Open Thread – Mon 18 Nov 2024


Will-o’-the-wisp, Arnold Böcklin, 1862

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1.4K Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rabz
November 20, 2024 3:17 pm

Funnily enough, the “acquisition” of prime plots of farming land on Airstrip One has a long and storied history, as many of us would be aware.

Miltonf
Miltonf
November 20, 2024 3:19 pm

As in the enclosure of commons and the highland clearances?

Vicki
Vicki
November 20, 2024 3:20 pm

From Jim Rickards:

 Despite the polls, pundits and spin, Kamala Harris never had a chance

With the US presidential election now over, many results seem clear in hindsight. (They were not so clear in advance. At a time when big names like Nate Silver shrugged and said, ‘too close to call’, our publications predicted Trump’s Electoral College result of 312 votes exactly and we were within one on the Senate, 54 versus 53 actual, and within two on the House, 224 versus 222 actual – the most accurate forecast in the world).
It’s clear that Kamala Harris was the worst candidate in history, ran the worst campaign in modern times and selected the weakest running mate, Tim Walz, in memory. That said, her advocates expected her to win right up until late on election night and her supporters were shocked and in tears when her loss was announced.

Before Harris passes from the scene entirely, it is useful to take a close look at why she actually lost. For that, we can do no better than turn to this essay by historian and scholar Victor Davis Hanson.
He points to the fact that Republicans greatly outperformed Democrats when it came to new voter registrations. Republicans also outperformed in terms of mail-in ballots and early voting. Trump easily surpassed earlier Republicans (including George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan) when it came to Hispanic votes, Black votes and the youth vote.
?
More to the point, VDH shows that Harris’s policies were unpopular and had failed in their implementation in the past four years. In running as the candidate who would ‘turn the page’ and bring in a ‘new chapter,’ she never explained why she failed to make any changes while she was vice president since 2021.

The fact that Harris dodged the media and fumbled softball questions from friendly interviews showed that she was incapable of thinking on her feet or speaking extemporaneously. And she never explained why she lied about Joe Biden being ‘sharp as a tack’ when in fact he was mentally incompetent.

VDH has this right. These substantive shortcomings were more decisive in the end than the name-calling and platitudes that used up most of the oxygen in the Harris campaign.

johanna
johanna
November 20, 2024 3:21 pm

They want to get them rezoned because ‘housing crisis’ and take it from there.

JC
JC
November 20, 2024 3:25 pm

And where did I say they were buying land everywhere?

Here we go, the sausage machine gets turned on.

If large funds like Blackrock are buying elsewhere, why would they be interested in British farm land?

So what?

You’re serious, aren’t you? British farms, both large and small, offer very low rates of return. Furthermore, forced sales resulting from the introduction of the tax are randomly distributed, making it difficult to accumulate contiguous land within the typical time frames funds operate under. As a result, achieving scalability would be challenging.

As the only reason, no. But they won’t care if farmers lose out in such a scenario where farmland is consolidated by corporations and investment managers while they collect the inheritance taxes. Clarkson has made the point as have others.

Okay, so you got the idea from Clarkson. He should stick to car reviews.

It’s a weak argument because, as Clarkson knows well from personal experience, returns in British farming are very low. AsI said earlier, it’s a lifestyle choice. The only way to improve marginal returns is through the acquisition of large, mostly contiguous tracts of land that enable economies of scale. However, large funds won’t be able to achieve this due to the forced sales triggered by death taxes.

A stronger argument would be to suggest that the tax is being introduced with malicious intent.

Winston Smith
Winston Smith
November 20, 2024 3:31 pm

 “I’m Not Going to Stop with Capitol Hill” – Rep. Nancy Mace Speaks to The Gateway Pundit About Resolution to Ban Men From Using Women’s Bathrooms and Changing Rooms on Capitol Hill and Ensuing Death Threats (VIDEO)As The Gateway Pundit reported, one apparent transgender individual threatened to grab her hair, drag her face to the floor, bash her head in, and then kill her.
The video is – scroll down. I certainly hope the cokinafrok is in gaol right now.

Vicki
Vicki
November 20, 2024 3:32 pm

Stupid and nasty wimmin. Quite a lot of that type on the north shore.

I might have posted this before-

Where we have morning coffee on a Lower North Shore harbour beach when in Sydney (will not get closer than that!), there are two cafes side by side. At a certain time in the morning the patrons are the usual regulars. On the left hand side (facing the shops) the shop only has the SMH paper & the patrons (who we know well) are all committed Lefties. On the right hand side (where we generally sit & read The Oz, like the others) the regular patrons are mostly conservatives! I kid you not. It is hysterical.

As for the women in this area – yes, some are stupid and some are nasty. But I doubt if this is any more widespread than anywhere else. While I do admit that the women are often abysmally ignorant of political issues (which is why I prefer to sit with the men – although it is frowned upon by the ladies), I have always found them to be mostly kind.

Wally Dali
Wally Dali
November 20, 2024 3:35 pm

IIRC, Clarkson and Farage have already been debanked?

Winston Smith
Winston Smith
November 20, 2024 3:36 pm

Back in February, two climate change activists walked into the Capitol Rotunda and threw red powder on a display case which holds the United States Constitution.
The stupid stunt caused upwards of $50,000 in damage and took days to clean up.
The two activists were arrested and charged with a felony. Now they have been sentenced. They got real prison time.

JC
JC
November 20, 2024 3:47 pm

Jock

November 20, 2024 3:17 pm

Yep, and I think it’s mostly to do with gerbil warming religion too.

Winston Smith
Winston Smith
November 20, 2024 3:57 pm

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2024/11/about-those-allegations-against-matt-gaetz.php

Some years ago, I heard that Matt Gaetz had been accused of having sex with an underage girl. Much later, I understood that the claim had turned out to be false and had been dropped. But now, following Gaetz’s nomination as Attorney General, it has reappeared in the guise of a House Ethics Committee investigation and attendant newspaper leaks.

So, how credible is the accusation? Mollie Hemingway has the most detailed explanation of the facts that I have seen, and the answer is: not credible at all.

Read on…

JC
JC
November 20, 2024 4:01 pm

Because they have enough money to buy and sell land elsewhere and in Britain.

The rate of return currently is .5% for British farmers. A 50% drop in land prices would raise that to 1%. Any portfolio manager that bought a falling asset even after a 50% price drop that returns 1% should be fired immediately.

The ‘so what’ is more in relation to ‘so what’ if the RoR is low if it satisfies the farmer concerned. What BlackRock or the like would do with it once they’ve purchased the land is up to them, but I’d prefer it to stay in the hands of the existing landholder.

Buying land would need to have an economic rationale. There’s no rationale to be investing in Britain with the current government and no reason to be buying land as a result of forced sale due to the tax.

 

Not sure wanting to preserve a plot of land that has been in the family for years is a weak argument compared to it being enacted with malicious intent. Setting aside that it’s malicious precisely because it seeks to separate a family from their land, I think it is very strong argument, if not the best argument.

The weak argument was your suggestion that funds like Blackrock would be scooping up the land. I never suggested that continuous family ownership was a weak argument.

Wally Dali
Wally Dali
November 20, 2024 4:02 pm

A stronger argument would be to suggest that the tax is being introduced with malicious intent
…er yes I think that’s the base assumption… the question is, to what end?
Ockham’s Razor- the Lizard People act to sieze the means of production.

Rosie
Rosie
November 20, 2024 4:03 pm

I thought the ‘pricing cycle’ at supermarkets was when the weekly specials changed.
As pointed out already supermarkets are high volume low market.
Making net profits of 2.5% doesn’t seem very gouging to me.
The obvious to most issue is energy costs driving up costs all along the supply chain, a problem that wouldn’t go away until someone says enough, and takes us back to good cheap clean coal.

Pogria
Pogria
November 20, 2024 4:25 pm

Winston,
Marjorie Taylor-Greene has thrown down the Gauntlet regarding attacks on Gaetz.

MTG says that if they doxx Gaetz, she’ll work to doxx all of Congress:

ep. Marjorie Taylor Greenehttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f1fa-1f1f8.svg @RepMTG For my Republican colleagues in the House and Senate,

If we are going to release ethics reports and rip apart our own that Trump has appointed, then put it ALL out there for the American people to see.

Yes..

all the ethics reports and claims including the one I filed

all your sexual harassment and assault claims that were secretly settled paying off victims with tax payer money

the entire Jeffrey Epstein files, tapes, recordings, witness interviews

but not just those, there’s more, Epstein wasn’t/isn’t the only asset

If we’re going to dance, let’s all dance in the sunlight.

I’ll make sure we do.

Bazinga
Bazinga
November 20, 2024 4:30 pm

Heard from a mate there is a meeting in Perth on friday 29th about the vaccine madness findings from Port Hedland.

Rabz
November 20, 2024 4:31 pm

Ockham’s Razor- the Lizard People act to seize the means of production

Then use the land to build massive existence pod complexes for millions more third world migrants.

cohenite
November 20, 2024 4:33 pm

According to Brian Marlow, President, Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance: every single Crossbench Senator has come out in opposition to the Albanese Government’s disastrous Misinformation Bill.

australiantaxpayersalliance.cmail19.com/t/y-e-cliljky-djiyxlkx-d/

I have not been following but if true then that is strange news, given the nature of the cross benchers.

Rabz
November 20, 2024 4:35 pm

Kamala Harris was the worst candidate in history, ran the worst campaign in modern times and selected the weakest running mate, Tim Walz, in memory

Yep, that pair of irredeemable idiots will become the go to case study in how not to run a presidential campaign.

johanna
johanna
November 20, 2024 4:36 pm

Re the British farm tax – why single out farms from other forms of property?

If you own a bunch of non-rural property, they are not demanding 20% of it when you die.

The answer is that with growing population and nowhere to house them, land is rising in value, with no end in sight.

Forcibly dislodging farmers thanks to death duties is a gift to speculators and developers.

Just like here, the former party of the wukkas is now the party of the spivs.

On a different note, the warming weather reminded me of Alan Sherman’s wonderful ‘hello muddah, hello faddah’ here:

Summer camp never caught on much here, but it was big in northern US States with longish winters and not much nearby nature.

This portrait of a nerdy Jewish kid at summer camp never fails to please. 🙂

BTW, can someone remind me of what the music is? It’s on the tip of my ear, so to speak.

cohenite
November 20, 2024 4:37 pm

Marjorie Taylor-Greene has thrown down the Gauntlet regarding attacks on Gaetz.
MTG says that if they doxx Gaetz, she’ll work to doxx all of Congress:

Outstanding. It is so stark when you see a courageous conservative in action; it reveals the pathetic nature of the vast majority of so called conservatives.

JC
JC
November 20, 2024 4:46 pm

You literally said:

As I said, farming in Britain is a lifestyle thing and that’s something I’m not passing judgement on. However, you suggested that Clarkson was saying funds would be buying the land opportunistically . Nonsense.

As the only reason, no. But they won’t care if farmers lose out in such a scenario where farmland is consolidated by corporations and investment managers while they collect the inheritance taxes. Clarkson has made the point as have others.

Wally Dali
Wally Dali
November 20, 2024 4:48 pm

Import GDP supply
Import energy supply
Import food supply.
Inevitable.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
November 20, 2024 4:56 pm

Rabz
 November 20, 2024 12:03 pm

Dr Mutton floated his trial nookular balloon earlier this year, he’ll need a stunning (and brave) mandate and a friendly senate if it’s not to be shot down ignominiously

In other words, it’s a soon to be euthanized distraction squirrel.

Hmmmm.
Possibly.
Might be different if the powah goes orf during a heatwave over summer.

Rosie
Rosie
November 20, 2024 5:02 pm

Like most developed countries UK farmland would have to be rezoned to be used for other purposes.
Is that easy to do?
Dunno.
Most likely it’ll be turned into solar and wind farms.
Awfully stupid.
https://www.solarfeeds.com/mag/the-biggest-solar-projects-in-scotland/

Roger
Roger
November 20, 2024 5:13 pm

Might be different if the powah goes orf during a heatwave over summer.

It wouldn’t hurt his case, but the answer to that more immediate problem is to commit to maintaining coal and gas indefinitely.

Boambee John.
Boambee John.
November 20, 2024 5:17 pm

Johanna at 1636

Just like here, the former party of the wukkas is now the party of the spivs.

Correction, just like pretty much everywhere in the developed, particularly Anglophone, West.

The US and the DemonRats.

UK and their Labour.

Canada and their “Liberals”, in the north American sense.

Australia and the Liars.

NZ under Horseface.

Many “Social Democrat” parties in Europe.

The Great Political Reversal is happening everywhere, but apart from Trump, the potential political beneficiaries are reluctant to seize the moment.

Black Ball
Black Ball
November 20, 2024 5:41 pm

Not sure how I commented on a distant fred. But the point remains lol

feelthebern
feelthebern
November 20, 2024 5:41 pm

Gladiator 2 is a big pile of shit.

johanna
johanna
November 20, 2024 5:46 pm

As Clarkson points out on his program, one of the reasons that UK farms are not as productive as they should be is because farmers have to spend hours and hours (or pay someone) to fill out the countless forms that are required of a UK farmer. And, conform to their stupid directives,

Then, they have to comply with absurd directives of the one size fts all variety.from local councils, which make ours look like benign, caring outfits.

When Clarkson wanted to establish a farmers market and a restaurant, the council threw every possible obstacle in his way.

As we in Ausralia know, local government attracts the dregs of the dregs.

Roger
Roger
November 20, 2024 5:48 pm

UK Labour is targeting family farms because they don’t like families who own farms (who may be asset rich but are often cash poor).

Just as they don’t like the moderately better off Tory-voting pensioners who will lose their winter fuel subsidy via a means test.

Or the aspirational middle-class families who send their children to the independent schools whose fees they are now applying the VAT to.

None of this is constructive policy with rational ends in view. The monies raised are insignificant compared to, say the waste that could be salvaged from NHS budget or the very generous foreign aid the UK dishes out.

It is bloody-minded class warfare rooted in malevolence against people who aspire to be something more than a drone in the socialist hive. They’ve probably fantasised about it implementing it since they were bolshies at university.

Last edited 13 days ago by Roger
Sean
Sean
November 20, 2024 5:54 pm

Does anyone know when cold prawns became a thing for Christmas? I love seafood, but I find the whole process of shelling and getting rid of the guck without spraying people to be a bit of a wasted effort. Was there a promotion by some food critic many years ago?

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 5:56 pm
Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 5:56 pm
Wally Dalí
Wally Dalí
November 20, 2024 5:57 pm

Yes. A J*wish food critic.

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 5:57 pm
Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 5:58 pm
Steve trickler
Steve trickler
November 20, 2024 6:03 pm

Regarding weight gain and diet , I consider myself a lucky one. I can eat what I want, when I want and how much I want and not put on a gram of fat. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing?

Opa’s genetics have flowed on to me. My metabolism is like a nuke reactor.

Today for lunch I had half of a raw brown onion, finely chopped, a huge red tomatoe, finely chopped, two stalks of spring onion, finely chopped and a heap of potatoe salad all in one bowl.

40 minutes later and I am hungry again.

I need meat and FAT as Arky pointed out. I’ve practically given bread the flick.

Last edited 13 days ago by Steve Trickler
Rosie
Rosie
November 20, 2024 6:04 pm
Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
November 20, 2024 6:07 pm

cohenite

 November 20, 2024 4:37 pm

Marjorie Taylor-Greene has thrown down the Gauntlet regarding attacks on Gaetz.

MTG says that if they doxx Gaetz, she’ll work to doxx all of Congress:

Outstanding. It is so stark when you see a courageous conservative in action; it reveals the pathetic nature of the vast majority of so called conservatives.

Compare and contrast, dear reader, with the response from Strayan conservatives over the mud thrown in the form of having a “woman problem”.
As I said when that nut-job accused Christian Porter, an LNP leader with balls would have invited Short’n for a quiet fireside chat and informed him that, if the ALP decided to pull that bullshit, the Kathy Sherriff saga would get a run under Parliamentary privilege.
Over to you Bill.
Your choice.

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 6:23 pm

David Coleman is a piece of excrement, burbling on about how great the under 16 ban is and how we absolute must get it through next week. And this is the LIBERAL. They make me sick. What hope is there for this country if this is the alternate government.

‘Appalling attack on free speech’: Government urged to ‘explain’ misinformation bill

Lysander
Lysander
November 20, 2024 6:42 pm

I don’t trust the fu#kers in the WH at the moment:

Russia-Ukraine war: US Embassy in Kyiv closed after ‘significant air attack’ threat received | PerthNow

The United States Government has closed its embassy in a country after receiving intelligence of a ‘significant air attack’ planned for Wednesday, November 20.

“The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20,” the Government said in a statement.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place.

“The US Embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.”

The threat comes after President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use US missiles in attacks on Russia.

The embassy warned US citizens to monitor local media for updates, identify shelter locations in advance of any air alert, immediately take shelter if an air alert is announced and follow the directions of Ukrainian officials and first responders in the event of an emergency.
More to come…

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 6:43 pm

Dr. John Campbell. He apparently breached “Community Guidelines” and had a clip removed and received a warning. Truth is absolutely no defence in this case.

Update from John

Miltonf
Miltonf
November 20, 2024 6:44 pm

Coleman another McKinsey’s BA LLB. The archetypal empty suit.

Knuckle Dragger
Knuckle Dragger
November 20, 2024 6:47 pm

Bali, a two hour flight awaits.

Five days of Bali-esque awesomeness awaits.

Will return with some really cheap yet genuine Rolex watches and Balenciaga shirts. Their business model must be amazing.

thefrollickingmole
thefrollickingmole
November 20, 2024 6:53 pm

Bali, a two hour flight awaits.

Can you take my boogie board for me? My… auntie… will meet you at an undisclosed location to collect it once you are through customs.
?

Steve trickler
Steve trickler
November 20, 2024 7:19 pm

Eyrie
 November 20, 2024 6:41 pm

 Reply to  Steve trickler
You are hungry again because the potato salad is heaps of carbs.
Get checked out. There is such a thing as thin on the outside, fat on the inside, leading to Type 2 diabetes.

I’m fine. Big steak prepped.

Garlic galore!

Last edited 13 days ago by Steve Trickler
Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
November 20, 2024 7:19 pm

Lee opined

Blackout Bowen and Albosleazy are alternatively:

1) complete idiots

2) luddites

3) in the pockets of the renewable industry

4) any combination of the three.

5) hamstrung by the Paris treaty that a previous government signed under Malcontent Turncoat.

Old Lefty
Old Lefty
November 20, 2024 7:19 pm

Here’s the ABC allover a commercial radio announcer in Queensland convinced of child abuse:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-20/former-sunshine-coast-radio-host-peter-lang-sentenced/104615136

But of course they maintain a wall of silence about their own Jon Stephens, Bill Hurrey and Brian Edmonds.

Miltonf
Miltonf
November 20, 2024 7:23 pm

Saw some elderly bearded billy goat twot in a white VW with a ‘keep your mits off the ABC’ sticker on it.

Roger
Roger
November 20, 2024 7:27 pm

Saw some elderly bearded billy goat twot in a white VW with a ‘keep your mits off the ABC’ sticker on it.

Escaped from the nursing home?

Miltonf
Miltonf
November 20, 2024 7:28 pm

The human garbage currently polluting the White House have 6 1/2 weeks to do a lot of damage. Not a happy thought.

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 7:28 pm

@MikeBenzCyber

You literally cannot get worse than this if you give a flying fig about free speech.

Mike Rogers, under consideration (who the F knows why) as Trump’s new FBI director. In addition to Russiagater pusher, IRI Beacon Project promoter (CIA censorship program), you have this:

Miltonf
Miltonf
November 20, 2024 7:31 pm

Some sort of defined benefit retired pubic serpent I would think. From my observations, a certain left wing type is attracted to VW which is funny seeing it was started by Adolf Hitler.

Steve trickler
Steve trickler
November 20, 2024 7:41 pm

Will cook the flesh in a few hours.

Miltonf
Miltonf
November 20, 2024 7:44 pm

Yeah Ilsa Koch was really something

Wally Dali
Wally Dali
November 20, 2024 7:46 pm

Potato salad is an affront to potatoes.
Cook them. Eat them hot. Eat them with fat, to take the peak off the glycaemic load. Spuds are very low carb, but zero fat/lipid/oils, very low so on their own- or with a crappy sugary “low fat” potato salad dressing- they have a high G.I. So eat them with your steak, or cook with butter, or with olive oil. They taste fantastic because they’re full of minerals.
Sheesh. It’s like I have to type this out every December.

Bazinga
Bazinga
November 20, 2024 7:46 pm

“The threat comes after President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use US missiles in attacks on Russia.”

DemonRats desperate to start WW3 in order to prevent Trump fixing the country.

Cassie of Sydney
November 20, 2024 7:47 pm

MTG says that if they doxx Gaetz, she’ll work to doxx all of Congress:

That’s how you deal with the left. Have I not been saying this for years? You don’t turn the other cheek, you don’t plead, beg and implore the left to be nice and kind and sweet, and you don’t cower in the corner…..NOPE, NYET, NUP……you mop the swill up that the left throw back into a bucket and you pick up that bucket of swill and you throw the swill right back at the left.

We didn’t start this war, but we will finish it…..and the election win two weeks ago was the beginning of this ‘finishing’.

will
will
November 20, 2024 7:49 pm

Don’t trust the Celestials:

World Bank Director: “I Saw the Craziest Things in China”

Top Ender
Top Ender
November 20, 2024 7:56 pm

How surprising – people don’t want to work in the justice system in Alice Springs! Maybe the PM could fly in and fix it like last time?

Alice Springs Local Court critically understaffed, according to top NT judges

A critical staffing shortage in Alice Springs has forced the NT local court chief judge to dramatically cut back bail application hearings, leaving vulnerable defendants to spend longer periods in custody.

The Alice Springs Local Court will no longer hear bail applications after 3pm, after Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris approved on the new cut-off time.

Court staff are gravely concerned that hearings for defendants who plead guilty are still allowed to proceed past 3pm, questioning whether the guidelines have been implemented to incentivise defendants to plead guilty and have their matter heard promptly.

In an email circulated to court staff on Wednesday afternoon, Deputy Chief Judge Sarah McNamara said the court registry was “critically understaffed”, and that the limits would remain in place “until further notice”.

“Any bail applications not finalised by 3pm will be marked as not reached and adjourned,” the email reads.

The 3pm cut-off is subject to change and will be brought forward to 2.30pm where registry staff numbers are “critically low”, the email says. The Australian understands court staff have been forced to stop applications at 2.30pm since Friday.

When there is adequate staff, the court may hear applications past 3pm, the email says.

“These arrangements will be in place until further notice,” it reads. “We are hoping that capacity issues are resolved in early 2025.”

Whistleblowers within the Alice Springs local court have told The Australian they fear the Territory’s justice system is on a “cliff edge” due to overstretched staff, with no sign of reprieve until “early 2025”.

“Many of these people are accused of a crime, yet cannot even apply for bail and contest their matter because the court doesn’t have the capacity,” one legal worker said.

“Where is the ‘just’ in a justice system that is so broken, the system is hovering over a cliff’s edge that is about to collapse,” they said.

Sources said accused people on remand were held in one of a few cells – each holding around a dozen inmates – with lights on permanently, no sunlight, no access to personal calls or personal visitors. There are no exercise or education facilities or access to fresh air.

Overcrowding in the prison system has this year resulted in convicted prisoners spending time in the Alice Springs watch-house, which is typically reserved for people on remand.

“There is no longer a presumption of innocence if we continue to allow the system to work like this,” one source said.

One source questioned how the court had the capacity to prepare orders for sentence and warrants of imprisonments but could not hear bail applications.

The NT court system has been crippled by severe understaffing issues for months, with The Australian last month reporting Legal Aid NT were due to cut off all services to bush courts from January.

While a $1m emergency boost for Legal Aid NT was announced this month, many have dismissed it as insufficient, and say the critical service will continue to struggle.

The Australian this year reported the extent of the crisis in the Alice Springs Local Court after observing proceedings for three weeks, detailing how it took 11 days for a 32-year-old full-time employee of Territory Housing, who was on a drink-driving charge, to have his bail application heard.

During his bail application judge Carly Ingles said: “The situation is a travesty and a human rights issue of significant proportion”.

“At the moment, ours is not a criminal justice system you want to be getting yourself involved in, the situation is dire,” she said.

One Alice Springs lawyer recalled a day at the end of last year when the cells beneath the court were “like Mississippi in the ’70s”.

“They were all screaming ‘lawyer, lawyer, lawyer’,” the lawyer said, confessing to having broken down and cried.

Another lawyer described the cells as a “sea of black”.

“You go to a NSW prison, there’s a pretty big Aboriginal population, it’s very mixed. In the Territory, a non-Indigenous person is a minority, it’s rare,” the lawyer said.

A sign at the registry seen by The Australian in March which reads: “Front counter closed today due to staff shortage” is still present today.

Oz

Roger
Roger
November 20, 2024 8:11 pm

“They were all screaming ‘lawyer, lawyer, lawyer’,” the lawyer said, confessing to having broken down and cried.

Which helped nobody. The time and energy spent emoting could have assisted at least one person there.

Be that as it may, I don’t expect Albanese will be much interested in intervening – as the Commonwealth should – at this point in the election cycle as it only highlights his policy failures in this area.

Cassie of Sydney
November 20, 2024 8:13 pm

Here’s MTG dealing with the verminous UK rodent, Emily Maitlis…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzP4EbOmh4w

That’s how you deal with the left.

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 8:14 pm

With Russell Broadbent. The IPA brought Michael Shellenberger here to help expose the dangers of the MAD bill.

Talking MAD Bill with Michael Shellenberger

Rabz
November 20, 2024 8:20 pm

They’ve probably fantasised about implementing it since they were bolshies at university

With (p)Rick from the Young Ones as one of their heroes/role models.

bons
bons
November 20, 2024 8:26 pm

Why are we surprised.

The last event that Albanese successfully organised was the University of Sydney Young Labor Club gang bang.

I don’t think that I was there, it was before my time but the PolSci morons of my time were all Albaneses creatures and focused exclusively on ……

Winston Smith
Winston Smith
November 20, 2024 8:41 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv22xJBlybc
According to some journalists, the Southport cover up might be deeper and not so obvious.
The refusal of the government to come clean on what they know is fuelling all sorts of speculation.

cohenite
November 20, 2024 8:51 pm

Why are we surprised.
The last event that Albanese successfully organised was the University of Sydney Young Labor Club gang bang.

If the lnp had any balls they would be hammering rub and tug about his visit to the cathouse, Mr Wong about how his missus got pregnant, plibbers about her hubbie’s drug dealing, tits about the rape accusation and so on.

The only reason the liars and filth do what they do is because the lnp are gutless.

Bungonia Bee
Bungonia Bee
November 20, 2024 8:55 pm

I’m taking a leaf from JC’s book and saying the NSW Transport Minister is quite a looker!

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
November 20, 2024 9:19 pm

Jo HaylenTransport Ministecomment image?1674733656Jo Haylen is your Labor Member for Summer Hill and the Minister for Transport.
Jo is raising her young family in the Inner West and will always fight for our public schools, hospitals, housing and transport.
Jo is a proud product of public education and fought the previous Liberal Government’s agenda of privatisation, outsourcing and the running down of our public services.
She is a passionate advocate for social justice in the NSW Parliament and continues to fight for the vulnerable and marginalised. She fights for a fair and transparent planning system, for real action on climate and our environment, and for policies that make housing more affordable and renting more secure.
Inner westies look out for one another, they speak up on the issues that matter, and they work together to make sure nobody gets left behind. Jo knows that’s the kind of thinking we need in Government.

thefrollickingmole
thefrollickingmole
November 20, 2024 9:24 pm

Noted WW2 documentary iron sky 2 on sbs

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 9:28 pm
Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 9:35 pm

Please don’t quote large slabs in bold. It’s really hard on the eyes. There a block quote button (the double quotation marks) for that purpose.

Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 9:37 pm
Zippster
Zippster
November 20, 2024 10:05 pm

Part 1 of Bettina Arndt’s conversation with Richard McDonald, Sydney lawyer and former police prosecutor about a justice system captured by feminist ideology, where false allegations are rife, and police routinely fail to properly investigate domestic violence and sexual assault.

Summary: In the first part of Bettina Arndt’s discussion with former police prosecutor Richard McDonald, they delve into the current dysfunctions of the justice system, particularly concerning domestic violence and sexual assault cases. McDonald shares insights from his extensive experience in law enforcement, highlighting systemic biases against men, the prevalence of false allegations, and the alarming lack of thorough investigations by police departments. He expresses concerns about the pressures within the justice system that lead to unjust prosecutions and a tendency to overlook critical evidence. The conversation aims to shed light on the complexities and flaws in the legal process regarding allegations against men, particularly concerning consent and the handling of complainants’ testimony. — ### Key Points by Section: #### Introduction: – Bettina Arndt introduces Richard McDonald, a former police prosecutor. – McDonald discusses his transition from a police officer to private practice. #### Richard McDonald’s Background: – 22 years in the police force, with 18 years as a police prosecutor. – Involved in operational legal advice at high levels. – Resigned and transitioned to private law practice in June 2022. #### Concerns about the Justice System: – McDonald raises concerns about male victimization and the unfair treatment of men in domestic violence cases. – Suggests that men often become targets in domestic violence prosecutions. #### Experience with Sexual Assault Cases: – Analyzed hundreds of sexual assault matters; over 90% advised against prosecution due to insufficient evidence. – Noted that many cases proceed to trial despite the lack of evidence. #### Patterns of False Allegations: – Discusses instances where complainants do not tell the truth, affected by cultural factors or peer pressure. – Observes that some women may retroactively interpret consensual encounters as assault due to societal influence. #### Issues with Consent and Prosecution: – Highlights the complexities of consent laws, emphasizing that persuasion is not inherently criminal. – Raises concerns about the interpretation of affirmative consent laws complicating proceedings. #### Police and Prosecutorial Pressures: – Describes the pressures police and prosecutors face to bring cases to court, sometimes at the expense of thorough investigations. – Discusses a culture of rushing cases through without adequate scrutiny of evidence. #### Impact on Accused Individuals: – Details the serious personal and financial consequences for those accused of sexual assault or domestic violence. – Emphasizes the emotional toll on families and reputations, regardless of the outcome in court. #### Need for Change in the Justice System: – Calls for more consequences for false allegations to restore some balance to the system. – Suggests the need for genuine acknowledgment of false complaints by community leaders and lawmakers. #### Recommendations for the Wrongfully Accused: – Advises individuals facing false accusations to seek legal advice without speaking to law enforcement or the complainant. – Encourages meticulous documentation of events and a focus on mental health support during the process. – Stresses the importance of selecting a competent lawyer and the difficulties in finding good legal representation. #### Conclusion: – McDonald reflects on the challenges within the current legal framework and the need for systemic change to address these issues effectively. – Thanks Bettina for the opportunity to share his insights

our legal system has been severely compromised

132andBush
132andBush
November 20, 2024 10:26 pm

BB earlier today complimenting KRudd.

Everything this slithering turd has just said in this article is unmitigated horseshit solely uttered to save his sorry arse.

Mate, enough with this praise!
It’s not that sort of blog.

Last edited 13 days ago by 132andBush
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
November 20, 2024 10:35 pm

Anyway, “Sliante” to all you mob.

Few single malts, and Helen Mirren as “Golda.”

Trying to imagine Albo in a similar situation..

“Prime Minister, our forces were taken by surprise. Our enemy to the North has broken through, and are advancing rapidly. The enemy to the South has smashed the defensive line, and our counterattack has failed, with heavy losses in armor and infantry.”

“Arrrgh, did I ever tell you how I was raised in public housing, by a single mum?

John H.
John H.
November 20, 2024 11:08 pm
Indolent
Indolent
November 20, 2024 11:13 pm
Louis Litt
Louis Litt
November 20, 2024 11:29 pm

For the banana artwork I will realise my artwork this weekend.
simply titled “Orphan” the orphan banana left on the shelf, removed from its bunch, alone, lonely, neglected is the saddest of sights.
it drops me to my knees and makes me helplessly weep every time.
so cats, when you go to the fnv , please pick up the orphan banana and take it home with you , it’s loved.

i allways think of Dan hills “sometimes when we touch” when I place the orphan banana in the plastic bag.

Rosie
Rosie
November 21, 2024 6:23 am
  1. Pretty much everyone I’ve known who was a genuine talent outside sports left Australia. The few who didn’t had ties…

1.4K
0
Oh, you think that, do you? Care to put it on record?x
()
x