Category: Lifestyle

Media Laws and Ownership vital to democracy 

To the average punter the debate on media ownership takes little or no interest to many.Channel 10’s demise and pending purchase and the ideological and financial attacks on the worth and content of our ABC network is swinging the media menu in Australia more towards network ownership controlled by billionaires. 

That’s fine if journalists are allowed to follow their oath to balance,truth, and fact, and encouraged to write accordingly.

My concern is that oath is not being respected by the owners and pressure is exerted to support the owners views over the code of ethical journalism.

If we want our country’s media to be independent the laws governing media ownership are vitally important, and we the punters deserve factual news, true investigative journalism without bias, or we will go down the road of America and get only the extremes on either side dominating and our news becomes properganda. 

Non For Profit’s Organisations Toxic Culture.

Ever wondered why in Not For Profit (NFP) organisations often have so much infighting, one upmanship, malice, hate, and wonder why people still participate or compete to participate?Being involved heavenly over time I now sit back and view people play the games and think was I really like that? Or was this so important to me that I copped the crap or even dealt it out to some and did it make a impression or change?

It’s like the hand in the bucket analogy, stir it up, make waves, but when you leave the water settles like you were never there.

Quite often people who take on roles of influence in these organisations are retired or semi retired and after leaving the workforce and need to feel still connected in a way and taking up positions of authority in NFP’s is a way of using their skills for the benefit of the organisation as well as giving them a outlet to replace full time work.

It sounds great at first but I have seen those good intentions turn into personal power play hunger or survival and the ruthlessness of survival in the real workplace is reign-ignited.

Some cannot let go of former power and forget the people they work with do not have their hierarchy mindset and the assumed subordinates will not be bullied which then push back, and the cycle commences or continues.

So how do we stop the cycle and remain a inclusive, happy and progressive NFP??

The possible solution is setting time limits on the office bearers, 3 year maximum and then must step down from that position, break, then by all means re nominate after a agreed time.

This gives rotation of members through the system and power bases are harder to form. Yes some are skilled in certain facets of business and some not, but you are never too old to learn, that helps others regardless of work history learning new skills on the provisos they are prepared to take advice.

Interest in your NFP organisations members needs to be continually worked on like customers to your business, and services provided to keep them coming and head hunting for your new blood at the top table should never stop, as the longer people do the roles the more they feel the club owes them or they are the keeper of all knowledge.

Ducks and Jelly Backs

Not often all the ducks line up in politics but the Gay marriage timeline has certainly got them running, but we’re not sure who are the getting behind.Pyne’s leaked opinion has sent them all into their respective camps reigniting the factional and ideological factions differences among the Coalition. In fairness some of the Labor and minor parties share same views, but the overall majority agree we should take the step to legalise and put it behind us. 

The logic we are expected to swallow is a referendum which in fact will take on a election campaign status funded by us the taxpayer and then supported by the opponents costing the nation millions of dollars which will only magnify the opinion divide over months yet not change the outcome, or we can let our parliament do its job and vote non partisan. 

This government can send our nation and our kids to war on a minutes notice without a referendum yet they Bork at a decision that effects two people marrying. 

Media quotes memorable timelines like Howard Gun Control decision, Rudd’s Sorry, but I’m afraid if this is not sorted it will go down as Jelly Back moment for this PM 

Canabis, The Conversation we need to have.

With our police under the pump continually with major issues concerning public safety, drugs, Domestic Violence, Crime ect is it time to revisit our laws particularly those regarding Canibas?Is is now proven fact the substance has sound medical applications for various conditions and if controlled as it is in some European countries can we release the pressure and resources of our police by legalising it and government regulation, supervision making it a major income flow to the country.

If managed correctly the black market would crash and those funds redirected into boost public coffers, police time re prioritised to higher level crime. 

Government regulation similar to alcohol would apply nationally and maybe we might see a drop in alcohol related crime as other countries have reported. 

It will take brave politics and politicians to start a conversation on this issue publically for fear of being labelled soft on drugs however the value of the crops would decrease, police time would be curtailed, government coffers increased, black market shut down over time and yes some will overindulge initially as they do with other legalised habits but we can have more control if we are smart enough, or we can just continue to play the expensive never ending game of cat and mouse

Take Back Our Public Assets.

It’s hard to work out the logic of the current Coalition parties. In South Australia they were spruking how bad the power network was then when the state government takes back the network from the privateers, takes accountability of its own power the federal government says it’s all wrong. In Queensland the coalition built the failed Redcliffe link with privateers, bought the failed electric trains from Indian fire sale, sacked drivers and stopped training, then say the network is failing the people. 

Honestly the lesson here is do not allow privatisation into our public assets because profit and greed surpasses price and service to the average Joe Citizen. 

We were promised Power, water, telecommunications, transportation, postal all would be cheaper under privatisation and history has proven that was a blatant lie, the ideological experiment has failed and it’s now time to reclaim Our assets back and put the profits back into the public coffers not with the Silver Tail Executives. 

Take the Stakeholders Out of the Domestic Violence Debate.

They say politics and religion are taboo if you want to keep your friends. Well hears a test… 

Domestic violence is a issue politicians and the religions have used to promote their causes on who is getting the moral high ground on fixing the problem.

We see pictures and articles of victims being abused from all over the world and comparisons drawn in our media and politicians on what religion they are and what culture they are and how lucky we are that we are good Christians neglecting to report that We, Australia, have possibly the one of highest domestic violence incidents per capita in the world with some Christian cultures promoting male dominance within the family unit. That goes under the carpet conveniently. 

We are consistently told we are a (Christian Nation). In actual facts are 61 % are of the Christian Faith in Australia, 31% either Atheist or No Religious which leaves the other 8% to all the rest. Yes 8% split up across all the other religions in the world yet if you listen or watch the spiels from the stakeholders protecting their own special patch you would believe the hoards are at our door and theirs is the only one to follow to get you wherever or whatever.

The point I am trying to make is if we continue to listen to the politicians and the churches spiel we will alway be divided on the issue of fixing domestic violence not only in Australia but world wide. 

We need a body of people not encumbered with beliefs or politics fully funded, and I do have some ideas that would be extremely controversial to go about funding that, but that’s another issue, to address domestic violence, with the assistance of our state and federal police as part of every police station in the nation, not just a part time or when needed position but full time. 

The cost of DV in dollar terms and mental health is incalculable considering the damage it does from cradle to cript to any population, so it has to start somewhere and soon as we are loosing the battle right now, ask any hospital worker or policeman. 

My Flag

I remember well when you were appointed as a flag monitor and were in charge of folding, carrying and unfurling and recovery of our nations prize possession on parade every morning at school. It was never allowed to touch the ground and treated with utmost respect and was a federal offence to in any way to desecrate our emblem.
Fast forward and today our people and politicians wrap themselves, dress themselves and even cover their faces and hide in a flag that our people gave up their lives for. It’s used as a weapon to divide our society not unite it, to profit by having it printed on your corn flake box or any retail item that seeks advantage by playing on nationalisms. 

Our National Emblem should be sacred as it was before the mighty dollar hijacked it.

We are not any other country other than Australia and if others choose to betray their Fallen for dollars that’s their call, but the words Respect, Honour, Achievement, should be only criteria for being individually honoured with the privilege of wearing our flag.

For those who need something to show your national passion wear a boxing kangaroo or whatever but…… 

My flag is not for sale thanks, is yours? 

Masters Retail demise

IMG_0772

Masters Closing its Doors!!!
When are we going to realise what is really happening to Australia?
It all started with that budget emergency remember, the one that magically disappeared one the LNP took office. Then we lost our car industry, thousands of workers and feeder industries gone without any regard to the workers and families.
Then it was the Solar industries turn, targeted to keep the big coal executives cheques rolling in to party coffers, more jobs gone, then Wind energy demonised just to keep the ball rolling against renewables.
Then came the Health sector, the age care sector, education, mental health all slashed or priced out of Joe Citizens pocket.
See the trend yet?
Then we wonder why the Dick Smiths, Now Masters and other retail outlets are walking away simply because the average person is battling by the day and consequently more jobless hitting streets across the nation.
You will also notice these are all labour intensive industries, little people selling their labour to survive, while no massive changes in the top end, where tax avoidance is the underground culture practiced by the elite, while all the time the the government work to reduce penalty rates and other worker conditions.
Full time jobs are a dream to most, part time and several jobs to survive make it look like employment figures are fluid, while all the time the unemployed ranks are rising.
It’s nor rocket science that this government will lead this country into a recession, a planned recession, one that will allow it to starve the labour force, elderly, and disadvantaged into giving up its rights then ideologically restructuring it as per instruction by its corporate backers.
Australian culture is being redefined under our noses and where we were a nation together growing, achieving, we are being led down a path of division where the divide and rule culture is regarded as good business practice.

Terror Termites

I don’t know about you but if you’ve ever had to deal with white ants or termites in you house it can become very nerve racking.I discovered them and I’ve had 2 guys have a go and I still got the little suckers.

I’ve avoided doing repairs until I am absolutely convinced they have gone or all you do in lock them up and away the go again… 

Entrapment they call it… 

It certainly tests your metal once you’ve had them as you are conscious of every bit of soft and hard wood in your house, looking for indicators..

Sleepless nights lying awake thinking where they might be now wears you down…

I can honestly say the Pest Controllers are good but the ants are better in survival.

Monday it infa-red technology unleashed and let’s hope it’s the last time and I can start working in repairs in confidence… 

And be aware nothing is off the menu if their hungry.. 

The Back Nine.

Take the time and enjoy the story from a caretaker at Lake Dyer and a client.

Two of my favourite customers whom can’t visit anymore, because they aren’t physically able to tow their caravan any more sent this. It is fantastic advice!! 
THE BACK NINE HOLES
 I FIRST STARTED READING THIS EMAIL & WAS READING FAST UNTIL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD. THIS EMAIL IS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK. READ SLOWLY! 
 AND THEN IT IS WINTER 
 You know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. 
 

But, here it is… the back nine of my life and it catches me by surprise…How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? 
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and the back nine was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. 
 But, here it is…my friends are retired and getting grey…they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me…but, I see the great change…Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant…but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d become. 
 

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore… it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will… I just fall asleep where I sit! 
 And so…now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though I’m on the back nine, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over on this earth…it’s over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime. 
 

So, if you’re not on the back nine yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the back nine or not! 
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember…and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!! 
 

“Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2015! 
 LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS:

~Your kids are becoming you……but your grandchildren are perfect!

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

~You forget names…. But it’s OK because some people forgot they even knew you!!!

~You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything like golf.

~The things you used to care to do, you aren’t as interested in anymore, but you really do care that you aren’t as interested.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV ‘ON’ than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep”.

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch..

~You tend to use more 4 letter words … “what?”…”when?”… ???

~You notice everything they sell in stores is “sleeveless”?!!!

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

~Everybody whispers.

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet…. 2 of which you will never wear. 
 ~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!! 
Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” Send this on to other “Old Friends!” and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!! It’s Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived. 
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

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