Watched Four corners Tuesday night. They covered the national shame of mandatory detention and how this is a complete failure in every measure. The worst part of it was the physcological damage to detainees and how they are then released into society (either here or if they are returned).
It just occured to me that the last 'big story' 4 corners presented was the live cattle export trade. This issue forced the government to make a knee jerk policy decision that cost us and businesses millions of dollars. We kill and eat meat like crazy, however we react to they way they are butchered more than humans in detention. I would cut the thoat of a cow for a good T bone over torturing another human.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Counselling as a business opportunity
"There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference" Juan Montalvo
As an Australian, I am generally apathetic when it comes to politics. We are the lucky country and when your community is safe, your friends and family have opportunity and you are healthy then life cruises by with the 6 to 10 year change in political colour. However I find politics increasingly getting my attention as I am getting older. Now what started as a general blog on 'thoughts' is becoming a political expression for me. This has started to really raise prominence after I read 'Side Show' by Lindsay Tanner. If you want to get depressed with the state of politics in this country, this is a great read!
The groan this week was the Opposition Leaders remarks regarding the proposed poker machine reforms at a Sydney Leagues club. The issue, he said, is not about regulating to protect problem gamblers but to put more effort (ie., money) into counselling. Are we that stupid?
The PM and her party has not covered themselves with glory when it comes to policy and reforms - the focus group, knee jerk reaction has cost us millions of dollars in poor decision making (ie., home insulation, live beef exports etc). However this statement by Abbot is truly dumb. One Independent Senator said "...it is like rescinding speed limits but give people more money for funerals".
I am not an advocate for a 'nanny state'. I believe people should have their freedoms, be able to make choices and be responsible for their actions. I would like to be able to overtake a truck on the freeway at 105 kph and not get booked for making this judgement. I don't care if someone chooses to have a smoke in a pub. I am ok if someone decides to go swimming at a beach with a white pointer on the prowl. But I do care when someone profits from an others frailties. The poker machine industry is not about entertainment - it is about money and the statistics indicate that $5 billion from the $13 billion annual turnover comes from problem gamblers. What is the cost to the community even after the pokies 'reinvest into the community'. I just find it abhorrent.
If the clubs are relying on pokies profits to the extent argued by the lobbyists then their business model is wrong. And by the way, James Packers comments on this issue would make his old man turn in his grave at his choice of tactics - he is seriously conflicted and has no credibility. Its like me saying that the AFL should get rid of the salary cap such that the 'Pies (and maybe one or two others!) would win every premiership for the next 100 years. Hardly fair, but who gives a shit.
It is now a measure of how mature the electorate is on this issue. It could be the 'Children overboard' issue that split the electorate and got Howard back, however I doubt it. The majority of us are apathetic and unless there are problem gambler voters, then apathy will win the day.
As an Australian, I am generally apathetic when it comes to politics. We are the lucky country and when your community is safe, your friends and family have opportunity and you are healthy then life cruises by with the 6 to 10 year change in political colour. However I find politics increasingly getting my attention as I am getting older. Now what started as a general blog on 'thoughts' is becoming a political expression for me. This has started to really raise prominence after I read 'Side Show' by Lindsay Tanner. If you want to get depressed with the state of politics in this country, this is a great read!
The groan this week was the Opposition Leaders remarks regarding the proposed poker machine reforms at a Sydney Leagues club. The issue, he said, is not about regulating to protect problem gamblers but to put more effort (ie., money) into counselling. Are we that stupid?
The PM and her party has not covered themselves with glory when it comes to policy and reforms - the focus group, knee jerk reaction has cost us millions of dollars in poor decision making (ie., home insulation, live beef exports etc). However this statement by Abbot is truly dumb. One Independent Senator said "...it is like rescinding speed limits but give people more money for funerals".
I am not an advocate for a 'nanny state'. I believe people should have their freedoms, be able to make choices and be responsible for their actions. I would like to be able to overtake a truck on the freeway at 105 kph and not get booked for making this judgement. I don't care if someone chooses to have a smoke in a pub. I am ok if someone decides to go swimming at a beach with a white pointer on the prowl. But I do care when someone profits from an others frailties. The poker machine industry is not about entertainment - it is about money and the statistics indicate that $5 billion from the $13 billion annual turnover comes from problem gamblers. What is the cost to the community even after the pokies 'reinvest into the community'. I just find it abhorrent.
If the clubs are relying on pokies profits to the extent argued by the lobbyists then their business model is wrong. And by the way, James Packers comments on this issue would make his old man turn in his grave at his choice of tactics - he is seriously conflicted and has no credibility. Its like me saying that the AFL should get rid of the salary cap such that the 'Pies (and maybe one or two others!) would win every premiership for the next 100 years. Hardly fair, but who gives a shit.
It is now a measure of how mature the electorate is on this issue. It could be the 'Children overboard' issue that split the electorate and got Howard back, however I doubt it. The majority of us are apathetic and unless there are problem gambler voters, then apathy will win the day.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
When will Bull shitting by illegal?
'...a lie travels half way around the world before the truth has a chance to put its pants on' Winston Churchhill
A couple of incidences in the news caught my attention during the past few weeks around the issue of lying. There are many incidences of politicians or personalties being proved wrong however I dont think the punishment fits the crime of lying.
Case No.1 - Andrew Bolt. Blatantly lied about the heritage of some indigenous people in his newspaper column. Was taken to court, lost the case, failed to apologise and I undertsand that his punishment is to write a revised article in the newspaper about the subject. His claim is that the judgement was indictment against free speech. I believe it is indictment of the legal system letting off a bull shit artist.
Case No.2 - Julia Gillard vs Tony Abbot. What ever your opinion about the carbon tax (I am a supporter), the way it has come to being is nothing to be proud of. Full of bullshit. Gillards 'there will never be a Carbon Tax in a parliment I lead' is just as good as Abbots 'if elected, we shall repeal this legislation in the parliment I lead'. To top it off Wayne Swan stating that the Carbon Tax policy is 'labour to the bootstraps' is just contradictory! The greens and the independents made this happen, the major parties lost an opportunity to lead and I believe Rudd lost his chance to be an icon buy listening to the bullshit his advisors were giving at not having the balls to call an election in early 2010 to resolve the issue.
There are a number of other examples, but I have forgotten. I shall update and finish this off later.
A couple of incidences in the news caught my attention during the past few weeks around the issue of lying. There are many incidences of politicians or personalties being proved wrong however I dont think the punishment fits the crime of lying.
Case No.1 - Andrew Bolt. Blatantly lied about the heritage of some indigenous people in his newspaper column. Was taken to court, lost the case, failed to apologise and I undertsand that his punishment is to write a revised article in the newspaper about the subject. His claim is that the judgement was indictment against free speech. I believe it is indictment of the legal system letting off a bull shit artist.
Case No.2 - Julia Gillard vs Tony Abbot. What ever your opinion about the carbon tax (I am a supporter), the way it has come to being is nothing to be proud of. Full of bullshit. Gillards 'there will never be a Carbon Tax in a parliment I lead' is just as good as Abbots 'if elected, we shall repeal this legislation in the parliment I lead'. To top it off Wayne Swan stating that the Carbon Tax policy is 'labour to the bootstraps' is just contradictory! The greens and the independents made this happen, the major parties lost an opportunity to lead and I believe Rudd lost his chance to be an icon buy listening to the bullshit his advisors were giving at not having the balls to call an election in early 2010 to resolve the issue.
There are a number of other examples, but I have forgotten. I shall update and finish this off later.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
...everybody hurts sometime
"...everybody cries, everbody hurts sometime" R.E.M 1992
AFL Grand Final today and my beloved Magpies lost to the Cats. Objectively, the Cats were always going to win but it still hurts so much! My only solace is a botle of red wine, the classic rock top 400 countdown (currentely at #294) and my experience of a previous 6 losing grand finals. It does not get easier (harder in fact) but my feelings for the club only get stronger. It is almost counter intuitive, but I feel that I have put so much emotional energy into the 'Pies over the years that I can not let them go. My first recollections were the loss to North Melbourne in 1977 and I remember crying myself to sleep. Surely my sons will not have to suffer like I have for the next 34 years? I suppose the loses make the wins so much sweeter.
So hopefully it is the Cats that hurt next time...CARN THE PIES
AFL Grand Final today and my beloved Magpies lost to the Cats. Objectively, the Cats were always going to win but it still hurts so much! My only solace is a botle of red wine, the classic rock top 400 countdown (currentely at #294) and my experience of a previous 6 losing grand finals. It does not get easier (harder in fact) but my feelings for the club only get stronger. It is almost counter intuitive, but I feel that I have put so much emotional energy into the 'Pies over the years that I can not let them go. My first recollections were the loss to North Melbourne in 1977 and I remember crying myself to sleep. Surely my sons will not have to suffer like I have for the next 34 years? I suppose the loses make the wins so much sweeter.
So hopefully it is the Cats that hurt next time...CARN THE PIES
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Time as a Priority
"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar" - Robert Brault
Now that I have started this blog, the most common comment I get is "...that's great, but how do you find the time" or "...you must have a lot of spare time". I think that this is a symptom of the busy lives we know all lead. We are now living longer than ever, so intuitively you would think there is more time in our lives - but the opposite is true, we "don't have any time".
So how does Barack Obama deal with time? I think it must be priorities. We all do the things that are important to us personally, our immediate family and our closest friends. What ever is left over is then the things we "do not have time for". You make time for the important things, or we waste time on things that are really not priorities for us.
Being more mobile that the previous generation, means that we have more choices such that we travel further away from home which in turn takes time. It also makes us tired. Therefore time to do the things that are creative, enjoyable or even really important to us reduces further. Why do we feel good after a few weeks holiday? Because we have experienced the joy of spare time. The skill is how to create this spare time in the other 315 days of the year when we are not on holidays.
So I believe it is not a matter of "...not having the time" but of what you prioritise as important in your life. Sure there are always periods were things that you do not love take up your valuable time, but I think it is important to recognise this and make sure you "make it up" to yourself and the important activities and people in your life.
So when I think about "...oh I don't have time", I think about Barack - Leader of the free world (fairly busy guy) or John Harrison the inventor of the marine chronometer.
Now that I have started this blog, the most common comment I get is "...that's great, but how do you find the time" or "...you must have a lot of spare time". I think that this is a symptom of the busy lives we know all lead. We are now living longer than ever, so intuitively you would think there is more time in our lives - but the opposite is true, we "don't have any time".
So how does Barack Obama deal with time? I think it must be priorities. We all do the things that are important to us personally, our immediate family and our closest friends. What ever is left over is then the things we "do not have time for". You make time for the important things, or we waste time on things that are really not priorities for us.
Being more mobile that the previous generation, means that we have more choices such that we travel further away from home which in turn takes time. It also makes us tired. Therefore time to do the things that are creative, enjoyable or even really important to us reduces further. Why do we feel good after a few weeks holiday? Because we have experienced the joy of spare time. The skill is how to create this spare time in the other 315 days of the year when we are not on holidays.
So I believe it is not a matter of "...not having the time" but of what you prioritise as important in your life. Sure there are always periods were things that you do not love take up your valuable time, but I think it is important to recognise this and make sure you "make it up" to yourself and the important activities and people in your life.
So when I think about "...oh I don't have time", I think about Barack - Leader of the free world (fairly busy guy) or John Harrison the inventor of the marine chronometer.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
The Psychology of Stress
I have been suffering a bit of mental, work related, stress lately. My family, friends and work mates have noticed the difference in my temporament and so have I! At a kids birthday party today, a dear friend of mine told me that he undertook a heart stress test. While being hooked up to the heart monitor and waiting for the Doc to appear, his mobile phone rings. It is a problem client and he notes his heart rate increase by 8 beats per minute. This made me think about the psychology of stress.
I know that I handle stress badly. It effects me physically and mentally. I can feel my heart rate being up a lot of the time, I don't sleep well so drink more coffee and subsequentely my heart rate goes up even more! I am grumpy, self centred and have a siege mentality when it comes to any perceived threats. I am difficult to live with, and can snap over the smallest issue. A month or so ago I broke my big toe because my home printer would not work. For all the negatives, I still think stress is a necessary part of adult life.
Without the hard times, how do you appreciate the good? Is being under pressure and getting through it just a part of your own personal definition of success? How do you measure your own personal development and progress without overcoming challenges in work or life issues? I figure that perspective is really important in times of stress and that consequences of failure need to be tempered.
So objectively I accept stress as a normal part of life knowing that it needs to be managed with an equal amount of stress free time.
I know that I handle stress badly. It effects me physically and mentally. I can feel my heart rate being up a lot of the time, I don't sleep well so drink more coffee and subsequentely my heart rate goes up even more! I am grumpy, self centred and have a siege mentality when it comes to any perceived threats. I am difficult to live with, and can snap over the smallest issue. A month or so ago I broke my big toe because my home printer would not work. For all the negatives, I still think stress is a necessary part of adult life.
Without the hard times, how do you appreciate the good? Is being under pressure and getting through it just a part of your own personal definition of success? How do you measure your own personal development and progress without overcoming challenges in work or life issues? I figure that perspective is really important in times of stress and that consequences of failure need to be tempered.
So objectively I accept stress as a normal part of life knowing that it needs to be managed with an equal amount of stress free time.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Katmondo's Asylum Seeker Policy
"In politics, what begins in fear usually ends in folly" - Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Whatever your opinion is on asylum seekers, there is one truism - the current labour governments policy is a complete disaster. It rates worse than the pink batts, mining tax and stopping beef exports because not only is it blowing billions of dollars (again!) for a dubious cause, it affects real people. Even if you did not agree with the previous liberal governments policy (the Katmondo does not) at least they did what they said and they did it effectively.
So I come home after a long and weary day at work which was all about money today and turn on the TV and hear the Federal Courts decision to stop the governments 'Malaysian Solution'. I immediately think to myself what a complete waste of time, effort and huge amount of money on 5,000 boat people per year. One day the truth will come out and I think we will be ashamed of what happened with respect to the treatment of fellow humans (ie., stolen generation, White Australia policy, Mabo etc). Watch the movie 'rabbit proof fence' and you may see where I am coming from here.
I also thought to myself if the government just had a 'one fuck up policy' this would actually make money for the government. How? Just let them in, set some rules, give them a chance and soon the genuine ones will find work, make money, build communities and pay taxes. The bad ones will fuck up at least once, so you then deport them - simple.
The whole asylum seeker debate is based on fear and a lack of courage on the part of the political leaders (except a few including Petro Georgiou who sacrificed his own career in the liberal party) to actually form a policy that deals with this issue properly and actually take it off the agenda. It is embarrassing that the issue of 5000 scared, helpless, desperate boat people that need help occupies the bulk of the political debate in this country.
The bulk of the population originated from people coming by boat to Austraia in one form or another, most looking for a new start in life so whats the problem? Maybe the Katmondo has missed something.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Like most people I think.
Like most people, I think. Unfortunately the opportunities to stop and think at the same time, are quite rare. Sometimes I have a great thought. I use the word 'great' not in the normal context, but in a creative one since having the opportunity to think, reflect and compose a thought is great. Quality is another issue.
Usually the creation of the thought is achieved while I am alone and have no one to share this thought with. Sometimes, the thought is in the presence of people who sometimes appreciate it. The idea behind this blog is to provide a repository of thoughts such that one day I can stop and reflect on my thoughts and hopefully other peoples contributions. It also stops me from watching mind numbing TV.
So many great thoughts get forgotten. I love that epiphanous moment that you get when an idea has formed into a mini piece of philosophy that you could then test, re cut and analyse for an hour. Unfortunately, the phone rings, a child stubs his toe, a partner needs a hand getting a box down from a high shelf or you are supposed to be listening to someone in a meeting.
While driving home tonight, I was speaking on the hands free with a dear friend of mine when the phone dropped out. I immediately thought "what is the protocol here? Should I ring back since I made the call? Should I wait for him to call me? Bugger it I shall call". Of course we both called at the same time, only to reach each others message services. After we re established contact, I raised this with my friend and we debated it for about 2 minutes and agreed that there needs to be a standardised protocol. Should the caller ring back or the receiver? Its not that simple, there are good arguments either way. He was running late for a meeting, I was arriving home to my 'second shift' so the issue remained hanging.
How many times does this happen to you? I would guess 12 times a year for me (one a month at a guess). If there are 10 million people in Australia with mobile phones, that is 120 million times per year that this may occur. How much money is that? Such an obscure issue but interesting. I confess that this is a semi great thought with dubious quality but I hope you get the drift of where this blog is going.
You may wish to delete this blog from your most interesting list now.
Usually the creation of the thought is achieved while I am alone and have no one to share this thought with. Sometimes, the thought is in the presence of people who sometimes appreciate it. The idea behind this blog is to provide a repository of thoughts such that one day I can stop and reflect on my thoughts and hopefully other peoples contributions. It also stops me from watching mind numbing TV.
So many great thoughts get forgotten. I love that epiphanous moment that you get when an idea has formed into a mini piece of philosophy that you could then test, re cut and analyse for an hour. Unfortunately, the phone rings, a child stubs his toe, a partner needs a hand getting a box down from a high shelf or you are supposed to be listening to someone in a meeting.
While driving home tonight, I was speaking on the hands free with a dear friend of mine when the phone dropped out. I immediately thought "what is the protocol here? Should I ring back since I made the call? Should I wait for him to call me? Bugger it I shall call". Of course we both called at the same time, only to reach each others message services. After we re established contact, I raised this with my friend and we debated it for about 2 minutes and agreed that there needs to be a standardised protocol. Should the caller ring back or the receiver? Its not that simple, there are good arguments either way. He was running late for a meeting, I was arriving home to my 'second shift' so the issue remained hanging.
How many times does this happen to you? I would guess 12 times a year for me (one a month at a guess). If there are 10 million people in Australia with mobile phones, that is 120 million times per year that this may occur. How much money is that? Such an obscure issue but interesting. I confess that this is a semi great thought with dubious quality but I hope you get the drift of where this blog is going.
You may wish to delete this blog from your most interesting list now.
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