I used to consider myself an atheist. Now, when asked, I say I am agnostic. It is not that I have doubts but I don’t want to be bundled in with the atheist crowd.
In answering such a question, it is too difficult to explain the distinction between atheism and anti-religionism and to be honest, the lines are often blurred.
Is it any wonder?
This Easter we have been witness to baffling brawls over halal chocolate Easter eggs and squabbling over whether or not a footy match should be played on Good Friday. I adopt the laissez-faire approach in these matters but I find it troubling that those who advocate sombre reflection on religious holidays are cast as extremists.
Religion is often mocked by atheists. Mockery is fine in some instances but when people are painted as sub-human for holding supernatural beliefs, items of faith in all organised religions, it is clear there is an attempt to wantonly discriminate against people and limit their movements and their associations.
Full column here.
What is it about the sporting hierarchy that seems to make them immune to the niceties of polite behavior, let alone that they seem to have bums firmly welded to the office comfy chair.
No doubt it will require something explosive to make them part company with said comfy chair.
Apart from the lesser sports, sports heirarchies are amongst the biggest rent seekers in the country.
The Olympic crowd are no different than any other body being sustained by government handouts.
In my opinion, the Olympic and Commonwealth Games need one big reality check – too big and too expensive.
Although the Olympics do nuture some of the best Chemists on the planet.
Sheesh, it must be stressful trying to look 25yrs younger when it looks like hubby might be the next French president! But good on them.
It’s France B.
Hubby probably has a mistress and wives can be what they want to be.
Nobody gets uptight about it.
Not like the English who are obsessed with their PM’s shoes
Vive le France!, JS. I think it’s great. Men have chicks young enough to be their daughters all the time – so why not the other way round.
Sadly, women are often judged by their looks or youthfulness – as opposed to men. who look great as they become craggier. It is often said that women become ‘invisible” at a certain age. Which is crap.
Those French gals are fantastic – tres chic!
Will be in Paris in a couple of weeks actually. My favourite city!
I mentioned your post to my lady friend over lunch. I told her I looked great because I had become craggier with age. It took her a while to stop laughing. A good long while. Far too long really. So if you have any firm info about where to find a lady friend the age of my daughters please post a link or give me a firm hint.
Paris highlight if you haven’t done it go down the catacombs. I went there only once in 1982 for a wedding, but the best thing I did there was a walk in the catacombs. My hotel arranged it with just me and a guide. History buff heaven. A bit musty so wear old clothes you can junk if the smell lingers on them.
But it’s true Gwhizz! Men with dyed hair look utterly ridiculous – likewise cosmetic fillers etc. They do not have makeup to compensate it all – and end up looking like something totally different. Paul Hogan is a shining example of that. He was good looking – in a craggy, Robert Redfordish way – nowadays he just looks silly.
Tell your ladyfriend to appreciate what she has!!
She looks alright to me Boa!
Curious thing. The old sleaze bag Trump barely cops a mention for the age difference and what some suspect is the “sugar daddy” relationship. Unfair, I say she’d have married him if he was a baldy garbo with the arse out of his strides.
But if it’s the other way round!
You reckon Trump would have married her if she was a baldy garbo with the arse out of her strides, Jean? Now that would have delivered a few more people to the inauguration. Or do you mean a hairy garbo with the ….?? I get the impression Melania feels like Greta Garbo and just wants to be left alone. I doubt very much that she thought the Trumpster would become Prez.
She’s a Russian plant Milton. The Russkies always fix their intended double agents up with a good looking woman . You cant imagine Trump falling for a babushka.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/politics/donald-trump-sexism-tracker-every-offensive-comment-in-one-place/
Melania knew very well Trump was going to be President. Trump didn’t know it then. Melania is actually very excited at her progress so far but cannot show it. She sucks a lemon to keep the sardonic grin off her face. “One day Donull, vun day, maybe not tomorrow , maybe not next week , but vun day soon my machist s’vinya, you going to be brown like the bread, en I em going to be very rich and Sergei and I will buy some English soccer teams and live happily effer efter in London.
Not best pleased where that was leading, Jean.!
Chelsea!!!
Yep, c’est vrai, JB
I meant to say earlier, top shelf with your footy tipping, Boa. The lad is down your way and loves the place, and especially around Salamanca. I think the weathers been kinder than the sport but they are doing ok. At least they didn’t get beaten by NSW.
Not sure if they still give a whopper for a full house?
Cougar alert!
Ici, ce n’est pas la France , JB
un jeune homme. garde a’ vous. Cougar!
Good to hear the lad is enjoying Hobart. Milton. Weather has been good although a bit of snow here and there has cooled things down today.
Yes. I was quite proud of myself with my full house! Ignorance is bliss! I resisted the temptation, as I usually succumb to , to make last minute changes and it paid off.
Then there’s the old joke B.
Hubby leaves a note on his wife’s pillow.
I am going toget a divorce, if you want to tlk to me I will be in room 203 at the Hyatt with a sumptious 20 year old.
When he got to the hotel there was a note on his pillow.
If you want me, I am room 402 with a 20 year old hunk. I would remind you that 20 goes into 60 many more times than 60 goes into 20.
That’s funny, JS
What a weekend is sport….
– Norths snatched defeat from the jaws of victory yet again (maybe we could cancel 4th quarters when they are playing).
– Dragons lost in extra time
– Brumbies thrashed
– Ford won the V8 Supercar races
– Spurs lost in the FA Cup semi (albeit to Chelsea).
It can only get better….
Lot of teams running out of petrol in the 3rd. Saints, North and the D’s all died on the run home, tuckered out and mistake prone.
I keep hearing about values in politics and what the parties stand for.
I am more interested in finding out about the core beliefs of the person standing for election and how he/she will vote in the party room and how they would change what the party stands for.
The information is virtually impossible to get.
Would also be nice to know if they intend to stay in the party they got voted in under!!
That’s possible JS. You would have to waterboard and sleep deprive them for a month though!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5HkuhSEnPQ
I thought the rotan would be quicker. Rapid response and you don’t need to mop up. Well, not as much.
They would just tell you what you want to hear
A friend attended the dawn service at the Isurava War Memorial on the Kokoda Track this morning. The Battle of Isurava has been said, with some justification, to have been the most important battle ever fought in Australia’s interests. The five days of fighting – and just as importantly, the weeks beforehand in which the Japanese were forced to build up their forces for the assault – critically delayed the enemy advance in an environment where delays caused shortages and exposures that were more deadly than combat itself.
This year is the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign and a wonderful time to commemorate. If I don’t make it for the 75th anniversary of the battle itself, in August (and finances at the moment say, “no”) I might have to aim for the hundredth. That might be a stretch.
You’ll get there BLS! The trick is not to stay too long off the grog……..
(Sent from the QANTAS Business lounge Sydney about to head on QF1 to Heathrow. Glass of champers at hand)
There is a trek scheduled with the company I went with last time that will put the trekkers into Isurava right on the 75th anniversary date of the commencement of battle. I came within a whisker of putting down a deposit last night under the influence of a bottle of the local port blend but I restrained myself.
Maybe if I get two bottles in I can cast caution to the winds . . .
(Or put a Labor politician in charge of my finances – that would definitely get the money spent, whether I have it or not).
Just reclassify all your debts TBLS.
Make the trek development and she will be apples.
Bon voyage, Razor!
“Stuff the Federal Budget, Barnaby can handle that, I am off to see POTUS Trump” squeals PM Turnbull. Well, Mr Insider, looks like we have a new “Sir Robert “run over the bastards” Askin” of Australian politics as he drops all to run to see the POTUS. Bill Shorten to has changed his tune on POTUS Trump, now a big fan.
http://tinyurl.com/m7wqgvp
Shorten will change his tune to whatever gives him the best chance of moving into The Lodge.
You know, “don’t know what he said, but whatever it was, I agree with it””
He’s a worry, and certainly not equipped to deal with Trump or Kimmie
No cuts to Health, No cuts to Education, No cuts to Pensions, No cuts etc etc, Bipartisan support for NDIS until elected. Core and Non Core promises? Your coalition are the most disingenuous bastards to walk this planet. You cant see the forest for the trees Yvonne.
What are you on about Dismayed? I am discussing Shorten’s ability, not his policies. Try and keep up, you silly old thing. Even his own supporters don’t have much faith in him.
You were talking about people who would “change his tune to whatever gives him the best chance of moving into The Lodge.” I provided examples of your coalition doing it continually just because I highlight your hypocrisy there is no need to show your true bitchiness. You cant change the subject when you are shown up. Oh that’s right your coalition are not necessarily your coalition? it depends on the wind down there is oaky oaks. Yes we know you are intelligent you keep telling us. Don’t wheel out your victim placard again.
BODHISATTVA:-he can’t even deal with the Liberals for Christ’s sake. Effing HOPELESS!
True, Bassy. They need a capable fella up front – because the Libs are handing them government on a platter and they need to be able to cope.
Spot on there Boadicea but sadly due to PM Milton Trumble’s do nothing record that’s where Bill is headed imho.
Agree, HB
Had to dig through a mountain of links to find this article. I heard about this some years ago in a TV doco. Although it does not involve any Australians, it details an incident that highlights the basic decency of humanity, even in war. This is as powerful as the football game in the trenches on Xmas Day.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Brown_and_Franz_Stigler_incident
Excellent link. Thank-you for that.
No worries. I went looking for more and found several items on youtube, including some pictures of Brown’s plane, and interviews with both men. Not your average war story.
Canadian news item from 1997′
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRKQvmT3Xhs
American news item on Remembrance Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGzpENdbOg0
Absolutely extraordinary! Next book order I make, ‘A Higher Call’ will be on the list.
Yes, I think we can write-off Le Pen from any further involvement in the French presidential election.
Trembling with excitement are you Carl?
We could write-on Le Bic, JB?
I doubt that very much.
Why so JB? Everyone uses biros nowadays.
Nib pens are so passe and antediluvian. Bit like your unadorned garbo displaying his rear pelvic furrow line.
Oh! I forgot you are “le paysan”. My short term memory is shot!
When I am cooling my heels in the Qantas First Class lounge, signing documents, contracts, linen napkin mementos for the bar staff, I use my Montblanc Masterpiece. A good knockabout pen for the traveller. My vintage and antique collection I leave at home.
https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/fountain-pen-guide/
Now do try to overcome your instinct for florid language when describing arses old chap. It is disconcerting.
Weak as water man!
Just watched the Anzac march, every year the “few” become “fewer” but no matter how old they turn out to march.
We’re down to fewer than 30,000 I believe. And we’re down to a handful from the Holocaust to remind us of why.
You won’t believe the racket around the Enoggera Army Barracks and the Gaythorne RSL so early this morning , bagpipes , drums and News helicopters flying overhead , anyone new to the area would certainly have had an early morning wake up call… Lest we Forget…
I hope that the silly fat Kim doesn’t get a view of it from satellite as he may think we are readying to kill the commies. There is no defence against bagpipes. And I wonder what he would make of the 2up as a cunning, military strategy?
Why do you think he developed nuclear weapons?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYAGVE3luRo