@ Rosie - “I have exhausted myself”

That’s politics Rosie…same shit different day.

A Bex and a good lie down might help with your exhaustion.

Tim says:

01:06pm | 28/05/12

Yeah,
Just imagine having to pay the real cost of a product.
Surely I should be allowed to use as much electricity as I want for free?
Bloody communist government.

TimB says:

02:22pm | 28/05/12

“It’s funny how only the Liberal voters seem to have trouble keeping themselves warm and/or cool. Coincidence or just whinging?”

No, just you mixing up cause and effect.

Those who are having the troubles you speak of are quick to realise the source of that trouble- Idiotic Labor policy. Which sees them voting for the party pledging to put a stop to the stupid policy.

@ Tim, paying the true cost is fine. Paying artificially inflated costs because of pointless legislation is something else entirely.

(Cue pseudo-economic guff about emissions being an external cost)

Blind Freddy says:

02:49pm | 28/05/12

@TimB

“(Cue pseudo-economic guff about emissions being an external cost)”

That’s right pollution is a gift to the public - ungrateful bastards!

iansand says:

03:03pm | 28/05/12

This is where the “Blame Abbott” and “Survive ‘til August” strategies have some legs.  If the sky does not fall during July people will begin to doubt Abbott.  I don’t think it will save Gillard, but it explains Abbott’s increasing hysteria.

TimB says:

03:15pm | 28/05/12

For what has to be the millionth time, carbon dioxide isn’t a pollutant Freddo.

That’s why no-one is calling you a monster for constantly breathing the stuff out. Or do you think we should be taxed for breathing too?

iansand says:

03:43pm | 28/05/12

And for the millionth time, anyone who trots out the “carbon dioxide is not a pollutant line” demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of its effect on the climate.  But ignorance never gets in the way of the Usual Suspects holding an opinion.

Blind Freddy says:

03:56pm | 28/05/12

@TimBo

Definition of pollution:

“The contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms. Pollution can occur naturally, for example through volcanic eruptions, or as the result of human activities, such as the spilling of oil or disposal of industrial waste.  Light from cities and towns at night that interferes with astronomical observations is known as light pollution. It can also disturb natural rhythms of growth in plants and other organisms.  Continuous noise that is loud enough to be annoying or physically harmful is known as noise pollution.  Heat from hot water that is discharged from a factory into a river or lake, where it can kill or endanger aquatic life, is known as thermal pollution.”

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pollution

Seems broad enough to include CO2 to me.

P.S. you post that I replied to said:

“Cue pseudo-economic guff about EMISSIONS being an external cost” - note no reference to CO2, Timbo.

Blind Freddy says:

04:18pm | 28/05/12

“The contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms. Pollution can occur naturally, for example through volcanic eruptions, or as the result of human activities, such as the spilling of oil or disposal of industrial waste.  Light from cities and towns at night that interferes with astronomical observations is known as light pollution. It can also disturb natural rhythms of growth in plants and other organisms.  Continuous noise that is loud enough to be annoying or physically harmful is known as noise pollution.  Heat from hot water that is discharged from a factory into a river or lake, where it can kill or endanger aquatic life, is known as thermal pollution.”

I didn’t include the link this time in case that is why my first post was rejected.

That would be broad enough to include CO2 emissions. Plus, in your post that I was responding to:

“Cue pseudo-economic guff about EMISSIONS being an external cost”

You only mention emissions not just CO2 emissions. Timbo wrong x 2!

Rosie says:

04:33pm | 28/05/12

Nice to see that I have at least attracted some attention by simply thinking outside the box. I talk to ordinary people - people that this Govt think will win over by their cash handouts. These people are not over thinkers and can’t be bothered with the opinions of the educated over thinkers eg media and some of you here. They just tell what they know about this govt so far.

1 Knifing of Rudd
2 No carbon tax in the Govt I lead
3 Craig Thomson is lying about not using hookers
4 Craig Thomson used money that belong to low income earners
5 Don’t understand that Rudd is still in Parliament when he is hated
6 Lost trust in Gillard and want her to go
7 Carbon tax will increase their cost of living
8 Cash handouts is to win them over
9 Cash handouts won’t even cover the increase in their electricity bills

They do not mention Tony Abbott which I find very interesting because the Gillard Labor Party cannot sell or defend any of their policies without attacking Tony Abbott. Perhaps if the Govt sold their policies without mentioning Tony Abbott people may start listening again.

TimB

I think you should be flattered having being stalked for saying the right things by the usual posters. You are doing well!

TimB says:

04:57pm | 28/05/12

“And for the millionth time, anyone who trots out the “carbon dioxide is not a pollutant line” demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of its effect on the climate.”

And what *is* that effect oh wise and powerful iansand? How much damage, in dollar terms, does a tonne of CO2 do to the environment? This is the externality you seek to price. So price it. Back up your figures with workings please.

PS. CO2 occurs naturally. Not only that, it’s required for life on this planet. So explain to me at what exact point it goes from ‘necessity’ to ‘pollutant’.

“Cue pseudo-economic guff about EMISSIONS being an external cost” - note no reference to CO2, Timbo. “

Oh how silly of me. Apparentlly we’re *not* talking about CO2 or so Freddo seems to think. So what emmissions are we talking about then Freddo? Has the ALP legislated a tax on all the ....I dunno, fairy floss that the power companies produce perhaps?

Seriously, that was a dumb move, even for you.

And seeing as you’re so convinced that it’s pollution, then like I suggested, you won’t object to being taxed for breathing correct?

Admiral Ackbar says:

05:41pm | 28/05/12

People still defending a tax on the air we breathe. Time to eat my own head. Freddy, feel free to stop me if you ever find out what the net environmental benefit of a breathing tax in Australia will be, taking into account total world emissions, and therefore the actual effect it will have. Wait, forget the world. Just tell me what China is doing, and then compare the benefits of taxing people in Australia with the overall effect that will have on the emissions from China.

Hint: It really might be a trap this time.

iansand says:

10:04pm | 28/05/12

I told you that TimB doesn’t understand it.

Blind Freddy says:

09:03am | 29/05/12

@iansand

I agree. Notice how he avoided the fact that I provided him with a definition of pollution that applies directly to CO2 emissions.

Blind Freddy says:

10:28am | 29/05/12

@Admiral Ackbar

From reading your post, telling you anything would only be a waste of time. . . . . damn, just wasted three seconds.

Shane From Melbourne says:

01:24pm | 28/05/12

Eliminate all tax deductions except contributions to charity. It is the only policy that makes sense.

Ben C says:

02:02pm | 28/05/12

@ Shane From Melbourne

In one fell swoop, you have just killed the Australian economy.

Shane From Melbourne says:

02:48pm | 28/05/12

@Ben C- Rubbish. Personal tax deductions are simply an attempt to claw back taxes paid. They are rorted and manipulated by quite a few Australian citizens. Eliminating personal deductions wouldn’t kill the Australian economy, it would actually benefit the Australian economy since the complexity of the tax code is detrimental. Please be aware that I’m not talking about Corporate taxation which is a different kettle of fish, although there is an argument for simplifying the tax code there as well.

Shane From Melbourne says:

02:48pm | 28/05/12

@Ben C- Rubbish. Personal tax deductions are simply an attempt to claw back taxes paid. They are rorted and manipulated by quite a few Australian citizens. Eliminating personal deductions wouldn’t kill the Australian economy, it would actually benefit the Australian economy since the complexity of the tax code is detrimental. Please be aware that I’m not talking about Corporate taxation which is a different kettle of fish, although there is an argument for simplifying the tax code there as well.

Ben C says:

03:48pm | 28/05/12

@ Shane From Melbourne

You neglect one fact - there is no distinction between entities or structures in the tax laws when it comes to deductions. If one entity is allowed the deduction, all entities are allowed the deduction.

So my killing the economy statement stands.

Shane From Melbourne says:

05:52pm | 28/05/12

Yeah, right, like the SCOTUS says, a corporation is a person.

The Law is an ass.

mick says:

05:09pm | 28/05/12

See there’s a similar article in the Telegraph on 18/5/12 by Janet Fife-Yeomans to that which I refer to.
Also an article by Libs MLC Catherine Cusack, Sun Telegraph 27/5 - “Govts can’t handle complaints” tell us something we don’t already know Ms Cusack!

gobsmack says:

03:38pm | 28/05/12

The world will be such a better place now that we can accurately predict the path of ballistic objects flying through the air.

pa_kelvin says:

03:50pm | 28/05/12

@gobsmack   If only we could predict the thoughts of the idiots firing them :b Wonder if theres a math calculation for that?

simonfromLakemba says:

03:59pm | 28/05/12

My brother and I were just discussing this an hour or so ago. He works on a building site and all the employees got told to go home and that they went being paid for the last 2 weeks work.

Surprised it hasn’t been blamed on the carbon tax yet!

Punch Drunk says:

04:13pm | 28/05/12

Accounting irregularity?

Rubbish - the only reason for this collapse is due entirely to the carbon tax. I can already hear Abbott banging his drum and beating his chest…“It’s the carbon tax stupid”

Blind Freddy says:

04:55pm | 28/05/12

I’m suprised that the Libs haven’t blamed the reopening of the Temco aluminum smelter in Tasmania on the CO2 price as well . . .  oh, sorry that’s a good news story. As you were.