News attack!

What a day it has started to be already!!

After logging on to the net this morning Outlook¹ provided me with 8 new emails (a relatively small number considering what usually comes through the inbox) and what a treasure trove of information unravelled as I read.

Firstly there were a couple of bits from an email discussion group, then came the first of two daily news bulletins I receive from the ABC. Usually I get only one or two of the headlines jumping out at me, but today I'm awestruck, gob-smacked and down right bloody well excited to be alive. And finally a couple of things that just made me smile!

First, I'll give you the headlines, together with their web links and a small comment from me on each.

Medicare Gold is fully funded: Latham

The federal Labor leader has hit the airwaves this morning to sell his plan to provide free hospital care for every Australian over the age of 75.

Clearly the ALP are getting some social conscience, and about time too!

Police bust nationwide child porn ring

One-hundred-and-fifty people, including police officers and teachers, have been arrested in what the Federal Police (AFP) describe as Australia's biggest Internet child pornography bust.

Fanatstic news, but I fear what this will do for the F*FF party's chances in the coming election. Two of their key platforms (child abuse and pornography) rolled into one big headline-grabbing vote-winning issue.

Blair ready to talk with hostage takers

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was ready to open up contact with captors of a British hostage in Iraq, shown on video begging Mr Blair to save his life.

What the? I thought the uber-civilised western nations never negotiated with terrorists? Must be coming up for another election LOL!

Ranger Mine warned before contamination

It has been revealed the operators of the Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory were issued with a Government safety warning a month before a water contamination incident earlier this year.

Oh, if only we'd just stop mining the damn stuff!

Sexual abuse trials underway on Pitcairn

Pitcairn Island's sex trials have started this morning with Mayor Steve Christian the first to face the court.

What is it with these small communities? Don't they know they shouldn't have sex with their cousins? Just look at Tasmania! (sorry Tassies - you know I'm only joking, even though it is rude to laugh at people with two heads.)

Israelis, Palestinians killed in clashes

Palestinian militants, eluding an army crackdown, killed two Israeli children in a rocket attack from Gaza and Israeli troops have killed seven Palestinians in raids in the coastal strip and the West Bank.

and they still call this news? They may as well report that the sun rose today in Perth at 0553hr (GMT+8)!

Allies 'planned' Iraq war despite denials

The United States, Australia and Britain started to plan the invasion of Iraq months before the conflict, according to a report Wednesday quoting a leaked Pentagon document.

*WHOA!*
What the ... ? No kidding! Are you for real?
you mean the politicans lied to us ... AGAIN?

Photos and fingerprints now needed for US visits

Australians, who are allowed to travel to the United States without a visa, will from today have to give fingerprints and have a photo taken when they arrive at US airports and ports.

Well, that does it! I _was_ planning to go to Chicago for the Gay Games in 2006, but unless I can get a visa and avoid having my picture and fingerprints taken I'll have to avoid that terrorist nation altogether and just spend some extra time in Montreal before the 1st OutWorld Games.

I have rights in Australia when it comes to my fingerprints ... I'm not going to give them up for the sake of some pissant fear-mongering US bureacracy.

IMF warns of rate hikes as growth soars

The world economy, powered in part by China, is set to grow this year at its most brisk pace in almost three decades, 5 per cent, before losing steam in 2005 in the face of higher oil prices the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

ok ... getting bored now

US crude reserves calm markets

The price of crude oil has held below $US50 a barrel overnight helping lift the mood again on Wall Street.

yeah whatever ... get it up to $75 a barrel and I'll be happier cos we might start looking more closely at alternative energy sources, unless Howard follows through on his mantra that "coal is the future".

SpaceShipOne makes successful flight

A private manned rocketship blasted through the Earth's atmosphere into space after a hair raising corkscrew ascent on a flight aimed at capturing a $14 million prize.

WOO HOO! Congratulations. They already have a better track record than NASA ;-)
I especially enjoyed the revelation that Richard Branson (of Virgin fame) is teaming up to provide commercial space flights within 3 years. Go Dick!

Rogers retains time trial crown

Australian cyclist Michael Rogers has won the time trial title at the road cycling world championships in Bardolino, Italy.

Sport? What is that?

So that was a powerful start to the news day! After which I managed a few chuckles whilst reading these two reports:

Keep abreast of new feminism and raise a cup to Russ


By Emma TomThe Australian - September 29, 2004


SEVENTIES pornographer Russ Meyer used to say he became interested in mammary glands only once they reached D-cup status. After that, his interest knew no bounds.

AND THIS ONE ...

France Launches Gay TV Channel


The transgender sportscaster wears a miniskirt, the porn is gay, lesbian and
bisexual, and Wonder Woman will be on every night at seven.

What a start to the day!

1. OK, so i'm a hypocrite for dissing Microsoft while still using their products! At least I didn't pay for it! MS gave it to me for free. Honestly! All I had to do was attend a presentation promoting their latest Office suite. Cool eh? If anyone knows of something to replace my MS gear (for free), let me know! back to top





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