Thursday, January 31, 2008

'Yes' or 'No'

I think we can say sorry without the fear of being sued first put it into legislation that the right to compensation is not part of the agreement, it can be done. Many local councils have a no sue clause . Personally if were them I would not worry to much about whether or not the federal government said sorry or not,. at this late stage it would mean little and solve less.
I don't think most of them really care either. What they need is better health care and education 'we all do' and less pigeon holes, they are not all the same.

Land rights is an entirely different thing, I know they think they are entitled to it but I'm not so sure, I can't see any good reason to just give it back, they where here first sure but is that all it takes to claim land rights? If it is we might all have claims to land some place. And why is it when we give land back its some outback baron land.To all the bleeding hearts in their comfortable suburban homes telling farmers who have worked the land for generations to give it up is just wrong, would we turn our homes over to them ? not bloody likely mate. Germaine Greer thinks we should just give it all back in the name of fairness, maybe that's because she lives in England.
I hate to sound like that well known redheaded Queenslander but we should be one nation united. Does that make me a racist? I hope not. Maybe more naive or hopeful.

Apology 'must acknowledge evil'

AUSTRALIA'S apology to the Stolen Generation should not only use the word "sorry", it should also concede that removing Aboriginal children from their families was "evil" and "cruel" and part of a policy that could not be justified or excused.

This form of wording, taken from a similar apology in Canada, was put to Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin last week by an influential lobby group led by Aboriginal leader Lowitja O'Donoghue and former prime minister Malcolm Fraser.

Details of the meeting emerged yesterday as Ms O'Donoghue backed a push for a $1billion compensation fund to be established for the Stolen Generation, saying an apology without compensation "won't settle anything", while compensation would head off the potential for "a litany of court cases".

While Ms Macklin has said it is more important for the Federal Government to close the 17-year gap in Aboriginal life expectancy and deficiencies in health and education, Ms O'Donoghue said these were statutory obligations and the Stolen Generation of indigenous children removed from their families needed to be separately resolved.

In the first suggestion of a form of words that might be used in the apology, Ms Macklin was asked by the Stolen Generations Alliance, of which Ms O'Donoghue and Mr Fraser are patrons, to consider a 1998 apology by the moderator of the United Church of Canada to children sent into church-run, government-funded Indian Residential Schools.

In the apology, church moderator Bill Phipps referred to a "cruel and ill-conceived system of assimilation", "evil acts" and a "horrendous period in Canadian history".

In November 2005, the Canadian Government announced a $1.9 billion compensation package, with government ministers calling it a "fair and lasting resolution" for "the single most harmful, disgraceful and racist act in our history".

At the meeting last Tuesday with the National Sorry Day Committee, the Stolen Generations Alliance, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Tom Calma and indigenous leader Mick Dodson, Ms Macklin was told there was a difference between the words "sorry" and "apology", with "sorry" holding far more emotional power.

"Some say that 'apology' comes from the head, whereas 'sorry' comes from the heart," she was told.

The Canadian apology was included in a document handed to Ms Macklin by the Stolen Generations Alliance, titled "Some thoughts on how the Prime Minister might say sorry".

It was endorsed yesterday by Ms O'Donoghue and alliance co-chair Christine King, who said it was "absolutely" appropriate to describe Australia's child separation policies as cruel and evil.

It was suggested the apology should be offered to indigenous people "for the policies which removed tens of thousands of their children from their families". It could be given by the Prime Minister on Sorry Day in May next year in the Great Hall of parliament in a ceremony at which members of the stolen generations would speak.

Ms O'Donoghue and Ms King backed a call by Aboriginal lawyer Michael Mansell for a $1billion compensation fund for the Stolen Generation, contributed to by federal and state governments. They said $1 billion was not a large amount to compensate for the damage that was done to thousands of Aboriginal children.

"Aboriginal people will not move on until this matter is resolved," Ms O'Donoghue said. Without compensation, the Government would be faced with "a litany of Trevorrows, a litany of court cases".

In August, South Australia's Supreme Court became the first jurisdiction in the country to recognise the Stolen Generation as a basis for legal compensation, when it found Bruce Trevorrow, now 50, was treated unlawfully and falsely imprisoned when he was removed from his mother's care and handed over to a white family in 1957, aged 13 months. He was awarded $525,000.

Ms King said the Alliance would meet next month to work on a draft apology to put to the Government. Ms O'Donoghue said peak Aboriginal organisations and leaders should be brought into the discussions about the apology.

Asked whether a 10-year-old girl in the Cape York community of Aurukun should have been removed from her family, Ms King said it was "the paramount right of every child to be safe". She said the children of the Stolen Generation were not taken away to save them, but to change them.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Sweeney Todd [MA 15+]
Johnny Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter.


Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story [MA 15+]

America loves Dewey Cox! In the new comedy Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, John C. Reilly stars as larger-than-life musician and songwriter Dewey Cox.

Charlie Wilson's War [M]
Charlie Wilson's War is the true story of how a playboy congressman, a renegade CIA agent and a beautiful Houston socialite joined forces to lead the largest and most successful covert operation in history.

I have seen this and I enjoyed it....

American Gangster [MA 15+]

Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Brian Grazer, Steven Zaillian and Ridley Scott team up to tell the true juggernaut success story of a cult figure from the streets of 1970's Harlem in American Gangster.

I have seen this..but have to see it again before i can judge it.

No Country For Old Men [MA 15+]

No Country For Old Men is a mesmerizing new thriller from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen, based on the acclaimed novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning American master, Cormac McCarthy.

This one is a good blokes film.

3:10 To Yuma [MA 15+]


In Arizona in the late 1800's, infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his vicious gang of thieves and murderers have plagued the Southern Railroad

Times Change










Gone out the window is the old blackboard and the chalk and in with the new interactive blackboards into our Queensland schools over the next year. The first two schools started using theirs today.

ABC tipped to bump famous squiggle logo


The ABC's famous squiggle logo could be wiped from the nation's TV screens in a overhaul of the public broadcaster's brand not seen in 40 years.

The design, technically a "lissajous curve", appears set to be bumped in favour of a more formal ABC1 graphic as part of the network's move into the digital age.

ABC TV will be renamed ABC1, bringing it in line with the corporation's digital network, known as ABC2, while it also has plans to introduce another digital-only ABC3 station dedicated to childrens content.

ABC TV is running a teaser campaign including the line "there is a change coming", The Australian newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper says it is understood the squiggle will be retained as the ABC's corporate logo, but it will no longer be the key focus on its television identity.

It also says the move is expected to spark opposition from "Aunty's rusted-on viewers".

The ABC's squiggle has been in use since 1965.

I'm not gay! (then don't act like you are)

Fed up with mounting speculation about his sexuality, Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns has set the record straight.

The bleach-blonde rocker told Melbourne's Big Day Out that despite rumours, he wasn't a homosexual.

"I'm not f***ing gay," he told the 45,000 strong crowd as he adjusted the lacy garter he wore on stage.

Speculation about the 28-year-old's sexuality intensified earlier this month when he announced he and former Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia had split.

Meanwhile, a visibly happy Imbruglia stepped out in London overnight to celebrate her 33rd birthday.

The songbird emerged from a restaurant, smiling for waiting paparazzi as she held a giant bunch of roses and a Hermes handbag.

Imbruglia returned to London in early January after a trip to Sydney, where she was seen spending time with Johns.

The couple announced they were ending their marriage of four years several days later.

They cited career demands as the reason for their split.

This mutual decision has not been taken lightly or quickly," the pair said in a joint statement.

"However … our lives in different parts of the world have brought us to the point where unfortunately this difficult decision was necessary for both of us.

"We have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together."

Teddy's winter scene




Teddy and Jim are doing it tough in their first real snow winter, brrr!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Australian Citizenship Test

The Australian Citizenship Test was introduced in 2007 and must be taken before gaining Australian Citizenship. However there is talk of watering down the questions because so many are failing the test Yet in my way of thinking the purpose of undertaking any test of any kind is to either pass or fail. You study and you either know it or not. Click on the link above and take the test and see how many you get right. I'm ashamed to say I was born and bred here and I only got 9 out of 10 right

Do you want to feel smart?

Sunday, January 27, 2008

An Environmental Conundrum

I thought this was funny.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 25, 2008

An Environmental Conundrum
http://environmentalrepublican.blogspot.com/2008/01/environmental-con

There are tons of inconsistencies in the environmental movement such as plugging an electric car into an outlet that connects to the grid where the electricity is supplied by coal-burning, greenhouse gas emitting power plants or driving a Prius that leaves a larger carbon footprint than a Hummer.

This one beats them all however: In a case with statewide significance, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office is pursuing a Sunnyvale couple under a little-known California law because redwood trees in their backyard cast a shadow over their neighbor's solar panels. Richard Treanor and Carolynn Bissett own a Prius and consider themselves environmentalists. But they refuse to cut down any of the trees behind their house on Benton Street, saying they've done nothing wrong. "We're just living here in peace. We want to be left alone," said Bissett, who with her husband has spent $25,000 defending themselves against criminal charges. "We support solar power, but we thought common sense would prevail."

You're so naive Mrs. Bissett, there's no common sense in the green movement, that's your first misconception. Yes, you read that right, they faced "criminal charges" in this case and the judge still ordered them to go all Lorax on the cherished redwoods, trees that were planted before the electric car-driving plaintiff installed the solar cells.

The environmental movement is turning on itself and it should be an enjoyable slap fight to say the least. I know I'll enjoy watching them try to out green one another and also witness the California judiciary rule on arcane Jerry Brown-era environmental regulations.

Australia Day (English attire!!)



Happy Australia Day!!! From the Poms!!!!

Me, Hubby, and kids!!!
Oh, and the bear!!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

G'day mate

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oui Oui Oui
Posted by Picasa

Friday, January 25, 2008

Why you shouildn't eat chewing gum


I would like to take full credit for this but I can't

Johnnos real friday Whoisit



HERE IS THE MOUTH

Johnnos friday WHOISIT

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Bulletin publishes for the last time

Australia's oldest and best-known weekly news magazine, The Bulletin, has been published for the last time.

ACP Magazines chief executive officer, Scott Lorson, announced today that The Bulletin would cease publication immediately.

The current issue of the magazine, which went on sale on Wednesday, would be its last.

A spokeswoman for PBL Media confirmed that the magazine's website will not continue either. An insider said the website cannot stand alone as a profitable enterprise.

The Bulletin, launched in 1880, is Australia's longest-running magazine.

In a statement released on Thursday, Mr Lorson said the latest Audit Bureau of Circulations figures showed The Bulletin had 57,039 in sales in September last year.

This was well down on circulation highs of over 100,000 in the mid-1990s.

"This trend is consistent with that experienced by many leading weekly news and current affairs magazines globally and is somewhat symptomatic of the impact of the internet on this particular genre," Mr Lorson said.

"This is a sad day for all of us at ACP Magazines.

"The Bulletin has been an institution in Australian publishing and has provided its loyal readers with the best quality, in-depth news and current affairs analysis in the country.

"(It) has often set the political agenda, broken many important stories and won many awards for journalism over the years."

ACP Magazines is Australia's biggest magazine publisher, with a stable of more than 85 titles published in Australia and overseas, including The Australian Womens Weekly, Womans Day, Dolly, Cleo and Cosmopolitan.

The company is the magazine arm of leading Australian media and entertainment company, PBL Media.

PBL Media also owns 50 per cent of ninemsn in a jont venture with Microsoft.

Mr Lorson said the magazine had not been viable for some time, despite heavy investment in the title with top editorial, photographic and design staff.

"With limited prospects for improvement, the time has come to make a very tough decision," he said.

ACP Magazines publishing spokesman Phil Scott said The Bulletin's editor-in-chief, John Lehmann, had done an outstanding job since joining the magazine in mid-2006.

"John and his staff have maintained The Bulletin's commitment to quality journalism and tackling the tough issues.

"Under his guidance it has won a Walkley Award and three Magazine Publishers Australia Awards."

Chief executive officer of PBL Media, Ian Law, said the decision to close The Bulletin had been made reluctantly.

"We all had a sense of pride in the title," he said in the ACP statement.

"John Lehmann and his editorial team produced a top quality publication and should be commended.

"But the reality is that the publication has been running at a loss for a number of years and we could see no prospect of this trend being reversed."

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

50 V 21 Party

Dangerous chemicals?

A new survey has revealed that wearing lipstick and drinking alcohol could increase your bust size.

Doctors are warning that consuming these products could cause a series of health problems in the long term. Medical expert Dr Ross Walker joins the show to explain the potential dangers found in the study.

"The U.K. study found that lipsticks and alcohol are being blamed for a growth spurt in women's breast cup sizes." he explains. "The survey is suggesting that women these days have bigger breasts than previous generations did."


According to the report, in less than ten years the average bra size has grown from 34B to 36C.

"I am not really surprised by the findings," he says. "One of the major reasons women have bigger breasts than previous generations is because of obesity."

"Another cause is also the increase in cosmetic surgery for breast implants," he suggests. "In Britain 10, 000 women underwent breast enlargements in 2007.Women are using hormone replacement therapy and are on the pill longer. These changes could all be affecting the changes."

Dr Walker also suggests that humans are also eating synthetic chemicals. "Synthetic chemicals are now found in many foods," he says. "These have the potential to stimulate your oestrogen receptors, and cause growth."

The main reason for the rapid growth is partly due to our lifestyle changes and our exposure to higher levels of Xeno-Oestrogens that changes the hormones in our system, according to Dr Walker.

"Xeno-Oestrogens are chemicals found everywhere from food to cosmetics that mimic the effect of oestrogen," he explains. "They are found in lipsticks, tampons, spray cans and many other things, but only in tiny amounts. It is important to note that these amounts do however accumulate over time."

"Scientists are still unsure of how dangerous they are to us. It's believed the huge amounts of Oestrogens are leading to larger breasts and also an increased risk of cancer. "

"High sugar foods also force the body to increase its insulin output," he says. "Too much insulin helps your body to store energy as fat and makes it more difficult for your body to break down those fat stores when you try to lose weight."

"Large amounts of insulin is also blamed for the higher increase in breasts size," he says.

The Police Concert




Sting was looking mighty fine, grey with a beard, very yum.

Heath Ledger found dead

Australian actor Heath Ledger has been found dead in New York, according to US police.

Ledger, 28, was found dead at a residence in Broome St, SoHo, by his housekeeper and a masseuse at 3.31pm local time.

The New York Post reports that Ledger died of a drug overdose.

His apartment was strewn with pills, the paper reported. It was unclear if it was an intentional or accidental death.

Ledger split last year from his fiancee Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda.

He dropped out of school at 16 and moved from Perth to Sydney and then to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.

Ledger received an Academy Award nomination for his role in Brokeback Mountain. He has recently been romantically linked to model Gemma Ward.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Perth


This is where we will be staying in Perth, a little bit of heaven!!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Channel-Billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae)

Saw an amazing happening yesterday. I could hear what sounded like a baby cry so I went to the park next door to investigate.
There was this baby bird up in a tree with a couple of crows squawking at it. I tried to chase them away but they kept going. It was then that I decided to go and borrow a shanghai from a neighbor .
When I returned to the park a most amazing event was happening. The crows were not attacking the bird but feeding it. They were actually flying to the ground and collecting bugs and flying back up to feed it.
As crows do, they did not trust me with my camera so for two hours I tried for a shot of the feeding. This is the best I could come up with.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Happy 21st Doc

Friday, January 18, 2008

1000 days at sea


These blokes aren't making much progress, perhaps they are becalmed? Check the site out here.

Or a phoon perhaps?

Which will I put into newspaper?






So many photographs, which to choose? Can you give me your thoughts plase, on which pic to place into the newspaper for his CONGRATS message for tommorrows paper? Thanks, woot!

Johnnos celebrity whoisit

Ok, have a go...who's teeth are these

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Australia day

Click the link above and listen to this, tell me what the speaker 'retired footballer' says that's wrong.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Thanks Patty it was a blast.

Well I finally met Patty and what a delight she is. We where met at the airport with a smile and a hug. Then taken on a bit of a tour around Brisbane, fortunately Patty drove.They like one-way streets and roundabouts (cough)up north. After a slightly confusing check in at the apartment we had a chance to rest a little before heading off to dinner a pub that is located in a abandoned quarry,it was pretty amazing really. There I was introduced to the rest of the family and a few friends.
I would just like to say Patty and Chris are fantastic hosts and made both Ingrid and myself very welcome and their boys''men'' are a credit to them .
The next day Ingrid and I spent some time looking around the south bank area of Brisbane we took a ferry ride that was fun.
The Party itself was really good everyone enjoyed it I am sure.We where well catered for and no one went thirsty. I know Patty and Lockie had a good time.
I am just happy to have met them all and once again thank a Patty and Chris for being gracious hosts,they even supplied us with a car.Hopefully I will get up there again now that I have broken the ice.

What a difference a week makes

I went up to have a look at our water supply last week in the Ross dam. It was at 15%. After a bit of north queensland liquid sunshine it is now at 50 % and filling fast. What a difference a week makes.CLICK ON PICKY FOR A LARGE VIEW.

Greetings from Maggie




My daughter Linda had many public appearances on Christmas parties, partly with violin, partly with singing (musical Songs from phantom of the opera, Elizabeth).

On Christmas eve she also had an appearance with her violin in the church.As a mother you also experiences naturally the associated excitement.

Now we have achieved the new year, and the everyday life goes on.

I hope that we will all have luck here and down under in 2008.

Greetings for you and your family
Margarita with family

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Rain...Again

Heres the link!!!!!!.............
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml

Rain.....................

This is our weather for the next 5 days..........yuk!!!!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Sue's Weekday "What is it"

The answer is, it's a spacer for a ring that is too big.


This possibly gives it away, but as requested, this is the other side.






I know it's the weekend, but I haven't done one for a couple of weeks, so I'm doing one now.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Greenpeace verses Japense whaling :(

Dear Patricia

Thank you once again for taking time to sign the Daily Telegraph whales petition.

Good news...the Greenpeace ship, Esperanza, has found the Japanese whalers hunting in the Southern Ocean. Now our work really begins. As you read this, our activists are in pursuit of the Japanese whaling fleet. While the fleet is on the run, the whalers are unable to hunt. If they try to start whaling, the Esperanza’s crew of activists will take non-violent direct action to defend the whales. We will be sure to keep you posted as events unfold.
Read crew updates from the Esperanza

The Japanese fleet aims to slaughter 1000 whales in the name of ‘scientific research’, including 50 endangered fin whales.
To save the whales, we need to stay in the water for as long as possible, positioned between whales and the harpoons. We have raised $50,000 for our action fund but we need to raise more so that we can keep our boats operating. During the last whaling season, we were able to disrupt the hunt and save 82 whales this way. We hope to save many more this season.
Help save the whales now

The whalers’ quota is significantly increased this year and we aim to defend many more whales. The ship and crew will work as long as they are able to. Your donation will go directly to making this Southern Ocean expedition our most successful ever.
Thank you for your generous support. Together we can save the whales!
The Greenpeace whales team

Aussie boys 'across the Ditch' at last!

Two Australian kayakers have completed their journey across the Tasman Sea.

James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, reached shore at Ngamotu Beach, about 4km west of New Plymouth on New Zealand’s West Coast, at 10.20am (AEDT).

Castrission told AAP it felt "awesome" to see the reception. Jones said it was "out of control".

A large tugboat gave the pair a spray welcome by shooting water high into the air as they approached.




Spokesman Alan McDonald said more than 2000 people had gathered on the beach to welcome the kayakers.

Several other kayaks and water craft had gone to sea to accompany them.

Two firbreglass Maori wakas also paddled out to accompany the pair on the final part of their journey.

Castrission and Jones have travelled more than 3300km and battled strong winds and tides that saw them go round in circles for part of the trip.

The conditions caused them to abandon their original plan to reach shore at Auckland, which they had hoped to achieve before Christmas.

Castrission and Jones will become the first people to kayak across the Tasman when they reach shore, and will have taken part in the longest ever two-man kayaking voyage.

Freesias

Freesias, these are probably one of my most favourite flowers. Absolutely beautiful.


Saturday, January 12, 2008

Who is it

Here is the eyes...and she is an american actress
Ok, I will start with the lips...who could this well known person be??

The night before the night to come.






Good friends, best mates, conversations, laughter and more wine, all good.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Dont judge a cover by its book

Come accross this great new game to play...designing book covers. The cover has got to be at the stage where the graphics are done, but before the title and author text has been added.Just find a picky that describes a book.. Have fun! :)
Mine is
"A Child's Garden of Grass" by Jack S. Margolis and Richard Clorfene
HAVE A GO

Wednesday, January 09, 2008



Myspace Scratch from 123mycodes.com

Birthday night with friends





Another great night, whew, thankyou to everyone for making my day so special. I love you all.

Note the 50 long-stemmed red roses from hubby, woot!