Friday 6 November 2009
ITV - John Pilger - John Pilger wins 2009 Sydney Peace Prize
Monday 28 September 2009
What is Medicare Select?
What is Medicare Select?
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Tuesday 15 September 2009
The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
The Uselessness Of Economic Forecasters | newmatilda.com
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Monday 14 September 2009
Private Health
"‘Medibank’ was the most controversial element of Labor’s reform program, being opposed all the way by the Opposition, the Australian Medical Association and the private health funds... Rejected three times by the Senate, the Bills were eventually passed by 95 votes to 92 at a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on 7 August 1974." from 1974 CABINET RECORDS – SELECTED DOCUMENTS; Abstract: Medibank - Implementation.
Since, it has remained a minefield for politicians seeking to get rid of it. That hasn't prevented subsequent governments - including Labor - chipping away at it while professing their commitment. All of the changes have been made with the patently untrue assertion that they would make it better and 'fairer'. How can moving us more and more towards a US style health system be fairer, given the mess that country's health system is in?
Private management of public essential services inevitably further disadvantages the most economically and socially disadvantaged in society because the private sector is driven by profit.
According to Kenneth Davidson, in The Age this morning: "But in the popular imagination - reinforced by politicians who need a scapegoat for their funding decisions - it is maladministration of public hospitals and Medicare that are seen as the root of the public health crisis." The poor have to pay so the rich can stay healthy
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Sunday 13 September 2009
Thousands rally against Obama Government
Source: www.theage.com.au
Saturday 12 September 2009
GetUp! Blogs - Save the Homelands
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Monday 17 August 2009
Wednesday 12 August 2009
Ambulance Services Campaign Success
Response Time! latest news: Your support has been vital in winning a safer ambulance service
Dear friend,
Together we have won a safer ambulance service.
Late last night, the government finally agreed to 10-hour rest breaks and fairer wages for paramedics.
Proper rest breaks will make life safer for ambos, and safer for the public.
Many paramedics are convinced that someone would have died unnecessarily because of fatigue.
Your support over the 15-month campaign has been crucial in making this government wake up and address fatigue.
Your emails, petitions, calls to the Health Minister, to talkback, to friends and to family have all played an important part in saving people’s lives.
Fairer pay will also make our ambulance service safer, by helping to attract new recruits and to retain the incredibly skilled and experienced ambos we already have.
In a few weeks, ambos will be voting on this new agreement.
Although you may not be able to see it, you have not only made a real difference to hard-working ambos quality of life, you have helped save lives.
On behalf of all our dedicated ambos, and the public of Victoria, I thank you very much for your support.
Steve McGhie
Ambulance Employees Australia
Sunday 9 August 2009
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Saturday 2 May 2009
Tuesday News
CANBERRA, ACT - After running a thousand errands, working hours of
overtime, and being stuck in seemingly endless gridlock traffic
commuting to and from their jobs, millions of Australians were
disheartened to learn that it was, in fact, only Tuesday.
"Tuesday?" Canberra resident Doris Wagner said. "How in the hell is it
still Tuesday?"
Tuesday's arrival stunned a nation still recovering from the nightmarish
slog that was Monday, leaving some to wonder if the week was ever going
to end, and others to ask what was taking Saturday so goddamn long.
"Ugh," said Wagner, echoing a national sense of frustration over it not
even being Wednesday at the very least.
According to suddenly depressed sources, the feeling that this week may
in fact last forever was further compounded by the thought of all the
work left to be done tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and, if
Australians make it that far, possibly even Friday, for Christ's sake.
Fears that the week could actually be going backwards were also
expressed.
"Not only do Australians have most of Tuesday morning to contend with,
but all of Tuesday afternoon and then Tuesday night," National Labor
Relations Board spokesman David Prynn said. "If our calculations are
correct, there is a chance we are in effect closer to last weekend than
the one coming up.
Reports that this all has to be some kind of sick joke could not be
confirmed as of press time.
Isolated attempts to make the day go faster, such as glancing at watches
or clocks every other minute, compulsively checking e-mail, hiding in
the office bathroom, fidgeting, or reading a boring magazine while
sitting in the waiting room, have also proven unsuccessful, sources
report.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, which oversees the
official time of Australia, is flatly denying that it has slowed or
otherwise tampered with Tuesday's progression.
"The current Tuesday is keeping apace with past Tuesdays with no more
than one ten-thousandth of a second's variation at the most," NIST
spokeswoman Dr. Geraldine Schach said. "However, I sympathize with the
common consensus that this week has already been a colossal pain in the
neck."
Labor Secretary Elaine Chao released a statement addressing widespread
speculation that it might as well be Monday for all anyone cares.
"We understand this day has been tough on many of you, what with
meetings mercilessly dragging on and an entire stack of files still left
to organise," Chao's statement read in part. "Yet we urge Australians to
show patience. The midweek hump is just around the corner, and we have
strong reason to believe that Saturday will be here before you know it."
"Go about your lives as best you can," the statement continued. "Do not,
we repeat, do not take a sick day, as it'll make the rest of the week
that much harder to endure."
In the meantime, citizens are doing their best to cope with the
interminable week, though Tuesday is still hours away from ending.
"The more I try to speed it along, the longer it almost seems to take"
said Dale Bouchard, a Sydney-based broker who has been waiting for today
to be over since it first began earlier this morning. "Honestly, today
could not have come at a worse time this week."
In the meantime, the latest wristwatch consultations indicate that it is
somehow still Tuesday, if that makes any sense at all.
Monday 12 January 2009
Wedding report
There's no hope of doing justice to it here but I write some thoughts to share some sense of the event.
Last Saturday (10 January 09) my beloved son Erin married the love of his life, Karen.
Everyone was thrilled for them. The weather was perfect, the day went without a hitch and the ceremony was truly beautiful. For those who wondered if I would ever get 'the frock' (and feared the awesome eventuality of a naked 'mother-of-the-groom') I did indeed get 'the frock' - and the shoes and the bag and the haircut! I have to say I looked gorgeous, LOL. I needed to, to complement the mother-of-the-bride in her lovely grey satin with grey lace coat with subtle pink tones.
The frock shopping was probably the final straw for my poor back. I found my ideal outfit 1 week before the wedding (yes, I know I cut it fine) but 2 days of looking finally broke my spirit and my back, LOL. I've been dosing up on heavy-duty pain killers ever since and assuring the doctor that it will get better without other interventions :(. Without Tesa and Anna I doubt I would have been equal to the task; they dutifully trudged around a million shops with me to find exactly the right thing.
Saturday dawned with beautiful sunshine and no hint of rain; it fulfilled that early promise to make the outdoor wedding ideal. The ceremony was held at the Fairfield Amphitheatre and, if you've ever seen it, you'll be very impressed that the bridal attendants and the bride all descended the stairway from hell, to arrive in one piece at the central 'stage', where the celebrant performed one of the most beautiful wedding ceremony's I've ever heard.
She prepared for this by doing several (3 I think) interviews with the kids, asking about their history together, their feelings, what was important to them, etc. She told me how impressed she was with Erin, that he was the most 'forthcoming' groom she'd ever had, articulate and open about his feelings and emotions. Karen, of course, was the same (she's such a treasure). They in turn were very impressed by her ability to capture their feelings and wishes in her text. They were very keen to acknowledge their family and friends as important 'participants' in their relationship. That was very touching for those present.
The photographer was also a winner. She had such a great attitude and was obviously keen to ensure there were pictures reflecting the relationships and happiness of the day. Her attitude was friendly and caring, fitting right in to the mood and the spirit. Very important when it is such a tiring process for all involved. While all the photos were being taken, many of those attending the wedding but not needed for the photos, went down to the boathouse for refreshments while waiting to go to the reception. It is such a fabulous park and venue that they will be inspired to go again, I'm sure.
The wedding party looked sensational! The bride wore a long white satin dress with the most beautiful lace top, encrusted with tiny pearls (I'm not very good at this fashion stuff, but it 'glittered' and 'shone') and silver shoes. Lovely. The bridesmaids - Amanda and Lizzie - wore short length royal blue, silk with chiffon and looked fantastic. Eddie, the proud 'father-of-the-bride' was splendid in black suit. In addition to the appearance of all, they were remarkable for their management of those steps.
The groom's party was equally resplendant. Black suits with the groom in cream tie and the attendants in grey ties. With their black patent leather shoes and their pale rose boutonnieres, they were indeed a handsome crew.
Following all this, it was off the the Ivanhoe Art Space for the reception. The hall was decorated with flowers (a selection of my 'take home' - referred to below - pictured) done by bridesmaid Lizzie who is also an extraordinary florist. I couldn't do justice to descriptions, because (as with my fashion knowledge) I know next to nothing about flowers, although there were roses included :). I was fortunate enough to get a couple of bouquets to take home at the end of the night. My vases have never had it so good!The evening was mc'd by another great friend of the couple, Elva and she did a fabulous job. She's also the one who supplied the delicious desserts (along with her 2 sisters - they look so alike there's no mistaking the relationship - who are in the catering/event business together) and a whole bowl of chocolate was almost the least of the indulgences!
After the introductions of the parents of the couple (including my brother Terry, who played such a crucial 'locus paternus' role in Erin's life - don't expect correct latin please, LOL) and the bridal party, everyone got down to serious socialising. Karen and Erin had foregone the traditional table arrangements in favour of finger food and mingling. I must say it was great to see people moving freely around the space, socialising and meeting new folk. The food was great and varied. About an hour or so into the festivities, the cake was cut and speeches made. I had the great honour of giving the parents speech and David, the best man, made a speech and led us in the toast. His words were very moving and it's great to see a man express his love for his friends. Everyone was impressed with him and, having known him and David, the groomsman, since they were boys together with Erin, I felt entitled to feel very proud of him and of both of them for their performance over the day :). Erin made a touching and humorous speech, followed by Karen's complementing amusing words, to round off a great effort by all.
Around 11 pm we farewelled the happy couple as they got into their white stretch limo and headed off to the Windsor for the night, before flying out to Thailand Sunday afternoon. Then the friends and family wound up the night by doing the cleanup and leaving the hall immaculate. What a team! Erin and Karen are blessed in their friends. Mother-of-the-bride, Vicky, was there to the end, doing what she'd done (for weeks before the wedding, I'm sure) dealing with all the details, making sure transport of gifts was arranged, picking up last minute or forgotten items, etc. She was an amazing help to Karen, I know, and to everyone else. I don't know where she gets her energy.
A truly heartwarming wedding day for all involved.