Open Thread – Thurs 12 Oct 2023


At the Café, Edouard Manet, 1879

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calli
calli
October 13, 2023 5:33 pm

I like the idea of dress-ups for voting. I have a lovely selection of Aboriginal textiles by artists from the NT. Might wear one as a bandana, just to remind myself that without “invasion” these very talented people would never be able to market their wares worldwide.

So much well wishing and practical support for so many people. So much good will and money poured into enterprises designed to lift the indigenous out of poverty. Yet never enough.

Making the Constitution, one of the best in the world, a racist document is not the answer. It’s a silly proposition, spruiked by insatiable chancers. Nothing will change except the very thing that makes this country wonderful – we are all equal under the law, regardless of race, creed or colour.

This valuable document must be protected, it represents everyone’s dreams for a better life. All they have to do is put legs on those dreams…there will be no shortage of help and encouragement.

Gilas
Gilas
October 13, 2023 5:34 pm

Just returned from my last day of pre-poll volunteering.
I left early because tired, but also because of the changing tactics at the booth.

Tactics that were apparently directed by the central coordinators for NO in NSW.
Their grapevine feedback was that the YESsers are really panicking, and are now throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the pre-poll booths:
Large numbers of volunteers, aggressive engagement with all people entering the booth centre, as well as along the queue.

So our booth captain directed us to just hand out the HTVs, without approaching the voter, then saying nothing but “Thank you..”.
As well, we were to totally avoid engaging with YESsers, and just answer voters’ questions, simply.
And no more.

After several days of an independent free-hand in persuasion through chatty, friendly and informative banter, we were told to keep a low profile, be polite, unhurried and basically neutral, in contrast to the multiple, pushy, often argumentative YESsers.
A “less is more” approach, if you will.

This was also supposed to give the voters the impression that we were calm, confident and in control, as well as underfunded (as if that wasn’t bloody obvious from day one…).

All of us minions were not thrilled by this.
What ensued was some “discussion” between us, not involving the booth captain. Murmurings of disagreement with a tactic that allowed the YESsers to audibly lie about the reasons to vote YES, without comeback from us, without us being able to correct the record later on along the queue.
A change that instead looked like we were tired, disinterested and resigned to defeat, so why bother?

After several examples of poor planning and organization, managerialism had finally, triumphantly, joined the NO campaign.

Thank G.d that it only happened today, the last day of pre-polling.
Some of us then had the comforting thought that, tomorrow, working alone in the few booths that could be manned by the NO volunteers in this particular electorate, we were free to follow our instincts, as we had done for the last two weeks.
F@ck the tactics of the w@nkers who plan online, or around a table, but are nowhere to be seen on the ground.
And we have yet to see anyone from the SFLs, from any level of government.
More useless than tits on a bull.

Big day tomorrow…

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 5:34 pm

And a podium for the mini-rant.

Apologies.

OldOzzie
OldOzzie
October 13, 2023 5:35 pm

Penius Piano Playing Comedian Zelensky’s Pants msut be getting Browner!

Bloomberg ditches Ukrainian flag for Israeli

The New York high-rise changed the light display as US attention has shifted

The top of Bloomberg LP’s Manhattan headquarters is no longer showing solidarity with Ukraine, but has switched to supporting Israel instead, New Yorkers have noticed as of Thursday.

Photos and videos circulating on social media show the top six floors of the 731 Lexington Avenue building lit up in light blue and white stripes resembling the Israeli flag.

Since February 2022, when the Ukraine conflict escalated, the building’s four top floors had been lit up in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag – until this week, anyway. It was not clear when exactly the building management changed the display.

The high-rise is informally known as ‘Bloomberg Tower’ but is owned by Alexander’s, a real estate investment trust. Bloomberg pays over $100 million in rent for office space in the 55-floor tower, which is also home to 105 luxury condominiums.

Israel has almost entirely replaced Ukraine in the focus of Western media outlets, following Saturday’s incursion by Hamas militants from Gaza, which has so far resulted in over 2,700 deaths on both sides.

The Israeli government has declared war on the Palestinian group and launched artillery and air strikes against Gaza, vowing to “dismantle” Hamas and kill its leadership.

Many landmarks around the West have also been lit up in the colors of the Israeli flag, including the White House in Washington, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

Earlier this week, the Italian authorities projected the Israeli flag and the Star of David on the Arch of Titus in Rome, built to honor the Roman general who conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple nearly 2,000 years ago.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been alarmed by the shift in attention, warning that it will “have consequences” for his country. Ukraine’s fate “depends on the unity of the rest of the world,” he told France 2 in an interview earlier this week. Zelensky has reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s permission to visit Jerusalem to “boost international support for Israel’s counteroffensive against Hamas in Gaza.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 5:37 pm

aggressive engagement with all people entering the booth centre, as well as along the queue.

Good. Fabulous tactics. Be aggressive.

And get the great Aussie two finger salute.

Barking Toad
Barking Toad
October 13, 2023 5:39 pm

I wonder if Auntie Violet will be so disgusted with a NO vote that she’ll refuse to receive her Centrelink Pension each fortnight.

It’s a whitey thing after all. As is the sherry she slurps.

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 13, 2023 5:40 pm

aggressive engagement with all people entering the booth centre, as well as along the queue.

Hard to see that being a winner at any time. Dare I say UnAustralian?

OldOzzie
OldOzzie
October 13, 2023 5:41 pm

MEPs call for change of EU policy on Ukraine

Brussels needs to urge Kiev to make peace, according to a Voice of Europe roundtable

Ukrainian lives are being sacrificed by the “totally corrupt” elite in Kiev to which the EU recklessly sends billions of euros, several members of the European Parliament said at an event on Wednesday hosted by the think-tank Voice of Europe.

“We must stop this tragicomedy for Europe, for Ukraine and for Russia. We must try to find a path to prosperity again, and the first step is peace,” MEP Thierry Mariani of the French National Rally (RN) party argued at the roundtable, held in the central hall of the European Parliament in Brussels.

“Ukraine must remain a bridge” between Russia and Europe, Mariani added. He also pointed out that the current conflict has roots in 2013, when the EU tried to push Kiev to renounce a free trade deal with Russia and sign the Association Agreement with Brussels. This led to the Maidan demonstrations and the February 2014 coup.

Maximilian Kra of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) said he had traveled around Ukraine, describing it as “a beautiful country with very decent people.”

“I’m afraid that these decent people of Ukraine are now being sacrificed for the interests of the Kiev elite,” who own millions in real estate in southern France, Kra said. He also voiced fears that the US may ask the EU to foot the bill for the Ukraine conflict, now that Washington’s attention has been preoccupied by Israel.

“That’s what I’m afraid of. And I can tell you that this is already happening. Because Germany has already promised $1 billion to Ukraine, while the US will allocate only $200 million,” he said.

Marcel de Graaff of the Dutch Forum for Democracy (FvD) argued that Ukraine needs to make peace with Russia as soon as possible.

“I speak very directly because they have already lost. They are now sacrificing people up to 70 years old at the front. They no longer have reserves. They are losing right now,” said de Graaf.

He also described Ukraine as “the most corrupt country in the world,” now being given “tens of billions of euros” by the West.

“I heard that [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky’s mother-in-law bought a villa in Egypt for several million dollars, and we are still wondering where our money is going.

This is a totally corrupt civilization,” de Graaf added.

One major problem, according to the Dutch MEP, is that all trust has been lost between Russia and the West after the revelations by former German and French leaders that the Minsk Agreements were a ploy to buy Kiev time to prepare for war.

Kra brought up that Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk had presented the German Bundestag a “smart” peace plan based on Minsk II, a proposal that would have seen the rebel republics of Donetsk and Lugansk rejoin Ukraine with broad autonomy.

“At the time, no one knew that Minsk II was a fake, as Merkel later stated,” Kra added, referring to former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s December 2022 admission.

Henri Malos, president of Voice of Europe and host of the roundtable, also lamented the demise of the Minsk Agreements, which he said offered security and sovereignty for both Russia and Ukraine.

Vicki
Vicki
October 13, 2023 5:42 pm

“I respectfully urge you immediately to stand down Mr Joyner as the ABC’s Middle East Correspondent,” he said.
“His continued position is untenable.”

Agree. He gave what the anti-semitic inclined wanted – an excuse to diminish the horror.

Top Ender
Top Ender
October 13, 2023 5:43 pm

Remember – it’s a prediction of what you think will happen, not what you want to happen…

A Referendum Result competition

No will win…. (in order of No winning magnitude)

Barking Toad: No 70%; Yes 30%
States for Yes: none
States for No: all

Thefrollickingmole: No 70% Yes: 30%
States for Yes: none
States for No: all

John Brumble: No: 70% Yes: 30%,
States: 50/50 split

GreyRanga
No: 69%, Yes 31%
States for Yes: none
States for No: all

Speedbox: No = 67.5%; Yes = 32.5%.
States for Yes: Vic
States for No: Qld, WA, NSW, SA, Tas

Alamak!: No: 66%; Yes 33%
States for Yes: Vic, Tas
States for No: Qld, WA, NSW, SA

Top Ender: No 65% Yes 35%.
States for Yes: Victoria
States for No: NSW, Tas, WA, Qld, WA, SA

Delta A: Yes 60%, No 40%
States for Yes: Vic, Tas.
States for No: Qld, NSW, SA, WA.

Rosie: No 59% Yes 41%.
States for Yes: Vic, SA
States for No: WA, Qld, Tas, NSW

Sancho Panzer
No 59%, Yes 41 %
States for Yes: none
States for No: all

Razey:
No: 58%, No 42%
States for Yes: Tas
States for No: NSW, WA, Qld, SA, Vic

Rabz No: 58%, Yes 42%
States for Yes: Disasterstan, Taxmania, SA
States for No: NSW, WA, Qld

Bruce in WA: No: 58, Yes 42
States for Yes: Victoria; Tas
States for No: NSW, WA, Qld, SA

Local oaf: No 58%, Yes 42%
States for Yes: TAS, VIC
States for No: NSW, WA, Qld, SA

Yes will win….(in order of Yes winning magnitude)

Lysander Yes 67%, No 33%
States for Yes: Victoria
States for No: NSW, Tas, WA, Qld, WA, SA

Alwaysright: Yes: 51% No: 49%
States for Yes: Vic, NSW, Tas, Qld
States for No: WA, SA

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 5:45 pm

Lotocoti:
They need to have the name of an Israeli victim written on the nose, and the act televised.
It will help keep the world focussed on the reason why.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 5:46 pm

Thanks Dover.

Busy night. I’ll serve snacks.

Alamak!
October 13, 2023 5:47 pm

How boorish, trying to imbue his every little thing with momentous importance.

Its no wonder Boomers have a certain rep with some younger folks, when crap-like emissions from Adams is published and paid for.

Bruce in WA
October 13, 2023 5:48 pm

Been done. And by Palis too.

The Achille Lauro hijacking took place on 7 October 1985, when the Italian ocean liner MS Achille Lauro was hijacked by four men representing the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) off the coast of Egypt, as she was sailing from Alexandria to Ashdod, Israel.

I don’t maintain that it couldn’t happen, only that security and screening, in particular, make it much less likely. Even crew members are subject to the same security screening and anything brought on board is X-rayed, at the very least once. I wouldn’t like to try to get a gun or grenade on board.

Barking Toad
Barking Toad
October 13, 2023 5:50 pm

Thanks Dover. Threads will be interesting.

Barking Toad
Barking Toad
October 13, 2023 5:52 pm

Ferk me. Erin Molan hooked into a Pali sheila on Fox.

Well done girl!

Lysander
Lysander
October 13, 2023 5:52 pm

Oh crap, Top Ender, please reverse my Yes/No as I mixed it up! Instead of Yes = 67 to No = 33, it should be the other way around!

No = 67%
Yes = 33%.

Apologies again but dyslexia my must up be playing. 😛

Bar Beach Swimmer
October 13, 2023 5:53 pm

Erin Molan just now on Sky – simply magnificent against some Palestinian academic and supporter of Hamas. I’ve just come in and seen just the last couple of minutes. She refused to let this person off regarding what was shouted out at the Opera House and the fact that the woman had tweeted that Israel had no right to exist.

Bar Beach Swimmer
October 13, 2023 5:57 pm

TE
72% no; 28% yes; no for all states.

Top Ender
Top Ender
October 13, 2023 5:58 pm

Change made Lysander

Vicki
Vicki
October 13, 2023 6:01 pm

Busy night. I’ll serve snacks.

We are having people to dinner tonight. Fortunately, of the same political persuasion. One of them is a prominent anti-vaxxer and they all support the “No” vote. Should be a very self-endorsing evening!

OldOzzie
OldOzzie
October 13, 2023 6:03 pm

The IDF are going into Gaza again – but this time they have a new trick

Not just mowing the grass but killing it

Following the terrible events of the weekend, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have placed the Gaza Strip under siege.

Some 300,000 reservists are being mobilised. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the IDF will “destroy” Hamas, the terrorist pseudo-government which rules the Strip and its two million inhabitants.

It seems clear that for the fourth time since Hamas took over Gaza back in 2007, the IDF will go into the Strip on the ground.

But this time, things are going to be different. The Israelis are going to attempt what they have never managed or even seriously tried: to actually eliminate Hamas, rather than “mowing the grass” as they have done before.

And this time, the IDF has a special technological edge which might let them actually achieve their goal – and incidentally, change the entire nature of land warfare at the same time.

The way things have played out during Israeli ground incursions against its cross-border terrorist opponents is now very familiar.

In order to avoid taking massive casualties, the IDF moves using a lot of armoured vehicles, including heavy Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and armoured infantry carriers.

To deal with urban-combat menaces such as improvised bombs, booby-traps and mines, much use is made of the well-known D9 armoured bulldozer.

In theory, armoured vehicles can easily overrun lightly equipped enemies who don’t have heavy armour. Tank soldiers still like to pretend that the only true defence against enemy tanks is to have MBTs of one’s own.

In the real world, it turns out that there are many ways to defeat tanks and other armoured vehicles.

As the Russians have learned during their invasion of Ukraine, modern portable anti-tank missiles, which use shaped-charge warheads to defeat armour, are extremely hard for armoured forces to deal with.

Back in 2006, when the IDF were fighting Hezbollah rather than Hamas, even heavy MBTs were knocked out in significant numbers by portable guided missiles including the Russian Kornet and Metis-M. Even common-as-dirt, unguided RPGs can be a big problem close up, especially for vehicles less heavily armoured than MBTs, or if an MBT is hit from somewhere other than in front.

The threat of such weapons, especially in urban environments, tends to mean that the IDF will shoot first if it can – even if a tank or vehicle commander doesn’t know for sure if there’s an enemy there to shoot at, as opposed to a building with civilians in it.

The danger to ground troops also leads to very heavy use of artillery and airpower: sometimes they are all that gets used, as in 2021, and that tends to mean even more civilian deaths.

In order to deal with the booby-traps, tunnels, suicide bombers and land mines, the D9 armoured dozers cause huge amounts of destruction – so much so, indeed, that these pieces of militarised construction equipment sometimes seem to attract more criticism than the use of tanks and airpower.

Despite the amount of damage they dish out, the IDF can suffer heavy casualties when they go in on the ground: more than 500 Israeli soldiers were killed or wounded in six weeks during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 (aka “the 2014 Gaza War”), the last time they went into the Strip.

In previous IDF incursions, the civilian death toll has climbed, casualties have mounted, international opinion (especially in the all-important USA) has turned against Israel … and in due course the IDF has withdrawn, having mown the grass once again but leaving it to grow back.

But this time, not only are the Israelis much more angry than usual – justifiably – they have a new, potentially game-changing piece of kit. This is called an Active Protection System (APS).

An APS involves mounting flat-panel radar scanners on a vehicle – up to this point, typically an MBT.

The scanners can see all around. When they detect something fast-moving like a missile, they can tell if it will hit the vehicle or not. If it will, the APS instantly fires one or another kind of projectile at the inbound missile, blowing it up in midair.

Whether the missile will hit or not, the system can backtrack its flight and automatically train a weapon system – for instance, if the APS is mounted on a tank, the tank’s main gun – on the point from which the missile was fired. The gunner only needs to pull the trigger.

The effects of this are three-fold: first, many fewer armoured vehicles are knocked out and many fewer IDF troops are killed or wounded. Secondly, the IDF don’t feel the same pressing need to shoot, blow up or flatten anything that looks suspicious, as they are in much less danger. Fewer civilians are hit and there is less destruction. Thirdly, when someone makes a missile or RPG attack on IDF armour, he is much less likely to survive and do it again.

In 2014 for Protective Edge, the IDF had the Trophy APS, but only on their Merkava MBTs: other vehicles, the infantry carriers, D9 dozers etc, didn’t have such protection. It was noticeable that not a single tank was lost that time, with the Trophy knocking down previously deadly threats like the Kornet, Metis-M and RPG-29 “Vampir”: but the IDF were still badly bloodied, as not everyone can ride in a tank. At the time, Trophy was too heavy and power-hungry to be mounted on lighter vehicles.

But since then, the Israelis have been working hard on APS technology, and it has spread across the IDF. There are lighter versions of Trophy, and a new line of systems called Iron Fist. Various classes of armoured infantry vehicles have been equipped with APS, and so have the D9 dozers. This time, when the Israelis go into the Strip, most of them are likely to be riding in APS-equipped vehicles.

That should mean fewer IDF casualties, fewer civilians killed, and more dead Hamas terrorists. Perhaps, this time, the Israelis will not be compelled to pull out and leave the grass to grow again: though even with APS on every vehicle, a perpetual war of occupation in the Strip may eventually come to seem no more attractive than it did back in 2005, when the Israelis gave up running Gaza themselves.

Meanwhile out in the rest of the world, armies everywhere have taken note of the Israelis’ APS success. The British army, in the process of turning some of its aged and unreliable Challenger 2 MBTs into enormously heavy Challenger 3s, will add the Trophy system to them. The US has fitted Israeli APSs to some of its Abrams MBTs, and is also equipping other classes of vehicle.

Russia for its part has claimed to have APS since the 1970s, but like so much supposedly advanced Russian military technology, the “Drozd” and “Arena” systems have been ineffectual or simply not there. There has certainly been no sign of them delivering any useful protection for Russia’s armour in Ukraine.

But the Israelis can make a working APS, and the latest versions will not only swat down relatively slow-moving missiles, rockets, recoilless-rifle rounds and such like. Elbit, maker of the Iron Fist, says that its latest models can also defeat the hypervelocity penetrators fired from MBT main guns – so-called armour-piercing fin stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds.

At this point, then, it’s possible to think a bit more creatively than just bolting APSs onto existing vehicles. If an APS can protect even against enemy tank cannon, we need to start wondering if it really makes sense to hang many tons of armour on fighting vehicles any more, and whether it’s worth having long, heavy, highly specialised smoothbore cannons firing APFSDS.

At the moment, tank soldiers are seeing APS technology as the saviour of their beloved heavy armour, finally nullifying the threat of irritating lightly-equipped enemies with portable missiles and rockets.

But in a future world where pretty much any military vehicle would have APS – and thus, would only need light armour plating able to stop bullets, while remaining safe from APFSDS tank penetrators – the need for tanks and other heavy metal might be difficult to see.

cohenite
October 13, 2023 6:03 pm

No: 55%
Yes: 45%

For me what happens after the no just scrapes over is the worry. Hint: The palli protests

Top Ender
Top Ender
October 13, 2023 6:04 pm

Wargaming tonight, but will post periodic updates of Cat predictions.

At present, Alwaysright is the only one predicting a Yes victory. 94% of Cats surveyed are predicting a No win.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 6:04 pm

The Achille Lauro hijacking took place on 7 October 1985, when the Italian ocean liner MS Achille Lauro was hijacked by four men representing the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) off the coast of Egypt, as she was sailing from Alexandria to Ashdod, Israel.

These mighty warriors of Allah murdered a 69 year old man, wheelchair bound, and threw his body overboard…

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 6:05 pm

Top Ender Avatar
Top Ender
Oct 13, 2023 12:55 PM
Acting Commissioner Dave Hudson said the force had rarely used powers, and wanted to save them for dirty diseased nannas, and wanted to prevent a repeat of violent scenes from Monday night, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Top Ender
Top Ender
October 13, 2023 6:05 pm

Cohenite, what’s your state prediction?

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 13, 2023 6:06 pm

Robert Sewell
Oct 13, 2023 3:42 PM

Lizzie:
There’s no way I’d be on a cruise liner – it’s a potential terrorist target.
They have sod all defences, crewmembers from God knows where, and it just needs an infusion of rifles and grenades to become a floating hostage scene.

Shut up you Nancy boy.

mizaris
mizaris
October 13, 2023 6:07 pm

No 63.5%
Yes – 36.5%
All states – no

Arky
October 13, 2023 6:07 pm

2403 were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbour.
Something to consider when thinking about responding to attacks made without declarations of war.

Brislurker
Brislurker
October 13, 2023 6:07 pm

And a podium for the mini-rant.

Having toured the northern top of Australia and west from Brisbane to Broome I became so totally fed up with all the blatant kowtowing to all things indigenous. It is long overdue for some accountability for all the money already spent with no improvement in indigenous lives.

Most of the money and lives are controlled by the hierarchy and the there appears to be no answer as to how to overcome the problem. Knowing teachers, medical staff and office workers in some of the remote areas brought me to the unpleasant conclusion that until the indigenous people themselves start to address the problems nothing will change.

This is where Jacinta Price has been so courageous and I hope she is given the opportunity to start addressing the problems. She is one very brave lady.

Top Ender
Top Ender
October 13, 2023 6:08 pm

Bonza….

IDF elite force retakes military post overrun by Hamas, rescuing 250 hostages, killing 60 terrorists and capturing top Palestinian leader

Daily Mail

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 6:10 pm

The snacks quip was a throwback to long ago on SincCat, election nights, when it just seemed like a big, happy party.

Gab, Tracy, Kae, Megan, Lizzie and other kittehs used to have fun. Good times. If I have left someone out, sorry.

Like Q&A, the days have turned dour and humourless. The spectre of Mao suits perhaps.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 13, 2023 6:10 pm

I’m not making a prediction, although I did for 2020. My prediction was that it would be the dirtiest election we’ve ever seen.

I was right.

miltonf
miltonf
October 13, 2023 6:11 pm

The current marxist agitprop cans being kicked- trans sexuals, destruction of Israel, BLM, “Indigenous rights’ are all strings on the same bow. Nothing Australian about it- all destructive poison imported from the northern hemisphere.

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 6:11 pm

“And a podium for the mini-rant.

Apologies.”

That ain’t rant, calli!

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 6:12 pm

““His continued position is untenable.””

The ABC’s existence is untenable.

Indolent
Indolent
October 13, 2023 6:14 pm

Mark Levin’s take

My recommendation to the Israelis, FWIW, is fight hard, defeat the enemy, or you will not survive. Keep your spirit and will to live and reject our incompetent and defeatist ruling class, that seeks to devour our own American patriotism and spirit. Do not allow the Biden regime, especially the antisemitic State Department, the American and European media propogandists, America’s pro-Hamas Marxist professors and students (with organizations funded by Qatar and other Arab regimes and terrorist-supporting entities), and the Jew-hating wing of the Democrat Party, dissuade you.

miltonf
miltonf
October 13, 2023 6:15 pm

The ABC’s existence is untenable.

no need for it now either- your 4G/5G phone will give you access to all the news (real or fake) you could ever want and just about anywhere. It’s not 1932 anymore.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 6:15 pm

IDF elite force retakes military post overrun by Hamas, rescuing 250 hostages, killing 60 terrorists and capturing top Palestinian leader

Well done, the I.D.F!

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 13, 2023 6:16 pm

Sitting on the fence so carefully he has palings up his ar*e.

Chris Minns ‘concerned’ about pro-Palestine rally in Sydney’s Hyde Park as he backs in NSW Police’s use of ‘extraordinary powers’ (13 Oct)

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has backed in the state’s police force after authorities revealed they were prepared to use “extraordinary powers” at a pro-Palestine rally.

Police confirmed on Friday they will have a heavy presence at Hyde Park on Sunday for the rally which has been organised by the Palestine Action Group Sydney.

Mr Minns told reporters while there was a right to protest in NSW, cops would have zero tolerance for racial vilification or incitement of violence.

Somehow I don’t believe those last several words. Maybe I’m being cynical.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 6:23 pm

Alamak!
Oct 13, 2023 5:47 PM
How boorish, trying to imbue his every little thing with momentous importance.

Its no wonder Boomers have a certain rep with some younger folks, when crap-like emissions from Adams is published and paid for.

Phatty Adams was born in 1939. He is not a Boomer.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 6:29 pm

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Oct 13, 2023 6:04 PM
The Achille Lauro hijacking took place on 7 October 1985, when the Italian ocean liner MS Achille Lauro was hijacked by four men representing the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) off the coast of Egypt, as she was sailing from Alexandria to Ashdod, Israel.

These mighty warriors of Allah murdered a 69 year old man, wheelchair bound, and threw his body overboard…

Ithought that they simply pushed him overboard in his wheelchair, and left him to drown?

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 6:31 pm

IDF elite force retakes military post overrun by Hamas, rescuing 250 hostages, killing 60 terrorists and capturing top Palestinian leader

Great news.

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 6:31 pm

Cruise liners are safe, with no indication of otherwise.
Right up until they aren’t.

I’m not saying don’t go cruising, however I’d feel more relaxed on an Alaskan or North Sea cruise than on the eastern Mediterranean.

Never say never.
On the 9th of September 2001 there was no indication anybody shouldn’t get up & go to work in an office building.

When the 2013 winner of the Boston marathon crossed the finish line, there was no indication the rest of the field should do anything but plod on to the finish.

On the morning of the 12th of October 2002 there was no indication anybody in Indonesia shouldn’t go to the pub that night.

On the morning of the 13th of November 2015 there was no indication people in Paris shouldn’t go to the theatre that night.

On the morning of the 22nd of May 2017 there was no indication fans shouldn’t attend a pop concert in Manchester.

22nd of April 1995 there was no indication office workers shouldn’t go in to work.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 13, 2023 6:31 pm

Lode at 4:27

But cheating on ballots themselves such as seems the case in the US? I don’t think so.

Agreed.
Several reasons.
Australia has a national register where there are changes of address, for example, the old electorate registration is cleared as the new one is created. Deaths and new registrations a fairly well controlled.
In the US, registries are state based and old invalid registrations and deaths are not routinely purged.
And, with compulsory voting, the turnout in Australia is in the mid 90’s. In the US it could be in the 70’s.
Is tampering possible in Australia?
Of course.
Could it be done on an industrial scale to swing 7-8% of the vote?
I doubt it.
One thing these people have in common is they like to brag about it, as they did registering in Indi to elect Kathy McGowan.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 6:34 pm

Cruise expert enters the blog.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 6:36 pm

Sal, in other words…live your life as if today will be your last. Be ause you never, ever know.

Sure, you can wrap yourself in cotton wool, and feel safe. But you are not. Never.

We live in a dangerous world, just through happenstance. Made more dangerous by lunatics.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 6:41 pm

You know, getting out of bed in the morning is safe, until it isn’t. Downing a coffee is considered safe, until it isn’t. Walking to the car is generally risk free… until it isn’t. My God, driving a car – safe until it isn’t. There’s a world filled with risk out there. How we manage to survive is just incredible,

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 6:44 pm

Pavlov’s derg feels safe. Good boy.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 6:44 pm

I say this as an almost observable fact. The Cat gals in the whole display more guts and mettle than a large number of big Marys here. Incredible.

thefrollickingmole
thefrollickingmole
October 13, 2023 6:47 pm

Pinched from another place… If it’s true Mel Gibson is truely a god among men…
On the set of Braveheart

One of my friends shouted out to him one day, what do you wear under your kilt Mel? Mel in lightning speed shouts back. Your wife’s lipstick.

Lysander
Lysander
October 13, 2023 6:49 pm

Sancho – the Oz voting system is still not that safe and I’m just waiting for the following to happen:

-Each metro electorate has at least four to five, if not more, Federal polling stations.
-Anyone can walk into each voting place separately and vote, severally.
-What’s worse, is you can find the name of your political arch nemesis and go vote in their name several times.

If you were ever pulled up that you already voted, you’d simply say “well it’s not true.” They can’t ping you there and, tbh, they can’t ping you afterwards either.

Now, magnify that by a couple of hundred organised people who could do it.

Would AEC call a revote? I note they recently said “multiple voting is never big enough to impact an election” yet they forgot to mention that some Federal electorates have been called by 10 votes. That’s one person, voting 10 times.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 6:51 pm

Big night this evening especially those who have superannuation. The Aussie Dollar sitting at the lows. US bond market taking a rest even though forward looking nominal GDP prediction is around 8.5% when 5% NGDP is considered non-problematic. Nominal GDP = Deflator ( alternate measure of inflation) + real GDP.

Some big US banks report this evening, which should be interesting, making it the start of quarter 3 reporting season.

Fair Shake
Fair Shake
October 13, 2023 6:54 pm

Being aggressive handing out HTV cards. My motto: You may not win over many voters but you certainly lose a lot. Keep your manners in.
…and really FFS if the voters havent already worked out what to vote then we were screwed from the start.

Looking fwd to kicking Albos referendum to the kerb tomorrow.

Chris
Chris
October 13, 2023 6:57 pm

One of my friends shouted out to him one day, what do you wear under your kilt Mel? Mel in lightning speed shouts back. Your wife’s lipstick.

Noice. Spike Milligoon’s The Great McGonagall repeatedly made the joke:

“Is anything worn under the kilt, mate?’
“Nay laddie, it’s all in purrrrfect wurrrrkin’ order!”

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 7:00 pm

And another thing…

There’s a bit of argy bargy around the interwebs about Trump’s reaction to the attacks. For a start – they’ll always be framed in the worst possible light. He said Hamas were “smart”. Fair comment – they caught Israel at unawares, a lesson that the USA might like to re-learn.

Nothing like the little boy saying the emperor is somewhat unclothed to get the mouth breathers going.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 7:02 pm

And the handwringers say that Bibi is “hurt” by his words. Bibi?

If anything, he’s angry. Angry at the evil perpetrated in his country. He knows who his allies are.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 7:06 pm

There’s a bit of argy bargy around the interwebs about Trump’s reaction to the attacks.

Always, always never underestimate your enemy. As usual, Trump is correct.

Muddy
Muddy
October 13, 2023 7:07 pm

My acknowledgement & appreciation is extended to those who have committed their time or other resources to the NO! campaign.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 7:13 pm

Looking fwd to kicking Albos referendum to the kerb tomorrow.

I’m looking forward to the reaction from Linda Burney, Marcia Langton and Noel Pearson, if the referendum is kicked to the kerb, in a landslide.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 7:13 pm

U.S. Dollar ‘Collapse’—Shock $8 Trillion Predicted Fed Inflation Flip To Spark A ‘Critical’ Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP And Crypto Price Boom To Rival Gold

https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2023/10/10/us-dollar-collapse-shock-8-trillion-predicted-fed-inflation-flip-to-spark-a-critical-bitcoin-ethereum-xrp-and-crypto-price-boom-to-rival-gold/

Thank God I bought Shiba Inu Coin 😉 🙂 j/k

Tom
Tom
October 13, 2023 7:13 pm

Laughing out loud at the ABC’s Laura Tingle’s comical lack of self-awareness. I hope you can view the clip Rita Panahi just played on her Sky News show.

These lefty activists pretending to be journalists are a hilarious satire of themselves. And they all think ordinary people are too stupid to see it.

flyingduk
flyingduk
October 13, 2023 7:16 pm

Making the Constitution, one of the best in the world, a racist document is not the answer.

I prefer at least 3 elements of the US Constitution (notwithstanding these have been progressively eroded by their Federal Govt this last 200 years)

1) First amendment: free speech
2) Second amendment: right to bear arms
3) the provision that ALL Federal Govt Roles NOT specifically enumerated in the constitution are PROHIBITED to the Feds and exclusively the province of the states.

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 7:17 pm

Sal, in other words…live your life as if today will be your last. Be ause you never, ever know.

Quite so Calli, though it may be an idea not to take the “it’s my last day” too far & exercise some prudence re maxing out the credit cards. 😉

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 7:18 pm

Put me down for;
61% no vote (38% or thereabouts for Yes)
6/0 state vote, i.e. all states vote No.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 13, 2023 7:19 pm

the handwringers say that Bibi is “hurt” by his words. Bibi?

Bibi’s been around. I think he’s a grown man now.

Saving Sergeant Netanyahu (2012)

Bar Beach Swimmer
October 13, 2023 7:19 pm

On the daily mail website is the following report:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12625721/Voice-architect-Noel-Pearson-sadly-concedes-Yes-vote-likely-fail-says-Australia-hard-country-white-people-constitution-belonging-them.html

This is an unbelievable use of language, even for Pearson.

An architect of the Voice to Parliament has conceded the referendum is headed for defeat while taking aim at ‘hard’ Australia for its failure.

Leading Yes campaigner Noel Pearson made the call while addressing a private function, run by the Yes23 campaign and law firm Gilbert + Tobin, on Monday.

He said he would ‘keep pushing until the final hour’ of the campaign but ‘it appears that nothing we can do can shift the numbers’, the Financial Review reported.

‘They [Australians] see the Constitution as entirely belonging to them and no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,’ Mr Pearson is reported to have said.

‘The thing that completely confounds me is how resistant the vote is out there for us.’

Australia is ‘a hard country’, he said, adding that he feared having to tell fellow Indigenous Australians that ‘the faith I implored them to place in white Australia was misplaced’.

Pearson was also critical of leading No campaigners Jacinta Price and Warren Mundine, claiming they did not ‘have their own mind’ in the campaign having been influenced by conservative think tanks the Institute of Public Affairs and the Centre for Independent Studies.

Both Mundine and Price have career links to the Centre for Independent Studies.

‘I don’t blame Jacinta and Warren,’ Pearson added.

‘Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do.’

The Voice architect then went on to say the pair were being used as ‘front people’ for the No campaign, with the ‘real power’ coming from right-wing think tanks.

The Yes campaign was originally confident of media support both nationally and worldwide before it ‘slipped away’, Pearson added.

He also reflected on the six-year journey since the Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued and at the path the Voice campaign had taken.

‘If you were me, and you represented a minority who were the original peoples of the land, would you have been satisfied with a Voice to the bloody parliament?’ the campaigner questioned.

Pearson said in the event of defeat on Saturday: ‘There will be no path to the kind of reconciliation that I believe is underpinned by justice’.

Current polling reveals the Yes side has an estimated 41.6 per cent support nationally, the Guardian reported.

Although the downward trend in support for the Voice has slowed, the need for a double majority to pass a referendum means the yes vote needs to be closer to 53 per cent to succeed.

Six per cent of voters are still undecided ahead of Saturday’s final opportunity to cast a ballot on the Voice proposal.

Well over two million Australians have already voted in the referendum, meaning the outcome of the vote may not be known on Saturday night.

rosie
rosie
October 13, 2023 7:21 pm

I’m wondering if the data base now being used to confirm you are on the role can be used to mark you off as having voted.
That would put an end to multiple voting.
If people are impersonating others, introduce photo id requirements.

bons
bons
October 13, 2023 7:21 pm

Booth Report
Large turnout all day.
Clouds of ‘Yes’ volunteers – that was frustrating.
We started copping loud, pompous and arrogant rejections about 4:30 pm. We decided that school was over for the day and it was the teachers.
Volunteers have spent significant amounts of their own money buying gear for tomorrow.
Being a rural area, there is a squillion booths tomorrow. We have insufficient volunteers to man them all. The Yesers will be in all these little places – local school teachers.
Victory Party starts at 7 pm.

rosie
rosie
October 13, 2023 7:22 pm

What hubris from Pearson.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 7:22 pm

We truly should have voted YES to the Rights and Freedoms question in 1988.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Australian_referendum_(Rights_and_Freedoms)

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 7:24 pm

I’m so glad Bibi is PM.

After contacting my ex-this morning, I wished him a “Shabbat Shalom”, to which he replied, “thank you but ‘shalom’ is a long way off”. He’s right.

As I write there are 300,000 IDF soldiers on the border. Pray for them.

If you want to know what the absolute immorality of the MSM, watch this from Fox “The Five” where they show an MSNBC interview with an Israeli mother whose children have been kidnapped and taken into Gaza..

Israeli mother of kidnapped children scolds MSNBC anchor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSK-Gj6-o0w

I think the Israeli mother handled herself very well with the cockroach interviewing her.

The Israeli mother is right, there is no moral equivalence, no moral symmetry.

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 7:26 pm

Here’s the thing, Bibi is one tough Jew.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 7:26 pm

Duk, I did say, “one of”. They all have their merits and faults. So much is predicated on history.

Sal, always have an insurance policy. Underwritten by the incorruptible, and no fine print.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 7:28 pm

Pearson said in the event of defeat on Saturday: ‘There will be no path to the kind of reconciliation that I believe is underpinned by justice’.

Any reconciliation is going to have to involve some degree of forgiveness, and all I see is are constant demands for more.

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 7:28 pm

I’m scared to make predictions about the Voice.

My hunch is that it will go down.

I just don’t think people should get too cocky, remember May 2019.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 7:29 pm

My predict 44/56 with No for the win. Most people seem to be going high, so I’ll go slightly contrarian.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 13, 2023 7:29 pm

Alice Springs.

The Todd Mall this afternoon was festooned with Yessery. However:

Not one single blackfella was among the whitey, pasty activists. The apparently anticipated throngs of countrymen congratulating said useful idiots were nowhere to be seen. This was potentially due to the bottle shops opening at 3.00 p.m., and took in this display about an hour ago. I will guarantee that come sundown the activistas will have scarpered, as the normies know well to avoid those parts in the hours of darkness.

This both amused and pleased me.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 7:31 pm

Voting YES in 1988 to the Rights and Freedoms question would have constitutionally barred the hostile ACT Government takeover of Calvary Hospital.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
October 13, 2023 7:32 pm

*and I took in this display about an hour ago*

Still amusing.

Didn’t see Luigi. He must have had better things to do.

cohenite
October 13, 2023 7:32 pm

Top Ender
Oct 13, 2023 6:05 PM
Cohenite, what’s your state prediction?

Victoristan bare yes; all the rest No except perhaps tasmania which is owned by my ex.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 7:32 pm

Yes, Cassie. There’s a lot of “whatabouting” and despicable nitpicking around right now.

vr
vr
October 13, 2023 7:35 pm

Cassie — Re. The interview with the mother. That interviewer is Andrea Mitchell who is married to Alan Greenspan

No one asks these interviewers why they don’t ask Palestinians to hand over the hostages Hamas took or turn in the terrorists.

Steve trickler
Steve trickler
October 13, 2023 7:37 pm
Morsie
Morsie
October 13, 2023 7:37 pm

Duk you have No 3 wrong.Its Australia where the Federal powers are limited to whats in the Constitution.
If it’s not a specific federal power here it belongs to the states.Its the other way round in the US

bons
bons
October 13, 2023 7:39 pm

Like Gilas, I am tired and yes, a little scared after our day at the booth.
But I forgot to endorse our extraordinary aboriginal Noer woman.
Every day, all day, she stands at the roundabout waving her No placards and loudly and graciously thanking all passing voters for attending.
We were all in awe of her. She appeared to be powered by Iced Vovos and something from a mysterious bottle.
Elect her.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 7:42 pm

You gotta love Jimmy Woods

James Woods
@RealJamesWoods
·
9h
I’m reading a lot of well-meaning advice about “sheltering in place” tomorrow because some dipshit halfway across the globe has declared a Day of Jihad.

This is the United States of America, so I’ll just be enjoying my day as usual.

Outside. In my hood.

With extra ammo. ??

Indolent
Indolent
October 13, 2023 7:42 pm
Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 7:47 pm

Its Australia where the Federal powers are limited to whats in the Constitution.

Not strongly enough and strained to the point of questionable utility. The 1944 referendum would have ended this for good and the Voice seeks to do so in a roundabout manner with the implied nationhood power.

If it’s not a specific federal power here it belongs to the states.Its the other way round in the US

No, see Amendment X. This is the last Amendment from the US Bill of Rights.

Amendment X

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Given Andrew Inglis Clark write the pre Lucinda draft of the constitution and was an Americaphile, he very likely got the idea from the US. He’s the reason we have the Washminster system. Originally we were to have nine year Senate terms with three classes of Senator in each State. I have a copy of his original draft that was transcribed to a word doc ages ago.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 7:49 pm

Johnny Rotten:

“The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” the UN said in a statement.

My reply would be “Israel gives not even one fat rats clacker. This is a Hamas problem, not ours, and if the UN, who has allied itself to Hamas with financial, moral and material support, wants to, it can move the terrorist scum itself.”

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 7:51 pm

Voted this arvo. Pre-polling oops, early voting booth has been closed since Monday.
Nobody in sight, nobody from either Yes or No side, no paraphanalia either.

Just Six AEC staff. Doing nothing. They all stared at me unsmilingly.

I was the only voter in sight. Literally, for as far as the eye could see there was nobody along the street, either approaching or walking away after voting.

Was directed to “take a seat”, was asked my name, address, date of birth. Then handed a ballot paper, & pointed to a cardboard booth, at which I had to kneel, as they were all level with my groin, & thus way too low to bend & write on the ballot paper.

Almost voted “Yes”, as several weeks of “Write either Yes or No” on the ballot paper, reinforced by the same instruction from the booth worker, subliminally plants Yes in the mind.

Be interesting to see if the instruction “Write either No or Yes on your ballot paper” made much difference.

Slipped the folded ballot into the ballot box. Had several minutes of small talk with the booth workers, who all knew me & thus talked like they were old friends of mine.

I had absolutely no idea who any of them were, & if pressed on the matter would have said I’d never seen any of them before.

These are not the same out-of-towners who were wearing the “Voice Truth Treaty” shirts at the same booth on Monday.

After a while the conversation showed signs of lagging, so I bid them gooday & strolled off.

Still nobody else in sight.

Crossie
Crossie
October 13, 2023 7:52 pm

‘They [Australians] see the Constitution as entirely belonging to them and no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,’ Mr Pearson is reported to have said.

You are damn right we see the Constitution as entirely belonging to all us Australians. And you are damned right that no amount of obsequiousness on your part will melt our hearts however, you will need to level with us about the details and then we will consider them.

What is horrendous about the above quote from Pearson is that he doesn’t seem to be able to imagine that Australians are actually quite smart, whether intellectually or instinctively we can tell when something is not right.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 7:52 pm

Keep in mind our Federal constitution also prohibits the States from raising forces, imposing excise, coining money etc. Commonwealth law overrides State laws in terms of (valid) inconsistencies too.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 7:53 pm

Top Ender:
Yes/No 60-40
Yes states: Victoria, NSW
No states: Tas, WA, Qld, WA, SA

I think there will be cheating on a massive scale, but not enough to get the decaying and rancid Albotross over the line.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 7:54 pm

FFS:
Yes/No 40-60
Yes states: Victoria, NSW
No states: Tas, WA, Qld, WA, SA
I think there will be cheating on a massive scale, but not enough to get the decaying and rancid Albotross over the line.

Megan
Megan
October 13, 2023 7:56 pm

TE, here’s my predictions from the Villa Megan crystal ball.

NO: 64%
YES: 32%
OTHER*: 4%

VIC will narrowly vote Yes, every other state NO.

*Drunks, blank voting slips, rude drawings and can’t be arsed.

PS. I’m am not, and never have been a gambler, so I don’t have a clue what it means when the betting agencies are offering odds of 1.08 for the BIG NO and 6.50 for the little yes. But, using what little remains of my 3 attempts to pass Stats1, wouldn’t that mean something like a 90/10 result?

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 7:57 pm

no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,’ Mr Pearson is reported to have said.

Can’t help myself…

Thanks cuckoo over at C.L.s.

😀

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 13, 2023 8:00 pm

PS. I’m am not, and never have been a gambler,…”
Haven’t done the maths either but a quick read suggests you continue this practice.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 8:01 pm

and no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,

I haven’t seen anything other then an air of smouldering resentment from the indigenous in this part of the world.

jupes
jupes
October 13, 2023 8:02 pm

I think there will be cheating on a massive scale, but not enough to get the decaying and rancid Albotross over the line.

I worry about that too. Hopefully Australian fascists aren’t as competent as their US counterparts.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 8:03 pm

If only we didn’t buy imports at below cost and had a ship building sector..

We’re almost the world’s richest so why doesn’t it feel like it?

Australians are asset rich but time poor and working longer to maintain their lifestyle.

One of the best things about Australia, surely, is that we live in what just might be the wealthiest country in the world. Better still, that wealth is relatively well distributed. Anyone can invest successfully and have a chance to achieve the lifestyle they desire.

This is not speculation. It’s all there in black and white in the annual UBS Global Wealth report.

Australia wins hands down as the place to be for the everyday investor. Of course, some countries are richer. In the US, for example, there is more wealth but it is held by a relatively smaller group of people.
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TROY BRAMSTON

The median wealth per adult in the US in 2022 was just $US107,320. In Australia the figure was more than twice as high at $US247,450. On this basis, we are just pipped by Belgium for the being richest in the world with a figure of $US249,940.

But when you look at what the global investment bank calls a “smoothed” analysis allowing for all adjustments, Australia wins outright as the wealthiest country in the world with median wealth of $US268,857 per adult.

As an open economy, our fortunes can vary widely, often on the basis of commodity prices.
READ MORE: AI cyber attacks a threat to family fortunes | Could ChatGPT replace your financial adviser? | How to find a financial adviser | Secrets of super funds’ shame file worth the wait

But the central theme here, that many more people have a chance to be rich in Australia than in most other countries, is not under question.

What is under question is the price we pay to achieve this status – we are rich on paper, but how does that translate into reality?

Does a $1m home make you a millionaire? Or does it merely imply that you have an $800,000 mortgage that costs you more than $40,000 a year after tax.

A modest house on a modest street can be worth $1m, but it remains the same house on the same street. The cash value means little to you unless you plan on selling up and moving very far away.

It’s only in the past few months, as the economy moves on from the dislocations of the post-Covid period, that we are getting a clear view of wealth patterns in Australia – and how much they really cost.
Working forever

It’s ironic that we are supposed to have the one of the best superannuation systems in the world yet people find they need to work even longer before they feel they have enough money to retire.

The nation’s super system is good for building retirement income, but poor for helping people secure a stable income stream in retirement.

Taken at a glance, it is clear that many Australians have more than enough to finance their retirement. Again, this is not speculation. We have the third-highest ratio of retirement assets to GDP in the G20, and of course we have a government aged pension with universal access.

And still, if you look at the global surveys such as the Natixis Global Retirement Index, Australia is actually slipping in terms of overall rankings.

An Australian can expect to retire at 65.5 years – which is later in life than a citizen of the EU, the UK or even the US.

Certainly not everyone wants to retire, but there is larger group that does not want to work a day longer than necessary.

Yet here we are working for longer than ever before. And before anyone says it’s because we live longer, it is that “longevity risk” that is most likely underpinning the perceived need to keep adding to the nest egg.

As we are endlessly pressured by big super telling us we might not have saved enough for a “comfortable retirement”, one thing is for sure, everyone in the super industry will have a comfortable retirement as the compulsory con­tribution rate (the Superannuation Guarantee Charge) continues to climb.

How much do you need to retire? How long is a piece of string? It depends.

What we know for a fact is that many middle-income Australians ultimately leave the bulk of their retirement savings to their estate.

Whether they meant that to happen is unclear, but more ­Australians working into their seventies is unlikely to be a sign of ­social progress or, indeed, a sign of prosperity.
Toiling more hours

As labour productivity across the economy continues to decline – and artificial intelligence is about to accelerate automation – it turns out we work more hours each week.

The Productivity Commission – that government-funded stalwart of super concession sceptics – recently reported a surge in the number of hours worked by ­individual employees across the economy.

The reality, of course, is that working more hours has little to do with being more productive, and a lot more to do with the drive to take home more money.

Inflation is back with a vengeance and prices for goods and service have lifted dramatically. For a generation that had never witnessed the corrosive effect of inflation on salaries, the change is severe. Already we can see from official statistics that, after health and school fees are taken into consideration, the share of borrowers with negative cash flows has quadrupled to 14 per cent.

Indeed, the PC itself laid it out quite clearly: “As the cost-of-living pressures bite further, workers may respond to this negative real wealth shock by seeking to work more hours to try to maintain a reasonable standard of living.”
Mortgage money

Cash rates have gone from 0 per cent to 4 per cent in the blink of an eye – the standard variable mortgage rates is now, wait for it, 9.13 per cent!

Which is hell for owner-occupiers and yet offers little joy for property investors since the best they might expect in terms of capital appreciation for the calendar year might be about 4 per cent.

In fact, we have yet to fully ­recoup the residential losses seen in the Covid drop. We would need to see home prices rise 1 per cent more to get back to where we were in pre-Covid.

We are not just putting a greater share of income into mortgage repayments. At more than 15 per cent, we are actually putting in a greater share than any other advanced economy, the International Monetary Fund revealed this week.

We are paying more on the mortgage than anywhere else – the figure is nearly 50 per cent higher than in the UK or the US.

Every dollar that goes into the mortgage gets sucked out of consumer spending. That’s why there are all those empty shops on your local shopping strip. It’s why the crowds in the cheap restaurants have been replaced by someone riding around with hot food on the back of a motorbike.

Putting it all together, we can understand why our special position in the global wealth tables is not taken that seriously. On one reading we might have the highest median wealth per head in the world – but just now it is a prize that comes at a very high price.

Sure, a good part is to do with land prices, but that also applies to other countries too.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 8:04 pm

J.C:
Oct 13, 2023 3:46 PM

Oh Lord.
Turtlehead, you were telling us that you buying liters of iodine because you believe the absolute Queensland shitlhole, where you live is a hot-spot to a nuclear attack. Now you’re warning Liz not to go on a cruise?
You’re demented. You really are a demented loon. You embarrass the site with hyperbolic moronic comments.

What I wrote:

Lizzie:
There’s no way I’d be on a cruise liner – it’s a potential terrorist target.

Are you completely incapable of reading and understanding the written word, without filtering it through your unreality pince-nez, you effete fop?

Beertruk
October 13, 2023 8:04 pm

Hokey…doing this from Papakura Un Zud…talking heads and a few news paper articles here are concerned that the ‘indiginees’ won’t get ‘their voice.’ Other than that they are going full retard on their own election for tomorrow. The thinking is that the Nats with Winton Peters will scrape in.

Top Ender, I’ll take:

No : 57 %
Yes : 43 %
All states : No

Bluey
Bluey
October 13, 2023 8:05 pm

Crossie
Oct 13, 2023 7:52 PM
‘They [Australians] see the Constitution as entirely belonging to them and no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,’ Mr Pearson is reported to have said.

You are damn right we see the Constitution as entirely belonging to all us Australians. And you are damned right that no amount of obsequiousness on your part will melt our hearts however, you will need to level with us about the details and then we will consider them.

What is horrendous about the above quote from Pearson is that he doesn’t seem to be able to imagine that Australians are actually quite smart, whether intellectually or instinctively we can tell when something is not right.

That’s something the please explain do really well, that echos back to the Australia I remember growing up. They take the piss out of everybody. It’s a fantastic way to find people like Pearson because they’re unable to laugh at themselves.
Despite the stereotype that’s been push of racist white aussies, in my life it’s always been people who don’t understand the classic aussie culture being offended and making themselves even more of a target for taking the piss. If they’d just thrown it back and had a laugh, the vast majority of the time they’d have been accepted just fine. Might be a working class type thing, might not, but miss that.
Funny the very dark indian Fijian I deal with feels the same. Had a cracking sunny day recently where we joked about him working on his tan, and how I was going full lobster instead.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 8:08 pm

Lizzie:
There’s no way I’d be on a cruise liner – it’s a potential terrorist target.

Are you completely incapable of reading and understanding the written word, without filtering it through your unreality pince-nez, you effete fop?

No, I think I read it right, you big bawling girlyman.

What did I get wrong, Turts?

Steve trickler
Steve trickler
October 13, 2023 8:08 pm
miltonf
miltonf
October 13, 2023 8:09 pm

I’m not making any prediction- I just hope anal’s putsch doesn’t succeed.

flyingduk
flyingduk
October 13, 2023 8:10 pm

Don’t forget, if No gets up they can just hold another referendum and keep holding them until we vote correctly.

No, they will simply introduce it via legislative fiat, but the benefit will be that it can be similarly repealed later.

feelthebern
feelthebern
October 13, 2023 8:10 pm

New role model.
Lazlo Cravensworth,
Everyone else can go f*ck off.

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 13, 2023 8:13 pm

Tintarella di Luna outstanding today. Nails it comprehensively.

feelthebern
feelthebern
October 13, 2023 8:14 pm

To combat the Hamas day of hate, I went to a long lunch (my first in about 2 months) then continued on to the Paddo RSL for the raffles (where I won nothing for my 50 bucks of tix).
Eat shit Dirka Dirka.
And I plan to watch Team America at some stage.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 8:15 pm

They [Australians] see the Constitution as entirely belonging to them

Who exactly does it belong to? Martians?

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 8:16 pm

No, I think I read it right, you big bawling girlyman.

I know you didn’t read it right. You stoush-trolling hypocrite.

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 8:16 pm

‘…no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,’ Mr Pearson is reported to have said.

Tosser.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 8:17 pm

I just hope anal’s putsch doesn’t succeed.

Severe constipation with a horrid dose of haemorrhoids.

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 8:18 pm

They [Australians] see the Constitution as entirely belonging to them

Noel “the healer” Pearson will be spectacular tomorrow night.
I hope the Voice goes down like the Hindenburg, just for the soothing pleasure of hearing his gravelly tears of bitter disappointment at the “racist” manner Australia rebuffed his hand of friendship & forgiveness.

H B Bear
H B Bear
October 13, 2023 8:19 pm

Our Constitution is doomed if the High Court gets its hands on the Voice: James Allan

Allan is always worth reading/watching. The High Court in Love should ensure it is never allowed near aboriginal mumbo jumbo again.

miltonf
miltonf
October 13, 2023 8:20 pm

‘…no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts,’ Mr Pearson is reported to have said.

what dishonest, passive-aggressive, twee sludge

thefrollickingmole
thefrollickingmole
October 13, 2023 8:20 pm

Fat rats clacker you say?

comment image&tbnid=_WIqkcrf6b_1kM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Finterestingasfuck%2Fcomments%2Fklm6si%2Ffat_rat%2F&docid=Tl52mIWfyQB1WM&w=749&h=752&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F2#imgrc=_WIqkcrf6b_1kM

Lets face it people, when you look at this face it just screams humility and forgiveness..
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.api.news%2Fv3%2Fimages%2Fbin%2F777dc5966c8236c840168e2cc7eba810&tbnid=5CpQRq6FNycszM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fpolitics%2Fno-evidence-earlier-indigenous-councils-didnt-work-says-marcia-langton%2Fnews-story%2F1d27b11bc57e43f56487c6adc6694b99&docid=QaAU493EOImxDM&w=1280&h=720&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F2

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 13, 2023 8:20 pm

Dr Faustus

Oct 13, 2023 4:59 PM

People expecting much higher than around 60:40 on a national basis should consider Sancho’s 4:16PM butchers’ paper.

Aha!
Finally converted to Butcher’s Paper Analysis!
I basically accepted a composite of polls giving a 59:41 national result, and then backfitted some sketchy state-by-state polling across actual enrolment numbers.
You are not getting higher than 60:40 without a significant contribution from Vic and NSW.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 8:22 pm

I hope the Voice goes down like the Hindenburg,

Oh, the huge money tree!

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 8:23 pm

Salvatore, Iron Publican
Oct 13, 2023 8:16 PM

No, I think I read it right, you big bawling girlyman.

I know you didn’t read it right. You stoush-trolling hypocrite.

Even though, you start every single stoush, like this one? You fraud.

He’s a challenge to both you and the nancy boy. State what we get wrong?

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 8:24 pm

I do hope Mr. Burgess from ASIO is alert to the threats to social cohesion that will undoubtedly emanate from the YES camp tomorrow should the referendum be lost.

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 8:25 pm

Just seen pictures of the three arrested for making Nazi salutes outside the Jewish museum today. They’re very white, and look like garage Nazi morons. Yes, I’m glad they’ve been arrested. But the real Nazis were seen in Sydney on Monday night at Town Hall and then outside Sydney Opera House, provided with a personal escort by the NSW Police. I am yet to hear that any of those Nazis have been charged for screeching “kill the Jews” and “gas the Jews”.

Rockdoctor
Rockdoctor
October 13, 2023 8:25 pm

Hmmm Hamas hiding military targets in hospitals and launching rockets from schools, I believe that constitutes perfidy a war crime any way you look at it. Also their troops not wearing any recognised uniform or insignia fails the recognised combatant test. I suspect there will be very little prisoners from this conflict,

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 8:26 pm

“I’m going to go at it like an Anzac at Lone Pine.

miltonf
miltonf
October 13, 2023 8:27 pm

Duncan Lewis wasn’t much better iirc. Just canbra mediocrities with BAs

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 8:30 pm

rosie

Oct 13, 2023 4:22 PM
I think we all know that BoN.
It was nearly forty years ago.

I think you need to be reminded.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 8:31 pm

Cassie, I wouldn’t go just on looks. Strange allies exist, all with one purpose.

I’d be astonished if they were swarthy types, more the charming northern d*ckhead.

Nice try, chumsters.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 8:34 pm

Fair Shake
Oct 13, 2023 6:54 PM
Being aggressive handing out HTV cards. My motto: You may not win over many voters but you certainly lose a lot. Keep your manners in.
…and really FFS if the voters havent already worked out what to vote then we were screwed from the start.

Looking fwd to kicking Albos referendum to the kerb tomorrow.

HTVs have some value in a state or federal election, particularly for the Senate/Legislative Councils, where there are many candidates, often from strange parties.

They have no value in a YES/NO referendum.

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 8:34 pm

Duncan Lewis wasn’t much better iirc. Just canbra mediocrities with BAs

Lewis was formerly a commander of the SAS.

Entering the public service post-army seemed to neuter him.

Speedbox
October 13, 2023 8:35 pm

Media (MSM) reports some 1500 Palis killed so far. But, does that include the Hamas terrorists? Not that I particularly care, but was wondering whether the MSM was being disingenuous with their Pali toll numbers.

(Israeli numbers are ~1400 and seem to be still climbing as the IDF clears house-to-house).

Megan
Megan
October 13, 2023 8:35 pm

Noted, Bear.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 8:36 pm

JohnJJJ
Oct 13, 2023 4:35 PM

Cruise ships
Not perfectly safe, I agree, but no worse than a lot of other places.

It’s the crew that would concern me. My ship had two types of crew: Charming Europeans for the face to face and third world for the administration, laundry workers, cleaners, engine room gofors, carpenters and pot scrubbers. Plenty of Muz there. I met them.
You recon they all passed a stringent back ground and security tests? Generally 1 crew for every 2 passengers. Not to mention the on off band, entertainment, replacement crew members…. The Achille Lauro hijacking was passengers, but the Jihadis do learn.

Last time I was on a cruise ship, 47 years ago, that’s what struck me.

Crossie
Crossie
October 13, 2023 8:37 pm

Rockdoctor
Oct 13, 2023 8:25 PM
Hmmm Hamas hiding military targets in hospitals and launching rockets from schools, I believe that constitutes perfidy a war crime any way you look at it. Also their troops not wearing any recognised uniform or insignia fails the recognised combatant test. I suspect there will be very little prisoners from this conflict,

I read somewhere that an order has gone out to IDF not to take any prisoners.

Steve trickler
Steve trickler
October 13, 2023 8:37 pm
Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 8:38 pm

flyingduk
Oct 13, 2023 7:16 PM
Making the Constitution, one of the best in the world, a racist document is not the answer.

I prefer at least 3 elements of the US Constitution (notwithstanding these have been progressively eroded by their Federal Govt this last 200 years)

3) the provision that ALL Federal Govt Roles NOT specifically enumerated in the constitution are PROHIBITED to the Feds and exclusively the province of the states.

And yet, the US has a Federal Department of Education and one of Health and Human Services.

And also a Department of Agriculture.

rosie
rosie
October 13, 2023 8:39 pm

No.
It’s just ridiculous scaremongering.
Someone sitting in rural Queensland predicting that a particular cruise ship is at risk using, what, a crystal ball?
James Wood is right, on international day of jihad, just go about your business.

rosie
rosie
October 13, 2023 8:40 pm

I’d say the vast majority of gaza numbers are dead terrorists.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
October 13, 2023 8:41 pm

Winston, oi! Behave! Rosie is a fine lady.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 8:42 pm

Also their troops not wearing any recognised uniform or insignia fails the recognised combatant test. I suspect there will be very little prisoners from this conflict,

As I’ve posted before, I’m waiting for the first complaints that the I.D.F. isn’t too interested in accepting surrenders, or taking prisoners.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 8:42 pm

Fair Shake:
Oct 13, 2023 4:41 PM

Lysander
Oct 13, 2023 2:55 PM
I’ll be handing out HTV No cards on the morrow!

As will I. From what I am told many booths will be unmanned by the No campaign. Most Aussies believe she’ll be right. Well she wont.

Me too. Not sure if any one else will be there, so I’m going prepared to be on an all day posting. May end up scrutineering as well.
No worries. Good practise for the next election.

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 8:42 pm

Sancho Panzer Oct 13, 2023 8:20 PM
Aha!
Finally converted to Butcher’s Paper Analysis!

A fair improvement on Krudd’s “back of a beer coaster” costing exercise.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 8:43 pm

rosie
Oct 13, 2023 7:21 PM
I’m wondering if the data base now being used to confirm you are on the role can be used to mark you off as having voted.
That would put an end to multiple voting.
If people are impersonating others, introduce photo id requirements.

When we voted, we were marked off on a laptop. It wasn’t clear if the computer had a full Electoral Roll (or was on a link to one), or only had the Roll for the relevant Electorate. Either way, double voting would seem a bit chancy.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 8:44 pm

rosie

Oct 13, 2023 4:43 PM
Will you mea culpa if you are wrong?

Is mea gulper a beer brand?

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 8:45 pm

I’ve spoken to girlfriends (all Jewish) over the last six days and we’ve all been unanimous about how we’d rather be dead than be a Jewish female hostage in Gaza.

Tonight I watched the clip of the Israeli father who was happy to learn that his daughter’s body had been found, dead, having been mowed down in a field in southern Israel, murdered by the cockroaches who glided into the rave festival, but he was far happier to learn that this was how his daughter had died, rather than living in the knowledge that she’d been forcibly taken by the vermin* into Gaza to be held hostage, tortured, raped, and have her throat cut

That is a story of Jewish history, and of Jewish suffering. It never ends.

* I shouldn’t call them vermin, that’s insulting to vermin, they have much more morality than the scum of Gaza.

Crossie
Crossie
October 13, 2023 8:47 pm

I haven’t had a chance to comment on the US Speaker of the House election debacle. What did Steve Scalise think? That he would just be elected without promising certain things to the Freedom Caucus? Establishment Republicans will have to come to terms with the fact that the world has changed and moved on without them. They better start representing their voters or go back to private life.

There are similarities between the Speaker battles in the US and our own referendum. The elites are bumping up against the people and not yet realising that clever moves no longer work.

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 8:47 pm

I read somewhere that an order has gone out to IDF not to take any prisoners.

I’d doubt that.

Israel, unlike Hamas, is a signatory to the Geneva Conventions.

And prisoners can prove valuable, even if Israel has vowed not to negotiate at present.

Bar Beach Swimmer
October 13, 2023 8:47 pm

Hoping Noel feels the same way tomorrow as Turnbull did in 1999.

https://youtu.be/0lg_laNhf_M?si=-XCKgL-4D_rVwGbs

Gabor
Gabor
October 13, 2023 8:48 pm

Boambee John
Oct 13, 2023 8:34 PM

HTVs have some value in a state or federal election, particularly for the Senate/Legislative Councils, where there are many candidates, often from strange parties.

They have no value in a YES/NO referendum.

That was my first thought, too.
I take the senate cards because of the number of candidates but what use are the cards in a yes/no election.
Waste of time for the volunteers in my opinion.

Zatara
Zatara
October 13, 2023 8:50 pm

In trying to understand the motivations of some of their recent actions it occurs to me that the reason Hamas is trying so hard to cause suffering and casualties among the Gazan civilians (and maybe even why Egypt has cooperated in trapping them in the kill zone) is that they know they are going to lose the physical war, but are going for a ‘bigger picture’ victory in the PR one.

Inflicting involuntary martyrdom on their own people, on a massive scale, on camera, for the good of their ’cause’.

That’s also why the actual leaders of Hamas have been living it up in Qatar for at least the last week. They avoid the whole getting killed thing and just happen to be with a km or two of Al Jazeera communications network headquarters, not to mention some of their biggest donors and supporters.

flyingduk
flyingduk
October 13, 2023 8:52 pm

“The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” the UN said in a statement.

1) Gaza is 41km long …. to move from the furthest point to cross the midpoint is therefore less than 21km. If you cant do this in 24h, to escape annihilation from the sky, you aren’t trying.
2) The early warning to move is exactly to avoid ‘devastating humanitarian consequences’ – every Gazan must know by now that *NONE* of the buildings (and their possessions) are going to survive this intact – that was a given from the moment the attacks kicked off.

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 8:53 pm

cohenite Oct 13, 2023 8:43 PM
Tenn. cops find stolen, loaded gun in suspect’s vagina Search turned up a loaded North American Arms 22-caliber mini revolver inside the woman
She’s a looker.

Do you have a more recent photo?
That one was taken Nine years ago, at the time of the.. er… discovery of the holstered revolver.

Cassie of Sydney
October 13, 2023 8:53 pm

UK comedian Andrew Lawrence has just uploaded this….

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

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 8:54 pm

Calli:

Lady, if you want to guilt trip ordinary Aussies, get your story straight.

That kind of emotional blackmail works reasonably well among the tribes. But not in Rural Australia – we’ve seen too much of it.

alwaysright
alwaysright
October 13, 2023 8:54 pm

Reading their ABC, it seems that they think terrorists are actually nice guys that are just misunderstood.

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 8:54 pm

“…every Gazan must know by now that *NONE* of the buildings (and their possessions) are going to survive this intact – that was a given from the moment the attacks kicked off.”

Hence the lines of displaced Gazans evacuating to wherever they could reported in the press.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 8:55 pm

Hamas are now putting puppies on the pics of dead babies and saying Israel did the opposite.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 8:57 pm

Public Service Announcement and Official Health Warning!

Do not click on cohenite’s links to “women”.

That is all.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 9:00 pm

miltonf
Oct 13, 2023 8:27 PM
Duncan Lewis wasn’t much better iirc. Just canbra mediocrities with BAs

Duncan Lewis was a former Major General, albeit he is a BA.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 9:00 pm

And prisoners can prove valuable, even if Israel has vowed not to negotiate at present.

Israeli intelligence would be looking for prisoners to interrogate.

Speedbox
October 13, 2023 9:01 pm

rosie
Oct 13, 2023 8:40 PM
I’d say the vast majority of gaza numbers are dead terrorists.

I suspect that’s correct Rosie. Because the info came from the MSM, I am instantly dubious especially as some of them still seem to have difficulty even referring to Hamas as terrorists.

I always thought the Americans had the right idea after 9/11. The official death toll did not include the terrorists on the aircraft.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 9:03 pm

Tenn. cops find stolen, loaded gun in suspect’s vagina Search turned up a loaded North American Arms 22-caliber mini revolver inside the woman

I’ll spare you the old joke about Dad, Dave, Mabel, the bushranger, the roll of banknotes and the bag of flour….

cohenite
October 13, 2023 9:03 pm

Do you have a more recent photo?

No but here is a cute owl.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 9:05 pm

Crossie
Oct 13, 2023 8:37 PM
Rockdoctor
Oct 13, 2023 8:25 PM
Hmmm Hamas hiding military targets in hospitals and launching rockets from schools, I believe that constitutes perfidy a war crime any way you look at it. Also their troops not wearing any recognised uniform or insignia fails the recognised combatant test. I suspect there will be very little prisoners from this conflict,

I read somewhere that an order has gone out to IDF not to take any prisoners.

Wise generals do not issue such specific orders. They allow the idea to disseminate organically.

JC
JC
October 13, 2023 9:06 pm

Cronkers

here is a cute owl.

Presumably penis is still attached.

cohenite
October 13, 2023 9:06 pm

Dottie I miss Frank Walker of National Tiles.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 9:07 pm
Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 13, 2023 9:11 pm

Leander at 6:49.
Assuming the AEC don’t fudge their stats, any double voting should be reported.
Let’s say No win two states by a small but clear margin, and Yes win three states by a similar small but decisive margin.
The sixth state and national vote are won by Yes by 20,000 votes but there are 40,000 duplicated voting records in that sixth state.
That is enough for a Court of Disputed Returns challenge.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 13, 2023 9:12 pm

Leander = Lysander.

Speedbox
October 13, 2023 9:12 pm

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Oct 13, 2023 9:07 PM

Sadly, I can only give one uptick. That was funny and completely deserved.

Dot
Dot
October 13, 2023 9:12 pm

I miss Frank Walker of National Tiles.

The people have spoken, Mr Dover.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 9:12 pm

OldOzzie

Oct 13, 2023 6:03 PM
The IDF are going into Gaza again – but this time they have a new trick

Not just mowing the grass but killing it

It sounds good, but I’d be happier going in after a four hour bombardment of napalm and Fuel Air Explosives.

Boambee John
Boambee John
October 13, 2023 9:15 pm

Speedbox
Oct 13, 2023 9:01 PM
rosie
Oct 13, 2023 8:40 PM
I’d say the vast majority of gaza numbers are dead terrorists.

I suspect that’s correct Rosie. Because the info came from the MSM, I am instantly dubious especially as some of them still seem to have difficulty even referring to Hamas as terrorists.

I always thought the Americans had the right idea after 9/11. The official death toll did not include the terrorists on the aircraft.

They tried. At least one US state (Arizona IIRC) tried to include them in their memorial which had a tree for each victim. Someone did a count and put the kibosh on an insane idea.,

The designer of the memorial to Flight 93 victims tried to include a crescent moon of trees in the memorial. Again noticed, and stopped.

Or maybe it was the other way around, memory fades.

Robert Sewell
October 13, 2023 9:17 pm

ZK2A:

These mighty warriors of Allah murdered a 69 year old man, wheelchair bound, and threw his body overboard…

It may have been only a unique circumstance, but I noticed the SEAL equivalent stripped off one of the prisoners they captured.
Our soldiers did that in PNG with any Japanese prisoners, more to humiliate them and break their spirit than to make sure they had no weapons on them.

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 9:23 pm

Say, has Putin unequivocally condemned Hamas yet?

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 9:27 pm

Attack at a high school in Arras, France. One teacher stabbed to death, two other teachers sliced up but still alive.
The attacker was shouting the magic words as he killed the teacher.

Perp now in custody of Frog Plod.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
October 13, 2023 9:27 pm

They [Australians] see the Constitution as entirely belonging to them …

Err, well, if not the Australian voter, who does the Constitution belong to, Noel.

‘I don’t blame Jacinta and Warren,’ Pearson added.

‘Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do.’

Oh, FFS, now he thinks he’s Jesus.

calli
calli
October 13, 2023 9:31 pm

No, no! He’s Brother Lee Love!

Roger
Roger
October 13, 2023 9:33 pm

Oh, FFS, now he thinks he’s Jesus.

He’s taking the whole MLK Jr thing just a bit too far.

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
October 13, 2023 9:34 pm

Perp now in custody of Frog Plod.

Do the French still use the guillotine?

Muddy
Muddy
October 13, 2023 9:35 pm

no amount of obsequiousness on our part, humility, love, seems to ever melt their hearts

This suggests a profound ignorance of the state of being that is humility.

Based on my own recent and substantially-less-than-enjoyable experience, humility is a state of being rarely chosen, but rather forced upon us. The truly humble-by-choice never seek attention or acknowledgement, let alone make demands of others.

Bitterness and resentment – which is the febrile state in which I currently reside – is far from humility.

Let’s not get started on ‘obsequiousness.’

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 13, 2023 9:35 pm

Sabres well and truly rattling. Charles Miranda in the Hun:

The Israeli military warned the United Nations to move 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza south within the next 24 hours, as its top military chief declared “now is the time for war”.

The move came as the first of two Qantas rescue flights was expected to take a plane load of Australians out of the increasingly perilous situation in Israel.

All very good but who else is on board?

It also came as the Australian Government confirmed it was looking at rescuing Australian-Palestinians trapped by the crisis in Gaza and was in talks with Israeli and Egyptian officials.

I see. Importing more dregs to infest Lakemba. United Nations are however onto the job

The warning to the UN suggested a ground invasion was imminent with the 24-hour order to flee from the Israel Defence Force (IDF) applying also to its staff and Gaza-based aid agencies.

“The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, urging the demand to be rescinded to avoid an even more “calamitous situation”.

There are more parts to this article under bold headings so I will reproduce them here.

Salvatore, Iron Publican
October 13, 2023 9:36 pm

Do the French still use the guillotine?

Hopefully the blade is greased with bacon fat.

Siltstone
Siltstone
October 13, 2023 9:37 pm

Cassie link at 8:53

A must watch.

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 13, 2023 9:39 pm

Another organisation chips in

‘DEATH SENTENCE’: WHO’S MERCY PLEA TO ISRAEL

The World Health Organisation has called on Israel to reverse its earlier call for Palestinians in Gaza’s north to evacuate south, explaining that asking vulnerable patients to evacuate from hospitals was a “death sentence”, reports The Guardian.

WHO says Gaza health authorities said it was impossible to evacuate hospital patients in northern Gaza.

“There are severely ill people whose injuries mean their only chances of survival is being on life support, such as mechanical ventilators,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said.

“So moving those people is a death sentence. Asking health workers to do so is beyond cruel.”

World Health Organisation. FMD

Top Ender
Top Ender
October 13, 2023 9:40 pm

JC, what’s your state prediction?

Zatara
Zatara
October 13, 2023 9:40 pm

The IDF is reported to have a 150% report rate among their reservists. People whose service obligations are over are coming back with whatever kit they still have. They are flying back from all over the world even if not ordered to return. Wow.

Also, the IDF bombed the runways in Allepo and Damascus to keep Iranian cargo flights of special munitions from from landing. The flights turned back to Iran.

Both are very impressive.

Black Ball
Black Ball
October 13, 2023 9:41 pm

BLINKEN SHOWN GRAPHIC IMAGE OF BABY ‘RIDDLED WITH BULLETS’

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli counterparts and was shown graphic images of murdered children from the Hamas bloodbath last Saturday as Israel seeks support for its response.

He confirmed he saw “an infant riddled with bullets, soldiers beheaded, young people burned alive in their cars or hideaway rooms”.

“It’s simply depravity in the worst imaginable way,” he said.

He declared he fully backed Israel but like other Western leaders urged restraint in retaliation particularly with Palestinian civilians trapped in Gaza.

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