What's what?
Wow thats sad :(
You need to cut and paste an intro Blowin so people click
Is Keramas on the Rocks?
Locals speak out on wave quality for the future CT venue.
"A few months from the World Tour’s return to Bali, the newly-sponsored Corona Bali Pro, concerns have been raised over the quality and consistency of the contest locale, Keramas, with at least one local pro claiming it has been reduced to a shadow of its former self by developments along the foreshore."
http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/locals-speak-out-on-wave-quality-for-t...
It is sad indeed!
What's sadder is those with vested interests trying to play it all down.
A once reeler has become sketchy twin peaks, even this infrequent visitor can see that.
Personally I think the wsl gods and their hangers on are more in love with the idea of watching a surf contest with cocktails in the pool, (whilst the peasants crane for a good view from the black sandy - somewhat rubbishy - polluted beach) rather than choosing quality, stunningly surrounded, waves which are available elsewhere.
Or they're just looking after their mates, and the cosy deals made with those that own the joint.
A most interesting little interview about so called 'free trade'.
On the never trumper phillip adams show no less (abc rn).
Free trade, touted as the worlds saviour to it's many ills, is just corporates slicing up the world for themselves basically, not that much to do with free or even world trade it seems.
No matter how much you hate trump, you've gotta wonder how fucked up and hostile the world would be if we just followed through with another four years of business as usual.
All a pertinent warning to oz according to the interviewee.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/how-to-make-f...
ABC I want my 8 cents back!
https://www.google.com.au/amp/www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5551855/a...
Wow! What a fuck up
NPWS should be sued for negligence
Class action time?
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2092074624404749&id=10000806694589...
problem is the dickheads are everywhere.
"... In a promotional appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the host questioned Barr about what he perceived as her abandonment of her previous liberal politics. Her response spoke for millions of Americans. “I’m still the same,” she replied. “You all moved. You all went so f---ing far out, you lost everybody.”"
Pretty much sums stuff up
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/roseanne-is-not-pro-trump-its-pr...
I'm assuming that this means Kimmel is of the regressive left?
On a similar note, I was listening to Phillip Adams yesterday, who was talking with an American socialist.
The fella, Bhaskar Sunkara, said a few things which I find really hard to disagree with, including how the "fetishisation" of individualism as part of the oppression Olympics has resulted in a lack of finding a commonality and of a lack of finding shared experiences.
As you would hope, he said being respectful and cognisant of difference is vital but looking for shared goals is the way forward.
The part I'm talking about is from about 18.45 on the podcast below.
I just listened to it, good orator, learned fellow, but the point in question kinda washed over me, didn't convince and sounded academic rather than in any way practical.
How did you interpret his description of "oppresion Olympics"? Perhaps glib, but I can't help but read into it that the fault lies on the side of the oppressed. Why else point the bone at the victim and not the attacker?
You couldn't make this shit up, although clearly someone did.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/bp-claims-an-oil-spill-off-austr...
Andy m, I think rossanne was referring to the whole democrat party, and there TV mouth pieces, moving over, way way over...
But yes, oh so progressive in some regards that they have become oh so regressive in others, like the tolerance of difference, respect of opinion, and freedom of speach. All once the domains of the left. The democrats changed, not rossanne.
I don't mean to point the finger or blame anyone, as I believe these developments were somewhat organic and inevitable, as a result of growing inequality, amongst other developments. It goes without saying that inequality leads to difference of experiences in life, and correspondingly, difference in culture, language and opportunity. Which leads to a difference in perspective and priorities.
Neoliberalism...sigh (yeh again)....privatised and compartmentalised social causes, as big government money flowed from rudimentary all encompassing government social departments to a bunch of businesses, recruiting social causes, and their well meaning folk, who had never seen such an abundance of money and resources, big budget professional NGO type stuff popped up everywhere, with an office for every tribe, and an office expert for every cause.
All good, one would imagine, though a little short sighted....
The problem is identity politics - and its enabler PCness - developed through the same three decades, fuelled by an abundance of cash / resources, and a proliferation of university and government departments, (and corporate HR) across the western world.
All good again...one would imagine...
though it has had this unexpected outcome of atomising both the causes to their minute detail, and the societies to their most atomised tribes. With big differences in what are acceptable narratives and priorities.
All this equals bubbles. SJW bubbles with pet causes. Feminism bubbles within feminist bubbles, trans bubbles in Q bubbles, multicultural bubbles, refugee activist bubbles, racism bubbles, environmental bubbles, etc.etc. and, RWNJ angry opposition bubbles, all these bubbles exacerbated by social media and media bubbles. Bubbles everywhere, all the way down. Down to the poo bubbles at the bottom...who no one appeared interested in.....for a period...
And now, after 30 years of neoloiberal infused, government appproved, attitude realignment programs, everyone sees themselves as an individual consumer, in a race, on the lookout for what's in 'it' for them. Not interested in the antiquated concept of a 'collective good'.
The 'oppresion olympics' is an unfortunate term. But its a fitting one, as every tribe presents their case, quite convincingly, and professionally, with corresponding data and examples, from their corresponding thinktanks and NGOs etc. etc.
Thats the game now. A culmination of neoliberalism and identity politics, all playing rather professionally withn the system we've been fed. After 30 odd years its all become rather pervasive, and, unfortunetly, perversive.
The result? The money people from left and right cleaned up playing the new system. The rest got screwed. As professionals, from left and right, cited the cases for their tribes, with little wins gained here and there, for their tribes. But now many others feel they lost, they were left out of the oppression olympics.
And now its near impossible to cobble any coalition together for the most basic of common goods, the keeping of the worser traits of capitalism in check, which has run wild with the spoils while we were all fighting amongst ourselves.
Here's a blackfella (I assume) coming to the same conclusion over at new matilda.
"You can have any kind of country you’re willing to fight for, provided you can find enough others with a common cause. The oligarchs only had to buy the system and con the baby boomers. You need strength in numbers, and you need to vote for someone else. Neither of the major parties is going to help you, until your voices rise above the big money currently doing the talking.
You don’t have to fight tooth and claw to be a winner who steps over homeless people on the way to the penthouse. You can win back the justice and access to opportunity that supports real national unity, rather than the artificial kind."
A good artcle, I don't agree with it all, but it offeres lots to think about.
https://newmatilda.com/2018/03/14/no-joke-capitalism-australian-identity...
A cynic could say the baby boomers left sold off of public assetts to build a feel good system of public intervention by endorsing third wave politics
That system seems to have some serious economic sustainability problems.
Possibly some proficiency and efficiency problems too ...
Stu, yeah a lot of what he said was mainly rhetorical for sure - I'm still waiting for anyone to put forward solutions towards establishing some sort of unity against the current political setup.
The guy can be viewed as an apparently successful agitator although being called "the most relevant and important publication of the American political left today" may not be particularly high praise.
He/The Jacobin is mostly about being provocative.
https://www.vox.com/2016/3/21/11265092/jacobin-bhaskar-sunkara
But to your point, no, I didn't see his use of the term "oppression Olympics" as laying blame against the oppressed.
To me, he's saying that we can go round in circles chasing victimhood to the bottom, but unless we somehow find something which unites us, we will remain divided and conquered.
It is usually pretty easy to identify genuine victims of oppression from those who have suffered only minor discrimination. Unfortunately people in that second situation are often encouraged to seek closure, compensation or resolution through processes that exacerbate their original problem. There is a lot of talk about resilience and it is fair comment to say that in many cases people would be much better off to focus on recovering through their own resources and those available to them through their immediate community rather than focus on the original discrimination or disadvantage but that is their decision.
On a lighter note did anyone else catch Tony Abbott's Quuenscliff kookery on the SBS news last night? I know there is no shortage of competition but I still think he wins the prize for most ridiculous MP. Still pushing coal, still strutting around with that " I'm a tough guy" gait that makes him look like he's got a stick stuck across his shoulders as well as the one up his arse. Still opposing same sex marriage when his sister is in one.
Yep saw that, always has been a definite kook, in & out of the water. He's the type of surfer you give a wide berth to, to protect oneself. Actually looked like a fun little wave. Struts in those budgie smugglers on the beach, probably wears ém into Parliament as well, & now in bed with Pauline at her book launch, which will be in the $2 bin next week.
Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?
https://newmatilda.com/2018/04/07/govt-help-rich-get-richer-poor-get-poo...
"Behind bars in Texas, I saw masculinity in all its violence and vulnerability. Was this the war that men had primed me for?"
Toxic masculinity is a bit of a buzzword and so should be approached with caution, but hot damn, this former felon can write:
https://aeon.co/essays/what-i-learned-about-masculinity-behind-bars-in-texas
Seriously great stuff.
The Aquarium....the flip side of humanity.........wow sort of story that should be read in early high school.
"Not interested in the antiquated concept of a 'collective good'."
That's a pretty good summary of where we are at Sypkan. One of those things that you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
And it is gone!
By golly that was a good read- thank you.
Brilliant
Yep, ditto. The picture of the 12-year old in his windowless cell hit me in the guts too.
.......of course nothing like that happens in Australia!
No, we're much more economical and efficient. Why go to the expense of building a room out of bricks and mortar to create a feeling of darkness and isolation when you can simply drop a hood over their head?
On another note, it's pretty unusual to find someone who straddles such diverse worlds - the trough of the criminal slums and the height of literary ability. Where'd he learn to write like that, I wonder? That sort of skill is normally born young and only polished in later life. Was he mugging people with a paperback copy of The Outsider in his pocket?
Hell of a childhood. Seemed like he had a very hard time learning from his old habits. Very sad story
I'm sure BB is not alarmed at this.... Move on , people... Nothing to see here..
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/concerns-china-in-talks-wi...
On the money there sheepdog. That would be China's second overseas base. The US has 800 in 70 different countries. I know who I would worry about, given their history of starting unnecessary wars which destabilise entire regions, not to mention a current leader suffering from severe delusions of competence.
No point in arguing about the sheer number of bases, but we might want to look at the location in relation to the sea lane link between the US and Australia with this one.
There was a reason for the Battle of Coral Sea, Battle of Santa Cruz, Battle of Eastern Solomons, 1st Battle of Savo Island, Guadalcanal, Tassafaronga, Ironbottom Sound, the fight for Henderson Field, the Tokyo Express, the attack on Rabaul and many others; and all the lives lost on both sides. Just out of interest USS Lexington has been recently rediscovered; hope they find the Hornet and Wasp too.
Don't know how the Chinese would attempt to resupply or hold this location alone in any future crisis. It's well beyond their inner island chain in the South China sea.
It's not Chinese checkers China is playing it's more like a game of Chess.
It is unrealistic to base our foreign policy on the delusion that only our allies have the right to build military bases in our region. In terms of trade routes China's are surrounded by US bases. As in other parts of the world, it is the consistent aggression of US foreign policy and the disproportionate size of their military that is at the source of the problem.
It's also crazy to just accept non allies especially big and powerful ones to build bases in our region either.
You can be all airy fairy, political correct and want everything equal and sugar coated, you can kind of get away with it in the western world, but when you you are dealing with the real world and the wider world it's never going to work, basically top dog always rules and always will.
It's kind of like the nuclear arms thing, nobody actually builds nuclear weapons with the intent of actually wanting to use them, they are created with the intent of ensure others don't use them..it's kind of crazy but its how it works...I mean the USA could be all nice and idealistic and say ok they suck we are going to get rid of all our nuclear arms..but it would be crazy and other countries would increase their nuclear arms and possibly gain power etc.
While I'm kind of ranting...always does my head in that there can be rules of war...like WTF the whole aim of war is to kill others..but you want to have certain rules and then people can get charged after the war has ended for war crimes???...strange world.
In terms of nuclear arms, Russia twice attempted to negotiate complete nuclear disarmament with the US, once in the 60s under Khrushchev and again in the 80s under Gorbachev. The evidence is clear that these were serious and honest attempts to prevent further risk of nuclear war. The US refused to consider the offer both times.
Yes off course they were, id trust the word of Russia too.
Not necessary to trust the Russians indo, it is all there in the transcripts of the various summits that were held. It's well documented history.
Is Beach Freely any relation to Ace?
If you don't have time to read Daniel Ellsberg's book The Doomsday Machine, at least read this review.
https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2018/april/1522501200/scott-ludlam/n...
The Land of the Lawless - Ralph Nader's take on the state of play in the United States of Hypocrisy
Nader talks about the "maturation of the corporate state"
Australia, you're standing in it.
OMG! You need to sleep BA, no wonder you are yawning! Sleep my little distressed friend! Stop being a Knight stalk! Try loosening off your back brace, and perhaps putting the highchair out side of the shed! Google in the light! But watch out for millipedes! They’re on the march... again! In your crumpled state a well built millipede could easily run you down, bring you to ground, and constrict the last feeble gasps from you! The fiesty critters are probably moving in as I speak!
Also do something about that beak! Savvy surfing critters always debeak all beaked crafts! No matter how thick they are!
For years Turnbull and ScoMo rejected calls for a banking commission and now they're "shocked and appalled" by the findings, clearly taken by surprise by an industry they thought they knew well, so how can we trust their judgement on the issue of corporate tax?
Turnbull and Sco Mo have snookered themselves.
Pig of a man.
"Asked whether the arrival of the baby comprehensively removed any doubts about Mr Joyce's paternity on the basis of date, he said "yes". "
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/barnaby-joyce-and-vikki-campi...
China 2015 - “ Yeh, nah . We’ve got no intentions of militarising the South China Sea islands.”
China 2016 - “ Nah , mate . South China Sea is free passage for all. “
China 2018 - “ Australians you say ? Well where the fuck do you think you’re going ? This here is Chinese territory and here’s a few warships in case youve got any doubts. “
China 2020 - “ I know what you’re thinking , but there’s no way that fuck off airstrip and Port we’ve built in Vanuatu with radar and missiles bristling from it is an aggressive forward military position.”
Etc etc
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/20/australian-warshi...
Oh cryptoknight
It didn't take long before you have gone back to old habits .
Might be time for YET another 'self imposed', editorial time out so you can go back to another session of therapy !
The spooks still following you !?
Have those land sharks got you looking over your shoulder again . Back to the hall of mirrors for you !
Swillnut’s forever! Back braces forever! Injuries rule!!! High chairs rule! We love beaks, rebeak the debeaked beak!
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story!
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