nomadpete

To quote 'The Conversation': "In “The Republic,” Plato says that democracy and tyranny are natural bedfellows. Democracy is rule by the rabble, in Plato’s view. It is the rule by the lowest common denominator. In a democracy, passions are inflamed and proliferate. Certain individuals may take advantage of and channel the storm of ignorance, Plato feared, and consolidate power out of a desire to serve their own interests." I'm not saying we should ditch it. But it is time for the public to take time to be well informed, and to take part in democracy.

Pretty much. I have not heard any aboriginal spokesperson state what they mean by sovereignty. Or what they actually want as an outcome. My impression is that there is a desire to be deemed as a group to be an autonomous nation within a nation, with the ability to set their own laws, etc. For a start it would be their first unification of hundred or so aboriginal nations in over 40,000 years. Quite an achievement in itself. Secondly, I am confused as to how they see it working. Do they really want to set their sovereign nation administration up to oversee the present monarchic one? (I think some do). Do they just wish to charge rent as some suggest? I doubt it, but I can only speculate as I don't think the proponents (as a group) have any idea themselves.

I think that democracy as practiced by the US Democrat Party, was partly ok but overall insipid. Had Kamala announced a pactical plan to restructure the electoral system and to suspend arms supply to Netanyahu, she would have been seen to offer decisive leadership. That's what the public wanted. But she seemed to offer too much of 'same old'. The next 4 years are bound to see some good come out of the Republicans. But unless Trump makes a total change of behaviour, there will be damaging turmoil too.

Totally agree with everything about media reporting. I cant question the legal issues (I've no law training) but it makes sense to me. The only BUT that I can see is the issue of repeat criminal acts. Counter to the comment quoted above, I ask:- How many incarcerated individuals are first time offenders? I don't know for sure but I suspect that our jails have quite a high percentage of inmates who have been in for prior offenses. Rehabilitation is not a fantastic success story in the history of jails. Personally I consider that ankle monitoring should be compulsory for at least a period of time after release - where there is any doubt about that person's behaviour.

The bottom line is.... Social media wins elections

No. More likely 'Lucky'.

Kamala who? Oh wait, I was saving that post for next week

In peak hour it'd take that long to get clear of the traffic jam at either end.

So, do you have one?

Red, please! That sounds like a gripe to me - not a random thought.

All OT's stuff is important. BUT The present problem can run a even deeper that all the above. According to the bloke mentioned in the ABC News, he had a phone that was bought initially from Optus, then unlocked from their network, so he could use it with a Telstra SIM on their network. When checked with the SMS test, it was shown to be fully 4G Lte compatible for triple O calls. And other users of that model (purchased in AU) were ok. But because his was not purchased from Telstra, it was automatically bricked by telstra. Other networks have done similar.

My point is that in the face of the above, the Spanish floods are similar, similarly tragic, but no less so. Further, the Spanish weather event was not unprecedented, and was the result of a known weather process, and should have been better prepared for. Is the Spanish tragedy more related to too many heads in the sand?

My gripe of the day...... For reasons unclear to me, media only chooses to report on some disasters. I am not trivialising the recent rainfall disaster in Spain. I am asking why equal media attention is not given to all disasters. According to New York Times:- "More than half a million people were killed in 10 disasters that climate change worsened, according to a new report." Off the top of your head, can anyone name the nine other ones in the last 20 yrs?

You are confusing two very different rocks, Spacey. But I get what you are saying about retirement. Nevertheless, I am an old, ever less able, cranky, retired nomad who is still insisting on chasing what some call dreams.

Possible answer Space. Modern electronic rain gauges often use a 'tipping teaspoon' type measuring system. When the little spoon is full, it tips out, is counted electronically, and instantly resets to measure the next couple of mils. As such, the electronics can measure endless amounts of rainfall, and also measure the intensity of rainfall in mils per hour.

No. Spain is definitely north of us. (Signed, Pedantic Pete)

Are true facts the best facts? Facthunter should know the scale of factoid validity.

But you are in the south, aren't you?

Me too. But suddenly it has a rethink and wakes up again.

No, tomorrow is free beer day.

Don't get your hopes up, Nev. Just because they can did that the for a knee, doesn't mean they'll do it for a hundred other failing joints

I never did like him..... Until now.

They will be on DT's 'Immediate Mass Deporting" list

I think it's time to start restocking my doomsday wine supply.