Suburban Boy

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Hopeless Disco Dancer saves hundreds from terrorist attack

July 3rd 2007 13:38

In these troubled times in which we find ourselves with the threat of terrorism seemingly hanging over our head I have decided to take a slightly lighter look at the recent terrorists attacks in London in the last few days and I hope people will take it in the spirit it is intended to be written.

Could this be our Hero?

As police and authorities throughout the U.K. and now it seems in Australia congratulate each other for the foiling of what could have potentially been a shocking and horrific attack on the London night club area the real hero of the moment has been forgotten.

As reported in the media in the last few days it was ambulance officers who noticed smoke coming from the parked Mercedes that alerted police to the vehicle. The ambulance officers were apparently called to the nightclub after a patron who was dancing fell over and hit his head and required attention.

So the real hero here was the inept dancer at the nightclub. Had this obviously uncoordinated disco star not fallen while trying to trip the light fantastic the nightclub and its patrons in it may well have suffered the full force of the exploding vehicle.

This guy should become a hero and role model to the thousands of men throughout the world who are to shy or scared to hit the dance floors for fear of embarrassing themselves. His falling over on the dance floor has saved hundreds. If it wasnt for him the ambulance would have never been called and they would have not spotted the car.

One wonders wether he decided to wear his shoes that lacked tread but looked good which lead to his fall. In this case his vanity has saved the day. Regardless of how it has happened this dance floor klutz should be the toast of London. His actions have lead to the shutting down of another terrorist cell and England sleeps safer tonight knowing some where in a nightclub somewhere someone else is falling over and foiling another terrorist plot.

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KNOCK KNOCK Who's there? It's John Howard but is anyone listening!!

July 2nd 2007 14:38

The polls are in and it appears Howards move on the aboriginal issue has been seen as cynical political exercise. While I think it is true to say that most people hope that it ultimately leads to the betterment of the lot of indigenous children and the indigenous communities at large most people have now come to see through the cynicism of the Howard Government.

Wether it be tax cuts and childcare concessions delivered in the May budget, petrol pricing inquiries set up a few weeks ago and the now so-called sudden emergency within indigenous communities the general public are now wise and quite frankly rather sceptical of every thing Howard does. His longevity in office is fast becoming his Achilles heel. He no longer can expect to throw out a few dollars or hold a belated inquiry or declare an emergency without the public viewing them in terms of the electoral cycle we are in.

This must lead some in the coalition to wonder if it was Peter Costello announcing these initiatives in a fresh new look cabinet wether the electorate would be less cynical. Though it is no time to make that change now but last year would have been an ideal time to bring forth some renewal.

The pressure is certainly building on Howard and his attacks on Rudd seem to be failing. The fear has been for sometime now that the public feel safe with the conservative Christian approach of Rudd and they have done to Howard what they had been doing to Rudds predecessor Beazley. They are just not listening!

In away Howards desire when he was first elected to make us relaxed and comfortable is now working against him. He has so much of the electorate relaxed and comfortable that they are quite happy to vote for change, relaxed and comfortable in the knowledge that with the economy humming along and the prospect of one of the most conservative Labor leaders we have seen that things should remain the same. Howards fear mongering over the prospect of a Labor government is just not washing anymore.

The other problem is those who are not benefiting from a booming economy and who have no time to be relaxed and comfortable as they work hard to maintain high mortgage repayments or struggle to get a deposit together for a home or simple are marginalised into poverty have given Howard over ten years to let them seek some reward from the massive wealth we reap from a booming mining industry have given up on him.

Howard has probably less then 4 months to turn it around and as yet everything he tries does not seem to resonate anymore. Where he goes next with his efforts to persuade the electorate remains to be seen.

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Are Aboriginals Howards natural disaster?

July 1st 2007 14:47

The Howard Governments declaration of a national emergency over the state of indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, as well as other parts of Australia, has seen a fundamental shift in the politics at large in the lead up to the forthcoming federal election.

Suddenly it is John Howard and his indigenous Affairs minister Mal Brough on the front pages with Labor leader Kevin Rudd forced to take up the usual role of an opposition leader.

It is the Government out there making decisions and Rudd forced to basically nod his head in approval fearing that any questioning of the governments response will be meet with the kind of response Mal Brough gave to Kerry OBrien questioning him on the detail of the so-called emergency response on the ABCs 7:30 report last week. Brough replied to OBriens question for detail by asking him if we should just do nothing.

The Government has been trying hard to paint anyone who questions their response or seeks details to their plan as being opposed to it. It has also attempted to label anyone who questions a political motive behind their response as also opposing doing something to help Indigenous communities.

This is goes to the very heart of our democracy.

NO ONE in their right mind would seek to deny help for those who suffer the sexual abuse, health, education, housing and other numerous problems that have beset indigenous communities but it is simply ludicrous for political commentators, politicians and others to suggest that the response by Howard to this issue was not driven by the political electoral cycle we find ourselves in.

Are we to believe that at no time in coming up with this response thought was not given to how this response would position Labor and Rudd? Are we to believe that at no time it was not suggested that this would see Howard as driving the political agenda and thus putting him on the front foot for the first time in a long time in the lead up to the election? Is it wrong to ask the government how they intend to implement their plan of action? Is it not the role of a democracy to ask questions of government?

John Howard was quoted as describing this crisis as comparable to Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. If this is the case then his response has taken at least 4 years to respond to unlike Bushs much criticised slow response of a week or two. Alan Ramsey in the SMH reported on a report received by the government in 1999 and it then took them 18 months to release. The report by Dr Paul Memmott discusses almost all the problems which Howard now sees as an emergency. He also printed an extract of a speech by Mick Dodson given at the National press club in 2003 calling on help for the exact same issue. Where was the emergency then?

No one can deny that something desperately needs to be done but it is disingenuios for Howard to make out that this crisis has suddenly descended upon us like some sort of natural disaster.

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Australian Election 20th October

June 25th 2007 14:34

The big tip and dont forget you heard it here is that John Howard will call an election not long after he hosts the APEC conference for October 20th. If this is the case it means we are just 4 months out from an election.

Kevin Rudd is still riding high in the polls although it does appear his lead is beginning to fall away. The big question everyone wants to know though is can he maintain his lead and does it matter what John Howard does between now and the election or have people just stopped listening to him

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Who has made money from Orble???

May 3rd 2007 13:41

Who has made money from Orble? I'd be interested to know if anyone out there has made money from their Orble postings. I have not nor have I expected to as I have only intermittently been posting and lately I haven't been posting at all (studying working and raisng children wil do that to you).

I would like to know though if anyone has been fortunate enough to recieve any cash and if so what amounts are we talking.

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Volunteering brings Rewards

May 3rd 2007 12:26

Dedication to helping others in need comes as second nature to someone who has worked as a nurse all there life, but it was the isolation of a two year stay in Italy unable to speak the language that lead Mern Betts to tutor refugee and migrants in English upon her retirement.

Living in a foreign country and unable to communicate with those around while trying to raise small children made me feel very isolated and gave me an understanding of what migrants go through, she says

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Howards Nuclear Nightmare

May 3rd 2007 12:17

As the Howard government moves closer to the election date, becoming increasingly nervous with poll results, the weekend announcement of the push for nuclear power was classic Howard and his attempt to wedge the Labor opposition. This time though it maybe Howard who has miscalculated both the depth of anti-nuclear power feeling within Labor itself and the electorate at large.

On the weekend Labor in a largely stage-managed conference laid to rest the bizarre idea of opposing uranium mining but supporting the currently existing three mines which actually expanded under Labors own time in government. Kevin Rudd got his way and Labor now supports uranium mining

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Howard releases his Attack Dog

March 14th 2007 12:39

The Howard government is looking desperate and increasingly rattled by the performance of Kevin Rudd and its descent into the mire of dealing with Rudds personal life is a very risky strategy.

The use of chief government attack dog Tony Abbott does nothing to dispel any belief that this is an increasingly desperate tactic.

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SHOCK! HORROR! I Agree with ANDREW BOLT

March 12th 2007 12:49

Well I began my usual browse through the Sunday papers yesterday and because I reside in Brisbane I feel it necessary to read the Sunday Mail. You know I have to find out how we are running out of water and wether Heather Beattie will run for Lord Mayor.
As I did I found myself flying through it scanning the pages for something that maybe news worthy which is generally a struggle. I did find out that Heather would not run and that she must be a rose fan as we had a picture of her tending to hers and Peters garden.

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Australias Refugee Shame.

March 7th 2007 12:55

I am posting part of a reply that i made to an earlier posting by opnionatedranter here to allow peole to explore the two links that i included on the reply.

The first deals with the shameful episode of the Sivex and the other is an interview with a refugee who arrived in Australia on a boat. Both highlight the Governments horrendous treatment of people who risk their lives to seek refuge from persecuation and better lives in the most part for their families. Please read

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Comment by Suburban Boy
on How To Solve the Aboriginal Crisis

June 28th 2007 13:19

Please tell me this post is some attempt at satire or irony. if not it is one of the most deluded things i have ever had the misfortune to read on orble.

Comment by Suburban Boy
on She's barren, that's true, so what's the problem?

May 3rd 2007 13:33

Afew thoughts on this one. I do believe the general public would never vote for a single woman to be prime Minister however I also do not believe that they would vote for a single man. The Public at large does what someone they think may have an understanding of their own postion. This may however change as the number of people who choose to live on their own continues to increase in the numbers.

Why should Gillard have to respond to the mutterings of a disgraced senator who has a history of labelling people something they are not. Her own lifestyle choices are simply that her own choice. She does not have to explain her decision anymore then John Howard should have to explain why he did have children. Although I think you would find that she has already explained her choice on "Australian Story" last year anyway.

Gillards response was perfect I thought. She highlighted the fact that so much of Howard and his lackeys live in the past and choose to judge people on standards of the 1950's and lack any understanding or tolerance or acceptance of difference of people who do not fit in to their picture of the white picket fence 3 children family that they think we should all inspire to.

Lastly go ahead attack politicians for double standards but don't try and suggest that it is only left wing politicans who have double standards. I don't think they have a monoply on that kind of behavoir.

Comment by Suburban Boy
on Reasons Why The Liberal Party Deserve to be Elected Again

March 18th 2007 11:38

I would have to seriously take issue with your first reason and your other reasons show your clear right wing bias.

Comment by Suburban Boy
on SHOCK! HORROR! I Agree with ANDREW BOLT

March 13th 2007 23:49

Well I Andrew Bolt another thank you as this has been my most popular blog yet. Might have to do an article on agreeing with Alan Jones next.
I tend to have agreed with Ahmed and have thought that although by nature he is conservative that much of his oturageous comment was just to polarise his readers and that it was not really some strongly held idealogoical view.
Thanks for all the comments folks and I will be amazed if next weeks Bolt article concurs with my opinions again.
I only hope it is him coming closer to my opinion and not me drifting to his beliefs.

Comment by Suburban Boy
on SHOCK! HORROR! I Agree with ANDREW BOLT

March 13th 2007 23:49

Comment by Suburban Boy
on AUSSIE RULES CITIZENSHIP

March 6th 2007 12:31

I feel it is necessary to respond to your posting here. Like Damo I am appalled that you have chosen to use the term "Abo" to describe the indigenous population of Australia. They are the first human inhabitants of this land and your matter of fact way of telling how they were treated by European settlers goes i think a long way to show your feelings toward minorities.

The treatment of refugees who come to Australia risking everything on unseaworthy boats is a fairly recent event and one that does not sit comfortably with many Australians.

We have in the past accepted many people who have arrived in this fashion and i believe Australia is a much better place for having done it. While these is often a reluctance from those who have left behind their home country and cultures to assimilate into the country the successive generations following have done nothing but to enrich this country.

Look at some of Australia's leading doctors, business people and those who make up the general population and you will find personal and family stories of how they came to Australia in harrowing circumstance. They will tell you how these events conditioned them to wanting to do so much for the country that had given them a chance at a new start.

If you believe that turning away people on unseaworthy boats and leaving them to perish is some how a noble thing to do then i feel truly sorry for your lack of compassion toward your fellow human beings. Read the story of the SIVEX and how over 300 asylum seekers drowned while the Australian government did nothing to help them. This is not the Australian spirit of a fair-go.

Do you really believe some trials and tribulations with bureaucracy is anything compared to a journey on a unseaworthy over crowded boat.

If you think that once they arrive in Australia asylum seekers are suddenly given homes upon their arrival into Australia then you are sadly mistaken as well. Thankfully there have been some changes made but in recent years women and children have been locked up behind razor wire in the middle of central Australia for years while they are processed. The majority of these people are found to be genuine refugees who then emerge from these prisons with major mental and health problems.

Not only that but the Government has also deported people who have lived here since they were children back to their country of origin because of a criminal record. They have dumped people in a country where they have no ties, no family and no language skills.

The current Governments treatment of refugee and immigrants is appalling and is a shameful page of Australias recent history. It sits there next to our appalling treatment of Indigenous Australia.

I am a proud Australian but I am not proud of this government at all!!!

Finally I would like you to use the following link to listen to the podcast of an interview with a former refugee Mortezza Porvadi and his story of his treatment by the Australian Government. If his story does not move you then i suggest you head to cardiologist to confirm wether you have a heart or not. Refugee Mortezza Poorvadi Link

Comment by Suburban Boy
on Media beat up: Kevin Rudd's meetings Brian Bourke

March 3rd 2007 06:47

I would not be at all suprised if they knew and this was a new way to put Rudd under further pressure. Come read my new blogg where I reveal all.

Really Long Link

Don't forget to vote for it. LoL

Suburban Boy

Comment by Suburban Boy
on Media beat up: Kevin Rudd's meetings Brian Bourke

March 2nd 2007 11:11

Have to disagree with you here. This is news and its big news it goes right to th heart of Rudd's credibility and his political judgement.
The thing i don't get is as to why a journo had not asked this question of rudd much earlier then this.
Rudd and his team should have seen this coming. As soon as Burkes latest corrupt exploits started to become general knowledge Rudd should have relaised his dealings with Burke would become general knowledge. He also did this at a time there was a ban on meeting Burke amongst state western Australian MP's. He should have preempted this and acknowledge the meetings before he got caught out.
It will be intersting to see how this plays out and how it will affect preffered PM rating and credibility ratings for Rudd.
In the mean time he has to come up with something to distract the public from this issue. to shift the focus back on Government inaction .

Comment by Suburban Boy
on Assasination Hopes...?

March 2nd 2007 04:41

A thousand apologies for the post appearing under the anonymous heading. I would have thought however you would have been able to work out who was writting it.

I have never hidden behind anonymous postings before when criticing your posts.

Calling for someone to grow up when they point out undeniable factual errors in your postings though is a bit much.

I'll quote your introduction to you again. "My Facts are just that facts". Get that bit right and you may never hear from me again.

Cheers
Have a nice Day
Suburban Boy

Comment by Suburban Boy
on "Owners of Defeat"

March 1st 2007 13:57