Author: bobmcgee

Resurrection …

Mother nature unleashed her power on Oklahoma the other day causing tragic loss of life, loss of homes and enormous financial loss. A whole neighbourhood was destroyed. From Australia, where we know only too well the hurt that natural disasters can inflict, we wish you all the best.

The first responders, obviously, did an amazing job but nothing can compare with the medical service there. By nightfall Monday the death toll stood at 91 and counting, today it’s down to 24.

Civilising influence …

Quotes are from their ABC …

Before he was stabbed to death, the victim was knocked over by a blue car which then rammed into a lamp-post.

The attackers pounced on him in a busy residential street.

Witnesses said they shouted “Allahu akbar” – Arabic for “God is greatest” – while stabbing the victim and trying to behead him. A handgun was also found at the scene.

The victim was a soldier. He was hacked to death near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, London. The perpetrators were keen to get their message out, happy to perform for the cameras of witnesses.

Both men appeared to have converted to Islam after being raised by Christian immigrant families, reports in British media said.

Their adopted religion does not seem to have been a civilising influence …

Ms Ogyny …

And perhaps then you will reflect on the darts of the pygmies who sneer at success.

Great line that, I must remember it.

Surprising thing is that it comes from the Labor side of politics. In fact it’s from John McTernan in defense of Kyle Sandilands. You will remember Kyle, of course …

The radio and television personality is well known for his controversial antics which include asking a 14-year-old girl live on air about her sexual experiences and calling a journalist a ”fat slag” after she penned a negative review about his television show.

He and Jackie O were fortunate enough to get the first media interview with Miss Gillard after the leadership challenge back in March. You will remember Miss Gillard …

Let’s go through the Opposition Leader’s repulsive double standards, repulsive double standards when it comes to misogyny and sexism.

Subsequently Kyle got to play the rabbit …

611812-kyle-sandilands-easter-bunny

Since then Kyle, who is on first name terms with Miss Gillard, has offered to lend her his convertible Rolls Royce phantom.

Leaning …

The bias that the ABC tells us it doesn’t have can now be tested by its very own impartial fact checking unit.

It has appointed former Fairfax journalist, Russell Skelton to head it. As the ad said …

The editor will lead and manage the unit, to deliver engaging content that builds a reputation for accuracy, impartiality and clarity.

Roger Franklin at Quadrant suggests that Mr Franklin might have  “a rather passionate distaste for conservatives,” in light of this piece from his portfolio …

The 2020 Summit has been just such an exercise. For one weekend a national conversation took place about the future of the country without a bunch of once-influential marsupials shouting down discussion of significant policy issues.

These are the possums of the conservative commentariat. They are an invasive, boisterous species. They make their nests within the pages of Quadrant magazine (an obscure journal with a circulation that is a fraction of the Kmart catalogue), and invade the columns of News Limited papers and the hollowed-out walls of right-wing think tanks.

Mr Skelton joins his wife Virginia Trioli at the ABC and should fit in quite nicely.

Leaner can have a couple of meanings

  • to be inclined (… to the left perhaps)
  • to have less fat

Hopefully the ABC will be much leaner after the next election.

 

Live odds …

South Australian Labor Premier, Jay Weatherill said …

 … it was “staggering how much match-day broadcast time is being devoted to sports betting and live odds”.

“It has become a pervasive part of the coverage,”

“It is of great concern to me that we will end up with a generation of children who believe gambling is a normal part of watching or even playing sport.”

… and I could not agree more.