Marty_d

As far as I know, I'm the only one on this forum who lives in Aliens Rivulet (ok, it's actually Allens Rivulet, but someone got creative with the road sign). But back to Musk - all I can say is he's a complicated creature. He's done a lot of good for the climate (whether he meant to or not) by pushing the world towards electric cars, but then throws his money and influence behind the most negative president for the climate... ever. I think the old saying "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" applies to this duck.

As far as I recall, Nick Minchin was very pro-coal to the extent of lobbying banks when no-one would finance Abbott Point. So on his stance on climate change I'm glad to see him go. I have much more respect for his distant cousin Tim Minchin.

The electoral college system is one of the worst parts of US democracy.

Wonder why he'll release the JFK assassination files, the Martin Luther King files, but not the Epstein files? Wouldn't be because he's taken a flight or two on the Lolita Express himself, would it?

"Both" is not out of the question.

Mouse mat

Well don't go putting the kiss of death on it Nev!

Adding insult to injury

I'll never forget this brilliant David Rowe cartoon from 2016. Probably still usable now with Lady Liberty thinking "Oh shit... I did it again..."

I think anyone can, without fear of any legal consequence, point out that terrorism of any sort is just wrong. I'm kind of with OME on this. Gareth has a right to say what he thinks. Yes there might be omissions (there's some pretty rabid and disgusting christian terrorists in Africa for example) and I may not agree with his assertions or conclusions, but shutting him down because a law may or may not be proposed which would not be retrospective in any case, is a bit hard. If Ian or his proxies (the Mods) decide the risk is too great, by all means. But that's his call.

I think as we (men) age, the hair just migrates downward.

A good bread knife will do that too. Same shaped cutting edge.

Anyone that thinks that complex problems can have simple solutions is a blithering idiot. Politicians like Trump get where they are by offering simple solutions. Blithering idiots vote for them. Politicians like Wong get where they are by intelligence, hard work, negotiation, diplomacy. Penny Wong is worth a dozen Trumps. (Sorry about the insult Penny - who'd want a dozen Trumps??)

Go with the "have I used this in the last 12 months" system. I've never owned an electric carving knife, my parents did, but I can't see the advantage of having to disconnect and wash two blades when a sharp carving knife is much simpler and does the job just as well.

Got to pick you up on that one, GON. Can you give examples of how the Labor party is "extreme lefty"? Because from my perspective the Labor party is slightly right of centre in some things and slightly left on others, but I cannot think of any policy where they are extreme in either direction.

Don't worry OME, there's only 4 more years of it. ....or is there...

Why do you care? My father's shed was an absolute mess when he died, but it only took us a day to clear it out. Think about what you're going to do while you're alive, not worry about what others do when you're not! 🙂

Thanks Peter, but I don't actually like the video ones.

The question is, which side are the barbarians on. Look, you guys can hope for the best, and hey, there's nothing wrong with that. But look at the man himself, his character, his ignorance, his lies, his vindictiveness, his avarice, his criminality, his attitude to women... the list goes on and on. Then look at who he aligns himself with and chooses to support. Other criminals (Giuliani, Roger Stone, Jeffrey Epstein etc), white supremacists, fundamentalist christians, absolute nutcases (Marjorie Taylor Greene is one prime example), dictators, tech billionaires, fossil fuel companies. KNOWING ALL THAT, if you think his term in office can result in anything positive for the US or the rest of the world, then I suggest your optimism is outweighing your realism.

My wife and I bought wetsuits on Saturday and went snorkeling Sunday. Tinderbox marine reserve. Only metres from the rocks we saw heaps of big blue Wrasse, puffer fish, schools of small fish. It was beautiful.

Have they? I'm not an expert on the public service in the USA, but from what I read and hear about, they are much the same as here - a bunch of people generally working hard and caring about the public. Whether or not that is the impression the public gets is perhaps a different matter. Let's be honest - look at Robodebt which copped a fair amount of flak, rightfully so - that was an imbecilic policy forced upon Centrelink staff by the government of the day and the senior leadership of the department. A hell of a lot of brave people working in Centrelink spoke up about this and pushed back on it, because they had the expertise and experience to know that it was not only illegal but just plain wrong - but that distinction probably isn't clear to your average punter. There's an awful lot of work done by many departments to keep people safe and healthy, which probably goes unnoticed by Joe Public. Safety standards for food, medication, machinery, etc - environmental standards to protect waterways and the air we breathe (probably to be wiped out under Trump) - oversee agriculture which protect against devastating disease outbreaks - monitor and analyse traffic patterns, road accidents, black spots and come up with solutions - regulate companies to prevent anti competitive behaviour and monopolies (although given the concentration of power in that front row, maybe that one needs more teeth) - the list of what government does goes on and on. If you gut the public service then standards go down and life gets a little worse for everyone. If you outsource the work to the private sector then everyone pays more for the same result and only the rich profit from it. Voting for Trump because you believe he'll make things better by gutting the government, is like firing all surgeons and replacing them with a witch doctor.

There's 8 billion people on earth Spacey, don't worry, you won't be the last. There will always be someone around to bury your carcass, and if there's not, you won't be bothered by it anyway.

They are now mirroring Russia, with Putin and the oligarchs holding the same power positions as Trump and his billionaires.

"Niche" and "integrated activities" huh? Would your target clientele be high court judges and senior conservatives?? 😜

You have first option on that bridge, if Grumpy Old Nasho doesn't take it. Don't miss out! Deal of the century! It's a very, very good bridge. Best bridge ever. Everyone says I sell the best bridges.