Monday Forum: July 16, 2018

Posted on 10:30 am, July 16, 2018 by Sinclair Davidson

This entry was posted in Open Forum. Bookmark the permalink.

1,568 Responses to Monday Forum: July 16, 2018

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Roger

#2766431, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:48 am

Either way, all good and all is forgiven.

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.
JC

#2766432, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:51 am

This is going to send Agent Orange red.

Mexico’s next government to weigh legalizing drugs

Mexico City (AFP) – Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has given his future interior minister “carte blanche” to explore the possibility of legalizing drugs in a bid to curb violent crime, she said Tuesday.

Olga Sanchez Cordero, a former Supreme Court judge tapped to lead the interior ministry, drew applause when she made the comment at a university seminar on addressing brutal violence fueled by Mexico’s drug cartels, the biggest suppliers to US consumers of cocaine, heroin and other narcotics.

Typical fucking leftwing idiot. He doesn’t seems to appreciate that the lifeblood of the cartels is north of the border and nearly all drug activity inside Mexico is because of the booming export business and little to do inside the Mex border.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/mexicos-next-government-weigh-legalizing-drugs-232549475.html
Stimpson J. Cat

#2766433, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:51 am

Either way, all good and all is forgiven.

It’s great that you don’t hold a grudge JC.
Very inspirational.
calli

#2766434, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:51 am

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.

Well, he definitely flushed out all the hysterical t*rds and left them drying in the sun.
Confused Old Misfit

#2766436, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:57 am

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.

More of a “covfefe” moment.
And why is it a bit of a worry?
Everyone was OK with Hillary’s “moments” regardless of how they were induced.
Mother Lode

#2766437, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:58 am

I reckon the Russian’s meddled in the election as a matter of course – no need for colluding, just to create discord in a competitor as part of foreign policy. I imagine the Americans have done it from time to time.

But this whole ‘collusion’ thing is really just the last fig leaf to help the Democrats avoid seeing the pustule covered, weeping, maggot-ridden pudenda that was the Democrat Party’s electoral performance for what it is.

In a way it is probably true that Trump can trust Putin more than his own intelligence community – he can trust Putin to do what he does. The US intel community is simply not what it written on the packet.
JC

#2766438, posted on July 18, 2018 at 10:58 am

Rand Paul actually gets and why Trump is mightily pissed off.

Donald J. Trump
‏
Thank you @RandPaul. “The President has gone through a year and a half of totally partisan investigations – what’s he supposed to think?”

It’s true , you know. The poor fuck has been terrorized since before the inauguration without any let up.
.

#2766440, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:01 am

Have a look at all of these Federal depts and agencies.

https://www.budget.gov.au/2018-19/content/bp4/download/10_Staffing.pdf

I count 160.

Surely that is too many?
Roger

#2766441, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:02 am

And why is it a bit of a worry?

Um…because he’s POTUS.

He’s hoping for two terms, we’re hoping for two terms, but at 72 he may not be up to it.
JC

#2766442, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:02 am

Clem Ford, commenting/focusing on international politics, which is quite a different turn for her as she seems to only want to discuss her 197 abortions.

Clementine Ford liked
Palmer Report
‏Verified account @PalmerReport
18m18 minutes ago
Replying to @realDonaldTrump

Go to jail. Do not pass Moscow. Do not collect two hundred dollars.
Tom

#2766443, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:03 am

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.

I suspect his new right-hand man John Bolton (a member of the neocon establishment) convinced him to recant some of his criticism of the corrupt intel community leadership.

I thought the criticism of Trump by Newt Gingrich — one of his most ardent supporters — was much more significant.

Trump’s shoot-from-the-hip style will always be an occupational hazard when you’re surrounded by the swamp’s snakes and alligators.
JC

#2766444, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:05 am

I count 160.

Surely that is too many?

It’s too few, Dot and we need more agencies and departments. We need to focus on the meaty stuff that’s killing the country, not our courageous and intrepid public servants. Like

1. I ‘ate abos
2. I ‘ate foreigners.
Roger

#2766445, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:05 am

Have a look at all of these Federal depts and agencies.

Why is the government running a film and television school?

ASIO up by c. 120, I note.
Mother Lode

#2766446, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:06 am

Well, he definitely flushed out all the hysterical t*rds and left them drying in the sun.

Nicely put.
.

#2766447, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:06 am

We are not governed by adults.

Banking Executive Accountability Regime

https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2018-t276699/

In the 2017-18 Budget, the Government announced that it would legislate to introduce a new Banking Executive Accountability Regime (BEAR). The BEAR, which will make ADIs and their most senior executives and directors accountable for meeting heightened standards of behaviour in line with community expectations, received Royal Assent on 20 February 2018.

WTF is this tribal village nonsense about “da communidee expecktayshuns”? All they’ve got to do is comply with the law as it is.
calli

#2766448, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:07 am

Yes, it’s been interesting to observe his “ardent supporters” mouthing off for their little MSM/social media moment.

Instructive even.
Bruce in WA

#2766450, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:07 am

Knew I’d feel better this morning. Too much introspection.
Confused Old Misfit

#2766451, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:08 am

Um…because he’s POTUS.

You need to be a bit more specific than that.
And tread carefully lest I’m obliged to summon Tim Alphabetsoupophse’s successor to initiate an action against you for ageism!
Confused Old Misfit

#2766452, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:10 am

Bruce in WA
#2766450, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:07 am
Knew I’d feel better this morning. Too much introspection.

Hope the dog didn’t leave any tooth marks! 😉
mh

#2766453, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:12 am

Several left-wing media outlets are claiming hashtag #WalkAway is a Kremlin attack on Democrats leading up to the 2018 midterm elections.
CNN, Huffington Post, Salon and others published articles accusing Russia of using #WalkAway to try and “wound Democrats.”

I bet a few Cats here agree. It’s the Wussians!

https://www.infowars.com/liberal-media-claims-walkaway-a-russian-bot-campaign-with-zero-proof/
Mother Lode

#2766454, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:13 am

WTF is this tribal village nonsense about “da communidee expecktayshuns”?

It is the Greens’ “Social License” being adopted by the parties large enough to form governments because they thought it must be real – it has an impressive sounding name after all.
.

#2766455, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:13 am

The Feds here in Aus. ought to but out of education other than administering the HECS regime and doling out cash to schools or the States. Move it into Treasury. The States own just about all of the universities and virtually all schools.

All the Feds really do is meddle.

Department of Education and Training
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited
Australian Research Council
Australian Skills Quality Authority (National Vocational Education
and Training Regulator
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency

Their entire job is simply to meddle and tell the actual educators how to suck eggs!
C.L.

#2766456, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:14 am

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.

Obama Misspoke On ‘Polish Death Camp,’ Says White House.
——–
Clinton ‘misspoke’ over claims of sniper fire in visit to Bosnia.
thefrolickingmole

#2766457, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:15 am

incoherent rambler
Hey mole, good thing I didn’t tell you my birth date. Eh?

Ill Pm the Doomlord, you didnt really believe he ran this place out of the good of the coal black shriveled organ where his heart should be did you?

Also, we receive electronic communications from testing mobs, the amount of incorrectly sent stuff for people who have never been within a bulls roar of the place is fairly large.
Eg: People dying of end stage liver failure, breast cancer/etc stuff that reall should be between doctor & patient.
We track down the doctor and send the results on, which is about all we can do.
Leigh Lowe

#2766458, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:15 am

Googlery’s mother breaks her silence.
.

#2766459, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:17 am

Some curious things or duplication in health:

National Health Funding Body

So what does the actual department do? Write letters back to constituents?

Independent Hospital Pricing Authority

I had no idea that even existed.

Professional Services Review

Don’t the state bodies and depts. regulate and try civil and criminal cases in this regard anyway?
Roger

#2766460, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:18 am

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.

Obama Misspoke On ‘Polish Death Camp,’ Says White House.
——–
Clinton ‘misspoke’ over claims of sniper fire in visit to Bosnia.

Fair point.

I just hope his cognitive faculties are up for the task ahead of him.

Maybe the Putin summit should have been a stand alone thing, not tacked on after Brussels and London.
Leigh Lowe

#2766461, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:18 am

Clem Ford, commenting/focusing on international politics, which is quite a different turn for her as she seems to only want to discuss her 197 abortions.

Fake News.
There is no way Clammy has racked up 197 roots.
JC

#2766462, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:19 am

On a serious note about the aboriginal industry, that really has me in a quandary as to what to think and how to go about dealing with it.

Fact is, a number of studies suggest the average IQ in the aboriginal community is 62. That’s not a typo and I will repeat it again. It’s 62. If the average IQ in the community is so low and if you assume a normal distribution for the community as a whole, it would mean that the tail – on the higher IQ side- could very likely be as thin as it is for the rest of the Australian population. This is a national tragedy.

I’m in the camp that believes human brains are malleable and the deficit could be repaired, but it would take a few generations by ensuring children have a good nutritional diet etc and cared for in a decent way.

If the distribution is similar to the rest of the population, it would mean having an aboriginal person at average IQ (100) would be as rare as finding people with IQ’s of 160 plus in the rest of the population. Lets say the tail is a little fatter and the belly not protruding too much. We could downscale it all and suggest it would be are rare as people with a IQ of 140. And they are pretty rare.

I can’t honestly see how a person with an IQ of 62 can function in a modern industrial civilization.

This is my quandary in terms of removing welfare and support.
.

#2766463, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:21 am

Some oddities from the Home Affairs Portfolio:

Home Affairs Average Staffing Levels # 2017-18 ASL 2018-19 ASL Change
Department of Home Affairs (q) 13,950 14,420 470
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (r) 750 825 75
Australian Federal Police (s) 6,300 6,448 148
Australian Institute of Criminology (t) 26 46 20
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (u) 303 330 27
Total 21,329 22,069 740

So there are more than double the amount of staff in the “main” departmental branch than there are AFP officers and civvies?

This is whilst we also have an Attorney General’s dept.

Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Hang on, I thought ACIC was the merger of the ACC (*formerly/sort of the NCA*) and the ATRAC (Austrac).
JC

#2766464, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:21 am

The libertarian angle is that you most certainly deal with it and do so with a great deal of charity directed to this problem. You could also deal with it by removing labor market inflexibility for this community.
Infidel Tiger 2.0 (Premium Content Subscribers Only)

#2766465, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:22 am

He had a senior moment? Bit of a worry.

He didn’t have senior’s moment.

Pence and Kelly set him straight that he was committing political suicide.
calli

#2766466, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:22 am

The most amusing thing to come out of the Helsinki meeting is how terrified lefty Americans (and seemingly lefties worldwide) are of the Russians.

Remarkable.
Zatara

#2766467, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:22 am

We are having major valve probs across the north both fixed wing and helicopter where in the last 18 months and particularly the last 3, exhaust valves are showing excessive wear, leading to replacement at $2,000 ea sometimes every 100 hours. Normal life 2,000 +.

Three forced landing from helicopters acoss North Aust and several shut downs in FW. They are engine that run on AvGas LL Blue. No-one dead or injured – yet.

Helen, it’s time to take some fuel samples and test them. Don’t be surprised if it turns out that there is a significant amount of bioalcohol in it. Alcohol has much higher octane rating than petrol and mixing them is a matter of balancing their characteristics for a given application. Fuel distributors have been known to screw that up.

Meanwhile, practice your auto-rotation technique – “Down right idle turn….”

Most formal method (best if needed for evidence): take it to a laboratory you can trust for analysis.

Less formal but very accurate: Fuel Test Kit

Or the tried and true do-it-yourself method:
– A graduated glass cylinder, usually 1000 milliliters (ml), is used for this test. Put 250ml of the gasoline to be tested into the graduated flask.
– Add 50ml of water to the flask containing the 250ml of sample gasoline.
– Seal the top w/a stopper and thoroughly agitate the sample. Let this rest for a couple minutes.
– If there’s no alcohol in the sample, there will still be only 50ml of water that has separated into a layer at the bottom of the container.
– If there IS alcohol present in the sample, the amount of water/alcohol at the bottom of the container will have increased by the amount of alcohol that’s present in the 250ml sample.
– Subtracting the original 50ml of water that was added at the start of the test from what is now there is the percentage of alky that has been added to the gasoline.

Warning Note: Be aware that if there is also water in the test sample, the water will be included in the amount seen at the bottom of the graduated vessel. One would assume that any amount seen in the test sample that exceeds the listed amount of alcohol (either 85% for E85 or 10% for E10) would be water. But unfortunately, the regulations for alcohol content of our gasoline is such that there can be anywhere from 51% to 85% for E85, and cannot be above 10% alcohol for E10, but it CAN be lower. If it IS lower, there can be water in the fuel that will appear to be just alcohol, unless the quantity in the layer is above 10%. Even then, the amount of water could be easily assumed to be less than what is actually contained in the fuel.
Larger amounts of water will cause two layers to separate out at the bottom of the vessel when testing alcohol-containing fuel if the amount of water is sufficient to saturate the alcohol. The bottommost layer will be water, then water/alcohol, then gasoline.
cohenite

#2766468, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:22 am

I don’t think Trump had a senior moment. He conflated the mueller collusion bullshit with the meddling crap. So what. Who would trust the senior intelligence groups after the collusion stuff up and in regard to the meddling which country doesn’t do it.

The M 17 cluster fuck is also getting a flogging. Who can forget what the press did to Abbott when he said he was going to thump Putin about it: too aggressive, thuggish etc and now Trump takes a conciliatory approach with Putin which is the only way the relatives of the M17 victims are going to get justice – with Russia in the fold not ostracised – and it’s still T’s fault for being a soft cock.
Roger

#2766469, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:23 am

This is my quandary in terms of removing welfare and support.

Assimilation was the kindest, wisest policy.
.

#2766470, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:24 am

Department of Human Services – no breakdown by sub-agency or role.

27,000 employees. So you could have 900 Centrelink offices with 30 staff.

This can be farmed off to the banking sector.

No need for that department at all!
Leigh Lowe

#2766473, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:25 am

I can’t honestly see how a person with an IQ of 62 can function in a modern industrial civilization.

Well, you’ve had lunch with mUnter.
What do you reckon?
Could he read a menu?
Did he need a cork on the end of his fork?
You tell us.
JC

#2766474, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:25 am

It’s unlikely but also possible. You could have rogue elements in the Russian state apparatus doing their own thing and away from Putin. It’s very low prob, but he wouldn’t necessarily be aware of every single thing that’s going on every single day, hour and minute of the day.
Leigh Lowe

#2766475, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:27 am

The most amusing thing to come out of the Helsinki meeting is how terrified lefty Americans (and seemingly lefties worldwide) are of the Russians.

And all this from people who, when Romney raised the issue of the Russian threat in 2012, their dear leader Obumbi cackled that “the 1980’s called and want their foreign policy back.”
What’s changed?
.

#2766476, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:29 am

Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency
Infrastructure Australia
National Capital Authority
National Transport Commission

Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Three separate safety bureaus. Physics must work differently on a train than at sea. Remind me to update special relativity for that purpose.

Infrastructure and Project Financing Agency
Infrastructure Australia

Um?

Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities
National Transport Commission

Um? Doesn’t the Minister have advisers?
cohenite

#2766477, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:29 am

Lisa Page and the obuma connection:
Leigh Lowe

#2766478, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:30 am

I don’t think Trump had a senior moment. He conflated the mueller collusion bullshit with the meddling crap. So what.

Correct.
He needs to keep beating the drum …
(1) Russians tried to interfere before and after the election on both sides;
(2) He (Trump) had nothing to do with it;
(3) It had zero effect on the outcome. Hilary lost. Because she is a loser.
JC

#2766479, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:30 am

Roger
#2766469, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:23 am

This is my quandary in terms of removing welfare and support.

Assimilation was the kindest, wisest policy.

Possibly, but I’m also not so sure they all want to. The ones living in the remote areas are those lowering the average for sure. But how the fuck would taking those people and putting them in an more urban environment change things?

The only approach, I think, would be a hardened one in the sense that… sure you can live in these dysfunctional settings but we can’t take care of you anymore if you live there and you’re on your own.
The vast majority of the Australian population has to be onside too.
hzhousewife

#2766481, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:35 am

Look the Opt out is easy guys I literally just did it online.
Make sure you get an email with a transaction reference number.

Just done mine, wrote down the transaction number, don’t need an email confirmation
Stimpson J. Cat

#2766482, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:37 am

Knew I’d feel better this morning. Too much introspection.

Endorphins my friend.

😁
cohenite

#2766483, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:38 am

No-veils ruling for Victorian Supreme Court public gallery

The Australian
12:00AM July 18, 2018

The wife of an accused terrorist has been banned from wearing an Islamic veil, or niqab, in the public gallery of the Victorian Supreme Court, with a judge ruling spectators must have their faces uncovered.

The woman made an application to wear a niqab during the trial of her husband, who with two co-accused is charged with conspiring to plan a terrorist attack in Melbourne’s CBD last Christmas. He will stand trial next week.

Judge Christopher Beale previously prevented a woman in a burka from entering his court. “I require anybody who comes into the court, and all are welcome, but anybody who comes into the court, for their face to be uncovered,” he said in February.

Lawyers for the wife of the accused made an application to vary Justice Beale’s previous order, arguing it was oppressive.

In a judgment handed down on Monday, Justice Beale rejected her application and ruled that people in the public gallery should have their faces uncovered in order to deter them from possible misbehaviour.

“While it is rare for physical violence to erupt, it is not so rare that things are said by spectators in the public gallery which should not be said,” he said.

Justice Beale said comments to other spectators, to witnesses, lawyers, even to the judge and jurors, may sometimes cause a mistrial and the court needed to minimise the occurrence of such incidents.

“Spectators whose faces are uncovered are likely to appreciate that if they misbehave, it will not be too difficult to establish their identity, even if they manage to get away from the court,” he said.

“Deterrence, identification and proof are all served by a requirement that spectators in the public gallery have their faces uncovered.

“The efficacy of an order for witnesses out of court is also facilitated by such a requirement.

“Once there are multiple spectators in the public gallery wearing niqabs and traditional Islamic dress, working out who was who if something happened in court might not be a simple matter, especially as such dress tends to be very similar.”

Justice Beale said he had considered the woman’s right of religious freedom and her right to participate in public life and the fact that the niqab was a “fundamental way in which (the woman) observes her faith”.

However, he said his orders did not force anyone to “act immodestly”.

“First, the exposure of one’s face in a courtroom cannot reasonably be viewed as an immodest act: subjective views to the contrary cannot rule the day, or the management of a courtroom,” he said.

“Second, if someone feels strongly that it would be improper for them to uncover their face in court, they can choose not to attend.”

He said arrangements could be made for the trial to be live-streamed to a remote facility if the woman chose not to attend.

Justice Beale said it would be “undesirable and discriminatory” to segregate spectators wearing niqabs or arrange for extra security staff to sit near them to monitor them.

“Such measures would, in my view, be more restrictive of rights than a requirement that spectators have their faces uncovered,” he said.

The woman’s lawyers referred Justice Beale to the NSW case of Moutia Elzahed, who claimed police assaulted her family during a terrorism raid.

The judge refused permission for Ms Elzahed to give evidence with her face covered, finding the covering would impede the court’s ability to assess her credibility and reliability.

The NSW Court of Appeal found the District Court judge Audrey Balla made no error in her ruling and had in fact raised possible alternative methods for Ms Elzahed to give evidence. “Those alternative methods were rejected by the appellant,” the court said.

Lawyers for the woman subject to yesterday’s judgment also referred Justice Beale to a New Zealand case where two prosecution witnesses wished to wear niqabs while giving evidence.

The judge ordered the witnesses remove their niqabs but set up screens in the court to shield the witnesses’ faces from all but the judge, counsel and female court staff.

An English judge allowed an accused to wear a niqab except when she was giving evidence.

Justice Beale said there was at least one point of distinction between these cases and the current one.

“An accused is compelled to be present in court and, more often than not, witnesses for the prosecution are subpoenaed to attend court,” he said.

“(The woman) is under no legal compulsion to attend court.”

He said the fact the woman and others were permitted to wear their niqabs in the public gallery at the committal proceedings before a magistrate did not mean that they should be allowed to do so at a trial before a judge and jury, where different considerations came into play.

He accepted that the wife wanted to support her husband and was willing to show her face to security staff, but he said security was “more than just a matter of identification”.

Justice Beale said open justice, religious freedom and the right to participate in public life were fundamental values.

“But no one could sensibly claim that these principles and rights brook no limitations,” he said.

“Australia is obviously a multicultural society and I agree that religious dress should be accommodated as much as possible, but the right of religious freedom and the right to participate in public life are not absolutes.”

Justice Beale said the Victorian Charter of Human Rights allowed for limitations.

“I consider it a reasonable limitation ‘demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom’ to require spectators in the public gallery to have their faces uncovered,” he said.

They still dance around the fact the burqa is a uniform.
.

#2766484, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:38 am

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

A very loose reading of the nationhood power enable this.

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Don’t we already have universities and private engineering and fisheries firms?

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation

That aren’t allowed to do much at all under the EPBC Act.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Totally politicised patent trolls that have earnt squat from their Wifi patent relative to their cost.

Geoscience Australia

Okay.

IP Australia

Okay but arguably under the AG.

National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental
Management Authority

The PRRT killed off a lot of offshore wells for us, plus, not much point if mobile platforms get going.

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

WA, QLD, NT and the mining industry? They’ve never built anything?

Department of Jobs and Small Business

This is exactly what is wrong with Australian politics right now.

Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency

Straight up duplication with NSW.

Australian Building and Construction Commission

Should be in AG dept.

Comcare

Contract out.

Fair Work Commission

Should be under AG. Should not exist as it can be integrated into State court system. Prior simple State civil claims were turned into Federal jobs for mates.

Fair Work Ombudsman and Registered Organisations Commission Entity

Safe Work Australia

Duplicated with States in a really unnecessary manner.
Stimpson J. Cat

#2766485, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:38 am

Just done mine, wrote down the transaction number, don’t need an email confirmation

It’s locked up for kids though so that is going to be a long fun phone wait.
Yay.
Tom

#2766486, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:39 am

Today’s edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight was a must-watch for me: a terrific piece of writing in his opening monologue, an intelligent interview by Carlson with Trump in Helsinki in two instalments without interruptions or interjections, a great interview with veteran US foreign policy analyst Stephen Cohen and the lunatic liberal congressman who urged a coup d’état against Trump.
.

#2766487, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:40 am

Just done mine, wrote down the transaction number, don’t need an email confirmation

Printed mine out, should have just written it down. Who knows what they’re data mining off my printer and Temp files.
Stimpson J. Cat

#2766488, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:41 am

I can’t honestly see how a person with an IQ of 62 can function in a modern industrial civilization.

Arky has just commenced a successful welding career.
There are thousands of Kiwi success stories just like him.
Roger

#2766489, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:43 am

The ones living in the remote areas are those lowering the average for sure. But how the fuck would taking those people and putting them in an more urban environment change things?

The missionaries often had great success in remote areas and introduced agriculture and crafts, etc..

If there is the possibility of an economic base it can be a success.

But, as with PNG, giving indigenous folk autonomy in the 1970s before they were ready for it might have assuaged white consciences but it has been a disaster for most of the indigenous folk themselves.
calli

#2766490, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:43 am

the lunatic liberal congressman who urged a coup d’état against Trump.

Interesting how the word “traitor” was being bandied about yesterday.
C.L.

#2766491, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:44 am

The most amusing thing to come out of the Helsinki meeting is how terrified lefty Americans (and seemingly lefties worldwide) are of the Russians.

The theatre – for that’s all it is – is all the more amusing when you remember they’ve been demonising Joseph McCarthy for the last 70 years.
John Constantine

#2766492, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:46 am

https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180718/pdf/43wlqbdsgn6sfm.pdf

CVN Carnarvon announces a gas/condensate discovery offshore canning basin. Near doubles the market cap by close on two hundy millions.

Not a tip and I sold out of them a while back, but Australia not drilled out yet.
Leigh Lowe

#2766493, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:47 am

CVN Carnarvon announces a gas/condensate discovery offshore canning basin. Near doubles the market cap by close on two hundy millions.

Not a tip and I sold out of them a while back, but Australia not drilled out yet.

Hold the phone.
They’ve just discovered a rare three-eyed stingray in the drill area.
incoherent rambler

#2766494, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:51 am

They’ve just discovered a rare three-eyed stingray in the drill area.

What? No Sarah Sea Whales?
Leigh Lowe

#2766496, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:55 am

Tom

#2766486, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:39 am

Today’s edition of Tucker Carlson Tonight was a must-watch for me:

His points are spot on about the influence of Chinese and Saudi cash, along with the swamping of the US electorate with wet-backs being far more damaging than anything the Wussians have done.
.

#2766497, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:55 am

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 2,033 2,038 5

Seriously!? 2000 staffers!

Aboriginal Hostels Limited (af) 332 386 54

WTF is this? Seems like the bigotry of low expectations. Can’t Aborigines use Air BnB or Trivago?

Anindilyakwa Land Council

Has 40 staff, the Groote Eylandt pop. is 2800. They’re not poor, there is a large manganese mine there.

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Studies

Don’t we already have universities for this?

Australian National Audit Office 318 325 7

Why not external auditors?

Australian Public Service Commission 209 209 0

This may not be overstaffed; but can we do without it?

Central Land Council 217 235 18

How do they get self-determination by government interference!?

Digital Transformation Agency 215 202 -13

Complete bollocks.

Indigenous Business Australia 204 204 0
Indigenous Land Corporation 265 265 0

Race based welfare.

National Australia Day Council Limited 13 12 -1

I am sure volunteers can do it.

Northern Land Council 253 253 0

Might be time to review the efficacy of that section. Are Aboriginals better off than they were in 1973 after Justice Woodward’s report?

Office of National Assessments (ag) 167 215 48

Big jump, might be terry wrist related. Seems more efficient if lumped in with the AG, “Home Affairs” or Defence.

Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman (ah) 203 222 19

Do they expect 10% more complaints this FY?

Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (ai) 16 42 26

Low levels of staff, not bad really.

Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General 80 80 0

I know he’s the de facto head of state but this is just a study sabbatical for well connected graduates.

Outback Stores Pty Ltd 152 157 5

WTF? Why not buy out Camping World or BCF!

Workplace Gender Equality Agency 30 30 0

Completely useless from a right wing and social justice angle. Straight up useless or ciscentric.

Tiwi Land Council 17 17 0
Torres Strait Regional Authority 154 154 0
Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council

Again with the hobbled self determination.
.

#2766498, posted on July 18, 2018 at 11:59 am

Department of Social Services (aj) 2,002 1,862 -140

Because we need more staff in addition to 27,000 Human Services staff.

Australian Institute of Family Studies 82 82 0

Don’t we have universities and conservative think tanks for this already?

National Disability Insurance Scheme Launch Transition Agency
(ak) 2,460 3,000 540

Jobs for mates. No excuses and absolute graft.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards
Commission (al) 0 164 164

What a crock. You could just give each carer $500 a week and $500 for the person they care for and we’d save money. I think the NDIS is set to cost about $1100 per patient per week and they might see $200-$300 of that each week.
Baldrick

#2766506, posted on July 18, 2018 at 12:03 pm

New fred. Please exit in an orderly fashion ➡
.

#2766516, posted on July 18, 2018 at 12:10 pm

Department of the Treasury 849 846 -3

Not bad really but considering how large some of the child agencies below are…such as the ATO at a whopping 18,000+ staff…

Australian Bureau of Statistics (am) 2,556 2,387 -169

They overcharge for their products and I’ve seen most of the data they supply. Over 2,500 staff?!

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (an) 868 909 41

Rarely do they do anything useful. Just another barrier to entry for competition in Australia’s highly concentrated market, which they exist in theory to regulate towards a more competitive environment. The prosecutions are over dumb stuff like cardboard barons, whose collusion actually made the market price lower.

Australian Office of Financial Management 40 40 0

No need, we already have a Treasury.

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (ao) 626 642 16
Australian Securities and Investments Commission 1,749 1,719 -30

Duplication, along with that ridiculous BEAR agency, also overlap with the FIRB and ACCC.

Australian Taxation Office (ap) 18,193 18,234 41

It is nearly big enough to claim status as a city (20,000 residents.) Add in the kids and partners and it is probably the size of Albury-Wodonga or Bendigo.

Commonwealth Grants Commission 30 30 0

The idea that Treasury are some of our best economists and so on but we need a commission for this…just silly.

Inspector-General of Taxation 35 35 0

We also have an ombudsman and 18,000+ ATO employees. Someone in this situation is bludging.

National Competition Council 1 1 0

I know this in theory with the water stuff forms the Interstate Commission which must legally exist under the Constitution. Why not integrate it into the PC and Treasury generally?

Office of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board 7 7 0
Office of the Australian Accounting Standards Board 22 22 0

This is petty demarcation cum duplication, we should just adopt international standards and let it be a voluntary thing that big swinging ducks from Deloitte and other ticket clippers can brag about on LinkedIn about.

Productivity Commission 174 176 2

They do good work but we also have Treasury, RBA, ACCC, NCC, ASIC, APRA, State price regulators, Federal price regulators and so on. Some streamlining needed.

Royal Australian Mint 241 241 0

Fair enough but it could be made private.
mh

#2766517, posted on July 18, 2018 at 12:10 pm

Trump is not owned by any power. Trump is answerable to the American people, the power that put him in the White House.

Honestly, some on here dance to the tune of the powers that will not accept someone in the White House whose strings they cannot pull.

Trump talked to the President of Russia. Stop the world!
Steve trickler

#2766538, posted on July 18, 2018 at 12:42 pm

1958.

The fear of Russia on the box at the time.
Stimpson J. Cat

#2766539, posted on July 18, 2018 at 12:46 pm

This is f$cking gold.

CNN – Russian bots are using #WalkAway to try to wound Democrats in the midterms
Makka

#2766568, posted on July 18, 2018 at 1:09 pm

We are having major valve probs

Hi Helen,
Assuming it is valve stem wear you speak of (as opposed to the valve contact face with it’s seat) then yes, the lowered lead content could very well be the problem. Check in at your nearest Caterpillar Dealer to get oil samples done and be sure to carefully explain all the issues of concern so they can test for what you need- they have various test parameters.

If you must stay with that fuel you may need to investigate moving to a lubricant with a more suitable additive pack for your application. If you can get hold of the lab techie he may be able to help on that angle as well. They are usually pretty knowledgeable.

Hope that helps.
Roger

#2766570, posted on July 18, 2018 at 1:12 pm

Pence and Kelly set him straight that he was committing political suicide.

The implications of that are yuge.