Leaderboard

There's a rise of far-right populist parties everywhere. Reform in UK. AfD in Germany. Fidesz in Hungary. National Rally in France. The MAGAfication of the GOP in the US. PHONey here in Australia. If you want reasons, how long have you got? Growing inequality. Billionaires profiteering while simultaneously disenfranchising workers. Overpopulation, destruction of the natural world while those same billionaires resist any limitations on resource extraction. Journalism hollowed out by concentration of media ownership to the same billionaires and their mates who own the fossil fuel and tech industries. Loss of traditional industies to automation, robotics and AI, and the necessary transition of energy systems. Difficult and existential questions which require actual thought, wisdom and cooperative planning, at a time when our attention span is the shortest it's ever been. Into this complicated reality, populist parties provide simplistic answers and attract followers who like simple answers. Climate change isn't real so let's drill, baby, drill. Everything will be ok if we send all the immigrants back to where they came from. It's all the fault of the Somalis/Muslims/Jews/Pakistanis/pick your group. Cut taxes while simultaneously increasing services. Sound familiar? If you really think that Pauline is a deep thinking, compassionate and forward-looking leader, then by all means vote for her. Personally I think she's an opportunistic, racist rabble-rouser who appeals to the worst bits of human nature, so her party will always be last on my ballot.

Well said Jerry. Firstly I'm breaking my golden rule here. I had a lengthy break from the forum and set a rule for coming back on a regular basis that I would avoid the politics section, so this is a relapse. I think it's a turbulent time in politics for a lot of the reasons mentioned by you in the above post. It's a good way to analyze the issue, otherwise it just turns into an us against them mudslinging match. Devotees of the major parties often like to think those on the fringe should come into their fold because it's the only way to provide stable government. Here's the catch - a lot of those people only have one small part in the power structure, and that's their vote every three (or four in some states) years. A lot of them use that vote to send a message to the majors, and let's face it, without a reality check, complacency will rule. While it's a sound two party system where we have this eternal your turn, my turn setup, performance of governments and major oppositions will always be pedestrian. A lot of the disgruntled people don't want to reward that. I don't think the shift to the right is a blip, and it certainly won't be halted by simply denigrating those people. At the moment here in Australia, Labor has a declining primary vote in the polls, but with the number of seats held, should be right for a while without having to go to a Labor/Green coalition. The immediate problem is for the conservatives with their primary votes bleeding to minor parties, mainly ON. There's a possibility if voter disillusionment with the major parties is not addressed, we'll see a shift to more European style government where it's rare for parties to form government without cobbling together a coalition of parties. Be prepared for the possibility that might be the new normal in Australia in the not too distant future. Liberal/National/One Nation coalition or a Labor/Green coalition with a few independants thrown in here and there.

Edit: [Poor comment from a moderator. Cut it out. You set a bad example. The subject needs to be delved into a bit deeper. Nev] Nev, as an example of the point I'm trying to make, the above quote has been edited to normal text. Yes, I know you do it for emphasis, but your posts don't need emphasis. They are short enough to be clearly understood without caps. The fact is they are less understandable with the cap emphasis you put in the posts, and can visually look like a rant. Have a good look at the two versions above and try to imagine them through the eyes of others; it's not hard to see which one looks more polite. You don't need a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

This coulda gone in the trump thread, but I laughed. Maybe there is hope? Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi in an oversight hearing Wednesday

Unbelievable! America failed to win gold for shooting, at the Olympics! (Well, it wasn't held in a school)

Even though they can't spell, it's true. One Nation is a protest party. They have no workable policies and no chance of successfully governing, in the catastrophic event that a majority of voters lost their minds and voted them in. If you want a government that hates the environment, loves guns and bibles and is paid for by (and works for) billionaires, move to the USA.

I got a fright tonight when I dropped one of my favourite lanterns (in the top four) onto the verandah floor from well above waist height. One of those times when you're not game to look down and see the damage. Luckily it's a strong, well built lantern and survived without a scratch. An el cheapo Chinese one I have would have been busted up badly in a fall like that due to it's paper thin constrction. The dropped lantern is a Sunlight brand cold blast lantern made in Indonesia. It's a large size, basically styled on a Dietz No.80, so a bit of weight to fall from that height with a full tank of kero. I think there's a couple of reasons it's such good quality, one is that the company's main business is making 44 gallon drums and the same gauge steel is used in the lanterns. They are also very well built and a factor in that is that I think they're mainly produced for the domestic market in Indonesia which requires a sturdy, useable product. A lot of contempory Chinese lanterns on the other hand, are made especially for the junk export market and are of low quality. The older lanterns made in China and Hong Kong were fairly good quality. I have a very old Hong Kong made Globe brand (aka The World Light Factory) hot blast lantern and it's of good quality. Of all the lanterns I have, a mix of hot blast and cold blast lanterns including brands from the USA, Germany, India and the UK, in my opinion the best of them all is the old humble Australian made Lanora hot blast lantern. They're not flash, but solid as a rock, burn beautifully and function mechanically way better than any of the others. I have two of them, the attached photo shows the yellow one burning away on the verandah. The Lanoras were circa 1940's/1950's, very common lantern and widely used by the military, railways and government as well as household use.

First, I have no issue with Nev's style - yes, Internet etiquette says CAPS is SCREAMING, and I guess that is written etiquette, too. But in the absence of in person or at least voice to coice comms, where infelctions can be made, and in the absence of mid-caps to allow for emphasis (sometimes an exclamation mark won't do), I have come to accept that is Nev's way and I am comfortable with it. We all have our ways whe it comes to written word, so don't go changing at least on my account. @Marty_d's post has put far more eqloquently and completely the point I have been trying to get across.. This lurch to the right is a global thing, because globally, the symptoms and root causes have coincided. Add rabid religions to the mix of billionaires, and a synchophatic press mostly devoid of objectivity, and it is a recipe for disaster. The reality is these issues, which could have been solved by governments of different colours, but they continue. It is easy to throw stones at the pollies, but my guess is there are forces we never see behind the scenes that make it extremely difficult to survive politically, professionally, and dare I say personally (in terms of character assaniation and assasination) if the pollies upset the apple cart too much. The latter bit may seem a bit of a conspiracy theory, but I have seen first hand the extreme rage, anger and threats when someone very wealthy has stood to lose quite a bit of money. It is ugly, and while they have the money to fight, by god they do. To be clear, I haven't seen them take action against the person beyond the threats they have made.. but this person was in such a state, it wouldn't have been a great leap to do so. Also, once in government, the party of power wants to stay there, so there is a conflict of interest already building up with those who have the money (which equals power) to make life more difficult for them. Imagine a CEO sayin we will pull the business from your jurisdiction and move it somewhere else. Imagine all those jobs lost. People will still buy our stuff - you know that - so you better bend to our will or it is you who will carry the can. The issues that Marty raise, sadly transcend colours of both parties. The rabble rousers of whichever colour you want start to get attractive. The sad reality is that most people, even more and more into what was the middle classes are so busy keeping their and their families' heads above the water, they are too exhausted to look into the complex world of politics, have more and more been forgotten by those they vote for, and grab onto anything else that pretends to offer them a lifeline. The the press describe these people are those on the margins, no hopers, blaming the world for their problems. Well, just maybe, that is stereotyping them like stereotyping Muslims as all terrorsts... When you look into it, a lot of these people work hard, but due to the widening economic gap, struggle, and are left out.. maybe society is forgetting them, too? And now, they gravitate to parties that offer them something to blame, and a hollow salvation. The other parties have long ago fogotten them; here are parties that at least recognise them if nothing more. That is why I highlight things like Brereton. It is one thing to say well go live somewhere else, or we still have it good hear, but that does not justify the constant erosion of trust, integrity, and quality. Would we rather stop the rot before we sink to an autocratic dictatorship as the US has done, by which it is probably too late before blood is shed? Oh, wait, it has been shed already in Minneapolis, and no doubt by the Venezualans (but they were all bad, of course), and by the undocumented migrants cast to jurisdictoons with a clear disdain for human rights? At some stage a government is going to have to bite the bullet properly, or else we are headed in the same direction.

Pam Bondi is really BAD News. (Like MOST/ALL Trump Appointees). Nev

It is a direct reflection of their intelligence.

Had a doctor's appointment yesterday. 55 minute wait beyond appointment time. He gave me a referral to a mob to check out my loss of balance and very bad hearing. The place was called Dizzyology. I called to make an appointment. Got a recording saying "Our reception operates 9 to 5:30 Monday to Friday." then nothing. As It was only 3 pm, I rang again, got the same. Twice more, the same. I thought, I'll go down there, because I have difficulty hearing on the phone, even with plug in ear phones. Looked at my watch, it was flat (rechargable). Plugged it in to recharge. Opened the front door, the dog shot past my leg and across the street. Rounded him up and got under way. School leaving time, Mum's taxis everywhere, plus 2 buses in a narrow street. Driving in the left lane, a line of cars stopped to turn left. Eventually got into the right lane, a line of cars stopped to turn right. Twenty metres from just about every set of lights, they turn amber. Finally got there at 4 o'clock. It was 12 km. Walked into the place, a room with 6 chairs, no reception counter. A table with a sign "Have a seat, someone will be out at your appointment time." I was there to make an appointment. Took a seat and waited. The walls were frosted glass with about 18" clear at the bottom. I could see a man's legs moving around a treatment table, and voices like he was talking to a patient. I waited....and waited. After about an hour and 20 minutes I saw the hydraulic thing under the treatment table lowering it so the patient could get off. The door opened and the man came out followed by the patient, whom he directed to the toilet. He said, "I'm sorry, we don't have a receptionist. I'll be with you when I finish this appointment, It may be about half an hour." The patient returned, and they went into another consulting room. After about 10 minutes, they came out, the patient left and the man took my referral letter, went into an office and organised the appointment for March 20. He explained that there were only clinicians at this location, the receptionist worked from home because only people with an appointment went to that location. So, after well over an hour and a half wating I finally left just after 6 pm. I wasn't driving all that way and leaving without the appointment. I got to explain the back story to my problem, and learned more about cochlear implants, which he thinks I have a good chance of qualifying for. Guess today's date.

Yeah, I get that. How far to tne nearest bigger town, and what is that town like? Or better to ask, how far to the nearest decent larger town? There are a lot of people who crave being well away from any major conurbation but if a decent town is within an hour's drive (say 100ks depending on the area), they they are really happy. The trick I think is to present the property to highlight the drawcards of being in a natural setting but is comfortable, and secluded (rather than isolated); If it is within - or even just beyone an hour of a decent town and facilities, especially if the drive is realitvely easy, then higjight easy access to the town with its facilities, yet far enough to be out of the rat race. You're not selling a property - you're selling a lifestyle.. If it's much more than an hour out of town, market it as a retreat - again it's the lifestyle that is the drawcard usually.. But, I am not a real estate agent... but when I am looking at rural locations, I am looking for lifestyle.

Yeah, but he'd not be allowed to compete while suffering football in mouth disease

Yes, it was Friday the 13th. The day started badly when I got to the Men's Shed and the computer wasn't talking to the monitor. The Asus logo came up when the monitor was turned on, so it was working OK. Lights on the USB accessories were on, so the computer was OK. But no home page etc. appeared on the screen. Checked the interface cable, but nothing seemed amiss there. Could be the display card in the computer.

Trump would WIN a "shooting your Mouth off" Contes,t hands down. Nev

Thanks Marty, that's a well reasoned, thoughtful and balanced reply. I don't want to put anyone's nose out of joint, but your post is the standard of debate this forum needs as a lot of the political posts have been bordering on childish at times. It would be nice to see forum members stick to the play the ball, not the man rule.

Well said. She's just another CON Artist. HER show exists on the Amount paid for Every primary vote. SHE has NO candidates in the Lower house. only the Senate which Keating called "Unrepresentative SWILL" with some justifications as they get there dependent on what order they are Places on the List by the Party . Nev

Edgy but still good!

Nev, with all due respect, you didn't answer his question.

@Grumpy Old Nasho - how do you think your god-king Chump would treat conscripts? This is the man who put Hegseth in charge of defence, sorry "War" - a man rejected from the military for being psychologically unsound, who told the army chiefs to "get rid of fatties", ordered the illegal killing of Venezuelan sailors - including ordering the Navy to kill them after their boat was destroyed - and then dumped responsibility on the admiral. You really have no idea how good we have it here. Yes we can always push for improvement but wanting to tear down our political system because you disagree with a few decisions is just insane.

That Statement says More about YOU than the matters you address. I suppose you will vote PHON? Noney the Red Witch, Loves Trump. She and The Glorious GINA were Guests at More A Leggo. Trump calls Servicemen "Suckers and Losers". and got a doctor to say He has a crook foot to get out of serving. Trump is doing a good job of Making himself look like an idiot and is getting desperate about the Mid term elections. Nev

The major parties are past their use-by date, their ideological psyches are exhausted and.. irrelevant going forward. They are still fighting like cats and dogs breaching hate speech laws. Nothing about those dinosaur parties makes sense anymore. They are demented, irrational, and with no sense of Aussie "brotherhood". They give money away like it's confetti. The Taliban got $50mil. Muslims in OZ got $27mil. Stolen generations are getting millions in compensation, but conscripts are getting nothing. Trump made idiots of school boys Albanese and Kevin Rudd. 15 Jews shot dead by muslims and idiot Albanese blamed the far right, there's something very twisted about Albanese's brain, it's not quite all there. More idiocy from the major parties yet to come, be ready for it.

The real problem is the negative BEHAVIOUR of the NP. They used to represent haystacks. Now they represent Coal Mine Owners and Fracking Gas. Nev

It never ceases to amaze me, the number of people who produce memes, who can't spell or proofread. Or maybe the meme-maker simply just doesn't know the difference between "off" and "of".

Thanks very much for the replies and thoughts fellas, very appreciated. l didn't get any notices there was replies sorry, l've prob got somem turned off. Selling wise well, there's been so much interest it's blown us away- RE and l butttt, no one's bought yet. Few are thinking and looking at finance wouldn't hold breath though but it amazes me out of all the inquiries, still have it. What can you do though , most are tyre kickers really. But yeah, agree facth, l suppose l would rather own bc of things like that and other things everyone's mentioned. l'd def need to borrow though even if this does sell , if it didn't l don't even know if l could get finance let alone afford something else separately on top of still owning this one. Something like Jerry's idea would be the only other way in if l could find the right property and seller but man, prices are so insane atm , this fool of a gov has completely stuff housing in this country now, it's just hard to believe, mind boggling , the prices out there now and shortage. My old town for example only 5-6yrs ago had 20pages of property nowwww- it has half of 1 page. Anddd, what there is is 300% on prices there only 7-8yrs ago. My main town here now, lovely town, does have a few blocks alone still affordable for me but l couldn't build on it too on top of the land buy, it'd be too much, l'd have a full blown mortgage again. like l could build here cash bc l want one of those off grid and alternative style places, got one here now at the cabin. But trouble is the main town is a small city and the council regs wouldn't let me build what l want and could afford. Still though, if this one sold, possibly wangle something. l have decided this place has to go though, l just don't wanna stay here. And if it doesn't go, then l still have to go bc l just don't wanna be here it's not changing l'm more depressed non-stop just from being here and stuck the more time goes on. l've got one idea 1st step , that won't cost much and isn't much work , but l'm thinking of doing a few extras to the place that should make it much more tempting to buyers and hopefully get the thing sold. lf it did well that'd be a big start. But l reckon to meantime, might keep scanning property and keep an eye open for something l like and a possible swap like your idea Jerry, or deal of some kind, might get me into it never know. ln the past like your uncle for sure but the way it is here now, well, see what happens.

There's an idea for a new Olympic sport! School shootings with an assault rifle. The Americans would romp it in.

That should be Labor shoudl learn from it.