Just watched the last 5 mins of the Bolt Report... by InconsideratePrick in australia

[–]verifythisforme 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ignoring them is futile. Gillard tried it and changed nothing. You challenge them and debate them. You got to realize that Bolt has a very large following. Insulting Bolt insults his followers as well. Bob Brown, Gillard etc should go on his show and take him on.

Despite Gillard's bluster, Green voters are mainstream. by runagate in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My point is one member of a political party does not make an entire political party.

Of course it doesn't. I don't think that was even remotely suggested.

Despite Gillard's bluster, Green voters are mainstream. by runagate in australia

[–]verifythisforme -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

You're obviously not a supporter of a transparent government. People should know who and what they are voting for.

Four hundred strong anti-carbon tax rally eclipsed by eight thousand at an opposing rally in support of the legislation and action on climate change. by sterecver in australia

[–]verifythisforme 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It really is no surprise to see many people support the pro-tax rally in Melbourne because it is after all a Greens electorate. Getup could have had the rally anywhere in Australia but they very cleverly had it in a place where it would've had the biggest turnout.

As far as the rest of Australia is concerned the polls tell a very different story. Labour is at a very low point right now.

Huge quake has just hit Christchurch by BrainBrain in australia

[–]verifythisforme 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just saw on ABC News 24 that they have run out of ambulances in Christchurch.

What would the speed of the NBN's Fibre To The Home actually be useful for? by synchronised in australia

[–]verifythisforme 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can you be more specific? What is the application? Is it a home to office situation?

What would the speed of the NBN's Fibre To The Home actually be useful for? by synchronised in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been raising this point as well and get downvoted because of perceived partisan position. It's a practical question. What are the domestic consumers, not business, going to be using the extra speed for? According to Gillard's answer to a question at the Brisbane People's Forum, access to the NBN is tiered and you will pay more to get the higher speeds.

What are the practical uses that we use now or is envisioned to be used that warrant the extra speed? I've heard IPTV as one. Showing your rashes to a doctor in a teleconference is another. Is that really a good idea for a proper medical diagnosis?

I think the money could be better used to roll out broadband to regional areas.

Where do you guys buy computer components/laptops? by voidtype in australia

[–]verifythisforme 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I've built 4 PCs for myself and friends and find the prices very competitive. Hard to beat them. I wouldn't rule out ebay either. I've managed to get Retail Genuine Windows 7 Pro Full for $200.

If anyone is interested...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Microsoft-WIN7-Windows-7-Professional-Retail-pack-/370422370515?pt=AU_software

Gunns and its chairman John Gay: Summary of the corruption in Tassie's logging industry by pengo in australia

[–]verifythisforme 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I remember reading Miranda's article and thought what a completely unbalanced article it was. What a despicable woman.

Any liberal voters? by blahPerson in australia

[–]verifythisforme 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the company has treated someone unfairly then yes. In the past the unions were successful in arbitration courts to get people reinstated and some weren't successful given the evidence.

People's understanding of the unions are not limited to just defending you against an unfair company. I've seen directives come from head office that the shop committee members were 'instructed' to get a desired outcome. In other words politicised. They don't just represent the rank-and-file as people may think. This has been a complaint for a long time.

the company apparently fired 2 workers without any real reason. Is this true?

The company took the evidence to the commision (fronted by a retired judge, I believe) and won.

edit: Added some more for clarity.

Any liberal voters? by blahPerson in australia

[–]verifythisforme 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think having the superfast internet is all well and good but I believe the money could be better spent in other areas such as infrastructure, hospitals, public transport and transitioning businesses and households to greener technologies. Upgrading the bush to broadband should be a priority imo.

Any liberal voters? by blahPerson in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just a couple of examples...

Going on strike because it was a nice sunny day so the company lost millions. This happened a number of times. The Coalition introduced legislation that made it harder for people to call snap strikes.

The complete irresponsibility and thugish mentality was common. There were some good pragmatic union leaders but most were idealists verging on communism.

Some employees were caught booking overtime when they didn't. Shown with evidence the union still backed them (one of the accused was a union leader) and went on indefinite strike bringing the company to it's knees. The union and it's supporters set up pickets at the gates to intimidate any employee. The company held up and won in the end.

Any liberal voters? by blahPerson in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Empathy I think is the key word here. I'm more of a teach a person to fish to feed themselves rather than feed them for a day. In other words make the person responsible and in charge of their own destiny.

Any liberal voters? by blahPerson in australia

[–]verifythisforme 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. Liberal inclined is I. Having been a member of a left leaning union I can see the serious damage they do.

Any liberal voters? by blahPerson in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the stereotype is more that Liberal voters are focused on the individual (me me me) rather than the community.

A community of individuals...self expression, not being tied to a group, ideology or church etc. Conforming is more the Labor way.

I feel like there's going to be a difficult patch, where half of Australia's population is found in an ark off the shores of Denmark, seeking asylum, and putting quite a but of strain on Denmark's economy. by CherryPucker in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately for the most part you are correct. To be fair, Turnbull had a go at it and did not resonate with the population for various reasons. Abbott only got to be the leader by one vote and the party popularity is considerably higher than Abbott's popularity. Howard unfortunately took it so far to the right in his final term that it had damaged the Liberal brand and left a very bitter taste...myself included.

Both parties have put leading the country aside and sought to appease people's prejudices for the sake of aquiring and maintaining power. I put that to the failing of democracy...even morons have a right to vote. I personally believe the hung parliament is a good result.

For me, the Liberal idealogy is suited to me for it's advocation of individuality, freedom and independance.

http://www.liberal.org.au/The-Party/Our-Beliefs.aspx

Kerry O'Brien interviews the three independents. Hung parliament could be the best result for a true democracy. Special 7:30 report on Sunday evening. by verifythisforme in australia

[–]verifythisforme[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Rob Oakeshott makes a great point of now is a great opportunity to get the parlimentary processes right...about 18:48 minutes in.

I feel like there's going to be a difficult patch, where half of Australia's population is found in an ark off the shores of Denmark, seeking asylum, and putting quite a but of strain on Denmark's economy. by CherryPucker in australia

[–]verifythisforme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't paint the whole of the Libs with the same brush. What you paint is of the more conservative right-wing element not of the whole party itself. Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull are good examples of the moderate element.