Digital Freedom
Wow, I’ve been super-busy and haven’t had a chance to post. There is a major copyright issue going through Australian Federal Parliament at the moment, so we’ve started a petition here: http://www.gopetition.com.au/online/10234.html
Please sign it, and let people know about it.
Bringing You Up-To-Date
I've been fairly busy the last couple days, what with MP sex scandals, dead celebrities and international turmoil. I'm worn out. So here's a brief rundown on what's been happening:
PM John Howard has won a High Court case which extends the Commonwealth's constitutional powers over industrial relations.
Belinda Emmett has died after a long battle with cancer. Sad Aussies were gladened by an announcement that Rove Live will not air again this year.
U2 have played a few dates, upset a few fans wth poor seats, and Bono has bothered anyone who'd listen.
MP Milton Orkopoulos has been found in a poor condition in his car at the Charlestown water tower just days after being charged with drug and child-sex offences. Police say he was concious and he is being treated at Mater Hospital for a drug overdose.
Two of the college fraternity brothers shown guzzling alcohol and making racist remarks in the Borat movie have sued the studio and producers for fraud, saying filmmakers duped them into appearing in the movie by getting them drunk. A spokesman for the film's distributor, 20th Century Fox, declined to comment except to say, "The lawsuit has no merit."
Beyonce Knowles and Eva Longoria will play lesbian lovers in a new movie. Men everywhere silently said "YESSSS!!!!"
The UK's sensational mass market Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, reports that Britney Spears' soon to be ex-husband Kevin Federline is shopping around an explicit video of his antics with his wife on honeymoon. And it claims he has already been offered $65 million by an online download site for the tape - hot on the heels of rumours that excerpts of the video are already appearing on the internet. Trashy star in home-made porn? Pamela who?
And finally, the best invention of the year goes to the Wearable Instrument Shirt. Check it out at
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/11/13/1163266457568.html
Treaty, Eh?
It seems that nowadays we need only to look at what a politician won’t say to glean the truth of a situation. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is very excited about his new treaty with Indonesia, which may or may not be a security agreement. Or defensive pact. Well, whatever it is, it isn’t like the treaty Labor PM Paul Keating signed with them in 1995. But Alex isn’t quite sure why. When the issue of nuclear (sorry, new-kew-ler) agreements came up, he pleaded ignorance to the ABCs AM news program. Seems The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald are just beating up a non-issue. Fair enough, ‘Lex. Those two papers are known for their tabloid nonsense, scare-mongering, and news invention.
The fact of it is that Australia wants to sell uranium to… well… anyone, really. Indonesia wants to buy some. Sweet! We can sell uranium to the world’s largest Islamic state as part of our treaty. After all, we have their word they won’t develop weapons. And if you can’t trust the Muslim governments of the world, then who can you trust? Expect to see less West Papuan refugees in illegal detention.
Warning
This is to the band "Mattafix". Your name sounds suspiciously similar to my own. Mudd-ef-ex. Matt-af-ix. see the F X syllable combination? Not cool. This is your only warning Mattafix, change the name or I'll unleash the attack cat.
Attack Cat: surprisingly affectionate after a scratch under the chin
Run Donnie Run
It's somehow appropriate that Comedy Central broke the story of Donald Rumsfeld's sacking. After all, he'd given them so much fodder over the years. Here are some highlights:
*These are all ACTUAL QUOTES
"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know.""I believe what I said yesterday. I don't know what I said, but I know what I think... and I assume it's what I said." "We do know of certain knowledge that he (Osama Bin Laden)
is either in Afghanistan, or in some other country, or dead.""I would not say that the future is necessarily less predictable than the past - I think the past was not predictable when it started.""Oh goodness ... I shouldn't say 'I don't think so', although that's what I think.""If I said yes, that would then suggest that that might be the only place where it might be done which would not be accurate ... necessarily accurate ... it might also not be inaccurate, but I mean ... I'm disinclined to mislead anyone."
Bloody Belgians
A Belgian tourist who slapped a stick on the water to make a crocodile come closer for a better photograph should be nominated for an idiots' award after it bit him on the leg, says the doctor who treated him.
Because of the tourist's actions, authorities say the creature will have to be removed.
Stefaan Vanthournout, 24, was with a group of about six other tourists who ignored crocodile warning signs and waded into Masons Creek, on the south side of Cape Tribulation in Far North Queensland, after spotting the two-metre saltwater crocodile lying on the riverbank.
"They looked across the creek and they saw this crocodile there on the other bank," Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service spokesman, Mark Read, said.
"They then waded across the creek to the other side. It's pretty risky behaviour."
As they did so, the crocodile, which locals call Allan, slipped into the water.
"Then the gentleman in question wanted to get a better photograph of the crocodile, which by this stage had submerged.
"And the gentleman then picked up a short stick, approximately 30 centimetres long, and was tapping the water within about a metre and a half of the crocodile to try and get a better photograph.
"The animal has then lunged at him and has inflicted a single bite to the left knee."
One of the other tourists raced away to get help from the local pharmacy.
"We just had someone coming running in off the beach saying someone had been attacked by a crocodile," Doctor Kelly Lash, owner of the Cape Trib Pharmacy, said.
Dr Lash called an ambulance while his partner headed down to pick up the victim, who he said was more shocked than physically injured.
"It just let go right away. He was sitting there in shock [and there was] a little bit of blood," he said.
"It lunged out and grabbed his knee and the worst part is he didn't get the photo."
"I tell you, it's a candidate for the Darwin Awards - the awards for doing stupid things."
The Darwin Awards "salute the improvement of the human genome by honouring those who remove themselves from it," says the awards' website.
Dr Lash said it wasn't the first time an animal had bitten Mr Vanthournout.
"The funny thing is his girlfriend told us he's been bitten by a monkey before."
Mr Read said the tourist was extremely lucky not to have received more serious injuries.
"He's very lucky. The animal is estimated at two-metres long and 70 -85 kilos in weight. Had the animal say bitten him on the face and then done a death roll, which is quite often part of their pray catching behaviour ... normally there's a much higher degree of injury."
The crocodile now has to be removed for public safety reasons, he said.
"The crocodile will be targeted for removal. We have an obligation to minimise the risk to all users of the area from crocodiles."
People should take extreme care in crocodile habitats, he said.
"It's one of our key messages. People shouldn't be wading and swimming in crocodile habitats. This is a good example of what can happen when you interfere with dangerous animal."
Mr Vanthournout was treated at Mossman Hospital for his injuries but was released last night.
Oh, George
Democrats have seized control of the US Senate and with it complete domination of Congress, as US President George W Bush licked his wounds and let his defence chief fall on his sword.
In sharp contrast to his buoyant, confident demeanour in the lead up to yesterday's election, a contrite George W Bush faced reporters today, describing the defeat of his Republicans as "thumping''.
And that was before consensus emerged that the Democrats had taken the sixth and final Republican Senate seat they needed to control the chamber.Bush now faces the toughest two years of his presidency, with Democrats controlling both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and promising voters sweeping change, especially where the Iraq war is concerned.
After telling reporters he must shoulder "a large part of the responsibility'' for the Republican drubbing, Bush stood beside Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as he announced his resignation.
Just a week ago the president was defending Rumsfeld, but today -- after an election defeat that reflected deep public anger over the war in Iraq -- he said it was time for change.
"Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that sometimes it's necessary to have a fresh perspective,'' Bush said in the abrupt announcement during his post-election press conference.
The president said Robert M Gates, who was CIA director under George Bush Snr father, had been nominated to run the Pentagon.
The White House hopes that replacing Rumsfeld with Gates will help refresh US policy on the deeply unpopular war and perhaps establish a stronger rapport with the new Democrat-dominated Congress.
In a later appearance at the White House with Rumsfeld and Gates at his side, Bush praised both men, thanked Rumsfeld for his service and predicted that Gates would bring fresh ideas.
"The secretary of defence must be a man of vision who can see threats still over the horizon and prepare our nation to meet them. Bob Gates is the right man to meet both of these critical challenges,'' Bush said.
In brief remarks, Rumsfeld described the Iraq conflict as a "little understood, unfamiliar war'' that is ``complex for people to comprehend''.
Asked whether Rumsfeld's departure signalled a new direction in a war that has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 US troops and an unknown number of Iraqis and has cost more than $US300 billion ($A390 billion), Bush said: "Well, there's certainly going to be new leadership at the Pentagon.''
Democrats were jubilant today on forecasts that both chambers had fallen under their control.
Jim Webb's tight win over Republican Senator George Allen in Virginia assured Democrats of 51 seats when the Senate convenes in January.
"The days of the do-nothing Congress are over,'' declared Nevada Democratic Senator Harry Reid, in line to become majority leader.
Americans had spoken "clearly and decisively in favour of Democrats leading this country in a new direction,'' he added.
A day after weathering what was arguably the worst defeat of his political life, Bush was subdued.
"I thought we were going to do fine yesterday. Shows what I know. But I thought we were going to be fine in the election,'' he shrugged.
"If you look at (it) race by race, it was close. The cumulative effect, however, was not too close. It was a thumping.
"I'm obviously disappointed with the outcome of the election and, as the head of the Republican Party, I share a large part of the responsibility.''
He pledged to work with the Democrats, who during the campaign called him incompetent and dangerous. Bush shot back with accusations that Democrats were content to let terrorists attack the United States.
"This isn't my first rodeo,'' Bush said today. "I understand when campaigns end and I know when governing begins, and I'm going to work with people of both parties.''
"People say unfortunate things at times. But if you hold grudges in this line of work, you're never going to get anything done. And my intention is to get some things done.
"They (Democrats) care about the security of this country like I do.''
Democrats, meanwhile, spent today telling Americans they had been heard.
"This new Democratic majority has heard the voices of the American people,'' said Nancy Pelosi, the liberal California Democrat all but certain to become the first female speaker of the House of Representatives.
"We will honour that trust. We will not disappoint.'' Pelosi, who just weeks earlier had railed against Bush, also struck a conciliatory tone and said any effort to impeach Bush ``is off the table''.
The Senate had teetered at 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans for most of today, with Virginia hanging in the balance.
A count by The Associated Press finally showed Webb had won the seat by just 7,236 votes.
Allen is yet to conceded, but Webb moved swiftly to establish himself as the winner.
"The vote's been counted and Jim won,'' said campaign spokeswoman Kristian Denny Todd.
Some absentee ballots remained to be counted, she said, but Webb considered that "a formality more than anything else''.
In the House count, Democrats won 229 seats and were leading in three, putting them on track for a 30-seat gain if trends held in remaining unsettled races. Party standings in that event would be 232-203.
Without losing any seats of their own, Democrats captured 28 Republican-held seats.
The party won in every region of the country and hoped to strengthen their majority by besting Republican incumbents in eight races that were too close to call.
With the Republicans booted from power in both chambers of Congress, departing Speaker Dennis Hastert announced he would not run for his party's leadership in the House, instead saying he intended to devote his time to representing his Illinois constituents.
AP/AFP
Duck Season Opens In US
That’s right, folks, it’s duck season. Well, lame duck season. Yes, Dubya has lost control of Congress and looks set to lose the Senate as well. Poor feller… seems the people aren’t buying the lies any more. A poll of voters has shown that the war in Iraq is the biggest reason for the massive swing towards the Democrats. Also on the top ten list is the general incompetence or incarceration of many of Bush’s cronies.
So, in Georgie’s last two years we may see the troops home from Iraq. How embarrassment?
Melbourne Cup
Japanese-ridden Delta Blues has just won the Melbourne Cup. Underdog favourite Tawqueet finished up towards the back, and favourite Yeats didn’t place. Just goes to show any horse can win the Cup on the day.
"Not Justice But Revenge"
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been found guilty of crimes against humanity... or war crimes... or something. The guy was bad news, okay? And it's this sort of trial that will surely lead to all sorts of nastiness in the middle east.
Don't get me wrong, I don't like Hussein at all. But I do believe in a fair trial, and the rules of law. While Saddam is unquestionably guilty, history will record that he was convicted by a virtual kangaroo court and sentenced to death without a fair trial.
The US President, George Bush, on the way to campaign in Nevada, said: "There is still a lot of work to do in Iraq, but this is an important achievement on the path to a free and just and unified society.
"Saddam Hussein's trial is a milestone in the Iraqi people's effort to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law."
The Prime Minister, John Howard, also welcomed the verdict. "The whole process of the trial is a sign of democratic hope, and I believe the world should see it as such," Mr Howard said on television.
Britain said Saddam had been held to account for his role in ordering the deaths of 148 Shiite villagers in Dujail, north of Baghdad. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, did not comment publicly, but the Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, said in a statement: "It is right that those accused of such crimes against the Iraqi people should face Iraqi justice."
The British QC Geoffrey Robertson agreed it had been right to bring the former dictator to trial for genocidal attacks, but said the judiciary was not independent and Saddam should have been tried in a UN court.
"Saddam's public execution will provide an obscene spectacle, an example not of justice but of wild justice, otherwise known as revenge," the Australian-born lawyer said.
On another note, John Howard said that while he opposed the use of the death penalty in Australia or against Australians, "what other countries do with the death penalty is other countries' business". Unless of course it's Aussie drug smuglers in Indonesia. THAT's a different story altogether.
Six Months In A Leaky Boat
This may be the case for Fijians who are stocking up in case there’s another military coup. The new Prime Minister is looking at pardoning George Speight and his pals who led the 2000 coup. Fiji’s military chief is so dismayed at the possible release of coup-sters that HE has threatened a coup.
Rabbit Season! Duck Season! Rabbit Season! Duck Season! Duck Season! Rabbit Season!
… and they wonder why we don’t take them seriously.
Running With Nazis
November 1, 2006 - 12:03PMThe US actor Alec Baldwin wants to be removed as narrator of an Arnold Schwarzenegger documentary called Running with Arnold, saying filmmakers went too far by including images of Nazi rallies.
Baldwin wrote in a posting on The Huffington Post website that he agreed to narrate the documentary about the political rise of the actor-turned-governor based on reading the script.
He said that when he saw the film as he recorded the tracks he was "somewhat dismayed by some of the images".
"The filmmakers hammer Schwarzenegger over his private behaviour and his record as Governor," Baldwin wrote, noting he is not a supporter of the Governor.
"But Schwarzenegger deserves to be treated fairly and the film's images of Nazi rallies were over the line."
The California Governor's office declined to comment today.
Baldwin, who could not be reached for comment on Monday, wrote that he asked that his voice be removed and said he returned payment. He also had his attorney issue a cease-and-desist demand against the filmmakers.
The producer, Mike Gabrawy, said Baldwin had the script for more than a month and that they tried several times to set up screenings with the actor, even delaying recording the narration to accommodate him.
The film includes a photograph of the former Austrian President Kurt Waldheim, who was invited to Schwarzenegger's wedding but did not attend.
In the photo, Mr Waldheim is dressed in his World War II Wehrmacht uniform.
In 1987, Mr Waldheim was barred from entering the United States following an investigation into his activities as a lieutenant in a German unit associated with Nazi atrocities. Mr Waldheim insisted he was innocent.
Another image in the documentary shows the Nazi party paperwork of Schwarzenegger's father, Mr Gabrawy said. Other images of the Third Reich have been replaced.
Mr Gabrawy said he learned Baldwin did not want to be associated with the film days after the narration was recorded.
"What's really shocking about this situation is that this is not really a critical look at Arnold - there's a lot more we could've done to be critical," said Mr Gabrawy.
Mr Gabrawy said distribution of the film was going ahead.
-AP
Sex Not Funny
In the first comprehensive global study of sexual behaviour, British researchers found that people aren't losing their virginity at ever younger ages, married people have the most sex, and there is no firm link between promiscuity and sexually transmitted diseases. So maybe it's just comedians who don't get any from their spouses. Can't say I blame them.
