Methusala

Nev. I've thought about it a bit. Seems to me, and I hate to admit it, but the CONservatives are the most successful politicians in Australia when you look at the amount of time they have ruled the Treasury benches. This is despite the fact that when they are replaced by a slightly more liberal mob (the ALP) they manage to convince the voters, a short time down the track that they can again be trusted. Blame the short memories of the voters I suppose. Don

How about the fable that goes conservative govts are the best economic managers?

This is a link to a story which gives credibility to the claim that the Dutch/Australian Joint Investigative Team's findings are fatally compromised by allowing Ukraine (a suspect party to the attack) right of refusal to allow independent examination of the evidence presented to the inquiry. Russia's Department of Defence has stated that all BUK missiles in their possession were removed from service in 2011 having surpassed their 25 yrs service life. Russian MoD: Missiles Shown By MH17 Investigators Were Decommissioned After 2011

The historic reason for govt aid to poorer countries is to persuade them to our way of thinking. Many crocodile tears about the "Chinese" giving aid to sth Pacific countries. One of the first acts of the Abbott mob was to cancel the contract to build a new parliament building for a Sth Pacific country (I forget which one). In Fiji storms wash away river bridges and the govt has no ability to repair/replace them. China buys much influence for bargain prices. Australia can afford to fund these giving jobs to locals and using our construction firms. The selfish attitude of well off Aussies blows back when we need allies. So we tug the forelock to US and become wedged into sending our men(and women) to fight in worthless combat. They come home damaged and we are poorer in most respects.

Speaking of criminal matters, it is the first question that investigators ask themselves when launching any probe; vis,"Cuo Bono?" or who benefits from this act. What would it benefit a group of fighters trying to reclaim their land from invaders by downing a commercial airliner? I have read an opinion (call it a rumour) that Putin's aircraft was expected in the same area and that this was an attempt by the CIA backed coup running Ukraine to shoot it down. I just add this to show how a rationale can be added to any theory. There is a lot of propaganda swirling around and this is timed to coincide with Russia's hosting of the World Cup.

I see that the "investigation" into the MH 17 murder has been pinged to the Russian defence forces even though they were not in possession of the particular type of BUK missile that downed the plane. You have to ask whether anyone really believes this propaganda from the west media after the "dirty dossier" and Sadams WMD fiasco that led to war in Iraq.

G'day OME, I have never used the CAUTION tag before. I didn't do it to be unfriendly but simply on face value. I am not happy about the level of racist dog whistling that we see in Oz. Was surprised at your post but I am relaxed now that you have explained. Not dumb, just saying. Peace brother. Don

I think that it is unusual to be lambasted and abused when one forumite urges caution to another regarding obvious use of racist language in a post. Manners are the currency of civilised debate. Don

Yeah...

While 2015-17 were all within the hottest six years on record, our carbon emissions also continued to increase during the same period. Government data pushed out under the cloak of Christmas indicates that we will be about 140 million tonnes — or about 30 per cent — above that target based on current growth. And this is under the prime ministership of Malcolm Turnbull, who in 2010 warned that "the consequences of unchecked global warming would be catastrophic."(ABC News- today)

Our Bureau of Met has described 2017 as the 3rd hottest year since measurements began.

I understand that the effect of anthropogenic climate change is based on the earth's atmosphere being a (somewhat) closed system. As more energy is trapped by greenhouse gasses, the result will be more frequent, extreme weather events. Not necessarily restricted to higher temperatures 'tho this has been described in the reports of ever hotter aggregate temps in succeeding years. Anyone for western Sydney yesterday? Don

Septic is anaerobic treatment of sludge. Often called primary treatment, it destroys organic pathogens such as bacteria and hopefully viruses. The secondary threatment is accomplished through aeration of the waste where aerobic bacteria break down nitrates and phosphates which are harmful as run-off because they are fertilisers and feed algae in the watercourses. Sometimes waste is dosed with weak concentrations of chlorine on release. Absorption arrays are not able to treat the waste but allow it to percolate into the sub soil rather than forming ponds on the surface. Sometimes waste is used to irrigate an area of vegetation but not for crops or veggies. Don

But an indescribably beautiful example of nature's wonder.

I still think that you should reconsider that unconscionable slur against the Pearl of the South!

Always been attracted by the concept of a Swedish style composting toilet. The low energy input could surely be provided from roof top solar. Don't know much about these systems as I'm a plumber so mostly experienced in pipework systems.

Again, relying on memory of an ABC interview with Sir Frank McFarlane Burnett. He said that basically cancer is a result of failure of the immune system to identify and deal with abnormal cells. Cells mutate as a normal part of reproduction. Of course there are agents which greatly promote the mutation of cells. These are called mutagens. The common saw that,"Everything causes cancer", is true to a point but it's the rate of mutation which increases the chances of contracting cancer. I agree that there are compromises where the ill effects of avoiding traces of toxins can be worse than the alternative. Don

uV light used in Canberra's water supply for disinfection of raw water. Chlorine added at the end in minute qty to guard against any infection from insolation in underground distribution mains. uV used in many swimming pools.

Most of us try to be responsible in recycling discarded packaging ('tho I know at least one bloke who, being very intelligent, distrusts any interference by anybody in his individual free choice of action, so abuses recycling to the point of dumping an unwanted engine into the recycling bin). Down the Federal Highway from us is a small rural block which has had acres of crushed glass dumped and it seems the local council is unable to order it cleared. Glass recycling in Australia has become virtually non-existent for many years so crushed glass has nowhere to go except into landfill. PET is in a similar bind with China reported to have curtailed any receival from Australia now. Could be to do with objections to the mouse that roared, Bishop and Turnbull becoming obstreporus in their shouted objections to Chinese backyard politics. I now place glass containers in the landfill bin rather than risk it being crushed and disposed of inappropriately. Plastic is the next problem. Reduction in selecting this type of packaging is becoming infinitely more difficult.

Just back from a week in the Maldives(not $12,00/night but $100). Everyone drinks water from a PET bottle even though there is reticulated water even on a small island. The processed water is supplied by large companies including.... Coca Cola! Label says treatment is "ionised and uV treated". I guess ionised means sodium ion transfer which is very simple to do as is uV treatment. The overall result is that the shoreline is infested with empty discarded containers. Why can't the water be treated centrally then distributed in existing pipe networks to cut out the corporations and provide safe, low cost drinking water according to the original (now corrupted) UN ideals? Whenever governments are involved in social policy these days a camel committee decision results. We need a revolution to rid ourselves of all pervading corporate meddling. Now we have a "recycling" system that is costly to the consumer, profitable to Woolworths and Coca Cola and of dubius value to the environment and thus to the consumer. Good work Gladys, yay!

It was about 4.5m long with a small cabin. Sloop rigged...maybe a Hartley. Definitely not a mirror dinghy.

Talk to Farri about it. He sewed new skins for his Drifter. I remember a mate who built a little ply dory and his wife sewed the sails for it. I forget the name of it. New Zealand design. Stitched the chines with copper wire and then glassed inside and out. The idea was to give it some flex in the hull. Interesting idea. Don

Maybe the Turbot where high enough on the food chain to accumulate a lot of mercury. Good thing you went to Pommy country Phil, might have saved a few lives? {Only joking...come back if you want!}

I think that bull sharks where previously, commonly known as whalers or perhaps bronze whalers. I didn't recognise the name in the days when we swam at the beach as youths.

Bloke who drove a boat and gave a commentary on wild crocs on the Daintree when we visited earlier this year. Said that people who advocated culling were ignorant of the ecological balance in wild rivers. Said that the crocs will control the population of Bull sharks which he said were a credible threat to humans. It could be argued (cynically...) that he was protecting his patch, being involved in showing we, the gawping public, these fearsome monsters. He did not give the appearance of a greenie/democrat voter but a genuine worker who had spent years on prawn trawlers and diving for his keep. Said he was victim of irukandji jellyfish 20 years ago and had not been back in tidal waters since. Suffered 2 heart attacks in the immediate aftermath but survived. Just adding this to the discussion. As you all know, having a strong opinion either way is anathema to me! Don