Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the execution of Ronald Ryan. Just before 8 o’clock on the morning of February 3, 1967, Ryan declined a sedative but took a sip of whisky and walked calmly to the gallows trapdoor at Pentridge Prison.
Ryan addressed his executioner directly, “God bless you, please make it quick.”
Ryan’s supporters and opponents of the death penalty observed a three-minute silence. Protesters assembled outside Pentridge Prison in vigil.
The circumstances of his death at the hands of the state have led to great myth-making about Ryan. He has been variously painted as a bit of a larrikin, driven to crime by circumstance and little worse than a kite flyer (passer of bad cheques).
The truth is he was a career criminal and his crimes before his penultimate arrest, included what we would call today aggravated burglary and robbery in company.
His arresting officer on that occasion was Bryan Harding. I’ve known Harding for many years. He was an outstanding police officer and at various times headed up the Fraud and Homicide squads in Victoria. Harding is retired and now in his 80s; he remembers Ryan as a hardened criminal who showed little or no remorse for his crimes and gave nothing away under questioning.
Full column here.
The Guv’nor says:
February 6, 2017 at 8:20 am
“Yep the rort continues”
It’s a rort indeed Guv’nor. I saw your note re your concern for the future of our coal mining towns and also the hyperventilated responses it drew from the usual suspect(s).
I believe Labor’s RET policy in particular is a crock. We know how unreliable wind turbines can be and no one seems to be heralding a major breakthrough on battery storage to overcome the base load power issue. Meanwhile the irony is that wind turbines can’t be built or operate without large scale fossil fuel inputs.
Also, there’s the most modern of the ‘new economy’ inventions to consider – the computing cloud. The use of our computers, smart phones, Iphones, world-wide enormous banks of servers, etc might seem “clean” but they chew up enormous amounts of power. Not that long ago it was reported that the global digital economy uses about 10% of the world’s electricity generation. And it’s on the increase. That’s roughly the combined power production of Germany and Japan. You can bet that fossil fuel power generation is a large part of the mix and will be for quite some time.
In the meantime, perhaps the usual suspect(s) should take a cold shower (just to save on energy, of course).
Cut and paste from front page header:
Martin Crowe
”The timing of the Senator’s expected departure further weakens Malcolm Turnbull’s inability to keep the Liberals together. ”
Hmmmm…… ”weakening an inability” ?? Does that mean one is strengthening it?
I meant David Crowe. I see it took him about 10 secs to correct it after I pointed it out over on the dark side!!
Martin Crowe would never have made that mistake Yvonne, he would have smacked it straight past the bowler to the boundary.
Yeah I thought he might be a cricketer! A Kiwi I believe? I don’t follow the cricket. Too boring – too much of it
Blasphemy
Actually the Crowe Brothers (Martin and Jeff hailed from South Australia – one of the rare occasions where we grabbed one of yours and claimed him as ours
The sadly late Martin Crowe – http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/36622.html.
I feel very sorry for poor old Malcolm. He would have nothing to lose (he has just about lost everything anyway)
if he just strolled to the lectern and implemented everything he believes in on climates change, refugees, same sex marriage etc etc. I believe his polling would improve.
Well he could do that – only problem is half (or more) of his party would get up and march across to Cory and Co.
How do you know? He couldn’t be any worse off than he is now with not only his party tearing itself to bits but also the hard right commentariat…Bolt and Devine are pulling each others’ hair out on radio.
It is great fun watching the Right in quicksand.
…and by the way, we taxpayers deserve to see the bodgy agreement Trumble had to sign with the Un Nationals before they handed over the leadership.
I feel sorry for Abbott, Bassman because if Trumpbull had approached the electoral lectern and said what you’d proposed he wouldn’t have got elected. Rather he sailed in on Tony’s coat tail. If you believe that crap old mate then they might have a reserved seat for you and your question in the qanda audience. I’d prefer the govt focus on the economy, jobs etc (or freeing up opportunities in same), rather than focussing on the boutique issues of SSM, refugees and the would be nascent totalitarianism that is climate change (socialism with seals!). On the latter, and I know it is not something you generally bang on about, China is the big emitter and will remain so. Get stuck into the new yellow peril, comrades! Surely they’ve got an embassy you can spend a day in front of?
“Meanwhile in China, the national energy planners cancelled the equivalent of 103 future coal plants. In Davos and Geneva, President Xi Jingping used his speech to stress the importance of staying on course with the Paris Agreement. China is also set to invest $361 billion into clean power generation by 2020.”
The govt IS focussing on the economy son:-
They have tripled the debt, gross debt is approaching half a trillion, unemployment is over 700,000, business investment is shot as is consumer confidence.
Trouble is they are focussing on destroying the economy.
This is a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad government. Ask Tony. He agrees with me.
I feel sorry for the world that cons think they are more important than everyone else.
Pffft!
Oh God, now the media is trumpeting on (ooops, no pun intended) about how much better the phonecall between Trump and the NZ PM was. How can they write such rubbish?
Pretty bloody obvious I would have thought – NZ doesn’t have 2,000 refugees it is trying to fob off! They could have just discussed the weather…..
Praise the Lord. Cory Bernardi, the real deal, the Messiah who will lead us out of the wilderness. No more of that wishy washy Mad Monk stuff.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-19/controversy-over-cory-bernardi-bestiality-comments/4269604
Anyone considering abnormal or abominable relations with arachnids or others of Gods lesser creatures might pause for reflection.
Mine eyes have seen the coming of the glory of Cory.
Yvonne 9:38PM
Moi? Lying! Perish the thought. I’m now a pious Christian. Under the persistence of Carl’s admonishments I have seen the light renounced the devil and embraced the Lord. I baptised myself last night and added myself to the calendar of the Sacred Cur. I’m looking forward to admonishing backsliders, backsiders and unbelievers with my new found religious fervour.
In case you might marry one day I urge you pay close attention to the details in todays lesson
http://biblehub.com/colossians/3-18.htm
In order that you may be the best wife you can be.
Hey JB, you baptised yourself last night? So tell us, how long can you hold your head under water?
And here I was thinking you were just wet behind the ears. Hallelujah brother!
I made that up you gullible tadpole. If I’m wet behind the ears you must be pond life. Oh hang about, you are.
Hit him Dismayed, hit him hard.
.Holy cow !………………………………I would recommend him to the first redback I came across
I prefer you as a heathen, JB. You’re easier to cope with like that
No, I’ve been touched by the holy spirit. The sense of superiority and the God given right to lecture and harangue anyone one pleases with no rational credibility whatsoever is something I have sought and yearned for all my life.
And I found it in the Lord Who’d athunk it?
Joy and halleleujah! I can see how Carl and Milton get on this stuff, it’s better than eccies.
You get back to your ironing.
Goodness Mr Baptiste I don’t know whether your innocent and gullible correspondent, Henry, is reading your post incorrectly but do I detect a hint of “man love” for the Right Wing? There is no shame dear soul in changing sides, embracing the new as the USA has done with POTUS Trump and I note France is now about to do too, casting aside the shackles of Socialism. Say, that Marine Le Pen looks a real goer doesn’t she whoo hooooo. Cheers
Henry Blofeld 8:40PM
Oh Henry, you dill, nothing of the sort. Recently converted, my affection is for Cory’s strong Christian values. You know, none of that gay carry on, no sheep shagging, promiscuity or wanking. Given the last item I don’t suppose he will get much support from the dishwater conservatives posting here.
“……………Le Pen looks a real goer doesn’t she whoo hoooooo.”
I’m trying hard to accommodate you here Henry, and I must say she does look like she might have been a real goer, once, the town bike gone to seed ,and growing old disgracefully.
God bless you Henry.
PS I had my first prayer meeting with the local devouts this morn and I have come to the conclusion that Rodent is a Holy Man who has been writing in tongues.
Goodbye Cory Bernadi, don’t let the door hit you on the way out!
Let’s hope The Australian Conservative Party attracts all the other ultra extreme right christians currently sitting in a big circle praying for the end of homosexuality, muslims & various other ‘unpalatable’ resentments that invade their tiny archaic minds.
The only thing the Libnats will then have in common with Bernadi’s breakaway huddle will be their joint contempt for the disadvantaged.
Methinks this is either the start of a death roll for the Fibs or perhaps Turncoat is the one being rolled tomorrow.
Regards, Bella
My goodness that Cory Bernardi is a silly duffer who should stop self-medicating. If people want a right wing nut job to vote for they will have my man Abbott, soon enough, and failing that we’ve got Hanson. Cory would be better served doing what he does best: masturbating to anime.
Your man Abbott is yesterday’s news, a washed out cream puff, a husk of a right wing nut job.
All hail Cory!
Doesn’t he look like Harry the Horse tho!
Im disturbed that you know that about Bernardi, Milton.
Dismayed.
Go into Dennis Shanahan on Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is now dropping restrictions on Asian countries like China taking the lead into building coal-fired power stations handing out future loans to build electricity genetators. It is all about technology Dismayed into the future and China India Korea are good at it.
“Meanwhile in China, the national energy planners cancelled the equivalent of 103 future coal plants. In Davos and Geneva, President Xi Jingping used his speech to stress the importance of staying on course with the Paris Agreement. China is also set to invest $361 billion into clean power generation by 2020.”
Well the Patriot’s got their miracle and made what was for me the only exciting Superbowl finish that I have seen.
I think their extra time a bit strange, with it sudden death from the get go, which to my view gives the advantage to whoever wins the extra time toss (and elects to receive and thus run the ball).
I don’t think I’ve watched all 51 games, but damn that was one for the ages! As painful as it is for me to say, Brady deserves all the superlatives being tossed his way.
I only watch the superbowls, Dwight (and maybe one or 2 others) but that game has inspired me to watch a few more. I was going for the Patriot’s only because they’re up in the colder climes (strange reason but as good as any for a boy from qld). I think you’re a Green Bay man, and it may get cold there (!), and they are perhaps the first gridiron (cop that Lou, and the 300lb geezer behind ya!) team that I had heard of., and legends . Also Buffalo rings to mind, but not as much as a behind the scenes (ok documentary) film I’ve seen (ok again, I never managed to see it in its entirety) of the Dallas Cowboys and their head (?) coach, Debbie. I recommend it to fans of the game.
Back on the game though, people talk of a game of 2 halfs but that was a game of 3/4 v’s 1/4 and overtime. Brady, a legend, was pummelled, threw dangerous passes and his teammates couldn’t catch a cold. Except for one fantastical catch, which amongst a few other things, changed the game. Personally, I think some of the Falcon’s had cashed their cheque. A great game, Dwight.
ps I thought old man Bush looked bushed until I wikied him and found out he was 92 and with a few health issues (duh!). The air and clam chowder in Kennebunkport (?) must work wonders!
Disregard bottom line from tablet entry gone all crazy .02:23pm seems delete does not work at times.
Just the bottom line?
Dismayed 02:51pm.
Seems like you trapped yourself knowing China India Korea Japan and other nations having the biggest Asian banks lifting restrictions on these countries comes to lending . You are a dinasaur Dismayed! Go read up on technology advances and why these major countries attracted these banks knowing energy of the future and cost effective along with base load power all comes into interest with banks seeing into the security future. Get your head into some reading dear fellow instead tagging along the party line of idealogy,Dismayed! Have some thought on qualified experts writing about this before publication knowing they must get it right. I acknowledge your loyalty plays a part, but “please” read the top to bottom for all sake. I know you express your opinion and I read on but at least read these technology articles advances that emissions says Chinese will be almost nil by 2022 ,they should know. Idealogy indocrination ends in disaster side-stepping the facts as outlined comes to technology advances much more notable now.
omes to banks lending out knowing security is onnthe horizon
What’s the difference between Bernardi and Hanson – apart from the fact that they are both a bit nuts?
Going to be interesting to have two extreme right wing parties battling it out – the right wingers will be confused.
Even more interesting to see what Abbott does. I’m inclined to think he will stay put.
What could happen is that Pauline takes a beating. The anticipated votes may go to Bernardi.
Whatever, it seems MT may be in strife – and Shorten will win the next election by doing absolutely nothing! In fact the best thing he could do now is just shut up and observe