Demanding Taxpayers

During an interview with the Today show, Australia’s recently elected PM Kevin Rudd, said: “we are under huge pressure to implement our election promises.”

Oh no- say it ain’t so!

Want Premier League tickets for free? Develop a drug habit!

In today’s edition of the Daily Mail newspaper in UK there is an article on a very unorthodox approach to fighting drugs whilst filling the local soccer stadium- free tickets to Premier League football matches are being handed to drug addicts as an incentive to beat their habit.

I seriously had to look at the date to ensure it was not another April fool’s joke, but nope, there it was, 17 April 2008.

The article described how repeat offenders seeking treatment for their alcohol and drug addictions had gained sought-after tickets to games including this weekend's Newcastle United vs Sunderland derby clash.

A former chief superintendent of Durham Police, was quoted saying: "We have to try to get people back into mainstream society; give them the confidence to mix again with ordinary people. Giving them a ticket to a football match is a way in which they can be reintegrated and in which they can build up confidence in themselves, which can only be a good thing."

The article further explained that the tickets are for people who are overcoming their previous chaotic lifestyle, and are part of a range of support measures used to divert people away from substance abuse.

...and what better place to do this than with a non-chaotic, friendly and moderately drinking group of cuddly UK soccer supporters?!? Considering this offer was also extended to alcoholics, wouldn’t hanging out with keen and accomplished drinkers kind of being like pushing the needle further up the vein?

No wonder UK soccer stadiums are experiencing problems with violent and uncivilized behaviours! Perhaps other sports having problems filling their stadiums should take note?!

Teachers and Parents beware

Two weeks ago nine nine-year-olds at a school in the U.S. state of Georgia brought a broken steak knife, handcuffs and electrical tape to school in a plot to injure their teacher. Teachers uncovered the plot which was set to handcuff the teacher, put tape over her mouth and hit her over the head with the paperweight and possibly cut her. The students spent a week planning the attack and planned to carry it out on the day they were caught.

When I went to primary school the teachers’ union had a slogan that read “If you can read this, thank your teacher”. I think an appropriate slogan for the 21st century should probably read something like “If your teacher retires, she should thank her lucky star”.

My two older kids are now 7 and 6 years old. As a parent I am frequently required to apply appropriate punishments to kids, just like any teacher would be. Since I do not permit my kids to retaliate they are probably bottling it all up for later (or when they turn 9).

Don’t think I will be sleeping with an open door in the future.

Same crime, different punishment

A friend of mine recently got caught for speeding on a country road about an hour outside of Sydney. What he did not realise at the time is that it was the Easter holiday and consequently copped double demerits and fees.

There are laws in Australia where the States charge you with double fines and demerits during certain long holidays. When I first arrived in this country it was briefly explained to me as a way to reduce the number of traffic accidents, since more drivers would be on the roads during these particular periods- well perhaps not more drivers, but certainly more drivers travelling longer distances than normal. Fair enough.

To illustrate how this rather unusual law is applied let’s picture the following:
My friend Joe and I leave our houses at 11pm heading down to the coast to celebrate Christmas. Since I live 5 minutes further away, Joe should in theory arrive 5 minutes before me. At midnight that same evening, the ‘long weekend’ starts and the double demerits and double fees scheme comes into effect.

Joe who is keen to get there puts his foot down just a bit too much and is caught doing 14 kilometres over the speed-limit at 11.57pm. He subsequently loses 3 points off his licence and receives a $79 fine.

Only 5 minutes later at 12.02am I pass the same police radar doing exactly the same speed as Joe was, only now the ‘long weekend’ rules apply. Consequently I lose 6 points and receive a $158 fine! Same crime, different punishment!

Although I personally don’t like to use the word ‘discrimination’, one can wonder whether it wouldn’t be appropriate in this instance. Why should one be punished harder for speeding one day but not the other? I recently read that shoplifting increases by over 1,000 per cent during the month of December, however, I do not believe the punishment for shoplifting is any more severe then than, for example, during the month of August.

Where is the logic?

Tibet 'supporters' using the Olympics for selfish gains

How can these so called Tibet supporters sleep well at night? I try very hard to understand the philosophy behind trying to disrupt the only real world peace event this planet can muster. Although there have been a few occasions in the Olympic's 102 year old history where politics has shown its ugly face, generally speaking the event produces some of the most moving scenes of athletes battling it out on equal terms, completely obliterate to the political mayhem of the world.

I would like to emphasize "equal terms" as it is really what the Olympics is all about- being non-discriminatory. On the day of competing it doesn't matter what country you're from, nor your colour, race or religion, or which country your home country may or may not be at war with- it's all about the best athlete (and of course in some cases, as with Steven Bradbury, the luckiest athlete)!!!

The Olympics is an event where nations and athletes come together to compete in good spirit and celebrate human achievements. To use this as a tool for own political gains is a complete and utter disgrace, and rather than raising a debate whether to boycott the Beijing Olympics, perhaps the topic of debate should be whether to disallow Tibet to participate.

The latter does, however, punish the athletes which is a very unfortunate outcome we should avoid at all cost. I do not condone the alleged breaches of human rights by China, but I don't believe the recent approach taken by these 'supporters' should be hailed as anything but a distasteful and reckless stunt.

I would also like to point out that it would appear that the majority of the people inhabiting this planet are very excited about getting a glimpse of the Olympic flame as it passes through their countries, and that for the very reasons as previously mentioned. So who, I ask, granted these 'supporters' the right to attack this symbol of peace?!

The flame will pass by here in Canberra in the very near future and I look forward to taking my kids to see it and fill them with the values and spirit in which we hold the Olympics.

New recruiter in town

Watch out good people 'cause there is a new recruitment and consulting firm about be launched in ACT. The idea has been bubbling under the surface for quite some time and when the planets finally lined up we made the decision to go ahead with it. The consequence of this is of course that we've now postponed our move to the Middle East, however, we are confident that this is the right move.

Watch this space as I will post further updates as they come available.

A New Year...

A Happy New Year to all of you out there. 2008 has started in a spectacular fashion and I can't wait to find out what's around the corner. I expect that this will truly be a year of opportunities and changes.

Enjoy it!!

Hectic time of the year

I can't recall ever being this busy! Between work committments, renovating the house, Floorball including the upcoming Sydney Christmas Parade and the IFF seminars, getting the first retailer in Sydney and studies, there really is no time to even breath.

I am counting the days to the 3rd of December when many of the above-mentioned committments are finished which is when I will pour myself a drink of my trusted friend Mr Johnnie Walker, and reflect on my achievements over the past 6 months.

It will also be time to start planning our move to the Middle East which is scheduled to commence in February-March 2008.

Not to forget that Christmas is only around the corner! I wonder if I've been good enough to receive anything this year? As my beloved mother always said to us kids when asked what she wanted for Christmas, "all I want is good kids"! I now know what that means, and Mom- I'm sorry!

P