Woof!

Troy Buswell has been dealing with some difficulties lately. WA’s Liberal Party appears to be in competition with the federal party as they create new definitions for ‘leadership’.

Not only has Mr Buswell had to admit to being drunk and snapping open a woman's bra, plus making sexist remarks against other women in Parliament. Now he has had to deny (13 times in one breath) and then admit to sniffing the chair of a female staffer after a meeting in his office.

It was alleged that Mr Buswell lifted her chair and started sniffing it in front of her after she had finished interviewing a constituent.

He then allegedly repeated the act moments later in front of several Liberal staff members.

“I was just checking to see if the bitch was in heat”, the gentleman explained.

It's understood that the woman had warned Mr Buswell about his pranks before.

On a previous occasion, he had allegedly crawled around on his hands and knees in front of the same woman pretending to be her husband.

Luckily he is well supported by his party's minister for women's interests so that he won't be losing any female votes in the upcoming election:

Shadow women’s interests minister Helen Morton said Mr Buswell, who had recognised his past behaviour was unacceptable, had her full support.

“There is an absolute commitment on behalf of Troy. He has made a huge effort to understand the insensitivities of (that) behaviour and has made a huge forward movement,” she said.

Yes. It is good of her to recognise and explain to voters that a man who has to make a "huge effort" to know that sniffing a woman's chair is at all wrong, really would be making a "huge forward movement".



It will also be a boost for him to hear that the well revered and 'secure' Liberal leader Brendan Nelson has today said: "Mr Buswell enjoys my confidence and my support."



Also, the WA "deputy Liberal leader, Kim Hames, stood by Mr Buswell, while admitting there was no one to replace him."



Really. How much support can a guy take?



Apparently he did it just to get a laugh... He must be so pleased now that he’s (thoroughly) succeeded.

Willy. Stolen. Reward given!!!

And the excuse used to be, 'Sorry honey, I've just had a little too much to drink'!

Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.

Reports of so-called penis snatching are not uncommon in West Africa, where belief in traditional religions and witchcraft remains widespread...

Rumors of penis theft began circulating last week... They quickly dominated radio call-in shows, with listeners advised to beware of fellow passengers in communal taxis wearing gold rings.

'Rumours of penis theft...'.

Beware of men with gold rings!

(Love it!)

Purported victims claimed that sorcerers simply touched them to make their genitals shrink or disappear,

[not a skill I would be bragging about...]

in what some residents said was an attempt to extort cash with the promise of a cure.

"It's real. Just yesterday here, there was a man who was a victim. We saw. What was left was tiny," said 29-year-old Alain Kalala, who sells phone credits near a Kinshasa police station.

Jeez. You'd think one salesman could recognise another.



Unfortunately, people being accused of this kind of witchcraft (hide your wedding band people!) are being beaten. There've even been 'attempted lynchings'.

Police arrested the accused sorcerers and their victims in an effort to avoid the sort of bloodshed seen in Ghana a decade ago, when 12 suspected penis snatchers were beaten to death by angry mobs.

"I'm tempted to say it's one huge joke," police chief Oleko said.

"But when you try to tell the victims that their penises are still there, they tell you that it's become tiny or that they've become impotent. To that I tell them, 'How do you know if you haven't gone home and tried it?'," he said.

Hmm. Good point. (I think...)

NELSON HITS HARD.. with cute wittle wabbit!

I must say, I love the title of an article in The Age online this afternoon:

Nelson rabbits on about Rudd

I think someone's feeling a little cocky after their achievement of (woo hoo!!) double figures in the latest poll (Preferred PM: Nelson up 1% to 10%; Rudd 71%):

"Mr Rudd, a little bit like the old cartoon character Crusader Rabbit, has gone from the bionic eye and one-stop childcare in 2020, to now telling us that he suddenly wants to see tax reform in Australia,'' Dr Nelson said.

Hmm. Could this be because of a 2020 summit which considered ideas for the future on the weekend?

(And doesn't Crusader Rabbit look really, really cute!!! Look at him there! Chest all puffed out, ears perky and eyes wide with enthusiasm! Gosh. To be compared with that will hurt Rudd's popularity!)





Look out. He has another strong point to make:

"It's worth remembering that the last significant reform to Australian taxation, that was undertaken by John Howard and Peter Costello, was vehemently opposed by Mr Rudd. "On the day that the Goods and Services Tax was introduced, Mr Rudd said it was a day of fundamental injustice."

He considers adding a new tax to an archaic and overly complex tax system "significant reform".


Why oh why do they let him speak?


And why oh why did they make him leader?


I can only think that the Lib's plan has been: to have a weak leader after such a strong leader as Howard, in order to make the guy that comes after him (ie. their real next leader) look really good by comparison.

Nelson has probably actually been encouraged to swing on playground equipment and to sing (literally) his own praises on radio (and will I ever get that darn "You and Brendan Nelson!!!!" ditty out of my head?!!).

I don't think there's ever been any kind of poll that's put Nelson as the most popular choice for leader. In fact, Mr Mostly 7-9% was achieving these figures immediately after the election when there was a poll regarding who should be the next Liberal leader. Yes. He achieved 8%, not when compared to a new and most popular PM ever in his 'honeymoon period'. But merely when compared to other choices within his own party:

Poll

Who should be the new leader of the Liberal Party?

Peter Costello - 16% Tony Abbott - 10% Brendan Nelson - 8% Malcolm Turnbull - 49% Julie Bishop - 18% Total Votes: 11637

Well, yeah. Let's pick the one who got THE LOWEST votes! I mean, even creepy Tony Abbott was more popular!!!


The latest:

38per cent of Coalition voters wanted Mr Costello to be Opposition leader with Mr Turnbull as his deputy. Only 26 per cent of Coalition respondents backed the current leadership line-up of Dr Nelson and Julie Bishop.

Although, The Australian also reports that these "findings coincide with growing backbench concern that the ambitious Mr Turnbull needs more experience before qualifying for leadership."


Yeah, well, OK... But my argument's good too!!!

Where have YOU been!!???

OK. I sincerely appreciate that people are making a meaningful statement when they do this...

One of the high-profile torch bearers has pulled out of the Olympic torch relay which will run through Canberra on Thursday.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) president and the ACT Australian of the Year, Lin Hatfield-Dodds, says she is taking a stand for human rights.

Ms Hatfield-Dodds says the recent scenes in Tibet are disturbing.

"I felt I really needed to be very clear in my stance, which is very pro-human rights obviously, so I've chosen not to run."

Ms Hatfield-Dodds says it was a difficult decision.

"I'm passionately committed myself to standing in solidarity with those who are vulnerable and marginalised as are the organisations I have leadership positions in, the Uniting Church and ACOSS," she said.

But, uh... so... what are you saying... This was not a problem when you signed up for the task? You thought China's human rights were quite alright up until now???


*scratches head*

*quotes Joel Brinkley (former Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for The New York Times and now a professor of journalism at Stanford University) in order to clarify point*

Despicable as China's actions in Tibet may be, protesters should take a larger view. They should realize that China has become the chief patron of the vilest regimes in the world — undercutting at most every turn, and every place, the West's efforts to promote human rights.

How can the United States, Europe and the United Nations effectively isolate rogue states when China is more than willing to lend them money, buy their oil, sell arms and offer warm relations to most anyone who asks, no matter how murderous or corrupt.

... China is the chief benefactor for Sudan's genocidal leaders. In violation of a U.N. arms embargo, Beijing provides the weapons and ammunition that President Omar al-Bashir uses to arm militias that have slaughtered more than 200,000 people in Darfur.

China buys 90 percent of Sudan's oil exports and has given the regime more than $1 billion in so-called "concessional" loans. They come with low interest — or none at all, and China has been quick to forgive them altogether. All of this for a state that the rest of the world regards as a pariah.

Sudan is hardly the only questionable benefactor of Chinese largess. China remains Burma's most important ally. You may recall that Burma's military rulers ordered troops to shoot and kill dozens of Buddhist monks during pro-democracy demonstrations last fall. Once again, China buys oil and natural gas from Burma and sells weaponry to the junta.

And then there's Iran. In 2004, a few months after the United Nations found that Iran was secretly processing nuclear fuel that could, eventually, be enriched for use in nuclear weapons, China signed a $100 billion deal to import natural gas from Iran over the next 25 years. What is more, China provided much of the equipment Iran first used to process nuclear fuel — and trained Iran's nuclear technicians.

In recent years, China has struck energy deals with Hugh Chavez in Venezuela. The Chinese have begun oil exploration in Cuba. They made a mineral-exploration deal with Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe, who now appears to be stealing the presidential election there.

Meantime, China remains North Korea's closest friend and protector. China provides about 70 percent of the renegade state's food and nearly 80 percent of its fuel.

And let's not forget human rights abuses in their own country.


So. Can I just repeat... "I felt I really needed to be very clear in my stance, which is very pro-human rights obviously".
"Very"...?
"Obviously"...?

Uh... Seriously????

2020 enthusiasm

Managed to see some of the 2020 Summit on the telly today and felt a complete nerd for wishing I'd watched it all weekend! I love seeing people converse about ideas, and I also enjoy seeing how people organise such brainstorming (some 'streams' were better than others I noted; eg. economists over farmers, although, apparently the formality (or lack thereof) of the rooms could be responsible for this - interesting in itself).


Overall, I noticed a couple of themes that flowed through all the streams (note the lovely imagery there).

1. Including the greater community more in politics and collective decision making. There was talk in the Governance stream of information going both ways: accessible to the public (via a website) and also feedback and input from the public. Social inclusion. Nice.

2. Many were enthusiastic about multi-lateral approaches and greater integration between different areas, ie. government, business and community. Also to fix the troublesome and overly complex relationship between federal and state governments. Therefore, integration of governance. Hurrah.

The themes that PM Rudd noticed were:

• the desire for a seamless national economy
• climate change: impact is wide-ranging and affects all policy areas
• fix the relationship between Commonwealth and state governments
• desire for a more open government and improved public service
• increasing our role for 'good' in the world

The Initial Report from the Summit notes four overall themes: "Responding to climate change, creating a seamless economy through a national approach, developing people [this could mean lots of procreating... but I don't think so], and strengthening civil society..."

_________________

APPLAUSE!!!

In regard to the brief summaries and ideas of note that each stream presented, I noticed that the following received enthusiastic responses from the audience:

PRODUCTIVITY

Community Corps, to enable reduction of HECS debt (ie. student loans, if you're o/s) through participation in community service.

Having one national curriculum, which would save money which can be better used by schools.

HEALTH

"Have a health system structured around the person rather than the provider – in which every Australian has access to their own health data, and there are better and transparent data flows across all health players."

"Have health policy focused on prevention."

"Have “One Health System” – a community-driven system with single governance, management and funding."
And a national (independent) preventative health agency "funded by taxes on products with high social cost, e.g. alcohol, cigarettes and junk food (like a national version of VicHealth)."

"Make healthy food choices easy", eg. fruit at schools and delivered to Indigenous communities, easy 'traffic light' food labelling, ban on marketing junk food to kids, and "regulating the allowable content of unhealthy ingredients."

Also a couple of 'out of the the box' ideas such as educating children about a wide range of health issues, and organ donation being an 'opt out system'.

SECURITY & PROSPERITY

"To ensure that the major languages and cultures of our region are no longer foreign to Australians but are familiar and mainstreamed into Australian society."

SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE CHANGE

"The implementation of tax and other policies that encourage the use of public transport."

GOVERNANCE

This one got the biggest applause of all: An Australian republic. Simple!

"A top priority in this stream was the need for an Australian republic, to be enabled by a proposed two-stage process, with wide community involvement and ownership of the outcome."

They also liked the idea of a more collaborative government:

"Another major theme was the need to strengthen the participation of Australians in their governance: a revolution in community and government interaction through grassroots and non-traditional community engagement, as well as more formal electoral processes."

And, wonderfully, there was much support for the vision of Parliament 'question time' being a 'real exchange' instead of the useless mess it currently is. (Oh please please please!!!)

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

There was some support of NAB donating millions to support disadvantaged groups in starting new businesses.

But there was mostly enthusiasm for a National Development Index which could measure social growth. The example was that we see politics, sport and finance on the news (as they are readily measured) and should also be able to hear, for eg., how many trees had been planted that day, and other such good things (like what celebrity has just had a baby... oh, that's right, we already get that).

"A National Development Index, based on economic, social and environmental measures, which would incorporate social inclusion indicators."

-----

Myself, I didn't think the Healthbook idea sounded that flash (one's private health details on a web page like Facebook, so your doctor and friends can see all that's wrong with you - oh, woo hoo, that sounds like fun: "Oh hi Mum... Yeah, well, that thing with the zucchini was just an accident, really! You know how enthusiastic I get in the kitchen...!"). And the Indigenous stream didn't seem to come up with anything concrete which was quite disappointing.

I did like the ideas of greater freedom of (government) information and community participation in decision making. As well as the ideas that supported Australia being more involved in the region and Australians being more familiar with Asian cultures and languages. Also, of course, the republic and a more modern Australian federation instead of all this federal vs states nonsense.

____________________

Anyway... you might think the 'gab-fest' a big waste of time (ie. there perhaps could have been more effort in how aspirations could actually be achieved, and there should have been more 'ordinary' people)... or truly inspirational and the bringer of much 'warm-and-fuzzy'ness!

My view so far is both cynical and optimistic.

I can see how our Kev is able to use this to promote himself politically, but I can also see how, at the very least, it encourages more Australians to become involved in political debates and to feel they, we, have a role in shaping our future. Of course our role is very limited and instigating change is never easy, even for politicians! But really, anything that encourages us to take a step back, to stop and get some perspective on what direction might be best at a local, national, regional and even a global level, can't be such a bad thing.
Even if it merely inspires people (or gives Kev a good excuse to make some major changes - ie. "Hey, you guys wanted this! I'm just making Australia happy.") it's a good thing.

And really I'm envious, it looked like they were having a lot of fun...! Although, as PM Rudd pointed out, it wasn't all inspirational: the 'breakfast box' with the apricot jam bagel apparently was none too flash. Oh, how they've suffered for our well-being! *sniff*

'Australians all let us rejoice...!'

*wipes away tears with national flag*

Oh it just makes ya so proud!!!!

Musings upon Gordon Ramsey

Good God!

Do Channel 9 realise what effect they're having on the general population by putting Gordon Ramsey on twice a week? I mean, I've noticed myself - instead of my usual expression of 'Oh dear' or 'Gosh golly gee' - dryly saying "Fuck me..." when needing to express my disappointment lately.

For example, in a traffic jam the other day... ('Oh, fuck me!', *tsk*,etc.) Of course, being Perth it was merely a little temporary congestion at a couple of traffic lights, but, you know... don't burst our bubble...


You can just imagine any little ones up past 8:30 are now going to kindy and pre-school saying to little Johnny in the sandpit: 'Oh. Fuck me dead! What a mess! You're going to ki-i-ill someone!'.

Kids pick up on these things you know.

My mum recalls me as a toddler mildly exclaiming 'Bloody hell' (was this really still considered swearing in the 70s?) after stepping in a mud puddle for example. Of course I went through a phase of repeating it often (yet somewhat applicably... to my credit) and my parents and sweet grandparents would have to cover their smirks and repress their giggles so as not to encourage me.



Anyway, I noticed last night that dear, assertive Gordon was saying that he was increasingly popular in the gay community. And I wondered briefly if this was due to his manly aggression or because he can cook.
I suppose I should have thought they might find him attractive... as, I've noticed, the older women usually do.
But I don't find him all that attractive.
Mind you, he is growing on me, as I appreciate he has damn big cajones -- figuratively speaking of course, let's not dwell on any other images...



...damn, too late.



So, not being the type of guy to attract me - really just using Mr Ramsey (ooh, that could be why they like him!) as an example here; follow along, I do have a point - you'd think he'd not be the type I'd go out with.
But, you see, what I do is say to myself, Well, he's an interesting type. I wonder what makes him tick. Don't think I've really known anyone like him before. It would be fascinating to get to know him better (meaning - it usually turns out in my life - live with the guy* - I really don't do things in half-measures) so I can see what he is like at all different levels.

Yes, basically: There's an interesting lab rat. This could be a groovy and educating life experience. Why not make him my boyfriend and test some hypotheses?!

(Not, of course, that I've knowingly done this, but I know that intrigue has often been stronger than attraction for me. Of course, intrigue is actually a part of attraction, but I don't think it is really enough of a reason to shack up with someone...)


So, having noted this in my musings upon Gordon Ramsey, I then think how it would turn out.
Probably like the others...
He'd be attracted to me but not 'get me'.
Whilst I'm delving into some philosophical conundrum or analysis of life, he'd say "Who fucking gives a shit! What are you going on about?".
He wouldn't partake in persiflages of mild wit and amusing sarcasm, but instead would ramble on about some story concerning himself which involves no discussion, nor entails what I consider wit at all.
When I'd get emotional about something he'd look at me incredulously and repeat, "Who fucking gives a shit! What are you going on about? Don't be so fucking stupid!".
Of course Gordon might also put his creased-up face close to mine, gesticulate sternly with one hand in the air, and shout "Be A MAN!!!".

But, this is nothing to do with Gordon Ramsey (who is married btw - Also... he says 'my darlin'' to the ladies a lot, so he might come home and say 'How are you my darlin'?' - which could be sweet... or, increasingly annoying). He might be a lovely guy to go out with and really not have much of a free-running temper at all...!

Or not.

Anyway, he's fascinating in that he's interested in understanding others and pin-pointing their faults. And I love that he has the balls to actually tell them these flaws (eg. 'I think you're a fucking fake!'), and then stand close, hand on chin, peering intently at them to see how they'll react.

I mean really, Dr Phil looks a complete wuss next to Gordon.



But that is of course beside the point as I am just reinforcing the lesson that I might in future want to aim at dating guys I'm attracted to and keep the enigmas in the laboratory (which I'm now going to build in a new wing next to the spare bedroom - boy, I've really got this sorted now!).


Actually, to be more thorough -as I really haven't rambled on about this enough - what I've learned here (and really, who knew Kitchen Nightmares could be so profoundly educational) is that intrigue or interest is a major factor of attraction for me so I need to wait for a guy I am not merely generally attracted to, but one which also has enough depth, complexity and layers (in a healthy way, not a psycho way, but hey, I suppose I'm just being picky now) to hold my interest and appreciation.

Hopefully an opportunity for a more complete study of this hypothesis will eventuate one day (eg. Table 1: Comparison of responses to layers of intrigue as defined by layers numbered 1-87 on a rating scale of 'yawn' to 'take me now you gorgeous hunk of man!!')


* Of course, if I think the guy is merely very nice (and I'm not attracted to him and he doesn't intrigue me) then I will just marry him. Or so I've noticed.

5 things meme (with pictures!!)

The lovely Ariel has tagged me for a meme. Apparently it's for those of us who are random and weird...
Oh... no. Sorry. It's actually for telling 5 random or weird facts about yourself.


The rules of this meme are:
Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names, and links to their blogs.
Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


Right then. These are the facts:


1. I'm someone who needs time on my own more than I need time with other people. I've known lots of people that hate being alone, and some can't even stand silence. I'm content with quiet; it doesn't bother me. Unlike others who say they'd go nuts without company, I think I would go nuts if I never had time alone... which is probably why living on my own suits me so much. I love it!


2. I watch motorbike races; MotoGP.
I have been exposed to a fair bit of motorsport over the years due to various boyfriends, but it's only been the MotoGP that's stuck (I can do without the F1 cars or the V8s).

That I like the GP is probably partly due to Valentino Rossi. He's been the champion rider for years and is very entertaining on and off the track - quite a personality and an exciting rider. (Hmm, this doesn't sound suggestive at all does it?)

Of course last year it was Aussie rider, Casey Stoner, who took the championship off Rossi. So it's been even better to watch.



3. I have a small, private collection of etchings... Would you like to see them?
Sorry. I meant to say: I have a small collection of other people's photos and postcards. They are all decades old and I just find them beautiful and romantic somehow. And a bit mysterious. Have bought them in market stalls and from unusual people at swap meets.

Here are some from the 1920s and 30s. Just click to enlarge them:

Florence postcard, front and back (a few ghosts in this one):


Who are these people? The first one says on the back it is Joe and Peter in 1932.

(Obviously not on a good day...)

These are a bit more picturesque:



And another postcard, front and back:




4. I also love owning old books. I love them all aesthetically most of all, but many for their content too, like Keats' poetry and letters. And the much outdated content of the volumes of 'The Popular Educator':


For example:

"In searching for a record of the process of creation, we naturally turn our attention to that only Book the human library contains which did not emanate from the mind of man. But [in] the Bible... we only find the sacred historian dedicating a few verses to the subject of 'the creation of the world'. Yet we may rest assured that, although the short notice only touches the prominent points, yet every word is true; and the more science has discovered, the more has she proved to be the commentator and unfolder of the great truths contained in those few words.
...Explorers now in every part of the world collect information, and every right-minded man rests assured that in the end Scripture will not be contradicted, but confirmed."

Religious Education, right? No. This is under the heading "Lessons in Geology - I". Yes, 'Educator' indeed.

In case you're interested there are also lessons in Arithmetic, Hydrostatics, Greek, Italian, Latin, German, Geometrical Perspective, Algebra, Botany (eg. Anacardiaceae: 'Flowers ordinarily dicecious by abortion... petals inserted upon a perigynous disc... imbricated in aestivation...' Don't fret people. Spell-check doesn't know what these words mean either.), Readings in French, Lessons in Shorthand, Music, Architecture, Recreative Natural History (where we learn about stages in the metamorphosis of various crabs for example), Historical Sketches, Our Holiday (which includes Athletic Sports, with diagrams: 'Fig. 1 - Running')... I think you get the idea.

There's also Comparative Anatomy, a game boys have always been fond of (after they're shown you their etchings).


5. I lived in the US when I was a kid.

When I came back to a new Australian primary school - after having been well-educated in acquiring a perfect American accent in a US elementary school (only took me 2 weeks) - I found I was a freak. No one had an accent of any kind in this school, possibly not even Kiwi. So at recess I would be in the middle of the school yard with the majority of the student body surrounding me shouting 'Say something! Say something!'.
'Uh, what do you want me to say?'
'Ahahahahahahahaha! Say something else!'
'What?'
'Say rollerskates!'
'Uh... Rollerrrskates'
'Ah-hahahahahahaha!! Say something else!'
and on and on...

Of course, after the above treatment, I tried frantically to get my Aussie accent back - and succeeded, and thankfully stopped getting mobbed.

Oh, but they all decided I was a bit strange and possibly a bit thick as in addition to my freaky way of speaking, I had learnt a different method of long division (of course I was successful at it, but that didn't mean I was allowed to do it that way!) and had never learnt netball (only baseball, softball, indoor hockey... not much use). So me, the American freak.

Many of these kids who continued on to the same high school later could never be convinced I was Australian.

-----

I will now politely tag (ie. don't have to do it if you don't want!) The Blakkat, Mai, Wyn Richards, Davey (cause you're all a bit weird and random... *heh*) and Rosanna (who, of course, is Practically Perfect)!

oh hai

me not bin feelin so grate...












no, not dat problem...! (SCROLL UP! SCROLL UPPPP!!!! ...dammit!)











no, no... silly!





more like dis...



















nah, me feelin betta now, but tanks anyway!