Those of you who used to be on Whitepage may be interested to know that cc is back on Vox. She used to live in Sydney but is in the bush now. You can catch up on her here. http://cc1804.vox.com/
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26506144-952,00.html
Tony Abbott preaches all children must read the Bible
December 18, 2009 11:00pm
BIBLE classes should be compulsory so children have a fundamental understanding of Christianity on leaving school, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
"I think everyone should have some familiarity with the great texts that are at the core of our civilisation," Mr Abbott told the Herald Sun.
"That includes, most importantly, the Bible.
"I think it would be impossible to have a good general education without at least some serious familiarity with the Bible and with the teachings of Christianity."That doesn't mean that people have to be believers."
But former Howard government Islamic advisor Dr Ameer Ali, said Mr Abbott's remarks were "over the top".
"It's one thing to say every child needs a good knowledge of history and geography or science," Dr Ali said.
"But it is something else to say all children should have a knowledge of the Bible. That might hurt other people who have their own holy scriptures," he said.
And the Australian Education Union's federal president, Angelo Gavrielatos, said that religion was not a priority for schools.
"There is a place for comparative studies of religion in the curriculum, but ultimately we consider it a private matter for parents and their children," he said.
Read more on the Herald Sun's website.
I thought long and hard about posting tonight. This is a time of year when I like to forget the crap of this world, I Iike to dwell on the good things in life. Those simple things we take for granted. Like good health, family, and the miracle of just being alive. But at this moment I am feeling rather despondent. For all his efforts, it seems that Obama will deliver a health system with cosmetic improvements. For all the efforts of a lot of good people, it seems that the Copenhagen talks will deliver a cosmetic "solution" to the climate change challenge that confronts us all. And I'll lay it on the line. Conservatives have brought us to this.
And I have to wonder why. All that Obama wanted to do was to make health care available to every American. I don't think that is unreasonable. After all, all other industrialised countries have provided for this basic necessity for their citizens decades ago.Yet, the richest country in the world refuses to do so. Instead, we are treated to a litany of lies and obfuscation that are really an insult to the intelligence of anyone with average intelligence. I really do feel for my many Vox friends who I know feel the way that I do. I do sincerely wish it was otherwise.
And it seems that the Copenhagen talks will be just that. Talks. And who will be celebrating the failure of the talks to deliver a plan to deliver the world from its folly? Why, those same conservatives who seem to think that so long as they resist change then that is all that necessary in this world. And it seems as though they have won. Only they haven't. We all lost.
Like I said, I'd sooner forget the crap. They sure make it hard, though. Maybe another whisky will help.
I know this is not a big surprise for this week's Quest! This quest runs for 2 weeks so you have time to get some photos during this busy season.
Photos can be recent or old...you are free to use any photo enhancements, color or b & w or sepia tones. Make a collage, a Christmas card, a poster or just a single photo. Post how you took the photo and what enhancements you used.
If you haven't ever posted before just jump in and have some fun. No worries we are all learning here and enjoy seeing everyones photos.
Get creative and show the Photo Quest Group what Christmas means to you. Is it about the ornaments, the tree, the cookies, friends, children, parties (this is for Yan), pets, nature, church...what makes a Christmas special for you.
Since this quest runs through Christmas...I want to take time to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Maureen
This was the first time for this subject, shoes on Photo Quest. It was fun to see what you creative minded photographers posted for this quest.
First to post was Realworld with his Cat Shoes. I want to know how he stuffed that kitten in the shoe? OK so that probably didn't happen but what a cute, candid photo! Nice job Realworld as it is hard to get the cat's eyes clear on a photo...mine sometimes look orange or a strange green.
Next post was from Maju, with her purple sneakers trying to run away from the boring black shoes. Great composition with the purple shoe in the ROT spot. This photo really made me laugh...nice work Maju!
Then along came CountrybyDesign with a very mystical photo of her shoes in the stream of light. WOW this is a very cool photo and I think you should use this technique again with other subjects. I like the slightly out of focus shot here as it makes the photo have a more mystical feel.
Not to disappoint, Cap'n Stephel brings us some very Jazzy, Saxie shoes. Very nice play on dark and light and lines. I liked the second photo the best as it has just enough light to make me want to check it out closer.
Finally Yancunyong brings it home with party shoes. Japan must be a lot more fun than I ever thought. Yan seems to be parting it up big time. Loved seeing the shoes of his fellow party goers. I like the last photo the best...the red lighting and the reflection of the shoe was very cool.
Thanks again all for a great quest...hope to see you again next week.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26497660-952,00.html
Cruise control driver runs down his critics
THE driver stuck on cruise control at 100km/h on the Eastern Freeway and EastLink has lashed out at those casting doubt on his story.
"You weren't in the car," Chase Weir said. "If anyone can fake a 000 call and all that screaming, show me how."
Readers swamped the Herald Sun website and talkback radio to also ask why the Ford Explorer driver didn't turn off his engine or shift the gear selector into neutral.
Click here to listen to the dramatic 000 call extract
Mr Weir told police the ignition key would not move and that he could not put the car into neutral.
On trying to brake, he could not slow below 80km/h.
The 22-year-old Queenslander's ordeal began at 12.40pm on Tuesday when he was unable to slow for his Eastern Freeway exit.
It ended just over 30 minutes later on the Moorooduc Highway at Frankston, when he finally managed to stop the vehicle using the handbrake and the brake pedal - on the wrong side of the road.
Police considered radical measures to stop Mr Weir.
But it was Sgt Marnie Goldsmith who in effect rescued him, talking him through his panic after he dialled 000.
Mr Weir thanked her in person.
Sgt Goldsmith said: "He shook my hand and I said 'I can give you a hug'."
Mr Weir said it was only her calm response that allowed him to keep his head.
"She was saying, 'the car won't stop but you're still OK'. I was panicky, but she kept me calm."
She explained: "I just said 'I'll tell you when it's time to panic and we're not there yet'."
Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority operator Jay Kemp, who co-ordinated the response, said: "There is no standard procedure to stop a car stuck on cruise control. It was extraordinary."
The first police unit to reach Mr Weir thought it would all end in tragedy.
Sen-Constable Steve Warr and Constable Stephen Glenk from Doncaster kept other vehicles away from him.
"We knew the traffic would bank up and we wanted to end it prior to Frankston," said Sen-Constable Warr.
"We discussed about 50 different options, from using our van or a truck to stop him, using the guard rail, or running him into a paddock.
"By the time the last 3km came up, it was too late. I thought there were going to be fatals. I said over the air - 'It's going to be bad'."
The Explorer will now be examined by police and Ford. Mr Weir claims six Australians have contacted him on Facebook to claim similar issues with their cars.
National Motoring Editor Paul Gover writes: If you are faced with a jammed accelerator, or a stuck cruise control, do not panic. Firstly, push down very hard on the brake. If it doesn't release the accelerator, don't panic.
If it's a manual, push down on the clutch, which should disengage a cruise control, or knock the lever into neutral. Do the same for an automatic, but go gently on the shifter.
Selecting neutral will disconnect the engine from the gearbox and allow you to brake to a stop.
If you cannot get into neutral, try turning the engine off (do not lock the steering). You should be able to steer and brake to a stop.
In the absolute worst case, do as Mr Weir did to stop.
Woot! Way Hay! And lots of other shrieking sounds.
Birmingham City, the butt of many a joke such as "They are a reet strong team, they are holding up the whole Division", are SIXTH in the Premiership.
Sixth!
Ahead of Liverpool (who are scum because they stole the Worthington Cup from us on penalties).
SIXTH!
Goal difference of 1 is pretty shite.
But SIXTH1
Can you tell I am both happy and slightly drunk?
