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Post by angra on Jul 5, 2013 22:52:00 GMT 10
Obscure or imported words.
What's a "rain-check"?
I've never understood this apparent US import, which is increasingly used.
Does it mean discounts for rain-damaged goods? Does it mean we're closing the shop because of the heavy rain? Does it mean your cheque has been rendered illegible because of water damage?
Does it mean the yanks don't understand basic f***ing English?
As Churchill said, we are countries separated by a common language.
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Post by chookmustard on Jul 12, 2013 7:36:54 GMT 10
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Post by chookmustard on Jul 13, 2013 7:58:28 GMT 10
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Post by Matthew Of Canberra on Jul 13, 2013 9:31:02 GMT 10
"That is odd"
Actually, it explains a few things.
I wonder what happens to reality if you put him, beck and coulter into a room together - does gravity reverse? Does maxwell's demon pop out of wall paper? Do the paintings start to argue with each other?
I like this:
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is succeeding in banning coconut oil, which is one of the most healthful oils you can consume
Erm ...
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Post by Matthew Of Canberra on Jul 13, 2013 10:34:13 GMT 10
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Post by angra on Jul 13, 2013 10:45:43 GMT 10
Compare and contrast.
Value of Peter Slippers alleged misuse of Cabcharge? $964.
Value of Tony Abbotts proven misuse of Parliamentary allowances while travelling Australia to promote his book? $9,400.
Number of lines written in Murdoch-land about both incidents?
I reckon in inverse proportion to the amounts in each case.
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Post by angra on Jul 13, 2013 11:19:48 GMT 10
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Post by Matthew Of Canberra on Jul 13, 2013 11:41:09 GMT 10
"Compare and contrast"
I agree with margo kingston's site - they should either apply the "minchin protocol" consistently in slipper's case or just get rid of it and get MPs to all justify their expenses without being able to rely on a nod-wink buffer. Codify it in law, or get rid of it.
Whatever slipper's done (and I'm really not a fan), I think he really is the victim of a unexpectedly successful smear campaign. If he hadn't been in the sin bin because of the ashby business, the "minchin protocol" might well have been politically safe to apply. Now that it's gone as far as the courts there's not a lot the AG can do. So the ashby smear failed to achieve its original purpose, but it did make slipper impossible to protect in the same way that everyone else in parliament is. This would appear to be an interesting way to take down an MP. Notice some irregularities in expenses, fire up a public smear campaign, preferably with some leaked emails and personal messages, then when that's at its height report the expenses to the AFP and make it known. Of course, it relies on massive media coverage, so the libs don't need to worry too much.
Is anyone keeping a register of the number of smear attacks that this government has been subject to? Utegate, the AWU beat-up, slippergate ... all false, all trumpeted by the same news organisation. There were a couple of low-level attacks on bob brown too. Any others?
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Post by angra on Jul 13, 2013 12:09:51 GMT 10
The other Abbott expense scandal is that he claims them for his bikie and other sporty photo-opportunities.
“6 Jan 2012 TAbbott competes in Pier to Pub swim in Lorne, claims $349 in travel allowance + $1095 flights to Melb 21 April 2012 TAbbott competes in Hervey Bay Surf Lifesaving Pier to Pub swim, claims $349 travel allowance + $2023 flights 5 August 2012 TAbbott competes in Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge, claims $349 travel allowance for Coffs on 4 August + $650 flights 9 Sept 2012 TAbbott competes in Wagga ‘Lake to Lagoon’ fun run, claims $354 travel allowance on 8 Sept & $160 for flights Dec 2012 TAbbott the trucker drives rig down Pacific Hway, claims $1108 in travel allowance for staying 3 nights in Brisbane, Coffs & Terrigal TAbbott claimed $9600 for charter travel to/from Aurukun Mission when he volunteered there in 2012 TAbbott claimed travel allowance when he volunteered at Aurukun in 2012 TAbbott claimed $1700 in travel allowance for his volunteer work as truancy assistant in Aurukun in 2009 TAbbott claimed travel allowance for his volunteer work as builders labourer in Hopevale in 2011"
“Travel Allowance should only be paid when travel is primarily for official business, committee meetings, or parliamentary political party meetings.”
nofibs.com.au
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Post by Matthew Of Canberra on Jul 13, 2013 12:30:10 GMT 10
Yeah, but none of that information matters because RuddRuddRudd
And you should know, angra, that when leftist publish things it's a baseless smear and everyone should just calm down.
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Post by chookmustard on Jul 13, 2013 12:56:26 GMT 10
The being subsidized for charity events really downstream sit well with me. Looking at Abbotts list in isolation is interesting.
What would intrigue me even more would be to have a look at similar lists for all pollies to 'compare and contrast'. Then see how Tony looks. I'm sure I've read somewhere that Abbotts office spent more dosh over a similar timeframe as former PM Gillard. How does that work? Is it all the charity events?
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Post by Matthew Of Canberra on Jul 15, 2013 8:35:50 GMT 10
I see a lot of those "my family" stickers around. I like them - I like to check them out to see what sort of pets people have (I like critters, and I like that people consider them to be part of the family).
I saw one on saturday that surprised me. A picture of a baby. And it had wings and a halo.
Ok, so ... is that telling a happy story, or a very sad story?
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Post by angra on Jul 16, 2013 18:25:35 GMT 10
Police in Sydney have found an 82-year-old sulphur crested cockatoo that was stolen in Victoria two months ago.
Robbo the cockatoo was taken in May from the visitors' centre at the Phillip Island grand prix circuit, south of Melbourne.
Inspector Natasha Fairfax says Robbo was found at a house in Sydney's inner-west yesterday.
"It came to light that Robbo may have been residing now in the Marrickville area," she said.
"As a result of that information police executed a search warrant yesterday and a bird matching the description of Robbo was discovered."
Good to see Inspector Knacker is concentrating on serious crime.
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Post by angra on Jul 16, 2013 18:52:22 GMT 10
I lived in the bush for some time, and once witnessed an aerial battle between cockies and currawongs. The curries had for some reason taken exception to the cockies taking up residence in their trees, so decided to launch a pre-emptive attack.
It was like the battle of Britain.
The currawongs attacked in strength from the west; the cocky watchbirds raised the alarm, then the cockies arose to defend their new territory. But the cocky flock split in half - one half flying high above and behind the currawongs (into the sun) and diving down from behind.
They raced down from on high and both squadrons rained screaming death on the currawongs from fore and aft.
The curras made a hasty retreat to lick their wounds.
I swear this is true - one of the most amazing naturey thing I have ever seen.
Never underestimate the cunning of a cockatoo.
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Post by Matthew Of Canberra on Jul 19, 2013 11:34:55 GMT 10
Woohoo!
I have FDotM socks! I signed up to crikey and they sent me goodies!
They're way to precious to actually wear, though. I might have to buy some more so I can keep these ones pristine and un-stepped-on.
Matt.
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