onetrack

It's too late, the genie is already out of the bottle, we should never have imported the huge number of criminal Lebanese from Southern Lebanon that Malcolm Fraser allowed in to Australia with no background checks. The Immigration Dept blokes of the time were fuming over Frasers traitorous and illegal act - and he refused to acknowledge that he let them in, all the rest of his life. Since 1976-77, when these criminal Muslims arrived, Australia has experienced Muslim terrorism - SW Sydney, where all these people ended up, has turned into Crime Central, home to all the insurance fraud, drug-dealing, car theft and re-birthing, Centrelink scams, internet scams originating from these suburbs, and a massive proliferation of demands, that are all designed to pander to Islamic culture. They voted in an Islamic Mayor who turned out to be nothing more than a common criminal. They refuse to obey man-made laws, stating that only God makes the laws for them. They are trouble wherever they go, and I'm happy to see Israel attack the seats of Islamic terrorism in the shapes of Palestine, Southern Lebanon, and Iran. Lebanon was once a thriving country, now it's the basket case of the Middle East, with no functioning govt or law, intermittent energy supplies, and armed tribal gangs ruling their "territory". The place is starting to make Haiti look like a good place to live.

QUOTE: "Last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at his confirmation hearing that “every dollar we spend, every program we fund and every policy we pursue must be justified by the answer to three simple questions”. “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” ..." Rubio should be fired for getting the last part wrong. The question should have been, "Does it make Donald Trump more prosperous?"

GON, show me the cost/social effectiveness of any border wall that was ever built? The Berlin Wall? The Great Wall of China? The Border Wall in the U.S. was meant to be nothing more than a boost to Trumps ego. Every country in the world has some form of immigration control, it's necessary to keep out undesirable people. But a Wall to stop undesirables is laughable in the extreme, and the U.S. Border Wall will only end up as a long-term monument to Trumps folly and lack of Statesman-like thought processes.

The heat must be frying my brain. I was convinced my Carbon Zinc batteries were 1.2V and all the others were 1.5V. Now, after thorough examination (gee, those figures are hard to read on batteries), I find I've produced all the voltage figures, arse-about. The Carbon Zinc and Alkaline batteries are 1.5V and all the rechargeable batteries are 1.2V. My apologies for stating all the above totally incorrect voltages. https://uk.gpbatteries.com/blogs/news/a-guide-to-common-rechargeable-battery-words#:~:text=Here's something to remember%3A While,1.2 volts in later charges.

The Trump rain of verbal diarrhoea and pure unadulterated BS continues at his desk interviews. He claims "Iran was broke" when he left office last time. Yeah, so that means that they were unable to keep producing vast numbers of military drones, nuclear weapons and support Hamas and Hezbollah wholesale since he left office. What a load of complete drivel. He claims "he wouldn't let anyone do business with them (Iran)" while he was in power. The reality is that Iran still has vast amounts of oil, and China was quite prepared to buy lots of it, despite Trump saying he could stop China buying Iranian oil. Then he goes on to claim that Americans have done everything and led the world in everything that was world class. He even claimed "America split the atom". The howls of laughter are still ringing around the world and shows how utterly bereft of even basic knowledge this orange clown is. The atom was split in 1917 by New Zealander Ernest Rutherford at Manchester University in the U.K. He seems to ignore the fact that Chinese labour built nearly all the major railroads in America in the 1800's. The Chinese would work anywhere, in any conditions, and for very little money - so it wasn't Americans that built their biggest national infrastructure asset. https://www.9news.com.au/world/trump-vexes-new-zealanders-by-claiming-one-of-their-proudest-historical-moments-for-america/703af2a1-bd0a-4445-8977-a70e5343bc4d https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Rutherford

Spacey, I did note, now you mention, that the Ni-Cd AA batteries I have are 1.2V. But the Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and Alkaline AA batteries I have, are 1.5V. Now I start looking, I find some Carbon Zinc batteries are 1.5V - but the Carbon Zinc batteries I buy are 1.2V. Let me summarise by saying, "check the battery voltage to see if it meets clock specs before installing". My personal experience is that any alkaline batteries I have installed in battery operated clocks have caused them to be inaccurate. But the 1.2V carbon zinc batteries I use provide good accuracy and battery lifespan.

HINT - If you want battery-operated clocks to perform properly, don't use alkaline batteries in them. Use only "heavy duty" carbon zinc batteries. This is nearly always written on the clock battery installation instructions. Carbon Zinc AA batteries are 1.2V. Alkaline and Ni-Cd, and Ni-MH AA batteries are 1.5V. I purchase all my batteries from the Reject Shop, their prices are much lower overall.

You've still got HAIR left?? You can't be that old, then. 😄

Yeah, and we've all seen the level of mutual respect promoted by Donald Trump! It is ZERO! This is the bloke who refers to political opponents or members of Govt Depts as "scum", "worthless", "enemy of the people". MAGA supporters are the ones producing T-shirts reading "Rope. Tree. Journalist". Manipulation of the media is the first major aim of any dictator who wants to suspend and eliminate any opposition to his rule. Trump specialises in favouring his selected extreme right wing media, and operating his own social media network so he can manipulate and twist facts, into distorted versions of his own reality. Every single decision that Donald Trump makes, is specifically designed to make Donald Trump richer, nothing else matters.

And where have the "divides" originated from? From people such as Donald Trump, who is the most divisive U.S. President ever seen. He specialises in sowing hatred, division, inequality - and surrounding himself with people chosen only for their loyalty to him, nothing else. Scheming Roman Emperors have nothing on Donald Trump. Statesmen and Stateswomen unite people of different beliefs and outlooks and work towards improving the life quality of the everyday person in their nation. Trump only believes in enriching himself and his super-rich mates. He doesn't give a rats rectum about the ordinary Joe, he considers him a "loser". Trump claimed he would bring down the cost of living when he became President, then says he will introduce punishing tariffs on thousands of items everyday Americans buy. The end result will be Americans will pay more for everything they want to buy. Trump doesn't even grasp basic import/export economics.

Leila Hayes, the Australian actress who featured in a host of TV soapies, especially as Beryl Palmer in "Sons and Daughters", passed away on 18th January 2025, aged 85. She had been struggling with health issues for some time, as I understand. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371120/?ref_=nmbio_ov_i https://www.facebook.com/p/Leila-Hayes-Drama-Studio-100078415691165/

That looks more like a description of the climate in Victoria, rather than Australia overall.

Penny Wong had better have some good experience in how to deal with a petulant 3 yr old, with a 20 second attention span - because that's precisely what Trump would be like to deal with. And if she plays golf with him, she has to allow him to win. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/2023/02/03/trump-and-golf-fancy-resorts-a-list-partners-cheating-at-highest-level/69857594007/

Peter, I trust you realise that no-one will lend you money on a personal basis, once you're over retirement age. They'll lend it to your company structure, but only with asset security. You wouldn't even get a new credit card now, at your age. If you do have a credit card, the easiest way to source some funds is apply for a credit card limit increase. A reverse mortgage is a possibility, but watch the application fees and other hidden charges, such as steep monthly account fees. But even if you have a credit card, I'm not sure that they'd increase your limit by another $3500, if you do still happen to have a card. Most credit cards are about 14%, but be aware that cash advances on a credit card can incur interest rates of 20-25% - plus a cash advance fee of around 3%. I kept my credit card with Community First Bank (formerly CFCU) and I have a $10,000 limit, and the interest rate is only 8.99%. Best of all, I can get a cash advance anytime, at no cost, and the interest rate on any cash advance is still only 8.99%. That's the advantage of doing business with customer-owned banks or credit societies. EDIT - I was just discussing this with SWMBO and she brought up the fact you can get a free loan from Centrelink, provided you meet the necessary criteria. You can borrow up to $2000 from Centrelink for essential goods and services. These include household appliances, car expenses, beds, computers, and home repairs. The loan has to be repaid over 24 mths. https://womeninstem.org.au/free-centrelink-loans-for-pensioners/

Day One of the new Trump Presidency will be the same as every other day of a Trump Presidency - utter chaos, lots of social media posts about how great he is, lots of abuse and vicious invective for his stated "enemies".

The only magnets I've ever owned, only picked up steel and lost parts! A chick magnet is a personality substitute.

Clinton - Nope, the servicing period for the Statesman was every 15,000kms. Maybe you read the ad as only needing 2 services in 2 years and 50,000kms. But 2 years servicing or 50,000kms servicing, is at least 3 services.

How's your rebuilt knee going, Nev? Brother (84) had his rebuilt middle of last year, I was amazed how quickly he recovered from it. Knee surgery has come a long way since SWMBO had both hers done in 2008.

Christopher Lee?

A pretty hedonistic bloke was killed, and ended up in Hell, welcomed by Satan. "Well, now you're here, I'll give you a tour around", said Satan, and he took him to a dimly-lit entrance door, with a soft red light illuminating everything beyond. In the low light, the bloke could see a place that looked like a cosy nightclub, with a table, a bottle of wine on the table, two glasses, and a gorgeous blonde sitting at the table. "That's your deserved place, over there, at that table, seated opposite the blonde", said Satan. "Really!!", the bloke exclaimed. "This sure doesn't look like Hell to me!! In fact, it looks like Heaven!!" "Oh, it's Hell alright!", growled Satan. "The bottle has a hole in it, and the blonde hasn't!!"

What is "cancer lite"??? Doesn't sound like a very medical term to me, and I was under the impression there was only cancer, the disease, no divisions into various grades of the disease. Yes, chemo is not ideal, and often has many side effects. The bottom line is the medical fraternity is continually improving the chemo drugs and reducing the side effects. We've had radiation treatment for a long time and initially, it was terrible, it killed as many people as it saved - now, it's targeted and selective, and very effective. My brother (84) has just had radiation treatment after prostate surgery (to remove a tumour) and he's had a poor opinion of doctors and medical treatments for decades. However, he's changed his tune now, reckons the treatment he's been getting is fabulous, and he's recovered 100%, and feeling great. He still does everything he wants to do without problems, goes on holidays in his Landcruiser and caravan, and is enjoying life. He was that wrapped in his cancer treatment, that he went and had his right knee reconstructed as well! After 7 weeks, he reckons he's never walked so good in the last 25 years, as he does now.

A lot of seeds are poisonous, too. I'd be very careful about handing out uncontrolled medicine advice. I've got to 3/4 of a century, disease-free, without any need or desire, to crunch up and eat seeds of fruits. Where's the peer-approved medicinal trial results that prove fruit seeds contain cancer-killing chemicals and are highly recommended to include in a healthy diet?

Make no mistake about it, MAGA is a CULT, and Donald Trump is the Jim Jones of the 21st century. Trumps desire and entire lifes aim, is to be WORSHIPPED as a GOD - not just a "God-like figure", but as a real God, who brooks no interference with his plans or aims, to rule with dictator strength, and to ignore laws designed around fairness, and to punish illegal acts. Trump is the most DIVISIVE leader the Western world has seen in the last 100 years. He wants Americans divided into two distinct camps - US (MAGA supporters) and THEM (Democrats, Lefties, Woke people, illegal immigrants, Blacks, anyone with different sexual or gender desires. Trumps record as a landlord is ill-treatment of black tenants, constantly rejecting them in favour of white tenants). Jim Jones did exactly the same thing, he told his followers to reject out of hand, those who didn't join his cult. Jones would set all the rules, belief structures and laws - just as Donald Trump wants to do. Trump wants all MAGA supporters to be promoted over and above any other group or party, and for them to be above the law. He wants to twist the current Justice system to suit his own plans and desires - which involves ignoring any criminal acts done by Donald Trump or MAGA followers, and criminalising any act that tries to apply the law to Trump and his supporters, when they have done wrong. All Trumps appointees to major and crucial positions are based on two criteria, and nothing else. 1. Loyalty to Donald Trump - and 2. The appointees ability to defend Trump and even die for him, regardless of any truth or facts presented to the contrary. 2025 will go down as the year where truth, facts, the rule of law and democracy faltered, and was repressed at every turn. Trump wants to turn his vision of America into his own Jonestown, where all under him are acolytes who dare not question his utterings. Donald Trump makes unbelievable promises, and breaks them with breathtaking speed. He promised to be faithful to three wives and those promises meant nothing to him. He's found you can get people to do what you want, whenever you make great promises. The ability to carry through on those promises means nothing to him, once he's achieved his aim of getting support from those he promised great things. I would not be in the least surprised to see Trump descend into paranoia, and even more erratic and dangerous behaviour, as he ages, exactly as Jim Jones did. The veneer of civilisation and democracy has never been so thin in America, as it is now. https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=34297 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/us/politics/donald-trump-housing-race.html

I think one of the greatest determinants of the quality of a U.S. President (and primary "leader of the free world") is how often they make excellent speeches, encouraging the nation, and outlining their vision for America in the future. Trump has never given a Presidential speech that contains any value, insight, lofty projections, or encouragement. Compare Trumps speeches with past Presidents such as Truman, Eisenhower, Roosevelt - or even Kennedy ("Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country") and you'll find very little of take-home value in Trumps utterings. But you'll find plenty of self-aggrandisement in his speeches. But Trump is a master of invective, verbal abuse, arrogant statements (always about himself) - and vicious threats of retribution, to anyone who opposes him. He refuses to admit to any wrongdoing at any time in his career - yet he was judged as being complicit in the Jan 6 insurrection - and even a number of Republicans voted to impeach him. He surrounds himself with lackeys chosen for their loyalty to him, and nothing else. His first Presidency was described as "chaotic" by insiders close to him. He is easily manipulated by pandering to his massive ego. He curries the votes of Fundamentalist Christians, and then says, "MY beautiful Christians"!? Christians do not worship other human beings, they worship Jesus Christ - yet Trump wants the U.S. Christians to worship HIM, instead of Jesus Christ. His constant lying and manipulation of facts to make himself appear superior are legend. He makes promises, and breaks them as fast as he makes them. He's a convicted felon, remember he was found guilty of paying off a prostitute he utilised, for her to keep quiet, as any information she would have revealed about Trump prior to his 2016 election would have seriously dented his election chances. That's simple election interference.. He's dissed every single opponent with derogatory descriptions, disgusting nicknames, racially-abusive names, and simple outright vicious personal abuse. He refused to accept the 2020 election results and effectively orchestrated a band of lying followers to produce falsified or non-existence evidence of election fraud, claiming the entire election was fraudulent. Not a single shred of "election fraud" claims ever stood up in any court case that Trump launched - and he launched over 60 cases, claiming election fraud. His best mate, lawyer Rudy Giuliani, was found guilty of producing false claims of election fraud against two women who counted votes, and they were awarded US$148M in damages - because EVERYTHING that came out of Giuliani's mouth is a LIE. And Trump surrounds himself with these people! The U.S. President is expected to ensure that he does not make personal profits from being President. Trump has ignored this law and has CONTINUALLY enriched himself, by using his Presidential position. Foreign dignitaries are always accommodated at Trump Hotels and other properties such as Mar-a-lago. Trump bills the foreign nations huge amounts for these stays. At last count, it was reported that Trump had enriched himself to the tune of US$160M by using his Presidential position. His story of valuable achievements while he has been President, you could write on a single pocket notebook page. Trump constantly brays about "Make America Great Again", but that saying is a hollow election ploy - he never made America "Great" last time he was President, and I can assure you, he won't make it "Great" again this time around, either. But one thing I can tell you that WILL happen, and that's the robber barons of America will become much more wealthy again under this Presidency, as he funnels Presidential favours and Govt money to them, in huge amounts.

Clinton takes home the (virtual) meat tray, Bob Dylan it is! 👍