nomadpete

Anyone else noticed that no PM has ever been nominated for Australian of the Year?

And incidentally, do you think that correcting his 24% excessive speed actually saved any lives?

Really? I suspect that an alien of higher intellect and ability hopefully would not practice all the worst vices of the primitive inhabitants of this third rock from a minor star. PMc your suggestion offends all us true aliens.

Thanks, Grumpy. There is a lot in that post! I'll only address your first sentence. Nev asked a simple question - "JUST tell ME the Country you would RATHER be living in. Nev" I am not greatly travelled so my opinion is coloured by new reports (and we all agree on the value of them). However, even allowing for all the shortcomings of our country, my answer is: I can't think of a better place. Sure there is stuff that should change for the betterment of everyone. BUT... Our rule of law works mostly ok. I am safe from persecution. I eat well, have a comfortable place to live, have reasonable health care.

An interesting quote, OME. Where did you get it from?

In these issues, there is no solution to the debates. That's my reason to bail from this thread.

I thought that was what a wife did. Then I got married.

I thought the potato was the starch component.

You are sounding a bit like our tech bros with that comment..... Say what you like no matter what? I feel that a degree of self censorship is good. Moderate debate csn be constructive even if it causes a degree of discomfort. But you can't expect people to be strictly factual and unemotional. These issues become emotional - that's when the fights start.

That might have been me. I was trying to limit my premature negativity. Yes, now he has officially taken control of the nikko, we can start being judgemental. Shall I start a new thread for "Curious acts by political Leaders" ? It might be dominated by a small number of world leaders, but so be it

I didn't see the implcation. Further, she stated the obvious. Mr Trump is proud to be seen as a person who 'does things differently'. And he clearly does do things differently. Folk who admire him would agree with the statement, as would folk who don't admire him.

Sorry Nev. No offense intended. From what I have observed over the years, Ms Wong sets a rare high standard in our country's politics. As I mentioned, Penny Wong did well to be as diplomatic as possible. She was meeting with a man who is alleged to easily bear a grudge if offended.

I don't believe you. If she had a foreign affair, I would have read about it in the papers. (ONLY JOKING, OF COURSE)

I see that differently. I think she was being diplomatic. And it is not her job to stir up foreign leaders. There is nothing to be gained from poking the bear.

The poor general level of education shows. His followers don't know any better than to believe him.

That's usually because tey are nearly flat. Carbon zinc cells are nominally 1.5v but gradually drop - they do not have a good discharge curve. At 1.2v they still have a little life left. Other chemistry types have better initial voltage stability followed by a fast drop in voltage at end of life.

Sure, we are ten years behind the US but we are constantly trying to catch up. The fantastic four (tech bros) are surpassing the old types of news media.

Of course you would - it's not ambiguous - with the battery out it'll be correct only once a day.

My manager was a stickler for punctuality. One day I came into work early and 'borrowed' his trusty electronic wall clock. I turned around a vital gear, which resulted in reversing the clock. I put it back up before he arrived. Four times that day, he climbed up on a chair to reset the clock before he realised there was something wrong with it. And he never worked out why his staff were all smiling at him all day.

I see we are in a time of oligarc change. Until now, the Merdok empire has been the primary president/PM maker. That is coming to an end. A quick look at those seated in the front row of the most recent media success (the inauguration), tells me that the new controllers of electoral consciousness, are the electronic tech media bosses.

No no no. It was a landslide win! I saw that on Fox so.... it must be true.

The saddest thing is that the world needs some good stuff more than ever. Statesmen to lead countries Leadership that shows honour Honesty from leaders (integrety flows down from the top) Real Diplomacy - not asslicking. Alas. I see none.

I had been grasping at a faint hope that once HIS ego was satisfied by winning the contest - maybe he could be less extreme. However, judging by day one, he is shaping up to be worse than my worst fears. If/when musky one steps over him, it will be as Nev said. "an unmitigated disaster"

My ungripe of the week.... The last 48hrs was spent on sparkling clear ocean. The night spent anchored in a secluded cove where the only sound was the splash of fish. No doomscrolling. No news. Just the beauty of nature.

I meant no offense to those government workers who are diligent and ethical. However there are others not so worth their pay. I spent a year in close company of a state Housing Department employee. During that time I mixed with the department members. Listening to their 'shop talk' enlightened me - what a mob of bigoted wankers. Can you believe they all went on bus tours of the lowest socioeconomic suburbs in order to understand the needs of their most needy customers? And their discussion revolved around disgust and bias about those dregs of society. Note that they were not permitted to talk to anybody - it was purely a tour of messy homes and uncared for kids. Their contempt was obvious. Of course there are parts of the government bureaucracy that are great value. I do not believe in sending in the toe cutters. I do believe all sections should periodically prove their worth. And I believe every minister should go through the processes that the public use in their portfolio, so they understand how things really work. And Trump will probably throw a lot of babies out with the bathwater.