5 WAYS

I guess you all are getting sick of my ranting about this intersection, BUT, it still goes on!!!

Altho' there is now a NO U TURN sign, I have observed this rule being broken every day for the past 10 days since I first saw that the sign had finally been erected.
Along with, people not indicating, talking on MOBILE PHONES, charging through as lights turn red.
If cameras were set up on this intersection, whoever it is [Council or Police] would reap a treasure chest.
Just 5 minutes awaiting lights to change as I cross, I see enough driver error to raise a huge amount of revenue.

Another suggestion I have, watching drivers, is that they have to be retested each year to renew their drivers licence!!!

Now a word to Council regarding parking!!!!
On Montpelier Road there are certain areas, marked as designated parking.
BUT!!!!!
It all seems HALF HEARTED.
Where there are no designated parking spots, people park.
On Down Street and Dukinfield Streets there are designated parking spots which are used and then others just park the rest of the street.
Both streets are narrow and people park both sides of the streets making them both basically oneway streets.
Correctly both streets should be fully designated parking down the one side and a yellow [no parking] line on the other side.
Also with the designated parking halfway down the hill on the left, the nearest pay station is either at the bottom or at the top on Cowlishaw Street.
Most of this block is interrupted by driveways for the various businesses.
Yet cars are parked across these driveways. There is in fact only one place for SAFE parking on this block and it should be only a LOADING ZONE as it is right at the top and outside a business.
At the bottom of the hill there are no designated parking areas where there could be.
In reality, most of Montpelier should be a NO PARKING AREA.
When is council to get this right?????

BHP Bilito

Watching the news and the CEO of BHP Biliton, could earn as much as $13,000,000 this coming year.
OBSCENE!
Don't you think?
OK, he may only be with them for a few years, but, with that sort of money he need never work again.
Even if he bombs out [ as many have done in the past] he could still leave with a huge payout in the Millions of Dollars.

You or I making a mistake would lose our jobs and have to fight for any entightlements we should get.
When is the Government going to reign in how much a CEO is paid.
They aught to, as most CEO's earn far more than they do!!!

Whilst on the Government!!!!
Julia can't get her head around GAY MARRIAGE!!!!
Neither could "Little Johnnie Howard".
But!!!!!!
It comes down to a point of EQUALITY.
To NOT recognise GAY MARRIAGE is to bring DISCRIMINATION into the picture.
As DISCRIMINATION is illegal in our society it seems obvious not to LEGALISE GAY MARRIAGE.
SO PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PARLIAMENTARY MEMBER AND SUPPORT THE LEGALISING OF GAY MARRIAGE.

U TURNS

Finally a NO U TURN sign has gone up on the 5 ways intersection.
It is in the direction from Fortitude Valley to Newstead.
I've congratulated Council for finally doing this and asked WHEN, a sign for the other direction will appear.
Now to watch and wait.
They know that they are on notice!
This has been a marvellous day!!!!

The Five Ways

Observances at the [to me] controversial intersection over the past few days.
1] Young man on mobile as he turned just as lights were changing.
2] Driver who sat at crossing until lights turned amber, almost red and decided to take off across the intersection.
3 The 75% of cars not signalling a turn.
Why is it that drivers in a thru and turn lane ASSUME that the car behind knows what they are doing.
4] On Monpellier, the number of cars parked illegally.
5] On sunday, Council working on Monpellier had one lane closed whilst machinery was at work. Signs on footpaths telling people to use opposite footpath only a couple of metres from where work taking place, putting pedestrians in danger as they have to cross where cars were passing. Signs should have been at top and bottom of street.
In reallity the road should have been a one-way street whilst work was in progress.
Further along both Ann and Wickham Streets, Council are setting up their Bike Hire sites.
Problem is, that helmets are not provided with the bike.
You have to be a subscriber to use the system.
You can't be a casual user and use a credit card etc to hire the bike. Early on I emailed council regarding the fact about helmets, they assured me that this was being worked on. Well apparently it hasn't and isn't.

It is amazing how in Brisbane and for the benefit of the SE Queensland, the people in power can really STUFF UP!!!
Take Rachel Nolan [transport minister] for instance. She proposed the recinding of paper tickets for the very faulty GO CARD.
Now she has had to back down on the recinding of the paper tickets as the realisation of temporary GO CARDS is not possible. I have been emailing her since the first announcement, that this was not a good idea and that she should be looking at the London System. This system allows both Card and paper [board] tickets. These tickets are the same size as all other tickets used in England regardless of which company opperates the line.
I see this as a win, both for me and Fiona Simpson who has been against the system from day one.
Now we need to get the disparity in ticket prices changed.
You the reader [if you ARE out there] can change things by contacting your local member or Fiona Simpson at here Maroochydore Officer [email address is available on the QLD Government web site.OR use this link
http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/

The most obvious thing at the moment is to get Council and Government doing the RIGHT thing or else we DUMP them.
Myself, I've thought of running for Council as there is so much I see needs fixing!

POLITICS

Politics is the prime subject at the moment.
We have a HUNG Parliament and four independents who could split down the middle or go to the wrong party.
Here in Queensland, we have two lines of thinking of WHY!!!!
A] the ousting of Kevin [which personally I think was a good thing, even though I voted for his party at that election.]
B] Anna Bligh!!!! and this has to do with the factor of privatisation [which is not needed]

The main claim I think lies with point B.
Oh! Yes there was some flack over Kev 07. But was there really that much of a backlash?
Afterall, the Libs changed leaders three times and noone seemed outraged.

Now! If you remember your Australian history and also the hype when Anna won the election. You will recall that she is a direct descendant of Govenor Bligh. Him of the BOUNTY and hiding under the bed when the troops were after him in Sydney.
Personally, I see the resemblance. Watching her in Parliament on the news,
doesn't instil confidence in her.
She has made up her mind and as far as she and her offsider [treasurer] are concerned, that is it.
I urge everyone to vote against her at the next election, but, I wouldn't be voting for the LNP as they are so disunited it is rather hilarious.
OH! Well. It looks like we need to run for parliament ourselves.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Go Card

Today I went to to a briefing on GO CARD. It was for Seniors.
I've been against this total conversion to the GO CARD sinse it was announced last year.
You and I were not consulted on this at all.
The press from Ms Rachel Nolan has been [to my mind] negative.
Add to this the factor that she has not stuck to the same story in any one interview makes her not caring one way or the other.

Now, most of what I heard today was positive. Go Card is a good idea. BUT! there is no real benefit to the user, other than the factor that they get a cheaper fare than a paper ticket holder.
When I mentioned the factor of the discrimination here, I was told that it was an emotive response.
Having checked with the ACCC about this early on, I found that although there is discrimination here, the factor remained that the Minister[Ms Nolan & Translink] had not lodged their proposal with the ACCC before going ahead with the price increase. Therefore, because the proper papers had not been submitted, there was not a thing they could do.

The only way you can receive a discount on GO CARD is after doing 10 trips.
Originally Ms Nolan was wanting people to move their travel habits to OFF PEAK time zones. Fine if you are not working. Otherwise, you go to work, you go home. 10 Journeys. Now unless everyone in the family has a GO GARD, you are not traveling by public transport. Because it is only after 10 journeys that you start to get a discount.
Now, what they haven't taken into account with other systems using a Plastic Card, is, the factor work on the basis of that card user only paying OFF PEAK Fare for any trip regardless of time of day.
Also, the factor that paper tickets are still available to users in those places with a Plastic Card system. For example, LONDON with the OYSTER CARD and PAPER TICKETS.
The other problem for me today was the factor that I [being only 61] was found to be not OLD ENOUGH.
Well, The event was for Senior Card holders. As I told them, the card was totally useless to me, unless I want free coffee at McDonalds [with purchase] and the occassional place that accepts Seniors Cards, and, there are very few in the vicinity and most for things I don't need.
So there you have it.
After 1st January, no more paper tickets. Until then the OFF PEAK daily [used throughout the set times] is your best choice. I have it down to one day a week where I can do all the travel I need to, within the time frame,and, that includes multi trips.

PARKING

I don't drive. But! I know enough to know, where you can and cannot park.
My observances over the past week, lead me to beleive that the general public, "Just don't care".
Firstly, there was the car parked outside the Homemakers Centre ON A YELLOW LINE.
That in anyones book is a No No!!!
Then there were the cars parked partially or fully across driveways.
The cars parked on the footpath.
Photographs have been taken and are being forwarded to Council.
Number Plates are visible in ALL cases.
I would suggest that Brisbane drivers learn their road rules.

Council Down Time

Council Down Time!
Did you realise, that it takes 13 working days for council to get back to you on a question you pose?
It takes 2 if you don't give them your name!
Obviously they don't like anonymity!!!!!!

Tuesday 17th August.
Would you believe it!
I've had no reply to my question to council of the 3rd.
Now when I complained about the noisy dog a few years back [the event that they couldn't fit in between their tea breaks] I received an answer/reply sooner.
This time I questioned them on Main Road Parking.Still no response.
I'll keep you informed!!!

Neighbours

Neighbours!!
Who needs them?

Do you live in a block of units?
If so, you have probably come across "The Director". Yes he/she is the one who thinks that they control what goes on at your units.
They're the one who DO, but complain if someone else does.
They're the one who get in a knot when some else does.

We have one in the units who, If you DO, you are damned and if you DON'T you are damned.

I recently had a run in with him.
His problem is a Martyr Complex.
Everyone is against him. Everyone wants to take his tasks away from him.
Everyone has some reason to be haunting/stalking him.
For twenty years we have put up with this and his abuse of various tennants as his insane desires have progressed.
Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done.
You see, we live in a set of units owned by the Department of Housing.
We can't remove him, they won't remove him.
In the meantime, we have to put up with him abusing the other tennants at whim.
The recent impact was that some signage was replaced by myself for some that had been torn down by him some weeks ago.
It seems that I hadn't asked his permission, or, he saw it as someone else directing where he thought he should have been.
The funny thing was, that when I reported it to the Department of Housing, they had no problem with what I had done.
Now most units dwellers would have to go to their body corporate and get a NO for the answer.
I know because a friend tried it.
But back to my situation.
How do you get people like this removed?
In another instance the Department moved one of two troublemakers.
Unfortunately, she was moved into our block of units.
So what have we had to put up with since she arrived.
Well, first she set up her waiting room. Apparently she had been in the Medical profession [a lie].
Then she started on the recycle bins. Ostensibly to tidy. REALITY! Looking for anything to steal Identity. I caught her out. I also followed the paper trail, as she had taken my SHREDDED paper from the bins and there was a trail to her door of the bits she lost.
She also collects cigarette butts off the street. Now she has been warned about the fact of various diseases possible. No effect.
She has her son living with her, but no permission.
He is Schytsophrenic and doesn't take his medication. We've had the police a number of times.
She also volunteers for Lifeline. I wonder how much they lose?
Between the two of them [Director & problem woman] we have a major problem.
Nought can or will be done. Meanwhile we have two manic depressives, a former drug addict who is on the way out, a Scitsophrenic, a slightly impared [6 toes 4 fingers], a 45 year old virgin who doesn't know the meaning of mastubation, a socially impaired, One who thinks he is GODS gift[ until you get a whiff of him], A sex change who doesn't look good in a dressing gown, and, a woman who thinks she is a Jehovas witness but dresses like a muslim woman and sells grass!
Most should either be in asylum or sheltered care.
So much for the government resources. The community has to put up with the rejects of society that the government don't want to deal with.
Of the 16 units occupied here, 8 of the people need more than the pension to help them. Most including the "director" need some sort of Pshycologicsl or Pshychiatric help.
But we have to live with them and try to get on with our lives.
But why should we??????

What is Racist??

Again My old school friend has sent me a doozy!!!!!!!!


Proud to be White
Michael Richards makes his point……………..
Michael Richards, better known as Kramer from TVs Seinfeld does make a good point.
This was his defense speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act. He makes some very interesting points…

There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans. You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction. You call me ‘White boy,’ ‘Cracker,’ ‘Honkey,’ ‘Whitey,’ ‘Caveman’… and that’s OK..
But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head, Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink …. You call me a racist.
You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you… so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King Day.
You have Black History Month. You have Cesar Chavez Day.
You have Yom Hashoah. You have Ma’uled Al-Nabi.
You have the NAACP. You have BET…. If we had WET (White Entertainment Television), we’d be racists. If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month, we’d be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to ‘advance’ OUR lives, we’d be racists.
We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that??
A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.
If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships… You know we’d be racists.
There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US .. Yet if there were ‘White colleges’, that would be a racist college.
In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.
You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you’re not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.
You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.
I am proud…. But you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists??


There is nothing improper about this e-mail.. Let’s see which of you are proud enough to send it on. I sadly don’t think many will. That’s why we have LOST most of OUR RIGHTS in this country. We won’t stand up for ourselves!
BE PROUD TO BE WHITE!
It’s not a crime YET… but

***************************************************************** You Know He Is Correct!
Let's face it, here in Australia you are a racist if you criticise anyone regardless of where they come from. Even if Australian born, regardless of white caucasion or other.
People who have moved here from other parts of the world seem to be the first to cry "RACISM", regardless.
I have experienced the side effects of this over the years. Companies have cancelled entrance exams because one part of the community cried "Racism" if they didn't pass the exam.

Today try saying anything against any part of the community will raise the Racism card. This was especially prominant after 9/11.
Regardless of race or religion, we really have no rights of speech today.
To open your mouth today will have some section of the community jumping down your neck.
If you look at the above e-mail, you could also see that it applies to Men/women.
Since the womens movement got off the ground in the 70's, how many men only member clubs have survived???
Not too many.
Here in Brisbane, the Tattersalls is the only male only club to survive, and, that took a trip to court.
Now, if you go back in time, the Male Only Club was the retreat that a man had from his family. But, no more.

Political correctness has ruined the life we lead. Concequently, we have more family break-up, more frustrated males & females because there is no longer that retreat.

We need to get wise. There were many reasons why things were the way they were and why things that are so today need to be changed and possibly go back to the way things were before.
Think About It!!
Kramer could be Right!

Received this from a friend.
Unfortunately the photos can't be uploaded at this time. [see gmail blogging instructions]



Please Remember.......the Australian barcode prefix is 93

PLEASE NOTE - if you love Australia and the thought of keeping jobs here (instead of building other nations like China), plus you like to eat healthy foods and buy quality products then please read on. Please also note the Australian barcode prefix is 93.




DANGEROUS IMPORTED FOODS


The whole world is scared of China making 'black hearted goods'. Can you differentiate which one is made in the USA , Philippines , Taiwan or China ? For your Information ... the first 3 digits of the barcode is the country code wherein the product was made. Sample: all barcodes that start with 690.691.692 until 695 are all MADE IN CHINA.




471 is Made in Taiwan.

This is our human right to know, but the government and related department never educate the public, therefore we have to RESCUE ourselves. Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products 'made in china', so they don't show from which country it is made.
However, you may now refer to the barcode, remember if the first 3 digits is 690 to 695, then it is Made in China.



00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA
30 ~ 37 FRANCE
40 ~ 44 GERMANY
49 ~ JAPAN
50 ~ UK
57 ~ Denmark
64 ~ Finland
76 ~ Switzerland and Lienchtenstein
628 ~ Saudi-Arabian
629 ~ United Arab Emirates
740 ~ 745 - Central America
All 480 Codes are Made in the Philippines.



DO NOT BUY FOOD PROCESSED IN CHINA, HONG KONG , VIETNAM AND THAILAND !!! there are no food inspection regulations!!!


Have a taste for chicken tenders? READ THIS

WATCH WHAT YOU BUY. ESPECIALLY HIGHLINER FISH PRODUCTS; all come from China , even though the box says ' product of Canada ', it is from China and 'processed' in Canada , that is, the coating is added and packaged in Canada only! The fish are raised in pens using chemicals that are banned in Canada as cancer causing but legal in China. This was exposed on CBC TV's Marketplace.

This one will make you think before buying anything from China .

Well, are you enjoying seeing Chinese food popping up in your supermarket left and right? Have you noticed you can't buy a single package of fish that isn't made in China (or Vietnam )? Do you think your food from China is processed in a sanitary manner, and thus safe to eat? Take a look at this!!
.

THINK ABOUT IT. These undercover enclosed pictures speak a thousand words.
Avoid buying all processed food packaged in China Anything goes! We just don't know what else is in those packages. Unlike in the U.S. And CANADA , China does not have laws regulating food processing.

Basically, do not buy any processed food from China , also Hong Kong , too. MANY companies are using a Hong Kong address to avoid this type of image reputation.

Early dawn, starts the day by riding around to collect dead chickens.

Asking around for dead chickens.

Total of 5 riders are hired by the boss to ride to farms to buy dead chickens.

A dead chicken cost 1 RMB and would be sold at 9 RMB after processing.

Storage for the dead chickens in the court yard.

Carcasses are thrown everywhere.


And on the floor....
Four employees start de-feathering the dead fowl after soaking in boiling water from a rusty wok.

Enduring the pungent odor, but sometime, it get so terrible that even the most experienced of the workers would puke.


Workers rushing to get the chickens de-feathered.

A discarded bath tub being used to soak the bare skin dead chickens....
The contaminated water would have accelerated the decomposition process.




Wearing slippers walking among the chickens before the coloring processing.


After the color dye, its creepy to find that they are quite tenderized.


And now presenting the mouth watering Charcoal Roasted Chicken!

Send to as many people as possible. Do NOT buy food originating in China (or Vietnam or Thailand)! Take the time to read the labels and look for country of origin! STOP BUYING ANYTHING FROM CHINA . PERIOD ~ Your Health is at Stake!
REMEMBER THE AUSTRALIAN BARCODE PREFIX??
IT IS 93

**************************************

All or most of these things can be produced in your own kitchen, at probably a lot less than you are paying for the packaged product.
I only buy locally produced "FRESH' product.
If I want chicken nuggets, I produce it the old fashioned way in my kitchen. .If you have ever watched "River Cottage" on ABC TV, then you will have seen Hugh preparing the organic version of the package deal.
Use the internet to find the recipe for these types of products, you will find that they are far more healthier than something that has travelled possibly the full length of the equator in its production.


While being responsible for what we eat!
Bottled Water!

Stop buying bottled water that comes from outside Australia.
The carbon imprint is more than enough to outrage most people.
Also, even with local bottled water it has been published that more than 70% comes from the tap. Plus you still have your carbon imprint & othe stuff like Co2 for bottle production. Plus the factor that most bottles don't make it to the recycle bin.
If you are a regular water drinker like I am, then fill a jug and put a loose cover over it. Remember the old milk jug covers? Use one of them if available.
In just 24 hours, all the additives have evaporated and leaves you with pure water. I had been doing this for nearly 20 years before I saw it presented on a home type show some years ago.
For those who have to do this the expensive way, you can always use a water filter jug. I have one of them too, but, find the water still doesn't taste as good. I've tried a number of filters over the years and find the 24 hour process the best.

This has been a Week where much has Pissed me Off!

Let's start with Brisbane City Council.

I e-mailed them re the atrocity at the corner of Langland & Ann Streets.
They came back wanting more information. "About Me".
I"d given them all the information they really needed to look into the problem.
Now if they don't want to fix the problem because it is put to them in a semi anonymous form, then, I'm sorry, they're in the wrong business.
Just the factor that it was raised and they had my e-mail address, should have been enough information for them. Afterall, they came back to me for more information.
It's not the first time that I have e-mailed them and it won't be the last.
Surprisingly enough even with full details of who I am and what the problem is, only thing has been fixed by them.
All else is too much to fit in between tea breaks. And. I do mean "Tea Breaks". Even the local member [who by the way is now on the opposition in State Parliament, having used council as a stepping stone on his way]did nnothing, even though that particular problem had been with council for over three [3] years and not just at my complaint.

#2 this week has to be the worst I've seen at the five ways crossing I mentioned earlier in the blog site.
The atrocities this week have amazed me.
1] Saturday night; the car running the RED light as it crossed the intersection as right of way went to alternate left right turn. They only just made it.

2] The woman looking and talking at her child and not noticing the lights were against her and nearly running me down in the pedestrian crossing.

3] The number of people who do dangerous turns as the lights have gone against them.
Like the car speeding through the lights out of Montpelier and turning into Ann Street.
He was in the innermost lane on Montpelier and heading for the outer lane On Ann Street.
He was almost collected by cars in the outer and next lane on Ann Street.

4]Why is a U-Turn allowed at this intersection.
Is it to cater to stupid drivers?
In both directions there is the opportunity to turn off either Ann or Wickham Streets prior to this intersection, but usually there are up to five [5] cars travelling either direction who make a U-Turn here. Holding up through traffic and causing near misses by impatient drivers wanting to speed off.
I suggest Council remove the U-Turn from this intersection.

#3. People coming to your door to sell you something you don't want and don't need and is of no help to you.
Like the people who try to get you to go over to their company for telecommunications, electricity, etc:
Well one of them came to my door this afternoon ans would not take no for an answer.
He was from AGL.
I told him we don't have gas here,I'm happy with my electricity supplyer so "Go Away" I don't want you at my door.
He called me on politeness.
I told him I am being polite and I am being as polite as I want to be at this moment, so please go away.
He took offence at this and would not leave, so I closed the door on him and he eventually went and bothered the people in the next unit.
Now I'm not being racist, but why is it that most who call at your door to sell something or answer a call centre line [it's so hard to get through to someone in Australia today] is of Indian origins.
Many services are doing without my business because I can't understand a word their opperators are saying. And, I'm not the only one to complain about this.

Wake up Australia and STOP OUTSOURCING oversease. It worked for Abbey Bank in England when they went that way, their customers complained enough that in less than six months their call centres were back in England.
Do what I do. Ask for someone who can speak the Queens English and if you don't get that satisfaction, then contact the company by other means or BOYCOTT them completely.
After all, we do have unemployment in Austalia and surely they could use some of these people in call centres.

Received this from an old school friend today!
Please read carefully.

FW: House Fires - please read
----- Original Message -----
Subject: House Fires - please read

Insurance is a wonderful thing when it works but read the cause of
this fire - you may be surprised
Please pass this one along to your family and friends.

Received from a friend who is in the insurance property business. It
is well worth reading.

This is one of those e-mails that if you don't send it, rest assured
someone on your list will suffer for not reading it. The original
message was written by a lady whose brother and wife learned a hard
lesson this past week.

Their house burnt down.. Nothing left but ashes. They have good
insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents. That
is the good news.


However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The
insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He
had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her
sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom. She listed the
normal things...curling iron, blow dryer. He kept saying to her, 'No,
this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures'.
Then her sister-in-lawremembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the
bathroom.

The investigator had one of those 'Aha' moments. He said that was the
cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with
the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the
plastic they are made from is THIN. He also said that in every case
there was nothing left to prove that it even existed. When the
investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the
plug-in were still in there.


Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light
built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and
then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours
later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said
that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather
than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back
on. That is a warning sign


The investigator said he personally wouldn't have any type of plug in
fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places
that have been burned down due to them.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.

NOT ONLY COULD IT SAVE SOMEONE'S HOUSE, BUT IT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE

************************************************
I never use these things myself as I've always felt suspect of them.
If you want to have the place smell nice, do it naturally.
Suggestions: Pot Pouri, Pot of sweet/savoury smelling herbs, incense [burned on a saucer].
You can make your own air fresheners with dried herbs and flowers.
Try it. Nothing like the fresh smell of Pine Cones.
You can make smokers [as the native americans did] from a combination of dried herbs and other leaves. Sage is a really good one and good to keep moths at bay!
Give all those manufacturers the flick and do it naturally, after all they're making too much money anyway.

Council Destruction

Council Destruction.

Have you noticed that as soon as a new road is laid, a new footpth is finished, the council suddenlyn has to dig it up!

Well, just down the hill from where I live, the council are at it again.
Not only is the road closed. Oh Yeah, they dug a trench across it too, and, it is closed to traffic on one side.
They have dug up the footpath too!
Now this is a common occurrance and we're all used to that.
But!
In this case, when the building on this particular corner was built, they also refurbished the footpath.
Very nicely too.
So what did the workmen do?
Well instead of lifting the tiled parts of the footpath. They just cut through them.
I thought I'd wait to see if they put the pieces back in place. But, NO!
All the detritus was taken away and the recovered trench topped with bitumen.
Not a good look through the middle of cream tiling.

Now council are usually appreciative of someone refurbishing their footpath at no cost to the council.
So, why then not take the care with what they got for nothing??
It just amazes me how stupid beaurocrats can be.
I hope Council have a reasonable answer to this.

UNDERPAYING

Have you heard of someone being underpaid?
I've heard of a particular business nearby who pays their staff at least 1/3 the recommended wage.
These workers are so anxious for work, that they accept the terms of employment.
The other side of this, is that they are paid in cash so that now bookwork is involved.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are doing the honest [well I hope you the reader are] thing and having our earnings declared to the taxation department.
This post was bought on by the factor that contractors from a southern state are setting themselves up here in Queensland and Underpaying their staff and subcontractors.
If you are doing it the honest way, then get onto your local member and complain. Do this to both your State and Federal Member and if you get a reply from both then see if they match. If they don't then don't vote for that candidate at their next election.
If you know of a business who is paying their staff "Cash in Hand' or Underpaying their staff. Report them to the relevant authority.
If you are doing it honestly, then you are paying your proper taxes and these people are rorting you!

NEWS JUST IN!

NEWS JUST IN!

I've just received this from GET UP.

If you agree with it, please phone the number at the bottom and let Penny Wong know!

"Federal cabinet has agreed to a climate-change policy based on a series of measures -- including a commitment to set an interim carbon price...to reduce carbon emissions over the next two years." - Australian Financial Review, 15 July 2010


Julia Gillard has called an election before announcing her climate policy, but the Australian Financial Review (AFR) is reporting an extraordinary outcome from last week's Cabinet meeting: a commitment to set an interim carbon price and reduce carbon emissions over the next two years.

That would be a historic victory, if it were true. Although 'ministerial sources' are quoted, this hasn't been confirmed or announced. This report has all the hallmarks of a trial balloon--a leak politicians use to gauge the public reaction before committing to a position.
So as Cabinet meets again today, let's give them a very big reaction--of overwhelming support. They say you catch more flies with honey, so let's pour it on! Can you call Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change and a key member of Cabinet, and express your support for a climate plan that includes charging big polluters for their carbon pollution?

The number is (02) 6277-7920

***************************************************************************

I called this number and got an underling. She has not seen Penny today!
Her comments were that the story was probably untrue as it was in the press.
That Ms Gillard would be making a future statement on CLIMATE CHANGE.
On being asked why the announcement was not made prior to the press release, she had no reply.

To find out more about GET UP use the link below.
In the past few years since GET UP got going, it is amazing what it has acheived.
AND.
It is all by people power.
The best way to get things done.
http://www.getup.org.au/.

I've Had a Reply!

I'VE HAD A REPLY!

For the first time in e-mailing an MP or Party, I've had a reply and it actually gives me the information I needed to know!
                                        **************************************************

Thank you for your email.


The former Coalition Government changed the electoral laws so that after 8pm this Monday, 19 July, people will no longer be able to enrol to vote.
If you are already enrolled you will be able to amend your details until the rolls close at 8pm on Thursday 22 July.
Previously there was a 7 day period which allowed people to enrol to vote after the writs were issued. This period was removed by the former Liberal Government.
A bill to restore the 7 day close of roles period has been held up in the Senate by the Liberal-National Coalition.
These actions make it clear that the Coalition does not support the right of Australians to make their voice heard through the ballot box. If elected, the Gillard Labor Government will repeal these unfair electoral laws returning fairness and transparency to the political process by restoring the seven day close of rolls period.
The Gillard Labor Government is committed to moving forward with Australia’s electoral reform. We have made progress by reducing red tape in electoral enrolments and removing hurdles that prevent people from having their say.
Kind Regards,
ALP Information Services.

My thanks to the above for coming forth with this information.
Unfortunately, there are still going to be thousands missing out on this election and their right to vote.

Now if only we could get rid of "The Coalition" so that ALL Parties { Labor, Liberal, National, Greens}could run on their own merit rather than personalities, then we might have REAL POLITICS in Australia.

RECYCLING

It took years to convince our councils to go with recycling.
Now!
We are told that we do it the best in the country.
The thing is!
We don't see just how much ends up as landfill!
You see, not everyone follows the rules.
Take the units where I live as an example.
They have received the booklet in their mailboxes a number of times telling them what can and cannot be recycled.
Do they take notice?
Only partially!!!!
Instead of cleaning glass jars of food remains they just put them in the bins as is.
Recyclables are deposited in plastic bags, no telling them changes their thinking.
This means that when it arrives at the depot it is immediately catagorised for landfill.
Of late their rubbish and recyclables have been deposited in the same bag in the recycle bins.
We had one tennant who used to go through all the bins, sorting. Or so she said, until I addressed her on it one day and another tennant commented on the factor that people were aware of identity theft and this put the person in a bad light. They haven't sorted through the bins since. Suspicion still surrounds that person as shredded document parts were found scattered from the bins to their door.
Have you had the same problems where you live.
A friend of mine lives in a block of units and finds that the recycle bins and rubbish bins both, have rubbish in them. He has spoken with the other tennants and they just don't care!
His solution was to put a recycle bin into his lock-up garage. At least he knows that his recyclables are clean.
When will people wake up to themselves and do the right thing I wonder?
To find out more about recycling and waste disposal, follow the link below.
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_1268

Irresponsible Drivers

There is a very interesting intersection at the bottom of the hill from where I live.
It has always been a bit of a problem.
Once, coming from the side street, one had to cross 8 lanes of traffic to get to the outside lane on the other side. There were no lights there at the time.
Now!
There are lights and their signals go through, Straight Through, Alternate Left turn. Alternate Right [on either a u-turn is allowed], rigtht to left/left to right Straight Through.
There is also from one direction, a left turn with caution.
Well, for starters, the left turn with caution is already a problem and the renewed intersection is only months old.
Lights need to control the left turn as the Straight through left/right is already proving dangerous to drivers.

Another problem at this intersection, is the factor of not signalling the left turn prior to arriving at the turn.
Many cars are going straight ahead and are using the WRONG lane.
Counting one night, 7 out of 12 cars did not give any form of indication in any of the various direction combinations.

Wake up Queensland drivers, you are a danger to yourselves.

Aussie Election

Today, Julia Gillard called an election for 21st August 2010.
Unfortunately she has put the cut off for enrolling on the electoral roll at 8:00pm, monday 21st August 2010.
Taking a leaf out of John Howards book.
If she hopes for a victory, she could have given a few more days for registering on the electoral roll.
Possibly, I thought that she was above John Howard in her actions?

At the same time!
Tony Abbot goes to the election with an illegality hanging over the election.

We go to the polls on the 21st August, on a two party preferred ballot.
There are actually four [4] parties involved!
Liberal, Nationals [Formerly COUNTRY PARTY], Labor, Greens.
Two of these run on the ballot as a coalition.
Now in every other part of the world [except Australia], a coalition is formed after an election by the joining of two parties with enough points and similar interest to form a then, majority.

So! how did the Austalian version happen?
Well! Way back in the 1940's when Robert Menzies had his eye on the top seat and the big house.
He formed [prior to the election] a COALITION of the LIBERAL and the COUNTRY PARTIES because he knew that neither party could make it on its own merit.
It's much the same today!
But we don't get the choice.
Two parties poll as one and combine their vote.

If, as I do, you find in your own mind that this is as illegal as I find. Then get onto your local member and DO SOMETHING to stop this.

Now don't just take my word for this. Google Austalian Coalition like I did and you will find the LIBERAL PARTY site giving these same details.

Politics in Australia is a farse!!!!!