nomadpete

No need to take it personally.

TRUMP BOOSTS MAGA HAT INDUSTRY Greenlanders are wearing MAGA hats Where can I get one of these?

Sad to see...... "election, with lines drawn on cost of living and energy" No mention of..... * Climate * Transparency of Anti Corruption * Security independence (AUKUS OR DEFENSE) * Australian control of manufacturing * Reducing multinational tax avoidance * Control of foreign ownership * OUTLAWING LIES IN ELECTION ADVERTISING.. ......... yes I was shouting.

Thanks. I needed that!

Occam's razor. Simple uncompetance trumps conspiracies. (Pun intended) An aside question is 'Why did Waltz have the editor's phone numbers in his private phone?' Accidental inclusion in the chat group is possible if he grabbed the numbers to invite, from his 'Recent Calls' list. But according to reports:- "He said he had never communicated with the journalist, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg." No, it's not a storm in a teacup. Europe should be outraged. Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice.

I think the whole issue of using that chat platform stinks badly. It was a sneaky attempt to circumvent the legally required record keeping. In other words, saying stuff that would be embarrassing if it ever got seen by others. And due to their collective incompetance, it has now been seen. Now we must ask, 'How many other decisions are made secretly, and with what motive?' Further, the world now sees how "transactional" the Trump administration really is. It appears to border on mobster style blackmail of Europe. Absolutely disgusting!

I like that!

Whenever a politician sends his/her countrymen into a war, they should be compelled to be the first person to go to the front.

I'm just grumpy because the two Kiwis that beat and robbed me were convicted as miltiple assault offenders. I was hospitalised but they received light sentences (months) and were not sent home. Note these guys were recent visitors. If it happened to me like that, I suspect there are others. Which indicates that the law is not consistently applied.

I am mortified to think we might follow T rump down any of his wayward paths. As I said before, the deportation card will be seen as a trumpstyle negative for its proponent. (Did I just attach the word 'style' to a person's name? Sorry. I won't do it again.)

I was only referring to individuals CONVICTED of VIOLENT CRIMES. When any law is misused or abused, it should be rectified.

Based on that, we probably just need to apply the existing laws more dilligrntly. I suspect Spud's proposal is fraught with problems and is likely to boost labor/independent votes.

But you don't need a passport to send a mainlander back to where they come from. Well it didn't happen to my pair of violent repeat offenders. I suspect it isn't practiced much.

That's my gripe of the day. I don't think we ever had a government that hasn't spruiked the greatness of 'foreign investment'. In my opinion, every foreign investment is just exploiting an opportunity to siphon wealth out of our country. The foreign investors seldom give back in proportion to their profits. And usually minimise their tax contribution.

Dreary Australian politics...... This article by Alan Kohler sums up the outlook for 2025. So much is happening in the world around us and our politicians are squabbling over tired old paradigms. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-24/democracy-climate-change-ai-robotics-war/105085846 What do you think?

Do we have any laws that could deport an undesirable alien? I don't mean little green men. Case in point: I was once mugged and robbed by a pair of New Zeelaners. Turns out, I wasn't their first conviction. It would be a significant deterrant if such people could be 'sent home'. Its not quite what Spud is proposing but it is related. There are more nuances to his brainfart.

The HK I had was a drum braked van. The brakes faded to nil after a single (fast ) stop. It also frequently was stopped in summer - from vapor lock due to hot path fuel lines. The sedans had terrible visibility out the back quarter when reverse parking. The HQ waggon (poor coil spring back end) had terrible wallowing on corners but the van much was better. Except that when cornered hard on a RH turn, the engine starved halfway around the corner resulting in total loss of power, making a dramatic change of line. (202 c.i. motor). What about the shiny vinyl bench seat that had you clinging to the steering wheel to stop the driver sliding across when cornering? Or the hand brake that curiously didn't work when going backwards, but would go over centre and jamb on, allowing no forward motion until the NRMA arrived? Thankfully, silly stuff like the above is unheard of now. No, do not yearn for those cars.

Anyway, back to positives.... Beaut mild sunny day..... rode down to the next town, a bit closer to the south pole. Geeveston is still nice and warm. Had to take the leather coat off to sit and enjoy a burger. Lots of sweeping curves all the way. Few crazy car drivers. Love the autumn weather. The trees are starting to turn their colours. If world leaders spent a few days like this, there would be less wars.......

Well it is old enough to go onto 'special interest ' rego. Which is cheaper. And if those turkeys can get 'classic rego' on old HK, or older Holdens.... what can I say, they were dogs to drive when they were new! Classic what? Classic crap?

Hollow vessels float the best!

Yeah but yours is a classic!

Steep slippery grassy ground. Then half a K of sreeo gravel driveway. Road tyres are like on ice. Great fun while it stays upright.

Well, the USofA has been labelled as a dysfunctional democracy, for many years. So the recent events have just been a logical progression.... or should I call it a logical regression, soon to be followed by a logical 'depression that we had to have'. (Apologies to P. Keating)

Virago XV1100 Odd fuel system - no tap. When the low fuel light comes on or it splutters, turn on the electric boost pump. Touch wood, it's been a very reliable ride.

Thanks for your concern, Nev. I was surprised how quickly I got back into reading the road closely. Your points are stuff that I have practiced whatever I drive. I learnt to survive on 2 wheels before I started driving cars. Nevertheless I am acutely aware that my reactions are nowhere what they once were. Sad to say, it is time to sell my bike. End of an era 😞