The Hutch

NEWS FLASH

2009-04-02T19:17:00.005+11:00

It is with sadness that I inform you that the rabbit has run off and The Hutch, as of today (unless I find Basil) will be no more!

But never fear, I am not going away, but have just moved my writings to a new blog called The Right Aussie, which you can visit here, and I certainly hope you will - often!

Thank you very much to everyone who has viewed The Hutch since October 2008. I appreciate all the comments and feedback.

More balderdash from Obama

2009-04-01T08:49:00.009+11:00

President Obama recently:

I actually think the science around climate change is real. It is potentially devastating.
If you look at the flooding that’s going on right now in North Dakota and you say to yourself, ‘If you see an increase of 2 degrees, what does that do, in terms of the situation there?’ that indicates the degree to which we have to take this seriously.

I am really only interested in the first two sentences of that quote. I left the rest of the quotation there to demonstrate how technically obtuse the man is.

Point 1.

I actually think the science around climate change is real. It is potentially devastating.

What I, and hundreds of scientists (which I am not) around the world are in dispute about is the fallibility of the scientific conclusions surrounding climate change, not the actual science itself. Of course the science is real - regardless of which side of the climate change fence you happen to be. What does Obama think the scientists have been doing? Playing tiddlywinks?

Point 2: "It is potentially devastating."

Here I am arguing a point of syntax, not science.

If the science around climate change is "real" - and the President would like us to infer from that statement that only the doomsayers are to be believed - then something that is "real" cannot be "potentially" devastating. Rather, it would be 'absolute.'

What is also 'absolute' is the fact that Obama needs to gets his facts straight and his logic engaged before he speaks, less he continue to invoke one of my favourite pieces of Latin: "Si tacuisses philosophus mansisses."

New (old) look ... sort of

2009-03-31T21:27:00.003+11:00

I decided I didn't like the new background colour, so I have reverted to the blog's original black. I am still fiddling around with the post title and links colours, but they shouldn't vary too much from what you see now.

Busy highway not the place to stop to view turbines

2009-03-27T19:37:00.009+11:00

A wind farm is beginning to take shape not far from where this blog is domiciled.

Here is the first of the creatures, growing out of Mt Cullerin, 12 kilometres east of Gunning, in New South Wales.

Since this photo was taken, about five more structures have been erected with about 10 still to come.

I think they are magnificent - and I happen to like wind farms. But then again, I have been known to sit around at airports for a couple of hours taking photos of aircraft. So, 'whatever floats your boat', you might say. 'Whatever spins your propeller' might be more appropriate!

There is a problem, however.

The Cullerin range wind farm is located right next to the Hume Highway, which, for overseas readers, is the main dual carriageway highway linking Sydney and Melbourne.

The problem is that (especially) when travelling west, you come round a slight bend in the road at 110 kilometres per hour, and bam! - you are confronted with massive white wind turbines growing out of a large hill straight in front of you. The temptation is to pull over to the not-very-wide road shoulder and take a couple of happy snaps.

Other wind farms in Australia have dedicated viewing areas - like this one at Crookwell, some 50 kilometres to the north of Cullerin.

I really do hope that Origin Energy, the developers of the wind farm at Cullerin, do likewise, and provide a dedicated area for enthusiasts and the curious, to park their cars and take some photos should they wish. Pulling over to the side of the road - while preferable to stopping in the middle of it, like I saw one driver almost attempt to do - is just asking for trouble.

Daniel Hannan MEP tells it as it is.

2009-03-26T09:59:00.005+11:00

Outstanding and eloquent speech here by Daniel Hannan, MEP for South East England. He is directly addressing British PM Gordon Brown with sentiments that I can only dream would come from the mouth of an Australian politician to our PM Kevin Rudd. And would an American politician have the balls to address Barack Obama in a similar fashion?

UPDATE

1. My apologies for the p***-weak headline to this post. It should read 'Hannan rips PM Brown to shreds' or similar.

2. The video of Hannan skewering Brown has gone mega viral - attracting over ~~660,000~~ 1,014,000 hits!! - every one of them thoroughly deserved. Make no mistake, this speech will be remembered for decades to come.

3. One American blogger referred to Hannan as 'Sir Awesome'. I say 'Hear, hear' to that!

Plane crash at Narita Airport

2009-03-23T14:41:00.005+11:00

There have been a couple of terrible plane crashes in the last 24 hours, including this one at Narita Airport in Japan.

Amazing footage here.

I would like to reiterate what I wrote in a previous blog about aircraft crashing. The broadcaster on the above link says it, as did the one I head on Sky News. Just about every broadcaster refers to aircraft "crash landing" - whether it be a mere nosewheel malfunction, or a firey blaze like this one at Narita.

Let me repeat - and I wish the media would get their collective heads around this very simple premise: Aircraft either crash OR they land. Joining the two terms just creates an oxymoron - and the English language contains enough of those already.

Libs and Nats should merge

2009-03-22T13:55:00.005+11:00

Apparently there was a state election in Queensland yesterday.

I have intentionally refrained from blogging about it in the lead up to the vote yesterday, because I don't live in that state, I am not across all of the issues and, as notoriously difficult as state elections are to predict, this level of difficulty is magnified in Queensland. Predicting election outcomes in Queensland is like dropping a cork in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and predicting which beach it will wash up on.

For a Conservative like me, it is always disappointing when your side loses an election. But you just have to pick up your horse and move on. (I may have mucked that metaphor up), but you know what I mean.

The Liberal National Party in Queensland started from a low base and look like they have picked up about 7 seats - which is about 16 fewer than they needed to form government. They now have three years to prove they are a viable alternative to a Socialist regime.

I heard Federal National Party leader, Warren Truss, say that there were no plans for a merger of the Liberal and National Parties on a federal level. As long as Mr Truss has that attitude, the longer the two parties will continue to be a fractured rabble.

The result in Queensland shows that a combined Liberal National Party can work. It is now up to the other state and federal conservative parties to merge - for the unity of the Conservative cause in Australia. 'Unity' being the keyword.

Obama fails to win gold for humour

2009-03-21T09:47:00.012+11:00

President Obama appeared on a late night talk show this week. As TV appearances go, it didn't exactly cover the President in glory.

Of course, that didn't stop many bloggers and on-line comments from people heaping praise on Obama. It was interesting, but not surprising, to read comments that lauded Obama, whilst at the same time implicitly or explicitly criticised George W Bush. I should get used to that, for it will be an abiding factor for the tenure of Obama's Presidency.

It is time, though, that Obama was evaluated on his own merits (or lack thereof).

Which brings me to two recent incidents (obviously there are more - but for another occasion):

Obama's gaffe (his teleprompter left town without him) on Leno about comparing his bowling to the Special Olympics; and his "gift" to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

If these instances are anything to go by, then I'd say we have a leader of the free world who has graduated summa cum laude from the school of cultural and social ignorance; where students don't drink from the fountain of knowledge - merely gargle.

UPDATE

According to Associated Press:

On his way back to Washington on Air Force One, Obama called the chairman of the Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, to say he was sorry -- even before the taped program aired late Thursday night.

Good. Hopefully Obama himself had the thought of calling, and wasn't prompted by a minder.

A promising maiden speech

2009-03-18T18:44:00.002+11:00

A maiden speech occurred in Federal Parliament yesterday that deserves mention.

The speech was given by Senator Chris Back from Western Australia. Senator Back takes his place in parliament following the resignation of Senator Chris Ellison.

It is encouraging (and rare) to read such an intelligent speech from a member of Australia's house of review. It augurs well that legislation will receive the scrutiny they deserve.

Dr Back's speech also referred to a matter of which I was not aware:

We in the west were alarmed last November when, leading up to a COAG meeting, the treasurers of the eastern states and territories took it upon themselves to meet and plan their strategy but explicitly chose to exclude the Western Australian Treasurer.

Juvenile and foolish. But why am I not surprised.

Condoms make AIDS worse, says Pope

2009-03-18T13:20:00.005+11:00

Pope Benedict XVI, who is visiting Africa for the first time as pontiff, had this to say on the spread of AIDS on the continent (my emphasis):

AIDS "is a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems'', the 81-year-old Pontiff said on the flight from Rome.

and:

The solution lies in a "spiritual and human awakening'' and "friendship for those who suffer''

Of course it does, Your Holiness. How ignorant of me not to realise. I'm sure you would agree also, that the "solution" to the Middle East crisis is to join hands and dance around in a circle singing kum ba yah.

I find it increasingly difficult to defend my religion when ecclesiastical dinosaurs spout forth such doctrinaire nonsense as this.

I hope it was simply a case of a bad translation. But I doubt it.

Spitting image?

2009-03-16T18:45:00.006+11:00

I am loathe to comment on this, but I will add my two cents' worth, seeing as just about everyone else has.

Pauline Hanson, inveterate political wannabe - her latest incarnation as the Independent candidate for Beaudesert - has caused a sensation in the media yet again, this time because of a series of nude and semi-nude photographs published in the Sunday Telegraph this weekend, purporting to be of her - a fact Ms Hanson denies. Although, for someone known for being a bit fratchy, she didn't deny it with the vehemence, flailing of arms, and the occasional "bloody" I would have expected from her.

I am not going to post one of the photos in question, nor am I going to add a link to the pictures, as I don't want to be served with papers. You will have to Google them for yourselves.

Having looked very closely at the photographs (far too closely for my liking), I will just say that I am very glad I am not the editor of the Sunday Telegraph.

The photographs, while resembling Ms Hanson, are seriously dodgy. Even more dodgy is the story surrounding their existence.

I have no axe to grind with Pauline Hanson. Although I disagree with a lot of what she says and would never vote for her, I think she is given a very rough ride by the media in general. But she is a very opinionated woman and does polarise people like no Australian politician or public figure in recent memory.

Nevertheless, I do not expect any of this to affect Ms Hanson's vote in the election this weekend in Queensland. Sure, she will get the odd vote from people who feel sorry for her (she would have anyway), but she will still be resoundingly defeated.

Earth Hour Madness

2009-03-14T10:44:00.002+11:00

The silly season is nearly upon us. No, I don't mean Christmas. I'm referring to this hair-brained idea called 'Earth Hour'.Get a load of this drivel from the Earth Hour website:

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call tostand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday. We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take
control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

How switching off your lights for one hour is 'taking control of the future of our planet' is beyond me; as is the whole notion of 'Earth Hour'.

'Earth Hour' is a classic example of people believing anything that makes them feel good. The concept doesn't challenge their intellect, but I guess it is difficult for a vacuum to be challenged.

I happen to like lights. They give me a warm, vibrant feeling. They make me think the world is still running, functioning, living, breathing, thriving. I don't want to be transported back to the 40s, and the days when people turned out their lights and snuffed out their candles for fear a bomb might land in their living room.

Dis-illumination for one hour, or any length of time, is inane and meaningless symbolism. Think about it. What are you going to achieve by turning off your lights? Nothing, save for giving credence to the dills that thought up this concept, and proselytising their cause.

The 'Earth Hour' propagandists want us to "VOTE EARTH". I suggest we all abstain, and get on with life.My own symbolic act will be for me to make sure I have a light burning brightly at 8.30pm on the 28th March.

A glass of red to end the week

2009-03-13T19:44:00.003+11:00

Yes, it was just one glass. Seriously, I am a very moderate drinker. Most 16-year-olds could drink me under the table!

There was a tiny bit of that rare stuff called 'rain' in Hutchville today. Was nothing really to speak of. I dare say what precipitation we received over the last 24 hours would have barely filled a petrie dish. Still, the grey skies and pretty blue moving pixels on the Bureau's website give one cause for hope of more wet stuff to come.

So, one wonders what tidbits of trivial titillation the weekend papers hold? I will sift through them and deliver very soon via this humble blog, my thoughts.

Stay tuned, also, for a regular feature I am developing, that I plan to blog about at the end of each week. It will have nothing to do with politics, but will be about a specific interest of mine; one I know I share with thousands of others the world over!

If you can't read, get off the road!

2009-03-11T12:02:00.003+11:00

Dear all idiot drivers,

This is a STOP sign.

When you are driving and approach an intersection with one of these signs, it means you must STOP DRIVING when you reach the intersection, wait three seconds to make sure no other vehicles are crossing left or right, THEN you move off.

This sign does NOT mean you merrily drive through or turn at the intersection without so much as a decrease in speed; nor does it mean you just have to slow down. It means STOP!! 'STOP', for those of you like the moron in a red Landcruiser in front of me this morning who don't know, means to CEASE MOVING!

The abovementioned idiot might like to note that the penalty in NSW for disobeying a Stop sign is a $243 fine and 3 demerit points. (Road Rules 2008Rule 68 (1)).

I have absolutely no patience for drivers who continually flout this most elementary of traffic laws. They should not be on the road.

Job ads go through the floor

2009-03-10T16:41:00.006+11:00

The latest ANZ job ads survey has found total job advertisements slipped more than 10 per cent in February, the largest recorded monthly fall since 1999.

When I was handing out Liberal how-to-vote cards at the federal election the November before last, a bloke approached me and I offered him a leaflet, to which he replied, "no, mate - Kevin 07."

"Kevin 07, no job 08", I heckled back.

Little did I realise what a self-fulfilling prophesy that comment was.

Next time, I'll just be sticking with the party slogan!

Costello leads Turnbull

2009-03-10T08:47:00.004+11:00

According to a Newspoll survey conducted for The Australian, Peter Costello is the preferred Liberal Party leader, over incumbent Malcolm Turnbull.

I won't post quotes from the statistically overladen article, as you would all fall asleep. But, for those of you who enjoy percentages, here is the link.

Costello has always been my choice for Leader of the Liberal Party. He was my choice about four years ago, but I digress.

Malcolm Turnbull is immensely capable, but I think the thing he lacks most is experience. This is beginning to show in that by now he should have put on the table what he and the Liberals would do to steer Australia out of this economic crisis.

After 11 years as Treasurer and four (I think) as shadow treasurer, Peter Costello has the runs on the board.

I have no inside information, but I think there will be a change in Liberal Party leadership before the end of the year, with phone calls beginning in earnest around the time of the May Budget...although, with the result of this poll today, I wouldn't be surprised if they have started already.

A nice tune to end the day

2009-03-09T21:07:00.003+11:00

This great song is called Rock & Roll by Eric Hutchinson. Very cool tune. Writing catchy pop songs is sadly a dying art. Nice to see it being kept alive here by this talented guy from NYC.

Julia is spitting chips

2009-03-09T14:40:00.006+11:00

There must be something in the watercoolers in the Ministerial Wing at Parliament House.

It's deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard's turn now, to launch a diatribe against Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberal Party, in regards to the Opposition's position on the new IR Laws currently before parliament.

Gillard:

The political party in the Australian Parliament that is
spitting in the face of the Australian people and refusing to recognise that mandate is the Liberal Party with Mr Turnbull dithering on one side, looking over his shoulder to see what Mr Costello is going to say to him next.

Take a chill-pill, Julia.

Using such vitriolic language, rather than endearing people to your cause, only makes swinging voters see you as angry and divisive.

When attack is really praise

2009-03-09T10:55:00.009+11:00

There is much frothing at the mouth amongst the ALP and a few media hacks at the moment.

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull wrote a very intelligent article in the Weekend Australian, in which he, inter alia, congratulated Kevin Rudd and his wife, Therese Rein, on their success.

In the article, Turnbull, quite reasonably, criticised Kevin Rudd on his hypocrisy in mocking Turnbull for being wealthy, and to attack the "neo-liberalism" by which Rudd's own family has obviously benefited.

Malcolm Turnbull did not attack Therese Rein, as has been breathlessly, and oh so predictably reported.

This is what Turnbull said:

I congratulate the Rudds, especially Therese Rein, on their success.

Some 'attack'.

The ALP, Kevin Rudd, Craig Emerson, Glenn Milne and any other moron who thinks a congratulatory remark by the leader of the opposition to the wife of the prime minister constitutes an 'attack' on her, should get over themselves. I'm sick of them.

Potty-mouth Kevin

2009-03-09T10:27:00.003+11:00

Last night on national TV, Kevin Rudd said "shit", then quickly corrected himself.

Cynics are saying that the cussing was premeditated to show that Rudd is one of the boys.

Prime Ministers should have the presence of mind to use temperate - i.e. 'clean' langauge when the mircophone is on.

Rudd is as contrived as they come, and I don't believe his scatalogical vocabulary was as accidental as Rudd and his hangers-on would have us believe.

New Look

2009-03-09T10:23:00.002+11:00

I thought I would give The Hutch a new look. Along with the new livery, I hope to post more reguarly than I have been.

Vale Ivan Cameron

2009-02-26T09:07:00.004+11:00

Ivan Cameron, the six-year-old disabled son of British Conservative Leader, David Cameron, has died in hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

I extend my personal condolences to Mr Cameron, his wife Samantha, and children Nancy and Arthur.

Remembering will become a kinder thing once time has passed.

Katich goes for the jugular

2009-02-06T14:32:00.004+11:00

Story emerged today (amazingly it only emerged today as the incident occurred a month ago) of an altercation between Australian Cricket batsman Simon Katich, and team vice captain, Michael Clarke.

The pair had to be separated by stunned teammates when Katich grabbed
Clarke by the throat during an argument over the singing of the team song.

In spite of the fact I do not condone violence, this story made me smile, because Clarke happens to be my least favourite Australian sportsman by the width of Bass Strait. So...couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke? Yeah, something like that.

The Greens and Independents should block Rudd's "stimulus" package

2009-02-06T08:00:00.004+11:00

PM Kevin Rudd and his Treasurer, Wayne Swan, by announcing this week a $42 billion "stimulus" or "nation building and jobs plan"... call it what you will, have, in a couple of fell swoops, wiped out 13 years of economic discipline by the Howard/Costello Liberal coalition government.

Rudd's stimulus package represents a $40 billion turnaround in the federal budget, with a budget deficit of $22.5 billion forecast for this financial year.

Key measures of this package include:

- Free ceiling insulation for around 2.7 million Australian homes
- Build or upgrade a building in every one of Australia’s 9,540 schools
- Build more than 20,000 new social and defence homes
- $950 one off cash payments to eligible families, single workers, students, drought effected farmers and others
- A temporary business investment tax break for small and general businesses buying eligible assets
- Significantly increase funding for local community infrastructure and local road projects

Most of these measures are laughable, piecemeal and poorly targeted.

Make no mistake, if this knee-jerk legislation is passed, Australians will be paying back this debt for the next twenty years - at least. What a great legacy by this Labor government. Still, at least they are true to form.

Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull has it completely correct when he says that tax cuts and targeted infrastructure spending would have been the more prudent solution.

I believe a national infrastructure project such as a very fast train linking Sydney to Canberra and Melbourne is crucial, not to mention about 15 years overdue.

A VFT project will generate jobs, and, once finished, enable commuters to purchase affordable housing and have a better quality of life in towns outside of the Sydney and Melbourne basins. The resulting economic and social benefits to these communities can't be overestimated.

If the answer is giving people a $950 handout, then the question must have been "how can we ensure people - especially those who were too young to remember the hole we caused in the late 80s and early 90s - will vote for us at the next election." I would encourage any young person to look up a bit of political history to see just what a basket case Peter Costello inherited in 1996.

Rewarding political largesse is not something I support. Malcolm Turnbull, to his credit, doesn't either.

The phrase "crash landed" should be obliterated, once and for all

2009-01-16T16:37:00.007+11:00

Time for a rant.

By now you will have heard about the A320 that ditched into the Hudson River in New York this morning (Australian time).

As someone with an abiding interest in planes and airports, I tip my lid to the pilot who did a brilliant job of safely landing his aircraft on the water.

Read the italicised words in that last paragraph again.

It drives me absolutely bonkers when I read and hear people saying that a plane "crash landed".

Aircraft do NOT "crash land". They either crash OR they land. Occasionally they crash AFTER landing. This one safely ditched (landed) on the water. It did not CRASH! I am not being pedantic, I am being accurate. The argument that it must have "crashed" because it needs to be reparied or replaced before it can be used again is just ridiculous.

Once again the media live by the addage of never letting the truth spoil a sensational headline.

Yuletide Felicitations

2008-12-24T17:15:00.004+11:00

I realise that for many people, 2008 has been a bit of a pooey year. I guess we have to take the good with the bad. There are always folk worse off than us, however, and we should think about them at this time of the year.

Let us hope 2009 contains blessings and uplifting moments for us all.

So, as the lights come on on Christmas eve in Australia; may the sparkling eyes and smiling face of the new-born baby Jesus give us everlasting joy, and remind us of our new birth in Him.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Americans give (our) Rove a job - they must be mad

2008-12-24T16:51:00.003+11:00

Australian "comedian" (I use the word advisedly) Rove McManus, has apparently landed a gig on prime time US TV. I said it on November 4, and I'll say it again now: God help America. I might also add: what were they thinking?!

The fact that in Australia McManus is a multiple Logie (Emmy equivalent) award-winning personality, testifies more to the dearth of talent in the field of light entertainment in Australia, than it does to McManus' abilities.

Men's Style Australia magazine, in its October 2005 issue, commented on McManus' Aussie TV show at the time, Rove Live:

Variety at its vomitous nadir. Rove Live is big stars answering weak questions badly asked, strung together with charades, chintz and banal chiackery. A national embarrassment.

A resounding 'hear, hear' from me.

Apparently Alan Jones' home is a private hospital

2008-12-22T10:27:00.003+11:00

My best wishes to 2GB's Alan Jones as he recovers from brain surgery, undertaken last week at a private Sydney hospital; NOT where reported in the The Daily Telegraph today:

Alan Jones will be taking it entirely easy for the next month as he recovers from brain surgery at his Southern Highlands home.

I'm Back

2008-12-22T10:13:00.002+11:00

Well, actually, I haven't been away, but I have been think of way to re-jig this blog. I will give it some thought over the coming weeks.

In the meantime, in keeping with the mood of the season, I will post little tidbits of non-serious stuff.

Congratulations New Zealand!

2008-11-09T10:05:00.008+11:00

Following the New Zealand general election last night, Mr John Key, a 47-year-old, millionaire former currency trader became New Zealand's first conservative Prime Minister in ten years. Proving, mercifully, that sanity still prevails among voters in an English-speaking country.

Any inference of irony in the last sentence is subjective on your part, and was unintended on mine!

Why did the Republicans lose the election?

2008-11-05T17:46:00.005+11:00

For a start, take a look at the guy at the top of the GOP ticket.

Now, don't get me wrong - I admire John McCain; and he wasn't the only reason they lost.

McCain has been a wonderful servant of his nation in peace and in war. He wanted to do what is right for the American people by serving as their President. Whilst he must shoulder some blame for not winning the Presidency, it was, as I said, by no means entirely his fault.

Whilst I'm talking about blame, I want any liberal or faux-conservative who is reading this to expunge from their mind immediately any notion that the Republicans lost this election because McCain chose Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, to be his running mate. Without Palin, McCain might have won Oklahoma, but precious little else. His choice of running mate was inspired. The GOP's choice of Presidential candidate, however, was not. And it is the GOP at whose feet the carcass of this election campaign now lies.

I refuse to believe that there is such a paucity of talent in the Republican party that it thought its best chance of winning was with a (then) 71-year-old Senator from Arizona. For all his graces, experience, and wartime service, he was, throughout this campaign, immensely uninspiring. Sure, he tried to rouse the faithful with his "stand up and fight" mantra - but it was never going to cut it.

In a perfect world, McCain should have won this election despite his shortcomings. But the final result vindicates my belief that voters are naive and easily conned. Any savvy they have sadly does not extend to understanding political philosophies and ideologies. For such people, personality will always win over political substance. This, however, is by no means a trait exclusive to American voters; my own country, in its last federal election in November 2007, is case in point. And Australians are already asking themselves what on earth it was they did twelve months ago.

After any election defeat - for whichever is the vanquished party - there will always be cries that their time is over, or this is the end for such-and-such.

This, of course, is utter garbage. Defeats, whilst unpleasant for a team's members and supporters, are often the only time parties can take stock, and do some soul-searching.

It was always going to be a tough ask to get the GOP across the line when it has already had eight years in power; but, elections are cyclical things. Political parties change like the seasons, and the Republicans' time will again come.

One saving grace out of all this is that John McCain has drawn back the curtain on a shining Alaskan star. And for that, all Republicans should be forever grateful to him.

A song for Conservative supporters everywhere

2008-11-05T15:53:00.004+11:00

Sarah cracks a funny on the stump

2008-11-04T20:03:00.002+11:00

Such a cool video. She just rocks!

The media in Australia can't hide their excitement (for BHO)

2008-11-04T19:21:00.006+11:00

Yet again, Channel 9 news (along with the rest of the Australian media) is having trouble countenancing a possible Republican win tomorrow, viz this commentary at the end of a story tonight on the US election:

ANCHOR (Mark Ferguson)...Peter, with so many yet to vote, I guess there's even more travelling ahead for Senator McCain?
REPORTER (Peter Stefanovic) Senator McCain votes tomorrow morning, Mark, and then he has two campaign stops in two other US states. His running mate, Sarah Palin, will then head to Anchorage in Alaska and cast her vote - and the two will meet here (Arizona) tomorrow evening for a speech - which is expected to be a concession speech - but, Mark, this is US politics, and anything can happen.

I suppose it was nice of him to add that little caveat at the end - most don't bother. Let's hope anything does happen, and, when it does, I will be emailing a letter (all of six words) to the editor of The Australian newspaper as soon as the magic 270 number comes up for the Republicans. I can't wait!

A final Appeal to American voters

2008-11-03T06:22:00.007+11:00

I know you guys have been able to vote for a while now in this election, but, for those of you who haven't been to a polling booth yet, please remember what is at risk here.

At every election you will hear pundits tell you that "this is the most important election we have ever faced" - almost to the extent where that phrase has lost any impact it ever had. But, that saying should have impact now, because it is very apt for this Presidential election.

I have already written why I think John McCain is deserving of your vote.

I will simply say here, have courage, America.

Have the courage to vote for substance over populism.

And have faith that your fellow countrymen and women will realise what is at risk at this election, and will vote with courage also.

Channel 9 (Australia) to take US election coverage

2008-10-31T09:42:00.011+11:00

Apparently Channel 9 will be covering the US election from 11am (EDST) Wednesday November 5. I am not sure whether they will be taking the feed from one of their affiliates (ABC or NBC) or if it will be their own panel. Whatever their forum, it will be biased in favour of the Messiah, of course. If it gets too tendentious I will mute the coverage and just watch the electoral college ticker.

At this stage I don't know if other Aussie free-to-air channels are taking the US election, although I would imagine SBS will, seeing as they took all the debates live.

UPDATE

I can confirm that from 11am on 5 November, Channel 9 will be covering the US elections.

I just saw Nine's news with their US reporter Robert Penfold reporting (from an Obama rally - naturally) and yet again dismissing McCain's chances of winning because of another "bad" poll. One poll. As I have said numerous times on this blog, polls are meaningless, except the one on election day.

While such biased reporting continues to burn my onion, I refuse to let my confidence in a McCain/Palin victory be assuaged or diminished by the bleatings of this country's left wing, guilt-ridden media.

We should be thankful for pro-life Gov Sarah Palin

2008-10-29T21:10:00.006+11:00

This extract is the last paragraph of an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, by Marjorie Dannenfelser - president of a nationwide network of pro-life Americans dedicated to advancing pro-life women in the political process, and co-founder of Team Sarah, a national grassroots effort in support of Sarah Palin's vice presidential candidacy.

The whole article is superb, but this paragraph is an excellent summary:

In the next few days, the women of America may have to work hard to hear Palin's voice. They will have to strain to focus on ignoring the media filter and intense anger and exclusionary politics of some on the left; persevere before it is too late. Palin's leadership brings with it great heart and profound respect for life and the ingenuity of every individual. She brings a fresh perspective that America needs.

Obama in his own words - thanks to Foxnews.com

2008-10-29T20:47:00.005+11:00

The impact he will have on the world should, God forbid, he get elected, would be too chilling to contemplate.

US Electoral Votes '08 - Fearless Prediction

2008-10-25T08:31:00.011+11:00

What's a US election without a bit of fun with the electoral college, huh?!

I mentioned on an earlier post that I would blog my prediction as to the outcome of the US elections. I am doing so now, a little earlier than I had planned, but, seeing as voting has already commenced, I might as well put my money where my mouth is.

I am having trouble uploading the image of my completed red and blue map of the USA, so I will give you the states' names, together with the number of electoral college votes for that state.

As previously mentioned, my predictions are not based on any polls, but on gut instinct from thousands of articles and blogs viewed in the past couple of months, and past voting patterns.

I believe strongly that in this election a far greater number of states are "in play" than polling would have us believe, which is why a couple of states that I predict will be in the red column will surprise a few people.

So, without further ado, here are The Hutch's fearless predictions for each camp, starting with the Blue corner:

Democrat states won (prediction):
Hawaii 4
Oregon 7
California 55
Minnesota 10
Iowa 7
Wisconsin 10
Illinois 21
Michigan 17
Pennsylvania 21
New York 31
Vermont 3
Massachusetts 12
Connecticut 7
Rhode Island 4
New Jersey 15
District of Columbia 3
Delaware 3
Maryland 10
for a total electoral college of 240.

And, in the Red corner
Republican states won (prediction):
Alaska 3
Washington 11
Idaho 4
Nevada 4
Arizona 10
Utah 5
Montana 3
Wyoming 3
Colorado 9
New Mexico 5
North Dakota 3
South Dakota 3
Nebraska 5
Kansas 6
Oklahoma 7
Texas 34
Missouri 11
Arkansas 6
Louisiana 9
Mississippi 6
Alabama 9
Georgia 15
Florida 27
South Carolina 8
North Carolina 15
Tennessee 11
Kentucky 8
Indiana 11
Ohio 20
West Virginia 5
Virginia 13
New Hampshire 4
Maine 4
for a total electoral college of 298.

So, my final prediction is Republican 298, Democrat 240.

Don't say you weren't told, now!

The Hutch endorses John McCain

2008-10-22T19:15:00.007+11:00

It will come as no surprise to readers of The Hutch that this blog endorses John McCain to become the 44th President of the United States of America.

What groundswell of support there is for Senator Barack Obama to become the next President, appears to be based on three main tenets: 1) he is a fresh face; 2) he is charismatic; and 3) he is not George Bush. Correct though these points may be, they are by no means sufficient reason to entrust Senator Obama with the keys to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Indeed, should the American people appreciate these aforementioned attributes to such an extent that they are unable to see beyond them come the first Tuesday in November, then I truly fear for the future of that great country, and the consequences for the rest of the world. America, it is not too late to wake up!

Now, more than ever, the United States needs a President with a proven track record; an experienced and gutsy politician; a leader who will prove a master-mentor to his second-in-command.

John McCain is a safe pair of hands - a steady, knowledgable rock in these times of economic uncertainty. Oh, sure, I have no doubt he and Gov Palin will shake up the establishment where it's needed. I know Washington won't be looking forward to that, but I certainly am.

Elections are serious business. Contrary to what cynics might think, elections are not popularity contests. They are not American Idol for politicians. This is not the time for the most powerful country in the world to choose as its leader someone with zero executive experience - a populist politician, yet whose resume is thinner than rice paper.

Senator Obama's extreme left-wing, anti-capitalist, Marxist ideologies will, if supported by Congress, do incalculable harm to the USA, let alone the rest of the world.

Senator Obama wants to spread the wealth around. Yet the only way to spread the wealth around is to employ people - not what Senator Obama's tax policy will achieve, indeed, under the best traditions of socialism, rather than stimulating job growth, Obama's is a tax and spend welfare scheme. A scheme that will have the 30 to 40 percent of Americans who pay no tax rubbing their hands together while wondering where to put their second Plasma TV.

John McCain is a man of substance and ability. His opponent is a man of unproven potential. John McCain is a man of principle and courage. His opponent is a man of questionable associations, both in the US and abroad.

Senator John McCain is the man for the times. Governor Sarah Palin will one day be the future.

From this great south island nation, this humble blogger respectfully implores his friends 'across the pond' to endorse John McCain on November 4.

The United States of America, and rest of the free world, are not ready for the type of presidency Barack Hussein Obama would bring; and may it always be ever thus.

NSW By-election results

2008-10-19T17:50:00.006+11:00

I managed to pick the result of three out of four by-elections. Which ain't bad. Lakemba and Cabramatta will be held by Labor but with swings against it of 12 and 23% respectively. Ryde has a new member - a Liberal - the first time in 20 years a Liberal has won a seat off the Labor party in NSW.

Unfortunately, I underestimated how un-politically savvy the voters of Port Macquarie are, where they exercised their democratic right and voted in an Independent. That result could have been mitigated if the NSW Liberals had the balls to pre-select a candidate, instead of cow-towing to the National Party - a party who are fast becoming irrelevant, both statewide and nationally.

With the exception of local government, where they can actually do some good by putting party politics to one side, I have absolutely no time for Independents and their obscurantist agendas.

ACT Election result

2008-10-19T11:02:00.005+11:00

The pundits seem to think that the outcome of the ACT election held yesterday will be 7 Labor members, 7 Liberal and 3 Greens (compared to the old Assembly of 9 Labor, 6 Liberals, 1 Green and 1 Independent). I personally think that scenario is too neat, and, in the final wash-up, is more likely to be either one fewer Green plus one Independent, or one fewer Liberal and one extra Green. In other words, 7,7,2,1 or 7,6,4. Much will depend, of course, on the distribution of preferences as to who gets the final couple of spots.

UPDATE

Sunday 26 October, 2008

The final result of the ACT election is 7 Labor, 6 Liberal and 4 Greens, vindicating my thoughts that 7,7,3 was too glib a prediction. The leaders of the ALP and the Liberals parties are still in talks with the Greens as to which of the major parties will (with The Greens' support) form government.

I had the misfortune of listening to Jon Stanhope's election night speech on the radio. Stanhope's pitiful attempt at self-mockery during his speech in relation to what he thinks is his so-called "perceived arrogance" by some voters, achieved nothing; except to confirm to me, and I suspect many others, that, on this issue, what he thinks some voters perceive and what actually is, are one and the same.

John Howard once famously said "Canberrans live like Double Bay, but vote like Cessnock." As evidenced by the outcome yesterday, Howard was spot on - again.

The fact that the ALP in Canberra received a swing against them of more than 9 percent is encouraging. That most of this vote spillage went to The Greens, is not.

I think Zed Seselja is a shining light in the ACT Liberal Party, and I have no doubt he will be Chief Minister one day. That the Liberals couldn't garner more votes is no fault of his.

The ALP produced some of the most inaccurate, vicious, carping and bilious advertisements during this campaign that I have ever heard. The Liberals were totally outspent in this regard. Where they could not respond in volume, the Liberals should have made up for in content. Specifically, marketing themselves better, and attacking the ALP more strategically, especially in relation to Stanhope's arrogance (real, not perceived), lack of community consultation, school and medical centre closures, to name a mere few.

Whilst Canberrans have registered a protest vote against the most left-wing government and Labor leader in the country, instead of using their protest vote wisely to vote for a fresh, vibrant alternative in the Liberals, they voted for The Greens - a loopy outfit - no doubt disciples of Al Gore and his Marxist-environmental cult. Will these over-educated, guilt-ridden, eco-fascist voters ever see the light? Is there any hope for the world?

Meanwhile however, if you are an aspiring Labor politician, there is no easier place in the country to get elected to government than in the ACT.

They say you get the government you deserve. Election after election, Canberrans prove that adage, beautifully.

SHOCK: Someone in the media reckons McCain won the 3rd debate!!

2008-10-16T21:21:00.006+11:00

For those of you, like boring old me, who watched the final Presidential debate today (my time), you would also, no doubt, have taken an interest in who the media said won it. I'm not implying that you would have taken any notice of what the media said of course, merely that you took a passing interest!

It should come as no surprise to any of us that 95% of the fourth estate gave victory to Senator ~~Government~~ Obama. Reading some comments on the net today I have come to the conclusion that the MSM and the rest of the neanderthal left would have given the debate to Obama had he not even turned up!

Regarding the outcome of the debate, one surprising dissenting voice comes from Mark Halperin. I say surprising, because he is writing for Time magazine, no less.

Here is the article.

3rd and final Presidential Debate

2008-10-16T15:12:00.009+11:00

Hofstra University, New York: John McCain finally found his mojo, came alive, and kicked serious arse tonight in the third and final Presidential Debate. About time. Will it be too little too late? I hope not.

Some great lines from McCain:

any mention of "Joe the Plumber"

"Senator Government" - a wonderful slip of the tongue when referring to Senator Obama.

"I'm not President Bush. If you wanted to run against Bush you should have run four years ago."

The blogosphere is telling me that the MSM (mainstream media) in America is calling Obama the winner. That is complete, unadulterated heifer dust, as my old GP used to say. McCain wiped the floor with Obama. It was McCain's best debate performance by far. He was punchy, aggressive, spoke TO the American people, and didn't take any of Obama's BS.

US writer, Paul Goodman - although a 60s lefty - got it correct when he said:

The organisation of American society is an ...snip... electorate notoriously unenlightened, misled by a mass media notoriously phoney.

It gives me shivers just thinking about what the hysterical mass media will do when McCain wins on November 4.

Elections in Canberra and NSW this weekend

2008-10-14T20:29:00.010+11:00

Several elections are being held this Saturday across NSW and the ACT.

In the state of New South Wales, there are four by-elections being held concurrently in the electorates of Lakemba, Cabramatta, Ryde and Port Macquarie; and the Australian Capital Territory are holding elections on the same day. A veritable psephological smorgasbord.

In New South Wales the ruling Labor (ALP) government (left wing) has suffered a string of stuff-ups so long it would stretch from Sydney to Hawaii. Nevertheless, the ALP remains favourite to hold the seat of Lakemba, (which it currently holds with a 34% margin), and Cabramatta (29%). I am expecting the Liberal (right wing) party to do better in Cabramatta than Lakemba, but it would take a boilover bigger than you would find at the Southern Portugal Seafood Hotpot Festival for the Libs to take either seat. Kudos to the Liberal party for even fielding candidates in Lakemba and Cabramatta - the two safest ALP electorates in the state.

In Port Macquarie, the contest is between the Nationals (the Liberals' coalition partner) and Independents. Labor is not standing a candidate. Anything could happen here, but I expect the National candidate to scrape home, thanks mainly to the fact they are not (to be the best of my knowledge) exchanging preferences. Port Macquarie has an Independent-heavy field, and one candidate in particular has attracted support of some disaffected Liberal Party supporters, apparently because the Libs chose not to field a candidate of their own. I can understand why that would have pissed off some Liberals, but I can't quite fathom the logic of supporting an Independent over the Nationals for that reason alone. They need to ask themselves whose side they are actually on.

In the northwestern Sydney electorate of Ryde, currently held by Labor with a 10% margin, the government is in a worse position than New Orleans, with the tide of public opinion looking set to deluge the seat and deliver it quite comfortably to the Liberal party. I expect a swing to the Liberals of between 15 and 20 percent.

The election to be held in the ACT is a different kettle of fish entirely - different issues, different parties and a very different voting system to NSW - and too complicated for me to expatiate about here, besides, it's getting late! Suffice to say, the contest in the ACT is between Labor, the Liberals (the Nationals are a non-entity in the ACT, hence the Liberals are a stand-alone party) and The Greens. The ALP are the governing party in the ACT, led by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, aka Jon Hopeless or (my favourite) Stan NoHope. The Liberals are led by Zed Seselja and I don't think The Greens have a leader, although a bloke called Rattenbury seems to be its chief spokesman. Living within an hour's drive of the ACT, I get all of Canberra's TV and radio stations, hence I am bombarded with the most trite and nauseating political advertising you will ever likely see or hear. Those of you who have not experienced these commercials and the incessant, vacuous bleating of overpaid clerks masquerading as political candidates, do not realise how blessed you are. I don't care who wins, as long as Stan NoHope does not. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he makes George W Bush look like the world president of Toastmasters. A man (Stanhope) for whom the saying '...whose whole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others', seems very appropriate.

US Election - Prediction?

2008-10-09T18:43:00.005+11:00

If you are wondering if I will be making a prediction re the US election, the answer is 'you betcha!' But you will have to wait a little while. Although I have a pretty fair idea in my own mind of what the outcome will be, some tweaking of the electoral map will be necessary up until early November. There are a couple of states that are not exactly on everyone's radar, and which I will be looking at rather closely.

I will not be basing my prediction on polls, as they are notoriously inaccurate and skewed on a variety of fronts. When you have a country as big and as disparate as America, and with the vote in many states being pretty evenly split between Democrat and Republican, relying on polling data is a nightmare.

This is why I - along with tens of thousands of others - will be basing my prediction on nothing more than a combination of gut instinct and past voting patterns, especially where those patterns appear to be cyclical.

Psephology is an inaccurate science. Psephologists might disagree with me on that, but show me one who is right 100% of the time. In any case, it is not a subject that someone as partisan as I can do much with, other than have a bit of fun.

So stay tuned for my prediction in the dying days of this campaign!

My friends, I don't know who won the 2nd Presidential debate

2008-10-08T18:27:00.005+11:00

Unfortunately I didn't see the debate, as I was in the car. But thankfully (probably not the most apt choice of words) ABC News Radio took it live off the dish from Nashville.

I don't know who won, and I don't care - because I don't think it's relevant. I mean, no one (at least, no one with a brain) will be voting on November 4, and asking themselves prior to voting, 'now gosh darn it, who won the second debate, 'cos that's who I'm gonna vote for.' It just doesn't happen like that.

But I will say this: John McCain's people need to have a very loud word in whichever ear he hears best out of, and tell him to can the expression 'my friends'. The first couple of times during the debate it was endearing and folksy, but, by the twenty-eighth time he used it, it just got grating, condescending, and left me thinking that he couldn't think of anything else to say.

At this point that's all I have to say!

Yes, take the gloves off - and where Palin should go next

2008-10-06T16:40:00.006+11:00

Gov. Sarah Palin wants to take the gloves off. She wants John McCain to take the gloves off.

Good idea!

But, with such a left-wing, inexperienced, rhetorical opponent, with extremely questionable past associations, why were the gloves ever on in the first place?

McCain has withdrawn campaign resources from Michigan, i.e. he's conceded the state to BHO. Big mistake! But Palin wants to go there with her first dude and talk to the people in the factories.

She should do just that.

And after Michigan, Palin should do rallies in Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota & North Carolina. And throw in some left-fielders (pun intended) like Washington (state), Maine, Massachusets and New Mexico. I have always been a firm believer in candidates putting in appearances in (what appears to be) their opponents' territory. The benefits are twofold: It keeps your opponents guessing, and helps firm up your own support base in that state. It can also, believe it or not, sway some swinging voters. That's why I think Palin's appearance in California this week was a good thing. I actually hope she gets back there before the election.

In short, Palin needs to visit as many teetering states as possible before November 4. Memo to her campaign managers: if she wants to, let her!!

Palin clinches debate

2008-10-03T13:43:00.011+10:00

I watched the debate. At the end, for me (and I know we're a tad biased here - but rightly so!) it was 60/40 Palin.

She was sensational. Poised, calm, folksy and, more importantly, made sure Biden didn't hit any homers.

Poor old Joe looked like he aged ten years in 90 minutes!

Many commentators have said that Palin is the new Reagan.

On April 13, 1998, Time magazine ran a special edition entitled: 'Leaders and Revolutionaries'. Reagan, appropriately, was featured in the 20 profiles in that edition.

Peggy Noonan, Reagan's special assistant and speechwriter, wrote the article, including the following:

Reagan didn't become President to preach some
ego-centric sense of personal destiny...he wanted the presidency so that he could do big things.

John McCain, in deciding to 'tap' Sarah Palin, clearly thought the Alaskan Governor was destined to do big things too. From tonight's debate performance, we should all be glad for McCain's genius and foresight.

The McCain team now must use Sarah a whole lot more on the campaign.

The fight is not over yet, folks.

Ronny is smiling down, I'm sure. Let's hope and pray he can celebrate with the angels - and the rest of us - on November 4.

First-year uni students to be taught basic grammar

2008-10-01T19:08:00.010+10:00

This story from news.com.au made me weep.

Australia's Monash University is about to begin teaching its first-year students basic grammar - grammar they should have been taught in school, but weren't. How could they have learnt it in school, when their teachers were just as clueless on the difference between a noun and a verb?

Monash lecturer Caron Dann said the majority of her 500 students in communication were strangers to English grammar.

Marking essays, I discovered the majority had no
idea how to use apostrophes, or any other punctuation for that matter; that
random spelling was in and sentence construction out.

Argh!!!! I could see this coming.......

About half thought plurals were formed
by adding an apostrophe-s, as in apple's and banana's.

Canberra Airport - Up, up and aw......wait a minute!

2008-10-01T18:24:00.007+10:00

I am a big fan of Canberra Airport - and airports generally (long story.)

The Canberra Times reports that plans for the AUD$250M airport terminal redevelopment at Canberra are on hold indefinitely (I hate the word 'indefinitely'.)

UPDATE

I have just seen the local Canberra news on TV, and apparently the story isn't as doomsday-ish as reported in the Canberra Times (now, why doesn't that surprise me?)

It seems that the airport's plan is to delay the start of the new terminal building - for the time being - but hope to commence building before Christmas. Excellent news! Canberra desperately needs a new airport terminal.

In the same news report, airport general manager, Stephen Byron, clarifies the reason for the delay:

...now is not the time to be starting a project
when you're not sure that the debt market is going to let you finish it.

The Costello Memoirs: A Reader's Lament

2008-09-28T15:52:00.006+10:00

I purchased a copy of 'The Costello Memoirs' last week - a couple of days after the book was launched by Peter Costello and the book's co-author, Peter Coleman.

Almost as soon as the book hit the stores it was discounted dramatically from its RRP of $55.00. In fact, the day I bought mine, I checked out Borders, Big W and Angus & Robertson, and all of those chains had it on discount. Big W, where I got mine, being the cheapest at $32.00.

Peter Costello was the longest serving Australian federal treasurer in this country's history.

He was deputy leader of the Liberal (Conservative) Party from 1996 to 2007 and treasurer for the same period.

Costello was one of only three politicians to serve in the same position for the entire eleven-year reign of the Howard government - the other two being John Howard as Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party, and Alexander Downer as Foreign Affairs minister.

Not many politicians write their memoirs whilst still in parliament, even fewer can do so with the experience of eleven years in the same position in the second-most important role in government.

So it was with anticipation that I started reading 'The Costello Memoirs.'

The book is full of interesting anecdotes and enlightening behind-the-scenes machinations, but it is let down by errors of chronology and rushed editing. The book jumps around all over the shop in places, and at times left me wondering if someone had moved my bookmark.

Mike Steketee in his review in 'The Australian', rather kindly referred to the editing as 'inadequate'.

Considering Costello's humour and gift for entertaining speeches, I found the book disappointingly dry, and a bit of a tedious read (not exactly what I would call a 'page-turner'.)

A work such as this by one of the most prominent Conservative politicians of the last 20 years should have been deserving of much tighter - and less rushed - editing. Editing that allowed for the author's wit and engaging personality to shine through, whilst ensuring the integrity of the chronology of events.

I hope these things are addressed in Volume 2!

I give the book 6/10 - for political afficionados and aspiring treasurers only.

What caused the subprime crisis

2008-09-28T15:39:00.005+10:00

A fascinating look at the financial crisis in the US and the real reasons behind it. Great video! I hope my American friends watch!

Corny but amazing

2008-09-26T19:38:00.003+10:00

If I'd not seen this I wouldn't have believed it - the things you can do with a GPS and a John Deere tractor...!

Rudd sends UN to sleep

2008-09-26T12:39:00.010+10:00

Kevin Rudd, Australian Prime Minister and minister for bewildering neology, made his debut speech to the United Nations yesterday.

Here is a sample of why most of the UN's members will be hoping Rudd doesn't deliver an encore:

The global financial crisis of today presents us
afresh with a critical opportunity to act comprehensively and collectively for
the long term - rather than selectively and separately for the short.

I'm serious - he actually said that. (I don't know what being vertically challenged has to do with international finance, though!)

It gets better (I mean worse):

What we have seen in financial markets should
bring home to us all that the central organising principle of this 21st century
is interdependence.

For the century just past, interdependence may
have been one option among many.

For the century that is to come, there is no
longer an alternative.

Interdependence is not the expression of
sentimental idealism.

Instead it is a recognition of the new realism of
our current time.

snip

For what all these things tell us is this: that
interdependence is the new realism of this 21st century.

What this buffoon means is anyone's guess.

Kevin Rudd has once again embarrassed himself and Australia on the world stage by his highfalutin gobbledygook.

It is time someone in DFAT took away this jetsetting fool's diplomatic passport, once and for all!

The Palin Effect

2008-09-26T08:55:00.003+10:00

I found this article by Noemie Emery whilst trawling the net earlier this week. I saved the link, but the link didn't work, so the story took a bit of finding as I couldn't remember its original source or author.

It is long, but well worth reading. A shrewd analysis focusing on the effect of Palin's nomination on the Democrats and Hillary Clinton.

TIME story on David Cameron, UK Conservative leader

2008-09-24T22:16:00.006+10:00

I was browsing through the magazines in my dentist's waiting room today (refreshing to visit a waiting room to find current magazines, let me tell you!) and I came across an article on David Cameron in TIME, entitled: "David Cameron: UK's Next Leader?"

Personally, I don't think the question mark was necessary!

It was a good article. On the' general interest' scale, I'd give it 8 out of ten. For 'balance', I'd give it a 6 - but for the MSM (mainstream media) that's not bad going.

Kevin Rudd: Doing his bit for greenhouse gasses

2008-09-22T08:39:00.009+10:00

The globe-trotting penchant of Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is starting to test the patience of the media, the voters and his own backbench.

His trip to the USA this week means that he has been out of the country for 50 days since becoming Prime Minister last November. In other words, he has spent one in six days overseas since the Australian people made the mistake of electing him.

Naturally the PM needs to travel overseas. But either Rudd doesn't trust his Ministers or senior bureaucrats to do some of this travel on his behalf, or Rudd just wants to get in as much travel as he can, knowing that at the back of his mind there is a possibility he could be a 'oncer' (one-term PM).

If, god spare us, Rudd and his cronies get re-elected in 2010, I predict a dramatic reduction in the amount of overseas travel he does, for he will have done it all during his first term!

I don't mind Rudd spending time out of the country. The problem is he keeps returning to Australia.

More assistants who wouldn't know customer service if they tripped over it

2008-09-21T17:13:00.006+10:00

Just got back from Woolworths.

I was in the grog section buying a six pack. (I've been trying to get a six pack for years, but that's a different blog entirely!)

I digress.

The tattooed, identity-challenged sprig behind the counter had just finished serving the lady in front of me.

He then grabbed my six pack, scanned it, took my $20 note without asking for it and give me the docket - all whilst having a conversation with the lady in front of me!!

He finally interrupted himself and asked me if I wanted a bag. How thoughtful of him. As Woolworths doesn't (yet) charge for plastic bags, I said yes.

As I said in my previous post - I have some sympathy for sales assistants, but not much!

Any wonder.

No, thanks - I don't need a hand!

2008-09-21T12:42:00.005+10:00

I was in the AV section of a well-known, large chain store yesterday, admiring the pictures coming from a bank of plasmas.

Then this young geek came up to me - typical of sales assistants in stores like this - asks all the standard (dumb) questions, but can't respond to the answer.

Him: "Do you need a hand there?"

This question was as superfluous as they come, inferring that I was having difficulty in operating something; when, in reality, I was standing dead still with both hands in my pockets, looking at a Plasma TV!

Me: "No, I'm just looking, thanks."

As self-evident a statement, if ever there was one.

I am never rude to sales assistants, no matter how tempting - I used to be one. I have some sympathy for them. Some, not much.

My answer elicited a look from this dude that could only come from someone who had just been told their souped-up Mitsubishi Lancer had just been broken into.

He didn't say anything. Just gave me this inane look.

He then walked away. As did I.

Why is it that when you want to ask a question you can never find a sales assistant, yet when you only want to browse, they are all over you like a rash?

If anyone can answer that and offer a solution, then they surely deserve the Nobel Prize!

When all is said and done

2008-09-21T12:29:00.005+10:00

I was in my local ABC Shop yesterday enquiring as to whether 'Time Team' was available on DVD (no - damn!), and you know how when you are just browsing and in a world of your own, suddenly the Muzak playing in the store can infiltrate your consciousness. And you think to yourself 'what on earth is that song?'

This happened to me. So I waddled over to the counter to look at the 'CD Now Playing' display.

Turns out I was listening to track 15 of the Mamma Mia Movie Soundtrack.

The song in question - "When All Is Said and Done" - is sung by Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep.

I thought the song was quite melodic in a strangely non-musical way, and I liked some of Mr Brosnan's phrasing. His singing voice has a rough edge to it. I know he is not known (or famous) for his singing voice, and it mightn't have the velvety smoothness of some well-known tenors, but I liked it enough to seriously consider buying the song from iTunes.

Actually, I think I will. Let me put it this way, I would rather listen to a whole CD of Pierce Brosnan than one track of Andrea Bocelli!

Here is the song in question - judge for yourself.

Post-council election gaffe-fest

2008-09-19T18:36:00.009+10:00

It didn't take long.

Hutchville's local rag today lists our new-look council, complete with the three new faces.

In the same story, comes a gem of a quote from a successfully re-elected councillor - a person known to me and whom I quite like, but who really should have taken a look in the mirror before dropping this clanger:

It is a well-balanced council that represents a good
blend...snip

'Well-balanced' my middle ear!

Three (that I know of, could be more) out of the nine councillors are members of the Australian Labor Party (including the councillor who gave the above quote!!), and another is a member of The Greens - an outfit even more left of the ALP. I call that bordering on 'stacked', not 'balanced'.

Now, I know...people will say that party politics should be put to one side in local councils - and I totally agree - but, notwithstanding, to call this council 'well-balanced' is like calling John McCain 'middle-aged'.

NSW Council Elections - Results

2008-09-18T18:46:00.014+10:00

The counting and final distribution of preferences in my LGA (local government area) were finalised today.

Out of 9 vacancies on council, the voters of this LGA have elected three new faces. Personally, that is a disappointingly modest number. I was hoping for at least four.

Of the three new faces, two of them got my vote.

But, out of the six re-elected councillors, only two got the nod from me.

The mood out there last Saturday was decidedly tense. But was it a mood for change? Council had become complacent in many areas, especially in regards to planning, and had made some very strange decisions that were seemingly at odds with council's own previous rulings.

I have spoken to several people since the voting took place, and I know many of these folk shared my concerns, and were also hoping for four or five new faces on council.

We will have to make do with three.

But, with one of the three newbies being a member of The Greens, I think there will be some very interesting debates in council over the next four years.

More praise for Palin

2008-09-18T18:46:00.008+10:00

This time from Greg Craven in The Australian (full article).

snip...the US presidential race suddenly has gone from being a substitute for strong sedatives to the political equivalent of cocaine with an adrenalin
chaser.

Has it ever!

Her appeal is straightforward. Palin is just like the millions of Americans who are going to vote for her. She is cleverer than them, tougher than them, prettier than them, more ruthless than them and at the same time identical to them. Voting for her is like voting for yourself, but after you've died and gone to heaven.

Great article.

Palin revives Republican campaign (7.30 Report)

2008-09-17T22:27:00.003+10:00

Surprisingly balanced story from aunty here (video & transcript at link).

Labor attacks Turnbull for being successful

2008-09-17T20:14:00.006+10:00

Since Malcolm Turnbull's elevation to the Federal Liberal leadership, the predictable character assassinations have begun.

I don't think there is any currency (no pun intended) in the bovver children of the ALP attacking Turnbull for being a very successful, self-made man.

Yes, Turnbull is very wealthy. Money, incidentally, he has made himself - not born into.

But Kevin Rudd is not exactly down to his last twenty bucks either; but you don't hear the coalition criticise Rudd for having more money than the "workers" he and the ALP represent will probably ever have.

Thus, it is disingenuous of the Labor party to attack Turnbull as being unrepresentative of the Australian people because he happens to have made something of himself. It also smacks of double standards.

Both parties should leave the character point-scoring and focus on policy.

Local council election gets passionate

2008-09-17T09:12:00.007+10:00

I was astounded to read in my local newspaper today of a verbal altercation between Hutchville's mayor (standing again for council) and our local state member of parliament (a member of the National Party), as to our local member's right to hand out how-to-vote cards for an Independent candidate for council, who is also a member of the National Party.

I really don't think this is a matter people need to get on their high horse about.

Our MP should be fully entitled to hand out how-to-votes for anyone they like, considering, as my MP said - and it is an important point: there was no National Party ticket line. OK, perhaps our MP should have removed their ID badge. In my view, though, our MP was, for all intents and purposes, assisting at the polling station as a private citizen. They just happen to be our local member.

Our mayor needs to take a cold shower.

As a very interested political observer, I was staggered (not necessarily in a good way) by some of the results of this election. Nevertheless, my hope is that all councillors work together in an unprejudiced manner for the betterment of this wonderful part of the world.

Post Script: I am not a member of the National Party.

Welcome back to Alan Jones on 2GB

2008-09-16T11:47:00.004+10:00

Australia's pre-eminent breakfast broadcaster, Alan Jones, returned to the microphone today after recovering from his prostate cancer operation about two months ago.

I warmly welcome Alan back to the airwaves, and I look forward to his continued righting of the ills of society, political and otherwise.

Turnbull the new leader of the Liberal Party

2008-09-16T09:55:00.006+10:00

Malcolm Turnbull has won the federal Liberal Party leadership from Brendan Nelson by 45 votes to 41. Julie Bishop remains the deputy leader.

I thought Nelson had the numbers. I certainly thought he should have been given a bit longer to prove himself.

If you had asked me three months ago who should be leader of the Libs I probably would have said Turnbull, but, ironically, I have changed my mind.

Regrettably, the person who is, head and shoulders above all others, the best to lead the party, decided not to stand: Peter Costello.

Sister Act

2008-09-15T19:32:00.006+10:00

The Hutch was possibly one of the first blogs to draw the similarities between Sarah Palin and Tina Fey.

Tina Fey's appearance on the weekend on Saturday Night Live, in a skit with 'Hilary Clinton', has gone viral. It confirms my view that Fey is a comic genius.

Watch it here.

Pronouncing Nevada

2008-09-14T21:50:00.006+10:00

A nice little piece on Sarah Palin's visit to Carson City, Nevada, from the Las Vegas Review Journal.

But this excerpt left me scratching my head:

And Palin passed one test that many out-of-state
politicians have failed: correctly pronouncing Nevada.

I was wondering how anyone, let alone Americans, could possibly mispronounce 'Nevada'.

I turns out that many non-Nevadan natives pronounce it with a long first 'a', as in 'nev-AH-da'. The resulting sound is apparently offensive to Nevadans. The first 'a' should actually be short, like in "glad".

Which all strikes me as very odd, because I thought Americans always had an inclination towards the short 'a', such as 'path', compared to our 'pAH-th'; 'bath', 'math', etc. So I just assumed the silver state would be 'nev-adda'.

Turns out I was right.

Here's proof.

The Boring Broadsheet lives up to its name

2008-09-14T17:43:00.009+10:00

This gem in the SMH on Barry Obama. To wit:

Barack Obama seems finally to have hit on a strategy to fight the Sarah Palin phenomenon: sidestep the feisty Republican vice-presidential pick and turn full fire on an "out of touch" John McCain.

I'm not sure which is worse: the SMH for running this article, or the Obamessiah campaign for dreaming it up. Honestly, if this is the best that BHO's disciples can come up with then they might as well start writing their concession speeches now.

I have no intention of giving the Democrats free advice, but it seems obvious that they should be telling voters what they will do if they get elected. Attacking the opposition only makes the public see them as angry and divisive. The fact that they are angry and divisive owes more to history than to this campaign specifically.

From the same article:

But the Democrat is now firing back - branding 72-year-old McCain as an economic illiterate stuck in the pre-internet era...

Appalling, stereotyped and wrong.

McCain is no luddite. He cannot use computers himself because of the torture dished out to him as a POW. From all reports he is a voracious user of the internet, it's just that he needs to get his staff and family to do the searching and typing for him.

Local Council elections

2008-09-12T19:00:00.009+10:00

I wasn't going to write about this, but I've started now, so I may as well continue!

Tomorrow, I, like thousands of others across this pitiful excuse for a state, have to vote in local council elections.

My LGA is boasting a record field of candidates this year, including three Green candidates - the first time ever party politics has encroached into my LGA elections.

I admit to having a somewhat perfunctory view of current council - many councillors have been there too long, and the rest haven't really done very much.

But I wish some of the (new) candidates standing for election had made it clearer to residents of certain barrows they are inclined to push.

One candidate is against a proposed development in the town close to where he lives - a matter he has seen fit to write to the local paper about, but conveniently fails to mention his geographical proximity to said development.

Another candidate is a recidivist left-leaning letter writer to my local paper on matters of utter irrelevance to 95% of the paper's readership. If this particular BOF (boring old fart) gets elected, rather than congratulate him, I will be sending him the bill for the blood pressure medication that I know I will be needing!

I am in a quandary: I'm not sure who I am going to vote for (but I certainly know whose box I won't be numbering.)

I normally look forward to Saturdays. Might have to do a rain check on this one, though!

UPDATE - 14/9/08

At the end of the 1st preference counting, it looks certian that my local council will have its first party-political representative - a Green candidate. Words fail me.

Counting of votes in proportional representational elections is full of complex equations and the final make up of council will not be known until the middle of next week; but it looks certain that my council will have four new faces. That is a good thing. Party politics rearing its ugly head in local council elections is not.

B plus performance from Palin

2008-09-12T11:33:00.008+10:00

I have just seen the first interview by Sarah Palin.

I thought she answered some tough and very wordy questions well, and even managed to throw in the names of the leaders of Iran and Georgia in giving her answers.

She is one impressive lady.

Her no-nonsense approach to Russia and Iran will scare the left witless, as they realise even more that she is no pushover. Those who have compared her to Margaret Thatcher aren't too far off the mark.

Some in the blogosphere said Palin looked nervous. She probably was, but I think a large part of her demeanour and how she came across is due to her chatty and informal persona - something which viewers are only getting a proper look at now.

Many have crticised Charlie Gibson for his questions and the manner and tone in which some of them were asked. To be fair, I cannot comment, as, being from another country, I have little to no experience of Mr Gibson. I will let others pass judgement on him.

A solid, rather than earth-shattering performance from Sarah Palin.

I look forward to the next round.

UPDATE

Having just seen a segment of Palin's interview on the evening news tonight, and with the benefit of a much larger and wider screen, clearer picture and no lip sync delay, I have to say I was even more impressed with her. I still give her a B+ though!

Will he or won't he?

2008-09-11T22:19:00.003+10:00

Peter Costello has, apparently, stated today that he will not be contesting the leadership of the federal Liberal Party, nor will he accept it if it is offered to him.

Um, sorry - but isn't that exactly what he said the day after the election last November?

So, after all the columns of newsprint since then; after all the carpal tunnel claims from frazzled journos are submitted; after all the talk shows are over....I might be a bit thick, but what's new here??? The man said last November that he wouldn't be seeking the leadership of the party! Why in God's name has everyone and anyone been going on in the meantime with all this speculation, when Costello comes out today and has essentially repeated exactly what he said last November?!!

I'm utterly nonplussed.

Having said that, whether he stays in parliament or not, I think it is only reasonable to assume that the speculation as to whether Peter Costello will take the reins of the Liberal leadership will always have oxygen, whilst ever Costello himself is breathing it in.

Greg Sheridan thinks the US election will be close

2008-09-11T21:51:00.006+10:00

An interesting and thorough article here from Greg Sheridan from The Australian, on the vicissitudes of the US electoral process, and the contest between character and celebrity. Well worth a read.

Mr Sheridan boasts of his success in predicting the outcomes of US presidential elections, and believes the red and blue states will remain pretty much as they were for both the 2000 and 2004 elections, and predicting a close, but, nevertheless, BHO victory.

God help the world.

Mr Sheridan's well-reasoned (though frightening) prediction notwithstanding, being an interested observer in elections myself, I would have a little wager on the final result being actually surprisingly clear cut, and some blue states turning a distinct shade of crimson.

Draw your own conclusion on who you think will be sworn in next January.

Do they get any moose in Washington?

How to use the Apostrophe

2008-09-10T13:04:00.007+10:00

Away from politics for a moment now, but no less an important matter, and something very dear to my heart (dear to my heart, because it causes my blood pressure to skyrocket every time I see it done incorrectly - which is frequently), that is, how to use the humble little apostrophe.

This is an indictment on the educational system in this country, but I see the poor apostrophe abused time and time again. It's left out when it shouldn't be, and (worse) included, and used wrongly.

A few examples of incorrect use:

An ad on an employment website asked that CV's be sent....

Walking past a book store last week: non-fiction book's on sale this week

And, one of my favourites in another job ad, this time in a newspaper: Chef's wanted

In each of the three examples above, the apostrophe must be OMITTED. You do not form the plural of a noun by adding an apostrophe and an 's'. Leave the apostrophe out!

The apostrophe has many other uses, some of which I will go into in a later post, but I just want to touch on one final example:

The apostrophe is used in contractions.

A contraction occurs when two words are combined to make one word, and an apostrophe is inserted to take the place of the missing letter or letters, eg, the contraction for we are is we're; you are = you're; it is = it's. A contraction can also refer to the shortening of a word, such as number being contracted to no. But, as no apostrophe is used here we'll (a contraction for we will) move on!

Finally, two words which are often confused are your and you're. Although they are pronounced exactly the same way, they are not alternative spellings of the same word!! Your means belonging to you, and you're is, as I've said, the contraction of you are.

I once received an invitation to a work function which began: your welcome to attend...

Needless to say, I didn't!

Boring headline of the year award

2008-09-09T16:25:00.005+10:00

She's the most talked-about woman in the world at the moment.

She's on the cover this week of half a dozen magazines, including the US, Asia, and South Pacific editions of 'Time'.

Yet, for all the power, grace, guts, determination and intrigue she offers, Time comes up with the blandest, most understated, insipid and plain boring headline I've seen in years.

They may as well have put 'Story about woman from Alaska'.

Thank God Time's sub-editors aren't writing Palin's speeches!

Let's hope for some new lines from Sarah

2008-09-09T09:12:00.005+10:00

There is a lot to admire about Sarah Palin, and also a lot to digest about her; but each time I see a video of her speaking at rallies across America, she seems to be repeating large chunks of her speech from the GOP convention. It was a stunning speech that has earned its place in the annals of American politics, but I'm craving some new material.

I realise there will be some people at each rally who didn't hear her speech in St. Paul, however, with a TV audience of 37 million, I can't imagine it would be all that many.

Charles Gibson from ABC America will interview Palin in Alaska across two days. Apparently the McCain-Palin team has said there have been no discussions about specific interview material and, at this stage anyway, all questions are on the table.

This will give interested observers such as I, a fresh look, and hopefully some new insights, into the person who could be about to become the most powerful woman in the world.

The elites are panic-stricken

2008-09-08T13:46:00.005+10:00

Outstanding article here on Sarah Palin and how all in the left, especially the media, can't work out what's going on. Beautiful stuff!

UPDATE

Another great article here.

Rees off to good start

2008-09-07T18:56:00.004+10:00

The new premier of NSW, Matthew, um, sorry, (how soon we forget) Nathan Rees, has done his requisite shuffling of the deckchairs, and has banished one of the most unpopular ministers in living memory, Frank Sartor, to the backbenches (hooray!)

A chastened (read 'dumbstruck') Mr Sartor reckons he will be missed.

Not by me he won't!

The purging of those with delusional tendencies from government ministries is always a good thing; far better, however, that they never be elevated to such positions in the first place.

Labor gets a thumping in the West. Those holding the BOP shouldn't get big heads

2008-09-07T08:03:00.004+10:00

The Western Australian government of Alan Carpenter got a thumping in the state election last night.
It looks like loosing about eight seats.

Neither the Labor party nor the Libs have enough seats to form government in their own right.

The Nationals look like they could hold the BOP (balance of power).

A while ago, due to some strange cosmic alignment, the Libs and the Nats split in the West.

Whilst in most other states the Liberal and National parties are in coalition, i.e, they vote with each other in parliament, in WA the Nationals are an independent party, and not in a coalition.

The leader of the Nats in WA, Brendan Grylls, is not saying which party his party will support in order to form government, but whichever one it is had better come to the table and meet his demands (totalling about $700 million). Grylls even suggested his party (of 4 in the lower house!) could side with the ALP to form government - which seems utterly ridiculous ... most National voters would rather eat glass than have their elected representatives vote with the Labor party.

I don't think Mr Grylls should get too cocky - or take his supporters for granted.

Interesting times in the West.

Hiking with the next VP of the USA

2008-09-06T13:41:00.007+10:00

Interesting vid here of Sarah Palin and some off-the-cuff comments as she walks with a reporter from the governor's mansion in Juneau to the Capitol building.

Palin comes across as down-to-earth and personable. I'm looking forward to more unscripted moments from her.

Juneau looks like a lovely city with some amazing scenery. I will have to add it to my ever-growing North American "to visit" list.

Dilemma resigns

2008-09-05T22:03:00.004+10:00

Earlier today, Friday, the premier of the state of New South Wales, Morris Iemma, resigned from his job and from parliament, making him the first Labor premier in 117 years to resign.

If only he could have persuaded the rest of his cabinet colleagues to do likewise.

A constitutional anomaly apparently prevents the governor of NSW from sacking this state's incompetent, inept, scandal-ridden government.

In the meantime, the people of NSW have to wait until 2011 before they have the chance to change government at the polls.

I know that in our system of government we have to take the good with the bad, but there really is only so much crap that voters can put up with from their elected officials.

Palin and McCain: The rocker and the crooner

2008-09-05T21:19:00.005+10:00

John McCain's speech to the GOP Convention in St. Paul was a heartfelt call to the people.

If Palin rocked them (and she did); McCain crooned them.

It was not a grandiose speech; nor was it particularly rousing (except for the final 60 seconds).

But it showed the character of an extraordinary man.

A man who has gone through more trials and tribulations than 95 percent of those watching.

A man whose unquestionable love for his country has led him to be within sight of the final port of call of an astonishing life.

The grace with which he referred to his oponent, together with the spirit that comes from overcoming adversity, and the courage it will take to stand up to Washington, will I believe, bring new supporters to his campaign and galvanise his current support base.

With Superwoman from Alaska by his side, I think America had better hang on!

Palin Rocks 'em in St Paul

2008-09-04T19:21:00.005+10:00

For 37 minutes on Wednesday, Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin became the most important - certainly the most looked at - woman in the world.

Her keynote address at the GOP conference in St Paul was arguably the most anticipated speech by a politician in the last ten years.

The speech had it all - it was warm, witty, shrewd, and incredibly confident.

It might have been a bit light on policy, but, to be fair, this probably wasn't the time to knock everyone sideways with ideas for domestic and international affairs.

It was Palin's job tonight - as a relatively unknown politician a week ago - to introduce herself to the world, tell her story and praise her boss.

I am sure she quelled the fears of many Republicans and swinging voters still jittery and bewildered by her meteoric ascension, who wondered whether she'd be able to handle being on the world stage.

I reckon she could handle it, alright!

Palin delivered in spades.

The delegates loved it.

So did I.

The hutch will be closed for a couple of days...

2008-09-02T21:31:00.000+10:00

I will be in Sydney tomorrow, but will be back on Friday.

There will be other news...sometime

2008-09-02T15:07:00.005+10:00

This blog has been rather Sarah Palin-centric lately, and, although I never started this blog with the intention that it focus only on one or two individuals, you will appreciate that what happens in the US government has a momumental effect on world affairs, like no other democracy on the planet.

I will get around to writing about other stuff, when and if I get side-tracked from the fascinating events unfolding in US politics.

But I must say, I owe John McCain a huge debt of gratitute for turning one of the most boring presidential races in living memory into something quite extraordinary.

Experience? 1-0 Palin

2008-09-02T14:49:00.006+10:00

A little from Piers Akerman in his column in the Daily Telegraph today:

Obama is possibly the least experienced person ever to run for US
president, having a resume as thin as rice paper and a sad history of
cultivating the wrong people throughout his brief career.
and
McCain’s experience would bring a unique wisdom to the top job. His running mate, Palin, is an experienced reformer. She has the scalps and the moose stew on the stove to prove it.

Palin's Daughter is Pregnant. The Left are Wrong...again

2008-09-02T07:20:00.008+10:00

It appears that the left side of the blogosphere is full of the most insidious, bilious rumours about Sarah Palin, especially one that claims she is really the grandmother of Trig, rather than his mother. I am sure her supporters expected some smear campaigns, but some, like this one, are just plain vicious, and utterly repugnant.

In a statement issued by Sarah and Todd Palin today (yesterday my time), Palin confirms that her daughter Bristol is pregnant.

I'm no obstetrician, but I think this would make it somewhat improbable that Bristol had given birth to Trig in April, as claimed by the rumourmongers.

Palin rightly requests privacy for her daughter from the media, and I don't intend to blog about it further, save to wish that the baby be brought into the world healthy, and into a loving and caring family.

Palin To Significance 3

2008-09-01T19:26:00.013+10:00

Sorry to keep going on about Sarah Palin. Well, actually I'm not sorry. Not half as sorry as Democrats could be come November.

Of the hundreds of stories on Palin that I've read since Friday, I'm astonished by the number of comments by readers to these articles who insist that her appointment is mere tokenism: a clumsy attempt by McCain to appease (among others) disaffected Hillary supporters and Republican women who are either undecided or who are going to vote for Obama.

Palin's appointment was no tokenism; and those (especially Republicans) intent on peddling this line are not only denying John McCain due credit, but are insulting their own intelligence.

But Palin is inexperienced, the critics bark. It's a very insipid and relative allegation. And so what, anyway? I can't speak French but that didn't stop me from visiting France!

Besides, inexperience can be a good thing. Who better than someone inexperienced, someone not jaded through having spent the past 300 years as a Senator, someone fresh and down-to-earth to change the way things are done. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when some Washington crony tells Palin: "if it ain't broken don't fix it." I hope she finds lots of "broken" things in Washington, as I'm sure she will.

Palin now needs to vindicate McCain's faith in her by selling herself like she's never done before. If she can pull it off come November, then McCain will go down as one of the most inspired Republican leaders in history.

The Chicago Tribune's editorial said that "Sarah Palin embodies John McCain's audacity of hope."

We will have to see, come November, whether the voters of America are as audacious as John McCain - and as visionary.

Separated at Birth

2008-09-01T15:56:00.006+10:00

Andrew Bolt on his excellent blog points to similarities between Sarah Palin and Geena Davis.

But I can't get over how much McCain's running mate looks like Tina Fey, from my favourite comedy, 30 Rock.

Judge for yourself....

Phenomenology

2008-09-01T12:54:00.003+10:00

I needed to resort to the dictionary to check a spelling in my last post.

In so doing, I succumbed to a habit given to me by a former teacher, a habit for which I will always be grateful.

The habit is this: whenever you are searching for a word in the dictionary, always read the definitions for the preceding word, as well as the following word. That way you get the spellings and definitions for three words instead of one.

All this lead me to 'phenomenology'. I'd not heard the term before, but I love how it rolls off the tongue. What's it mean? "1. In philosophy, the movement that concentrates on the detailed description of conscious experience. 2. the science of phenomena as opposed to the science of being."

Phenomenological!

Palin To Significance 2

2008-09-01T12:25:00.000+10:00

Sarah Palin has become something of an internet phenomenon. Apparently on Friday she became the most Googled politican in history.

I found this internet radio chat yesterday. It's quite long, but the first 15-20 minutes or so is very interesting. The host talks with the author of a blog (when he can get a word in) who, back in February 2007, started a blog supporting the enlistment of Sarah Palin as the GOP VP.

That's quite a remarkable effort - especially considering the blogger in question, Adam Brickley, is just 21 years old.

Palin To Significance

2008-09-01T11:44:00.007+10:00

The news of John McCain's remarkable choice of running mate has made the front page today (Monday) of our one national newspaper, The Australian.

In the online edition of the same paper, this article by The Aussie's witty and erudite conservative columnist, Janet Albrechtson, paints a picture of Palin that I wish those whose published letters appear in today's print edition had the benefit of reading before many of them shot her (and McCain) down in flames.

Judging by said letters, the consensus appears to be that McCain chose Palin because she is a woman, and to appease women. Both of which is heifer dust, to put it mildly.

I would encourage Aussies (and anyone else for that matter) to do a bit of research on Sarah Palin before you start vilifying her. I think that the more you read about her, the more intriguing and likeable and, more importantly, capable, she gets.

Welcome

2008-09-01T11:26:00.001+10:00

Hello

Here you will find my perpectives on a range of eclectica. These perspectives will be both serious and humorous, but hopefully not boring.

By the way, my name is Nick, not Basil, but more on that later.

I am new to this, so let's hold hands and dip our tootsies in the water together!

Let's begin...