After decades of neglect Australia and the US are finally spending some money in the Pacific. The announcement of the laying of an undersea cable to provide internet to island nations in the Pacific is a prime example of this. Why are they doing this now? In one word China.Continue Reading
The terms right wing and left wing have become entrenched in today’s political narrative. Historically, the terms have come down to us from the time of the French Revolution in 1789. The aristocracy sat on the right-hand side of the presiding officer. The Third Estate deputies sat on the left-handContinue Reading
Lots of people use the internet without understanding how it works. This is not unusual as most of us do not comprehend exactly how many things work. If I asked how electrical current passes from the mains to your device, the majority of folks would say it runs down theContinue Reading
The Covid global pandemic has resulted in more than 5 million deaths and counting. Vaccine hesitancy has delayed our scientific solution to managing the pandemic in many countries around the world. The social contract during a global pandemic is in sharp focus right now. This has highlighted the issues we,Continue Reading
The Morrison led Liberal National coalition government is taking their do-nothing strategy to new low levels. This is the federal government that wishes to govern by not governing and not showing any leadership. Weasel word Morrison the PM from marketing is ever ready with a glib one liner for theContinue Reading
It was heartening to see former Australian PM Paul Keating speak out sensibly about our relationship with China. Especially after the last couple of years of ridiculous chest beating by conservative politicians seeking to fan the flames of racism in a bid to win votes. The coalition under Scott MorrisonContinue Reading
The terrible tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins at the hands of a prop gun is a timely message to an unhealthy industry. There are too many guns seen on the screens showing Hollywood films. Writers and directors seem to have an obsession with creating stories featuring guns and gunContinue Reading
Every day we hear a lot about how great a place Australia is and how lucky we are to live here. It is and we are! Australia Day has become more fervent over recent decades with more national flags flying on display. ANZAC day has been elevated to some quasi-religiousContinue Reading
The global pandemic has exhausted me, and I suspect I am not alone on this score. If I see another daily press conference featuring a Premier or PM I just might scream. If I was not so dead set against guns and violence, I might just do something desperate. Perhaps I could adapt the concept to my principles and attack a bush with a water pistol or something equally insane. Please oh please not another epidemiologist on my screen, as much as they are doing fine work for the community I must look away.Continue Reading
If one casts one’s gaze back to the beginnings of the modern European and western conception of the value of human life you soon bump into the notion of property. Human beings have sought to own property wherever possible and free themselves from slavery and servitude upon this basis. John Locke famously proposed his theory of property rights as a fundamental right of control. Private property rights were the main beef for Locke, and this has come down to us to this day. In Australia, we have etched this as the Great Australian Dream of home ownership. First Home Buyers: Is There Still Hope, Or Is Hope Dead?Continue Reading