IT’S NICE TO BE AUSTRALIAN

 WE ARE ONE ...  Further thoughts

 The bad ...

Our Victoria Government has achieved squat to address any ’race’ or ‘cultural’ issues other than to support local councils to abandon their duty to welcome new Australians as ‘one’.  This had gotten so bad that at Port Phillip Council they removed all pictures of the Queen and abandoned the yearly Christmas tree because that tree was a symbol of Christianity and may just offend someone.  These idiots have no concept of a democracy. Apart from the fact that just 44% of Australians identify as Christian, it is the largest bunch but for any one group to demand removal of someone else’s ‘history’ speaks of stupidity and woke entitlement.

 Same for the Federal government.  We are all ‘sorry’ that history has treated some with less than egalitarian behaviour but WE cannot accept responsibility because it wasn’t ‘us’ that perpetrated any ‘crimes’.  Keep in mind – different era and different norms driving different acts. 

 Land - the prize in nearly all wars ...

We all own public land yet none of us own any part of it.  Simple.  It is land we all have rights to enjoy and all have responsibilities to protect.  Why?  Because we are mere caretakers for our allotted time on this planet.  Same for our houses.  We struggle to purchase ‘a place to be’ and assume ownership through toil as a matter of pride but, when we shuffle on all bets are off because, we’re dead.  Next.  Indeed, we were mere caretakers.

 But, ‘a place to be’ has far wider ramifications for some because they celebrate ‘belief’ history.  Enter indigenous culture.  I make no assertions as to the validity of those beliefs or even understand other than to say everyone has a right to believe in something.  For some it’s Allah, for some it’s God and for some it’s Dreamtime.  All are valid for the person and all give hope through history and a better future. This is a good thing albeit when one lot says my God is better than yours and then shoots the lesser God person just for their different beliefs, it’s a bad thing.  That fool Putin was deemed ‘the exorcist’ by his own church to eradicate everyone in Ukraine as they were all Nazis and Satanists – an obvious and pre-pubescent excuse for genocide - the ‘lesser God’ scenario and it’s so ridiculous it’s beyond words.

 My lot has also done horrible things over the centuries including the Vikings plundering their area of the world and settling in someone else’s country.  That’s my heritage yet I feel no desire to say ‘sorry’ to the Irish for something I did not do.  As it turns out, my long past history is somewhat violent and we are our history albeit I have little desire to conquer say Tasmania. Why?  Because I actually grew up and at least try to respect everyone else’s beliefs as long as those beliefs don’t propagate hurt.  Iran has seriously blotted their copy book in this regard as we speak as has Putin as has ....

 However, the concept of a ‘place to be’ is strong, and for some, linked to history.  Quite a few cultures have ‘sacred’ sights which may have rock paintings or whatever and need to be preserved but, dare I say,  not owned because we are just caretakers and it is up to all of us to work ‘as one’ to help protect other’s beliefs through the preservation of their history.  No argument possible.  ‘Dignity’ is a key concept because it encompasses both honour and respect.  I personally fail to see the religious connotations of an historic midden but then it’s none of my business other than to help protect that midden because I both honour and respect the beliefs of those that do see significance.  This is ‘we are one’ in real action.  We are all Australian.  Different beliefs, but all Australian protecting our rights to believe with free speech.

 Incidentally, being ‘racist’ is singling out some group as different requiring different actions just because they are different.  The sad thing is that people identified as bad-different tend to devolve to that marginalised archetype. ‘Gangs’ and the displaced all over the world speak this as truth. If we allow ‘the voice’ we are by definition completing a racist act because we see indigenous people as different needing more than other groups.  This is wrong.  Quotas for women in parliament are equally dysfunctional because it demeans women as needing quotas to succeed.  This is also wrong.

Given indigenous representation in parliament  is already above proportional [2.5% of population but 3.1% of parliamentarians] this ‘voice’ for parliament is the most racist bullshit we have constructed out of ‘woke’ diatribe driven by adolescent thinkers.  It’s as bad as ‘quotas’ for anything – demeaning and racist.

 So, what to do?

I know it’s rather trite but treating all people with honour and respect whilst living and breathing the mantra ‘we are one’ is the absolute minimum requirement.  Individuals with different beliefs creating our collective future ‘as one’ because we are ‘all Australian’.  Simple.   We don’t have to like each other and can choose not to interact but we must always honour and respect.  That is until they also blot their copy book.

One success key entails the ‘meaning’ behind the ceremonies on Australia day as they are not past driven but ‘future’ orientated.  A future for people who want to be Australian joining the ranks of the ‘we are one’ where honour and respect for all without any form of race or belief discrimination is paramount.  The spoken words and commitments are important.

 

It’s nice to be Australian.  

WE ARE AUSTRALIAN – WE ARE ONE

 Australia Day and Citizenship Ceremonies.

What a fantastic image ‘we are one’ is through which to discuss anything.  Why? Because those simple 3 words have an overriding philosophy of mutuality leading to a shared future.  Wow!!

Keep in mind that ‘we are our history’ and it’s that history which propels our differences towards cohesiveness.  Sadly, the ‘shouty’ morons who support the so called ‘cancel culture’ have no inkling that they are trying to destroy our collective culture by creating their own version of history and always through misplaced self entitlement.

And, it’s that cultural history which must be celebrated albeit within the context of where we live and where we want to be. This is where ‘free speech’ is a God given right to be treasured and encouraged.  How else do we learn?  Agree or disagree, it’s everyone’s unalienable right to opinion.

I am Australian with blood lines from Denmark and Ireland.  This inexorably links me to those countries and peoples but, I am still Australian and ‘one’ with Australia.  My blood history is somewhere else but I am Australian.  My family’s history is somewhere else yet I am still Australian.  For nearly 75 years I have been Australian.  I was standing on the school’s bleaches in Launceston waving my flag for our brand new Queen as she drove by.  Why?  Because I was Australian and celebrated the occasion along with every other Australian.  We were ‘one’.  What a great choice she was.

There are many amongst us who want to usurp that ‘we are one’ balance for their own selfish motives by claiming they are ‘more special’ therefore demanding greater recognition.  They believe that democratic proportional representation was / is for someone else yet, that very concept is critical to preserving our combined history - but always within the concept of ‘we are one’.  Everyone has a say whilst everyone else listens with respect and an open mind.

Indeed, our histories meld and blend but we accept the differences with clear thinking and, dare I say, dignity above all.

When our moronic ancestors [we all have them], moronic politicians and equally moronic organisations tread the easy path of appeasing the shouty people by openly rejecting ‘we are Australian and we are one’ they are in effect trying to cancel our history and subjugate democracy to those with the loudest voice. 

Like it or not, ‘Australia day citizenship ceremonies’ are all about bringing gaggles of disparate peoples and cultures into the fold of ‘WE’ are Australian.  An all embracing culture offering togetherness for a combined future.  NOT cancelling anyone’s history but embracing it with respect and dignity.

We can’t cancel history, good or bad, but we can celebrate and learn.  Indeed, our history makes us aware and strong.  Our history is us!  But, our history does not define our future and that future can only be won if ‘we are one’ as ‘we are all Australian’.  ‘We’ are not responsible for our somewhat chequered history and cannot be held accountable for something we did not do but we are all accountable for what we do now and our future and indeed share that responsibility as ‘one’. 

Our democracy / system of Government is for all, our laws are for all and our beautiful country is for all.  For all Australians to revel in and enjoy – no exceptions.  January 26 defines Australia going forward as ‘one’. It does NOT celebrate dodgy behaviours by our ancestors, it cements our future because we are Australian and we are one!

Every year on ‘Australia Day January 26’ we all ‘as one’ remember and treasure our individual and collective past, good and bad, whilst reaffirming our commitment to Australia and ‘we are one’.  The morons who try to usurp or ignore the importance of this concept have truly missed the point.

Personally, I will celebrate on Australia day being Australian in God’s own country.

NGV - an open letter

 

Mr Tony Elwood,

Director  NGV

I just read about the ‘new’ NGV building been given the nod by someone.

I have to say I think we have wasted time, talent and money failing to embrace architecture which would be seen as ‘fantastic’ in 100 years.  There are so many absolutely gob-smacking buildings around the world whilst we end up with mediocrity.  For example, Federation Square is a joke because it does not embrace our upside down river and has no architectural merit.  Another example was the proposed redevelopment over Flinders Street Station.  The designs were awful especially when we have Gare De Lyon  in Paris as a beautiful blueprint.  Fantastic ‘classical’ architecture ignored.  On the other side of the coin is the soccer stadium which typifies the game, is great architecture and conveys an ethos which is palpable.

The brutalist structure that is the NGV has never been a landmark other than a grey lump on St Kilda Road.  Obviously there are parts which demand respect such as the water wall and the stained glass ceiling but overall is lacks dynamism.  It’s a lump.  Good buildings flow!

How about dealing with this structure first!  Make it sing!

I am an idiot but even I can see concept flaws that can be addressed quickly and easily. 

There are two elements at play - firstly the ‘grey walls’ with zero life and secondly the outside ‘ponds’ also being imagination stagnant. There is no soul and no smiles.  Just the opposite are the lit ‘birds’ on the nature strip which are fantastic and playful and worthy of respect.  Proof is in watching kids faces as they see ‘stuff’.  Building ‘0’, birds ‘10’. 

However, the grey lump is a perfect backdrop for ‘art’ being nondescript whilst allowing ‘things’ in front to sing.  A contained line of sight.

My suggestions, as an idiot, are simple and cost effective.

Firstly, the ponds need movement to distinguish them from concrete puddles.  The simple solution is a wave machine and/or bubbles and/or maelstroms emanating from all over the ponds.  Dynamic movement!  This is low tech and in use all over the world.  Simple, easy, cheap and quick.

Secondly, standing within those now dynamic water features and against the drab grey walls we need fantastic ‘works’ which mean something.  How about the ‘Gladdies’ which represent Melbourne and which were present when Hamer Hall was reopened?   How about ‘Othelia’ by Deborah Halpern adorning the other water feature.  Wow!!  Dynamic, meaningful and using the drab building as a backdrop for something special.  Proper lighting would be crucial from underwater maelstroms to narrow spots on key features.  Not hard either.

This is just the start and would say something to the world about NGV.

Cost?  Bugger all!

Excitement?  Max!

10 minutes with Brian

 

Not what you think.  

Brian is a compendium of life’s stuff.  A zipped leather folder containing a pad,  a  whole bunch of loose notes as well as glasses, pens, a mouth organ and a straw.  He holds an evolving list of future possibilities, hopes, dreams and plans to fulfill those dreams.  A cathartic list of ‘stuff’ focusing on the future.  Not a diary of the past but a plan for the next bit of life.

Every night I come home and spend ‘face time’ with Brian deleting the days completed triumphs with a heartfelt cancelling line, organising what’s left to do and adding new stuff.

And, this is all before I ‘doodle’!  Usually spatial design but also articles for publication about anything which I see as important [see nothappyjon.blogspot.com]. 

Brian clears the mind by knowing I have thought through commitments, ticked off on accomplishments and planned the future as well as allowing time and brain space for more esoteric  pursuits glimmered up through some part of my addled conscience.

I know what’s important AND how to make it happen.  The straw is for humming through to exercise the voice box folds.  A bit weird but focuses the mind.  Don’t ask about the mouth organ.

Key is focusing on the future not regurgitating and/or reliving the past.

When Brian and I have finished for the evening he gets zippered up to preserve all those hopes, targets and plans.  As a matter of fact he is open right now next to me with 27 entries reminding me of what I have / want to achieve.

Lastly, he is tactile because he is paper and in my hand writing and cathartic and not deleteable without trace as a computer allows.  I know when I have succeeded and when I have mucked up.  No ‘cancel culture’ here.

Everyone needs a ‘Brian’.

RUSSIA'S INVASION, THAT 'ONE MAN' AND ARMAGEDDON

 

RUSSIA HAS LOST IN THEIR UNLAWFUL INVASION – SO FAR TO 20/7/22 ...

  DEAD

    Circa 39,970 military personnel,

  EQUIPMENT DESTROYED

    1,737 tanks,

    880 artillery systems,

    258 self-propelled rocket launchers

    222 aircraft,

    189 helicopters,

    117 air defence systems,

    2,835 vehicles and fuel tanks,

    15 ships,

    722 drones,

    174 cruise missiles have been shot down.

AND NOW ‘HIMARS’ ARE FURTHER INCREASING THE TOLL ON RUSSIANS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT

 

THIS IS INSANITY.

 

MEANWHILE THE TALKING HEADS STILL TALK AND TALK AND TALK

Apart from the carnage on both sides and the massive loss of funds through military spending and world sanctions, Russia has managed to alienate itself from that world and is now seen as a failed pariah state – again.  Indeed, the so called ‘Kremlin’ jails dissenters whilst ignoring failing social networks such as ‘food’ for its people. 

Does one man take responsibility for say 60,000 lives lost?  Is it one man or do the Russian people back this unlawful invasion?  An invasion to restore the USSR to its somewhat misplaced former glory.

Obviously insanity prevails and the big question remains ..  ‘Will that one man unleash armageddon?’ Looking at what’s happening at the moment with that one man seemingly accepting the invasion ‘toll’ as appropriate, that level of insanity may just be enough to tip him into unforced retaliation with nuclear weapons – just to save face!

Remember ‘Somme’ where a million died for a few kilometres of dirt.  Those commanders also had a low opinion of life, respect and integrity being lost in a blood fog of stupidity with only one thought – kill.  Both sides suffered huge losses on the fields.  Driving through there today there is no hint of the carnage albeit it’s as spooky as hell.

As Russia is attempting to level Ukraine making it uninhabitable whilst killing civilians and destroying their social infrastructure logically they also cannot be seeking anything else but ‘kill’. 

That one man is now just starting to target Jewish people in Russia whilst trying to topple a Jewish president from Ukraine.  Seems clear that the real issue for that one man is anti-Semitism – again!

You can’t reason with that one man who has a singular focus to kill, whatever the cost.

THERE IS A GOD AND S/HE DRIVES A CLASSIC CAR

I lifted this out of a UK study  ...  the inconvenient facts!!

“ In the UK a classic car on average is driven 1,200 miles a year and puts out 563 kg of CO2 as a result. But a new VW Golf is made by generating 6.8 tonnes of CO2e. Even worse, a Polestar 2 (a Swedish electric car) generates 26 tonnes of CO2 during the manufacturing process. That means you could drive your classic car for over 46 years before it generates as much CO2 as the “green” electric vehicle. Let that sink in for a moment.

Further, the study rightly points out that within that 46-year period, the Polestar 2’s battery will need to be replaced, maybe even swapped for a new one twice or more. And what happens to the battery? Can it really be recycled? The answer for now is no. Meanwhile, the classic car keeps running without contributing significantly to a landfill.”

My 20 year old money pit, Otto the CL600, is alive and well albeit with ongoing defects which only goes to his personality.  Bit like us all really.

One person’s view of the Andrews disaster with suggestions for change

Dear Liberals et alia,

Megalomaniac morons lack the neurons for rational thought but are good at being serious and attracting the brain vapid or those that prefer the nose ring approach to life commonly referred to as ‘the rusted on voter’.  These are dangerous people who, instead of applying rational thought, follow anyone holding the nose ring rope because resisting hurts – nose or brain.  Look at North Korea where the population marches in lock step to starvation or Russia where resistive thought can mean prison or China where disagreement with the CCP means disappearance.

You need to convince those of the ‘open mouthed ring persuasion’ that they should think about not voting for the moron because to do so would label them ‘vapid followers of moron’.  Not good.  Do this quietly whilst speaking in unarguable logic – premise premise conclusion.

A message -for example ... 

‘The Liberal party of Victoria will be the next Government because we seek support from  the thinkers from all sides but only those who actually care about our state and ask them to vote for whom they consider to be the best at creating the way forward’ – the thinking swinging voter." 

"It’s the centrists among us who care about change, will shift allegiance on rational thought,  care about our future and think through issues without the blinkered non-thinking approach of the ‘rusted on’ voter.  We seek intelligent debate without the tirade and pontificating obfuscation."

"Sometimes the facts are so plain that there can be no debate.  For example – ‘John Holland is a Chinese Company [China Communications Construction] and was given the billion dollar contract to build our infrastructure by labor all the while China was and is trying to ruin our economy through trade sanctions."

"It seems the CCP is holding the nose ring rope on Labor.  Why else would anything as obvious as this be acceptable to any clear thinker who can see through the moronic stupidity.  Kowtowing and indeed supporting a regime which ignores international law [South China Sea], ignores major agreements [Hong Kong]and takes over others sovereignty by persuasive force [Solomon] is tantamount to sedition.  It’s the same regime who has built ghost cities just to prop up an economy through ‘look at me look at me’ diplomacy."

"They just love the nose-ring lot because they know there will be no actual thought or resistance!  The labor party and their rusted on nose ring people are the CCP’s best friends."

You need to instill in those people a sense of panic enough for them to think about issues and jump on board to our shared and governed future.

 Regards,

Jon Langevad [MBA et alia]

Cure for tinted windows

 The FOMO set has grown up.

Car makers today are well aware that the current crop of car owners grew up attached to some sort of device whilst trying to ignore the real world.  These are the kids who sat in the back seat refusing to look out at the magic passing by whilst hiding inside a small screen or plugged into headphones.  They rejected the world and missed childhood.

Now those same people insist on the isolation shell through massively tinted windows so they can hide from that same real world but with even bigger on-board screens that actively control their lives.  They can’t see out of their cars properly especially at night so cameras are necessary to guide say their parking and they daren’t open a window lest someone sees them.  Sunroof, not a chance as it lets light in and others may be able to see.  A retreat into self.

Sad because life is diminished.

Cure?

Rent an old manual roof, no gadgets convertible sports car with perhaps just a tonneau cover and NEVER put up the roof.  Enjoy motoring with wind, fog, rain, heat, cold and indeed smell.  Drive up a mountain and feel the temperature change every hundred metres all the while smelling the eucalypts and ingesting the surroundings.  No radio, no TV, no phone, no nothing.  Revel in the world!  It’s a fantastic place, enjoy it without props.

Now go back to the tinted isolation shell and feel the difference!

TINTED WINDOWS / REVERSE PARKING / DEVICE MANIA / FOMO

 

I must have my stupid shoes on because I cannot understand new trends in cars arising from and  leading to what can only be described as ‘moronity’ by a select group of people.

There seems to be a whole generation of kids who grew up on the back seats of their parents cars refusing to be a part of a passing cascade of interesting things on the ‘Sunday drive’ whilst preferring to be attached to any electronic device and ignoring the real world.

These introverted kids have grown up with electronic doohickies ruling their life.  They don’t want to be out of their small comfort zone and don’t want others to see them because that’s what introverts do.  This is FOMO smart phone access leading to car phones / screens gone berserk.  Indeed we nearly killed a circa 12 year old kid on St Kilda road who jumped off a tram stop with his eyes buried on his phone and just didn’t realise he had walked into traffic.  My instant loud horn saved his life because I could not have stopped. Scary.

Car makers know this trend and tailor cars to suit so they can sell more cars.  Particularly with huge ‘information’ screens, external cameras and tinted windows.  Now, people can escape within their own FOMO cocoon and ignore the passing world in anonymity.  Sad.  Some cars travelling at night are so bright inside from various ‘screens’ that they should not be on the road. 

Now, add on to this conundrum an endemic tendency to have all windows so ‘tinted’ it restrict s any proper visibility.  Some cars are so illegally tinted in the windscreen that you can’t even tell if there is a driver.  Introverts all.  They have gone back to being kids in the back seat playing on their ‘device’ ignoring the world.  Now these same strange people need multiple external cameras so they can actually see or do anything including parking.  Cameras help the ‘tinted’ morons who can’t drive.

Further, those same morons reverse park in situations which confirm stupidity beyond belief.  Take South Melbourne market where the morons go shopping to bring back bunches of stuff to their reversed parked car only to realize that can’t access the tailgate / boot because they have reversed parked.  This is so stupid it’s beyond belief.  Driving forward into a 90 degree car park is simple and doesn’t hold up the traffic whilst allowing easy access to the boot.  Reversing out also does not hold up traffic because you wait for a gap.  But reversing in does hold up traffic and you still cannot access the boot.  Did I say stupid?  We have seen the really stupid even reverse park into 60 degree bays designed for front in parking ‘only’ and they end up facing oncoming traffic.

This trend is driven by no actual visibility through tinted screens necessitating external cameras allowing electronic visibility from one of the many internal screens. 

I drive a 20 year old money pit which has parking sensors but no cameras and a low dash mounted screen which allows sat nav, radio, CD and once-was analogue TV.  There is no tinting except for the top 10% of the windscreen hence we enjoy looking out seeing the passing world.  We don’t mind people looking in, it doesn’t threaten us as we are not introverts.  How can people go for a ‘Sunday Drive’ locked into a cocoon?  This is not life but typifies the back seat kids on their devices growing up only to transfer that ‘screen desire & FOMO’ to their cars.

Sad.

It’s sad because these dysfunctional trends are endemic and curtail life.

Is there a solution?  Yes!!

Firstly, if it was up to me I would make all ‘tinted’ drivers hire an old pre any electronic  gizmo convertible for a day with the roof dropped just to make them realise there is a great world out there to enjoy – every second.  My wife drives a 1988 Mazda MX5 and in which it’s berserkly fun to drive and enjoy life.

Secondly, enforce the law on tinted windows even changing same to stop inappropriate side and rear tints.  In this way people get to look out and enjoy ‘stuff’. 

Thirdly ban all reverse parking excepting curb side parallel parking.

Fourthly, force car manufacturers to limit screen brightness.

Simple but still needs an attitude adjustment.

Open letter to Josh Frydenberg re security

 Good morning,

There is nothing more important than our security.

The talking heads flap the trite whilst nothing actually happens.

Think Hitler on September 1 1939 or how about Putin a few weeks ago.  Both surprise invasions whilst the talking heads, talked.

The world is changing and we need to cement relationships else fall victim to some autocratic ‘big guns’ regime.

Recognise that the cold war mentality is happening despite most people’s best efforts.

That war is happening in the form of cyber attacks and economic coercion but the ‘west’ is fighting back.

But, this doesn’t stop the despots from blatant invasion or developing weapons which with one missile can level a country the size of France or cause a radioactive tidal wave to ‘sink’ the UK and a good chunk of Europe.

A charming reality driven by fools. 

If one does not have a deterrent then one is vulnerable.  This is a no brainer.  Indeed, the CCP has said at the National Press Club that they will drop a nuclear bomb on Australia if we go nuclear power.

We are vulnerable.

Australia as a big country does not have the weaponry to combat anything.  Sad but true.

But, we do have friends with big guns – not just supplicants or clients as does the CCP or the Kremlin.

The solution is obvious.

What we have is space and space in which to work with our friends to maintain a ‘military’ cold war barrier.  Not economic but military to protect the Pacific and all who dwell thereon.

Promote all that is economic but don the armour.

Invite our ‘friends’ to work with us in Northern Australia in ‘war games’ where each friend has a permanent foothold with people and ‘ALL’ equipment in multiple locations.

The message is obvious in that we as a consortium are strong and willing to defend the rights of our peoples against all threats at a critical global location.

Imagine say 10 countries with say 5,000 personnel each training as a cooperative to challenge any perceived future threat.

Ships, tanks, planes, weaponry, bombs et alia all located in Australia's sovereign territory and training together as a force.

Cost?  Significant.  But the alternative is unthinkable, just look at Ukraine, the devastation in infrastructure and the millions displaced.

Recognise the fact that there is a cold war at the moment and one that has a potential to be far more threatening.

Don’t fall into the talking heads syndrome!!

There is a line from a great movie  ‘Field of dreams’ – ‘if you build it they will come’.  If we build the strategic global dream they will come.

I am hoping that you are not grounded in talking head minutia [block people] as are most politicians but are a jigsaw [strategic] thinker and capable of dragging all the various jigsaw pieces into a coherent whole.

Australia is at risk but also has within its grasp a fantastic opportunity.