Category: Opinion

America is Drowning.

Rarely do we have the opportunity to witness history being played out in real time especially when it’s a nation that is descending into self destruction.

The once keeper of free world standards has set about dismantling its legal system, it’s social justice system, even its democratic and constitutional base to appease a president with a vocabulary level and word count that of a Grade 6 Australian child.

This nation has been dumbed down to a point where professional people with a lifetime of experience in international protocols, law, and other civic experiences have surrendered or been dismissed in favour of people who respond to a tweet, and the sad thing is it only going to get worse.

I have no political allegiance to any party in America but when it’s decisions effect my country I will weigh in, and I’m afraid if we do not highlight the descendency we will follow as we have done in its ascendancy of the past. Comparisons of cultural standards, populations are far apart with the base standard of illiteracy in America equals our entire population, Flat earth believers, one in 6 equals , the population of several states here, and our Medicare is regarded as something out of a communist propaganda book that they can’t read anyway but Fox tells them so.

Most of both houses of government qualify for Nursing Home status not Governing status and the simple fact the are prepared to sacrifice their youth in military conflicts around the world lends credence to nepotism of the upper classes to retain power and money regardless of which side politics you follow. It’s a great plan, even if they do survive they are heroes for a day then abandoned as they were conscripted without formal education past basic stuff. Keep them dumb and feed them bullshit and give them a flag in hand or on their coffin. GBA.

As I watch this self demise I’m not sure if America can ever return to a status the world respects as it turns inward and I can see its trending on building a wall a watertight wall around America but then it will drown in its own sewage.

Wayne Offer

It’s Wage Theft if you Get Caught.

At last the term Wage Theft is now part of the narrative in Industrial Law but surprise surprise the employer groups are blaming the Awards and conditions are the problem.

Like every single conservative government the first job on election is to adopt a royal commission into unions and do everything to destroy working conditions and what the call “red tape”.

That Red Tape covers safety and building standards, wages and representation of workers and the simple cut disturbing fact the we are loosing at least one worker a week on the job many not game to be represented by unions for the fear of loosing employment let alone challenge award wages.

It seems to be a crime nowadays to have the gumption to challenge for fair wages and conditions in a group, your declared as a militant yet its n been ok for the employers to rip off their employees without any justice other than a tut tut naught boy declaration from the establishment..

Being a former employer it’s totally my responsibility to ensure my employees were paid correctly and I appreciate oversights can occur but the ones who are falling on their swords now are serial thieves over many years.

This Coalition will never respect a persons right of representation by a union on ideological grounds so expecting anything other than a token naughty boy response is about as likely as they are in getting a federal ICAC in place.

WAYNE Offer

Jackboot Legislation Threatens Media Watchdogs.

I respect to Supreme Courts decision on the legality of the raids on Sky journalists and the ABC but that decision does not make the law just.

If we lookout the entire landscape of the way we get our news the days of just picking a a rag or clicking on a site and believing the spin or chose to research the story from different outlets then have a somewhat expansive view.

It is not beyond government regardless left or right to attempt to manipulate then truth for political advantage and it is up to the media to scrutinise, question , investigate, expose the dark truth and that includes the them who enforce the governments legislations.

Once separation of powers, law and politics was respected now its optional if the narrative suits yet some outlets turn a blind eye while others play it straight often to their ridicule from the yes men.

If your confused how a government can spin they support whistle blowers then raid them demanding their sources or else, or tip off the media of raids before warrants are served for political gain , be assured we are not in some facist republic but we could be on track if we continue to allow jackboot legislations to prevail.

Please question if we want to be like America and have political appointed judges to deliver government ideology or have that separation of power that can be protected by a robust and investigative professionals who do their job unhindered without the fear of midnight raids.

Wayne Offer

Attacking the Messenger

Rarely I respond to opinions aired in the Letters to Editor Column as I believe we are all entitled to our views on all subjects across the board however I will respond if I truely believe their has been a injustice as a result.

I have seen many editors in my time as a contributor to this rag from before Tony Moore to present day and with a few exceptions the Queensland Times has been a regarded as a local credible source.

When Murdock entered I had huge apprehensions that we Ipswicharians would loose it’s balance yet that has not happened even though we have to tolerate the cut and paste of the Masters wishes in some copy our local news and opinions have and are well aired thanks to our local team of journos, so when I read that this paper has bias against our PM or publishing only anti government slant is untrue to say the least.

Thanks to Shannon and her team we get a pretty good local rag considering the trash coming out of the Courier Mail and that’s why we support our local QT, so when we decide to attack the media we have to look deep at ourselves and decide where the actual bias really lies.

Power Outweighs Justice for the Poor.

Once we had the separation of Government and the Law to ensure we all were on equal ground if and when we happened to infringe and the law would take it course unchallenged.

This is not the case anymore even in so called democratically elected countries around the world. I won’t even start on the American system where the levels of justice only apply to the ones who have no money whereas the wealthy just corruptly buy authorities to manipulate their innocence.

We in Australia are not far away from that now. Offences like water theft, unauthorised travel then claiming refunds, fraudulent emails, miss allocation of public funds for electoral benefits extending to the highest office in the land, to name a few then at the other end decisions where people on NDIS are dying before the get treatment, the Robo Debt initiative where people have taken their own lives, veterans and others with disabilities stymied from gaining help by government hurdles reveals the obvious fact the rich have one law the poor another.

If a employer is at fault and life is lost legal charges are laid, yet the loss of life and associated mental health issues with health and well-being areas is regarded as collateral damage and Ministers walk away congratulating themselves on budget saving measures.

Where is the justice to those families and often homeless people lay?

The fact is this government does not have a social justice or any justice compass as its ideology does not allow it as its all about power.

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Our Working Poor Does not Fit Scotty From Marketing’s Model.

It’s rude to eves drop. It’s probably unethical to write about it but this is a story that needs to be told.

While shopping in a major chain complex i inadvertently overheard two employees discussing if one had received a email from management re a issue. A negative reply then the conversation expanded into why the email was generated as one employee dared to question a manager.

The end result was that employee lost hours, and then the fear of that happening to them fully revealed how we allowed our people be manipulated as throw away human beings.

When loosing one hour is the difference of having a roof or on the streets for a family it becomes inconceivable to some who live in the land what we regard normal Australians.

These people are the working poor and in some cases destitute. They have pride and often present well clothed from charitable outlets or in uniforms and the only thing they have to trade is their labour and when your that low in the labour chain you are expendable and the ruthless employers prey on that vulnerability.

My initial thoughts was seek union advice but this contract society has taken away that safety net, and keep in mind millions of these are officially employed although they may only have 4 hours or less and do not appear on national un employment data, and then we wonder why our crime rate continues to rise as people struggle between New Start and manipulating employers of survive but when it gets down to feeding your kids or loved ones people resort to desperate measures, filling our courts and costing the community billions in enforcement.

Scotty from Marketing’s “have a go get a go” slogan does not apply to this level as his rejection of New Start increase is rejected and big business gets tax breaks about sums up the care factor to raise the living standards of all Australians not just the Silent Ones.

Wayne Offer

Australia’s Food Security Needs Action Now.

Back when I was in the communications industry after Jack the Slasher was closed at Yamanto I was laughed out of the party when I suggested large supermarkets would convert into warehouses, home grocery delivery via internet, operations would be done remotely via fibre, and newspapers would be available on your phone.

Well in todays world let’s look at the most important thing we as humans need, food security, to survive.

As the climate debate splits our opinions the thing no one can deny is our food network has to increase to accomodate our population and there will come a time where we cannot grow or produce enough greens and protein we need to survive on this island at present farming methods and the changing weather, and I think many wise old farmers will agree.

In the future taking into consideration present technology over time our reliance on “naturally” produced product ,greens and protein, will be produced in controlled environment where water can be delivered at a constant rate via recycle or air conversion and protein taken and reproduced in forms that will resemble meat as we are just discovering today all predictable and delivered on time.

If the research is near correct Australia could be fed with about as much land as Victoria. Scary stuff but must be on the agenda now or we will fall for the same trap as we did 80-90’s in ignoring the climate data we are now experiencing.

Farmers and other producers on the land will not become extinct but their product will become boutique as long as the external weather permits so that’s why if the men on the land fail to support measures to protect and improve our present earthy condition it will accelerate their demise.

As was the transition from land line to WiFi the blind skeptics will laugh you out of the party, but in this case is our basic home based survival at future risk, and we have been put on notice.

Wayne Offer

Let’s Pause and Think for Ourselves.

Blame is important and strategic, and that is now the norm in today’s political narrative across the nation and it all depends on who’s team you choose to align yourself with is only the view you will hold.

This is a dangerous climate for truth. Whoops did I say Climate?

Be it Climate change, fossil fuels, renewable energy or migration across the board each and every subject is either funded or supported by some big corporations who’s basic existence is profit, money and we the parrots of policy are their mouthpieces following their set narrative and some of us just do it blindly once we are indoctrinated.

This is not fertile ground for objective and lateral thinking.

Every one of us has a opinion but that should never stop us from questioning that opinion when presented with a alternative, something the manipulators do not want us to do.

This “With me or your Against me” spin is the divide and rule strategy played out since mankind evolved and has been recognised as a cancer for open democracy and the media should be the circuit breaker delivering unbiased truth and accountabilities regardless of who is in ownership.

That information source is a a factor and a player we the consumer has to judge weather it has its own agenda. Big responsibility I know and for some just too hard so they go along like cattle to the slaughter rather think before I speak or more importantly vote.

Chemello’s Legacy leaves Our City in Good Stead.

I spent the time, I read the line, all 44 pages. (See Below)

Greg Chemello’s report was extensive but not surprising by those who had genuine concerns over many years of getting feedback which many regarded as just sour grapes or politically motivated.

I feel genuine remorse for those newer councillors who were tainted by the dismissal, and I could accept that incorrect and illegal processes they were introduced to on appointment were accepted unknowingly.

The positive thing is all the network divisional brotherhoods developed over years wheeling and dealing are gone. Transparency will be restored to all ratepayers and employees without the fear of repercussions and the fact that it’s a totally new ballgame will make it very interesting observations to those former councillors who thought they were untouchable if they decide to renter the game on a equal footing with the new bloods on a brand new playing field.

Regardless I feel it’s important to spend the time and read the report yourself and judge what were the mistakes then we owe it to our great city never to become complacent in holding our elected representatives to account every day not just polling day.

Thanks Greg, and his team.

https://ipswich-qld-gov-au.cld.bz/Ipswich-City-Council-Administrators-Update-Vision-2020-January-2020

Troy Wright Article FYI. Via Facebook.

This is the post I had hoped I would never have to make, but in the face of blatantly untrue commentary in the media, I feel we have to correct the record.

The current fire emergency on the NSW South Coast is unprecedented in both its scale and its severity. At the time of writing almost 400 homes have been lost in the last few days and worse still, seven lives. Entire towns have been leveled and communities are being evacuated. Fauna and flora has been wiped out at levels never previously imaginable and potentially rendering some species extinct. And it is nowhere close to ending.

There has been a lot of arguably premature and distasteful finger pointing about the causes and prevention of this crisis. Those with a right wing agenda to prosecute have blamed “green tape” and without foundation, some sort of conspiracy by environmental groups to ban hazard reduction, notwithstanding they hold no political power to actually do so.

Hazard reduction in NSW over the last year has been close to normal levels but clearly has been insufficient.
there are two reasons why. The first is the conditions in the field, where faced with warmer and drier weather as part of an ongoing drought, hazard reduction is not always possible. Those that call for an unregulated approach for private land owners to burn their properties as they see fit ignore one inconvenient fact – 87% of fires are man-made…being 40% by deliberate arson and the other 47% by accident. An attempt by a land owner to mitigate a risk on their own property can often result in a threat to many others if not properly managed.

The second reason hazard reduction may have not been carried out is one entirely within the Berejiklian Government’s control – resourcing. In 2017 the then Office of Environment and Heritage restructured the NPWS from 37 areas across the State to 8 regions. In doing so they removed $121 million from the NPWS budget and redesigned or cut more than 700 positions. Included in these were Rangers and Fire Management Officers (FMOs) – the very staff responsible for both hazard reduction and fire management and fighting in national parks.

The Public Service Association as the union for workers in NPWS held a rally in Bega on 24 November 2017 to air the concerns that these cuts would make local parks unmanageable. Below is a link to local media covering the rally. Our calls to reverse the cuts were ignored by the local member Andrew Constance MP and the then responsible Minister, Gabrielle Upton MP. On the day I recall meeting the local FMO who with twenty years experience and local knowledge, had been told he was no longer required.

The reversal of these cuts may or may not have improved the current situation. The fires are of such ferocity now that it appears nothing short of divine intervention would stop them. But we know these petty and ill considered job cuts have not assisted. The roles that were lost may have had a preventative effect in being able to snuff out fires earlier deep in national parks through strategically planned intervention based on detailed local knowledge before they became the raging infernos they are now. The question also should be asked not why cuts were made but why, when facing some of the driest conditions ever experienced in the State’s history over the last few years, that increases to relevant agencies such as NPWS, Fire and Rescue NSW, RFS and the Forestry Corporation were not made.

As part of a civil society we pay taxes first and foremost to be kept safe. There is no greater or more fundamental responsibility of government. If a government cannot be trusted to carry out this role then it must be indicative of not just misplaced priorities but a total lack of sense of duty to its citizens.

Our thoughts and efforts at this time must be with those on the front line and those facing what are for many of us unimaginable terror. But when the imminent dangers subside we must remember these dark days and hold those responsible by their neglect to account.

https://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/5084327/national-parks-and-wildlife-service-staff-in-utter-despair-says-veteran/?cs=509&fbclid=IwAR3pTV83Rm_wsapWnoFBQwO8RM-YPJt5vyJ0_gvDShsoQtWM2y39sSNCOW8

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