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Facthunter - Arsenic is not used in gold mining, perhaps you were thinking of cyanide. Arsenic can be a by-product of gold extraction. Cyanide is safe enough when used correctly, the important thing is to keep alkalinity of the aqueous gold/cyanide solution high, at least a pH of 10 or more, by using lime thoroughly blended with the ore or tailings. I personally used a lot of cyanide for gold mining in the 1980's, our family mining and mining contracting business carried out a lot of vat leaching for gold recovery - and the interesting part is, we re-treated huge tonnages of tailings, that had all been treated with cyanide, from the 1890's up to the 1980's. We had no problems with any cyanide residues or handling, and the mining and leaching operations were all subject to environmental regulations.

I was thinking about joining a dating site for people my age. It's called Carbon Dating.

For the CORRUPT ULTRA RICH MAYBE. It won't be CLEAN for anybody and IF you don't LIKE what the KING does you won't go far. Your Golden Wonder is 100% FAKE. Nev

You forgot the "because". "Because Jerry is our most qualified and trusted IT/coder/computing expert, he is not an Apple adopter." Makes sense that way! 😜

Had a great ride today, over to Richmond, through to Sorell, then up the Tasman Highway to Orford on the East Coast. Interesting names along that road. I went over the Bust-me-gall and Break-me-neck passes, fortunately doing neither, then up Black Charlie's Opening without even buying him dinner first. On the way back I came via Midway Point and while passing the end of the runway at Hobart Airport, saw a C-17 parked on the tarmac so rode in for a closer look. Very enjoyable!

Marty, he said it's the only station he can get down where he lives. I know you can't believe 98% of what you read on Facebook, but even Republican insiders are contemplating the 25th Amendment, and some saying America should become Canada's 11th Province.

If you're listening to a radio personality who's suggesting we become the 51st state, I'd suggest you change the channel.

Nope - preying on peoples' fears to divert attention from the real issues causing damage to their country.. and pi55ed off because the Chump family are down a few billion as the crypto markets have come off their peak

That picture isn’t actually an argument against wind turbines — it’s an argument for better mining standards, which applies to all forms of energy. Every energy technology, including coal, oil and gas, requires huge amounts of mined materials. Fossil fuels require steel, concrete, copper, and aluminium too — plus they involve continuous extraction of fuel forever. Wind turbines, by contrast, require one-time mining, then they produce energy for 25–30 years with no fuel burned and no ongoing extraction. 1. Wind uses far less total mined material over its lifetime than fossil fuels. Coal and gas plants need constant mining and drilling for fuel. Wind needs materials once, then no more digging. 2. Minerals for renewables are increasingly coming from countries with strong environmental and labour standards. Australia, Canada, the US and Scandinavia are ramping up production of nickel, copper and rare earths precisely to avoid reliance on poorly-regulated mines. The solution is improving supply chains, not ditching clean energy. 3. Wind turbines don’t use many “rare earths” anyway. Only some turbine designs use them, and manufacturers are rapidly shifting to rare-earth-free generators. 4. Fossil fuel extraction also happens in countries with poor environmental controls — and much more of it. Oil spills, coal sludge, gas flaring, and abandoned wells cause orders-of-magnitude more environmental damage than the mining required for renewables. 5. Modern wind turbine materials are highly recyclable. Copper, steel and aluminium — which make up most of a turbine — are recycled at very high rates, reducing mining needs over time. 6. Showing a single mine doesn’t prove wind is bad; it just illustrates that mining should be cleaner. If the standard is “this technology requires mining,” then all energy sources fail. The real comparison is: Mining once for decades of clean power (wind) vs Mining and drilling continuously and decades of pollution (fossil fuels).

I Can't stand Bikes where you are always looking for a Higher gear, especially on long trips. The endless buffeting behind semis and busses with the Occasional Rock or tyre tread, is One of the reasons I hate Riding on fast highly trafficked Roads. I once did over 1100 Kms in one Hit. The last 350 of it being in Heavy rain. I don't recommend that. Nev

I Knew a Girl whose figure was her fame but then her fame spread. Nev

Sadly, most rules or safety features are designed for the idiots, and the rest of us just have to endure them.

Alternatively, we could possibly improve the driving culture. If motorists respected the safety of others, there would not be a need for these speed bumps. Basically when we get behind the wheel, we suddenly act like we are ALL great drivers, and we ALL know better than the experts who put up speed limits for proven good reasons. I know because I AM a great driver (not like youse cretins).

He's NOT the Kind of Person I would like to see in Power. Has NEVER appealed to Me. The arguments He put up for Brexit were well short of Honest. Nev

How bloody stupid! Imagine the damage done to a vehicle dropping suddenly into what amounts to a lane-wide pothole. Even if it was only a blown tyre, the sudden loss of control could prove fatal.

Could be fake but certainly plausible and totally in character.

Beware of random thoughts...

Now that is a believable motive for burying the story. Trust me, it will be buried. I suspect there are some surprising people who will spend big to ensure public attention is directed elsewhere

Wilfully blind, ignorant and gullible in one. You don't play cricket for England, do you? The "man" has presided over defunding government departments designed and, in US terms, making the US clean and healthy, such as the FDA, Obamacare, the FAA, and the like. Maybe you should go over there and experience first hand what it is like. Many of my US based friends are telling me to stay away as it is turning more and more to shit Oh, and pardoning criminals to go out and murder again is also a positive in your mind, I guess?

There are plenty of people in Epstein's shady and corrupt world who would be very happy to see him and his files permanently buried. Aside from his own involvement Trump is probably worried what some of those people might do to him if they hold him responsible for their secrets being aired in public.

Mate, I am not waiting for it. I bought at this time of year as a commuter, and I am going to use it as such. I didn't get my ride in today, but that is OK as the Ducati boy has said his Ducati i a little sensitive to rain and cold, and tomorrow is rainy and cold. So, I will go out then and hit those twisties. I got some of my planned items done today... To cut a very long story short, didn't go to Gloucester, but ended up at a main dealer in Exeter that had 20% off everything. BThe sales assistant was young, female, and blonde. And I thought great, a Saturday student workder. Holey moley, she knew her stuff.. well beyond blokes with 20 years riding experience. She was absolutely professional, and the lad was totally enamoured by her, professionally (though I doubt he would say no to a quick drink with her, even though he doesn't drink). @facthunter - goes to show, blondes do have brains! She would give most of us a run for our brainiac money.

One of the few racing drivers who didn't suffer from overblown self-importance. Dementia is so rampant now, it's now one of the leading causes of death for aged people - 17,000 deaths from it last year, and only 12,000 from circulatory diseases.

Putin must be shaking his head in disbelief at how gullible Trump is. What a tragic joke of history that both the USA and Russia have criminal, terrible leaders at the same time.

Words cannot express the outrage one should have for this "plan". It's not a plan. It's a ransom payout, with no assurance than the victim will be returned. The sooner Australia breaks ties with the present US administration, the better. It a new administration shows itself to be civilised, then negotiations to restore old ties might begin. I know some will say that we are too enmeshed in the USA, but isn't it time Australian people said, 'enough!'? If Australia continues allying itself to the USA as the USA is behaving at the present, Australia's name within the global community will be mud.

Not everything but health and education are more expensive under private systems. As always, insurance companies need to make a profit for their shareholders so it stands to reason that they will overcharge and under deliver whenever they can get away with it. Our family health cover is around $450/month and we're with one of the better ones. I would much rather pay that in extra taxes and have the public health system improved than give it to overseas investors. The USA is a perfect example of the worst way to do health care.

Frank Musset's 1945 UL Harley outfit had 340 thousand MILES on it when I bought it from him and had been used with a GIANT Commercial sidebox to carry two Bikes at a time. I was Good mates with Frank and he was a VELOCETTE Works rider before WW2. I put a DUSTING DUPLEX chair on it and MY wife rode it for years. It was 3 speed with reverse Gear. Frank Later sold British ( Meriden) Triumph and JAWA speedway bikes at his shop in Sydney road. I sold the Bike to a Mate who still rides it regularly. Nev

Hold that thought. I am having a disagreement with my fund at the moment. I will withhold comment until it is resolved.

G'day randomix. Just to let you know, "arse" is a fine ancient word in English. Old English ærs "tail, rump," from Proto-Germanic *arsoz (source also of Old Saxon, Old High German, Old Norse ars, Middle Dutch ærs, German Arsch "buttock"). Using "ass" to describe an arse is just an example of American misprounciation.

Here's a random thought. If the USA collectively had half a brain, they would immediately support Ukraine bigtime in exchange for some of their weapons development. Otherwise the US weapons industry will lag far behind the rest of the world. Proven testing of missiles that utilise ground following flight at 40 mtrs altitude.... Proven testing of marine drones that make big submarines hardly necessary.... etc, etc.

I take your point, but it’s worth recognising the difference between mining coal—which is burned once and contributes directly to emissions—and mining metals like copper, nickel and lithium, which are long-lived, recyclable and essential for clean-energy infrastructure. The environmental footprint per unit of long-term usefulness is simply not comparable. I’m not anti-mining; in fact, through my ethical super fund, I hold shares in PLS (formerly Pilbara Minerals). Mining is unavoidable if we want electricity, transport, communications, and modern technology of any kind. The real issue is how we mine. That’s why I think the focus should be on raising environmental standards and supporting responsible producers. Australia is actually well-positioned here: strong regulations, better labour standards, and the potential to supply much of the world’s demand for critical minerals needed in batteries, electrification, and renewable energy. If anything, responsible mining in countries like Australia reduces reliance on operations in places with poorer environmental controls.

Have you counted the number of open pit mines opened up, just to get gold? A pretty yellow metal that has a small level of industrial use - but which mostly gets uselessly socked away from sight for decades, after being mined! Alluvial gold mining is one of the most destructive methods around.

I posted an explanation of what the term "Nett Zero" meant. It is possible to continue to use fossil fuels as long as suitable alternatives are found to reduce pollutants already created. It is quite clear that the correct solution is a mixture of renewables and non-renewables. Does anyone ever consider the temperature raising effects of the combustion of fuels? Isn't the fundamental reason we burn fuel the production of heat? Even if we use renewably sourced electricity for smelting, we are still putting heat into the environment.

There’s a safety requirement for a gap between the bonnet and the engine. In older cars, when pedestrians were struck, their heads often hit the bonnet. The gap acts as a cushioning zone to reduce the force of impact before the head reaches the engine. Many modern cars reduce this gap for aerodynamic reasons, so they use dynamic bonnet systems to meet safety standards.

Sounds very therapeutic Jerry. It's definitely improved your typing. And every time you mention CBT, I am seeing 'Cognitive Behaviour Therapy'.

Dang.. tired everythign I know... Bloomberg must know I am a previous terminal user and refuses to allow me to read the article until I subscribe.

I know you're a great driver Peter, you wouldn't be able to make it out of your driveway if you weren't!

Interesting to see how discussions between Russia and Ukraine actually take place. Here's Steve Witkoff wheeling and dealing with his Russian counterpart over the phone and showing his limitations as a negotiator. No wonder Zelensky is having a hard time with allies like the US. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-25/witkoff-discusses-ukraine-plans-with-key-putin-aide-transcript?taid=69260b1abe27e9000189eb34&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_content=business&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&embedded-checkout=true

Sadly, recent years have seen our Aunte turning more Merdokian. There are numerous poorly researched opinionised news articles. Disenfranchised news consumers turn to social media in search of confirmation of facts (tru facts, not trumpfarts). Then they get caught up in all kinds of semilogical misinformation from glib clickbait heros. No wonder so many people end up trapped by popular social media.

A woman from Sydney who was a tree hugging, vegetarian and anti-hunter purchased a piece of native bushland in northern NSW . There was a large gum tree on one of the highest points in her property. She wanted a good view of the natural splendor of her land so she started to climb the big gum. As she neared the top she encountered a koala that attacked her. In her haste to escape, the woman slid down the tree to the ground and got many splinters in her crotch. In considerable pain, she hurried to a local ER to see a doctor. She told him she was an environmentalist, vegetarian, and an anti-hunter and how she came to get all the splinters. The doctor listened to her story with great patience and then told her to go wait in the examining room and he would see if he could help her. She sat and waited three hours before the doctor re-appeared.The angry woman demanded, "What took you so long?" He smiled and then told her, "Well, I had to get permits from the Environmental Protection Agency, Native Vegetation, Parks and Wildlife service, and the Bureau of Land Management before I could remove old-growth timber from a 'recreational area' so close to a Waste Treatment Facility. "And I'm sorry, they turned you down."

After all our angst about the crazy state of politics, I can't believe we haven't got a thread about Epstein. So, here goes.... I'll kick off with a link to a news mob I've never heard of. https://tomorrowsaffairs.com/the-transnational-dimension-of-theepstein-casea-hybrid-warfare-against-the-west My curiosity is particularly piqued by the fact that nobody has officially delved into Epstein's banking records. I did think that it would be an important part of analysing any (possibly) corrupt/criminal case?

No-one gets any benefit from bottom-of-the-harbour schemes today, because the ATO nailed it for what it was - simple criminal activity designed to defeat tax collection. But plenty of people who are supposed to be "looked up to" today as "great entrepreneurs", only got their initial wealth via BoTH scheming. One well-known (now deceased) mining entrepeneur here in W.A. started a huge collection of "collectable" cars, and a car Museum in York (W.A.) thanks to his BoTH scheming and "unjust enrichment". He did serve a small jail term for his criminal scheming as regards tax avoidance, but he still won handsomely, monetarily. It goes without saying he was a close associate of W.A's greatest corporate scammer, who did go to jail for 5 years over his corporate crookedness. But surprise, surprise, he sprang back from his "bankruptcy" and 5 yr jail term with a very substantial level of assets, reputed to be nearly $300M, that he'd socked away in untouchable jurisdictions. Of course, his initials were AB, but I guess you all know that.

And Mexico is gunna pay for it, too!

Allan Moffat, the four-time Australian Touring Car Champion and four-time Bathurst 1000 winner, has died at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:05 a.m., surrounded by his family, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Insurance is a system whereby the high value of a risk is covered through small contributions made by very many people. It's a sort of 'manmy hands make light work'. If the insurer is the government, as is the case with Medicare, at least each person contributing a small amount knows that a chunk of that small amount is not being stripped off and handed to investors, as it is with insurance companies. Of course, not 100% of contributions to a government scheme is used to pay medical expenses. There has to be an allowance for administration costs. But that is better than a system which adds investor returns to outlays and administration costs.

Where's a Don Chipp when we need one?