AUSTRALIA DAY IS 26TH JANUARY

AUSTRALIA DAY - 26TH JANUARY

Congratulations to Fremantle.  They have single handedly alienated themselves from the rest of Australia because of their narrow minded decision to move Australia Day celebrations to the 28th of January so as not to offend anyone.  They used the banner of being culturally sensitive.

What a load of bullshit.

Australia Day is the 26th of January, just like Christmas Day is 25th December and Anzac Day 25th April.  The flogs at Fremantle who have made this decision supposedly on behalf of their community, are misguided to say the least.  Did they canvas the community?

It is un-Australian to not celebrate Australia Day on the 26th of January.  Whether you agree with it or not, this is our national day.  I feel for the Aboriginal community as they were persecuted beyond belief by many European settlers.  On the other side of the coin, and this is often over looked was the fact that the country from this date in 1788 was settled by convicts from England.  Many of the convicts were sent here without their families or friends from back home and many of them were convicted of relatively minor offences, compared with today's standards.  There is the key words 'Today's Standards'.

Today, we naturally find the historical events of 1788 and the persecusion of the Aboriginal communities to be totally abhorrent.  Just as dumb founding was the removal from their home country, thousands of convicts and sent to a foreign land and then left to effectively fend for themselves.  How bloody cruel.

Since settlement of this great country of our's we as a Nation have evolved into a country that is the envy of many, especially the 'home' country.  Yes, our leaders have made mistakes over the 228 years with the treatment of Aboriginals, Children, Mental Health, English migrants, Migrants in general, assylum seekers and as a country, just like us in our personnal lives, we find some of our most heinous mistakes quite embarrassing.

I feel that from these mistakes our Nation has learned and grown as a result.  Comapred to many other countries around the world in Australia the closest we come to civil war is on the football field when Adelaide play Collingwood or in the NRL Queensland take on New South Wales.  Our crowds at these sporting events are largely well behaved, we don't have weekly riots.  We have never had a Prime Minister assassinated, although we all like to hate our politicians we a free to sling crap at them in the media or face to face when we disagree with their policies.

In our personnal lives we are a Nation that prides itself on giving people a second chance.  Countries, just like people do make mistakes.  It's when we keep making the same mistakes is when it becomes a real issue.  I really feel for the 'stolen generation', I also could not imagine the anguish back in 1788 and the years that followed for the Aboriginal people, but we cannot constantly blame the country for mistakes made over 200 years ago, when back then that was 'Standard Practice' just like slavery in the U.S and beheading's in the Queen Victoria years.  Just imagine you lose your drivers license for drink driving when you are 22 years old, then still having the system continuing to mention your indiscretion when you are 80.  We would feel that this is somewhat unfair.

So Fremantle you go and celebrate 'Fremantle Day' because you sure as hell are not celebrating Australia Day.  Here is a thought, maybe Fremantle has decided to help South Australia celebrate it's Procolamtion Day!  Oh how kind of you Fremantle, hope you can get enough supplies of South Aussie Flags.

Can we please as a whole rise up against these flogs in our society who have nothing better to do with their time than run around raining on everyone's parade for fear of offending someone.  The fact that Fremantle have gone down this rocky road, offends me as a proud Aussie and I assume most other Australian's.

Just imagine people suggesting that the USA move Independence Day, India move Republic Day or Saudi Arabia move Unification of the Kingdom day just so they didn't offend 'some' people, they would be laughed out of the country at least.

AUSTRALIA DAY IS 26TH JANUARY 

AND THAT IS THAT

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR HOME

As I listened to the news reports of a father and husband being charged with murder, my blood began to boil.  This poor bloke was confronted at 3am by some arsehole in his house.  Allegedly, in the daughters bedroom.

Now, everyone I know, in particular a parent faced with some prick in their home and in their children's room at 3am would also be facing murder charges.  This man was simply defending his children, his family and his home from some wanker WHO DID NOT BELONG THERE.

THIS PIECE OF HUMAN FILTH HAD BROKEN IN, HE WAS NOT INVITED AND HE DESERVED WHAT HE GOT. 

End of Story as far as I and 99.9% of the Australian population are concerned.  Now an innocent man is facing a murder charge.  WHAT THE HELL WAS HE SUPPOSED TO DO? Was he to yell trick or treat to the man?  Maybe, he should of offered him a coffee and a biscuit then chatted for a while about his apparent wayward journey.

What a load of shit our  legal system is.  Built around the absurd bleeding heart brigade that are more concerned with criminals rights than the rights of the victims.  The moment anyone chooses (yes folks it is a choice) to break the law then pretty much all bets are off.  If you choose to break into someone else's home then you suffer the consequences.  Your rights are revoked.

Enough of this pussy footing around and being nice to criminals.  They deserve the basic essentials and that is that.

That's my opinion.

TAKING OF NUDE SELFIES

I am not sure about you, but I am getting sick to death of celebrities who simply have no personal morals and carry on with their lives as if everyone is interested in their pathetic behaviour.  

The recent indescretion of high profile Collingwood FC players and representatives of the AFL not to mention role models for young fans of football and the Collingwood FC is quite alarming.  Having been on the receiving end of a partner who cheated, I really feel for the respective partners of these two morons.  They must be feeling hurt, heart broken, betrayed, angry and sad.

They would be asking themselves is this the only indiscretion their men have made.  What about the stuff they have done but as yet haven't been caught?  The taking of nude selfies and then sending them to other women is a form of cheating in my view.  Cheating does not confine itself to just having sex with someone else although many people assume this.

For the people who feel the need to cheat on their partners, I ask this: How would you feel if the roles were reversed?  I am sure you would not like the feeling either.  Trust you have is wiped off in the blink of an eye and in many cases, like mine virtually irretrievable.

As for the Collingwood FC and Eddie McGuire saying that it has nothing to do with them, shame of you.  These two high profile players of the club should be penalised and harshly too.  These two idiots are not 15 and this is not high school.  It is a professional club in a professional sport and these two fools are in their mid to late 20's.  They are quite simply old enough to know better.

Hopefully, the AFL makes an example of these two by throwing the book at them.

Lastly, I hope there is support for the partners of these two knobs because out of this they are the ONLY victims in this.  They would be feeling devastated that their partners did this with other women.  I hope the AFL, Players Association and the Collingwood FC work through this awful ordeal with their partners.

If you feel compelled to cheat on your partner for whatever reason, be honest with them.  Have the guts to be upfront with them and say "I can't do this anymore".  Will still hurt, but nowhere as much as it does when they find out you have cheated on them.

That's my opinion!

PENALTY RATES

Well the true colours of the Turnbull Liberal Government have finally been revealed.  His Government plans to attack the workers of this country, whilst business makes more money.

The plan is to lower Sunday penalty rates to the level of Saturday.  I have been around long enough to realise that this is the first step in removing all penalty rates.  This is a disgusting attack on the workers of Australia.

If Mr Turncoat (oops Turnbull) wants to continue down this path then fine.  

I AND EVERY OTHER AUSTRALIAN WHO CURRENTLY WORKS SUNDAYS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, CHRISTMAS DAY AND GOOD FRIDAY WISH TO SEE ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON THESE DAYS ALSO, AS APPARENTLY WE ARE A 7 DAY SOCIETY.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO BANKING ON A SUNDAY AND THEN GO INTO SERVICE SA OR VISIT A POST OFFICE!  THE BUSINESS WORLD IS PUSHING THIS AGENDA SO I EXPECT TO SEE OFFICE STAFF, MANAGERS AND CEO'S IN THEIR OFFICES TOO ON THESE DAYS, PARLIAMENT CAN EVEN SIT ON SUNDAYS.  PERHAPS THESE PEOPLE CAN THEN HAVE A TUESDAY OR THURSDAY OFF INSTEAD, AS IT IS PERFECTLY OK FOR THEIR WORKERS TO ADHERE TOO.

AFTERALL, WE ARE A 24/7 SOCIETY ARE'NT WE?

I wish these people who come up with these outrageous plans would stop and think for a moment, that is if they can possibly think about anything other than their own life.  Whilst, they are out at a restaurant or pub having Christmas drinks on Christmas Eve, who is serving them?  If they catch a bus or train home who is driving it?  On their way home they have an accident and who attends?  If they end up in Hospital, who treats them?

Yes we are pretty much a 24/7 society and gone are the days over Christmas that shops were shut for 4 days, petrol stations in the metro area were also closed and virtually everything shut down.  The workers that choose to work in an industry that provides a service to the Community and to the same people who wish to cut their wage do so to help our country move forward.  Without them, this country stops.  Do we want to go back to 1970?  I think not.

Here is my list off the top of my head of workers who SHOULD be compensated for working and providing services to the community at all hours of the day and night when many other fortunate employee's are enjoying precious time with their family and friends.  Sorry in advance if I miss any worker.

Nurses, Doctors, Orderly's, Fire Fighters, Paramedics, Police Officers, Waiters, Bar Staff, Bus Drivers, Train Drivers, Tram Drivers, Taxi Drivers, Security Guards, Service Station Attendants, Airline Employee's, Hotel / Motel staff, Radio Announcers, TV presenters, Journalists, Tow Truck drivers, SES Volunteers plus many many more.

Surely, it is not too much to ask to leave these worker's pay packets alone as many are lowly paid as it is and the penalties help lift their wage to a suitable level.

I think that the Government will definately have a fight on their hands if they continue down this path.  A re-think on their strategy is required I reckon.

That's my opinion!

FREEDOM TO OUR CHILDREN

As I walk around suburbia and from my experience as a bus driver I am increasingly astonished as to how many children of all ages whether it be primary or high school get picked up and dropped off to school.

Very few of them walk, ride their bikes or scooters or even catch the bus or train.  I must say that I see more high school students out on their own but not in the numbers as seen in the 70's and 80's for example.

There would be a number of reasons for the sharp decline in kids getting themselves to and from school and the main reason would be parents' fears of something happening to their child.  Parents fear the supposed increase in pedophiles hanging around.  I believe that there is no more nasty people around today than there was in 1976, it is just reported more these days and therefore it seems like it is more prevalent.

The streets around almost every school from about 2.30pm-3.15pm are almost gridlocked.  Parents park illegally and with blatant disregard for residents in that particular street.  Many parents even park then walk into the school grounds to wait for little Johnny or Mary-Ann at the classroom door.

How bloody ridiculous.  Children need to be given their own space and freedom.  Walking, riding or catching the bus to and from school either on their own or with friends builds their self confidence and social skills.  Parents cannot wrap them in cotton wool and protect them from everything until they turn 30.

Yes, I agree, something may happen.  Then again in may not!  They may have an accident or they may encounter a person wishing them harm.  They could just as easily be hit by falling space junk or get struck by lightning.  We cannot live our lives on the 'what if' principal.  If that were the case we should all go live in a cave somewhere in the outback just in case we encounter a terrorist who wants to blow us up.  

I regularly encounter and observe children, teenagers and young adults who have no self confidence to fend for themselves.  This is because their parents have wrapped them so tight in a cocoon to protect them from all the bad things they may or may not encounter.

The Government and schools should embark on a spirited campaign to encourage children of all ages to walk, ride or use public transport to get to and from school.  Parents need to let go.  As a parent myself, I admit I worry when my children are out and about on their own, its only natural to worry about their welfare.  However, I cannot and I will not let my fear ruin their experience to grow and experience the world on their own.  My parents awarded me with the same freedom in the 1970's.  I walked to primary school and later caught the bus or train into the City to attend high school.  I have fond memories of the experience and I learnt how to interact with authority figures and other members of the public.  These skills are lost to many youth today, primarily due to the fears of their parents.

Many reported incidents over the past few years of people molesting or assaulting children have been adults in positions of trust or family members.  Statistics show that very few children are molested or assaulted by a stranger, it is usually someone they know.

We need to give our children freedom to experience the world on their own.

That's my opinion 

MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

I think we all know people who cannot help themselves by telling everyone around them what to do, what they are doing wrong and how they should do it.  We all know that someone don't we?

This person is a self professed authority from child rearing to brain surgery and from gardening to top level physics and everything else inbetween.  These people cannot help themselves by sticking their noses into other peoples business and telling them how it is or how it should be.

I take these individuals with a pinch of salt.  Target me all you like, I particularly don't care.  I have adopted the attitude that obviously these people's lives are so shallow and boring that they immerse themselves in other peoples lives to try and make themselves feel somewhat important.

However, there is a fine line between being critical of someone or being a bully.  When their one sided views are venomous towards another which then degrades into verbal taunts then this is bullying and harrasment.  Especially when these people use children as their fodder, for making them feel good.

Most children do not have the skills to overcome such taunts and ultimately this affects their confidence and self esteem.  It can be very damaging and the effects can last for years and have a wide range of other issues that can arise.

Avoiding the negativity of these people is easy if they are in the workplace but if they are family, then avoiding them is particularly difficult, especially for a child.  In the case of children, the responsibilty lies with the parents, to identify what is going on and as difficult as it may be, take steps to remove the problem or avoid the person involved.

My experience tell me that these 'High and Mighty' people are virtually impossible to reason with, because in their minds they are right and everyone else in wrong.  These people often have a pre-conceived idea about something and that is that.  They will not be swayed even when presented with facts by someone who is expert in the field of discussion, they still think and believe that they know more!

You can see then of how difficult it is for children to deal with these people when adults can't either.  Avoidance is the key.  Just remember that these people will often end up being lonely and bitter, largely all because of their own doing.  The trick is, not to engage in heated discussion or debate with them, because you would be better off yelling at the cactus in the front yard, but to avoid heated conversation by just walking away or say nothing in response or simply just avoid the individual all together.

That's my view.....

POLITICIANS EXPENSES

The recent saga involving the now former Speaker of the House, Bronwyn Bishop over her extravagant spending spree to travel to various private and Liberal Party appointments using taxpayers money.  

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott says that he is going to look into MP's entitlements!

Entitlements????  MP's are NOT entitled to this extravagance.  It is an expense, nothing more.  In business many thousands of people incur expenses to carry out their duties as part of their job title.  MP's are no different.

Unfortunately, this crap has been going on for far too long and on both sides of politics.  Many MP's seem to only aim to become a Member of Parliament simply for the perks that come with it, not for serving their constituents.  This ideology has to come to an end and quickly.

The citizens of this great country of ours are not stupid and we do not forget.  For the best part of the last decade and in particular since the fallout of the GFC our politicians have be ramming down our throats, that the country and the world are struggling and we must all watch our spending.  

For the worker, it is very very easy to watch our spending, because as the prices of all our utilities rise, public transport fares increase, Government fees and charges increase and our take home pay lags sadly way behind, we have no choice but to watch our spending.

There would hardly be a working family out there that does not have to survive from pay to pay.  The moment their earnings hit their bank accounts almost their entire amount is fleeced in paying bills, to enable us to survive.  The meagre amounts left have to be frugally distributed to petrol, Metrocard, food, children's needs and maybe treat ourselves to an ice cream at the end if we are lucky.

All of this for the workers of this country, the people who keep this country moving.  As these people struggle from week to week they sit back dismayed at the blatant and disgusting abuse of power that politicians like Bronwyn Bishop have undertaken.  Whilst thousands of families are doing it tough, she spent thousands of OUR taxpayers money on helicopter flights and private jets to take her to Liberal functions and some private functions.  She did this because she is lazy, she is out of touch with mainstream Australians and in my view now a disgrace to the Parliamentary system in this country.  Who the hell does she think she is?

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott should have sacked her on the spot.  The fact that he didn't also displays a complete disregard for the thousands of struggling Australian families doing it tough.  He failed in his duty to show true leadership.  Since Ms Bishop announced her resignation, Tony Abbott announced that he is going to look into and review MP entitlements!  Another issue here as mentioned at the beginning.

Remember folks, the MP's of this country whether it be Federal, State or Local are OUR employee's.  We vote them in and we vote them out.  The monies they use to carry out their public duties, is OUR money.  It's taxpayers money.  Not theirs.  They are no more entitled to this money than you and I are.

As with any reasonable business, if one incurs a personal loss whilst carrying out your duties, one must fill out the required form, attach a copy of the receipt/s and present that to your Management.  The money will then be refunded to you.  Perfectly simple.  Why can't the MP's operate under this system?

Recently, Malcolm Turnbull MP was tweeted that he had to attend a meeting in Geelong and he took two tram rides then caught the train to Geelong and back.  Good on him and well done Mr Turnbull.  Locally, in Adelaide Michael Atkinson MP regularly takes the train or bus when he is not on his bike and this is the way it should be.  The Commonwealth car should be used for dignitaries or out of hours work, however, whatever happened to having a car for their own use supplied as part of their employment agreement?  That way we don't need chauffeurs hanging around getting paid to be on call.

It is about time our politicians finally pull their collective heads in and realise that they are employed by the people and work for the people.

That's my opinion.