tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68088402011-04-21T20:18:19.989-07:00Erratic drivel despairing of the world. Lack of truth is no obstacle to a rant. Flutenoreply@blogger.comBlogger2231100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1119856513097598262005-06-27T00:13:00.000-07:002005-06-27T00:15:13.103-07:00

It's been around six months since I moved to http://dailyflute.com. Get with the program!

Flutenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102674270162614812004-12-10T02:24:00.000-08:002004-12-10T03:44:21.206-08:00

Now at http://dailyflute.com Just when you thought I was getting all half-arsed about this blogging lark. Right, please update your bookmarks, blogrolls, any links you have made from your blog, any links from me commenting on your blog, rss and atom feeds and tattoos.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102465378285706872004-12-07T16:22:00.000-08:002004-12-07T16:22:58.286-08:00

Not that JH, James Hardie! Just when all is going boringly well for the Liberals, someone gave Wilson Tuckey a poke with the wakeup stick. He must have been in a deep REM slumber as the first gibberish he uttered was: When is Australia going to take a view about hindsight, when is Australia going to stop ambulance chasing, and when are we going to stop picking, as we are on this occasion, on a

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102462570613984862004-12-07T15:36:00.000-08:002004-12-07T15:36:10.613-08:00

Form: Malcolm Trumpbell has bags of cash and er...that's it I suppose. He could have been an ALP man, but the ALP chose wisely to use him as a white ant in the coalition. Used to ruling the roost, he won't be satisfied at being the apprentice for long, despite the promise of a tax deduction on a new toolkit. Cracking policy ideas include giving all children a flat rate of government

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102457854724504882004-12-07T14:17:00.000-08:002004-12-07T14:17:34.723-08:00

After some tummy trouble caused by Devine's glowing appraisal of The Great Costello's wit, my road to recovery has been hampered by Albrechtsen in todays ex-Australian. Never let it be said that a woman can't be sexist. The story begins in a typical fashion with la Janet claiming that feminism is obsolote. What is the proof of this? Well.... "She [Anne Summers] also accused John Howard of

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102398177296155742004-12-06T21:42:00.000-08:002004-12-06T21:42:57.296-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102390248237894832004-12-06T19:30:00.000-08:002004-12-06T19:30:48.236-08:00

I was talking to an old mate of mine, Alf Thompson, the former forward for the Brewarrina Maulers, who was on a trip down to the smoke to look at some waterfront property. It was a nice day, with a bit of a nip in the air so we warmed our cockles at the Cliche Arms Hotel. Well Alf had not much luck finding his dream retirement home, and let's face it how could he with all these bloody yuppies

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102388331314808522004-12-06T18:58:00.000-08:002004-12-06T18:58:51.316-08:00

The Great Costello is now saying that 2005 might not be all plain sailing. Bloody right it wont be. The great Australian meeja is at last waking up to the fact that people are spending $125 for every $100 they earn, and economists and business people are getting a bit nervous. Have you heard the analogy that managing the economy is like driving a car with lagging controls? Well it's even

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102311890416842152004-12-05T21:44:00.000-08:002004-12-05T21:46:43.483-08:00

Form: Having thankfully been cured of an earring, Dr Nelson has gone about his business of reducing education funding effectiveness with the same one-eyed determination showed by his legendary sea-faring namesake. Major acheivements include: The Nelson Rifle Range at Kings, The Nelson Performing Arts Centre at Pymble and dumb as you like uni places for all who have the required wedge. An

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1102302533638275172004-12-05T19:08:00.000-08:002004-12-05T19:08:53.636-08:00

All I can say about this is that Ronald McDonald is now chairperson of the panel that hands out Michelin stars to restaurants.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101769819362064112004-11-29T15:10:00.000-08:002004-11-29T15:10:19.363-08:00

Peter Costello: "This weekend a rooster declared a jihad on a dead parrot". Doesn't he remind you of an embarassing pissed uncle at a birthday party? A couple of points for Costello's team of script writers: 1) The dead parrot sketch has not been funny for decades. It lies in the grave of uni students repeating it ad nauseum whilst trying to pull chics. 2) The secret of comedy is not a smirk

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101714925227795472004-11-28T23:55:00.000-08:002004-11-29T00:30:57.193-08:00

Thanks to good old Pete Costello, The World's Greatest Treasurer, I now know that a high Australian dollar is bad for exports. Thanks again Pete! And thanks ABC News Online for deeming his announcement to be newsworthy. The results are in from the last 8 years and the verdict is: Australia is funding economic growth through debt. This debt is buying stuff from overseas. Australia is not

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101691415179954822004-11-28T17:23:00.000-08:002004-11-28T17:26:14.466-08:00

Apart from concentrating on the infruriating infighting that is New Labor, yesterday's Insiders featured the world's best Treasurer, Peter Costello waxing lyrical on the demographic timebomb. As he said, this is set in stone and will happen. As is Costello's want to coin forgetable phrases (e.g. hoax the folks and Kylie Minogues), he wrapped the whole problem into a question of the three Ps:

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101638508303670272004-11-28T02:41:00.000-08:002004-11-28T02:41:48.303-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101379045165087702004-11-25T02:37:00.000-08:002004-11-25T02:37:25.166-08:00

Rowen has pointed out that feedburner may be about to introduce adverts into their "free" RSS feeds. So if you get this feed from them, change the URL to http://dailyflute.blogspot.com/atom.xml. This blog is assinine enough without "Single? Date club swingers is your answer" crap all over it. I'll cancel the feedburner feed in one week.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101375188752747532004-11-25T01:33:00.000-08:002004-11-25T03:10:32.586-08:00

Form: Alex first caught the public eye after Daddy Downer paid Enid Blyton to include him in her first book, "The Famous Six Go Mad at Communists". Needless to say, the book was a flop, but the cash injection allowed Blyton to continue a prosperous career, the first move of which was to cut Downer out of the next book. Downer then had a (yes paid for by Daddy) stint as Billy Bunter's sidekick

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101296539528682002004-11-24T03:42:00.000-08:002004-11-24T03:42:19.526-08:00

I've just seen the Channel Ten news headlines, one of which is "James Hardies' asbestos victims face hiccup with compensation". Very painful to hiccup with no lungs.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101290965434077632004-11-24T02:09:00.000-08:002004-11-25T22:26:19.970-08:00

By the way, I will only update this post with details instead of polluting my blog with arsery, so keep tuned. After discussions with Barista and Nabakov the venue has changed to Spleen on Bourke Street (probably number 41). Nabakov suggested Spleen as a good starting point. All are welcome. The details (which may change) are as follows: Attendees: Flute Barista Nabakov

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101286226969269602004-11-24T00:50:00.000-08:002004-11-24T00:55:29.233-08:00

Once these rumours start through "unnamed sources" you know there is a fight abrewing, and the numbers are being counted. Perhaps the orchestrators are Tanner or Rudd, but the writing may well be on the wall. Unnamed sources have stated that a few of the Beasley supporters that crossed the line to join Latham are getting twitchy. Latham should ride through as idiot savant (though the savant

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101152254719547172004-11-22T11:37:00.000-08:002004-11-22T11:37:34.720-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101098208816376032004-11-21T20:36:00.000-08:002004-11-22T02:33:27.200-08:00

Its cloud cuckoo land time. Lets just pretend for a second that John Howard will hand over the reigns in an orderly fashion. In an irregular series, let us consider the alternatives: Name: The Reverend Tony Abbott MD Form: With a stethescope in one hand and a crucifix in the other, our Tony is becoming a farce to be reckoned with. As far as principles go, there is no beginning to this man's

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101083730917966172004-11-21T16:35:00.000-08:002004-11-21T16:37:55.823-08:00

Surprise, surprise, John Howard says there is no need for a Senate enquiry into the Windsor bribe allegation. He said: "It would be a complete abuse of the processes of the Senate, it would be complete politicisation of the processes of the Senate." How many more times are we going to hear variations on the themes of "playing politics" or "politicisation"? That is their job. They are called

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1101076122762336222004-11-21T14:28:00.000-08:002004-11-21T19:23:54.170-08:00

I am a tad shellshocked at having to return to normal this week. Following on from the fantastic Melbourne meetup (excellently depicted by the G-G) it all kicked off again on Friday night. I first met up with Georg and Darkie from Psephite under the big telly at the Clock hotel after a bit of phone tag. Georg insisted on buying my a beer to which I acquiesed with a modest fight, and unlike

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100825010988380052004-11-18T16:41:00.000-08:002004-11-18T17:25:11.036-08:00

Last night (in fact until early this morning) there was a blogger meetup in Melbourne. It was a damn fine night (after initial collywobbles) so to anyone humming and harring about whether to go to the Sydney Grogblog I would strongly suggest that you go. Last night I met Gummo, Sedgwick, Mallrat, Cast Iron balcony, MelbourneLefty, FX Holden, Poet, Boynton, AGB, Barista and a certain commenter

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100605493881151902004-11-16T03:44:00.000-08:002004-11-16T03:44:53.880-08:00

Again, I've been too busy and can't be bothered to do a pic. So the idea is to do an Australian Idol type picture with the two finalists Peter and Tony. Peter sang "Money money money" and Tony sang "My baby just cares for me". So picture each of them in the Idol studio with the vote for details as a caption. Probably one of them would have a fro.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100505168471242812004-11-14T23:52:00.000-08:002004-11-16T02:13:18.450-08:00

It looks as though Thursday is definitely the day for a spot of nosh and a drink. Luminaries include: Sedgwick Barista and maybe FX Holden Boynton Gummo Its at 7pm in Brunswick (Golden Terrace BYO Restaurant, 805 Sydney Rd, Brunswick) so if you want to pop along email me at dailyflute at optusnet dot com dot au.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100504475287819192004-11-14T23:41:00.000-08:002004-11-15T04:43:02.490-08:00

Unofrtunately the amount of jolly amusing pics will be low this week. I'm on a dial up and it just takes too long to find images to play around with. So you'll just have to pretend that this is a picture and use the power of imagination. It's John Howard in the house of reps, with Doctor Who sticking his head out of the TARDIS in the background. The Doctor has a speech bubble, "Bugger,

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100423961878212662004-11-14T01:19:00.000-08:002004-11-14T01:19:21.876-08:00

A bit like The Intangibles only made years later and not half as good - but more of that later. Nowt buggered about this flight, but I do have a bone to pick with Amex. I am fed up with cretins approaching me, or calling me over in the airport terminal only to proffer me a fucking credit card. You are the most annoying bastards on this planet. When I am at the airport, I am catching a plane,

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100232402739417552004-11-11T20:06:00.000-08:002004-11-11T20:06:42.740-08:00

I'll need a bit of training for the Sydney Grogblog next Friday, so invites for a beer will be considered. I'm in Melbourne from Sunday to Friday.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100228394631929882004-11-11T18:59:00.000-08:002004-11-11T21:08:13.930-08:00

Further info and Troppo's analysis

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100215572164484802004-11-11T15:26:00.000-08:002004-11-11T15:52:32.263-08:00

I'm only repeating what I've heard elsewhere some time ago (apologies to the blog I am missing but I'd hazard a guess it was somewhere on VM), and thanks to crazybrave for jogging my memory, but its well worth having a look at The Lyons Forum (and here) info. Scary stuff.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100151437121036022004-11-10T21:37:00.000-08:002004-11-10T21:54:09.333-08:00

I don't have any real strong opinions on Arafat, except that he was never short of a biro or two. Have a look on the news tonight when no doubt they'll be ample footage of him. How many pens do you need? If he was signing so much, surely a rubber stamp would have been more efficient. I'm sure I saw one of those tricoloured ones in a sleeve pocket once. Was he sponsored by Bic?

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100139821269951912004-11-10T18:23:00.000-08:002004-11-10T18:23:41.270-08:00

A couple of days ago on AM there was a bit of a hoo-ha over an ex-Liberal MP being dumped from preselection as a Family First candidate. Sweetman alleges that he was shafted because he voted to decriminalise abortion in WA in 1998. Anyway I couldn't really give a stuff about the scandal of a Liberal not getting another go at the trough. What was interesting was when Peter Harris (not a

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100129528543360852004-11-10T15:32:00.000-08:002004-11-10T15:32:08.543-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100059869835137332004-11-09T20:11:00.000-08:002004-11-09T21:35:39.093-08:00

The coalition has been in power for 8.5 years. But now is the time for an abortion debate. The statistics show that the abortion rate is declining, so why was this issue not on the agenda last year? Did the muppets involved (Abbott, Pyne and Ando) have different morals back then? This is a matter of deep principle for most, not just choosing what sort of lollies to buy from the confectionary

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100048914091784612004-11-09T17:08:00.000-08:002004-11-09T17:08:34.090-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100046401012542332004-11-09T16:26:00.000-08:002004-11-09T16:27:48.473-08:00

John Ashcroft, architect of the Patriot Act, amateur singer songwriter, and one of the few people to lose an election to a dead person, has quit as Attorney-General. Now they couldn't possibly find a loonier replacement could they?

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1100045706485381402004-11-09T16:15:00.000-08:002004-11-09T16:15:06.486-08:00

I'm in a bit of a quandary over this one. When I went to uni in England nigh on 15 years ago I had to join the student union if I wanted to use the union facilities. Fair enough as the beer was very very cheap, and the facilities were excellent. Also fair enough was that it cost five pounds per year so it was the equivalent of joining an RSL, just less pokies and B grade singers. I even got

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099994041553456302004-11-09T01:54:00.000-08:002004-11-09T01:57:20.986-08:00

Look at Two Cents right now. They have done a post on how poofs are not nice. The best bit is that Google Adsense is now advertising gay dating websites on their post. Fantastic.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099970921469530512004-11-08T19:28:00.000-08:002004-11-08T19:28:41.470-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099965693029432422004-11-08T18:01:00.000-08:002004-11-08T18:20:48.586-08:00

A Google search for: "greg sheridan" mcmansion returns the following at number 2: The Daily Flute: It's Tuesday: Wankers day I was quite chuffed with that. In fairness, Yahoo is doing a good job too. A search for: Pastor Brian Houston Brings up Hillsong at number one, with The Daily Flute: How to Vote - For God! at number 2.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099960994394494962004-11-08T16:43:00.000-08:002004-11-08T16:59:41.513-08:00

Watch out for smug Costellos on the loose today after a glowing report from the IMF. Ticks in all the right boxes or so it appears. But the report is a bilateral conclusion, i.e. it is made at the request and with the full consultation of the Australian Government. If you can be bothered to read the executive board report see it here, but perhaps more interesting is the staff report that forms

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099957423927637102004-11-08T15:43:00.000-08:002004-11-08T15:52:29.710-08:00

I ask this because there seems to be a perception that equality is here and the battle for equal rights has been won. If that is the case then why: In 1966 there were 32% of women in full time work, in 1999 this had risen to a startling 34% (Bob Gregory, ANU) Women hold 72% of part time jobs (ABS) The public debate on abortion is being held by men, who disavow any responsibilty in the whole

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099876534764944092004-11-07T17:15:00.000-08:002004-11-07T17:15:34.763-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099873059695112062004-11-07T16:17:00.000-08:002004-11-07T16:17:39.696-08:00

...onto a train track. Surely this can't be true? Leo Sayer couldn't have been as big as the Beatles here could he? Is there any chance of a Sayer boycott (no big ask I think) so he'll piss off to New Zealand?

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099867964947391302004-11-07T14:52:00.000-08:002004-11-07T14:52:44.946-08:00

For the first time in a long time The Insiders on Sunday discarded its shroud of sensible opinion and got personal. The topic? As Paul Kelly put it abortion, gays and guns. This weeks resident of the arsehole chair was Andrew Bolt, and true to form he described the war in Iraq as a choice between Good and Evil. Mike Seccombe did his level best to stop getting flustered, and nearly held it

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099865316295338452004-11-07T14:08:00.000-08:002004-11-07T17:50:28.956-08:00

Just when last week was looking bad, the news of Johnny Warren's passing made it worse. I had known a few poms that had come to Australia, loved it, but somehow felt they couldn't live here. So when I landed at Sydney Airport I was on the lookout for signs that would make the country feel "right". On my way from the airport to my girlfriends house the first people I heard on Australian radio

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099464957553753502004-11-02T22:55:00.000-08:002004-11-02T23:58:38.146-08:00

Nothing on the obliquely sexist front to report on Virgin Blue this time. However I am incubating a fiendish plot to overthrow the right. Through my various incarnations as student, friend and overlord, I have come into contact with various "brains" that will serve my purpose. Unfortunately academics are all too preoccupied with their ivory towers and confusing papers to even recognise that

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099452952243235492004-11-02T19:35:00.000-08:002004-11-02T19:35:52.243-08:00

For fuck sake have a look at Sailing Close to the Wind and Psephite. Stay tuned for a write up of flight DJ840, and refer to the post below for more backpeddling.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099442131468756242004-11-02T16:35:00.000-08:002004-11-02T20:00:12.216-08:00

You heard it here first. I'll put my arse where the poofy CNN types dare to tread. Traditional republican states (Virginia, The Carolinas) are still too close to call, plus the exit polls look marginally bad for Bush. Based on this science I am calling a Kerry win. Up your clacker, Bush. Update: Fuck it I'll be specific 288 Kerry kicking Bush up the arse 250.Update: Oh shit, Florida is

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099372979974249722004-11-01T21:22:00.000-08:002004-11-01T21:49:30.126-08:00

I nearly forgot about this one. How do you solve the family debt problem? Its simple: KAY PATTERSON: People aren't required to update their incomes, and we do find that some people constantly underestimate their income. We may be able to have legislation which uplifts their estimate to the previous year, and they can change that if they can demonstrate that their income won't be the same as

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099361503114076872004-11-01T18:11:00.000-08:002004-11-01T20:15:42.250-08:00

Culled from His Excellency (well I had to, there's no way I'm shelling out $5000 for a 7 horse box trifecta). A box trifecta on: Winning Belle Makybe Diva Distinction Grey Song Hopefully my winnings will pay for a couple of nights on the turps when I get into Melbourne tomorrow afternoon. Enough to blot out the memory of the first time I'll hear on the news that Bush has won. Update: Right

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099350361108549522004-11-01T15:06:00.000-08:002004-11-01T15:06:01.106-08:00

Over on Troppo Armadillo, Ken ignited the flames of debate on the Abbott and Pyne statements yesterday. It will only be a matter of time before the religiogarchies wade into this issue. Surely it is hypocritical for any organisation to preach on protecting the rights of the unborn, whilst harbouring serial paedophiles from justice, and silencing their victims. Do childrens rights expire when

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099268703044496952004-10-31T16:25:00.000-08:002004-10-31T16:25:03.043-08:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099260139857214692004-10-31T14:02:00.000-08:002004-10-31T21:49:18.286-08:00

Right thats it, I bloody well give up. The left has lost its marbles once and for all. The proof is in the usually reliable Alan Ramsey's column in todays SMH. Instead of bagging Howard and his cronies, he come out with a load of old baba about the Senate. But as far as losing the plot goes, you can't beat the ALP with its insistent rhetoric on "getting closer to businesses". Forgive me for

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099010811490351242004-10-28T17:46:00.000-07:002004-10-31T01:45:37.483-08:00

There has to be a gag in this. Elsewhere: Dave comes to a startling conclusion about Devine, Chris urges Howard on, Psephite goes off her rocker, Adam shows how the ALP factions fared, Rob is pissed off with the ALP. What is it about the left that allows such dissention? Why don't we ever see the right criticising anything that the Howard clan do?

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1099006847915016662004-10-28T16:40:00.000-07:002004-10-28T23:50:16.063-07:00

A hobbit like long extinct species of human (dubbed homo tenpercentus) has been found on the shores of Lake Burly Griffin (real story here via VM). Scientists have discovered that the creature liked to have the odd day in the sun at the expense of the rest of its tribe, and even near extinction this hominid behaved as if it was still relevant.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098927978400236372004-10-27T18:46:00.000-07:002004-10-27T18:46:18.400-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098922428436917372004-10-27T17:13:00.000-07:002004-10-27T17:13:48.436-07:00

How did I miss this utter shite from Albrechtsen yesterday in The Ex-Australian. This time it is an attack on unions. We start off with Janet's wonderful metaphorical skills: HAS anyone noticed the elephant in the middle of Labor's caucus room? Big, grey and seemingly immovable, it's called the union movement. Since Labor's devastating election loss, Mark Latham and the ALP have been skipping

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098831540648899382004-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:002004-10-26T20:33:27.176-07:00

Downer has claimed that the media were tipped off before the bomb blast because they arrived on the scene within minutes. The blast was near the Australian Embassy, opposite which is the hotel where most of the media are staying (you remember - the hot spot that John Martinkus got kidnapped from), but then proximity doesn't get the RWDBs going like a good old media conspiracy. For more info see

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098830498834387262004-10-26T15:41:00.000-07:002004-10-26T15:41:38.833-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098764525754176452004-10-25T21:22:00.000-07:002004-10-25T21:33:06.326-07:00

So Swan got the nod as Shadow treasurer, oh dear oh my. Smith got some weirdo role including IR which will put him up against the charismatic Kevin Andrews, whom my long dead pet rabbit Fluffy could beat in the referential power stakes. On the good side easy peasy Albanese has been promoted to the Environment and Plibersek is looking after the work, play balance. Crean has been moved to trade

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098759507226867722004-10-25T19:58:00.000-07:002004-10-25T19:58:27.226-07:00

The jury has spoken and I've moved the comments to Haloscan. On a two party preferred system Haloscan got 69% of the votes.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098745257937125342004-10-25T16:00:00.000-07:002004-10-25T21:54:02.150-07:00

The floodgates of wankerdom open every Tuesday. In the SMH its Gerard Henderson (already tackled by Rob Corr), the Daily Telegraph its Piers Akerman, but my pick of the wankers this week is Greg Sheridan from the Australian. The banner looks promising enough, " Family First a sign Lucky Country is going the American way" lulls me into believing that a diatribe against all things Goddy and US is

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098677661337038232004-10-24T21:14:00.000-07:002004-10-25T01:19:22.986-07:00

As a couple of savvy blogs have pointed out (CB and ML, original story here) I like to relax in style. Now that I have a bit more time on my hands than expected, I thought I'd share another couple of candid snaps with you. After a lie down at the beach I like to relax in the pool (and see how long I can hold Kevin Rudd's head under water). Then what better way to cool down than to rest your

Flutenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098662876367903352004-10-24T17:07:00.000-07:002004-11-10T17:54:56.536-08:00

I was looking at the Hillsong website over the weekend just to get a taste of salvation and even though I was fully expecting to see things that would make my toes curl and my blood boil, I never expected this. Guess who took time out of a busy schedule to open the Hillsong Stadium in 2002? Who was kind enough to rush from a trip to the Bali bombsite the day before, and to find a window while

Flutenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098662734187317062004-10-24T17:05:00.000-07:002004-10-24T17:06:42.313-07:00

Its Monday and as usual the news is slow, but I feel obliged to put finger to keyboard anyhow. AM are tipping the coveted Shadow Treasurer position will go to either Kevin Rudd or Wayne Swan after Julian Gillard has pulled out. Wayne Swan? I thought the ALP wanted to get their economic crudentials in order and win the next election, not install another hack from the shelf who's only talent is

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098599812528400452004-10-23T23:30:00.000-07:002004-10-24T17:22:24.293-07:00

Sophie P turned my milk sour this morning as she strutted about on the Insiders. This time it was how voters were not mug punters, able to see the labor "mirage" for what is was. Bollocks Sophie, you and your bile have spoilt my rice bubbles, snap crackle and shite is their cry now as they sink into curdled cream.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098406784213355862004-10-21T17:59:00.000-07:002004-10-21T21:38:10.850-07:00

The 7:30 report last night ran the story. Qantas want to relocate staff to London to save $18 million, meanwhile the directors have voted themselves a 66% pay rise (almost enough to cover the saving) and they made a $960 million dollar profit this year. The flight attendants union is on course to strike, and Qantas are training replacement labour. Big business once again is totally ignoring

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098404592530631732004-10-21T17:23:00.000-07:002004-10-21T17:23:12.530-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098399437913263252004-10-21T15:57:00.000-07:002004-11-10T04:19:41.743-08:00

Shit name, as it implies it will only happen once a year whereas all other cities meet up all the time. That aside, it promises to be an interesting night with people from both sides of the 'sphere, good and evil. I hear that there are 300 people showing up so far, and since they're probably all young cool (although my wife reckons it'll be more like a Star Trek convention) whippersnappers I may

Flutenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098334414067034592004-10-20T21:53:00.000-07:002004-10-20T21:53:34.066-07:00

Alexander Downer has slammed John Martinkus (who through Google is scoring me a few hits for some reason) for his comments about his abductors. Martikus said: "(From their perspective) there was a reason to kill (British hostage Ken) Bigley, there was a reason to kill the Americans; there was not a reason to kill me (and) luckily I managed to convince them of that." Now without in anyway

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098321699493215462004-10-20T18:21:00.000-07:002004-10-20T18:21:39.493-07:00

So far a couple of predictions are coming true (to which I'll add that Saddam will have "an accident" maybe suicide, before he stands trial). As Completely Biased points out, despite losing Larry Anthony's seat there are no signs that Ando is going to stand down. And now to startling news of my prediction on abortion. Tassie Liberal Senator Abetz says he supports the ending of funding for "

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098314598101677202004-10-20T16:23:00.000-07:002004-10-21T16:18:27.093-07:00

A while ago on Lateline Tony Jones asked Peter Harris the following: TONY JONES: You are a prominent member of the Assemblies of God yourself, aren't you? PETER HARRIS: I don't know if I'm a prominent member, I'm a member of the Assembly of God Church, but you know, Family First established itself to represent family values in Australia and that's how we promoted ourselves and obviously there

Flutenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098242762300935012004-10-19T20:25:00.000-07:002004-10-19T20:26:02.300-07:00

The Daily Flute has just topped 10,000 hits since I started measuring (Aug 31st) with 5000 unique visitors (although as each of the 3 stats things gives a different answer, I'll take the highest). Though measly compared to Backpages 300,000 per month I'm not complaining, especially as I seem to be just about weathering the post election slump. To all who've contributed and given feedback I am

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098229406781206292004-10-19T16:43:00.000-07:002004-10-19T17:57:59.686-07:00

Former Australian Liberal Party director Lynton Crosby has "Gone Fishin'" to manage the British Conservative Party's election campaign in the run up to next year's election. For anyone who thinks that the ALP is in disarray, look at the Tories for textbook squabbling. Since being thrashed in the 1997 election (Labour 419, Tories 165 seats) they dumped Major and brought in this weird grown up

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098224633289047142004-10-19T15:23:00.000-07:002004-10-19T15:23:53.290-07:00

I had a go earlier at explaining why income splitting is a bad thing, today Ross Gittins has a stab.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098168160101909752004-10-18T23:42:00.000-07:002004-10-18T23:42:40.100-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098151358587057542004-10-18T20:02:00.000-07:002004-10-19T01:49:57.280-07:00

It looks as though those dastardly Republicans are back to their old tricks for the upcoming election. For more, see Weezil, Corr, Psephite and feministe. Thankfully we vote in a country with a security measure of, "is this the first time you've voted today luvvy?", and the government can win purely on bullshit without having to resort to voter fraud.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098148304875790352004-10-18T18:11:00.000-07:002004-10-19T00:07:26.230-07:00

The SMH is running an "analysis" (via AAP) of the NATSEM report on low income families. Read the SMH for the positive spin, read my rant for the negative (there you go - balance). This report deals only with the bottom quintile of income earners in Australia. The report only covers people with children. Hence anyone who does not qualify for FTB is not included. Self employed workers or

Flutenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098140417465448312004-10-18T16:00:00.000-07:002004-10-18T16:59:07.386-07:00

Doddering Daiquiri Dickhead Downer is at it again. This time it is the appaling unconcern shown when an Australian journalist was kidnapped in Iraq and held for 24 hours before being released. ALEXANDER DOWNER: In any case, he's been released and he's in perfectly good condition. Obviously, we're concerned about the safety of Australians and we do ask that Australians don't go to Iraq. Some do

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098058065093941652004-10-17T17:07:00.000-07:002004-10-18T16:09:18.613-07:00

Emerson stands aside. Update: So does Bob after all.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1098056317748636992004-10-17T16:38:00.000-07:002004-10-17T16:38:37.746-07:00

It's not only bi-polar Pete that is forecasting tough times ahead (weren't oil prices high before the election too?). BIS Shrapnel is predicting a recession in 2007/2008 due to lack of business investment and skilled labour. One cannot believe the credibility of this report as it also estimates that interest rates will rise to 8% by late 2006. As you have been told (and told and told), this is

Flutenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097922238671941762004-10-16T03:20:00.000-07:002004-10-16T06:48:19.350-07:00

Government flags unconditional medicare rebate increase, doctors flag fee rises.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097819742791920132004-10-14T22:55:00.000-07:002004-10-14T23:05:27.976-07:00

Tim Blair practically soils his dacks over this pap. Is the right so desperate to appeal to the youf because they realise their base is dying off. Rest assured oh vampires of the right that the youf are living with mummy and daddy longer than ever thanks to affordable housing, and thus do not even give a shit about interest rates, let alone the rantings of Devine and Albrechtsen. By the way I

Flutenoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097811950247873432004-10-14T20:45:00.000-07:002004-10-18T16:11:19.980-07:00

I hate tolls too.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097800589702680852004-10-14T17:36:00.000-07:002004-10-14T17:36:29.703-07:00

FFP are confident of winning an upset Tasmanian Senate Seat. By the way does anyone know of a way of letting people who are reading this in a news reader that there is a piccy in this post?

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097795244994234852004-10-14T16:07:00.000-07:002004-10-14T17:47:31.343-07:00

So Australia has $250,000 for every man, woman and child does it? That must mean we are all happy and loaded. But hang on a minute, the top 200 individuals in the BRW wealth index account for $71.3 billion of that which uses up the "average" quoata for a mere 285,364 people (1.4% of the population). In other words, if we discount just 200 people the "average" wealth for each person drops to

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097706466462193392004-10-13T15:27:00.000-07:002004-10-13T15:27:46.463-07:00

Thankfully this is turning out to be better than my last flight. No jokes and japes from the flight crew on this early morning Sydney to Melbourne express. Perhaps the poor souls had a late night out at the Bourbon & Beefsteak. So with no "entertainment" I reach for the inflight magazine, "Voyeur". Geddit? Sounds a bit rude doesn't it? Sounds a bit like peeping through a keyhole to see a

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097652047097719172004-10-13T00:20:00.000-07:002004-10-13T00:20:47.096-07:00

Tony Jones squarely took the piss out of Family First the other night on Lateline. Interesting reading.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097646319123835432004-10-12T22:45:00.000-07:002004-10-12T22:50:51.346-07:00

Thanks to Rob Corr for getting me the right Michael Costello.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097640094878402332004-10-12T21:01:00.000-07:002004-10-12T23:45:41.976-07:00

Simon Crean has joined John Faulkner on the backbenches. Somehow I don't think there will be the same plaudits as these in tomorrow's papers. By the way and I got an indication of how shite the NSW ALP factional system can be when to my amazement Faulkner was number 2 on the ticket. Being an anally retentive below the line voter allowed me to stick him at number one, where the then Leader of

Flutenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097639451758150962004-10-12T20:50:00.000-07:002004-10-12T20:50:51.756-07:00

I have suggested to political pundits Centrebet that they open a book on whether interest rates will rise in November. If they do, you could gamble a months repayment on your mortgage at say $1.20 and if it comes off, you'll have enough winnings to service the increased burden for a few months.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097631544400496402004-10-12T18:39:00.000-07:002004-10-12T18:39:04.400-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097623781247019162004-10-12T16:29:00.000-07:002004-10-12T22:12:05.233-07:00

I thought something was amiss. Sailing Close the Wind and There Aint No Sanity Clause have suffered a server loss. Their new addresses are http://scttw.uni.cc and http://sedgwick.uni.cc respectively.

Flutenoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097622347018914612004-10-12T16:05:00.000-07:002004-10-12T16:59:30.486-07:00

Humans are social animals. Yet today, through decades of targeted American style marketing, people place more value on consumer products than they do on each other. Gone are the days where social capital was the major currency of life, it has been replaced by the cold hard greenback. Now a persons capacity to function in an unspoken reciprocal relationship with their communities is less of a

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097555217363161382004-10-11T21:26:00.000-07:002004-10-11T21:26:57.363-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097541686707372652004-10-11T17:41:00.000-07:002004-10-11T17:41:26.706-07:00

Harry Hindsight speaks. The right define leftist elitism as the view that "we know best", that "people are stupid" and that this leads to policies that are out of touch. However the number one tag line for the election came from Howard - "Interest rates will always be lower under the coalition". Despite all major economists disagreeing with this, and a wealth of historical data to show this

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097470643777668632004-10-10T21:57:00.000-07:002004-10-10T21:57:23.776-07:00

Flutenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6808840.post-1097462041554426892004-10-10T20:34:00.000-07:002004-10-20T17:39:04.570-07:00

Despite the strong interest rate crudentials of the Howard Government, the RBA will raise them in November.The Senate will be renamed Synod, and a collection sack handed round at sittings.Howard will be leader for the 2007ish electionJohn Anderson will stay on despite losing Larry Anthony's seat (oh no, what will happen to childcare? He was such a champion)Draconian "anti-terrorism" laws will be

Flutenoreply@blogger.com2