The main thing that's prompted me to write after such a silence is a phenomenon I've been noticing for some time, but which seems to be more prevalent during the election campaign.
It seems that many politicians think that by saying something in public, it becomes true, even when it is common knowledge that the utterance is a complete load of sloblock.
The most recent example of this was from the Family First candidate in the Queensland seat of Leichhardt (aka Voss). My knowledge of this comes entirely from the ABC so I can't claim to be a first-hand eyewitness to the event, but neither can most people.
The FF candidate called for the Lib candidate to tell the electorate if she's a lesbian or not. Now, I don't want to get into a discussion about the relevance of sexuality to candidacy (my thought is that it's not relevant at all) or the fact that the very homophobic Liberal party has managed to attract someone who may be homosexual. What interests me is the follow-up.
Having been told in no uncertain terms that he was out of line, FF candidate issued an apology which included the following line:
"he regrets making the comments... [and] they do not reflect the views of Family First"
Excuse me?? Last time I checked Family First was even more homophobic that the Libs, they actively campaign against gay rights and anything that 'threatens traditional family values'.
It's as though by saying publicly that Family First isn't anti-gay, it suddenly makes the reality disappear and everything's ok.
Interestingly enough, though, I would expect most of FF's followers to prefer it if the comments did reflect the views of FF (which they do).
The other classic example trotted out recently (and regularly) comes from the PM himself. When Labor were going through all their dirt troubles with Kev, and he kept shifting blame, the PM tried to tell the Australian People (or Working Families if you prefer) that KRudd is a bad man for doing that, and that if something goes awry on the PM's watch, he takes full responsibility for it.
Oh! Like he did for AWB, Children overboard, Siev X, no WMD - to name but a few.
Does he really think that just by saying he takes responsibility, people will believe he does?
There are, of course, many more examples from both major parties, and many of the minor ones too. Tony Abbott is particularly fond of this technique, especially in relation to Christian Values.
All I can say is that if people believe this kind of bare-faced economy with the truth, they deserve everything they get.
Thursday 1 November 2007
Disenfranchisement is us!
Well, folks, it's election time in Australia, and has been for some weeks now.
I've been following it as best I can from the other side of the world, which is actually pretty easy these days, what with video, audio, and print media all online.
I even watched the announcement live!
Which reminds me... in his election announcement the PM said that the writs would be issued on Wednesday the 17th of October and the Electoral Roll would close on the 22nd. The interesting thing here is that those were the OLD rules. Under the current legislation (introduced by the current govt. in a bid to stop young people from voting for the other team) the Roll closes at 8pm on the day the writs are issued.
Sure enough, when Wednesday 17/10 rolled around, the headline news item was: Electoral Roll closes tonight!
So what happened here? Did the PM get it Wrong?
Did not one of his mindas point out this enormous mistake in his speech?
But more importantly, why did no-one in the media pick up on it? or even on the other side of the house??
It's not like this legislation has had widespread, or even bi-partisan support!
Oh well. I suppose the PM got it wrong and hushed it up and the AEC stuck to the legislation.
So all those nearly 18 year olds and recent migrants, who neglected to sign on before the 17th will have to find another way to fulfill their democratic responsibility.
Maybe they can kick him in the pants on one of his morning walks.
I've been following it as best I can from the other side of the world, which is actually pretty easy these days, what with video, audio, and print media all online.
I even watched the announcement live!
Which reminds me... in his election announcement the PM said that the writs would be issued on Wednesday the 17th of October and the Electoral Roll would close on the 22nd. The interesting thing here is that those were the OLD rules. Under the current legislation (introduced by the current govt. in a bid to stop young people from voting for the other team) the Roll closes at 8pm on the day the writs are issued.
Sure enough, when Wednesday 17/10 rolled around, the headline news item was: Electoral Roll closes tonight!
So what happened here? Did the PM get it Wrong?
Did not one of his mindas point out this enormous mistake in his speech?
But more importantly, why did no-one in the media pick up on it? or even on the other side of the house??
It's not like this legislation has had widespread, or even bi-partisan support!
Oh well. I suppose the PM got it wrong and hushed it up and the AEC stuck to the legislation.
So all those nearly 18 year olds and recent migrants, who neglected to sign on before the 17th will have to find another way to fulfill their democratic responsibility.
Maybe they can kick him in the pants on one of his morning walks.
Apology
I would like to offer my most sincere apologies to those who were hoping for the ACC tour journal. Once I started editing it got a bit dull and turned into a 'then we went here and sang in such-and-such a church' Kind of thing. If you want to know where we went, check the ACC website.
Suffice to say there were some transport issues along the way, but we all survived.
From now on I'm hoping to write some more and keep y'all procrastinating.
Tinkerty tonk.
Suffice to say there were some transport issues along the way, but we all survived.
From now on I'm hoping to write some more and keep y'all procrastinating.
Tinkerty tonk.
Tuesday 14 August 2007
Jetzt geht's los!
Thursday, 12 July 2007
One would think that getting from London to Berlin would be much simpler than getting from, say, Melbourne to London. It is, after all, just across the water (and in a bit).
The problem can really be summed up neatly with a single word: Stansted.
If you ever see this word on any of your travel documents, I strongly recommend you seek help. It is code for "Guaranteed to get you're trip off to a bad start".
Well, I suppose I exaggerate a little, but as airports go it's woeful. It didn't help that a week earlier someone had tried to drive a burning car into Glasgow airport, so I had to go through 2 security checkpoints (one just for my shoes!).
My lovely sister (the elder) drove me there in pique hour traffic (including roadworks) Fortunately she wasn't on until the 2nd act of Carmen, so she had a few hours to get back in time (and needed them).
The highlight of the journey was certainly the Black Wall Tunnel. This was, I believe, the first tunnel under the Thames, and at the time of building (1897) was the longest underwater tunnel in the world (1.344km). It looks like no work has been done on it since it opened, but that could just be because it carries a lot of traffic and therefore gets pretty filthy.
Anyhoo, I'm sure you don't want to hear me rabbiting on about 19th century feats of engineering.
On the flight over to Berlin I met a lovely chap by the name of Marcus. He thought I was German (buy that man a beer!) because I laughed when the German translation of the safety demo thing added the extra phrase along the lines of 'if you don't do what we say, you will be severely punished!'.
It turns out Marcus is from Berlin, and is setting up a City Walking Tours business in various European cities. And having now been around a bit, I can see this is certainly a growth industry.
Arriving at Schoenefeld (German for Stansted) I took the train into town, but not before getting a currywurst from the only imbiss open at that late hour. Here's a tip. If you find a good currywurst place, stick to it. Don't get it anywhere else. You'll only be disappointed. This was quite honestly the worst wurst I'd ever had. And late at night after 6 hours in transit, anything tastes good - or so I thought.
Still, I survived, and made it to the Hostel before they closed for the night. I strongly recommend this place to anyone who needs a place to kip in East Berlin. The owner/manager is a Kiwi, and a top bloke to boot.
I settled into my double bed (bonus!) and fell asleep thinking about what I'd do the next day...
One would think that getting from London to Berlin would be much simpler than getting from, say, Melbourne to London. It is, after all, just across the water (and in a bit).
The problem can really be summed up neatly with a single word: Stansted.
If you ever see this word on any of your travel documents, I strongly recommend you seek help. It is code for "Guaranteed to get you're trip off to a bad start".
Well, I suppose I exaggerate a little, but as airports go it's woeful. It didn't help that a week earlier someone had tried to drive a burning car into Glasgow airport, so I had to go through 2 security checkpoints (one just for my shoes!).
My lovely sister (the elder) drove me there in pique hour traffic (including roadworks) Fortunately she wasn't on until the 2nd act of Carmen, so she had a few hours to get back in time (and needed them).
The highlight of the journey was certainly the Black Wall Tunnel. This was, I believe, the first tunnel under the Thames, and at the time of building (1897) was the longest underwater tunnel in the world (1.344km). It looks like no work has been done on it since it opened, but that could just be because it carries a lot of traffic and therefore gets pretty filthy.
Anyhoo, I'm sure you don't want to hear me rabbiting on about 19th century feats of engineering.
On the flight over to Berlin I met a lovely chap by the name of Marcus. He thought I was German (buy that man a beer!) because I laughed when the German translation of the safety demo thing added the extra phrase along the lines of 'if you don't do what we say, you will be severely punished!'.
It turns out Marcus is from Berlin, and is setting up a City Walking Tours business in various European cities. And having now been around a bit, I can see this is certainly a growth industry.
Arriving at Schoenefeld (German for Stansted) I took the train into town, but not before getting a currywurst from the only imbiss open at that late hour. Here's a tip. If you find a good currywurst place, stick to it. Don't get it anywhere else. You'll only be disappointed. This was quite honestly the worst wurst I'd ever had. And late at night after 6 hours in transit, anything tastes good - or so I thought.
Still, I survived, and made it to the Hostel before they closed for the night. I strongly recommend this place to anyone who needs a place to kip in East Berlin. The owner/manager is a Kiwi, and a top bloke to boot.
I settled into my double bed (bonus!) and fell asleep thinking about what I'd do the next day...
Saturday 11 August 2007
Prelude
For those who haven't had the misfortune of following the saga of the past few months, here's a quick summary.
I lived in Melbourne for about 5 years. In June this year I moved out of my poky North Fitzroy flat, in preparation for the move to Europe. I stayed in Collingwood for a few weeks until I got on that plane. This was a most enjoyable time and I was sorry to have to leave.
I spent a week in London, mostly recovering from the general chaos that preceded my departure, and getting the hang of the local area.
I also went to watch the Tour de France (in London) and spent time in pubs, and walking.
On July 12 I flew to Berlin...
I lived in Melbourne for about 5 years. In June this year I moved out of my poky North Fitzroy flat, in preparation for the move to Europe. I stayed in Collingwood for a few weeks until I got on that plane. This was a most enjoyable time and I was sorry to have to leave.
I spent a week in London, mostly recovering from the general chaos that preceded my departure, and getting the hang of the local area.
I also went to watch the Tour de France (in London) and spent time in pubs, and walking.
On July 12 I flew to Berlin...
Stets sind wir unterwegs...
Hello, and welcome to my journal.
I've set up this site less as an outlet for my natural narcissism, and more as a way for friends to keep up with what I'm up to, as I'm rubbish at emailing regularly.
I will endeavour to deal with the European tour first (backdated), but this could take a while and may need serious editing to make it through profanity filters.
Comments are always welcome.
I'm particularly interested to know how people like the black background set-up.
What does it say about my general demeanour? hmmm.
Well, I'd better get cracking on those Tour Memoirs...
toodle pip.
I've set up this site less as an outlet for my natural narcissism, and more as a way for friends to keep up with what I'm up to, as I'm rubbish at emailing regularly.
I will endeavour to deal with the European tour first (backdated), but this could take a while and may need serious editing to make it through profanity filters.
Comments are always welcome.
I'm particularly interested to know how people like the black background set-up.
What does it say about my general demeanour? hmmm.
Well, I'd better get cracking on those Tour Memoirs...
toodle pip.
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