Monday, August 31, 2009

Yeah - top gear is back

A simple message tonight - Top Gear is back on the tele tonight in Australia. The first episode of series thirteen - my god can you believe that, a simple show about a couple of blokes and cars and its made it to series 13. That is amazing.

But it is, after a great show.

Why, because its not only about cars, but because its about guys and cars and guys having a good time in cars. And thats its real secret, they dont just make you want the cars, they make you want to be with them with these great cars and thats why you watch the show.

Yes Jeremy is a git, Hammond can be a pain and May - well I reakon he's great - but he can also be a snob. But its doesnt matter, they would still be the cool kids that you wanted to hang with even if they were gits, chavs and snobs.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

What is it about the S word (socialism) and how the US is screwing up its health care

What is it about the word socialism that upsets America so much that it can be used to poison even the sweetest well? I can understand peoples reaction if socialism were to be considered as a 'whole of government' idea - I'm not advocating the imposition of state run McDonalds managed according to the governments 5 year plan or anything. But rather why cant Americans accept the idea of "hey, maybe, with in the context of a generally consumerist economy some elements such as health and education might work better with government involvement" with the word "socialism" acting as a virtual veto on sane discussion.

This article - five myths about health care around the world - is excellent and should be required reading for all US legislators.

For what its worth, coming from Australia, having traveled a lot of the rest of the world and having lived in the US for a little while. And having read a lot of the literature on the topic four things are absolutely clear.

1. The US health system, for those who can access it, is very good.

2. Access to the US health system by US citizens is worse than just about all similar nations.

3. A number of countries however achieve far better health outcomes than the US.

4. All similar nations run their health system for far far less than the US runs theirs.

One could ask the question why do I care? After all, as an Australian this doesn't effect me. Actually it does. You see the health system is a very bad place to spend money. It sucks up capital, concentrates it into a very very small pool and distributes very little of that money make into the general economy. Therefore, every dollar you put into health, rather than say buying food, or building a school, or just about anything slows the economy. Right now, anything that slows the US economy is my problem. So you see, we in Australia, and Britain, and Canada etc have a right to care and have a right to speak out we see Americans avoiding the smart thing out of some primal urge to avoid the "S" word.

Twitter - kids hate it, therefore its cool

As I've grown up its slowly dawned on me that the lamest people on the planet are young people and that its virtually impossible to be cool under the age of 30. Why, because to be cool you have to be interesting and to be interesting you have to:

a) know stuff

b) have the experience to understand what you know

c) know you dont know everything.

So with that in mind when I read that twitter has become a tool for older people I begin to think its something I might be interested in.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The return of adverserial politicals or simply the empowerment of both sides

Michael Stutchbury writes in todays Australian that the new industrial relations laws of the current ALP government have ushered in the return of adversarial politics where workers and employers are pitted against each other.

I would tend to disagree.

Workers and employers are always pitted against each other. Every dollar that the boss pays a worker is one less dollar profit and one less in his own. Yes, yes, I hear all those people out there saying that it isnt a zero sum game and that good bosses will treat staff well to maximise growth and benefits for all. That is true - in part. While good bosses will treat their personnel well, they will only treat them as well as they have too, only as well as they are forced to.

So as important as mutual understanding and shared benefits may be, as real as the notion of long term growth is, that harsh truth is that each and every payday there is only so much money in the kitty and who gets what is decided by who has what power.

As someone who has never been able to join a union and always had to rely on the goodwill of his employer let me tell you that alone you have no power and your employer has it all. That the old union adage that together we bargain, alone we beg is true. And that while company profits are certainly maximised by stripping workers of all power to truly negotiate, giving workers some power through the ability to bargain collectively is the only path to a just workplace.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The release of the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi - my view

Frankly I'm ok with the release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi and dont really care what the Libyans do about his return.

The reason we have to win against terrorists isn't because we are Christian and they (usually) arent. Its not because we are white and they (usually) arent. It isnt because its us or them and anything is justified in self defence. In fact its really very simple - we have to win because our way is better, our way is good.

Our way, that of the liberal democratic west, believes in the rule of law, believes in mercy, believes in the individual and their right to be treated as an individual. These are all things our enemies either don't understand or if they do "get" them, cant abide. That's how these people are able to blow up a plane full on innocent people.

But we do 'get' these things. And, in theory, not only do we abide them, we celebrate them, we glory in them. And the recent decision by the Scots to release one of the worst criminals in the history of humanity in accordance with their laws and in the name of compassion is a clarion call to all of those who wonder if the war on terror is worth it.

It is and this is why.

That we can offer some compassion to someone who doesnt deserve it, that we can follow our laws even when its unpalatable, that we can consider this man as a man not as a political pawn to be used solely as a message is a testament to us. Its a celebration of how we can be great.

Its something I welcome with open arms.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Malcolm Turnbull as an ALP minister?

Actually I can see this. Lets face it, Turnbull certainly isnt that far, ideologically, from the NSW Right of the ALP and probably has more in common with the intelligentsia of the ALP Left than the National Party so its really no surprise that he'd consider the ALP or that the party would consider him.

I am glad, however, the relationship didnt flower.

Turnbull has some political views but I think the only one that he'd really live and die by is that whatever is good for Malcolm is good for his party and the nation as a whole. Hey, I have no problem with a politician compromising his beliefs to win the odd election, after all being a principled, but irrelevant, opposition might be virtuous but its hardly useful. But I think its still important to have those beliefs and to know when you are giving up on them. With Malcolm I sense that compromise is all to easy and I wonder what he really, truly stands for. In opposition this is annoying, in government this could be a real concern.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Graham Polak to play for Richmond again - thats a great story

About a year ago a Richmond player, Graham Polak, was hit by a tram while attempting to cross the road. He suffered very extensive head injuries and for some time was expected to die. When it became plain that he was likely to survive it was still considered virtually certain that he would never play AFL again. While Richmond kept him on the list it was generally considered this was really little more than a gesture.

And yet, this evening Graham Polak is expected to run out to represent Richmond again at the highest level in a match against Hawthorn.

I dont know about others, but for me this represents everything I love about AFL. The courage to play, the dedication of clubs to their players, the passion of the supporters. So have a great game tonight Graham, play it hard, show us you can still do it and get ready to be part of a new Tigers outfit in 2010.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Things Australia could learn from the USA - Left hand turns at red lights

So a new theme I will develop and return to every now and again. The theme is simple, having lived in the US for a couple of years I discovered a huge range of things we can learn from them, some good ideas we should adopt and a few bad ideas we should avoid.

In the main I loved living in the US so I'll try and keep this theme positive and focus on the good ideas.

So good idea number one that we can learn from? In the US its legal to turn right (remembering they drive on the wrong side of the road - ie the right) at a red light after stopping. This is a wonderful rule. Traffic moves a lot faster, tensions are reduced, its far safer for other drivers and pedestrians and it has no downsides. After having spent two years with this rule, to not have this ability makes absolutely no sense at all.

Make me king of Australia and we'll have the ability to do a left turn at all red lights tomorrow.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Rudd, China and the importance of poise

Greg Sheridan, has a good little opinion piece on the recent handling of the Australia-China relationship by the Rudd government.

I agree with his basic thrust. That the current Australian government has been wise in playing a straight bat to China, not getting over-wrought, not stamping our feet and holding our breathe, but rather quietly pointing out our concerns with issues such as the Stern Hu arrest, steadfastly sticking to our guns over the issue of a visa to Rebiya Kadeer, and working to secure a huge natural gas sale.

China has an alien political culture to us. And, casting all relativism aside, a vastly inferior one. There is no other way to characterize that countries authoritarian government, opaque legal system, endemic corruption and massive poverty. Australia and China will often disagree. I think the wise course is the one we have taken. Call it principled pragmatism. Basically we simply acknowledge our differences, deal with them best we can while being true to our values, always be on guard and dont trust to much but find a way to do business.

Perhaps one thing we need to always remember - China needs us, perhaps as much as we need them. We need to hold our nerve, not let the bully sense fear and above all retain our poise.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Album Review - The Frames: The Cost

Look, I'm a guy that generally takes the world and my life in it pretty seriously, so while I love a nice fun little pop song as much as the next guy, the stuff that really grabs me is music that goes a bit beyond that and moves me. While they miss occasionally, The Frames hit the mark more often than not.

With "The Cost" The Frames are well and truly on form, giving us a tender and yet still intense, examination of what its like to try and get by living and loving in a world where things dont always finish with a happy ending. I like these guys though because they dont chuck in the towel. I walk away thinking that yes life is tough, yeah we can get dealt a crummy hand and it can suck, but we go on. We embrace life with all its ambiguity and frustration and pain and still look to live and love and go through it all again.

So for those into a little intense Irish folklike (for what of a better description) music, who want to really probe around our hurts and yet feel better for it. I really recommend The Frames album "The Cost"

Clubs NSW TV AD - a followup

Well, there's a first time for everything and today was the first time I got an "official" response to one of my blog posts - which is pretty cool (man does that make be sad or what?!?).

Anyway, a rep from Clubs NSW has sent me an extremely polite email pointing out my error and that there are in fact a number of references to people of other than an anglo-celtic background in their piece. Specifically,

  • At the 20 second mark of the advertisement, there is a family dining together and enjoying a club meal who are of Asian background.
  • At the 46 second mark, there is signage on a golf course that includes the words “Con’s Green”, “Raj’s Fairway” and “Raul’s Rough”
  • At the 55 second mark, the names “Bella” and “Fatima” are shown in neon writing."
Ok, I've gone back, had a look and sure enough its all there. But if we look at the ad not so much as a text to be studied but rather as a method of communicating a message I thinks its still a concern that I drew the conclusion I did. Lets face it, if I, a fifth generation Australian of Irish heritage, has my radar send a warning signal I suspect many others also felt a little disquiet with the ad.

So clubs NSW - I was wrong, there is a place for 'the others' at your venues. Hey, maybe I'm the only person out there whose had this reaction and there's something worng with me. But, if I'm not wrong, and if you've had this reaction from other people, you might want to think about how you advertise in future.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Clubs NSW TV Ad - Is it racist?

Am I the only person to notice that the current Clubs NSW tv ad is incredibly racist?

The ad shows a variety of people walking through club doors, looking at club pictures, seeing the big signs out the front of clubs and stuff. Whats fascinating is that we get Sally's club and Johnno's club, and Sam's club and ........ well you get the picture.

Where is Akmed's club, or Spiros' club, or Ari's club. Lets face it unless you are white and Anglo-Celtic it seems that Clubs NSW doesnt have a place for you.

Monday, August 17, 2009

The importance of a free society

I hate Kyle Sandilands and everything he stands for, which appears to be the glory of standing for nothing. I think the world would be a better place if he vanished into obscurity and was never heard from again.

But I dont believe he should be sacked - yet.

And I absolutely dont believe he should be taken off the air by some sort of government agency.

The beauty of a free society is that the same freedoms that give us The Chaser at one end of the spectrum and Four Corners at the other unfortunately mean that we are stuck with cretins like Sandilands. In a rare thing I actually find myself agreeing with David Penberthy of the Australian when he calls for Kyle to be allowed to keep his job.

I dont want the radio station that employs Sandilands to take action! I dont want the Government to take action! I want us to take action! I want us, the people, the masses, the citizens to say that there are standards and we care about something even if he doesnt. And the action I want us to take is very simple, I'd like people to simply turn off. I want people to simply walk away from Sandilands and leave him to wallow alone.

I suspect it wont happen, I suspect that there are enough cretins to listen to him that he will stay famous. But I so hope I'm wrong.

Friday, August 14, 2009

All opinions can be wrong


Part of my continuing battle with the idea that peoples opinions are somehow sacrosanct and not open to challenge. This is a little spin on the idea that everyone is entitled to an opinion. I suppose I'm agreeing but backing that up with the right of opinions to be wrong.

If, like me, you have a preference for people actually thinking about stuff and not just acting on base instinct how about buying a Tee Shirt here at my Mineshaft Gap clothing store.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

An example of why China cant be trusted

China is an ancient culture that is emerging now as an economic power-house and one day it will be a superpower. And yet it cannot be treated as an equal partner in the community of nations because of crap like this (China urges world to respect Myanmar's sovereignty). How can any country urge that a military junta like that ruling illegally in Myanmar be treated with respect is beyond me.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Evil amongst us

Sometimes we read about horrific violence in our safe and secure areas of Australia and wonder where it comes from. Today we got a little sample from this story in the Herald Sun about a mother encouraging her daughter to beat up another, disabled, girl.

I don't know how we punish people like this but whatever we do it should be truly terrible. But more than that, here is a warning, the violence that appears to be emerging is part of a cycle, we have to find a way to break the chain!

Restricting the vote - my theory

I'm 42 years old and everyday I still wake up to find I'm smarter than I was yesterday. I know more, I understand what I know much better, I know my limitations and I have a clue how to work around them. Everyday I look back at work I've done in the past, whether that's 5 years or 5 weeks and think "How did I write that?, How was I so ignorant and simplistic?" Going further I find myself wondering, if I get a little more knowledgeable and a little wiser everyday how dumb was I when I was twenty something?

And this goes to the core of my problem with the idealization of youth and in particular the insane notion of giving people under the age of 18 the vote.

In the main people don't really fully develop their moral sense until their late teens, brain development doesn't stop until their mid to late twenties so why would we actually go out of our way to give people, clearly still in the process of becoming adults the single most important right most of them will ever use, the right to elect a government? In fact I'd like to go further, how about we raise the voting age until something like 21.

Better still how about we throw some other requirements in as well. These would be some of mine:

a. You cant vote until you have a job and earn at least 80% of your disposable income yourself. People with trust funds, inheritances, allowances etc need not apply.

b. You cant vote until you've moved out of home and been responsible from running a household. If you live at home and mummy and daddy take care of you how can you be trusted to have a say in the running of the country.

In addition to controlling who can vote at all, I also think we need to control whose vote counts. This would be pretty simple. On the back of the ballot would be a test with simple questions relating to some of the key issues of the day at the time of the election. So using an example from one of the more shameful parts of Australia's past it could be something like:

Under the UN convention for refugees (to which Australia is a signatory), people seeking asylum are required to stop:

a. at the first country outside their own,
b. at a country in their region,
c. at a country similar in race, religion and/or political system like their own, or
d. only when they feel safe.

or alternatively

Last year the number of asylum seekers arriving at Australia by boat was closest to:

a) 500
b)2500
c)5000
d)20000

Have just (say) four questions and make them absolutely factual with no room for interpretation. Get two wrong and your vote isn't counted. Really this seems pretty obvious, if you simply don't know anything about the key issues of an election why should you get the ability to impose your ignorance on others?

Ok, clearly none of this is going to happen, and on mature reflection I'm not even sure it should but it would be nice to think of a government actually elected by people who had some grasp on reality.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Beware - the stick shark


Well after my anti IMHO post I decided to try something a little lighter, after all life should be fun also shouldn't it?

So for a bit of fun, just as we seem to live in a world where stick figures are constantly being electrocuted, run over and crushed I wondered what was doing all the damage.

I've considered the stick car, the stick dog but first here's the big killer.

The stick shark - buy the t-shirt here.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Alain de Botton

Alain de Botton is not one of the worlds great philosophers, however, he is one of the very best at explaining philosophy and expressing its importance in our everyday lives.

It was seeing an episode of one of his first tv series - The Consolations of Philosophy (which itself is based on a book) that quite literally changed my life. He made me think - I dont mean idly day dream, I mean really really think. This makes him important to me.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

IMHO


I've written in my other blog about the curse of the interest phrase IMHO. I hate this phrase. Actually its not the phrase so much as the attitude that says "because its my opinion it requires no justification and cannot be challenged". Well that's bullshit.

In 99% of cases opinions aren't pure aesthetic choices like "I prefer blue" they are instead simply assessment that people aren't able to back up with any evidence or even a modicum of logic. A classic is something like ergonomics. People say crap like "a dial is better than a button" and when pressed as to why they say something stupid like "well its my opinion" as if that means there's nothing else to say.

Well I've had enough and I'm going to start my one man crusade against the dreaded curse of IMHO right now. If you are with me buy a shirt. I know this is pretty rough but its going to be the first in a series on the topic.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

I'm a left social libertarian - sounds about right

Facebook - gotta love it. One of the most inane aspects of all social networking sites are the quizes, polls and games. And yet, every now and then one comes along I'm motivated to try. This political views quiz is one that caught my fancy. Here are the results.

My Political Views
I am a left social libertarian
Left: 5.4, Libertarian: 3.73

Political Spectrum Quiz


So what did I say to get there? Well I hate the idea of abortion but I hate the idea of governments forbidding it more. I think that markets are wonderfully efficient but also essentially amoral (at best) so in need of regulation and their more egregious tendencies controlled. While progress is great only a fool could ignore that all change creates losers and I think its only fair that those who benefit from things entirely outside their control (like their inherent skill and abilities) should shoulder some of the burden for those who suffer from things totally outside their control. I believe in morality and want people to do the right thing, even think its fine for us to judge those people, but its never ok to try and enforce our will on people.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Australian medical system, ok but could be spectacular

Interestingly, considering yesterdays post, there are some issues of policy where the consequences of 'mere' inefficiency are so grievous that they can elicit a visceral response. One of those is health care.

I'm not going to write a great deal on that right now but I will over the next little while. However, I will point out that although I approach the problem from a very different point of view to Tony Abbott, a man with whom I share almost no ideological common ground, I actually think he might be on to something here when he suggests getting the government out of the health services business.