Jerry_Atrick

I love the smell of nepalm in the morning.

As I recall, IGA wasn't terribly much cheaper when I was there. I forgot about Aldi - they must be giving Colesworth a run for their money. The problem with them here is that they are a little inconsistent with their supplies outside the real mainstream. And if you want something that is not mainstream you are unlikely to be able to get it. Both of our kids had a mild intolerance to lactose, so they were brought up on goats milk and cheese. We couldn't get goats milk at Aldi nor Lidl (Aldi competitor), and we could only get the soft roll goats cheese, which is as bland as the wrapper it was contained in. So, we always ended up in one of the majors. Australia is expensive - no doubt. But also, salaries are higher than most parts, and Australia has a small population over dispersed widely, real estate is artifically inflated and has a high cost base. Yep, the CEOs get good bonuses. With a total revenuwe of over $70bn, $24m is a drop in the bucket. Whilst the corporates are charged with price gouging, it would be interesting to see what their cost base is and their profit magins. According to AI, their operating profit margin was 1.29% - for every dollar they took, their profit was 1.29 cents. I would suggest that is about average for an operating profit and wasn't much different at coles to when I worked at Coles Myer at the Tooronga Zoo (the head office in Tooronga, Melbourne, was affectionately known as the Tooronga Zoo by employees). Of course, they may have maginificent margins and baked in ineffeciencies they have little reason to change.. but somehow I don't think that is the case. Our parliamentary committees are also a little behiond the 8 ball. They asked why Woolies sold Tim Tams for more in Aus than the UK was selling them. Of course the answer would have been to ask the manufacturer, hopefully for obvious reasons. What hey should be focusing on is the numbers - and looking for lagesse within the firm. The supermarket industry is highly competitive in teh UK and there may be more incentives for local buyers to drive a much tougher bargain, also on potential market reach and overal profit than there is in Australia I was thinking if supermarkets are so proftiable in Australia, why don't other cashed up competitors enter the market.. It may not be as good a return as made out by the press.

In a live feed on The Age's website, apparenlty another alleged terror plot... but thankfully it has been foiled

What are the alternatives to Colesworths?

Interesting perspective:

OK.. fair warning.. I have had Ned, my NZ mate's influence tonight - and the first time I have had such influence for some time: Right.. playing Devil's advocate, the Bondi (and other terrorosts of any persuasion) know they are likely to die. Whilst killing innocent people (for the purpose of killing innocent people only) is cowardly, does knowing you are likely to die as a result of you comitting to the cause make you a coward? I would have thought, despite the promise of how many virgins, knowing what you have in front of you is to be snuffed out would take some guts, I would submit (knowing the coward I am). Everything else in your post, I wholly agree with, except one.. Deporting those preaching their foul hate and spew should not be limited to Muslims. There are a bunch of Nazis mobilising at the moment in Australia..

I thik this is a part of the problem - not just for anti-semitism, but for cohesion. We should be embracing educating people about the great and terrible things about himanoity and hopefully we can settle on a balanced path. Hiding it does nothing. BTW, people can feel sorry for them, but still discirminate and worse.

My first school was Avondale Heights primary school, and to be honest, I can't recall anything there re anti-semitism. I finished there in Grade 2. Avondale Heights was a new family area/new estate at the time. My next school, was Kew East primary schoo, which was a middle class area of Melbourne, I was there for Grade 3 only, after which my parents split up (and eventually divorced). From Grade 4 to Grade 6 I was in Hadfield Primary School, My step father was a racist, but a particulalry ardent ant-semetic. I mean, almost a daily sermon on the problems with the world were down to Jews. If it were only him, fair enough - there will always be people with their pet hates. However, the pupils at the school were definitley generally anti-semetic. I am sure we have all joked about the miserly sterotype of a Jew in the saame way over here the Scots are joked about. But there was something vicious in their "joking". There was a real hatred in the way they would call someone a fucking Jew if they saved a penny, or were talking about things going on and could use the analogy. To my knowledge, there were no Jews at the school, and I doubt if anyone had ever met one.. Maybe some of the parents worked for some Jews as a lot of parents were factory workers at the time, and yes, Jews did own some of the factories in Coburg and Brunswick. This persited at Glenroy High School for the year I was there. Both of these schools were in a lower socio-economic area. At the end of the my first year at high school, living with my stepfather became too untenable, and although it broke my mother's heart, I moved in with my dad in Glen Huntly/Ormond - a middle class area. My father managed to get me into Caulfield Grammar School. a Church of England school, bang smack in the middle of a Jewish area of Melboune. The orthodox Jews kept largely to themselves, but I got to know a few secular Jews - some that went to Caulfield Grammar, and some that we just met. They were nothing like what my step father described. They were defintiely close knit, but I suppose circumstances dictated that somewhat. They were welcoming, and pretty well like most other people I know, with the same mannerisms, culture, etc. They didn't like Four n Twenty pies, though. But even at Caulfield Grammar, which had some kids of prominent Jews attend, there was some downright hatred and at least psychological abuse wielded. The teachers, however, were quick to shut it down. I do recall, a Cadet Under Officer (highest rank a student in the cadets could attain) went a bright shade of red, and the anger in his face when someone even uttered the workd Jew in front of him. He didn't care too much for me, but he turned to be and said in a quiet rage, "I fucking hate Jews..". Wow.. For all he knew I could be one... but he could not care.. He was so angry and festering - like spitting from mouth - I dared not ask why. I finished my schooling at McKinnon High School (now secondary college) as my father simply couldn't afford the fees in the later years of Caulfield Grammar. We used to play soccer at lunch time (as I had moved from AFL, being the shorter posterior I am). The players were mainly Greek, Cypriot, and Italian from memory. There was a Jew who also played, and he was a) quite talented, and b) a really good bloke. Actually, I think he liked Four n Twenty pies. Towards the end of our time at McKinnon, one of the Cypriots turned to him and said, "You know, I hated Jews until I met you..". I thought it was quite a candid admission... The Jewish student asked why, and it was because that is the way he was brought up. Throughout my working life in Melbourne there seemed to be an undercurrent of anti-semetism when the discussion ventured that way. In the UK, I didn't really notice it.. It's not that I was looking for it. I sent my kids to the local primary school in a middle to upper socio-economic area of London until we moved to the South West, after which I sent them to the local private school - A Church of England school (grammars here are better performing state schools). I recall, not long after my son finishing, we pulled up at a servo and there were a family of orhtodox Jews pumping petrol or something. My son remarked how the students at his school hated the Jews. Again, I have no idea if a Jew went to that school or not - pronbably not, to be honest. I haven't knowingly worked directly with any Jews, but have worked alongside them. Apart from the skull cap, you wouldn't know they were Jewish.. We can't demonise Muslims, either.. There are almost 2bn Muslims, and yes, there are issues, but how many out of 2bn? There are 300m Americans, and yet every day there is a mass murder it appears.. On a per capita basis, it is probnably clear many populations have their fair share of problems (and yes, there are many that don't as well).

I think when one gets used to riding in London again, it will become a little more Zen-like. I did neglect to mention in the instalment above, that when filtering, many cars on realising I was hurtling towards then at a snail's pace, moved their car out of the way to let me through the filter. They are still very considerate drivers. I will have to get Zen and The Art of Motocycle riding.. There seem to be a few authors of it now.. Does anyone care to tell me the definitive author? I am buying a used Tom Tom motorcycle SatNav (can't call it a GPS). It is brand new - unwanted gift and the latest model with lifetime world map updates...

Yes, he did come from Hyerabad. It is well known as the home of Khoja Islamism, which is a form of Shi'ites. It is known as one of the more Muslim populated cities in India; certainly on a per capita basis, at least when I worked there for a few weeks about 15 years ago. There was a Muslim influence on the city in terms of food and culture, but not overtly so as far as I could tell. I can't recall too much in the way of radicalisation or terrorist attacks being disucssed amongst the locals. I am mentioning this just to correct the record of it not being a Muslim area. As @Marty_d states, terrorist and mass murder events are not the sole preserves of Islam. The bloke who killed those people in the Mosue in NZ was clearly driven by an ideological hatred, but to borrow from @red750, he may have been sick of the Islamic terrorist attacks in the west and decided to do something about it for revenge. That is clearly nuts, condemantion, and inexcusable, and if anyone deserves the toughest punishment, then he does. But that doesn't mean Israel's actions is a justification for what has been going on for Jews around the world, either. The Port arthur Massacre and the Hoddle Street massacre; and the myriad of mass murders in the USA show that you don't have to be from Islam to be murderous, but they don't don't seem to be driven by an ideology. They seem to be driven more by some warped mental state. I am guessing they are not driven by an organised programs to radicalise people. One like the video linked below. (I guess one has to be in a warped mental state of some kind in order to be susceptible to radicalisation if you are not from an area intrinsically radicalised already). Radicalisation is also not limited to Islam. What is worrying is tha far right is mobilisng and radicalising people. Nazism is on the rise in Europe and Australia. Yet, there is little anyone is really doing about it. The video below talks about awful but not unlawful. There is going to be some bloodshed to come, I fear, because the reaction is to react, not to prevent. How do we prevent without suppressing free speech - which is a fallacy anyway, as people's frustrations vent? Education, surely has to be one of the answers. When I was a kid, anti-semitism was the default position. Everyone seemed to hate Jews. I gues there weren't too many Muslims in the country at the time. Now, there is Islamophobia, which may or may not also be th default positions. Surely educating and proper integration is the key to eliminating barriers to understanding and acceptance, and hopefully losing the hatred. This vid came into my feed. Yes, it is an Israeli, but the footage he plays seems authentic and his comment about awful and unlawful seems to have a semblance of plausibility. In the neo-Nazi world, similar calls to action are bieng made as exposed by the Fairfax and Huffpost a few years ago, and we are seeing more and more in public. This is chilling stuff: (Note, it is not about Israel - just the Jews, and it echoes I think section 7 of the Hamas Charter).

Hi @Marty_d, I have no idea, but I put your post into Chat GPT and here's it's repsonse Ouch — yeah, tipping a small engine and leaving it there is one of those “ask me how I know” moments. The good news is: this is very often recoverable without selling organs. Here’s a logical, low-cost checklist, in the order I’d attack it. 1. Spark plug: almost certainly the main culprit When oil floods the intake, it usually ends up: coating the spark plug sometimes filling the cylinder Do this first: Remove the spark plug If it’s oily → either: clean it thoroughly with brake cleaner / carb cleaner and dry it, or replace it (they’re cheap and worth it) With the plug still out, crank the engine a few seconds This blows excess oil out of the cylinder Put a rag over the hole unless you like oil facials 👉 If you skipped this step and tried to start it, it may still be oil-fouled even with a new air filter. 2. Check for spark (quick sanity check) With the plug out: reconnect the plug lead hold the metal body of the plug against the engine block crank the engine You should see a strong blue spark. ✅ Spark present → move on ❌ No spark → kill switch / safety switch / ignition coil issue (see section 5) 3. Carburetor is likely flooded with oil Oil can: sit in the carb bowl gum up the main jet block air passages Easy attempt first: Turn fuel tap off (if fitted) Drain the carb bowl (usually a small bolt underneath) Turn fuel back on Try starting again If still no joy: Pull the carb off Clean with carb cleaner (especially the main jet) No rebuild kit needed unless seals are shot 4. Check oil level (very important) After tipping, oil can end up: in the intake in the muffler missing from the sump Make sure: Oil level is correct (not overfilled) Overfilling can also prevent starting 5. Safety switches love to cause false alarms MTD ride-ons have multiple interlocks: seat switch brake/clutch switch PTO/blade switch When tipped: connectors can pull loose switches can get oil contamination Check: PTO disengaged Brake/clutch fully depressed Seat switch connector intact (Temporarily bypassing a switch for testing is OK, just don’t mow like that.) 6. Exhaust full of oil? (Often overlooked) If oil ran into the muffler: engine may struggle to breathe may not start or will smoke like mad Fix: Remove muffler Drain oil Refit and expect smoke for a while 7. Compression check (quick and dirty) With spark plug back in: Turn engine by hand or crank it It should feel like it’s fighting you No resistance = valve stuck open (rare, but tipping can cause it) Most common outcome In 90% of cases like yours, the fix is: new spark plug clearing oil from cylinder draining carb bowl fresh fuel They are remarkably forgiving engines. Before you give up: If you want, tell me: exact engine brand (Briggs & Stratton? Tecumseh?) model number (on engine shroud) whether it cranks strongly or slowly I can walk you through model-specific steps and avoid unnecessary repairs.

They must be a bit pungent by now 😉 In the UK, which also has uite strict gun laws, almost anythign can become a dangerous weapon under the dangerous weapons act. If someone is carrying a rock in a sock for the purpose of commiting some damage, then that particualr rock in a sock will become a dangerous weapon under the act. I can't recall precisely, but I think it is an objective test - i.e. not what the person actually intended, but what the reasonable (not average) person would deem to be the purpose. I could be wrong on the intent threshold.

Any war between Palestinians and Isarelis always brings out the protestors. The call for a ceasfire - by Israel, knowing Hamas and those who preceded it wouldn't engage in a ceasfire. They don't call for an end to the war.. but to kill the Jews and Gas the Jews.. I am sorry, but i am calling it out. Look at the almost rioting in Sydney, the intimidation globally of Jews on campuses.. Don';t see people harassing the Russians, the Syrians, the various Africans, etc.. And I am at a loss as to why even far more gross excesses in the region don't even rate a mention. You can justify it all you want, but the reality it, it is anti-semtism.. A lot of people just don't want a Jewish state... but are more than happy with the other violence in the region to occur with nary another thought.

Agree the world has lost its mind... Don't agree Israel by itself has a lot to do with it.. Mass antisemitism has preceded Israel by many centuries.

Here's a long one, so clear the diary and make yourself a cuppa... Last Tuesday evening, I prepared my riding kit. First – off to the petrol station/garage to refuel the bike. Back home, the helmet and boots were cleaned; and the riding clothes were laid out ready to go. My topbox plate adaptor didn’t arrive on time, meaning I had to adapt a backpack to being waterproof (not that I needed it in the end) by placing a thicker garbage bag in it to act as a liner. I packed the minimal clothes and toiletries needed for the trip, rolled the top of the garbage bag, zipped up the back pack and prayed the weather forecast would hold true (which it did). Doh! I forgot to purchase the disc and level locks! The chain I purchased is too big and heavy to carry in the back pack and unfortunately, the padlock bar is too thick to pass through front disc holes and the gate is too short for the rear disk length between the holes and the rim of the disc. So, the only security I had on the bike is he Honda HISS system (relatively easily replaced) and the steering lock (easily broken). Never mind. I went to bed early-ish on Tuesday night, ready for the 3am start to the day on Wednesday morning. Being about 13 years since I have really ridden, including London, I hit the sack with a mix of excitement and fear. Consequently, I was restless and didn’t get much deep sleep. The alarm went off at 3am (I normally wake about 2:30), only two hours after I last looked at the clock. Both my body and brain were totally disengaged, so, while aiming for the snooze button, I hit the alarm off button. I next saw the clock at 4:15am. Ship! Got up, brushed teeth, showered and left the razor untouched. Raced downstairs, got suited and booted for the ride. Helmet on, cover off the bike, started her up, gloves on, stand up – no time to check the oil or tyre pressures – which I did a couple of days ago and it hasn’t been ridden since. Around a tight bend from the parking and down our steep driveway. The sky was overcast, but everything was pretty dry. The temperature was about 8 degrees C, I would say, and pleasant. The two mile drive from our village via the country lane, past farm and woodland was slow on account of not wanting to meet a deer in the same way I did with the car the prior week. Onto the A358 and headed south into Taunton. I was also taking it easy along that route for the same reason, but once into Taunton, I picked up the pace a bit. From North West of Taunton to South East of Taunton, I can’t honestly say if I stayed within the speed limit. It was around 4:45am when I entered the M5 motorway, heading northbound at junction 26. That was probably the quickest I had ever done it and the traffic was surprisingly light – lighter than the 3:00 – 3:15 am time I normally leave. The bike effortlessly reached just slightly north of 70mph and I was settled in nicely. Although in the now 12 years I have been down here, I have never seen an animal carcass on the M5 or M4, I was focusing my attention on the sides of the motorway as well as ahead and behind. My alertness was piqued for animals along almost all of the ride on the motorway.. and then specifically for foxes in London, where they are protected and are more prevalent than cats. Heading north on the M5 and the east on the M4 was fairly non-eventful. The bike has a sensitive throttle and excellent engine braking, and I am still getting used to it. So, I found holding a speed a little difficult to start with as the needle oscillated between south and north od 75 indicated mph. The traffic was heavier than I am used to, but flowed well for most of the way. When I drove my car, I would normally stop at Leigh Delamare services (junction 17 of the M4 motorway, west of Swindon) and Heston Services (east of Heathrow – within London). If I was tired I would stop at either Membury (Junction 14 of the M4) and/or Reading. As I was in a rush, even though my lower capacity bladder (at my age – not because of a medical procedure) was indicating it may be a good time to empty as I was coming up to Leigh Delamare, I decided to continue. Again, when driving, by about Membury services (junction 14), and definitely by Reading services (about junction 11), I am normally yawning and feeling a little tired (aka fatigued), especially after interrupted sleeps. However, obviously, the body decided rather than force myself up at 3am like I would previously have done, that the extra sleep was needed, and I was feeling pretty good. The sun started rising as I passed Reading and the traffic was getting heavier, but still moving nicely. From Reading all the way to Heston Services (junction 1-ish), it is variable speed limit, with fixed speed camera everywhere, so I sit on about 72 – 73 indicated. Passing the M25 exit (about junction 3 I think), the old bladder was filling again, so I decided a stop would be in order. Parking the bike amongst the sea of bikes was a doddle, and before I knew it I was on the road again, aghast at the traffic that had built up. It was bumper to bumper all the way into London form there. I was filtering through traffic, but to the tune of revving motorcycle engines and beeps behind me. I was obviously slow, and so pulled in to let frustrated comrades pass while waving a fist of defiance to the car at me. It is an especially close camaraderie we all share, I figured. Up until this day, my commute was to drive from home to either North Sheen or Mortlake station, both of which are benign suburbs with little real change since I left London. I would then jump on an overland train to Waterloo, and either take a bus or tube to Liverpool Street. There has not been much development in the North Sheen/Mortlake/Richmond/Barnes area, and not much on the Strand in London, nor the Underground. Around Liverpool street, there has been some development, but no changes to the road layouts and traffic calming since I emigrated to the South West of England. Well, the Embankment, Battersea, Clapham, Vauxhall, Borough, and London Bridge area have changed immensely. And the road layouts and traffic calming have also changed immensely. I spent from 7:30am to 9:30am uncertain of position. All familiar landmarks had been replaced, road layouts changed, roads were simply cut off from anything but buses, bicycles and taxis. The speed limit was 20mph everywhere – even arterial roads where I have still yet to see a pedestrian. The result: total mayhem. I think it is the law of unintended consequences, but the pedestrians, even when devoid of phones, seem to be without a brain and just appear in front of you out of nowhere. Bicylists have no regard to their nor anyone else’s lives. I am not talking of a minorities, as in the old days, but a majority. It was more chaotic than many South East Asian and East Asian countries – and a lot more dangerous. I am guessing with all the restrictions of cars, people think they don’t need to think, be observant and follow basic rules of the road. Finally I got through London Bridge, heading north up Bishopsgate. Suddenly a policeman hailed me over and reminded me only buses, bicycles, and for some reason, as if taxis are not cars, taxis are allowed to travel north on Bishopsgate between 7am and 7pm. I apologised and explained it was 12 years since riding in London and all of the changes, with the accompanying signs had bamboozled me. He asked me to do a U turn, and explained I can expect a request to contribute to his majesty’s services thanks to a camera not far behind me. So, I had to head towards Tower of London, follow the ring road around towards London Wall. Unf, I took a wrong turn and ended up on the road parallel to the road that leads to London Wall, but south of it. And the continuation of that road past Bishopsgate has been cut off to normal traffic, which meant heading south down Bishopsgate and doing it all again. Each time was at least 15 minutes with the traffic and the calming. I finally got to London Wall, onto Finsbury Square as by 10:30am, there was no way there was going to be any of the free parking on Finsbury Circus. I paid the whole £1.69 for street parking for the day, engaged the steering lock, said a small prayer no one would steal it (I am an atheist), and went to work. In the evening, I arrived to find my steed lonely as the few that were willing to pay for motorcycle parking seem to have long gone. As I took turned left onto Moorgate, I came up behind a moped who was vaguely going in the same direction as me. I followed him through a labyrinth of London laneways and streets and somehow, we were at Blackfriars Road. Excellent! This was a route that I used to take home beforehand. I headed west on Blackfriars road towards Elephant & Castle, did a left and then a right to a road heading away from Elephant & Castle and towards the Imperial War Museum. There were two mopeds waiting at the red light. My route normally would be right to head away from Elephant & Castle, left to go past the Imperial War Museum and Left again to head towards Stockwell and either continue that way, or right towards Vauxhall and head to Richmond that way. However, the mopeds turned left down a little street prior to that which the war museum is on. I thought they must know a shortcut so followed them. They did know a short cut, but it took one through emergency access only gates and I did not want to do it. So I persevered looking for a way out of that maze and onto the street I wanted to go down. I ended up tailing a newish looking Bentley, which was driving slow. He made a left turn at some street which turned out to be the entrance to a gated development. The security guard waved him through and wave me though. I figured that would be easier to exit through than try a U turn so I followed. The Bentley came to a stop must have gone through the gears to Park as the reverse light came on momentarily. The driver leaned out of the window and motioned me forward. He was a young bloke and I thought, he was going to give me a right-bollocking. With a smile on his face he complimented the bike. I explained to him it is the oldest I could find that was ULEZ compliant and it was the first time in 12 years I had ridden in London. He was quite nice, actually. And I duly complimented his car, but resisted the urge to suggest swapping them. We exchanged pleasantries and bid each other farewell as I took off to find my way home. Fine number two is probably coming in the post because in this maze of suburban streets, it suddenly became no traffic except for those with permits that live there.. in the middle of the street – not even an intersection, and with a car inspecting my number plate at close range, it was not practical to just stop.. So, I did a U turn ant the nearest opportunity and escaped. I finally found the route I wanted to take and apart from some road works, it was smooth sailing all the way. Although the 20mph is a joke on the main arterial roads. I had a ueue of cars a mile behind me, so I pulled over and decided to follow – they were all doing 30mph until they came to speed cameras; police cars didn’t bother them. And yet, somehow, in roads where there are few if any pedestrians, it didn’t seem necessarily more unsafe than at 20mph… in fact, quite the opposite. I stopped about three minutes from the pub to fill up the bike. I got to the pub and parked the bike in the driveway. The next morning, I was out by 5:45am. Normally, that would mean just missing the train and a half hour wait. But, the ride was wonderful.. nary a car on the road as peak hour seems a lot shorter in London than it used to. I followed my old route into work knowing the changes in landmarks and road layouts. And I got to Bishopsgate before 7am, meaning I could ride north up it. Finsbury Circus had only a couple of bikes on it already. I parked up, and it was fine. After work, on the bike, but had to plan the escape as at this time of year, I will only take the M5 and M4, especially after hitting the deer on the A303 with the car (now written-off). I decided I would stay on the south side of the Thames until near the end of the embankment, but I left it too late (Wandsworth in the end) and on crossing the river, had no idea where I was and proceeded to be temporarily uncertain of position for about 10 minutes before finding myself near Putney. So, a quick U turn and I was shortly on the A4 which leads to the M4; but not before falling prey to another resident permit traffic only street where they made a big song and dance about cameras. Fine number three should be heading my way. The ride on the M4 was fine, and although the bladder was letting me know that a pitstop may be a good idea, I lasted until Sedgmoor Services just before junction 23 on the M5.. About ¾ of the way home, I reckon. The traffic was light, but heavy enough to not worry too much about deer and badgers. My bladder probably would have made it home, but the Bike’s tank was indicating it was getting quite thirsty.. which did peeve me off a little as fuel at Motorway services are usually 25p – 30p per litre more expensive than normal petrol stations/garages/forecourts/service stations (take your pick). I stayed at nominally 70mph, sometimes going up to 80, sometimes down to 60. I arrived home 3.5 hours after I left, which is about an hour shorter than when I had the car, mainly because I can get through traffic better, but I didn’t stop at any of the services for dinner, which I normally do. I let the bike cool, out the covers on, and that was job done! Observations of the adventure were, inner London is crazy now, and the so called traffic calming is making people very stressed and making very stupid decisions. It would be interesting to see the accident stats before and after all of this crap; The bike itself is comfortable and rides well. But, it is thirstier than I expected. Round trip was about 420 miles thanks to getting lost.. taking wrong turns, etc. It should normally be about 400 miles. But I loved every minute of it, even if I did get frustrated a couple of times. Ask me if I still feel that way when the bills from his majesty’s services arrive, though.

Absolutely we are entitled to our own views. On the payback for the current war - you maybe right - but I think from the protestors who were calling for death and gassing the jews as opposed to stopping the war, and the fact that the hatred of jews pecedes Israel by many centuries, if not millenia, I doubt the current war is anything other than an excuse.. I hope I am wrong, but doubt it. Re the war, Israel from about day 1 has maintained that disarming Hamas and returning the hostages would stop it.. not even killing Hamas. Hamas are still there, they wage a war and hide behind their citizens. What would you do if you were in Israel's situation (and I am NOT saying Israel is acting with entire propriety, either). Indeed - Ahmed al Ahmed is a hero and should be recognised as such, especially when you consider those who appear to be attempting to impede the police dealing with the murderers. @old man emu dealt with that one nicely. Suffice to say, I have rarely seen a poor application of logic... If you can hit a bunny from 100m with a police issued pistol and your father can at 500m under pressure of shots being fired and the ensuring mayhem, they you should have been in the olympics shooting team.. I seriously doubt you could do it without a decent long-barrelled gun and a scope. Certainly at 500m, it would be very difficult. Very differenet situation. You may not watch US movies now, but i bet you did if you seriosly believe the the dramatics you suggest would be real life.

Farrrk.. You need to move here.. Balmy 8 degrees.. Lovely motorcycling weather.

What sort of fathe would risk his son's life for some ideology? I will never know. However, I want to make sure we do not demonise Muslims (and yes, my previous post may be taken that way - it was intentded to show more the hatred towards Jews). My partner tells me it is rumoured it was a Muslim who disarmed one of the gunmen in the vid Peter posted. It will be interesting to see how the gunmen sustained their injuries - especially since one of them was disarmed. I am sorry, Peter, I cannot agree. We are better than them. Life is precious - even for those who commit henous violation of our laws.. We can punish in other ways..

I should add, it is not entirely the fault ogf the government, but more decisive action may have made some think twice - it may not have.

I agree with most of what you have said except this. At the Palestinian protests, at campuses, in Sydney, Melbourne, etc, people were openly chanting kill the jews and gas the jews. This was not protesting for Palestine, but protesting against Jews.. anywhere.. and calling for their murder. The response from the governments? Tepid. Did anyone get charged with incitement or racial vilifcation? Crickets. In the UK it was nuch the same, except apparently you can be charged with a hate offence calling a horse gay or something. Surprise, surprise, the same thing happened, although more weren't killed because of logistics and it was a long gunman as I recall. Just imagine the response had it been Jews protesting to kill and behead the Muslims...

What you describe is exactly what I experienced growing up and leading a young adult life in Australia - admittedly largely insulated from having to deal with First Nations on a day to day basis. However, this is very different to being taught to feel guilty about it. I doubt there are too many non-Aboriginals that feel guilty about Aboriginal past treatment, and I doubt there is, in the national curriculum, education designed to impart guilt (I am speaking to my brother today - will ask since he is an educator). In fact, I would not hesitate to say, we were passively taught disrespect with some of the teaching I recall... Propagation of lots of myths.

Nothing dogly about it.. If you're in the wrong spot at the wrong time, little you can do about itsould a flying disc come hurtling towards you at breakneck (pardon the pun) speed. Luck, cpincidence, freakish, or whatever one likes to call it.

Different context, and I am not sure it is about guilt, but recognition that an existing culture lived here, and conquered.. with rights supporessed for many more generations.

Mostly, yes... And certainly none of my Frankfuirt office work colleagues were directly involved. But, there remain laws on the books designed to stop the rise of Nazism. For example, privacy laws are very strong and sometimes take precendece over other laws designed to stop harm. For example, you can't record telephone conversations in Germany at all. Yet, EU law requires recording of telephone lines of financial services sales, originators, syndicators, and traders to prevent market abuse and fraud. Germany has a carve out of this requirement. The conversation was the first day after work in a bar in Frankfurt.. One of the locals, answering a question, let us know he lives in Manheim.. Me: "Wow.. you're not going to believe this, but my father used to play football [soccer] for your town's team - he was the captain. Him: "Yah, well, it's only a local club... nothing special.." Me. "It wasn't when he was playing; it was in the equivalent of the Bundesleague. I have a phot of him holding up cup to a very large crowd... Him: "Wow.. When was that... " Me (innocently) "Oh, after the war... the club was knoen as Waldorf-Manheim". crickets from everyone - people looking down.. Me thinking they didn't hear it, repeated it louder.. .and my ribs welcomed a well-aimed elbow from my manager... Oops.... I have no idea of the school curriculum in Germany, but a question of what it is relating to WWII yielded this: I think the guilt trip has to go as three or four genrations since can't be held responsible, and if they are made to feel guilty about something they are four times removed from, they will start to feel resentment, and head back to the right... Oh, wait.. hold my beer.

When you're time's up, it's up.. When it's not; it's not...