Regardless of what you think about Donald Trump he does exactly what it says on his tin.
That’s not to say what is in the tin is especially nourishing. Personally I would not like to be sitting down for a steaming bowl of Trump every day for the next four years. The Americans voted him in and it’s their lot now.
But what is surprising is how surprised the US media is whenever Trump makes a policy announcement.
First we had the immigration bans. The US media went into a profound almost anaphylactic shock over that one. Trump had promised it and he made good on his pledge.
Since Trump concluded his European tour WaPo, The NY Times, Politico, the New Yorker and The Atlantic among many others have reported almost breathlessly in musings of the “will he, won’t he?” type regarding the Paris Accord.
Full column here.
JackSprat and Carl on the Coast (yesterday) – Along with every other sensible person I’m just sick of it.
A few months ago there was an incident at the pub where I work where a young eff-wit “allegedly” (sorry, I have to say that, the case is still pending) assaulted an elderly man by pushing him over. The old bloke went over and cracked his head on the pavers – blood everywhere, ambulance called. One of the local boys gave the little bastard a touch up and saw him off. A little while later he returned with a hatchet, totally out of his head and we had to lock the place down with around thirty people inside. Police were called but because the local copper was out of town and the nearest police were busy with other things we had to tolerate about three hours of this animal “allegedly” smashing windows and roaming around the street outside before the cops turned up. And when they did they spent their whole time taking names and details of witnesses instead of looking for the “alleged” offender. Even when one of the locals got an eyeball on him and called the pub to tell the police his exact location they didn’t go after him. By the time they got around to it he had gone to ground.
He then “allegedly” broke into the local ambulance station, “allegedly” looking for drugs and laid low overnight until a relative “allegedly” spirited him out of town. He went on the run for a few weeks before the coppers caught up with him. He was charged and bailed, after which he “allegedly” committed another assault and failed to front court for the first offence, for which he was also arrested, charged and bailed, after which he “allegedly” ran amok at a suburban railway station, threatening to throw himself in front of a train.
It was only at that point – the point where he “allegedly” threatened to harm himself, rather than terrorising someone else – that some rocket surgeon on the bench decided enough was enough and chucked him in remand where he sits today.
The old man, a long-time local identity in his eighties who was relatively fit and healthy and lived in his own home never fully recovered, spending his last few months of life in hospital and assisted living before dying a few weeks back. No word yet on whether the evidence was sufficient to upgrade the charges but in my view, if the little c**t never again sees the light of day it will be too soon.
We have to get serious. These things are happening too often. If the authorities won’t protect people, then people are going to take matters into their own hands. But right now, if you take on a person like that – and there was talk in the bar about it – and seriously hurt or kill them in the process there’s a very good chance you end up in the slammer yourself. It’s a bad joke.
TBLS- you better just stay home in your robe and slippers. It seems the things that have been happening for millennia now scare the crap out of you. Is it your position that the events you mentioned above have never taken place in any other time of by any other generation?
In the group of things that have been happening for a Millenia would you include a changing climate?
Wrong
Thanks, TV.
I never cease to be amazed by how low some people will go to prove how “clever” they are. I was not a close friend of the deceased gentleman, but I was a friendly associate and neighbour. He nightly came into the pub for a glass of red and to sit by the fire, minding his own business. To end his life the way he did was nothing less than tragic. My boss-lady went to the funeral – feeling an obligation to do so as it was her establishment in which he caught the blow that eventually killed him – and came back broken.
How the f**k can anyone make a smart-arse comment about that? I just don’t understand it.
Look where it came from TBLS. No surprise really
You angling for a radio Shock Jock job Swantoon? You’ve got the technique down pat, or you’re just a natural.
Dismayed made a comment about your ratty carry on Swantoon. You are mischievously making a connection to the unfortunate death of that poor fellow. That is reprehensible.
Look at your own smart arse comments about the death of all humanity and inciting mob rule to do whatever they will.
Sort yourself out bloke.
WTF Dismasted? Even by your miserable standards a fairly low reply.
He hit the bottom of the barrel . . . and just kept digging . . .
Get real pointing out terrible acts have occurred forever is hardly news? You guys need to take a step into reality.
You’re obviously totally devoid of empathy Dismayed. Too many smacks around the lughole I’d say. Get some help man!
Cant quite put my finger on it but on the surface of it at least there does seem to be a hint of the ad hominem in that response Swantoon.
TBLS Oh my. Is that the best you can do? You hope my family and myself are killed?? I expected nothing less from an hysterical old fool like you.
Peppa Pig is dismayed at that reply.
Oh sh*t! You’re talking to Peppa Pig now Jack Sprat!
I’d suggest he’d be the cowardly arsehole Swantoony! Of course if the kids do have problems at least they were privately educated and also the advantage of private health cover…….
As the saying goes, TBLS, the law is an ass
Amongst other things, Boa!
so slammer it is
It’s easy to say, mate. But when we have a legal environment where police snipers have a bead on an armed hostage-taker and the police command won’t issue a fire order because they are concerned about the “rights” of Man Haron Monis, when he is holding people by force with a shot-gun, you have to ask yourself – as those police snipers undoubtedly did – “Is it worth it?”
if i got a icehead waving a hatchet at me im guessing its slammer or morgue.
Well NSW police will now have the authority to shoot to kill. Things are changing…..
Assuming you are correct, all we can deduce is that is the reason they gave for not issuing a fire order.
Gosh big windfarm going ahead in the Midlands here.
Tassie to become one of the biggest batteries for the nation.
Hope it employs plenty Boa.
heard that one…wasn’t funny the first time
A wind farm employs how many Smoke?
replied to B raz…
Whoops my apologies smokeasaurus.
Wonderful news Boadicea. Go Tassie!
My best, Bella
Yes, it ill be interesting Bella. There was a lot of opposition to wind turbines on King Island a couple of years ago and it didn’t go ahead. I was in Spain recently and there are wind turbines absolutely everywhere – been there for 20 years.. But Spain is the headquarters of Acciona – one of the biggest in the business.
Spain must be one of those ‘progressive’ countries then Boadicea. Our country & many more wind & solar farms would be a perfect fit but sadly emission-spewing, filfthy polluters give our politicians their jollies here.
Regards, Bella
They were the mob that broke Spain weren’t they?
Current UK PM Theresa May now sprinting clear of the Socialist ratbag Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Insider, as Corbyn makes mistake after mistake after mistake in the shadow of the “post”. As May says “Its Me or Chaos!”. How absolutely true, a huge mistake for Corbyn to even get close to the levers of power imho. Election day Thursday.
http://tinyurl.com/yd3sb44w
Regardless of outcome, it’s economic chaos for the UK, especially out of London.
The growth forecasts for the U.K. have been revised.
Slow start to the year but they are looking at 1.5-1.8% over the next twelve months, improvements in EU growth have fed in but, the Italian banks still aren’t out of the woods, the Greeks can’t get debt relief (Merkel refuses) unstable Austrian government and the Spanish debt has increased and then there’s those pesky Eastern Europeans not doing as they’re told.
Remains to be seen if Macron has the balls to reform the stagnant/ancient French way of doing business or will the unions/farmers/greens/students etc and so forth create merry havoc like they always do.
If Comrade Corbyn and El Gato move into No 10, apart from pissing off the current feline resident Britain will become the Venezuela of the north and none of the above will matter.
well corbyn will turn into venezuela if he wins,
labor as i am i couldn’t vote for him
Maybe a bit of a revival in the Lib-Dem vote in London on that basis and possibly in other parts in the south west, mate. My tip is the Tories with a majority of 40 seats (It’s 19 at the moment if memory serves). Labour is looking at new levels of political pain in the north and in Wales. The SNP will sweep Scotland again but the Tories might snaffle one or two (none in 2015). Northern Ireland will stick with Labour. Then the fun begins. Corbyn may well survive the defeat at around that level but May’s reputation as a campaigner has taken a huge blow. Having seen her on the hustings, a lot of Brits must be wondering, is this really the person we want to negotiate with the EU?
SNP will lose seats, Sturgeon is totally on the nose and not just for the neverendum the economy is pretty dire up there.
If Corbyn loses he won’t resign, Labour could split again and as for May, yes she’s been dismal on the campaign trail but she seems to be the only politician not lacking a pair.
The assumption you are making is that ram shackle economic edifice called the EU is sustainable.
The Italians, Spanish, Greeks might disagree.
The Germans who look upon at the economic activities of the Eastern European states and the above with increasing alarm are slowly moving into that camp.
Without a wholesale movement of power to Brussels the whole thing will slowly dissolve.
The UK with its common law history versus the rules based continental attitudes is a bad fit for that.
Brexit equals recession in the UK. It’s just a matter of how hard the landing is going to be.
Razor says:
JUNE 5, 2017 AT 5:43 PM…… Here is the link you wanted….be very afraid….very afraid!!
https://cleantechnica.com/2017/06/05/privatization-trump-wants-sell-off-us-millionaires-saudis-starting-air-traffic-control/
(Relating to…. You want a really scary one – Mad Trumper is proposing to sell off the US aircraft flight control to private industry. Not sure I would want to be in a plane being landed by a company straining to minimise costs and wages!)
Reputable links only please Bassy………no Greens rentseeker sites allowed.
What is a reputable link to you Razor?
I’m quite serious.
Anything that doesn’t rely on Big Green funding for its survival.
Good heavens. Reading the list of the Brighton terrorist’s criminal history – why the hell was he out on bail? This is ridiculous. How many more innocents need to die at the hands of parolees…..
Shameful Boadicea and this must stop now! Cheers.
My Annual Medical check up today, Mr Insider, as I head into my 66th year amazingly. Included will be a manual Prostate exam where the Doctor will insert a gloved and lubed finger up where the sun doesn’t shine, even though my PSA is a low 2.0. In all seriousness so important for men as is Breast Examinations for the Ladies. I read dear Olivia Newton-John has her Breast Cancer back lets hope she beats it a 2nd time. Good health to all and for those ill some timely prayers and good wishes, hope you get well very soon.
Hope he buys you dinner first HB.
He was quite gentle and quick Razor and a good outcome too but we Men must be vigilant it is indeed a serious matter. Cheers
Very serious indeed HB. Lost friends and family to it.
Watch out for double digit inflation next time, Henry.
You are awful, butt I like it.
Jack, totally OT, with your permission; a real bit of quality work from the ABC; a dramatization of the story of Damien Parer, war cinematographer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsxcN3M6q3Y
As we commemorate the 75th anniversaries of the very important Battle of Milne Bay and the Kokoda Track campaign and the lesser-known battles of Wau and Salamaua and the Black Cat Track, it’s worth recognising a man who worked like a Trojan in these places to bring stark reality to an Australian public that appears to have been as complacent then in the face of hostility and threats as it is today.
Damien Parer lost his life filming the landing of US Marines at Peleliu. He was originally buried there, near where he fell, but I believe he was later re-interred at the Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby amongst his fellow Australians. Hopefully I will soon get to visit him and offer a personal thanks.
Lest we forget.
Bugger! It seems I may have mis-remembered. Actually I think Damien was eventually buried in Ambon, a cemetery I visited around twenty years ago.
Good on Bolty for throwing a few haymakers at those masked and cowardly clowns.
Vale Kirsty Boden, the young nurse who was killed in London doing what I read she always did, help people. Absolutely horrible for her family and friends.
Exactly right.
Well said Milton! Cheers.
He threw a couple of decent ones to Milt!
Saw the latest footage and the gutless bastard attacked from behind, and needless to say he had 2 mates with him. how funny are they! lock ’em for aggravated assault (if that’s the right term).
Who filmed that and made it available?
Got his ruined suit up for auction – latest bid is $5000 – all proceeds to charity
The Looters have lifted their primary vote to the highest level since November 2016. Essential poll today gives the Looters a 36 per cent primary vote. It comes amid a public debate around national security and tackling terrorism. Yep the good old standby. Er as I was saying earlier on the blog. Nothing like kicking the terrorist can to score a few points. I can hear the dogwhistle from here! Get ready for a khaki/refugee/terror/dogwhistle election.
“Nothing like kicking the terrorist can to score a few points.”
That’s not just silly Bassman, it’s totally inappropriate.
I guess there is, right now, some frantic review of coves like Yacqub Khayre who are wandering about on parole or bail.
How are those electronic bracelets monitored, Jack? Is someone looking at GPS locations in a room full of screen maps? There is a fundamental flaw in that system. I mean, if a parolee is about to go berserk, he isn’t afraid of consequences of removing the tag.
Exactly and yes there are a room full of people monitoring these things in all major cities in Aus. I think if you are on bail for a violent offence and you qualify for a bracelet, it’d be better for everyone else that you were remanded in custody.
Spot on, Jack
I agree with you JTI, but our jails are still overcrowded. This guy should never have been let out of jail, let alone be on parole. However the parole boards and the people on the ground do examine every case and it is the parole officer who is often at risk of being the scapegoat if one of their ‘clients’ decides to break their parole. I will bet you anything that this Yacqub guy ticked all the boxes at his parole hearing. Prison authorities wanted him to undergo deradicalisation but the various law enforcement bodies (inclduidng AFP) said no.
I have a close family member who has worked in various prisons as a literacy teacher who then decided she wanted to get involved in prisoners rehabilitation. She has undergone extensive training and is fully aware of the ramifications of a parolee reoffending. I have to say I worry about the risk she personally is constantly facing, but she finds the job rewarding, because of the amount of people who don’t reoffend. Talking to her this week, her job has been made that much harder because the whole thing has been politicised. Terrorism is a frightening issue, but we don’t need Malcolm Turnbull grandstanding over this distressing event.
Easy to blame the parole board but they had no idea this thug was on a terror watch list, although presumably they would have known he has been acquitted on terror charges some years ago. That is the first problem, having the judiciary, police, security and intel services freely exchanging information. Prisons may be overcrowded but there would always be room for him and any other with his antecedents to be remanded in custody after being charged with a violent offence.
So we now have another schism on law and order between jurisdictions, State and Federal Jack.
The most recent episode of police at Tullamarine not being able to get into the MAS plane because the stairs rolled out were to short sent me into despair. Keystone cops.
Then there’s the news the AFP lost the mobile number of Kyayre and failed to keep of the known terrorist sympathiser, for gods sake.
Why cant the parole board do its bit by requesting all available information from all agencies, aren’t they in the telephone book?
Australia is a federation of states, but at times it would appear more like sovereign entities that can’t talk to each other, let alone share.
Gidday Penny, hope all is good in your world.
I have to be honest I wouldn’t like sitting on a parole board. Pressure to clear the prisons balanced against the wisdom of Solomon.
Razor, yes all is good in my world. Back in OZ , traveling around and just appreciating how great Australia is. Love living in Malaysia, but need to get back here to look at things from a different perspective. Best of both worlds really.
Re the parole board, I agree and some of her stories (well those that she can tell) are heartrending, but at times frightening. I think we don’t realise the sad and hopeless lives some people have. I would hate to have to make some if the decisions she does.
I don’t now how these things work but surely they have (or should have) a tamper alarm as well as just “monitoring”. If you fiddle with it, the authorities know immediately and you’re back in custody.
A couple of thousand electric volts would be to the good. Call it a tamper alarm too.
Yes. absolutely. Electric volts are definitely the superior type for that sort of thing.
suicide bracelets