Inner and Western Sydney robberies increase

NSW Recorded Crime Statistics - third quarter 2006
Release Date: Tuesday, 28 November 2006
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research released its September quarterly crime statistics report today. The report covers trends in crimes recorded by NSW Police over the two-year period from October 2004 to September 2006.

Carmel Tebbutt, ignorant of our history

Students ignorant of our history
Justine Ferrari, November 27, 2006

More than three-quarters of Australian teenagers do not know that Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and the beginning of British settlement.

This includes NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt, she said Australia Day commemorates Federation, in a radio interview Monday.

"Human beings can deal with ambiguity, but computers can't."

At Icon smh.com.au we read Domain name games

Domain names now can use combinations from a possible 37 characters; if non-English letters are allowed, this would rise to 50,000 or more, Paul Twomey, who lives in the United States but also has a home in Sydney, is the chief executive of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organisation whose tasks include managing the domain name system (DNS) says. This could create problems where, for example, a character in Urdu looks identical to one in Arabic, confusing the system and making it difficult to direct users to the correct website. "We live in multicultural Sydney ... and we all want a multicultural internet," Twomey says. "And yet, there's one big difference between human beings and computers. Human beings can deal with ambiguity, but computers can't."

US World War II - Iraq

Iraq above

US reaches Iraq milestone
From correspondents in Washington
November 24, 2006 04:45am
Article from: Agence France-Presse via news.com.au
The US involvement in Iraq will pass another sad milestone on Monday, when it overtakes the length of America's engagement in World War II.
Germany above

Baggy green replaces the slouch hat?

I note Life lessons on the playing field by
Miranda Devine November 25, 2006

As wars have become less popular, sport "has become the new combat zone", and Australians have come to see their sports champions as the new heroes, "espousing those digger values". The powerful symbolism of Australian sport, and its connection with a sometimes idealised past, emerges in Eales's interview with the former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, in which he talks about the baggy green cap.
"I used to turn around as captain and see 10 guys walking in behind me in the baggy green … it just gave us that symbol of unity and strength. It was like you would have to take us all on … We would protect each other. It gave us a link to the past, to the 380 other players."

So this begs the question, has the baggy green replaced the slouch hat?

Kylie's Iemma blackout

Kylie's Friday night concert suffered a Iemma blackout.

Patrick Dodson wants apartheid

Let Aborigines be nomads: Dodson
Patrick Dodson says taxpayers must accept the right of indigenous people to be nomads and live in remote areas if they choose.

This is separateness that is apartheid.

"Pearl Harbor, a secondary and supporting operation."

Pearl Harbor attack, although held essential by dominant Navy opinion to assure Japanese supremacy at sea for the execution of the Southern Operations, was, in fact, a secondary and supporting operation.

"..same-sex companionship households."

Love may bloom late for the baby boomers - Bernard Salt November 23, 2006
This leads to the notion of same-sex companionship households. Here is a lifestyle solution that gained traction in the 1920s in the wake of the near decimation of Australia's young manhood in the Great War: women lived together in a non-sexual companion relationships.

NSW Parliament adjourns, serious incidents reported

Source: AAP via news.com.au
Hospital staff sacked over assault claims
November 23, 2006

"teachers unions have hurt public education"

The teachers unions have hurt public education, but conservatives can save it, writes Janet Albrechtsen

Muslim women religious obligation

In the face of hostility
Muslim veils have caused ructions in various parts of the world. Elisabeth Wynhausen goes under cover to gain a different perspective
November 22, 2006
Finishing touch: Elisabeth Wynhausen's headgear is adjusted by a shop assistant in Sydney's Lakemba. Picture: Alan Pryke - theaustralian.news.com.au
Although the burka is associated with Afghanistan, where it is still seen everywhere despite the fall of the Taliban, the garment that has come to symbolise the more extreme versions of the Islamic dress code originated in Pakistan.
For many Muslim women, though, covering their faces is considered a religious obligation. Whether the chasm will ever be bridged remains open to question.

Michael Richards niggardly critics

Critics of Ex-Seinfeld star Michael Richards are niggardly with their understanding.

Iemma energy speech blacked out

Power surges hit Sydney
November 22, 2006
AAP via smh.com.au
The NSW parliament was twice plunged into darkness today as power surges hit Sydney.
Parliament House experienced two blackouts this afternoon, the second one at 5.15pm lasting several minutes.
MPs waited in darkness before resuming debate.

Ian Thorpe: "I haven't balanced out my life.."

Thorpe quits swimming
November 21, 2006
Article from: news.com.au
Ian Thorpe has announced he has retired from international swimming.

Mr Debnam asked Mr Iemma

NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard (Proof)
Extract from Transcript of Hansard 15/11/2006 (Article No.21) MINISTERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY INVESTIGATIONS Page: 46
Mr PETER DEBNAM: My question is to the Premier. Given that there are just four months until the State election, will he tell the people of New South Wales whether, besides Minister Tripodi and former Minister Orkopoulos, any other Minister is the subject of investigation by any law enforcement authority?
MINISTERIAL CONDUCT COMPLAINT
Page: 34
Mr PETER DEBNAM: My question is directed to the Premier. Given that it is four months before the election and ministerial accountability is a critical issue in this State, is the Premier today in a position to tell the people of New South Wales if, in a series of meetings in January this year, a complaint was lodged with the Police Integrity Commission by a Wood royal commission informant about the misuse of ministerial power by one of his Ministers?
MINISTERIAL CONDUCT COMPLAINT
Proof, NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard, 16 November 2006, article 18. Page: 38
Mr PETER DEBNAM: My question is to the Premier. Given that the collection of evidence and information by the Police Integrity Commission is oversighted by the Attorney General's Department, and the Attorney General is the subject of a complaint, is it not appropriate that the Attorney General stand down from his position pending the outcome of the Police Integrity Commission's assessment or a public hearing be conducted, or is it more appropriate that the assessment be completed by an independent, arm's-length law enforcement agency?

armed robbers, girls, 15, 16 and 17.

Police nab armed robbers - Western Sydney
Saturday 18 November 2006

hoodwinked - this is news?

The Los Angeles Times via smh.com.au
November 17, 2006
Borat the actor has hoodwinked a frenzy of journalists into uncritically promoting his film, writes Joel Stein.

Burqa Ban Koranic or Moronic?

The Associated Press via iht.com reports: Dutch government proposes a ban on wearing burqas in public.

NSW ALP feeds NSW people fertiliser

The family of Milton Orkopoulos has blamed the media for a suspected suicide attempt by the sacked NSW Labor minister.

The word convenient comes to mind.
How convenient. Now we cannot mention his name between now and his hearing in January next year. He eats fertiliser and NSW ALP feeds NSW people fertiliser. He gets to go to hospital while the NSW people have to swallow it. Again how convenient.

Ah-mad-inejad: Israel doomed "to destruction"

Iran warns on Israel destruction
From correspondents in Tehran
November 13, 2006
Article from: Agence France-Presse via www.news.com.au

Well he would say that.
Hitler tried.
PLO tried.
Now Ah-mad-inejad.

Akropolis Orkopoulos ruins

Labor Akropolis ruins which Gough was visiting then he met his doom first in Darwin after Tracy then Canberra, 11 Nov 1975. History repeating?

Iemma fiddles as NSW burns

According to a November 11, 2006 article from: AAP
New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma, flanked by security guards, refused to talk to the media about the Orkopoulos scandal.

Meanwhile the Lake Burragorang Fire according to the Friday 10/11/06 4pm Update has been burning for fifteen days and has burnt out over 8900 hectares of bush land.

Communist Party seek charge Rumsfeld

Why am I not surprised? This report: A US constitutional rights group will seek charges against outgoing Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over detainee treatment at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. In the 1950s, the National Lawyers Guild refused to purge its members who were also members of the Communist Party.

"Curly Washburn" dead at 87

Jack Palance dead at 87
From correspondents in Los Angeles
November 11, 2006 11:11am
Article from: Reuters via news.com.au

USA: the gullible have voted

In the USA the gullible have voted. Both Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi remind me of Madame Defarge, Madame Therese Defarge is the wife of Ernest Defarge and a tireless worker for the French Revolution in the book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. In France there was The Reign of Terror and Madame Guillotine. Will USA now face a Reign of Terror as the two madams seek to overthrow the President?

Marr and Masters did not know about Orkopoulos?

How come the well-informed Marr and Masters did not know about Orkopoulos? They seem to have constructed a good story about Alan Jones.
Or is Orkopoulos a good gay?

Japan takes Melbourne line

Delta Blues wins Melbourne Cup
Tuesday, 7 November 2006

Japanese horse Delta Blues has won the 2006 Melbourne Cup. Delta Blues has won in a photo finish from the other more fancied Japanese runner Pop Rock.Maybe Better has finished third, Zipping fourth, while Zabeat finished last. The two Japanese horses stormed home in a thrilling finish to the 3200 metre race, which carries a first prize of $3 million and a second prize of $750,000. Damien Oliver, riding second place-getter Pop Rock, says the Japanese camp deserved to win."I have so much admiration for the Japanese horses. I've spent a couple of seasons there and know how hard they go," he said.

MOMEA again? Four plead guilty over Cronulla attack.

Article from: AAP via news.com.au

Four plead guilty over Cronulla attack
Police said the men drove to Cronulla seeking revenge after people of Middle Eastern appearance were targeted in race-fuelled violence last December 11. Judge Peter Berman suppressed their names at the request of the defence.

MOMEA again? Must not name them.

NSW Minister speeds so chauffeur driven

Daily Telegraph reports NSW Minister suspended three months for speeding, which means to been chauffeur driven for three months.

"Jonestown not a biography, it is a lynching."

Paul Sheehan writes

Bullies like to operate in packs and this pack has been running for a long time.
The key question raised by Jonestown is this: what if it was happening to you? Because this is not a biography, it is a lynching.

Saddam to hang. Will Allah give him his virgins?

Saddam Hussein sentenced to death
November 05, 2006 08:00pm
Article from: Agence France-Presse via news.com.au
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to death by hanging after being found guilty of crimes against humanity at his trial in Baghdad.

Koperberg takes sides as ALP backburns

Backflips and backburning as Koperberg takes sides

Greens support imported paper pulp?

Michael Duffy reports that:

"Robert Eastment points out that Australians use lots of paper, much of it imported, and the pulp to make it has to be produced somewhere."

So I have two questions:
The Greens support imported paper pulp?
Which overseas paper pulp company funds the Greens?

Well Sheik my mouth

Sheik Taj el-Din al Hilaly says he would quit and place masking tape over his mouth for six months if an impartial panel found him guilty of inciting rape.

Sydney dam levels spun dry to below 40 per cent

Sydney's dam levels have officially slipped below 40 per cent, but the water catchment authority says there is no cause for alarm.

Koperburg smoke screen?

Koperburg nominates for Blue Mountains seat
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner, Phil Koperburg, is expected to gain preselection for the Labor Party in the state seat of the Blue Mountains.
The fire which has been burning for the past eight days fire burning in the vicinity of Lake Burragorang in the Blue Mountains National Park, 10km west of Nattai. Smoke from this operation has impacted most of the Sydney basin area and the Southern Tablelands.

Voice of Islam Sheik not stir

Sheik asks for rally to be called off
November 02, 2006
Article from: AAP

Sheik - not stir

2GB Macquarie National News reports:
Mufti cancels planned show of support
Thursday, 02 November 2006
The Mufti of Australia, Sheik Taj al-Hilali, has called off this weekend's rally at Lakemba mosque.
Supporters of the Sheik were planning a rally this weekend, while 34 Islamic groups have expressed their support for the embattled Mufti.
But speaking on community radio, the Mufti says due to safety it can not go ahead.

Sheik up - deputy recalled to fill void

Sheik's deputy recalled to fill void
Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilaly's deputy has been called back from holiday in Lebanon to fill the leadership vacuum left by the beleaguered mufti's absence from Australia's biggest mosque.