Riding wildly in all directions at the same time....

All together now

The controversy of the  Australian knighthood awarded to HRH Prince Philip continues to appear in the press.

"My leadership style's a bit different but we'll get there.." 

 Lots of spin from the PM's senior colleagues. changing the subject by those who don't have an opinion and mutinous rumblings from backbenchers.

If one displeased the ancient Moguls it was a question of "Off with his head"  and your head would be an integral  part of a jolly game of polo amidst a blur of whinnying horses and clouds of dust in the middle of the Steppes. Today's Moguls are a little less bloodthirsty but nevertheless, the physically wilting Murdoch (it's the story of Dorian Gray come to life, Rupert looks like he has to screw his hat on ) has called for Peta Credlin's head (Abbott's top aide)  to be delivered on a salver.The press and others are having a field day and the saga continues despite apologies and "Mea culpa" acknowledgements . 

The PM's leadership style seems to be one of looking back to the future.But as with everything , there's only so much one can make out of the episode...this,too shall pass.

A fillip for Oz

His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, KG (Knight of the Garter), KT (Knight of the Thistle), OM (Order of Merit), GBE (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire), AK (Knight of the Order of Australia), QSO (Companion of The Queen's Service Order), PC (Privy Counsellor).

Furore, outrage, huffin' and  puffin' , righteous indignation.These were some of the emotions that greeted the announcement that Prince Philip had been awarded an Australian knighthood. Tony's the man that done it! Captain's pick,purred he, then a couple of days later told everyone to take it easy, calm down, take a step back etc etc.  

In a hut in remote Yaohnanen on the island of Tanna in the South Pacific,  there is a shrine dedicated to The Duke of Edinburgh with clippings, correspondence and portraits, Children on the island are taught about a god who lives overseas in England and who will one day return , sleep in a hut and hunt for pigs with the villagers. Should be fun, he's always been a keen sportsman.

So, no furore here, not so perhaps,  amongst the pigs.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-27/prince-philip-the-styles-and-titles-of-the-british-royal/6048142

Same old, same old.....

The RePUBlican issue again

Off we go again..having lain dormant for quite a number of years this rather emotive issue of Australia as a republic is being taken up by the opposition leader. Bill Shorten.

I am not going to argue for or against just to note that the newer generations of Australians will no doubt, because if their background, be more flexible in the way they regard Australia. The older generation will buck the trend..it will still take a while as the ways and means as to how to arrange the whole thing has still to be sorted out. 

The appointment of the sage and true is a notoriously complex issue. Not without reason do they say that the bumble bee is a bird designed by a committee. 

It's a man thing

Venus or Mars anyone?

Once men lose their ability to open jars or bottles for the fairer sex, they will be done for. Women, in most Western countries, are coming to the fore in all areas of activity.
The male of the human species has, as do women, unique traits. For example he does not like the feeling of helplessness unless of course some little bimbo flutters her eyelids at him, turning his knees to jelly. Women being the more canny know this and use this to their advantage. A sure fire way for the female to escape a speeding ticket is to break down into tears this works a charm. Unless the officer is herself female, then all bets are off.
In Germany, a landlord sued his tenant for damage to the bathroom marble floor caused by, you guessed it, splashes and dribbles. The landlord demanded about Euro 1500,99 in damages. The judge in Dusseldorf dismissed the claim ruling that the man's method was "within cultural norms".
There is a debate in Germany concerning the man's right to urinate standing up as opposed to sitting down.Some public toilets, in fact, have signs that indicate urinating in an upright position is verboten and those who choose to urinate sitting are referred to derogatorily by their colleagues as sitzen pinkler. 
While domesticated man's position in the household, in the West, is morphing dramatically and household arguments over ways and means are increasing as a result, the judge's ruling was a message to "p... off" .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30937492

Australia Day 2015

Up a gumtree

In 1980 , Australia had a population of about 15 million, Today that figure is a little over 25 million. We'll obviously have a job catching up with China and India's numbers but frankly who cares? In 1980 , one of the topics of conversation was Australia's population sustainability but the dark mutterings of doom and gloom seem to have abated.
Australia has sun, sand sea and endless beaches but is also populated by venomous insects, arachnids, sharks and monstrous  salties . They thrive in the temperate climate. Then there are the big red kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums , brumbies and bilbies.  Too numerous to mention are other unique fauna like the cross between a duck and a mole, the platypus , or the egg-laying anteater, the echidna. Lastly , as far as the weather goes there's feast or famine with either too much or too little rain.  
So there we are. Many reasons and more to celebrate . 
What do you reckon?

"Barbecued gum leaves doesn't do it for me, I'm sorry"