Open Thread – Wed 4 Oct 2023


The Market at Gisors, Camille Pissarro, 1899

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Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 4:23 pm

Oops, poo has just hit the rotating cooling device. Storm coming, 60 knot winds, up to 9-metre swell!

A ship that pongs of butyric acid is a ship that has been through a storm with a thousand puking passengers…

Best wishes Bruce!

Carpe Jugulum
Carpe Jugulum
October 4, 2023 4:23 pm

and its replacement F1 Sub Machine Gun,

The F1, probably the greatest lump of shit ever purchased by the DoD.

Damn their oily hides.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 4:24 pm

JC
Oct 4, 2023 3:38 PM
The crook and the Demons are NOT asleep at the wheel. The American hardleft knows exactly what it is doing, which is an attempt to speed up when American whites become a minority. You should ask Destiny, Wodney. Marty’s sentient AI would help set you straight.

No one is asleep at the wheel, champ.

A lot of non-DemonRats do seem to be asleep at the wheel (or are actually secret DemonRats).

I know that you disagree, but the best outlook I can see is a (relatively) peaceful break up into Red and Blue nations. That would be far preferable to a resort to violence, which seems likely if the DemonRats continue to push the margins.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 4:27 pm

Viagra won’t make you James Bond but it will make you Roger Moore.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 4:29 pm

A lot of things us Snowflakes learnt

Didn’t mean you Old Ozzie. 😀 I once scored zero at Maroubra with a M-60. Doing the buts was fun!

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 4:31 pm

Whenever I’m asked who my favourite co-star is, I always hesitate in giving an answer.

– Roger Moore

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 4:32 pm

Thanks Wodney. We’re off next month for Thanksgiving. I’m sure your wishes are with good intentions. We don’t hang around where the illegals reside, so out of sight out of mind. When there, we don’t really do touristy stuff. We just hang out – see pals, go out to dinner and wifey goes to plays. I don’t go because she refuses to go with me as I fall asleep and we end up fighting in the seats because she startles me awake with an elbow to the ribs.

OldOzzie
OldOzzie
October 4, 2023 4:32 pm

but it will make you Roger Moore. – 🗼

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 4:32 pm

The F1, probably the greatest lump of shit ever purchased by the DoD.

What was wrong with them? I only ever had one go with an F1, it was interesting. Seemed fine aside from wanting to pull up to the right.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 4:33 pm

My attitude about death is, going into the next room, and it’s a room that the rest of us can’t get into because we don’t have the key. But when we do get the key, we’ll go in there, and we’ll see one another again, in some shape or form or whatever. It’s not the end.

– Roger Moore

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 4:36 pm

It’s the Roger Moore afternoon –

You can either grow old gracefully or begrudgingly. I chose both.

– Roger Moore

Robert Sewell
October 4, 2023 4:37 pm

Why would the yanks help support Latin America? They’re pushing their own citizens across the border, along with massive amounts of drugs, organised crime and violence.
Bugger that idea – build the wall and man it with automatic sentry guns – the flood will very quickly stop and Mexico will inherit the problem it caused by not stopping the invasion.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 4, 2023 4:37 pm

The F1, probably the greatest lump of shit ever purchased by the DoD.

The height of optimism was the designer, who made provision for a bayonet boss….”If they get that close, hit ’em over the head and run like the clappers…”

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 4:37 pm

I wouldn’t go East Coast Bruce of WA.
Pictures just in.

OldOzzie
OldOzzie
October 4, 2023 4:39 pm

Matt Gaetz: I Had Donald Trump’s Blessing to Oust Kevin McCarthy From Speakership

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was successful Tuesday in his quest to oust Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the Speaker of the House position, and now he’s saying he had former president Donald Trump’s blessing.

McCarthy was voted out of the job by a 216-210 tally, and for now, the House is left with Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) as the Speaker Pro Tem. An election will be held to determine the next official speaker, and McCarthy has already come out and said he won’t be in the running.

My colleague Duke wondered the other day in his article whether Gaetz would proceed with such a dramatic plan without Trump’s approval. We have our answer:

‘I have spoken to President Trump over the last several days,’ Gaetz told reporters on the steps of the Capitol after the vote. ‘I would say that my conversations with the former president leave me with great confidence that I’m doing the right thing.’

McCarthy became the first speaker in American history to be outed from his job in Tuesday’s vote that saw eight members of his own party sink him. Now Republicans will have to deal with the fallout. That not only includes electing a new speaker but dealing with the bloodbath that remains of their party.

Gaetz may say that, but Trump did not seem pleased with the dysfunction within the GOP, at least if you read his social media posts earlier in the day:

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 4:40 pm

JC
Oct 4, 2023 4:32 PM

And you still have that lisp. Hope the medicine finally works for you. Happy travels. Flying ‘Quaintarse’?.

Bear Necessities
Bear Necessities
October 4, 2023 4:41 pm

I preferred Ray Martin when he was played by Eric Bana

I thought celebrities could only be so stupid, but Ray has pushed back the envelope further.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 4:43 pm

Viagra won’t make you James Bond but it will make you Roger Moore.

Apparently Daniel Craig is ugly. A Bond wymminses told me so, it must therefore be true.

007 has to be a man! And attractive… unlike that Daniel Craig demands Madeline Smith (30 Sep)

On Daniel Craig’s successor, Madeleine says: “Once upon a time I would have said Hugh Jackman. I fear he may be getting a little too mature, but he’d be my ideal.

“I think Daniel Craig is a fantastic actor and I love watching him, but not as Bond.

“It’s no criticism of him but I don’t find him sexually attractive at all, let’s be honest. To find somebody watchable they’ve got to have a sexuality and a sensuality, otherwise I don’t watch. Old actors like Gary Cooper had it, and of the Bond actors Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan.

As you see Roger Moore clearly made an impression. 😀

Carpe Jugulum
Carpe Jugulum
October 4, 2023 4:45 pm

Jorge
Oct 4, 2023 2:57 PM

Our first First Nations Ambassador who works out of DFAT has stated that his knowledge of sea trade routes used by FN people will be leveraged to improve our trading position and earn FN people the recognition they deserve.

I first went to sea in the RAN when i was 17, 43 years later i will back my acquired knowledge from great mariners against his “bollocks” any day.

As a test, i will put out the challenge to your FN ambassador, pass on my email if needed. I will take any of my boats and navigate anywhere in the world, but he must do the same. i have 4 boats and only 2 would be ok for blue water the Sea Ray Amberjack and the Hereshoff ketch (which i prefer at 52 feet).

We should talk.

Lysander
Lysander
October 4, 2023 4:45 pm

Is it the fricking Feast of St Roger Moore today or something?! 😛

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 4:48 pm

Carpe Jugulum
Oct 4, 2023 4:23 PM

and its replacement F1 Sub Machine Gun,

The F1, probably the greatest lump of shit ever purchased by the DoD.

Damn their oily hides.

No better (to be kind) than the Owen.

Recall that Army wanted to produce the “Austen” (Australian Sten) here, but were over-ruled, and forced to take the Owen. The Sten was also rubbish. Was someone working for the Master-General of the Ordnance trying to make a very petty point by replacing a useful weapon with a rubbish one?

Carpe Jugulum
Carpe Jugulum
October 4, 2023 4:49 pm

As you see Roger Moore clearly made an impression. ?

Roger Moore is the most debonair bond ever, anyone who bones Jane Seymour in her prime is a God.

When he dies it will be a sad day for men everywhere.

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
October 4, 2023 4:49 pm

First spots of rain just hitting my place in Mosman.

Wish I had realised strong winds and heavy rain were coming today. I would have bought some wine and oven-heated food.

When I lived in Osaka I loved when the typhoons came: a couple of large beers, bag of pizza flavoured chips, and oven karaage. And a video.

Let the wind howl and rattle angrily at the windows while the aircon hummed unperturbed and I ate and watched TV in my calm impenetrable oasis.

(You needed the aircon because typhoons are warm weather events. Oh, and there is this charge in the air beforehand like the hush in a symphony hall when the conductor stands poised with raised baton.)

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 4:50 pm

B John

I don’t see a breakup because the majority of folks just live their lives and aren’t as interested in politics as we are here on this blog. I think what’s happened between friends is that if you believe the other party has different views, you just don’t talk politics anymore.

If I’m ever asked by Demonrat friends sussing out who I like, etc. I always say I love how Trump lowered the corporate tax rate down to 21%. It just disarms them.
We’re heading to Miami for Thanksgiving with pals, and the host wife despises Trump like he’s the devil incarnate. WIfey has been begging me not to take on any political discussion. They’re good pals. They’re always hosting us and have our kid stay with them in the Hamptons for the summers.

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 4:52 pm

Flying ‘Quaintarse’?.

Of course.

Tom
Tom
October 4, 2023 4:52 pm

Is it the fricking Feast of St Roger Moore today or something?!

Lysander, Woger and his health problems are the Cat’s favourite joke.

We’ll drop the subject after his death.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 4:53 pm

No better (to be kind) than the Owen.

Badly phrased.

The Owen was useful and practical, the F-1 less so.

Robert Sewell
October 4, 2023 4:53 pm

John H:

When scientists excavated a 1.4-million-year-old site in northern Israel in the 1960s, they were stumped by the presence of nearly 600 plum-size stone balls alongside more usual stone tools such as hand axes.

It looks like someone invented the shanghai and lost all their ammo.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 4, 2023 4:54 pm

Is anyone as sick of this sh! as I am?

As mentioned, I’ve got a “Don’t welcome me to my own country” sticker on the back of my car.

Looking for parking in a Perth shopping center, I thought I was being followed.
Pulling into a vacant parking lot, a car pulled in behind me, the window comes down, and I cop a screeching tirade from the harridan behind the wheel about “that sticker you’ve got. It’s not your country, it’s not mine, it’s Aboriginal country. A 15 year old Aboriginal boy was bashed to death not far from here, have you any idea how offensive his family would find that sticker? I do social work among Aboriginals living in poverty, while their men folk are in jail, running the risk of necking themselves. I’ll pray for your soul. Do you know that theirs is the oldest living culture, and we should be proud to walk in their footsteps.”

“Oh, can I get a word in edgewise? Theirs isn’t the oldest living culture, that honour belongs to the San Bushmen of Southern Africa, we don’t have much option other then to walk in their footsteps, they never invented the wheel. In their culture, a woman of your vintage would have had seven children before she was twenty five, had both legs broken and left for the dingoes when she was in her mid twenties.(H/T Cohenite.) Now, Foetsak!”

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 4:58 pm

Johnny Rotten
Oct 4, 2023 4:33 PM
My attitude about death is, going into the next room, and it’s a room that the rest of us can’t get into because we don’t have the key. But when we do get the key, we’ll go in there, and we’ll see one another again, in some shape or form or whatever. It’s not the end.

– Roger Moore

So he’s been reading Parnia. Good luck with Roger.

P
P
October 4, 2023 4:59 pm

I thought celebrities could only be so stupid, but Ray has pushed back the envelope further.

Him tjiki blackbala ?
Wiki

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 4:59 pm

Robert Sewell
Oct 4, 2023 4:53 PM
John H:

When scientists excavated a 1.4-million-year-old site in northern Israel in the 1960s, they were stumped by the presence of nearly 600 plum-size stone balls alongside more usual stone tools such as hand axes.

It looks like someone invented the shanghai and lost all their ammo.

Marbles

Robert Sewell
October 4, 2023 4:59 pm

I hate to do this but has Ashley Paul Griffith been to trial and found guilty?
No matter what evidence has been found, he is due a trial.
Didn’t we just get over this ‘guilty before the trial’ in the last couple of months?

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 5:01 pm

JC
Oct 4, 2023 4:50 PM
B John

I don’t see a breakup because the majority of folks just live their lives and aren’t as interested in politics as we are here on this blog. I think what’s happened between friends is that if you believe the other party has different views, you just don’t talk politics anymore.

I don’t doubt that.

The real problem is that the DemonRat left want to ram their insane beliefs down everyone’s throat and will not take no for an answer. Continue like that, and eventually there will be a reaction.

Perhaps a simple purge of anyone who takes such an attitude? It is probably not much more than a million or so in total. Break them down for spare parts, and use their (very ample) wealth to pay off the national debt? (NADT, only joking about the spare parts, not so much about confiscating their ill-gotten wealth to repair the costs of their stupidity. The Clintons and Bidens between them would have looted enough to reduce the debt by a lot.)

Carpe Jugulum
Carpe Jugulum
October 4, 2023 5:01 pm

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Oct 4, 2023 4:54 PM

Is anyone as sick of this sh! as I am?

I find brevity is a better alternative . Perhaps you should try something along the lines of – “tongue my balls while you slobber on my greasy c%ck you cumdumpster”, it’s brief, but to the point.

Don’t thank me, I’m here to help, i’m a people person.

Dr Faustus
Dr Faustus
October 4, 2023 5:02 pm

“It has been suggested the first railroad gauges arose from the width of the typical horse driven carriage.”

The ‘absolutely true’ story in the mines of the North of England is that 4’8” was the standard width of a horse-drawn coal wagon on a rollyway. In reality, there was nothing like a standard anything amongst the pits – George Stevenson was engineer at a number of Durham collieries and picked the gauge for some unknown local reason.

But once he built it into the Locomotion, the rest was history.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 5:04 pm

Wow, Zulu.

You were Whitesplained and Chicksplained, with extra guilt trolling sauce.

You do realise that the death of the indigenous lad was all your fault, don’t you? Shame.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 5:06 pm

Carpe! I’m shocked!

Perhaps it sounds better in Japanese.

Rosie
Rosie
October 4, 2023 5:06 pm

Ray Martin has indigenous heritage.
He’s a member of the millionaire club.

Lysander
Lysander
October 4, 2023 5:07 pm

Ugh… I walked into a room full of Monty’s:

https://www.pollbludger.net/2023/10/04/indigenous-voice-polling-round-up/#comments

(The PollBludger site is ran by “Dr” William Boe who is a part of the “Teal conglomerate”)

Don’t expect your comment to get published, worse than The Oz.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 5:08 pm

Don’t be shy, Carpe.
We can say ‘cock’ here.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 5:09 pm

Also, she probably picked the fight because Zulu looks like a respectable older gentleman, a bit like the Beloved (who has also been on the end of insane menopausal rants from randoms).

She would never let out a peep if he was a rat tailed ranga in singlet, thongs, stubbies and decorative tattoo wear.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 5:11 pm

Lysander
Oct 4, 2023 4:45 PM
Is it the fricking Feast of St Roger Moore today or something?!

No, but it gives those jealous down thumber bummers something to do between pulling those long hairs out of their Jug ears and their big fat noses.

They do like like that down thumbing bumming. Maybe they are all ‘Shirt Lifters’.

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 5:12 pm

B John

I don’t know why, but I just can’t put my finger on the reasons. I actually think that if Trump does win and win by large in 24, he closes the border, reforms the bureaucracy, brings peace to the Ukraine, I actually think people will gain an appreciation of him and things simmer down. Sometimes a defeat just has that impact.

It goes something like, there is fear in the Demonrat circles that he will win, but once they pass that stage and settle down, they may not see things as terrible for them as they believed before. It’s not all of them, but enough to quieten things down.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 5:16 pm

We can say ‘cock’ here.

Speak for yerself’. ‘Cock a doodle doo’ –

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

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 4, 2023 5:16 pm

Ray Martin unwittingly provided one of the greatest TV moments when some ALPBC swampy was going through his bins on the verge at Mosman or wherever.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 5:17 pm

Lysander

Oct 4, 2023 5:07 PM

Ugh… I walked into a room full of Monty’s:

The best …
“MC Hammer reminds us that the world is watching”.
That should swing it.

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 4, 2023 5:21 pm

MC Hammer reminds us that the world is watching

I like big butts and I cannot lie
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7nprhxc2Lxc

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 5:21 pm

Do you think there weren’t trenches or heavily fortified lines on the Eastern Front?

Russia isn’t using Brusilov’s tactics. On problem with that is drones – very hard to build up enough artillery and ammo behind the lines when one $20 drone can spot a HIMARS strike onto your artillery park and ammo dump. Which means dispersal is necessary, But Brusilov’s attack method needed concentration. So in some ways the current tactical situation is worse than WW1, for both sides, since both have drones and excellent intel.

The next big advance is anti artillery shell lasers. Which are very close to being deployed. Then the tactical balance may change once more. I don’t know in which direction though.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 5:24 pm

Dr Faustus

Oct 4, 2023 5:02 PM

“It has been suggested the first railroad gauges arose from the width of the typical horse driven carriage.”

So.
There we have it.
Trains stealing from trucks right at the very start.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 5:25 pm

JC
Oct 4, 2023 5:12 PM
B John

I don’t know why, but I just can’t put my finger on the reasons. I actually think that if Trump does win and win by large in 24, he closes the border, reforms the bureaucracy, brings peace to the Ukraine, I actually think people will gain an appreciation of him and things simmer down. Sometimes a defeat just has that impact.

It goes something like, there is fear in the Demonrat circles that he will win, but once they pass that stage and settle down, they may not see things as terrible for them as they believed before. It’s not all of them, but enough to quieten things down.

He didn’t build the wall, he didn’t drain the swamp, he didn’t fix the China and NK issues, he erected tariffs that harmed US companies, he didn’t choose the best people because by his own words he condemned so many of them, he didn’t lock her up rather his team was locked up, he ridiculed US servicemen, he kept thousands of classified documents and tried to hide some of them. Sure JC, he’ll do better next time.

Tom
Tom
October 4, 2023 5:25 pm

Bugger me. Caleb Bond is standing in for Sharri Markson, who has again decided not to show up for work this week at Sky News.

Bond is doing an excellent pob of covering for the recalciltrant Markson, but unfortunately he has picked up the Andrew Blot habit — popular with big media egos — of talking over his guests.

In other words, Bond thinks he’s more important than the newsmakers on his show — a fatal flaw that, as a line-and-length representative of the proletariat with a normal-sized ego, guarantees he’ll only ever be a member of the supporting cast.

Alamak!
October 4, 2023 5:26 pm

She would never let out a peep if he was a rat tailed ranga in singlet, thongs, stubbies and decorative tattoo wear.

Exactly. Dress to impress in the latest “Houso” range

Dot
Dot
October 4, 2023 5:28 pm

If banks and tech move to Red states (hint: they already are) then the idea of a civil war is a bit silly.

It will be more of an Escape from L.A. situation.

eric hinton
eric hinton
October 4, 2023 5:30 pm

Re
Boambee John
Oct 4, 2023 4:21 PM

See the last sentence of mine you quoted. However, on second thoughts, seafaring is too grand a word. Would you accept “to get out to the islands”? Agree with your last para. But. Wiki says pre-historic people visited the Abrolhos and Montebello’s so maybe they worked out the songlines on foot during the last ice age.

P
P
October 4, 2023 5:36 pm

Crisis on the Armenian frontline
By Marilyn Rodrigues – October 4, 2023

Excerpts:

The Liberal member of the New South Wales legislative council (Sue Carter) was part of a group of Australian MPs—coincidentally, all Catholic—who were plunged into the middle of the world’s latest refugee crisis while on a scheduled visit.

Armenia is the world’s most ancient Christian nation; the Australian politicians met the leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, while on their tour.

The Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the crisis was deepening “hour by hour” and warned many more thousands would be displaced and the refugees’ situation worsen without immediate attention from the rest of the world.

He said the group’s visit to Armenia’s spiritual leader was “very helpful” and they will ask the Australian Federal government and the UN to provide immediate emergency funding.

Led by Labor MP Hugh McDermott and Liberal MP Tim James the group coincidentally arrived for a week-long visit as the humanitarian tragedy unfolded.

RTWT

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 5:39 pm

No, but it gives those jealous down thumber bummers something to do between pulling those long hairs out of their Jug ears and their big fat noses.

They do like that down thumbing bumming. Maybe they are all ‘Shirt Lifters’.

And of course, playing with the clinker and the long hairs up their khybers. LOL.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 5:41 pm

talking over his guests.

There is worse.

The question framed as a manifesto.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 5:42 pm

It will be more of an Escape from L.A. situation.

I disagree. The ‘Left out on a reach’ will never let go without a fight. Batten down those hatches now.

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 5:44 pm

He didn’t build the wall,

He built what could be built but was thwarted at every turn, slowed by ridiculous lawsuits. However, he certainly brought the flow down to a trickle. Instead of the late-term abortion, there are now 2 million people walking across the border annually—welcomed by the Demons.

he didn’t drain the swamp,

Nope, he didn’t. Big mistake.

he didn’t fix the China and NK issues,

He neutralized NK to some extent, and he certainly made the punters aware of the dangers of the CCP. He most certainly did that.

he erected tariffs that harmed US companies,

Yep, but I would except China, and only to some extent.

he didn’t choose the best people because by his own words he condemned so many of them,

I’m quite okay with my way or the higwahy approach. He’s the prez.

he didn’t lock her up rather his team was locked up,

He was never going to lock her up. That was just Trump being hyperbolic Trump. However, if he gets in, Crooked better watch herself next time.

he ridiculed US servicemen,

Bullshit. That’s just Kelly, a disgruntled former employee fired because he was useless and lied to CNN.

he kept thousands of classified documents and tried to hide some of them.

He was prez and he has the right to classify and declassify whatever he chose There’s no law to say he can’t. There can be no law for the head of the executive branch.

Lysander
Lysander
October 4, 2023 5:45 pm

In other words, Bond thinks he’s more important than the newsmakers on his show — a fatal flaw

In the spirit of the Feast of St Roger Moore…. I say…

Bond. Caleb Bond: Asked a question of a guest that went for 1min 30secs+ yesterday and his guest was given less than 1min to answer it.

Do better.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 5:46 pm

J

C
Oct 4, 2023 5:12 PM
B John

I don’t know why, but I just can’t put my finger on the reasons. I actually think that if Trump does win and win by large in 24, he closes the border, reforms the bureaucracy, brings peace to the Ukraine, I actually think people will gain an appreciation of him and things simmer down. Sometimes a defeat just has that impact.

It goes something like, there is fear in the Demonrat circles that he will win, but once they pass that stage and settle down, they may not see things as terrible for them as they believed before. It’s not all of them, but enough to quieten things down.

We can but hope.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 5:47 pm

The Liberal member of the New South Wales legislative council (Sue Carter) was part of a group of Australian MPs—coincidentally, all Catholic—who were plunged into the middle of the world’s latest refugee crisis while on a scheduled visit.

What the heck are they doing there?. Their Electorates are here in NSW. Get back onto the Job that you were elected for. FFS.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 5:50 pm

eric hinton
Oct 4, 2023 5:30 PM
Re
Boambee John
Oct 4, 2023 4:21 PM

See the last sentence of mine you quoted. However, on second thoughts, seafaring is too grand a word. Would you accept “to get out to the islands”? Agree with your last para. But. Wiki says pre-historic people visited the Abrolhos and Montebello’s so maybe they worked out the songlines on foot during the last ice age.

Getting out to the nearby islands I can accept. Travelling to (now) Indonesia and beyond, a la the FN “Ambassador”, is fantasy.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 6:05 pm

I was a bit early as I believed the ALPBC who know nothing about anything –

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR712.loop.shtml#skip

Here comes the rain again –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzFnYcIqj6I

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 6:10 pm

And…just like that…Seven News dogwhistles the cheats with the news that the AEC won’t differentiate between multiple votes.

In other news, apparently the south coast is on fire. A quick look at “Fires Near Me” tells me that every single fire is under control or on advice.

Fake News.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 6:11 pm

I know…I said I’d turn it off.

Sadly I share this house with someone who wants to watch it. So I sit and seethe.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 6:18 pm

That’s a pretty decent kaboom. (photo)_

Terrifying moment e-bike explodes sparking major fire and evacuations at Mad Monkey Hostel in Sydney (Sky News, 4 Oct)

Flames broke out in a second-storey room at the Mad Monkey Hostel on Darlinghurst Road in Potts Point after 9am on Wednesday.

About 70 holidaymakers were sent running into the street as 22 firefighters worked to control the blaze.

One e-bike required 22 firefighters? We’re gonna need a bigger fire service.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 6:18 pm

Wodney Woddenhead at 5:39.
Quoting oneself?
Poor form.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 6:23 pm

Sancho Panzer
Oct 4, 2023 6:18 PM

Not really Mrs Stencho Pantyhose. How are those leggings BTW?

Just keeping up with the low level bloggers here including you. Not too difficult to do these daze.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 4, 2023 6:36 pm

Supposedly informed commenters here are confusing MC Hammer with Sir Mixalot.

I weep for the future.

cohenite
October 4, 2023 6:36 pm

JC
Oct 4, 2023 5:44 PM

Who’s the TDS dickhead you’re replying to?

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 6:36 pm

The Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the crisis was deepening “hour by hour” and warned many more thousands would be displaced and the refugees’ situation worsen without immediate attention from the rest of the world.

Meanwhile in Australia, and this person’s State of NSW, some Australian Citizens were in strife. And they are the ‘Marginalised’ as explained by a Federal Senator named Jacinta Price. A lovely caring Australian.

And where were you lot? Nowhere in Australia to be seen.

Get back here and do the Job that you were elected for. FFS.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 4, 2023 6:37 pm

Uh. Earlier, at 4.00:

On December 1st, unless our intellectually challenged PM pulls out prior, Australia will ROLL OVER into an agreement with the W.H.O. whereby, THEY will dictate terms on medical emergencies etc

I would like to hear more of this. Specifically, I would like to hear specifics.

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 6:37 pm

“He didn’t build the wall, he didn’t drain the swamp, he didn’t fix the China and NK issues, he erected tariffs that harmed US companies, he didn’t choose the best people because by his own words he condemned so many of them, he didn’t lock her up rather his team was locked up, he ridiculed US servicemen, he kept thousands of classified documents and tried to hide some of them. Sure JC, he’ll do better next time.”

I’ll just preface my response to the above wankish bilge (and they’re the politest words I can drum up to describe the above horse manure) by stating that not even Donald Trump could ever have imagined the furious assault on his presidency, beginning seconds after he won the presidency that night in November 2016, assaults from the Democrats, RINOs, MSM, CIA, FBI et al. Within hours there was talk of trying to get the electoral college to reject his presidency, and it just went on and on from there. I remember how in January 2017, MAGA people who travelled to Washington for his inauguration were physically assaulted by Democrats, and of course whilst the inauguration was happening, the Wussia hoax began in earnest, which had the Clinton fingerprints all over it, followed by almost two years of the Mueller investigation, impeachment attempts and so on. All of this was topped by the summer of violence in 2020. No president in history, save for President Andrew Jackson, has ever had to confront such malicious opposition. The lies and malice spread about Trump were and remain stratospheric. I often wonder why he bothered, but he bothered because he saw how badly the USA had faired under that repulsive slick Kenyan and that’s why he stepped in. Trump has always reminded me of a character from a John Ford film. A patriot, a man who loves his country and who loves Americans. Despite all the malice, the malevolence, the spite, the hate, the attacks, Donald Trump accomplished a lot in his time as president. Energy independence, a good economy, the Abraham accords, no wars began under his presidency. And no, I don’t believe he ever “ridiculed US servicemen”, in fact he honoured US servicemen and women, and unlike many of his predecessors and that rotting corpse of a successor, he didn’t and doesn’t regard the lives of young American men and women as canon fodder.

As for “he kept thousands of classified documents and tried to hide some of them.”….seriously, you’re a D-grade court jester. Perhaps Trump had them under lock and key, unlike the rotting corpse who is now president, who kept classified documents in his Delaware garage for anyone to find.

I am still not sure I want Donald Trump to run next year, long preferring DeSantis but given that Trump still manages to upset various rotting apples, as evidenced in the bilge above, I’ll happily throw my support behind Trump.

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
October 4, 2023 6:37 pm
Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 4, 2023 6:38 pm

We can say ‘cock’ here

Yes we can. It’s a poultry-friendly blog.

cohenite
October 4, 2023 6:40 pm
miltonf
miltonf
October 4, 2023 6:41 pm

John H can be put in the same little box as Montypox.

cohenite
October 4, 2023 6:42 pm

Never mind HP; I see spectrum lad is out and about.

Jorge
Jorge
October 4, 2023 6:42 pm

Kim Beasley outside a polling station today:

“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

Not necessarily. Can you do the rumba ? Can you jump ?

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
October 4, 2023 6:43 pm
JC
JC
October 4, 2023 6:43 pm

cohenite
Oct 4, 2023 6:36 PM

JC
Oct 4, 2023 5:44 PM

Who’s the TDS dickhead you’re replying to?

Stop. It’s John H. He’s yet to be briefed.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 6:47 pm

Knuckle Dragger
Oct 4, 2023 6:38 PM
We can say ‘cock’ here

Yes we can. It’s a poultry-friendly blog.

I would say that it is Rooster friendly Farmyard – LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upjDSCkz5XQ

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 6:47 pm

“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

We’re all blak? Ok that means we’re all equal already then. No need for anyone to have anything that anyone else doesn’t get. No need to change the Constitution.

Beasley is fun!

Tintarella di Luna
Tintarella di Luna
October 4, 2023 6:49 pm

Tintarella> Solutions might be 1) Just expand the NDIS as its working so well.

they’ve been working on that since July 2013 so that is working so well to the point where the whole bloody thing is blown out as is the way with anything created by a bureaucrat because it’s OPM.

As for 2 & 3 — those ideas are always in the mix. Cheers

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
October 4, 2023 6:51 pm

“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

If he goes back further they lived in trees. Further still they huddled in burrows to avoid dinosaurs. Further still they basked under a palaeozoic sun with a sprawling posture keeping an eye open for dimetrodon.

Kim Beasley is just a wealth of knowledge who seems to have successfully paired Ancestry.com with a next-gen supercomputer.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 6:51 pm

Yes we can. It’s a poultry-friendly blog.

Capon is more insulting.

Tom
Tom
October 4, 2023 6:52 pm

John H can be put in the same little box as Montypox.

No, no, Miltonf. John H is just an inquisitive , independent voice.

Settle down.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 6:53 pm

Cassie of Sydney
Oct 4, 2023 6:37 PM
“He didn’t build the wall, he didn’t drain the swamp, he didn’t fix the China and NK issues, he erected tariffs that harmed US companies, he didn’t choose the best people because by his own words he condemned so many of them, he didn’t lock her up rather his team was locked up, he ridiculed US servicemen, he kept thousands of classified documents and tried to hide some of them. Sure JC, he’ll do better next time.”

I’ll just preface my response to the above wankish bilge (and they’re the politest words I can drum up to describe the above horse manure

miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 6:41 PM
John H can be put in the same little box as Montypox

Keep on virtue signaling.

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 6:55 pm

“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

Wow, Kim. Did they pass on Trougher DNA to you also?

Alamak!
October 4, 2023 6:56 pm

He was prez and he has the right to classify and declassify whatever he chose There’s no law to say he can’t. There can be no law for the head of the executive branch.

You’re about 200 years out of date. The US President is not a King nor was meant to be based on the tri-structured US Government.

For the rest it can be observed the BDS is strong with this one.

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 4, 2023 6:56 pm

Don’t you know who I am?!

Dermott Brereton has detailed his awkward encounter with federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell after he jumped the queue for a photo with the Hawthorne great at Saturday’s AFL Grand Final blockbuster.

The football legend was greeting fans and signing memorabilia when an impatient supporter cut the queue to get a photo, Brereton told SEN drive hosts Andrew Maher and Andrew Gaze on Monday.

“He walked up and pushed to the front of the queue and he was really well-dressed,” he explained.

“And he said – this is verbatim – ‘you have to have a photo with me’. And I said, ‘I’m sorry sir, I don’t have to have a photo with you, but I can have a photo with you if you stay in line’.”

Brereton then alleged Mr Farrell demanded to have a photo with him, despite the queue of people patiently waiting behind him.

“He said, ‘no, I’m not lining up … I’m the minister for trade and tourism.’ And I said, ‘oh well, I’m sorry. There’s other people in the line who were here first’.”

It’s understood Mr Farrell’s wife then “jumped in” to defend her husband by once again reiterating his position in politics, however Brereton didn’t take a bar of it.

“I said, ‘well, good luck to you mate, that’s not how it normally works’,” he said.

It’s understood the pair had an awkward exchange about politics and who Brereton voted for in last year’s federal election, before Mr Farrell left.

It’s not clear whether the Trade Minister got snapped alongside the football legend, however Brereton said most of the fans who attended the final game of the season were well behaved.

“I just want to say more so than ever what rocks is the demeanour and the manners of all the supporters we encountered over the weekend they would politely ask for photographs and signed balls … they were so gracious,” he said.

The Herald Sun has reached out to Mr Farrell’s office for comment.

Viva
Viva
October 4, 2023 6:56 pm

Caleb Bond and Bolt may talk over their guests but at least they don’t suffer from Paul Murray’s verbal overload which we fast forward through

Even when he finally gets round to his panel his questions goes round the houses several times before he gets the point if you can actually understand it

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 6:57 pm

We can say ‘cock’ here

Yes we can. It’s a poultry-friendly blog.

And ‘Cock au Van’ in English slang.

Or, ‘Cock Robin’ as in ‘Who killed Cock Robin?’

Or, ‘Cock of the North’

The cocks are simply endless especially for the ‘Shirt LIfters’

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 6:57 pm

Honest question…I’m starting to wonder who the “best people” are that Trump could have chosen. Do any actually exist in Washington?

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 4, 2023 6:57 pm

Wow, Kim. Did they pass on Trougher DNA to you also?

Chortle.

miltonf
miltonf
October 4, 2023 6:58 pm

John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:00 pm

miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 6:58 PM
John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

And proud of it.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:01 pm

Come on Milton F. and Cassie. Is that the best insults you can throw around. Pitiful. Try harder.

Dot
Dot
October 4, 2023 7:01 pm

Dermott Brereton has detailed his awkward encounter with federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell after he jumped the queue for a photo with the Hawthorne great at Saturday’s AFL Grand Final blockbuster.

Well no, I had no idea who the Trade Minister was either.

Wally Dali
Wally Dali
October 4, 2023 7:02 pm

Imagine the carnage if that exploding e-bike was on the ground floor…
Or, in a rank alongside other e-bikes

miltonf
miltonf
October 4, 2023 7:02 pm

Not really-sums you up in my mind

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:03 pm

Mother Lode
Oct 4, 2023 6:51 PM
“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

If he goes back further they lived in trees. Further still they huddled in burrows to avoid dinosaurs. Further still they basked under a palaeozoic sun with a sprawling posture keeping an eye open for dimetrodon.

Kim Beasley is just a wealth of knowledge who seems to have successfully paired Ancestry.com with a next-gen supercomputer.

And they did not worry about Climate Change or the cost of living or about a stupid Referendum. They worried about staying alive –

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

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 4, 2023 7:05 pm

What did Gez say? Weather should be reported, not preached? In that vein behold this dingleberry from the Hun:

Temperature records have been “absolutely destroyed” after Australia sweltered through its driest, hottest September on record, with authorities now placing total fire bans across several NSW regions in response.

The unenviable data spells a devastating summer for the country as firies in multiple states continue to battle some of the most intense bushfires seen this year.

Total fire bans are now in place for the Northern Slopes, North Western and Greater Hunter areas as NSW’s northeast faces high and extreme fire danger ratings on Wednesday.

NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said as of 9am on October 4, fire crews were battling 73 fires across the state.

A bushfire is still raging out of control in the Bega Valley on the south coast, though rain from a cold front has brought some relief.

Residents were urged to evacuate yesterday however the bushfire warning was downgraded to a Watch and Act on Wednesday morning.

The 5272 hectare blaze is expected to keep firefighters busy on Wednesday.

Victoria’s Gippsland region was thrown into chaos with several bushfire emergency warnings enacted throughout the day on Tuesday.

The rainfall average across the entire country was a “measly” 4.8mm of rain, described as “one of the lowest monthly totals for any month” going back to 1900, according to WeatherZone meteorologist Joel Pippard.

“Victoria and the broader Murray-Darling Basin have missed the rain the most, with both regions recording their driest Septembers on record,” he said.

“Across the Murray-Darling Basin, rainfall averaged 5.6mm, just 16 per cent of what would normally fall during the month.”

Melbourne also had its driest September in 168 years, with only 10.8mm falling in the gauge.

The nation also experienced its third hottest month in history, while NSW, Victoria and WA had their heat records “absolutely destroyed”.

Maximums in Victoria were 3.77C above average, while Western Australians suffered through temperatures that were 3.54C above average.

“NSW also had their hottest September on record, an insane +5.07C hotter than average, beating the previous record of +4.73C from 2013,” Mr Pippard said.

El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole are to blame for the hot and dry weather, with the Bureau of Meteorology declaring both of these climate drivers in September.

FMD didn’t someone earlier say that of the “raging bushfires” in NSW were under control? It seems the only thing raging is the erection in Mr Pippard’s pantaloons.

cohenite
October 4, 2023 7:05 pm

Stop. It’s John H. He’s yet to be briefed.

He’s got an Aardvark fetish.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:06 pm

miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 7:02 PM
Not really-sums you up in my mind

That’s a shame, I was hoping for the usual way people here treat Monty. How about scum of the earth or useless retard, idiot, moron, evil incarnate? Pick up your game Milton. Come on, see what it takes to drive me away. Find that limit. Both of you.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 4, 2023 7:07 pm

As mentioned, I’ve got a “Don’t welcome me to my own country” sticker on the back of my car.

So, the other side of the coin, in the car park of my local bottleshop, half an hour ago.

“Mate, that sticker “Don’t welcome me to my own country.” That’s the best one I’ve seen in a long time. Truer words were never said. Where do you get them from?’

He accepted one as a gift, we had a good laugh over the words of harridan in Perth, and went our separate ways.

miltonf
miltonf
October 4, 2023 7:08 pm

Why would you be hoping for that?

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:09 pm

miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 7:08 PM
Why would you be hoping for that?

Because I waste too much time here.

John Brumble
John Brumble
October 4, 2023 7:10 pm

John H: c.f. Sealion

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:10 pm

cohenite
Oct 4, 2023 7:05 PM
Stop. It’s John H. He’s yet to be briefed.

He’s got an Aardvark fetish.

But what was Chapman’s fetish?

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 7:11 pm

“Keep on virtue signaling.”

LOL.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:13 pm

Thank goodness. The rain in Sydney is now here. No more Alarmism from the ALPBC. Whoops, as now it will be floods and 7 years of pestilence or some other alarmism. Too many ‘isms’ these daze.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR713.loop.shtml#skip

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 7:13 pm

FMD didn’t someone earlier say that of the “raging bushfires” in NSW were under control?

That would be me.

When I saw the fanning flames graphic over the Bega area my spidey-sense went into overdrive. A quick check with the RFS site confirmed that it was bullsh*t.

I despise our MSM.

MatrixTransform
October 4, 2023 7:13 pm

… my second favorite cock

Foghorn Leghorn

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 7:13 pm

“Come on Milton F. and Cassie. Is that the best insults you can throw around. Pitiful. Try harder.”

You’re not worthy of “best insults”.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:15 pm

Cassie of Sydney
Oct 4, 2023 7:11 PM
“Keep on virtue signaling.”

LOL.

Come on Cassie. Try harder.

DrBeauGan
DrBeauGan
October 4, 2023 7:15 pm

John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

Why do you care? He’s only pixels.

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 4, 2023 7:15 pm

“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

So on the public tit just like the Bomber all his fat, questionable life.

Helen
Helen
October 4, 2023 7:16 pm

Re the crash fatalities six in NT.

It is a wonder there is not more. Royalties have just been paid out a few days ago and there is much indulgence.

Probs why the referendum day was chosen. My own experience in community poll working was the huge amount of ganja that came in at the same time as the remote polling booth. Kalkarinji was quiet that night. The voters were loyal to the supply.

Indolent
Indolent
October 4, 2023 7:17 pm
Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:18 pm

FMD didn’t someone earlier say that of the “raging bushfires” in NSW were under control? It seems the only thing raging is the erection in Mr Pippard’s pantaloons.

It’s pissing down here in Sydney right now. Probably in a lot of other places as well.

Climate Change? You are having a larf’.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 7:18 pm

Dermott Brereton has detailed his awkward encounter with federal Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell after he jumped the queue for a photo with the Hawthorne great at Saturday’s AFL Grand Final blockbuster.

Was he wearing luminescent shoes?

(Ok I’m showing my age here.)

calli
calli
October 4, 2023 7:18 pm

Introverts often struggle with communication. Something I know all about.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 4, 2023 7:19 pm

Daily Mail.

Northern Territory road crash: Parents and four young daughters who died in fiery smash identified – as dad is revealed as repeat drink driver who didn’t put kids in seat belts

Dad of four girls who died in NT horror crash repeat drink driver
Indigenous readers are warned this story contains images of the deceased

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 4, 2023 7:21 pm

Minister for Something Something:

“He said, ‘no, I’m not lining up … I’m the minister for trade and tourism.’ And I said, ‘oh well, I’m sorry. There’s other people in the line who were here first’.”

Brereton obviously picked up this sense for fair play during his later playing years at Collingwood.

It’s understood Mr Farrell’s wife then “jumped in” to defend her husband by once again reiterating his position in politics

Ah. A Status Wife. Mating call of ‘Do you know who my husband is?’

Watch and wait. Within 12 hours it will be ‘taken out of context’, ‘misspoke’, ‘well I work really hard’ and/or ‘trumped-up populist anti-government propaganda’.

Indolent
Indolent
October 4, 2023 7:21 pm
Rosie
Rosie
October 4, 2023 7:21 pm

Melbourne is 110 mm short of its annual average. Will we make it?
then there was October

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:22 pm

DrBeauGan
Oct 4, 2023 7:15 PM

John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

Why do you care? He’s only pixels.

Bingo.

Now come on the rest of you. I want to achieve the same level of contempt here that Monty enjoys. Hop to it.

Gilas
Gilas
October 4, 2023 7:24 pm

As mentioned aplenty on OOTs, I have volunteered for the NO campaign at a pre-polling booth in Western Sydney. A suburb well immersed in the vibrant, florid multicultural mix we all love and enjoy.
Thus, if Cat opinion is any guide, likely to show a strong NO vote.
Well.. on my allotted shift, on the second day of pre-polling, I arrived on time.. to a sea of YES corflutes and posters, YES volunteers strategically manning the entry points, a nice long queue of voters.. and NO one from the NO side.
I check with the local AEC staffer, there are no posters, no corflutes, no leaflets, no T-shirts.. not a sausage!
After some sotto-voce cursing at the sheer naivety of expecting a semi-competent effort by the underfunded NOers, I phone the only contact number given by Fair Australia.
Naturally, there’s no answer. Trying again after some more cursing, Geoff, from country NSW, answers. He bemoans the difficulties of organizing the volunteer body (no, I didn’t ask for details) and, as my problem isn’t unique, informs me that the commitment of some has been less than whole. He promises to pass my details on to someone who can help.
Eventually, just as I’m about to decamp, Jeni, from a polling booth in Concord, brings some materials, zip-ties, and, more importantly, knowledge of the mechanics, the dos and don’ts of the booth microcosm.
After Jeni shows me the ropes, and once some corflutes are zip-tied to lamp-posts, where they can be left overnight until polling day (unlike anything placed on the ground) she returns to Concord and I start my shift proper, alone, handing out leaflets with smiling Jacinta and Warren on them, while asking each voter to just write NO, preferably with a pen, for it is an easier task than writing YES, and to avoid using ticks or crosses. Everyone is polite, even those waving away my paper offering, even the YES volunteers, even those glaring at the sheer effrontery of being taught to choose in a simple YES/NO binary.
To my calls of “Vote NO to the Voice of division.”, their call is “Vote YES for a better outcome/future for all.”
One has to smile at the power of the YES camp’s self-delusion, earnestly believing that yet another layer of permanent bureaucracy will magically overturn and reverse the product of 50+ years of waste, nepotism and unerring policy failure.
One of the YES volunteers is a semi-retired hydrology civil engineer, steeped in MATLAB simulations, differential equations and linear algebra. All rigor, no BS.. yet he believes in magic.
Wonders never cease.
(cont.)

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 7:24 pm

miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 6:58 PM
John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

And proud of it.”

And stupid. Glad you’re also proud of that.

Razey
Razey
October 4, 2023 7:25 pm

Jorge
Oct 4, 2023 6:42 PM
Kim Beasley outside a polling station today:

“I don’t know who my ancestors were 700,000 years ago but I can tell you one thing: they were black.”

Oh touché old Kimmie boy, since no-one toils in the sun anymore, in 700,000 years everyone will be white!

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 4, 2023 7:25 pm

It is a wonder there is not more

No.

It is a miracle there aren’t more, each and every day.

Most of these occur on the highways leading off the Stuart to parts even more remote, but almost all drivers who regularly traverse the NT via that big north-south arterial road will have at least one horror near-miss story concerning a ‘countryman’ car chock full of locals, and all over the place like a madwoman’s shit.

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 7:26 pm

You’re about 200 years out of date. The US President is not a King nor was meant to be based on the tri-structured US Government.

I’m actually quite up to date. The US president is the head of the executive branch. There is no law that suggests a president is restricted from declassifying anything he wants and whenever his chooses. I have no idea why you would be making the comment that he’s not a king as it has no relevance. There has been convention, but convention isn’t law.

For the rest it can be observed the BDS is strong with this one.

And cognitive dissonance is a problem too for some

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:29 pm

Northern Territory road crash: Parents and four young daughters who died in fiery smash identified – as dad is revealed as repeat drink driver who didn’t put kids in seat belts

Dad of four girls who died in NT horror crash repeat drink driver
Indigenous readers are warned this story contains images of the deceased

RIP you children. But not the Dad. Not too sure about the Mother.

MatrixTransform
October 4, 2023 7:30 pm

One of the YES volunteers is a semi-retired hydrology civil engineer, steeped in MATLAB simulations, differential equations and linear algebra. All rigor, no BS.. yet he believes in magic.

people are strange

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 7:30 pm

“I’m actually quite up to date. The US president is the head of the executive branch. There is no law that suggests a president is restricted from declassifying anything he wants and whenever his chooses.”

Correct. It’s the same system in France.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 7:32 pm

miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 6:58 PM
John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

i’m not

mongs

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:34 pm

Cassie of Sydney
Oct 4, 2023 7:24 PM
miltonf
Oct 4, 2023 6:58 PM
John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

And proud of it.”

And stupid. Glad you’re also proud of that.

That is such a poor effort from someone who walks up to strangers and tells them what for. Two days ago I ended an email on a biochem issue where I declared myself “Too stupid for this world.” So I’m already way ahead of you.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 7:34 pm

Warwick Capper liked silly shoes too. It seems to be an AFL thing.

Tom
Tom
October 4, 2023 7:36 pm

I’m a glutton for punishment. I’ve just been enduring Sky News’ resident king of the loudmouth knowall smartarses Andrew Blot talking over his guest, Matt Canavan, who knows more about Australian politics than Blot will ever learn.

What an insufferable dummy –as an I for wasting my time. *Click*.

MatrixTransform
October 4, 2023 7:36 pm

Now come on the rest of you. I want to achieve the same level of contempt here that Monty enjoys. Hop to it.

I remember your Lobotomy isn’t iatrogenisis posts

yr a class-act Big J

slackster
slackster
October 4, 2023 7:36 pm

A couple of questions regarding EV chargers if anyone knows:

The cable is made of copper and the line doesn’t get energized until the car and the charger are plugged in. I assume the switching gear is the charging box.

How much could you sell those cables for?
How much would they cost to replace once people discover a free source of copper?

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:39 pm

MatrixTransform
Oct 4, 2023 7:36 PM
Now come on the rest of you. I want to achieve the same level of contempt here that Monty enjoys. Hop to it.

I remember your Lobotomy isn’t iatrogenisis posts

yr a class-act Big J

Damn you! Damn you to hell! After all the insults you now praise me!

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 4, 2023 7:39 pm

Rosie

Oct 4, 2023 7:21 PM

Melbourne is 110 mm short of its annual average. Will we make it?
then there was October

Really funny.
As if the weather respects the artificial constructs of our monthly calendar.
The other night the weather-chick was solemnly telling us that September rainfall was the lowest evah (since 2015).
Without drawing breath she goes on to say it will piss down buckets over the next few days.
My takeaway?
It rains in spring.
But not always on a strict timetable.

MatrixTransform
October 4, 2023 7:40 pm

uh-oh … lego-man

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 7:40 pm

“That is such a poor effort from someone who walks up to strangers and tells them what for.”

But I don’t walk up to strangers and tell them what for, they walk up to me/approach me and try and engage me, and I then have my say.

But thanks for confirming your stupidity.

eric hinton
eric hinton
October 4, 2023 7:41 pm

steeped in MATLAB simulations

Clubhouse leader.

MatrixTransform
October 4, 2023 7:42 pm

After all the insults you now praise me!

* Lol … genuine chuckles

do eugenics next

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:43 pm

One has to smile at the power of the YES camp’s self-delusion, earnestly believing that yet another layer of permanent bureaucracy will magically overturn and reverse the product of 50+ years of waste, nepotism and unerring policy failure.

At the National Press Club a few weeks ago –

And when the lovely Jacinta Price, a Senator of this Great Nation, explained a few things. One of which was the word ‘Accountability’.

Such a powerful word and as I have been saying for such a long time. And not just here as this is only a Blog. Every Organisation in Australia that gets Taxpayer funded money should be subject to a yearly Audit. EVERY One of them. And it doesn’t matter what colour or race or whatever they represent.

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 4, 2023 7:44 pm

Blot was barely worth the price of admission when he was on FTA.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
October 4, 2023 7:45 pm

They were still in the stone age, using tools typical of peoples long gone in the rest of the world.

Oetzi the Iceman had a large longbow and flint-edged arrows with the capacity to kill at 150 metres. That was 5300 years ago in Europe. He also had a rare copper adze. Aboriginal peoples of Australia seem to have originally arrived here in sequential migrations early in time via a coastal route with land bridges very early in migrations from an African or Middle Eastern point of origin. They show some linguistic and genetic similarities to South Indian indigenous tribes. As coastal dwellers they probably lived a lot on various seafoods, where bows and arrows wouldn’t have been particularly useful, so no impetus to experiment with that. They likely carried this ‘passive’ hunting and gathering culture into Australia, and apart from Kangaroos didn’t engage in a great deal of meat hunting, just small animal and flora foraging, quite a lot of it done by women, while the men retreated into warfare and spiritual matters. They did develop a shaped flying stick and a spear thrower for hunting purposes, as had happened elsewhere in very early hunting cultures, and rudimentary fishing equipment showed some improvements, but still a stone-age technology.

They lived in small familial groups wandering over ‘ranges’ of known territory and rarely went beyond it, marrying into adjacent groups divided also into similar kinship sections which alternated generationally in complex ways. As in New Guinea, they say they ‘marry the people we fight’ in a sister-category exchange system more complex than in New Guinea. Contra to Pascoe, they weren’t horticulturalists at all, not influenced by NG or Torres Strait people there.

Whether they were sophisticated enough to take out the ‘megafauna’ is debatable.

Cultural isolation breeds stasis. Gloryfying this is a step backwards.
Long gone time to move on now.

Gilas
Gilas
October 4, 2023 7:47 pm

Haven’t scrolled through the OT, so maybe mentioned already..

Jeni of Concord showed me a screenshot .jpg from the Yes23 camp, allegedly sent out to volunteers (don’t know if it’s yet been distributed in paper form, and where).
It shows, in suitable colour, a voting leaflet completed with a green tick and a red cross, claiming that such markings will be counted as valid votes.
This, after all the press coverage and claims of AEC bias in the last month.
Apparently, lawyers in the NO camp have been notified of this and will notify the AEC.

Yet more evidence that Yes23ers are vile, compulsive liars in the great Marxist tradition.
But we already knew that.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:47 pm

Cassie of Sydney
Oct 4, 2023 7:40 PM
“That is such a poor effort from someone who walks up to strangers and tells them what for.”

But I don’t walk up to strangers and tell them what for, they walk up to me/approach me and try and engage me, and I then have my say.

But thanks for confirming your stupidity.

My pleasure. You’re still failing the essential thing in heaven and on earth. You have yet to express the same contempt and bile towards me that you do towards Monty. That is my goal. I want to be as despised as Monty. Then I shall be justified in heaven and on earth. Now up to it.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:47 pm

Andrew Blot talking over his guest, Matt Canavan, who knows more about Australian politics than Blot will ever learn.

Tom Sharpe and ‘A Blot on the Landscape’ comes to mind.

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
October 4, 2023 7:48 pm

So what was the point of Beazley’s cathartic revealing of ancient family secrets?

Was it to say that we should vote ‘Yes’ because deep down we are all black, so we should not be racist in our votes?

Have they not twigged yet that people are tired of being called racist? That people see their decision as being based on reason are getting fed up with having their reasons treated as empty sophistry to cover for racism?

It is astonishing watching just how feeble the left’s campaign is, and how much it consists of theatre, playacting at fighting a wicked (bigoted) dragon, and how little of contesting ideas.

I suppose the latter involves merit, and that scares them.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 4, 2023 7:48 pm

John H.
Oct 4, 2023 7:22 PM
DrBeauGan
Oct 4, 2023 7:15 PM

John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

Why do you care? He’s only pixels.

Bingo.

Now come on the rest of you. I want to achieve the same level of contempt here that Monty enjoys. Hop to it.

You’ll have to post a lot more much lower quality drivel to even aspire to the mUnty level of contempt.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:48 pm

Whether they were sophisticated enough to take out the ‘megafauna’ is debatable.

Across the globe when humans showed up big things died. Two issues: long gestation and fertility cycles, and being top of the food chain not used to predation.

DrBeauGan
DrBeauGan
October 4, 2023 7:48 pm

I declared myself “Too stupid for this world.” So I’m already way ahead of you.

One of my former students told me that she’d given up on thinking about things, because it only made her more muddled and confused. I explained that no, she was always muddled and confused, but now she’d found out that she was muddled and confused, which was progress.

She didn’t believe me.

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 7:49 pm

My pleasure. You’re still failing the essential thing in heaven and on earth. You have yet to express the same contempt and bile towards me that you do towards Monty. That is my goal. I want to be as despised as Monty. Then I shall be justified in heaven and on earth. Now up to it.”

You’re very needy and lonely. Sad.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:51 pm

Boambee John
Oct 4, 2023 7:48 PM
John H.
Oct 4, 2023 7:22 PM
DrBeauGan
Oct 4, 2023 7:15 PM

John H is haughty, sanctimonious and condescending.

Why do you care? He’s only pixels.

Bingo.

Now come on the rest of you. I want to achieve the same level of contempt here that Monty enjoys. Hop to it.

You’ll have to post a lot more much lower quality drivel to even aspire to the mUnty level of contempt.

Good point. I’ll work on that.

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 4, 2023 7:54 pm

well I work really hard’ and/or ‘trumped-up populist anti-government propaganda’.

And the Russians Mr Dragger. Don’t forget the Russians.

Dot
Dot
October 4, 2023 7:54 pm

You’ll have to post a lot more much lower quality drivel to even aspire to the mUnty level of contempt.

You could say, try harder, hop to it!

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 7:55 pm

The nation also experienced its third hottest month in history, while NSW, Victoria and WA had their heat records “absolutely destroyed”.

Errrrrrrrr. Whose History? Not the World’s History obviously. Back to School after the Holidays and write down 2,000,000 lines on the blackboard/whiteboard – I know nuffink’

Indolent
Indolent
October 4, 2023 7:56 pm

Dr. John Campbell

Pfizer, process 2

Davey Boy
October 4, 2023 7:58 pm

Contempt is earned, not demanded

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
October 4, 2023 7:58 pm

What aboriginal populations did do is change the nature of the landscape which may have diminished habitat for more varied fauna and which developed a uniculture of gum trees germinated by aboriginal fire-farming, for they used fire as a main weapon to drive out fauna and thus have it weakened and available for clubbing with the same nulla-nulla they used on their wives’ heads.

All of that said, and we may not like most aspects of this culture, it did provide a human framework of myths and beliefs which allowed explanations of human consciousness in nature, something which mindful people like Marcus Aurelius put into words, drawing on generations of Greek philosophising for this. Elizabeth Durack in particular, living in the Kimberley in close contact with local aboriginal people, understood this intuitively about their myths, and her stories and pictures created for modern children from these myths are a fertile moment in cross-cultural understanding. Denigrated now of course because white woman cultural appropriation.

Gilas
Gilas
October 4, 2023 7:59 pm

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Oct 4, 2023 7:45 PM

They were still in the stone age, using tools typical of peoples long gone in the rest of the world.

They did develop a shaped flying stick and a spear thrower for hunting purposes

But.. but.. the boomerang is clear evidence that they invented propellers and thus aerodynamics.
Aeronautics would not exist today…

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 7:59 pm

Dot
Oct 4, 2023 7:54 PM
You’ll have to post a lot more much lower quality drivel to even aspire to the mUnty level of contempt.

You could say, try harder, hop to it!

Silence you archetype of Carl. The shadow cometh and take care lest your anima overwhelms your psyche.

Indolent
Indolent
October 4, 2023 8:00 pm
Dot
Dot
October 4, 2023 8:02 pm

I made myself watch the Voice The Voice ad.

I don’t think anyone but true believers would be willing to change their vote to yes on that ad.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 8:05 pm

Cassie of Sydney
Oct 4, 2023 7:49 PM
My pleasure. You’re still failing the essential thing in heaven and on earth. You have yet to express the same contempt and bile towards me that you do towards Monty. That is my goal. I want to be as despised as Monty. Then I shall be justified in heaven and on earth. Now up to it.”

You’re very needy and lonely. Sad.

Playing psychotherapist again? What next? That I need a Dr2 antagonist with a D1 specificity in the VTA-Nacc efferents? Or how about a 5 HT2a agonist though I think that may very well be cause by association because it exists in a heterodimer complex with TrkB and that is where a lot of whole interesting stuff is happening with regard to depression and neurodegeneration.

Indolent
Indolent
October 4, 2023 8:08 pm

This is a Bill gaining support in the U.S. Congress. It has not yet been passed yet.

CBDC Failed: Congress Is Banning CBDC With Massive Support

Robert Sewell
October 4, 2023 8:10 pm

Old Ozzie:

The No campaigners have put up many requests of a debate but no one in the yes campaign has taken this up. They just can’t put up any legitimate arguments other than the feel the vibe or the shame. Vote No

A debate in the old style would have destroyed the yes vote. The abuse from the entitled ones would have led to a punch up in the studio.
It would have been a very good night for the Channel that ran it, but none had the guts to do it.
We should start demanding a debate as a precursor to any election.

Indolent
Indolent
October 4, 2023 8:11 pm
Alamak!
October 4, 2023 8:12 pm

I’m actually quite up to date. The US president is the head of the executive branch. There is no law that suggests a president is restricted from declassifying anything he wants and whenever his chooses. I have no idea why you would be making the comment that he’s not a king as it has no relevance.`

Its relevant given the unlimited powers you seem to have ascribed to Trump during his time in office. Facts are that there are laws which relate to handling of classified information and there is no evidence that Trump declassified anything, especially not the classified documents he removed to his personal address after leaving office. Which he admitted to and gave back eventually.

And Trump knowingly and publicly declared on record to sharing classified information to non-certified people in breach of multiple security laws and policies.

A fish is caught by the mouth and Trump will be caught on this offence by his own recorded words.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 8:12 pm

Playing psychotherapist again? What next? That I need a Dr2 antagonist with a D1 specificity in the VTA-Nacc efferents? Or how about a 5 HT2a agonist though I think that may very well be cause by association because it exists in a heterodimer complex with TrkB and that is where a lot of whole interesting stuff is happening with regard to depression and neurodegeneration.

What a load of Big Word Bollox. P*ss off to another Blog. FFS.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 4, 2023 8:15 pm

They did develop a shaped flying stick and a spear thrower for hunting purposes

For shame, don’t you know they discovered how to make pharting noises, blowing down a hollow log?

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 8:15 pm

Its relevant given the unlimited powers you seem to have ascribed to Trump during his time in office. Facts are that there are laws which relate to handling of classified information and there is no evidence that Trump declassified anything, especially not the classified documents he removed to his personal address after leaving office. Which he admitted to and gave back eventually.

And Trump knowingly and publicly declared on record to sharing classified information to non-certified people in breach of multiple security laws and policies.

And what about Biden and his classified documents? FFS.

JC
JC
October 4, 2023 8:17 pm

Funny, because it’s possibly true.

This National Review headline caught my eye:

Joe Biden Made the Worst Vice-Presidential Pick of the Last 50 Years

Obama’s pick was even worse.

DrBeauGan
DrBeauGan
October 4, 2023 8:18 pm

What next? That I need a Dr2 antagonist with a D1 specificity in the VTA-Nacc efferents? Or how about a 5 HT2a agonist though I think that may very well be cause by association because it exists in a heterodimer complex with TrkB and that is where a lot of whole interesting stuff is happening with regard to depression and neurodegeneration.

This sort of thing can only make the sensitive folk here feel even more ignorant. Which upsets them. It doesn’t do much for the insensitive ones, me for one, who are resigned to being ignorant but would like to be marginally less so. There’s not enough information there for us. It looks like showing off how many things you know without actually telling us anything.

I suppose if you want m0nty status it’s a possible strategy.

Cassie of Sydney
October 4, 2023 8:19 pm

“Playing psychotherapist again? What next? That I need a Dr2 antagonist with a D1 specificity in the VTA-Nacc efferents? Or how about a 5 HT2a agonist though I think that may very well be cause by association because it exists in a heterodimer complex with TrkB and that is where a lot of whole interesting stuff is happening with regard to depression and neurodegeneration.”

No, I’m not a “psychotherapist” but perhaps you should seek one out.

Johnny Rotten
October 4, 2023 8:19 pm

A debate in the old style would have destroyed the yes vote.

Exactly. Senator Jacinta Price would have had a field day. The MSM and ALPBC would never have reported it. Too scared.

Diogenes
Diogenes
October 4, 2023 8:20 pm

because deep down we are all black,

Excellent,as we all have the same ancestors I will tick the box saying I am indigenous…

Diogenes
Proud Szekler Man of the Magyar People

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
October 4, 2023 8:21 pm

Gilas, what you felt about the lack of organisation at the pointy end of voting is what Hairy and I experience when we turned out to man the booths for the Australian Conservatives. We knew it was all over then, and your report has me worried about the No vote now. If there is no enthusiasm in the volunteering then the Yes will win hands down, especially when all the Yes booths are stacked with money, muchos money, as well as leftist enthusiasts.

It all makes me sad for the country, and for its aboriginal people who will be delivered a large dose of more of the same, forever. If I was in Australia I would be out there for sure, handing how How to Votes and probably feeling just a dejected as on the day for the Aust Cons.

cohenite
October 4, 2023 8:22 pm

Whether they were sophisticated enough to take out the ‘megafauna’ is debatable.

These guys think they did:

Humans rather than climate the primary cause of Pleistocene megafaunal extinction in Australia
January 2017Nature Communications 8(1):14142

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 8:22 pm

Johnny Rotten
Oct 4, 2023 8:12 PM
Playing psychotherapist again? What next? That I need a Dr2 antagonist with a D1 specificity in the VTA-Nacc efferents? Or how about a 5 HT2a agonist though I think that may very well be cause by association because it exists in a heterodimer complex with TrkB and that is where a lot of whole interesting stuff is happening with regard to depression and neurodegeneration.

What a load of Big Word Bollox. P*ss off to another Blog. FFS.

Congratulations JR. The first one here to strike gold.

1. Acronyms are not words.
2. Just today another study pointed to the same dynamic in play. I don’t expect you to understand any of it and I made a huge mistake because I failed to post drivel. It is not bollocks. I’m even kind enough to provide you one of many thousands of studies highlighting this issue.

BDNF receptor TrkB as the mediator of the antidepressant drug action

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through its receptor TrkB has for a long time been recognized as a critical mediator of the antidepressant drug action, but BDNF signaling has been considered to be activated indirectly through the action of typical and rapid-acting antidepressants through monoamine transporters and glutamate NMDA receptors, respectively. However, recent findings demonstrate that both typical and the fast-acting antidepressants directly bind to TrkB and thereby allosterically potentiate BDNF signaling, suggesting that TrkB is the direct target for antidepressant drugs. Increased TrkB signaling particularly in the parvalbumin-expressing interneurons orchestrates iPlasticity, a state of juvenile-like enhanced plasticity in the adult brain. iPlasticity sensitizes neuronal networks to environmental influences, enabling rewiring of networks miswired by adverse experiences. These findings have dramatically changed the position of TrkB in the antidepressant effects and they propose a new end-to-end model of the antidepressant drug action. This model emphasizes the enabling role of antidepressant treatment and the active participation of the patient in the process of recovery from mood disorders.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 8:25 pm

cohenite
Oct 4, 2023 8:22 PM
Whether they were sophisticated enough to take out the ‘megafauna’ is debatable.

These guys think they did:

Humans rather than climate the primary cause of Pleistocene megafaunal extinction in Australia
January 2017Nature Communications 8(1):14142

As I previously stated cohenite, same pattern throughout the world. We show up, they go down.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
October 4, 2023 8:27 pm

For shame, don’t you know they discovered how to make pharting noises, blowing down a hollow log?

Been done before too. The Aust Ab musicality is sadly lacking when compared to the wide range of musical instruments in bone and percussion that were on display for the 6000 year old hunter-gatherers in the Argyle valley of Kilmartin in Scotland that I saw on display in the museum there.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 4, 2023 8:27 pm

They did develop a shaped flying stick

Killer boomerangs are pretty damn good. Very accurate and just the right size to wound and, most importantly, knock over a wallaby. A crude bow would just see the wallaby hop away and die unfindably several km away.

A killer boomerang would be useless against something bigger, like a deer.

There’s science and art to the weapons mix that aboriginals had, to a certain extent. The thing though about bows and arrows, for example, is they can be improved much more than boomerangs can be. Once you get the start on the technology tree it leads you to better things, but when it comes to wallabies and possums a killer boomerang is better at level 1. So no aboriginal ever had a chance to develop a compound bow, since that was too many advances away.

John H.
John H.
October 4, 2023 8:29 pm

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Oct 4, 2023 8:27 PM
For shame, don’t you know they discovered how to make pharting noises, blowing down a hollow log?

Been done before too. The Aust Ab musicality is sadly lacking when compared to the wide range of musical instruments in bone and percussion that were on display for the 6000 year old hunter-gatherers in the Argyle valley of Kilmartin in Scotland that I saw on display in the museum there.

Even further back Lizzie. Bone flutes 50,000 years old.

https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/flute/worlds-oldest-instrument-neanderthal-flute/

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 4, 2023 8:29 pm

What a load of Big Word Bollox

Hang on. ‘Kipper’ is a pretty big word.

For a ‘part time bovver boy’.

About time that little self-descriptor got wheeled out.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 4, 2023 8:30 pm

From the “Spectator.”

Flat White
More like $50 billion: Kamahl’s $40 billion figure on Indigenous spending wasn’t too high
Damian Coory
Getty Images

Damian Coory

4 October 2023

4:00 AM

The Sunday Project’s Hamish McDonald’s face expressed all the earnestness of an 18-year-old first-year university student naïvely trying to convince their octogenarian grandpa that they were wrong on an issue when, in fact, they were not.

‘I’m sorry, where are you getting that figure from Kamahl?’ McDonald quizzed his older and wiser celebrity guest with feigned ignorance. ‘Obviously grateful to have you on,’ he condescendingly continued later, ‘I feel we should just fact check the $40 billion figure because you’ve used it a few times and I know a lot of people are listening to you.’

Kamahl, the legendary celebrity crooner from the 1970s and 80s variety TV shows, was being scolded for a surprise announcement on the Sunday night show, that after starting out with a ‘No’ position on the Voice, he’d changed his mind to ‘Yes’ momentarily, but had decided on ‘No’ again. This somewhat embarrassed the unashamedly pro-‘Yes’ panel of presenters on The Project. They had hoped to present Kamahl as a shining example of how one could change their mind on the issue from ‘No’ to ‘Yes’.

The 42-year-old presenter went on to lecture his 89-year-old guest, citing an irrelevant ‘fact check’ about a smaller amount of funding administered by one particular agency. From way upon the moral high ground, Macdonald opined, ‘I think it’s probably just right that given we are in referendum, and people are making up their minds, that we just get that right.’

It would indeed be good if The Project got things right in this case. In what is such an important study that every journalist in Australia should be able to recite its findings by heart, the figure comes from the last big government probe attempting to put a figure on the amount of taxpayer money that goes to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Australians.

It was the 2017 report of the Productivity Commission, readily available online, based on an analysis of federal budget spending in the 2015-16 financial year.

The study concluded that approximately $33 billion of all federal government spending that year went to ATSI Australians, who, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics numbered around 730,000 in that period. This means an average of $45,000 was spent on each Indigenous person in the country.

We must be clear that this is all spending. Including all the regular spending for services available to non-ATSI Australians. The study was careful to make the distinction between funding for regular services (~$27 billion) and ATSI-specific programs and initiatives (~$6 billion).

The total federal budget in FY2015-16 was $556 billion. So the remainder of $523 billion was spent on all other Australians, which in that year numbered 23.4 million. That’s $22,000 each.

So, in simple terms, the government spending on ATSI Australians is more than double per person on average each year than on the rest of the nation’s people.

This is not a discussion about whether this level of spending is justified or not. Some of this additional funding is related to the tyranny of distance endured by remote communities, some because of a higher level of welfare dependence, and some for affirmative action programs. But it certainly clearly demonstrates that Australians cannot, by any reasonable measure, be considered a racist people. And we most certainly do care enormously about the wellbeing of those who claim they are descendants of the ‘first peoples’ of the land we all share.

The Project’s failure to explain this very easy-to-research reality is a problem, mainly because of the show’s influence over younger voters. While it is a low-rating program by overall viewership numbers, it captures a healthy slice of the under-30s audience, and the show has driven a strong ‘Yes’ narrative throughout the referendum campaign period

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  2. If you substitute the words “for Greens preferences” whenever you encounter the words “against climate change”, the true meaning is…

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