My last post referred to priorities. Well another major story has emerged which also makes me wonder where are our priorities? Michael Jackson has died, apparently from a cardiac arrest
and this has pushed all the other important stories on to the backburner. Why is that deemed more newsworthy than Iran? Afghanistan? The Global Fiscal Crisis? Ok I have never been a fan of his and he was eccentric to put it mildly. But I don't think it is earth-shattering or a major news headline.
Here in Oz, the major story related to what the local press has coined as "Utegate" has largely fizzed and the pollies are eager to distance themselves from its fallout. Then in our state parliamentary budget estimates hearings, The Attoney-General, who also happens to be the Health Minister, revealed that they have solved the mysterious circles in our legal poppy opiate crops. No it isn't aliens from outer space, nor druggies, but wallabies who eat the poppies and then are so high they go around in circles! I laughed so much when I read it in the local papers.
It even made the BBC news! Of course since the Michael Jackson death, this story probably does not have any more newsworthiness.
Robin L. Harwood 0500 UTC
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Where are our Priorities?
There are people dying in Tehran and throughout Iran, fighting for democracy. Here in Australia , they spend their time arguing over a donated ute which the PM may have used in the last election campaign. It is so petty and the ute apparently came from a used car dealer. It is no surprise that pollies and used car salesmen are at the bottom of the scale in the trustworthy stakes. Here in Tasmania, a politician resigns after it was revealed family members were employed as staff at taxpayers expense. Wake up! People are being killed for standing up for their rights in Iran! All we can do is focus on a battered old ute or misuses of electorate allowances. Shame.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Ides of June.
Well the State Budget has come and gone. There were thankfully no major rises as far as I am concerned but the sting may be in hidden detail. I am far from impressed with the present leadership and there is scheduled to be an election on March 10th 2010 but I would not be at all surprised if this will happen sooner.
It was welcome to see the Sun today after a week or more of being blanketed by cloud and infrequent drizzle. This past week has been one of the coldest I can remember. I can hardly wait for Summer and then turn down the floor heaters. Unfortunately I am on a fixed rate over 12 months but the electricity regulator has increased the rate by a further 7% as from July 1st. I feel sorry for those worse off than I am, trying to balance their budget.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine shows no signs of ending. I believe that the Israeli leadership has announced their position re a two state solution which they know will be rejected by the Palestinians. I worry about the possibility of a conflict breaking out between Iran and Israel involving nuclear weapons which really could make the region even more volatile. We shall watch to see what will happen from now.
Robin L. Harwood
Northern Tasmania 0500 UTC
It was welcome to see the Sun today after a week or more of being blanketed by cloud and infrequent drizzle. This past week has been one of the coldest I can remember. I can hardly wait for Summer and then turn down the floor heaters. Unfortunately I am on a fixed rate over 12 months but the electricity regulator has increased the rate by a further 7% as from July 1st. I feel sorry for those worse off than I am, trying to balance their budget.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine shows no signs of ending. I believe that the Israeli leadership has announced their position re a two state solution which they know will be rejected by the Palestinians. I worry about the possibility of a conflict breaking out between Iran and Israel involving nuclear weapons which really could make the region even more volatile. We shall watch to see what will happen from now.
Robin L. Harwood
Northern Tasmania 0500 UTC
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June is busting out all over!
Yes Winter is in full swing here. It has been constantly drizzling and it is very damp. Today the temperature plummetted and although I have floor heating, I had to reach for another jumper.
I am feeling much better now and determined to press forward. Almost half the year has gone and wonder what will happen over the next six months. In January I was thinking about an eventual move to Queensland but this has now fallen by the wayside. I think I am happiest here despite its shortcomings.
The only worry I have are those increasing hidden financial costs. Electricity has risen sharply for me. I was paying approximately $50 per fortnight but this has now increased to $65. On top of this, we are likely to be slugged for water and sewerage costs, now that these have been separated from local government rates. Wonder in the next few days what other hidden charges will be revealed in the State Budget. Already one unauthorised leak briefly surfaced in the media but was quickly denied by the Treasurer. We shall see on Thursday.
Robin,
Norwood, Tasmania
I am feeling much better now and determined to press forward. Almost half the year has gone and wonder what will happen over the next six months. In January I was thinking about an eventual move to Queensland but this has now fallen by the wayside. I think I am happiest here despite its shortcomings.
The only worry I have are those increasing hidden financial costs. Electricity has risen sharply for me. I was paying approximately $50 per fortnight but this has now increased to $65. On top of this, we are likely to be slugged for water and sewerage costs, now that these have been separated from local government rates. Wonder in the next few days what other hidden charges will be revealed in the State Budget. Already one unauthorised leak briefly surfaced in the media but was quickly denied by the Treasurer. We shall see on Thursday.
Robin,
Norwood, Tasmania
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)