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I live on the highway that runs to Warren. From my front gate it is about 70 kms away. Warren is on the Macquaie River. Although the Macquarie River doesn't have the deep gouge in the landscape that we associate with a "valley", the rain clouds seem to follow its course and that means it diverts away from my place. I drove into Dubbo yesterday for shopping. Dubbo is about 60 kms south from Gilgandra. As I got to about 20 kms from Dubbo I noticed that the paddocks were greening up. About 25 kms south of Gilgandra there seems to be a boundary between the catchments of the Macquarie and Castlereagh Rivers. This seems to split the path of storms. The radar often shows the storm cells tracking to the south of this divide, so the storms avoid the Castlereagh catchment. Since farming around here involves the growing of winter grain crops, most of the ground cover in summer is just dried standing straw. About the only greenery is the grass at the edge of the road that has been watered by the run off from small storms.

It's ON! Iran's supreme leader, and possibly his son, have been killed. Beirut airport has been hit in retaliation, disrupting air traffic. Edit: It was an Israeli strike.

I Come To Bury Howard by David Archibald 10 February 2026 Certainly not to praise him. The evil he did as Prime Minister has gone on for too long. Howard’s last dark deed, after he lost the September 2007 election, was to pass the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act. To put that in context, when he was a teenager Howard used to cross Sydney to sit at the knee of Sir Philip Baxter, former head of the Australian Energy Commission, and hear of the wonders of nuclear energy. As an elected politician, he became a one-man sleeper cell of nuclear advocacy. In private conversations, Howard used to call global warming nonsense. Nevertheless, he worked towards bringing in a carbon tax. He wanted Australia to adopt nuclear energy. To force Australia to that result, he needed to make coal-fired power generation more expensive. He was being two-faced and too cute. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act was the accounting basis for the tax. The idea was to bring it in, settle it down over a couple of years and then start taxing. Some 1,000 Australian companies continue to report their carbon consumption under that act. The total cost of employing all the accountants for this may be of the order of $500 million per annum. All of which is wasted. Close to $10 billion has been wasted over the years, for nothing. Fifteen years ago I used to be invited to give speeches at anti-carbon tax rallies on the east coast. After one such rally in front of Parliament House, I went in to meet Senator Nick Minchin, then considered to be the hard man of the Liberal right. I said to the Senator that the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act should be repealed. He replied “Why would we do that?,” which meant that he had no idea how the world worked. He also said that nobody in cabinet asked Howard why he was proceeding with the carbon tax. Not that they weren’t curious about doing something so stupid, they were afraid of upsetting him. They would rather national self-harm than lose their spot in cabinet. Abbott won the 2013 election on a platform of getting rid of the carbon tax. Three days later Greg Hunt, then Liberal member for Goldstein and a Klaus Schwab protégé, talked him out of repealing the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act. Why get rid of the carbon tax but keep the accounting basis for it? So stupid, but he did it. The carbon tax came back in other forms. The price of electric power tripled. Businesses and whole industries are closing. Last year the Liberal Party formally abandoned a commitment to carbon taxes, but they still yearn to remain in the Paris mutual suicide pact of 2015. This confused position means they don’t believe the words coming out of their own mouths. The electorate have noticed and are now looking elsewhere for the promise of rational government. But there is an easy test of any party’s grip on reality. If their platform does not include repeal of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act, they don’t understand anything and their professed concern for the future of our country is only performative. So far, no political party has undertaken to do so and the country remains on a glide slope to oblivion. In the meantime, as our standard of living keeps falling, curse John Howard. Curse him in living and curse him in dying. He could have killed the global warming monster in its crib but chose instead to live a lie. We continue to suffer because of his contempt for the Australian people.

-I've been with AGL for a few years. We got a smart meter at least 6 years ago, way before my wife passed. The meter is read remotely. I can log onto my account, see the current accruing cost and an estimate of what the bill will be in X number of days. These figures are constantly updated. This helps my budgeting. I wish they could do the same with gas.

Dafuq?? Do you really think Trump gives a flying f**k about the welfare of anyone who isn't Donald J Trump? Especially foreigners. Once again the stupid bastard is being led by the nose by Netanyahu, who needs yet another war to keep in power and out of court. Peace prize my arse. The only prize the orange clown deserves is "Worst President Ever", possibly upgraded to "Person who has had the most negative impact on humanity 2016-2020, and 2024 to impeachment"

I've been offline for most of the day, so you beat me with the report of Neil Sedaka. But there is a local one today. Lorraine Bailey, Grace Sullivan from the Aussie TV show The Sullivans, passed away today aged 89. A number of other TV and stage roles, and two Logies.

Depends on how Much "Rational thinking" takes place. Iran said they could knock out Trump on the Lawn at Mar a Lago. Looks like Trump got in first. Nev

Wars in the Middle East will never be finished. There is too much long-held tribal hatreds there, that have festered for centuries, and which hatreds they will never let go of. Plus, their "gun culture" puts the U.S. to shame.

Hopefully the job will be finished and not left to fester again. The turning point will be how to get the military to swing and I don't know how that will go with the revolutionary guard. They seem to be a fairly dedicated bunch.

Iran has launched a broad retaliatory campaign in response to coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Saturday, February 28, 2026, which targeted multiple cities across Iran, including Tehran. Targets in the Middle East: Iran fired waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, U.S. military bases in the Gulf, and neighboring Arab states. Specific locations hit include: UAE: Dubai’s international airport was shut down after a drone strike; debris from an intercepted missile killed one person at Abu Dhabi’s airport. Qatar: Al-Udeid Air Base targeted; air defenses intercepted incoming missiles. Bahrain: The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters was struck; explosions reported near the naval base. Kuwait: Main airport hit; one person killed and seven injured. Jordan: Missile intercepts reported. Israel: Multiple missile barrages launched; one person killed and over 21 injured in Tel Aviv after a strike on a residential building. Tactical Approach: Iran’s retaliation appears calibrated, consistent with its historical strategy of avoiding full-scale war. It targeted hardened military installations and used advance notice in some cases to allow defensive preparations, suggesting an intent to demonstrate strength without triggering uncontrollable escalation. Iranian Claims: Iranian state media reported over 200 killed in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, including 85 in a girls’ school in Minab. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly not in Tehran during the attacks, though U.S. President Trump claimed he was killed. International Impact: The strikes caused widespread disruption to global air travel, with dozens of flights canceled across the region. The U.S. Central Command confirmed no casualties or significant damage to its forces, while Israel declared a state of emergency and urged civilians to shelter. Global Reaction: UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for restraint and de-escalation, emphasizing the protection of civilians. China and Russia issued a joint warning to the U.S. against further escalation, cautioning that military action could destabilize the world. This retaliation marks a sharp escalation in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, following months of diplomatic efforts—including recent nuclear talks in Switzerland—that failed to prevent military action.

When I come back from the Inland I find the green of the coast very Pleasant by comparison. Nev

The thing I can't get over is how they can convert a colour slide into an action video like the example I posted in the Photography thread. That slide was taken 20 years ago last Monday (23 Feb 2006).

Like any human invention, there is both good and bad with AI. I think that the problem in understanding that fact is that the majority of us have no idea about thois good and bad points, and as usual, the meeja plays up the bad.

You got out alive! Well done.

There is a young lady who works in the pub at Butterleigh, not far from Exeter University, where my daughter goes. She is from Warren, about an hour west of you, OME. Butterliegh is a village that in UK terms, is not remote, but distant. I was suprised to see any Aussie working there as it isn't in a major centre, let alone someone from Warren. I aksed her what she thought of the UK? It was just before Christmas and her response was, "it is bloody wet..".. I guess they get as much rain as you do, as at that pointl it was a reasonably dry start to winter.

The first post in this forum sort of sums up the above: https://themotorbikeforum.co.uk/topic/54673-ai-fail/#comment-665689

As I saidf in my post, I don't know what his objectives are. My point was if he brings regime change that is representative of the people and preferably democratic; and that elimiates Iran from state sponsorship of terrorism (I get it, to some they are freedom fighters), then surely, that would be good. regardless of the objective? The fact Netanyahu is in office at the moment, is happy coincidence to keep him out of court. Regardless of who is in power in Israel, Iran has vowed the elimination of Israel. Israel for years has pursued attacks on Iran when they felt, presumably on half-reliable intelligence, that they were getting too close to nuclear and advanced missile systems. The civilian protests and killings (which I remind you seem to be on a trajectory to take as many civlians in aroudn 5 months as Palestinians taken in 28 months), for which the rest of the world seems silent about, is being committed by the Iranian regime. Perfect time for regime change, which Israel does want, and so does the USA (and, I bet most f Europe, Canada, Australia, and many other democratics and peace loiving nations).. Just the opportunity to justify it hasn't been so blatant before. So, yeah, Chump probably couldn't give two hoiks about the average Iranian - but seemingly, neither does the rest of the world. But, if his action makes it more peaceful - and that is an if, then I would be happy for him to take a peace prize. I would still inscribe on it, it took him a lot longer than Obama to get it. If Europe led the attack under the banner of linerating Iranian civilians, would that be pallatable? Agree. Except it isn't just Netanyahu, but it is also appears to be the majority of Iranians want it, too: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202508212335. And they are getting slaughtered for wanting it - at a far faster rate than the last couple of years which caused outrage. Of course, Netanyahu and probably every Israeli (Jewsih - not the Arab) politican does, too, as it would, in theory, neutralise a threat. To say anything different would be illogical. Correct. What I meant was the current Iranian regine is a Sharia law based regime, which most Iranians weren't and aren't. I agree. I did not say it would end up with a lovely new democratic, representative, and secure government. I wish it would, but it would be unlikely. Again, my question was if... . It may well make them unhappy... Other things he has done has made them unhappy, but he seems to have applied a lot of teflon to those shoulders!

Sometimes I think I'd like to be off grid, but with the amount of mains power I use it's still the cheapest option by far. When I got the power on in 1994, it only cost me $5,000. The power company will run the power free of charge a maximum of 30 metres into the property (owner supplies the pole). From there I have 100 metres overhead which was $2,000, and from there about 250 metres of underground cable which was $3,000. With the three phases, that's four 35mm underground cables, so I'd hate to guess what the cost would be these days. If it was all overhead I probably could have got away with single phase, but over that distance it's good to share the load over two phases. It didn't cost much extra for the third phase cable so I got it put in for a couple of reasons. At the time I thought it was good to have in case I ever decided to run any three phase equipment, and even though I'll probably never use it for that purpose, the fourth underground cable is good insurance in case one of the two I use is ever knocked out by lightning or some other reason. Half the underground section runs up the centre of the driveway, so wiring in the unused fourth cable is a cheap fix if I lose a cable. Touch wood it hasn't happened but when the old underground copper phone line was in use, I had to get Telstra out a few times to replace phone cable from lightning strikes. It hits trees and travels down the roots to zap the cable.

The problem is - as regards replacing nasty, terrorist-run anti-democratic regimes, with democratic, peace-loving, fair-minded, just, and civil Govts - America's record is pretty dismal, when it comes to wading into a foreign country in their best gung-ho manner, armed with the worlds finest cutting-edge armaments, and blasting away at everything that moves. There's not a single country where any American attempt to install a democratic, Western-style, fair-minded and just Govt, has succeeded. In virtually every case, any country they have invaded has eventually returned to tribal militias, and gang warfare.

Jerry, 95% of Iranians are followers of Islam. They are Persians not Arabs, is the more correct way to describe them.

Trump's mantra is to prevent the Iranians from ever having nuclear weapons. He says they have been given opportunities to come to the table to negotiate but have failed to do so, therefore he is determined to raze their nuclear processing facilities to the ground.

We are promised 100-150mm over the next three days. Could be interesting.

There is a lot of confusion about what AI is, and how it can be used. Here is an image that identifies the three types of AI:

The bore water at my place must be very low in minerals. It does not leave crusts on the end of taps and seems to lather satisfactoritly. It may not actually be bore water, but just creek water since the bore is not too far from a major creek.

Going flat out to AI is NOT INTELLIGENT. Blind Freddy can see that. Get out of the RAT Race The RATS won. WE need to get REAL. Nev

I remember my mum having an album of his with him in a hat and fur coat. Funny how an image can be remembered from over 45 years ago.

Yes, an extended drought can be quite depressing. Even more so, when your income relies on reliable rains. But we live in country that regularly sees extended drought periods, and then often followed by excessive amounts of rain. The people in the Gulf and the SE parts of the NT are probably looking forward to that long-awaited rain finally stopping.

The only thing that I will no like if the rains come in strength is that I won't be able to dry my laundry. There hasn't been any decent general rain here since last April. Several small yards around my house are devoid of vegetation. My sister is hand feeding a couple of horses that she is keeping arded up because of founder in their feet. Fortunately I have access to bore water for domestic use and tankwater for drinking, but the fact that there hasn't been worthwhile rain for so long, coupled with this Summer's extreme heat and constant strong winds plays havoc with one's mental state.

OME is in a good Place to Miss out on rain from all directions. Nev

The thumb is classed as a digit of the hand, according to my information source. But that source also tells me that an upraised centre digit, conveys unspoken messages more effectively. 😄

Nah, that's not digital, unless a thumb is a digit?

OME, your turn will come! When it does - don't come back to us, crying, "please make it stop raining!" 😄

I could solve a lot of the world's problems with that. Or….

Human life is too important for the choice to end it to be determined by an algorithm. Fully autonomous war machines are a huge threat. Once that genie is out of the bottle, all bets are off. We're not talking skeletal metal robots holding machine guns here. What about swarms of insect sized killers - going dormant for ages then activating on facial recognition and flying in the target's ear with a small explosive charge. What if that algorithm then decides that all people with a skin tone darker than X are a valid target. Or people wearing certain clothes. Or people in a certain age range. Or ethnicity. Or driving a certain model car. Or more likely, what if it gets hacked by a state player, or a crime syndicate, or just some incel in his mother's basement...

All the statements have the caveat "now", and "today", meaning " maybe not ok now". At some stage, either a board of directors, or CEO, or deranged president can declare "ok now". When that day comes I won't trust the first generation of autonomous weapons, say perhaps flocks of autonomous killer drones, to recognise my face as friend-not-foe. Worse still, imagine the money that governments around the world can save when drones can do the work of our police. Autonomous ICE is sure to be trialled in USA first! Once this was just sci fi plots, now it is getting real.