The Dump is:
For posting comments that don’t get up at the Drum, and for having a pleasant, mirthful or enlightening off-topic discussion.
It’s not for personal abuse of other commenters.
Please do that somewhere else if you must.
Play nicely or piss off.
However, why doesn’t a poster add a link for us to read and comment on here, much quicker. Maybe we can do a bit more bagging here, not that I speak for the moderators, yet.
NB: Being tiresome and boring, racist, sexist or just plain creepy is not playing nicely.
———-
The Pig’s Arms exists because a dozen or so years ago our other favourite playpen – the ABC’s Unleashed blogsphere started to go off. Like a sack of prawn heads in the sun. Something had to be done.
Moderation was taking forever. Comments seemed to be rejected randomly – outrageous ones appeared and reasoned ones were pinged. When they released the Drum / Unleashed ….. things actually got worse !
So many pieces from professional writers appear with no obvious merit. And the moderation has become, to put it frankly, appalling.
As a former contributor and a commenter, I was deeply disappointed at the plummeting quality from our pre-eminent media empire. And I resented so many challenging or dare I say, witty or funny posts in which we’ve invested seconds of our precious time – getting the chop.
So here, for all our benefit – is an open slather blog. Copy and paste your best rejected comments here for posterity. Does not matter whether you’re posting on the Guardian, First Dog on the Moon or wherever else.
And sprinkle pointers to the Pig’s Arms amongst your comments. Let’s try to rescue some of the old faithful.
Cheers,
Emm.
Window Dresser's Arms, Pig & Whistle 
On a lighter and cheerier side of life: I collected my Narooma crayfish today and they are in my freezer ready for Christmas. All done – just have to prepare exotic nibbles the day before, daughters bringing fab salads. This is the first year we have gone seafood. I decided, what the heck and everyone said YAY !
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Turk and Ham for us. Our butcher retired during the year so we’ll need to see how good there’s is.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-14/morrison-debt-remarks-inane-stupid/8121086
Could this be the start of the end.
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Yes, but cricket makes up for it. I can’t wait for the first test.
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We shall see. Meanwhile, hope is all one can do. This govt. hasn’t got half a brain in its entire collective sense.
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Hey, Mark, I know you’ve only got bread sandwiches and dog shit for Christmas. If you can fly/drive/train/walk/ any fuckin’ transport you’re welcome to come here (and any other barfly/fucker/bludger/nerdowell to Newy on Christmas Eve (workin’ Christmas day). Demented mother, depressed son, normal son, and us will be there!
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Thanks Sister. Due in Thirroul next week to meet my grand nieces and nephews at my sisters house and she reckons she has peanut butter sandwiches. 🙂
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Glad to hear that the Thirroulians are looking out for you. Peanut butter, the champagne of spreads!
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Champagne = metho + SalVital
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-14/tony-abbott-makes-comments-on-disability-pension/8119542
There we go; another attempt by Abbott to link social welfare to bludging and taking advantage. He is actually encouraging and nurturing people to look down and stigmatize those on social benefits.
Turnbull is spending the billions he is cutting from welfare on tax cuts to the wealthy.
Dear oh dear…
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Dr Abbott now!
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PS: Isn’t it great Gerard,the cricket starts tomorrow. 🙂
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I wouldn’t be leaving Lyons out at the Gabba.
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Goebbels more like.
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I’ll be out for Duck.
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Can’t describing someone with mental illness as having a bit of depression. Is there anything or level this failed Englishman won’t stoop to.
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… and the ABC reports this shit.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-14/federal-government-to-crackdown-on-cash-economy/8118844
Dumb arse O’Dwyer sinks even lower.
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Pig shit is smarter than that
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Can’t stop laughing…
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Looks like The Guardian is into animal stories too.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/picture/2016/dec/13/snake-eats-wallaby-on-australian-golf-course
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Wallilingus!
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ick!
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So we have the lazy ABC stories.
Here’s two of the latest headlines from The Australian:
Former federal MP Natasha Griggs says the public should stop treating NT teen inmate Dylan Voller like a “martyr”.
and
The Australian Republican Movement has become a jingoistic organisation run by Leftist activists. (note from me: whose latest guest is … ta da …… Malcolm Turnbull who will speak at its 25th anniversary)
and, for good measure
re Adani: Good sense has prevailed over cashed-up anti-coal coalition.
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The Australian continues to betray itself…. through its news snapshots …. as a jingoistic organisation run by Right veered conservatives trying to sell a newspaper by fair or foul means ie re particularly calling Dylan Voller’s status a potential martyrdom. Fingers down throat.
Ironic turn of phrase for the Republican Movement LOL…
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What’s happened at Adani?
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It’s not called The Sorbent for nothing. So they use Journalists at all. It used to be a reasonable read. Now it’s rubbish best for lining bird cages.
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Emmjay, I’m feeling flat and against the grain writing sequels to the attempt at a contribution i picked out on my mobile last week in email. Did you receive it?
Email me back and say that was a heap of shit try again and send a bloody picture next time… say anything.
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Vale Anne Deveson.
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Sadly not long after her daughter died.
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“Mandating a national standard for 10 days of paid domestic violence leave would be “another cost” to Australia’s economy, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says.”
But an MP can take off 6 months when he has depression – full pay, no worries, no questions and no cost to the economy. Gawd they give me the shits.
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The government gets crazier by the day. Can we have an election soon, please.
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They have a ‘crazy’ virus. I hope it is terminal.
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The Belgian is a gold plated fool. One dimensional in his thinking. I’m surprised it didn’t mention it would be Labor’s fault in his comments. Seriously how much would this actually cost in real terms. These conservatives are just grubs.
Does he not realise that many workplaces have FACS leave available to their employees. To me the DV leave is little more than an extension to that.
He needs to go out an play in the traffic.
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You have to wonder why the ABC hasn’t picked up on this vital news story.
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What a hero. Would fit in the National Party.
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Or Pull my Pantsdown One Notion
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26 million hits in 4 days
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Well they did have woman falls off balcony.
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A piece of journalistic excellence that.
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Yes, I left an appropriate comment on that tube thingoh.
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What was that? Kangaroo a bit jumpy?
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One could say they need to hop to it. 🙂
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Someone told me along time ago just to raise your arms above your head therefore making you bigger and they scarper. Leaving them well alone is the best option. Nurse Barbara? Hon Shades?
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I dunno. Sounds like women may be called on to come over the Big Blouse to save the farm if a big jolly jumper got fresh. Box on! Box on! Voltaire! Rousseau!
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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/dec/06/pauline-hanson-rod-culleton-one-nation-backpacker-tax
Didn’t take long.
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They never were a team.
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More a ship of fools.
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Something about cars. If one you’ve hopped in is shit you have to get out of the shit one into an ok one. I think I read it right. Groannnnn
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This article on and by Carly Findlay http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2016-12-03/lived-experience-disability-in-health-system/8089086 – Carly is from this part of NSW – she attended all the sporting carnivals I did with my girls when in primary school. Then attended same High School. I observed her growing up. She was/is absolutely amazing. Her condition does look very painful – she used to look redder than the photo indicates and she seemed to be covered in ointment as a kid.
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First Mrs Brady now Manuel, inevitable however sad.
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Ke but here’s the story.
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Que. The e has an accent but I don’t know how to type it on my phone.
Amongst my many amazing skills I speak conversational Spanish. Self taught listening to Peruvians.
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Don’t worry about him, he’s from Barcelona.
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Ok then que´ then. You sort of missed the play on words
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I’m guessing Lenard Cohen will be next.
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Gee, I hate getting this out of order.
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Perhaps you meant Skippy the Bush Kangaroo?
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Skippy, skippy, skippy the bush kangaroo
Geeps, what about the urban kangaroos?
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Can’t you just see Michael Clarke trying to tag along with Skippy.
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Qué! Which urban kangaroos would they be?
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Hop hop hop or was that six white no lets not go there
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Strangely enough, there was an urban kangaroo down the road last week.
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The things you see in Newy.
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That urban kangaroo you saw’ll be a retired boomer. There I said it. City streets’ll be full of them soon. Leastwise the ones that haven’t fallen off their perch.
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Yup, people are dying to get outta here.
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If its the only thing we ever do..📼
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Big, I’ve been Emailing you for a few days about whether you and the missus are coming to the Black Sorrows with us.
DO Respond, old chap, I have to hose out your accommodation and it’s an augean job that requires a few days !
You know what it’s like this time of year – even the stables are chockers.
Emm
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Hey, Emmjay, all of your emails arrived today. I blame Malcolm Turnbull. Yes, we are coming. Have responded via email. Might try and ring tomorrow, work permitting.
M
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Sorry – missed this lovely little thread. Daughter No.2 and hubby had just arrived back from their three week honeymoon in Japan. We were having a great catch up. They loved Japan, the hospitality, the beer, the whisky, the food and the music as well as some of the scenery seen from very fast trains. Smoking indoors, in food places is fine – just don’t do it on the street.
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I can’t even think about smoking inside anymore.
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Should have added the bloke who invented the Big Mac fell off his perch this week as well.
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Does Michael Clarke have a speech impediment?
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Does he enjoy Big Macs
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Sorry Ace, but he can’t seem to say things properly, like Warne, Orstraylia.
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Or perhaps a Big Mac pie
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I like how in the picture they are so big and when you buy one they look smaller than a sandwich.
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Hahaha. Seems so Emperor’s New Clothes. Needs an education campaign.
‘The Big Mac isn’t BIG. Open your eyes and see. It’s not even a decent sandwich.’ 🙂
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I see that Barking Barney has been coaching that sculpted pile of manure from North Queensland. Reckons he’s a future cabinet minister and describes him as authentic, well read and intelligent. If you say so Barney, just demonstrates that the gene pool of the LNP and the Nats in particular is so shallow to be almost invisible.
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Katter has surprised me
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Not Katter think a bit further south. Around Townsville.
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Hu dat?
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Elegant George HOO. Makes Clive Palmer look slim
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-30/anger-over-animal-fat-used-in-britian's-new-polymer-currency/8077676
Oh spare us please
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-30/amsterdam's-'night-mayor'-criticises-sydney's-lockout-laws/8074570
Behavioural change is needed..! Why do so many feel they need to get pissed so often? Is life so boring?
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When I was young the night out started at around 7pm. Now it starts around 11pm. Buggered if I know what they do beforehand but it could be they are getting pissed at home first.
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It doesn’t matter at what time, but…why is having a good time so ingrained with getting drunk?
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No, sometimes I like to get laid.
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Interestingly Amsterdam bars close at 1am during the week and 3am on weekends. Lockouts in Sydney are at 1:30 with last drinks at 3.
I’m with viv when I was young the night started at 7 and pubs closed at 11pm or maybe midnight. There wasn’t the violence that appeared to be the norm before the lock out laws. Nowadays they’re three sheets to the wind before they go out. Why should police be abused or medical staff need to deal with horrible injuries that could easily be avoided. Why should public transport or cabs be full of vomit or urine because getting plastered beyond norms is OK.
I’ve no interest in what the screaming minority thinks or the alcohol industry bleating. What they are complaining about wasn’t even the norm 15 or 20 years ago.
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They get half cut before going out, then take some form of speed and come home at sunrise
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Or they buy some tablets from some bikie in the pub dunnies.
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Top quality then
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Latest ABC news story crap : Five-year-old calls 911 to invite Florida police officers for Thanksgiving dinner
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Followed by this: Hula keeps history alive for Hawaii’s next generation
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Its riveting stuff from our ABC nowadays. I’m waiting for my daily does of dogs whistling dixie or crocodiles eating somebodies lunch.
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They have. It does I mean. Those beleagured individuals referred to as journalists and editors and managers post ‘cute’ Facebook circulating-style Youtube crap. Along the lines of Funniest Videos in which baby falls over and hits its head on garden gnome that falls over on sibling’s head. Two babies scream blue murder with acquired brain injury.
Audience laughs at sight and segment presenter pees themselves giggling or forces smile. Beaut bloke who used to adjudicate Thank God You’re Here asks panel on What Do You Remember to transcend acquired brain injuries of yesteryear and repeat the sequence. Maybe adds…what celeb was robbed this week because her security guards were out to lunch …same name as baby 1 who hit head on garden give you a clue fellers. Look I just woke up. No, literally. Good morning. ☺
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So, Mr Dutton. When it takes three generations of living in Australia that turns you in a criminal, surely this says more about Australia than any country of origin!
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No I think it says more about Mr Dutton than it does about Australia Gerard. This man (sic) is a grub, unfit for the position he holds. He’s not very bright. He has also been promoted well beyond his ability. He’s there because he’s a member of the fascist Right and is young enough to be their poster boy and see him as future PM material, heaven help us!
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If they see him as a future PM they are all totally bonkers. Trouble is they are all scum and liars and schemers.
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Well they are bonkers.
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I found this Shared Memory on my FB page this morning. Great article I thought re-reading it.
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The real story behind what happened to Gleeson: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/labor-labels-george-brandis-corrupt-following-new-justin-gleeson-revelations-20161124-gsx9e6.html
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It’s on the Guardian now.
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The entire story from the West Australian newspaper – co authored by Shane Wright who used to be a journalist at Albury’s Border Mail (I knew him). https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/33318001/1-billion-bell-group-bombshell/#page1
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The Minister for Bookshelves must resign
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Now I know what one has to do to get deleted on the Guardian. I called some total shit a piece of poo.
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On the other hand I got 29 up ticks as of 3.09 pm – regarding Keating in Dryenfurth’s crap article.
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Well done Viv, has to be a record.
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Gone up to 34 now – just checked. It the oldest page of comments so easy to find. Look for VJOliver.
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Up to 49 and had one other comment there pulled. Well done
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Cripes – up to 62 now.
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Circa 50 likes in the comments section. Take that Dyrenfurth!
Now about the ’96 cataclysm and the Howard battlers…
Someone did an exit poll at the time that indicated a majority of trade union members in Western Sydney voted Liberal.
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Haa anyone seen hph lately.
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Have heard from hph for ages
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No. But just read the lovely Sharon Jones has died.
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I’m saddened by that news. She got over a bout of cancer 3 years ago. I heard last year. She was only 60. Maybe some Sharon Jones on the way home on the plane
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Apparently not: ‘She was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in 2013, and underwent surgery. The diagnosis was later changed to pancreatic cancer, for which she received frurther surgery and chemotherapy.
Nevertheless, she continued working, and was the subject of a documentary, Miss Sharon Jones. When asked by the Guardian how she was able to continue, despite her illness, she replied: “Right before I get on that stage, it’s like something comes over me and the pain goes away. I guess the adrenaline just gets going and, you know, your body’s just like, ‘Well, you know: here we go!’”
She added: “I don’t want to sit home and wait for this to take over me. As long as I can get on the stage and show some energy, I’m going to get on the stage until I can’t do it any more.”
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You said that a lot better than what I meant to. I didn’t really have time to say as we were just about to head off to the airport. Sad news really and no they didn’t have any of her music on the plane.
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I wrote a response, but WordPress had logged me out. Yes, saddened by this. One of the young girls at work put me onto Sharon Jones a few years back. Great voice. Great performer.
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With automation and globalisation of wages, paid employment work for most might well be on its last leg. That’s why Switzerland and Holland are working towards a scheme where everyone receives a basic income irrespective whether they are employed or not. Unemployment and other social benefits would be abolished.
Large businesses would provide the revenue through which the scheme operates leaving free for unemployed people to pursue their interests in other things.
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That couldn’t happen here Gerard, the tories would be screaming that they were bludging off all those hard working tax payers. Who exploits benefits the most why none other than their own constituency. Yet if your honest sorry piss off we’ll put up as many barriers as they can. Look what Abbott tried to do with the DSP. Its a sore point with me at the moment. Have kids that should be allowed yet told theres nothing, yet I can give many examples of others exploiting the system and tell others how to do it.
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Finland does it again (Helvi and Gerard !): Finland’s education system is considered one of the best in the world. In international ratings, it’s always in the top ten. However, the authorities there aren’t ready to rest on their laurels, and they’ve decided to carry through a real revolution in their school system.
Finnish officials want to remove school subjects from the curriculum. There will no longer be any classes in physics, math, literature, history, or geography.
The head of the Department of Education in Helsinki, Marjo Kyllonen, explained the changes:
“There are schools that are teaching in the old-fashioned way which was of benefit in the beginning of the 1900s — but the needs are not the same, and we need something fit for the 21st century.“
Instead of individual subjects, students will study events and phenomena in an interdisciplinary format. For example, the Second World War will be examined from the perspective of history, geography, and math. And by taking the course ”Working in a Cafe,” students will absorb a whole body of knowledge about the English language, economics, and communication skills.
This system will be introduced for senior students, beginning at the age of 16. The general idea is that the students ought to choose for themselves which topic or phenomenon they want to study, bearing in mind their ambitions for the future and their capabilities. In this way, no student will have to pass through an entire course on physics or chemistry while all the time thinking to themselves “What do I need to know this for?”
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I once read an article about some dreadfully progressive scheme in California to teach kids how to grow fruit and veg. The author visited Compton and found cheap fruit and veg in a major supermarket. Over the road was a Mexican supermarket which had a vibrant range of fruit and veg.
So access to fruit and veg wasn’t an issue. Further the kids parents were illiterate undocumented migrants. They were busting their backs in market gardens to make a living.
The author suggested the kids time in school would be better spent learning to read rather than to become the next generation of illiterate garden labourers.
All for letting kids explore their interests. Not so keen on vocational training in school. Let businesses do their own on the job training. Schools are for learning how to think, not how to do a specific job.
Working in a Cafe as a school subject? Give me a break!
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My son was working in a cafe that was run in his school 10 years ago. My daughter studied in a commercial kitchen as part of Hospitality for her HSC. How big do you think Hospitality and Tourism is in the country.
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I think you’ve missed the point entirely.
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I think he did to Viv. I don’t know how many people I’ve seen who have come out of school well educated but totally lacking in life skills or lacking the ability to break down certaon events. Even know someone with a PHD who can’t even break down the days events. Couldn’t even take a job at a top firm because they went drinking on a Friday night.
One thing I would say about Finland though is its a small country that is mot ethnically diverse like Australia. Whilst the concept could be a success in some areas it might not br practicable in others.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-11/woman-bumps-into-hillary-clinton-during-hike-after-election/8016850
Can yo imagine that, well I never.
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Leonard Cohen has popped off.
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Sad Viv, you either liked him or you didn’t, no in between. I was one of those.
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Yes Viv saw that after a day of travelling. I’m Sam. As. HOO said you either liked him or not. I quietly loked him.
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Liked
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I didn’t loke him much
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That’s the problem doing typing on a smart phone . I see the mistakes after posting them.
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Me – indifferent.
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