Open Thread – Christmas Weekend 2022


Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence, Caravaggio, 1609


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Roger
Roger
December 24, 2022 12:55 pm

If you want to keep your head while everyone else gets angry or insane, and endure the coming age, it’s all in there.

“The time is coming when people will go mad. When they see someone who is not mad, they will attack them, crying out, ‘You are not like us…you must be mad!’”

St Antony the Great [+AD356]

Rockdoctor
Rockdoctor
December 24, 2022 12:56 pm

Wong has always been selective in her outrage. She will always get a free pass from the media but LNP should be targeting her relentlessly, it obvious she has a glass jaw.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 12:56 pm

They accept the contradictions of the ideology. They don’t talk back or argue. They have no previous thing to compare it to. It just is they way things are.
You should all be terrified.

Of failed parents, yes.

That there is shit ideology in schools is undeniable. Children come to a parent for clarity when they hear things at school which contradict the way they have been reared in the home. In other words, they want to hear the real story.

There are then three options:
1. The parent whines to neighbours and associates, and perhaps writes a stern Letter to the Editor. In other words, does nothing;
2. The parent fails to mount a cogent, sensible account of actual events that outpoints the jittery one put forward by the pink-haired, Coke-bottle-glasses-wearing Ms Finkelstein; or
3. The parent reinforces earlier information conveyed with the benefit of life experience, and uses a contrast to reality to demonstrate why Finkelstein’s ranting are a load of shit.

Options 1 and 2 amount to arrant parental failure at its most basic level – that is, to prepare a child for life in the wider world. If some parents would complete this primary task of parenthood, all the wokeness in creation would fly like Teflon off their children.

This is in fact a broader example of the ‘it’s someone else’s fault’ mindset.

Top Ender
Top Ender
December 24, 2022 12:56 pm

Nice in theory Rockdoctor, but in real life those doing the mortaring usually pop off some rounds, and scoot. The counter-battery fire gets onto them quick smart.

Big_Nambas
Big_Nambas
December 24, 2022 12:59 pm

And the joke’s on you, Australia.

Pity that Australians don’t get the joke.

Arky
December 24, 2022 1:00 pm

Arky – Not actually. They were exquisitely careful.

..
They were careful because the times were different Bruce. A majority of people still accepted traditional values and grew up familiar with bible stories. This is no longer the case.
It’s strange because to appreciate the humour of Brian you have to have a basic knowledge of culture that the film itself helped depose.
Your average modern, state school “educated” barbarian wouldn’t have a clue what the film was on about. Which means it’s makers succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Arky
December 24, 2022 1:02 pm

This is in fact a broader example of the ‘it’s someone else’s fault’ mindset.

..
KD the failure is sending them into such a toxic environment in the first place. I can’t emphasise enough: get them the hell out of there.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
December 24, 2022 1:08 pm

Nice in theory Rockdoctor, but in real life those doing the mortaring usually pop off some rounds, and scoot. The counter-battery fire gets onto them quick smart.

A good mortar crew can be packed up, and gone before the last round hits the target…

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 1:15 pm

KD the failure is sending them into such a toxic environment in the first place

Point taken, and fair enough. My bloke finished Year 12 this year, so I can’t compare the earlier years of school today and what they’re about when my only experience of that was 2008 onwards.

I still say that if you can’t outpoint a handful of dimwitted tachers (of today) who’ve never experienced real life, then you have a lot of ground to make up in the parenthood stakes – however, that mountain may be much harder to climb today than it was for me.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 1:19 pm

Your average modern, state school “educated” barbarian wouldn’t have a clue what the film was on about. Which means it’s makers succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Arky – Yeah, kids these days would be lucky to know who or what the Romans were. They certainly don’t get the classics any more. Tacitus? Huh? And no kid would be required to write correct grammar on a blackboard a hundred times. That would be cruel and unusual punishment full of microaggressions and racism.

I don’t think the makers of Brian succeeded, indeed from guys like Cleese the impression I get is they’re dismayed that kids are now indoctrinated zombies. It’s a long way from a ye olde English public school education. Which now they might be regretting satirizing quite so pungently. On the other hand they’re still a bunch of lefties, if slightly red-pilled lately.

Rockdoctor
Rockdoctor
December 24, 2022 1:19 pm

Ta TE, mate did dumb it down for me. That I do know.

Anyway adventure in Thailand drawing to an end off to the Rhong Kleua border markets today. Kind of reminds me of the old Paddy’s markets in Western Sydney but with the chaos of South East Asia.

Arky
December 24, 2022 1:21 pm

I still say that if you can’t outpoint a handful of dimwitted tachers (of today) who’ve never experienced real life

..
They are there for 6 to 7 hours a day, and the indoctrination is relentless. I especially feel for boys sitting through hour after hour of lecture style, low content, high ideology lessons.
The dim witted aspect works in favour of the indoctrination, as the lower the IQ of the teacher the closer they follow the model lesson and the less likely they are to inject a counterpoint.

Roger
Roger
December 24, 2022 1:21 pm

Pity that Australians don’t get the joke.

Nobody will be laughing in the dark, but a light bulb might go on just the same.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
December 24, 2022 1:25 pm

Wake up Australia: Many liberal democracies have a First Nations voice

If constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples is fine for the US, Britain, Scandinavia, Canada and NZ, why not here too?
By SHIREEN MORRIS
From Commentary
December 24, 2022
5 minute read
397

Liberal democracies worldwide value equality and recognise indigenous peoples in their constitutional arrangements, often by ensuring them a specific voice in political processes.

This is because successful liberal democracies are not built on dogmatic ideology – not even the ideology of liberalism. They are built on pragmatic and inclusive compromise.

Their application of liberal principles is supple. It bends to incorporate distinct peoples to broaden and consolidate national unity and stability.
Read Next

In fact, I can’t think of a successful liberal democracy with a minority indigenous population that doesn’t constitutionally recognise indigenous peoples in some substantive way – except Australia.

Unkind souls in the “Comments” section are pointing out that other “liberal democracies” have conscription and the death penalty – using that logic, shouldn’t Australia have both?

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 1:25 pm

Wong has always been selective in her outrage.
Who hasn’t?
She will always get a free pass from the media but LNP should be targeting her relentlessly, it obvious she has a glass jaw.

On what basis should the LNP be targeting her?

If she makes a Foreign Policy blunder, i’m confident they will point it out.

Tom
Tom
December 24, 2022 1:27 pm

Tucker Carlson’s biggest lies of 2022*

My favourite is the one by the buffoon appointed by the Biden regime to wreck the US economy, Janet Yellen, that the galloping inflation now ravaging the globe after the US Congress started printing money to finance a series of trillion-dollar spending bills is “transitory”.

* the year the entire ruling class of the West doubled down on the giant porkies it told during the Kung Flu epidemic.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 1:32 pm

Wake up Australia: Many liberal democracies have a First Nations voice

I think she means “formerly liberal democracies”.
The black armband is strong with her btw. And leftism.
I looked her up, the best I can say about her is she doesn’t list her pronouns.

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 1:33 pm

On what basis should the LNP be targeting her?

being a communist

Roger
Roger
December 24, 2022 1:36 pm

Wake up Australia: Many liberal democracies have a First Nations voice

If constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples is fine for the US, Britain, Scandinavia, Canada and NZ, why not here too?

Remember when lefties derided Australia’s cultural cringe?

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 1:45 pm

Barry Round brown bread

Diogenes
Diogenes
December 24, 2022 1:46 pm

Jetstar gotta love it! The brother came up Thursday to spend yesterday with us. Flight supposed to leave last night @ 740 Qld time.Delayed so long it’s “everybody off the bus, we aren’t going to make it to Sydney before curfew”. Flight rescheduled for 10am this morning, now the plane won’t start. Rescheduled for 1pm let’s see what happens.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 1:48 pm

Barry Round. Bullocking ruckman.

His footy cards were everywhere, but they were the equivalent of 5c pieces in coin jars. Millions of them.

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 1:51 pm

His footy cards were everywhere, but they were the equivalent of 5c pieces in coin jars. Millions of them.

Yes the Scanlens cards were many

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 1:51 pm

Diogenes says:
December 24, 2022 at 1:46 pm

Jetstar gotta love it! The brother came up Thursday to spend yesterday with us. Flight supposed to leave last night @ 740 Qld time.Delayed so long it’s “everybody off the bus, we aren’t going to make it to Sydney before curfew”. Flight rescheduled for 10am this morning, now the plane won’t start. Rescheduled for 1pm let’s see what happens.

I love Jetstar but not for the reason that it’s an airline. I love the fact that both the airline and the customers absolutely detest one another. The customers for the obvious reasons that they’re never on time and total skin flints. The airline detests its customers because it knows they’re cheap bastards. Yet they come together and transact.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 1:52 pm

being a communist
Proof?

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 1:55 pm

They’re not communists any more, Tony. They’re a federation of independent liberated states.

h/t Mikey

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 1:55 pm
Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 1:55 pm

Any proof for your many suppositions Ed?

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 1:56 pm

Barry Round died from Organ Failure, he was 72.

That’s really sad, but I gotta ask:
Was he Vaxxed?

Bourne1879
Bourne1879
December 24, 2022 1:57 pm

Rosie calling an anti mandate lawyer, Tony Nicolic, an anti Vax loon, pretty much sums up Rosie’s attitude to those who choose not to take the Vax.

If Rosie cares to read my previous post I did give Nicolic’s reference and posted the relevant part about Moderna no longer being available. I even pointed out that the TGA did not show that information. However the fact remains is that Nicolic’s source is actually an Australian Government web page. What more can I do ?

Those on Twitter can look at Nicolic’s post there.

Rosie, Dr Peter McCullough, another well known anti vaxxer, will be visiting Australia soon. Listening to him or reading his thoughts might be quite informative. He is one of most credentialed and published Dr’s in USA but in your world no doubt a “loon”.

When they silenced and started disciplining Dr’s for speaking out that should have been a signal to most that something was not quite right in the medical world.

Old School Conservative
Old School Conservative
December 24, 2022 2:00 pm

now the plane won’t start.

Snap!
That’s the plane my nephew is on. Apparently re-scheduled for a 3.30 departure.

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 2:00 pm

Deaths Among CCP Elites Rise as COVID-19 Wave Hits China; China Claims Sufficient Drug Supply
00:54 Deaths Among CCP Elites Rise as COVID-19 Wave Hits China
02:57 Chinese Article Details U.S. COVID-19 Deaths
04:43 China Claims Sufficient Drug Supply, Limits Sales
06:12 ByteDance Admits User Data Compromised
07:05 Some U.S. Universities Restrict TikTok on Campus
07:39 TikTok Spends Millions on Lobbying in U.S.: Report
08:23 DEA Seized 379M Fentanyl Doses in 2022
09:29 China Sanctions 2 Americans Over Actions in Tibet
10:22 Huawei Brings in More Patent Royalties Than It Pays
11:42 Must Look with a Non-Biased Lens: Rex Lee on Twitter Files

Tom
Tom
December 24, 2022 2:02 pm

I love Jetstar but not for the reason that it’s an airline. I love the fact that both the airline and the customers absolutely detest one another.

Never forget that the bloke who now runs the whole of Qantas was Jetstar’s first CEO.

Alan Joyce couldn’t give a shit about JQ’s poor on-time performance or that it treats its customers like shit, just JQ’s annual contribution to the group’s bottom line — which comes from offering zero service, except that its planes don’t crash (although they did come close about a decade ago when JQ was cutting corners with crew training standards).

Diogenes
Diogenes
December 24, 2022 2:02 pm

The only reason he flew Jetstar is because he couldn’t get a Virgin. Just spoke to him, now 2pm departure. Apparently Qaintarse also have a broken plane that was also supposed to go to Sydney. Many delayed flights generally, he said the mood is ugly.

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 2:03 pm

Rosie is trying to justify her taking the jab so she can tour Europe.
Despite all the evidence pointing to the vax being a shit product, she will continue to be selfish and smear others.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 2:04 pm

Tom

Customer and airline objectives are perfectly aligned. 🙂

Joyce is leaving soon, I thought, no?

Old School Conservative
Old School Conservative
December 24, 2022 2:06 pm

The NT ALP is a fucking cesspool.

Curious minds are wondering why the SFL party doesn’t make a loud, in-your-face song and dance over this issue and unblushingly taint all Labor politicians with the same brush.
It’s not as if there aren’t enough scandalous behaviours from the Liars party to keep ammo coming for whoever wants to keep firing.
And if the main stream media keep censoring that legitimate attack, find another medium. Billboards beside major highways for example.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 2:07 pm

Rosie hasn’t taken the Vax.
Sher’s not that stupid.

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 2:08 pm

Rosie hasn’t taken the Vax.
Sher’s not that stupid.

Mmmyes despite her proclamations that she has on this very forum.

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 2:08 pm

re: Perth PEPs, via ABC:

A police officer can issue anyone with a ban from entering PEPs for up to six months if three conditions are met:

1. The person must be in a public place within a Protected Entertainment Precinct.

2. In that public place the person must have engaged in any of the following behaviour:
Unlawful
Anti-social
Violent
Disorderly
Offensive
Indecent
Threatening
What classifies as the above behaviour is set out in internal police guidelines written by the commissioner, but police have declined to publish those guidelines for “operational reasons”.

3. If a ban is not issued, that person will cause violence or public disorder, or there will be an adverse effect on the safety or welfare of others.

We should be worried that this law threatens to overturn the long held double-standard in treatment of indecent behaviour by women versus men. Note the indecent behaviour does not also have to be offensive.
Wearers of crotchless panties enter PEPs at their peril.
And will women be banned for 3 months if they only show 1 tit?
These are the important questions the Law Society shies away from.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 2:09 pm

Curious minds are wondering why the SFL party doesn’t make a loud, in-your-face song and dance over this issue and unblushingly taint all Labor politicians with the same brush.

Because throwing shit always rebounds on the thrower.
It’s just as well the Liberal Party aren’t taking your advice.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 2:11 pm

GoofBall emotes:
Rosie would never tell lies on Catallaxy Files.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 2:13 pm

Rooster

Malone is a medical doctor and researcher. He claimed to have received the Nobel prize, but as far as I understand it, he was just part of a group receiving the accolade. Malone may be a great researcher but the only folks able to determine efficacy are data analysts and Malone isn’t one. As far as I know he doesn’t have any training in data analysis. He may well be right in his prognostications but they need to be backed up by solid statistical evidence. This is coming from someone who believes there is strong anecdotal evidence that the vaxes caused problems for certain segments of the population. Young me being the group I’m thinking about. Your comments about this issue lack depth and appear totally unfocused. Please stop as you’re not good at this sort of thing. Leave it to the “higher ups”.

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 2:14 pm

Emotes isn’t a word, like opine fuckEd

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 2:14 pm

When someone says : “They couldn’t be that stupid, could they?”

1. You know the answer to the question
2. Someone has underestimated the stupidity level

Underestimating stupidity is grievous sin

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 2:18 pm

Can I push the big red button now?

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 2:22 pm

Warning 3 more comments until the page turn.
You have now entered the No Man’s Land of the comments page.

local oaf
December 24, 2022 2:23 pm

Arky

Your average modern, state school “educated” barbarian wouldn’t have a clue what the film was on about.

In primary school c 1961 we learnt about the Romans and Gauls. At lunchtime the boys in our class (aged 8 or thereabouts) formed up into two gangs, Romans & Gauls.
We carried out our own battles inspired by what we’d heard – consisting mainly of chasing around the playground, with maybe a bit of rock throwing. Can’t remember if I was a Roman or a Gaul. 🙂

Police would be called today.

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 2:23 pm

The Bermuda Triangle so to speak Colonel

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 2:24 pm

Anti-social
Disorderly
Offensive
Indecent

Sounds like the average comedian.

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 2:30 pm

Top o’t’Page to ye.

Rabz
December 24, 2022 2:36 pm

That’s why I call it the Sydney morning vomit.

The Silly Moaning Haemorrhoid.

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 2:37 pm

Black Ball says: December 24, 2022 at 2:23 pm

The Bermuda Triangle so to speak Colonel

Yes, that’s a better metaphor for the last 5 comments on a page.

Christine
Christine
December 24, 2022 2:38 pm

The bottom of the page seems a good place to leave this:
rosie doesn’t strike me as “stupid”. She’s a lot like my Irish aunt – always always right, in that dogged way of Irish biddies; and it’s a relief to the relations that she’s so far away.

Rabz
December 24, 2022 2:38 pm

Finally, some summery weather in Sydney – 30 degrees.

Almost unheard of.

Christine
Christine
December 24, 2022 2:38 pm

Oh no

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 2:40 pm
Hugh
Hugh
December 24, 2022 2:41 pm

JC

When you talk about markets, I listen. Data analysis and statistics, not so much. 😛

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 2:42 pm

I was reading his latest panic thread last night. He’s talking about significant world wide economic impacts, rather than a new pandemic though I think he thinks with so many unvaxxed there will be new mutations
Apparently the sino vaxes are much crappier than the mrna and others, and coupled with vaccine hesitancy among the elderly in China, only around 60 percent uptake, he is expecting 1 to 2 million deaths over the next few months as China’s health services are overwhelmed.
Taiwan is putting limits on panadol sales (I’ve seen them limited toa single 100 pack in a couple of pharmacies here too) though I don’t see how panadol would be much of a help.
At least the Chinese can die not so suddenly knowing they didn’t get vaxx injured.
Xi must think getting getting rid of 1 to 2 million burdens on the state is a good thing.
On the other hand thank goodness for the Cat Infallibles whose expertise assures us all that cure is much much much worse than the disease.
Whatever happens, its okay, all China news is fake news.
Dr Eric epidemiologist

cohenite
December 24, 2022 2:43 pm

Wake up Australia: Many liberal democracies have a First Nations voice

If constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples is fine for the US, Britain, Scandinavia, Canada and NZ, why not here too?
By SHIREEN MORRIS

I did my law degree at Macquarie Law School in the 1980s. It was turning left then. This bint is the result of that progression.

The current aboriginals deserve nothing; they dealt harshly with the previous 2 groups who preceded them and completed the extermination of the Mega Fauna and burnt the place down. They have, if left to their own devices one of the most violent and oppressive cultures the world has seen. Instead of a voice I think mass arrests are the answer.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 2:45 pm

Police would be called today.

Only time I got KOd as a kid was when the fat kid who was my mate (but in the other “gang”) threw a rock and almost broke my nose.

I woke up with teachers and him attending to me. I got the rest of the day off (???) and he never got punished…

Yep these days he would have been declared an autistic depressed identifying as a gorilla with violent criminal psychopathy. He would have been tasered by even fatter cops and then the school would have been well funded due to his disabilities.

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 2:46 pm

Summary wether

Its been frickin cold.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 2:47 pm

Thankyou Christine, another apparent newbie that sounds rather familiar in a nasty kind of way.
I have a different opinion on the effectiveness of the vaccines, I think they provide a measure of protection against hospitalisation and death for those in at risk categories.
Who knows, I might even be right.

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 2:47 pm

The only pandemic of the last 2 years has been one of unchecked government tyranny.

cohenite
December 24, 2022 2:47 pm

Hughsays:
December 24, 2022 at 2:41 pm
JC

When you talk about markets, I listen. Data analysis and statistics, not so much. ?

I listen to his dulcet tones whenever.

Tom
Tom
December 24, 2022 2:48 pm

Customer and airline objectives are perfectly aligned.

Um, no, JC.

Australians love sub-economic fares, but, encouraged by the ACCC which has outlawed lying about or concealing real air fares — still common in the USA — the locals consider they’re entitled to Rolls Royce service even when the airline is losing money.

There’s no doubt that Southwest Airlines — now the USA’s biggest carrier even though it’s no frills — is not only superior to Jetstar while offering the same onboard amenities, it’s also loved by its customers because SWA staff love their jobs.

In Australia, good customer service is considered servitude — a relic of our convict past.

cohenite
December 24, 2022 2:49 pm

alwaysrightsays:
December 24, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Summary wether

Its been frickin cold.

From Chris Gilham:

Also noteworthy that for the first time since records began at Observatory Hill in 1859, this year is shaping up to be first ever in which Sydney hasn’t had a single day at or above 32C.

The Sydney seven day outlook at the moment is 29C, 28C, 28C, 27C, 27C, 25C, 23C and good luck for 31 December getting up to 32C.

Sydney got to 31.9C on 1 February but, sorry, that doesn’t count.

Sydney’s 1859-2019 average December max was 25.2C at Observatory Hill and if the outlooks are accurate to 30 December, this year it’s so far 25.0C with a question mark on 31 December.

December 1859 averaged 25.4C and the hottest ever December was 28.6C in 1990.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 2:49 pm

That is true in Australia.
People in other countries might disagree.

Rabz
December 24, 2022 2:51 pm

robably the only reason to wear a surgical mask.
Don’t worry. They’re working on that too. Something about the eyes.
And gait analysis – you need to put a ball bearing in your shoe if you want to fool that

Hasn’t some tech been developed that can identify you by your heart rhythms?

These fascist idiots will never rest until we’re all existing like bugs under a microscope.

Which reminds me

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 2:53 pm

heart rhythms

They are unique, according to a cardiologist that I know.

Bourne1879
Bourne1879
December 24, 2022 2:58 pm

JC,
One thing I am absolutely certain of is that I have done far more research and spoken to far more Dr’s in past two and half years than you have. What got me interested early on was talking to two Dr’s very early on. One a recognised “expert” who has been in the media and the other a frontline Dr. The frontline Dr has been far more knowledgeable and the expert was one of those happy to promote the horse dewormer view of Ivermectin.

Now that we know your expert opinion on Dr Malone what are your thoughts on Dr Peter McCullough views? Might know what he is talking about or “anti Vax loon” ?

One thing for sure is Dr Malone knows far more about the vaccines than most Dr’s never mind yourself.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 3:00 pm

Can Invermectin help you after after you’ve had the Vax?
No.
So, Invermectin is a distraction squirrel.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 3:04 pm

Mmyes Ed, Ivermectin is a failed anti vaccine.

Go play with the Clonazepam and Thorazine sharps, atta boy.

cohenite
December 24, 2022 3:14 pm

What are the odds little Sammy Bankman-Fried trips and shatters his skull while he is in the same prison as Epstein was when he choked on toilet paper?

rickw
rickw
December 24, 2022 3:17 pm

Ford Escort engine change, back when the world was fun! (42 seconds!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te48ucoEvFI

Pogria
Pogria
December 24, 2022 3:18 pm

Hi Rabz,
while driving yesterday, this song came on the radio.
Made me think of you and Miss Emily. 😉

Merry Christmas.

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 3:18 pm

AOC was the lone Democrat to vote against the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill

There it is, the Christmas Miracle.

calli
calli
December 24, 2022 3:25 pm

Redlining for yet another Christmas. Ham – glazed. Special son in law cheesecake – baked. Turkey – sliced. The rest of the feast – ready for packing. What a week!

Just finished the final touches on a tricky driveway design, ink still on fingers. And a tree report to go with it. “Retire” they said. It will be fun, they said. Nice to still get pen to paper…the old fashioned way.

I have a terrible foreboding that this will be my lovely old Dad’s last Christmas, he is looking so very frail. But he was happy as could be today with his many visitors, including a much-loved granddaughter. Next week the house will be full to bursting as usual with small fry and their parents.

Sooo…if I don’t get another opportunity…thanks Dover for your kindness in letting us (and me in particular) shoot our mouths, and the occasional foot, off on your blog. And a happy and blessed Christmas to all Cats and Kittehs.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 3:28 pm

What classifies as the above behaviour is set out in internal police guidelines written by the commissioner, but police have declined to publish those guidelines for “operational reasons”.

Odious bilge.

As I used to say on the old blog:

In a civilised society, lawmakers do not police society and police do not make laws.

Bluey
Bluey
December 24, 2022 3:29 pm

Bruce of Newcastlesays:
December 24, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Your average modern, state school “educated” barbarian wouldn’t have a clue what the film was on about. Which means it’s makers succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Arky – Yeah, kids these days would be lucky to know who or what the Romans were. They certainly don’t get the classics any more. Tacitus? Huh? And no kid would be required to write correct grammar on a blackboard a hundred times. That would be cruel and unusual punishment full of microaggressions and racism.

I don’t think the makers of Brian succeeded, indeed from guys like Cleese the impression I get is they’re dismayed that kids are now indoctrinated zombies. It’s a long way from a ye olde English public school education. Which now they might be regretting satirizing quite so pungently. On the other hand they’re still a bunch of lefties, if slightly red-pilled lately.

One of my irritations with society these days is people clearly have no idea of the 2000+ years of western history we inherited to get the society they live in. Concepts like rights and freedoms, and the why, historically, they were viewed as having responsibilities too.
Never mind real education on how it developed, the big thinkers behind it, why it’s different to (and arguably superior to) societies like the Chinese or Arabs.

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 3:29 pm

These fascist idiots will never rest until we’re all existing like bugs under a microscope.
Which reminds me … [XTC – Real by reel].

Were XTC just independently extrapolating into the future, or were they a kind of musical MOCKINGBIRD asset?

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 3:29 pm

Next week the house will be full to bursting as usual with small fry and their parents.

What a broody lot.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 3:30 pm

Don’t start me Colonel.

Most people don’t know about MK Ultra, the Church Committee or COINTELPRO.

calli
calli
December 24, 2022 3:31 pm

What a broody lot.

We are Us.
😛

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 3:36 pm

Rooster

JC,
One thing I am absolutely certain of is that I have done far more research and spoken to far more Dr’s in past two and half years than you have.

See, that’s my point. Your unwavering certainty in your own infallibility strongly indicates how wrong you are. Reading the Daily Mail and then breathlessly reporting it here isn’t research Dumfried.

What got me interested early on was talking to two Dr’s very early on. One a recognised “expert” who has been in the media and the other a frontline Dr. The frontline Dr has been far more knowledgeable and the expert was one of those happy to promote the horse dewormer view of Ivermectin.

Frontline is anecdotal. it’s valuable but unless it’s combined with hard data evidence it’s about as useless as you pretending to do research.

Now that we know your expert opinion on Dr Malone what are your thoughts on Dr Peter McCullough views? Might know what he is talking about or “anti Vax loon” ?

I don’t have “thoughts” on either as these aren’t the folks to listen to.

One thing for sure is Dr Malone knows far more about the vaccines than most Dr’s never mind yourself.

Read his bio. There’s no training in statistical research.

These are similar to climate scientists who pretend to be able to project the future and have zero training in statistical analysis. They end up scaring the shit out of people with views the world will end by 2030 unless we stop using hydrocarbons.

Hugh

When you talk about markets, I listen. Data analysis and statistics, not so much. ?

Excellent , excellent point. Don’t listen to me unless I can demonstrate I’ve done the hard yards in stat research on a subject like this one. “Research” isn’t reading the Daily Mail and then posting about it here in summary form.

Hugh
Hugh
December 24, 2022 3:42 pm

Statistics is a mandatory subject for pretty much any science degree.

Researchers typically do their own data analysis until they can afford to pay an RA to do it for them.

Speaking from experience here.

cohenite
December 24, 2022 3:42 pm
local oaf
December 24, 2022 3:45 pm

One of my irritations with society these days is people clearly have no idea of the 2000+ years of western history we inherited to get the society they live in. Concepts like rights and freedoms, and the why, historically, they were viewed as having responsibilities too.

Who in the last 50 years would have supported “multi-culturalism” if we’d all learnt in high school why the Roman Empire was swamped by Goths and then their cousins from North of the Rhine?

Invited in by a foolish Emperor (Valens) who took pity on the poor “refugees” being oppressed by the nasty Huns.
When his asylum seekers got out of hand, he packed them off to Italy where they could run riot and inspire their buddies to join them. Game over!

johanna
johanna
December 24, 2022 3:51 pm

Yes, it’s annoying. But really, anyone who expects reliability in air travel schedules around Christmas is living in Fairyland. Especially given how shambolic air travel has been for the last few months.

Passengers waiting for Qantas flights to London from Sydney — as well as others to and from Denpasar — have been left stranded in two locations around the world.

Oh, and ‘stranded’ is tabloid talk. They have been delayed, not ‘stranded.’

Then again, in a weather roundup for Christmas at TheirABC, hot weather was described as ‘bracing.’

There are no standards remaining there – seems to be a feature, not a bug when the left takes over media outlets.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 3:57 pm

Invited in by a foolish Emperor (Valens) who took pity on the poor “refugees” being oppressed by the nasty Huns.

The analogy doesn’t exactly work.

A lot of them were former Roman citizens or subjects. They hopped over the border as tax refugees from the Roman Empire.

Then they wanted to come back to flee the Huns.

local oaf
December 24, 2022 4:09 pm

The analogy doesn’t exactly work.

A lot of them were former Roman citizens or subjects.

I’m sure that’s correct, but my historical knowledge ends with Gibbon. Anything decided since then ain’t worth knowing! 😉

Johnny Rotten
December 24, 2022 4:09 pm

Rosie is trying to justify her taking the jab so she can tour Europe.

I would rather not get the Jab and tour Australia and live longer.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 4:11 pm

Pretty sure rosie got Novavax like me.

Novavax has a far better safety profile than the competition.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 4:22 pm

kids these days would be lucky to know who or what the Romans were. They certainly don’t get the classics any more. Tacitus? Huh?

It’s worse than that.

There is an entire generation, maybe more, that have no idea who George Thorogood and The Destroyers are.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 4:23 pm

Hugh says:
December 24, 2022 at 3:42 pm

Statistics is a mandatory subject for pretty much any science degree.

Researchers typically do their own data analysis until they can afford to pay an RA to do it for them.

Speaking from experience here.

Hugh

Show me where in Harvard’s medical course there is/are units in statistical analysis.

https://meded.hms.harvard.edu/pathways

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 4:38 pm

“everybody off the bus, we aren’t going to make it to Sydney before curfew”.

Laughable for a supposed international city. Might be better when they get the other one up and running.

Johnny Rotten
December 24, 2022 4:38 pm

Larry goes to church and listens to the preacher.

After a while the preacher asks anyone with needs to be prayed over to come forward to the front at the altar.

Larry gets in line, and when it’s his turn, the preacher asks “Larry, what do you want me to pray about for you?” Larry replies “Preacher, I need you to pray for my hearing”.

The preacher puts one finger in Larry’s ear, and he places the other hand on top of Larry’s head and prays and prays and prays.

After a few minutes, the preacher removes his hands, stands back and asks Larry “Larry, how is your hearing now?” Larry says “I don’t know, Reverend, it’s not until next Wednesday”.

Hugh
Hugh
December 24, 2022 4:39 pm

Okay then, don’t believe me. 😛

Johnny Rotten
December 24, 2022 4:40 pm

If God wanted us to fly, He would have given us tickets.

– Mel Brooks

Tom
Tom
December 24, 2022 4:43 pm

There is an entire generation, maybe more, that have no idea who George Thorogood and The Destroyers are.

KD, in the words of Pete and Dud — or it might have been the Pythons talking about the Stones — the George Thoroughgoods were a modern jazz quintet, not R&B masters like your Spencer Davises and your Steve Winwoods.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 4:48 pm

In a civilised society, lawmakers do not police society and police do not make laws

Damn right. That’s a slippery slope you don’t want to start heading down. Judicial discretion is bad enough and can be corrected on appeal when truly egregious.

Johnny Rotten
December 24, 2022 4:49 pm

Tomsays:
December 24, 2022 at 4:43 pm
There is an entire generation, maybe more, that have no idea who George Thorogood and The Destroyers are.

KD, in the words of Pete and Dud — or it might have been the Pythons talking about the Stones — the George Thoroughgoods were a modern jazz quintet, not R&B masters like your Spencer Davises and your Steve Winwoods.

George and the boys were into Rock……………………………….Try this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyhJ69mD7xI

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 4:50 pm

Just got back from a 20 minute run to Bunnings and back.

About twelve years ago I had a run of the mill Rodeo 4 cylinder 2WD ute with an aluminium tray. On the weekends I did what everyone else did, which was pack the tray with assorted shit and take it down to the tip, and I’d take the young bloke – who was about six – with me.

He loved it, for some reason. He’d swing his little legs while sitting on the front seat, hang one arm out the window and try to put his other arm and head out as well. Screeching along with the radio, the lot.

Then he got turfed into the tray at the tip where he’d heave the abovementioned shit out of it as best he could. Massive Dad-related adventures for a six year old.

So. Today, wheeling down one of the roads en route to the sausage shop, there’s a white Rodeo 2WD single cab with an aluminium tray packed with tip shit in the right lane. I’m in the left lane, where I could also see a little arm stretched as far out the window as possible.

Came up alongside. It’s a young bloke, about six with Dad as the pilot. Young bloke looks over at me like he’s on a rollercoaster stacked with pirate treasure – grin from ear to ear. I grin back and give him a wave. A massive, excited wave in the manner only six year old boys can achieve came back the other way.

Dad looks over. A subtle nod is exchanged between blokes on that ride, and who have been on that ride, just before they turn off for the tip.

The wheel rolls on.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 4:52 pm

We are seeing discretion in action with Ms Higgins. A necessary part of the judicial process but fraught with the potential for abuse.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 4:53 pm

If God wanted us to fly, He would have given us tickets.
– Mel Brooks

And better weather.

Snowmageddon: 12,500 Flights Canceled and Delayed Ahead of Christmas (23 Dec)

That’s in the US. Makes our troubles here look barely like niggles.
I wonder where global warming went?

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 4:56 pm

It’s the US.

The 10 Most Popular Food Brands by Sales:

1. McDonald’s: $46B
2. Starbucks: $24.3B
3. Chick-Fil-A: $16.7B
4. Taco Bell: $12.6B
5. Wendy’s: $11.1 B
6. Dunkin: $10.4B
7. Burger King: $10B
8. Subway: $9.4B
9. Dominos: $8.6B
10. Chipotle: $7.5B

Which is your favorite?

Where the hell is KFC?

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 4:56 pm

In an ideal world your Woody can would have a widget that played George Thorogood and The Destroyers when opened.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 4:57 pm

Shit bourbon, shit music.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 4:58 pm

I wonder where we are? Asia Pacific sounds about right.

Going Cashless Around the World:

North America: 48% cash, 52% non-cash
Western Europe: 66% cash, 34% non
Eastern Europe: 93% cash, 7% non
Asia Pacific: 65% cash, 35% non
Latin America: 91% cash, 9% non
Africa: 99% cash, 1% non

Do you still believe in cash?

Johnny Rotten
December 24, 2022 4:59 pm

Where the hell is KFC?

It’s Kentucky Fried Cat so who cares………………….

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
December 24, 2022 5:04 pm

Dad looks over. A subtle nod is exchanged between blokes on that ride, and who have been on that ride, just before they turn off for the tip.

Please, KD.
It’s not a tip.
It’s a transfer station.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 5:04 pm

Seth Klarman is sometimes known as “The Next Warren Buffett” or “The Oracle of Boston,” yet he still thinks Buffett is the better investor.

Klarman manages roughly $30 billion for Baupost Group.

Here are his top five positions:

Here:

https://twitter.com/artofinvestmnt/status/1605554757497651202

I don’t get this one.

4. Viasat Inc. $VSAT

16,288,959 shares owned
8.8% of the portfolio

Viasat Inc. is an American communications company. Viasat is a provider of high-speed satellite broadband services and secure networking systems covering military and commercial markets.

What is the need for Viaset services in a place like the US?

Tom
Tom
December 24, 2022 5:09 pm

JC, my observation of the McDonalds/KFC advertising volumes on Australian commercial TV is that the margins have to be astronomical and that those franchises are a licence to print money.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 5:09 pm

Last before I go pigging out on o’dourves

Top 10 Individual Donors of the 2022 election:

1. George Soros (D): $129 million
2. Elizabeth & Richard Uinlein (R): $70 million
3. Kenneth Griffen (R): $66 million
4. Jeffrey Yass (R): $48 million
5. Sam Bankman-Fried (D): $39 million
6. Stephen Schwarzman (R): $33 million
7. Timothy Mellon (R): $33 million
8. Larry Ellison (R): $31 million
9. Peter Thiel (R): $30 million
10. Patrick & Shirley Ryan (R): $27 million

johanna
johanna
December 24, 2022 5:10 pm

KD, that Dad stuff is important for girls as well.

For me, it was fishing. My Dad was a keen (if not very successful) fisherman. I would tag along when he went fishing off the rocks around Cronulla.

Between cutting cunjevoi off the rocks for bait, rockpooling (i.e. watching life in big pools in a mesmeric state,) exploring, collecting souvenirs, and helping to gut and scale his occasional catches, it was a magic time for me which I will never forget.

It wasn’t hard work for him, either. Contrary to the modern mantras, good parenting does not require huge investments of money and effort.

JC
JC
December 24, 2022 5:11 pm

Tom

Could be. I read that Aussie maccas was the most profitable globally and the food was also the better quality.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 5:11 pm

KFC has around 3900 outlets, maccas over 13,000

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 5:14 pm

My recollection of maccas in the US was it being the budget burger chain. Carl’s Jr, five guys, even burger king were a little more upmarket.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
December 24, 2022 5:14 pm

Speaking of rubbish tips, I had some stuff to get rid of last week (old air-con, builder’s rubble from a reno we are doing plus assorted other shit).
Order a bin.
Go hell for leather loading it to get it all done in an afternoon then call the waste company to come and get it.
Why the rush?
Because my experience in Melbourne is people regard a vacant builder’s skip as like finding a gold nugget in the street. If you don’t load it up it will be chockers full of assorted white goods, bikes and garden waste in two hours. Or if you leave it overnight it will be overloaded by morning and you will cop a charge from the waste company.
Pleasantly surprised next morning to find the only stray rubbish was a couple of coffee cups and a KFC bucket.
Country people are maybe different that way.

P
P
December 24, 2022 5:15 pm

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
7:00PM – 9:40PM on GEM

Hugh
Hugh
December 24, 2022 5:15 pm

Merry Christmas all. 😀

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 5:16 pm

Where the hell is KFC?

Sadly, the Twelfth Man of obesity services?

As the inflation of unknown origin central bank currency devaluation accelerates, the switch from takeaway back to home cookin’ will accelerate too. The least value will be dropped first, so maybe expect KFC to appear in the top ten in the coming months as a solid source of delicious protein, filling carbs, and possibly the most sugared-up lump of bread dough in the known universe. With Pepsi MAX chaser, of course.
The down side is that prices have gone up and while their share of the retail food spend pie graph may go up, the whole takeaway pie will almost certainly shrink.

Have you seen my username? Some dullards thought it was an attempt at stolen valor! As though it were not obviously a pun on one of the KFC menu items.
No I don’t get kickbacks from this.

alwaysright
alwaysright
December 24, 2022 5:16 pm

George and the boys were into Rock……………………………….Try this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyhJ69mD7xI

and “One bourbon one scotch one beer”

I went to a George and the (Delaware) Destroyers concert. Very cool. An audience mainly of ZZ tops, teens and geriatrics.

Bourne1879
Bourne1879
December 24, 2022 5:18 pm

JC,
I would rate the Daily Mail over the Courier Mail for Covid coverage. Mainly because the “lift” their articles from a wider source of outlets.

My apologies for mentioning Dr’s McCullough and Malone. It is obvious you prefer the medical advice of Dr Sutton. He is so good he actually referred to Ivermectin as a horse dewormer. If you want a sign as to which medical experts to doubt it is the ones who referred to a FDA/ TGA approved and Nobel prize winning drug. You actually know they are lying and then have to wonder about the motive. Federal CHO Kelly did the same and both did it during press conferences standing next to their Health Ministers.

As far as Ed Case comment about Ivermectin being a distraction squirrel it should be remembered the use of IVM came up quite a while before vaccines came onto effect. One thing for sure using IVM properly prescribed by a Dr would do you no harm.

Some may have forgotten the drug that was approved mid 2020, Remdesivir. A failed Ebola drug where the trial had to be stopped as more people died on it than in the placebo group. Then suddenly approved despite very little data. About US$1,000 per patient and was being used in Oz hospitals this year. Known to cause lung problems and some families in California suing hospitals for treating family members with it.

IVM incredibly cheap v REM which is expensive. I know which I would take. That was the difference between the two Dr’s I spoke to over 2 years ago. If I remember correctly 9 of the people on the US committee had financial or other ties to Gilead who make it. Gilead was even so kind as to donate first batch to Oz for free. Worked a treat.

But hey what would I know as I only appear to read the Daily Mail.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
December 24, 2022 5:18 pm

JCsays:

December 24, 2022 at 5:09 pm

Last before I go pigging out on o’dourves

Make sure you keep that pinkie extended whilst troughing.
It makes you look less like a trougher.
And go for solid stuff on a bickie.
Getting salmon mousse out of the tasseled loafers can be a pain.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 5:20 pm

I’d give early ZZ Top a pass. Maybe 2 or 3 albums.

Bourne1879
Bourne1879
December 24, 2022 5:20 pm

Missed a bit at end of this and should read as

If you want a sign as to which medical experts to doubt it is the ones who referred to a FDA/ TGA approved and Nobel prize winning drug as a horse dewormer.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 5:21 pm

I already got a booster to tour Europe last year which should indicate I’m not the slightest bit bothered.
And I haven’t had novavax yet, I could ask which booster they are going to give me but really I don’t care, either moderna or novavax are fine with me.
As for those predicting they’ll live the longest, good luck with that.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 5:21 pm

Getting salmon mousse out of the tasseled loafers can be a pain.

Tell me about it. Suede!

GreyRanga
GreyRanga
December 24, 2022 5:24 pm

KD the simple things are usually the most valuable of value in this case to you and your son. He’ll remember when you’re gone telling his grandson about it. One of my memories is of son number 2 aged 4. I’m under the landcruiser working on it when he comes out in overalls that are too big but stapled to shorten the arms and legs. He’s laying down beside me handing sockets or ring spanners to me. He’s learning to read and knows the numbers pretty well. Stories of other people’s experiences are just that, stories. Yours are the real thing.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 5:27 pm

If we’re getting all nostalgic – backyard incinerators. Unlimited fun till you did something too stupid.

Boambee John
Boambee John
December 24, 2022 5:28 pm

Sancho Panzersays:
December 24, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Dad looks over. A subtle nod is exchanged between blokes on that ride, and who have been on that ride, just before they turn off for the tip.

Please, KD.
It’s not a tip.
It’s a transfer station.

Wrong, it’s an archaeological repository.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 5:29 pm

Bourne, indolent and others provide an invaluable service posting about the deaths of random individuals under the age of 60.
In a world population of getting close to 8 billion, these reports provide uncontestable evidence of the dangers of vaccines.
Whether it is a fifteen year dying of asthma in Leicester or a gym enthusiast keeling over during a session in Brazil as long as they are dead, it’s the vaccine, most definitely.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 5:31 pm

Suede!

Mousse suede shoes!

BAM!

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
December 24, 2022 5:34 pm

It’s not a tip.
It’s a transfer station.

Wrong, it’s an archaeological repository.

You spelled “metal resources mines of the future” incorrectly.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 5:34 pm

My recollection of maccas in the US was it being the budget burger chain. Carl’s Jr, five guys, even burger king were a little more upmarket.

Local shopping centre has a Maccas, a Hungry Jacks opposite it, a Carl’s Jr and a Burger Urge.

Maccas always has oodles of cars going through.
Hungry Jacks not bad.
I have never seen a single car or customer at the Carl’s.
And the Burger Urge likes to advertise fake meat burgers out front of their store.
Never seen anyone in them either.

On the other hand we’re a bogan area in a bogan city, so there’s that.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 5:36 pm

Have to brave Colesworths shortly.

I have discovered I’m almost out of potato gems and chocky ice cream.

GreyRanga
GreyRanga
December 24, 2022 5:37 pm

Most of my neighbours were wogs. Really nice people though they didn’t like the Vietnamese coz their food smelt funny. Doing a reno, knock at the door, Ranga can I have some stuff in the skip, veggies on the doorstep next day. Must have saved a small fortune on tip fees and veggies. The nonnas looked at me frosty like, with all the junk that got dragged home.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 5:37 pm

Some of those US chains just don’t fire in Oz. Bit of a lottery shelling out for the master franchise.

m0nty
December 24, 2022 5:38 pm

Carl’s Jr is known in America for enormous greaseball burgers, but Australian food regulations mean they have to smarten up their act here. That kind of neuters their point of difference.

eric hinton
eric hinton
December 24, 2022 5:39 pm

Going Cashless Around the World:

The local Woollies still has a guide dog (well it did on Thursday), the one in Coles disappeared within the last two weeks…. the Coles I frequent in a more select part of town downsized to a chihuahua on the Styvo counter a couple of years ago.

Mater
December 24, 2022 5:48 pm

Carl’s Jr is known in America for enormous greaseball burgers, but Australian food regulations mean they have to smarten up their act here. That kind of neuters their point of difference.

Oh shit!
Field Marshall Monty has left the Ops Room, dispensed with the map board, and is now opining on healthy eating.

Boambee John
Boambee John
December 24, 2022 5:49 pm

m0ntysays:
December 24, 2022 at 5:38 pm
Carl’s Jr is known in America for enormous greaseball burgers, but Australian food regulations mean they have to smarten up their act here. That kind of neuters their point of difference.

For a moment there, I thought that m0nty-fa was talking about himself.

miltonf
miltonf
December 24, 2022 5:50 pm

Carl’s Jr in Melton which is bogan central does very well.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 5:50 pm

Carl’s Jr is known in America for enormous greaseball burgers, but Australian food regulations mean they have to smarten up their act here.

???

I can drink olive oil by the pint if I choose, what clever clog decided for me I can’t fast a week later or up my cardio?

Mater
December 24, 2022 5:51 pm

I can drink olive oil by the pint if I choose, what clever clog decided for me I can’t fast a week later or up my cardio?

If it saves just one life!

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 5:52 pm

(I’d make a joke about seed oil causing autism, but some autists will take it literally).

miltonf
miltonf
December 24, 2022 5:53 pm

Actually I really like Carl’s Jr including the wild west theme. Love it.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 5:55 pm

I have discovered I’m almost out of potato gems and chocky ice cream.

Bye Sharon.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 6:06 pm

Interesting the roll out strategy. There is a Taco Bell out near Midland. Purple tilt-up in a low socioeconomic area. I assume there is some science behind it.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 6:09 pm

I already got a booster to tour Europe last year which should indicate I’m not the slightest bit bothered.
Where do you get the dosh to fund these perpetual tours?

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 6:10 pm

Carl’s Jr is known in America for enormous greaseball burgers, but Australian food regulations mean they have to smarten up their act here.

Because some Canberra health bureaucrat knows what I should be eating.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 6:11 pm

Taco Bell in Morayfield.
Next to the Anaconda.

thefrollickingmole
thefrollickingmole
December 24, 2022 6:23 pm

Kids cartoon on, credits roll.
Glimpse “ diversity and inclusion consultant” on the credits.

It’s Canadian.
See how many diversity boxes it ticks…
https://www.circlesquare.tv/

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 6:27 pm

Where do you get the dosh to fund these perpetual tours?

Groogs, do we have to add vulgarity to your many known flaws?

custard
custard
December 24, 2022 6:30 pm
H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 6:30 pm

People seem to rate In ‘n’ Out. Never had one. They do the odd pop up which gets massively hyped.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 6:32 pm

Bye Sharon.

Rack off Rachelle!

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 6:33 pm
Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 6:34 pm

Because some Canberra health bureaucrat knows what I should be eating.

Which is exactly how we came to have lockdowns.

DrBeauGan
DrBeauGan
December 24, 2022 6:39 pm

Black Ball says:
December 24, 2022 at 2:47 pm

The only pandemic of the last 2 years has been one of unchecked government tyranny.

I reckon we have a mental health pandemic. The government would have had to backdown if it weren’t for all the hysterics who were stricken by irrational panic.

Too many female medics may have contributed.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 6:39 pm

Society news (the Hun):

Two of Melbourne’s most prominent families have tied the knot.

Ollie Howard, son of Victorian Governor Linda Dessau and former County Court judge Anthony Howard married Lauren Thurin, granddaughter of mega philanthropist John Gandel in blue chip 3142 Toorak suburb.

No mention of the Payseurs.

Again.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
December 24, 2022 6:41 pm

Taco Bell in Morayfield.
Next to the Anaconda.

There are so many double entendres here. If fully explored, I don’t think it will finish until 2023.

Eyrie
Eyrie
December 24, 2022 6:44 pm

Black Ball says:
December 24, 2022 at 2:47 pm
The only pandemic of the last 2 years has been one of unchecked government tyranny.

A plague of government has infested the planet. Sterilisation may be the only choice.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 6:47 pm

Linda Dessau, eh?
Bizarre looking woman, is she related to Phelps?

DrBeauGan
DrBeauGan
December 24, 2022 6:48 pm

A plague of government has infested the planet. Sterilisation may be the only choice.

There are altogether too many ppl who have a need to be told what to do, think and feel. If there weren’t so many demanding the plague of parasites, they wouldn’t be here.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 6:55 pm

Carl’s Jr was pretty good in California, I liked Five Guys too, only went there once somewhere between Iowa and North Carolina, I dont remember exactly. White Castle and Taco Bell is poor people’s food.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 6:55 pm

Carl’s Jr was pretty good in California, I liked Five Guys too, only went there once somewhere between Iowa and North Carolina, I dont remember exactly. White Castle and Taco Bell is poor people’s food.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 6:55 pm

Carl’s Jr was pretty good in California, I liked Five Guys too, only went there once somewhere between Iowa and North Carolina, I dont remember exactly. White Castle and Taco Bell is poor people’s food.

m0nty
December 24, 2022 6:57 pm

I can drink olive oil by the pint if I choose, what clever clog decided for me I can’t fast a week later or up my cardio?

It’s an underappreciated part of the Australian nanny state, really. American fast food chains serve significantly different stuff here compared to Seppoland. I remember going to a McDonalds in rural Indiana once and the bacon was fried until it was dark brown… wouldn’t get away with that here these days.

Rosie
Rosie
December 24, 2022 6:57 pm

How did that happen. I only posted once.

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 6:59 pm

A plague of government has infested the planet. Sterilisation may be the only choice.

The Unabomber option. Once this Train stuff dies down.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 7:04 pm

How did that happen. I only posted once.

Your finger really likes Carl’s?

H B Bear
H B Bear
December 24, 2022 7:07 pm

There are altogether too many ppl who have a need to be told what to do, think and feel. If there weren’t so many demanding the plague of parasites, they wouldn’t be here.

Rarely go broke underestimating people. Although Channel 10 are trying.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 7:07 pm

I remember going to a McDonalds in rural Indiana

Maccas at Marble Arch. Eww. I spent the rest of that trip eating stuff from the fruit barrow guys.

Worst hamburger ever was from a fish and chip shop in Birmingham. I can see how so many Poms were available to administer the Empire.

Eyrie
Eyrie
December 24, 2022 7:10 pm

The Unabomber option. Once this Train stuff dies down.

More like Sigourney Weaver in one of the Aliens movies.

132andBush
132andBush
December 24, 2022 7:21 pm

There is an entire generation, maybe more, that have no idea who George Thorogood and The Destroyers are.

Indeed.
The pros and cons of getting a haircut and a good job have fallen to the wayside.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 7:29 pm

Bad to the Bone (1982)

Nope I didn’t have to look them up, except to get this vid.

MatrixTransform
December 24, 2022 7:31 pm

it’s an archaeological repository

one memorable trip with my old man I pulled a plastic model kit of the Cutty Sark outta there
the box was bigger’n me
kept me amused for months

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
December 24, 2022 7:34 pm

kept me amused for months

I built the Bismark once. That was awesome.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
December 24, 2022 7:34 pm

appartment porn. for a cool 250 big ones
Inside The World’s Highest Apartment | On The Market | Architectural Digest

A horrible place. You couldn’t pay me to live there. Those constant unvarying floor to ceiling windows and the sense of swaying in the wind it would induce – and probably some real built in sway as well. The sparse furnishings that have nothing distinctive or interesting about them. They lost me at the master bedroom on the floor below. Nup. It would be like sleeping and making love at the office – corporate headquarters – or bedding down at the airport when everyone else’s planes had departed.

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 7:37 pm

A plague of government has infested the planet. Sterilisation may be the only choice.

It’s the fundamental problem of our system of government, every year it just piles on more and more laws and creates more and more bureaucracy, raising more and more taxes to fund this gargantuan sloth. Keeps inventing new and stupid problems to hurl itself at using the long suffering tax payer as fuel.

Diogenes
Diogenes
December 24, 2022 7:41 pm

Carl’s Jr is known in America for enormous greaseball burgers, but Australian food regulations mean they have to smarten up their act here. That kind of neuters their point of difference.

Had Carl’s a couple of times at Bateaux Bay, grease running down both arms. Not fussed on the burgers, lived the thick shakes.

And a Jetstar update, apparently it was the external starter cart that failed . Ended up collecting my brother and driving him to Brisbane. Hopefully his flight leaves in an hour or so. When we saw the departure board, lots and lots of cancellations ( all airlines), and even more delays. Even inbound international services were delayed up to several hours. But still it’s better stuck here than the outbound Qaintarse A380 stuck in Kazakhstan.

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 7:42 pm
Arky
December 24, 2022 7:45 pm

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare says:
December 24, 2022 at 7:34 pm
A horrible place. You couldn’t pay me to live there

..
That’s because you retain a soul.

Dot
Dot
December 24, 2022 7:45 pm

Sortition (and also demarchy)
Confederalism (and also classical republicanism)
Subsidiarity
Recall elections
Jury nullification
Sunset clauses on all legislation
Citizen initiated referenda (but only to strike down bad laws)

Despite our best intentions, we will eventually strangle ourselves with regulation otherwise.

MatrixTransform
December 24, 2022 7:46 pm

the Bismark, was that the one with the diagonal black and white camo?

I’m tempted to have another go and get the whole air-brush and replica reality going on.

there’s whole u-tubes full of people who do.

time … no time

custard
custard
December 24, 2022 7:48 pm

Any other links to Brazil?

Pedro the Loafer
Pedro the Loafer
December 24, 2022 7:53 pm

I am about to depart for Perf for the annual end-of-year pigout and family feud aka “Christmas Dinner”.
Very best wishes from Casa Pedro to Dover for maintaining this most excellent blog, and all the Cats and Kittehs , from the Dorpers, the resident hound, and Her Ladyship of the Burgundy Jaguar.

If I don’t return before New Years, send lawyers, guns and money.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
December 24, 2022 7:54 pm

Why Belgium won’t apologise for its savagery in Congo

By Bruno Waterfield
The Times
11:43AM December 24, 2022
1 Comment

The Belgian king has vetoed an apology for his country’s savage past in central Africa, raising the ghost of his royal ancestor, Leopold II, whose reign of terror in the Congo claimed millions of lives.

Leopold, the great, great, great-uncle of King Philippe, ran Congo Free State as his personal fief between 1885 and 1908 during which at least 10 million Congolese people, more than half the population, either died or were killed.

His rule inspired Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad’s harrowing indictment of colonial plunder and brutality.

Leopold’s colonial policy gave rise to the term a “crime against humanity” with authority in his name enforced by collective punishment massacres, murders, torture, amputations and forced labour on rubber plantations.

Belgium continued to rule Congo until 1960, ending with another dark chapter: the torture, murder and dismemberment of Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese independence leader.

But after two years of national soul-searching, efforts to find reconciliation with former colonies in the territories of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, have hit an impasse. Talks broke down this week after Wouter De Vriendt, the chairman of a parliamentary committee set up to examine the issue, broke his silence to complain that an apology was a “red line” for the monarchy, which continues to play a significant constitutional role.

“There have been messages from the royal palace that a number of red lines have been crossed and that apologies are no pasaran,” he said, invoking the wartime slogan “they shall not pass”.

De Standaard newspaper reported that the king had “discreetly” told Alexander De Croo, the prime minister, last month that apologies and, above all, reparations, were out of the question.

He told De Croo that he was “concerned” and at least one committee member was phoned by the palace and told to be cautious.

“At a certain point party chairmen indicated that a red line had been crossed with apologies,” De Vriendt said. “I am stunned and appalled. I’ve been around for a while. I had hoped for more historical awareness and intellectual seriousness.”

The king has previously expressed “regrets”, including during a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo in June, and the influence of the palace meant that Belgium’s VLD liberals and Christian Democrats, mainly in the Flemish camp of Dutch speakers, would go no further. On the other side of the argument, Socialist and Green French-speaking parties, the Walloons, demanded a full apology and the payment of reparations.

“The differences are irreconcilable,” said De Vriendt, a Flemish Green.

Philippe used his visit in June to offer his “profoundest regrets” for the brutality of colonial rule but carefully held back from expressing formal apology in a country where anger remains over atrocities that began with his ancestor.

He expressed “my deepest regret for those wounds of the past” and acknowledged “unjustifiable” actions and “wrongdoing and humiliation” but refused to go further.

After pressure from the palace, liberal and conservative MPs would not go beyond his expression of “deepest regret”, citing fears of legal consequences and the need to “keep the door closed” to reparations.

“Apologies imply an admission of guilt; we don’t want future generations to have to cough up reparations,” Maggie De Block, the leader of liberal MPs in the parliament, said. “Why should all Belgians apologise?”

Interesting that Great Britain went to war in 1914, in defense of “Gallant Little Belgium….”

Black Ball
Black Ball
December 24, 2022 7:55 pm

I already got a booster to tour Europe last year which should indicate I’m not the slightest bit bothered.

Confirm selfishness.
Horrible woman.

Zipster
Zipster
December 24, 2022 8:05 pm

Despite our best intentions, we will eventually strangle ourselves with regulation otherwise.

too late

Arky
December 24, 2022 8:05 pm

Here’s yer Belgian king. A regular little climate warrior too.
Tell me again why any of these inbred Royal ditzes still exist in the 21st century?

And in this regard, let us hope that the price increase of fossil fuels will contribute to an acceleration of the energy transition.

Apologise to the Congolese you sleaze.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 8:07 pm

Philippe used his visit in June to offer his “profoundest regrets” for the brutality of colonial rule but carefully held back from expressing formal apology in a country where anger remains over atrocities that began with his ancestor.
‘Poldy wasn’t an ancestor of Philippe’s.
There’s been a lotta bullshit written about The Belgian Congo.
If they killed 11 million, who was left to tap the Rubber Trees?
It was in the British interest to demonise Belgium at that time,
Roger Casement had Spook written all over him.

Ed Case
Ed Case
December 24, 2022 8:09 pm

Belgium continued to rule Congo until 1960, ending with another dark chapter: the torture, murder and dismemberment of Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese independence leader.

CIA did that, not the Belgians.

miltonf
miltonf
December 24, 2022 8:09 pm

Interesting that Great Britain went to war in 1914, in defense of “Gallant Little Belgium….”– rotten crumby little country. Very appropriate that the EU and NATO are headquartered there.

132andBush
132andBush
December 24, 2022 8:10 pm

Very quiet around here this evening.
Everyone is slumped with fatigue as a very long and difficult harvest winds up.
A couple of icy G&Ts with nibbles have been in order.
Birds are making their last calls for the day before turning in.
My beautiful old Black and Tan kelpie comes and rests his head on my lap, he knows a morsel is in the offing.
They are a very manly dog but can be such crawlers at times 🙂

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