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Thursday 5th September 1996

International:

From an Aussie's perspective I can tell you that we have nothing against American's in general, but what really gets up my nose is when the pollies there start playing the game of "global policeman" and then in that email to add the insult of a rumour "requesting US aid in confiscating firearms in Australia.... and 30,000 Marines being used in the exercise.." is like putting a match to a stick of dynamite.

Here are five things that US Marines can go and do with themselves:

• Go dig up stones on Mars, in the search for life.
• Take a real chance in Central Africa while trying to sort out countries facing real human rights attrocities. (ie Put your lives, not your technology on the line - if you want us to see you as heros not bimbos.)
• Practice darts on a dart board using the Starfleet Commander or another politician (preferably in the US senate) of their choosing as the target.
• Go clean up the gun lobby in the US before making a final assault on the gun problems in the streets of America.
• and best of all, go home!

"As an Aussie national living in Boston, I certainly agree with your comments on Bullyboy Bill. Unfortunately, the American media will tell the electorate that the President's husband (Bill Clinton) has taken decisive action on the international front and push him further up in the polls.

Come November President Hilary and Bill will be relected to another 4-year term....

God help us! American politics are almost as intriguing as their Aussie counterpart.

jan lent"

Does this mean that President Hilary is actually directing the action in Iraq? With all those Marines... OK, a certain thread of logic is starting to form amongst all the confusion in my head.

Please send me email if you have any other ideas on the Marines!

Political:

Chief stirrer and Democrat leader, Cheryl Kernot, has told Treasurer Peter Costello she will not support key budget items including the higher charges for education and medical prescriptions.

This is a major blow to the government's move to slash Au$7.2 billion from the Australian deficit over the nrext two years. The combined forces of the Democrats and the Labor opposition will place a major hurdle in the Budget bill getting through the Senate.

Late last night Peter Costello responded with a stern letter warning that the defeat of key budget measures would ensure that the Budget remained in debt for the rest of the century.

In supporting her action, Kernot said, "Despite the Budget's immediate (positive) reaction, we believe the implementation of Budget measures over time will show that the Government has failed to strike an approriate balance between the rate of deficit reductions, the fairness of selected spending cuts and the flow-on to unemployment."

Yes, sweetheart, but it also means higher interest rates and a resulting sluggish economy... guess that will create enough political dramas for your little party to retain some sort of presence...

Business:

PBL's net profit soared by 50.3% in 1995/96 to Au$225.4 million helped by an abnormal gain of Au$52.7 million related to the slae of its 50% stake in Sky Channel and shareholding in Village Roadshow Limited.

Packer's son, James, must also be rather enjoying himself after his recent appointment to managing director of PBL. After the announcement James said, "The strength of the advertising market is difficult to assess at this point, making it impossible to predict the quantum of increase (in the future)".

Guess he could have said anything and still look good!

Sport:

Social:

"I made up the device from 20g of chemicals I brought along with me. I'd made the same bomb a dozen times before without any problems. I put it together, looked up and it exploded."

Christopher lost two fingers and the last joint of fingers on his left hand. He now wants to put pictures of his hand on the Net to act as a warning to other youngsters who try to play with bomb recipes.

We will let you know when the pictures are up...

Global Gripe of the day:

How despicable to be standing up in front of hoards of screaming followers gloating about how the treacherous Saddam Hussein had been dealt another body blow.... aren't I wonderful stuff... it reminds me of film footage of Adolf Hitler waving to an adoring crowd as he tells of his military successes over neighbouring countries.

The similarities are there whether the people of the US like it or not.

Here you have a sovereign, little understood country, being bombed by a super power for political expediency. If bully boy Bill really wanted to make a name for himself he would send the Marines into Tibet and liberate the Tibetans from the Chinese... can you imagine that, just before a presidential election? Please, give me a break...

I prefer Billy boy in his Starfleet commander role where the nonsense that he and his lobby groups serve up do not effect the lives and security of people.

Personal trivia, from the global office:

My young boy, Alex, has gained the unique honour of being selected as the youngest finalist (by some ten years) in the Australian Internet Awards in the category "Sites for children under 15 years of age". His Koala trouble site has attracted well over 100,000 visitors this year. We will be travelling by train to Sydney later this month to attend the gala evening on the 24th September.

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