Crikey, This Springtime Sun is Bright
Wow, I am beat, but this springtime sunshine is just great. Oh, did I mention, I just flew thirty hours, stopping in Los Angeles and Sydney, finally arriving here in Adelaide. Boy, are my arms tired.
Here's a picture of the front of the last plane I flew in. They seem here not to be ashamed of Charles Darwin, they've even got his picture on their money. Lots of churches here in Adelaide, they call it the "City of Churches." The bells keep ringing every quarter hour, all around my hotel, it's a beautiful sound but I'll bet it will take a couple of nights to sleep through it.
Okay, let me get out and have a look at the city. I haven't checked the news yet, did McCain show up, or did he send Sarah Palin in to duke it out for him?
Funny to be here, I can't even find an American newspaper at the airport. There is some news about the economy, but mainly they're concerned about something they call Aussie "rules" football. Well, I'll find out about that while I'm here, I'm sure. Maybe there are actually rules, and it just doesn't look like it. Like, one rule: jump on the guy with the ball. Another rule: if a bunch of guys are going to jump on you, get rid of the ball any way you can.
I know we have some Aussies who comment on the blog, well hey I'm on your turf now, and loving it so far. This is going to be cool.
[Update: I went for a walk around town (translation: I left the hotel and got lost). The shopping district is not like the US, this is much more like a European city. There is a great variety of little stores, the only big corporate place I saw was Woolworth's. Yes, Woolworth's. These stores have lots of cool clothes, there are junky little beads-n-bangles places, computers and cameras and opals and more cool clothes, lots of people hanging out and socializing, drinking coffee at cafes, playing and laughing.
I had a burrito at some kind of place that had kebab and burritos. I specifically asked the guy not to put humus on my burrito but I think he did anyway. Hard to imagine a burrito without humus, I guess.
There was a TV on without the sound and I watched Australian "rules" football with some guys. Okay, I'm figuring it out -- there are rules. You can't go out of bounds, for one. Another rule, I think, I saw a guy grab another guy by the throat and throw him on the ground when he didn't have the ball or anything, and it appeared the referee called for a penalty kick of some sort. So I think Leaving the Scene and Attempted Homicide When the Victim Does Not Have the Ball might be illegal in this game. And let me tell you, this is a lot better game that American football, in which most of the time nothing happens. American football is nothing but rules. Everybody talks about the rules and then the two teams "line up" like schoolchildren and then when it's allowed they move forward against one another in ways that are allowed by the rules, being careful not to hit somebody from behind or appear to be going out for a pass if you're not "eligible" or to move a muscle before the ref says you're allowed to, or throw the ball laterally or to heaven forbid throw it after you've crossed the line of scrimmage. There is activity until aschoolteacher ref blows a whistle and then everybody stops doing everything. As far as I can tell, in Australian football everybody does everything they can all the time. I'll keep you informed as I figure it out.]
Here's a picture of the front of the last plane I flew in. They seem here not to be ashamed of Charles Darwin, they've even got his picture on their money. Lots of churches here in Adelaide, they call it the "City of Churches." The bells keep ringing every quarter hour, all around my hotel, it's a beautiful sound but I'll bet it will take a couple of nights to sleep through it.
Okay, let me get out and have a look at the city. I haven't checked the news yet, did McCain show up, or did he send Sarah Palin in to duke it out for him?
Funny to be here, I can't even find an American newspaper at the airport. There is some news about the economy, but mainly they're concerned about something they call Aussie "rules" football. Well, I'll find out about that while I'm here, I'm sure. Maybe there are actually rules, and it just doesn't look like it. Like, one rule: jump on the guy with the ball. Another rule: if a bunch of guys are going to jump on you, get rid of the ball any way you can.
I know we have some Aussies who comment on the blog, well hey I'm on your turf now, and loving it so far. This is going to be cool.
[Update: I went for a walk around town (translation: I left the hotel and got lost). The shopping district is not like the US, this is much more like a European city. There is a great variety of little stores, the only big corporate place I saw was Woolworth's. Yes, Woolworth's. These stores have lots of cool clothes, there are junky little beads-n-bangles places, computers and cameras and opals and more cool clothes, lots of people hanging out and socializing, drinking coffee at cafes, playing and laughing.
I had a burrito at some kind of place that had kebab and burritos. I specifically asked the guy not to put humus on my burrito but I think he did anyway. Hard to imagine a burrito without humus, I guess.
There was a TV on without the sound and I watched Australian "rules" football with some guys. Okay, I'm figuring it out -- there are rules. You can't go out of bounds, for one. Another rule, I think, I saw a guy grab another guy by the throat and throw him on the ground when he didn't have the ball or anything, and it appeared the referee called for a penalty kick of some sort. So I think Leaving the Scene and Attempted Homicide When the Victim Does Not Have the Ball might be illegal in this game. And let me tell you, this is a lot better game that American football, in which most of the time nothing happens. American football is nothing but rules. Everybody talks about the rules and then the two teams "line up" like schoolchildren and then when it's allowed they move forward against one another in ways that are allowed by the rules, being careful not to hit somebody from behind or appear to be going out for a pass if you're not "eligible" or to move a muscle before the ref says you're allowed to, or throw the ball laterally or to heaven forbid throw it after you've crossed the line of scrimmage. There is activity until a
posted by JimK at 1:54 AM
21 Comments:
McCain showed up.
If he'd sent Sarah, somebody might have had the opportunity to ask her about Troopergate "Hold me accountable...except now that I'm stonewalling" or her put down of women with this stunt:
September 26, 2008
Editorial Observer
Wasilla Watch: Sarah Palin and the Rape Kits
By DOROTHY SAMUELS
Even in tough budget times, there are lines that cannot be crossed. So I was startled by this tidbit reported recently by The Associated Press: When Sarah Palin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, the small town began billing sexual-assault victims for the cost of rape kits and forensic exams.
Ms. Palin owes voters an explanation. What was the thinking behind cutting the measly few thousand dollars needed to cover the yearly cost of swabs, specimen containers and medical tests? Whose dumb idea was it to make assault victims and their insurance companies pay instead? Unfortunately, her campaign is shielding the candidate from the press, so Americans may still be waiting for answers on Election Day.
The rape-kit controversy is a troubling matter. The insult to rape victims is obvious. So is the sexism inherent in singling them out to foot the bill for investigating their own case. And the main result of billing rape victims is to protect their attackers by discouraging women from reporting sexual assaults.
That’s why when Senator Joseph Biden, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, drafted the 1994 Violence Against Women Act, he included provisions to make states ineligible for federal grant money if they charged rape victims for exams and the kits containing the medical supplies needed to conduct them. (Senator John McCain, Ms. Palin’s running mate, voted against Mr. Biden’s initiative, and his name has not been among the long list of co-sponsors each time the act has been renewed.)
That’s also why, when news of Wasilla’s practice of billing rape victims got around, Alaska’s State Legislature approved a bill in 2000 to stop it.
“We would never bill the victim of a burglary for fingerprinting and photographing the crime scene, or for the cost of gathering other evidence,” said Alaska’s then-governor, Tony Knowles. “Nor should we bill rape victims just because the crime scene happens to be their bodies.”
If Ms. Palin ever spoke out about the issue, one way or another, no record has surfaced. Her campaign would not answer questions about when she learned of the policy, strongly supported by the police chief: whether she saw it in the budget and if not, whether she learned of it before or after the State Legislature outlawed the practice.
All the campaign would do was provide a press release pronouncing: “Prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault is a priority for Gov. Palin.”
Eric Croft, a former Democratic state lawmaker who sponsored the corrective legislation, believes that Wasilla’s mayor knew what was going on. (She does seem to have paid heed to every other detail of town life, including what books were on the library’s shelves.)
The local hospital did the billing, but it was the town that set the policy, Mr. Croft noted. That policy was reflected in budget documents that Ms. Palin signed.
Mr. Croft further noted that right after his measure became law, Wasilla’s local paper reported that Ms. Palin’s handpicked police chief, Charlie Fannon, acknowledged the practice of billing to collect evidence for sexual-assault cases. He complained that the state was requiring the town to spend $5,000 to $14,000 a year to cover the costs. “I just don’t want to see any more burden put on the taxpayer,” the chief explained.
“I can’t imagine any police chief, big city or small, who would take on the entire State Legislature on a bill that passed unanimously and not mention to their mayor that they’re doing this,” Mr. Croft said. Even if he didn’t inform her, the newspaper article would have been hard for her to miss.
In the absence of answers, speculation is bubbling in the blogosphere that Wasilla’s policy of billing rape victims may have something to do with Ms. Palin’s extreme opposition to abortion, even in cases of rape. Sexual-assault victims are typically offered an emergency contraception pill, which some people in the anti-choice camp wrongly equate with abortion.
My hunch is that it was the result of outmoded attitudes and boneheaded budget cutting. Still, Ms. Palin has been governor for under two years, and she’s running for vice president largely on her experience as mayor of tiny Wasilla — a far superior credential, she’s told us, to being a community organizer. On the rape kits, as on other issues, she owes voters a direct answer.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/opinion/26fri4.html?em
On the fence no more. In my book, three strikes you’re out.
Strike 1:
McCain picks Palin. A transparent political move and improperly vetted Palin is bothersome. The more I learn about her extremist fanatical religious viewpoints coupled with the fact that she’s a pathological liar, the less I see this her selection as “brave” and “maverick-like”;
Strike 2:
McCain flails around like a drama queen during the financial crisis; changing his approach and mind daily. What about “don’t panic” does McCain not understand? His running mate, Palin? Clueless.
Strike 3:
Last night, he was condescending, arrogant, and childish. He has a lot of experience but he didn’t act Presidential. As a regular, white working stiff, I put a lot of stock in how someone treats another person. McCain was rude and offensive and acted like someone who takes his toys home if you disagree with him.
Bipartisan? If his behavior last night is how McCain defines bipartisanship I’m worried about his grasp on reality. Like George Will said this week, it’s about temperament. McCain failed the temperament test miserably.
I was an “undecided Independent” until last night. Now take the three strikes above and add to that,
What Obama doesn’t know about foreign policy, he’ll learn.
His tax break for average working people like me and calm, steady behavior during the financial crisis.
Obama showed McCain respect in spite of McCain’s treatment of him means to me Obama practices bipartisanship and McCain just talks about it.
— Posted by 3 Strikes You're Out
McBush is so senial I am amazed he remembered to show up!!
I just saw Dana on Channel 50 at 6:20, talking about gender identity and just a little about the law. She was fantastic, so articulate, well-spoken, clear and fair. Yay for Dana.
rrjr
Barack Obama's debate strategy of portraying the Bush administration as a complete failure is running into one big problem: Bush's Iraq policy appears to be succeeding. How embarrassing! Well, at least the Democrats can try to make sure that no one finds out about this.
During his foreign trip, Obama tried to take advantage of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's statement that America should work out a withdrawal plan for Iraq. Obama triumphantly declared that now is the time for Iraqis to work out their own destiny. Obama failed to mention, however, that if he had been president, Iraq would still be ruled by Saddam Hussein. The only destiny that Obama would have consigned Iraq to is oppression, torture, and mass graves.
To understand what is going on in Iraq, we must distinguish between two approaches: the Bush doctrine and the Reagan doctrine. Unlike the Bush doctrine--which seemed to require invasion and occupation--the Reagan doctrine was one of assisted non-intervention. Reagan believed that people in foreign countries should fight for their own freedom. We do not fight for them. But if they are willing to fight, we are willing to help. And so in Afghanistan, in Nicaragua, in Angola and to some extent in Ethiopia, Reagan supported rebels who sought liberation from Marxist tyranny. For intance, Reagan supplied Stinger missiles to the Afghani mujaheedin who were fighting to repel the Soviet invasion of that country. Reagan did not, however, send large numbers of American troops to Afghanistan.
Now in Bush's defense it should be said that the Reagan doctrine could not have worked in Iraq. Unlike in Afghanistan, which the mujaheedin turned into a Soviet "bleeding wound," there was no Iraqi resistance that could substantially threaten Saddam Hussein. Bush's choice was either for America to get rid of Hussein, or to leave Hussein in power. But from the beginning the administration understood that, even in Iraq, over time the Bush doctrine must metamorphose into the Reagan doctrine.
It has taken longer than expected. But that's because Saddam's Baathist minority--let's call them the Saddamites--ran not only the government but the entire society. So it has been quite a process to train a Shia elected government to learn to govern a nation in which they were victimized for a quarter century. Slowly, however, the Iraqis have been rising to the task, assisted by able U.S. forces under the competent leadership of General Petraeus.
So now, finally, Iraqis are getting to the position where they can defend their own country and fight for their own freedom. This is what "success" means in Iraq: not the end of the insurgency, or the end of terrorism, but a situation in which Iraqis take the helm and America moves into a supporting role. Of course America is going to get out of Iraq. The only question is whether we will leave recklessly, precipituously, with the risk of escalating violence and chaos and perhaps even a return of the Saddamites. This seems to be the approach the Obama Democrats want. The other option is to leave cautiously, deliberately, in a way that leaves Iraq a self-governing society, the only pro-American Muslim democracy in the Middle East.
D'Loser is wrong, again.
The Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war (with the wrong nation, no less) is what got us into the Iraquagmire in the first place. Obama and the Iraqi government will set a timetable for our occupying troops' withdrawl, saving our broken economy billions of dollars. It will be a slow and arduous process, but Obama will correct Bush's blunders instead of continuing them, like McSame wants to. Some of those weapons Reagan sent to the Afghani mujaheedin are killing and maiming our soldiers today.
Postscript: Due to internal re-organization at AOL, it seems that this and other blogs are going to be suspended effective the end of this month. The blogs we have posted will still be online, but no new blogs will be posted. What a pity, especially as the election debate is heating up. I have enjoyed doing this blog and I want to thank my readers--yes, even the Dineshophobic atheists--for checking in and posting comments. (Sometimes I wonder if some of you atheists who post several times a day have regular jobs.)
So AOL has had the good sense to no longer give D'Loser his platform there, even though Anon has worked tirelessly to spread the propaganda. Maybe if Anon had provided links for us to use, increasing D'Loser's readership, AOL would be keeping this poorly read writer instead of canning him.
I hate myself. Someone, please save me. I am anon... I hate myself.
AnonBigot-
Do you really think we can handle another eight years of Republican-handeled economic downfall? Our economy has gone to "Hell in a Hand Basket". We need to give it back to Democrats so that it can be fixed.
You're such a mornon.
"The Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war"
Not a pre-emptive war. It was started by Hussein when he invaded Kuwait. After we reversed that, he continued provocations by using WMD on a minority group in Iraq, breaking promises he made in the truce agreement, pretending he was working on WMD and firing on American peacekeepers.
"(with the wrong nation, no less)"
If you're talking Afghanistan, the big problem there is that we let NATO be in charge. In Iraq, where we have transformed a nation, we ran the operation.
"is what got us into the Iraquagmire in the first place."
Not any kind of mire. We're progressively handing provinces over to the control of its democratically elected government and will be out for the most part by the end of the next presidential term.
"Obama and the Iraqi government will set a timetable for our occupying troops' withdrawl, saving our broken economy billions of dollars."
Actually, this has already been done. The only difference is that Obama wants to do it regardless of future events.
"It will be a slow and arduous process, but Obama will correct Bush's blunders instead of continuing them, like McSame wants to."
Bush made some blunders but McCain has appropriately criticized the Bush administration for them.
Joebama would be another Jimmy Carter, only with less experience.
"Some of those weapons Reagan sent to the Afghani mujaheedin are killing and maiming our soldiers today."
You could say the same about weapons that have been used anywhere in the world. They get lost in battle and get confiscated in battle.
It's unavoidable, you propagandistic moron.
"Postscript: Due to internal re-organization at AOL, it seems that this and other blogs are going to be suspended effective the end of this month. The blogs we have posted will still be online, but no new blogs will be posted. What a pity, especially as the election debate is heating up. I have enjoyed doing this blog and I want to thank my readers--yes, even the Dineshophobic atheists--for checking in and posting comments. (Sometimes I wonder if some of you atheists who post several times a day have regular jobs.)
So AOL has had the good sense to no longer give D'Loser his platform there, even though Anon has worked tirelessly to spread the propaganda. Maybe if Anon had provided links for us to use, increasing D'Loser's readership, AOL would be keeping this poorly read writer instead of canning him."
Misrepresentation. AOL is renegotiating with all its bloggers, not just D'souza. He will continue writing on the web but for the next couple of months, the anonymous atheists who bitterly respond to his blog 24/7 won't have a forum. In the meantime, all his blog posts to date will continue to be available on AOL.
Obama Rises, McCain Falls in New Pollposted: 17 MINUTES AGO
Registered voters surveyed by Gallup from Thursday through Saturday supported Barack Obama by a 50% to 42% margin. It is just one point shy of Obama's largest percentage of the year. The results span the period from when McCain suspended his campaign through the first presidential debate.
"Our economy has gone to "Hell in a Hand Basket". We need to give it back to Democrats so that it can be fixed."
The biggest problem with our economy is that government loosened up on subprime mortgages to help more lower income people own their own houses so they won't be as easily exploited by landlords.
These efforts started as far back as the Carter administration and have always had bipartisan support and are especially popular among "community organizers".
Furthermore, the crisis has been caused by a lack of investor confidence in these mortgages, mainly because of a decline in real estate values. In truth, the majority of these mortages may be fully paid by those who owe them. The government may eventually make a bundle on these mortgages.
"You're such a mornon."
I think that statement speaks for itself..
"Registered voters surveyed by Gallup from Thursday through Saturday supported Barack Obama by a 50% to 42% margin. It is just one point shy of Obama's largest percentage of the year. The results span the period from when McCain suspended his campaign through the first presidential debate."
This is very bad news.
Our society is in a fragile state.
Let's hope electing this inexperienced fellow will not be the end of the American era.
Bill Maher’s appeal to avoid falling into the trap of racism in the upcoming election: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw7oLlewKPs
Enjoy,
Cynthia
G'day Jim!
Most people here get their US News fix from online sources - though CNN etc are available over cable. As is BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Al Jazeera for that matter. The Chinese news service makes particularly interesting viewing.
I'm in Canberra, which is to Adelaide as Nashville is to Houston. Not exactly next door, but not a million miles away either.
One thing you may be interested in - the Australian Human Rights commission interim report on documentation for the "Gender variant". Basically, getting passports, birth certificates etc handled in a consistent way across the different states for Intersexed and Transsexual people. It's available at The HRC Gender Diversity Forum
We've had the kinds of protection being fought for in Maryland for over a decade now in every state, and in some even longer than that. And no, little girls have not started "showing up dead all over the county because of freaks of nature."
Sometimes I wonder what they put in the US water supply.... though you'll find Adelaide water has a taste all it's own. Thank goodness.
If your itinerary manages to let you visit Canberra, please drop me a note, and I'll act as Native Guide. We have some excellent wineries - though Adelaide is famous there too - plus some great little boutique beers.
Anyway, welcome to Oz. Just remember, here "Liberal" means "Conservative", and "Republican" means "Progressive".
Oh and did I mention it... I went to school with Malcolm Turnbull, leader of the opposition and probable future Prime Minister. He's trans-ware and trans-friendly. I used the "old boy network" shamelessly to clue him in.
What the government needs to do is pay off main street's debt so that they can afford to drive their cars again instead of bailing out big business that done nothing but handle money as if it was candy.
Yes, but then who will be there to lend Main Street money next time they want to buy something?
Wall Street is in trouble for being too loose with lending money to Main Street.
Anon lamented:
“Let's hope electing this inexperienced fellow will not be the end of the American era.”
It already is the end of an era… of several actually. Here are a few that I can think of, but I’m sure that other people will come up with more:
Private, stand-alone investment banks, like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae being private companies with an implicit guarantee from the US government that it would cover all of its loans.
That “deregulation” is the answer to all of our economic ills and the only way to guarantee economic growth, and that quaint old laws like Glass-Steagall put into place after the last great depression to keep the excesses and risks of investment banks out of the commercial banking sector don’t apply to today’s “modern” economy.
Have a nice day,
Cynthia
Oh, and I almost forgot one… that George Soros’ Super Bubble Theory is just the ranting of an old, misguided financier billionaire.
Peace,
Cynthia
RealClearPolitics Average has Obama up by 4.8%
Welcome to the Commonwealth Jim.
You should enjoy Adelaide -- it's a terrific town. Cannot imagine how you got lost though... Also, stick to 'Coopers' and avoid 'WestEnd' at all costs. You don't want to get poisoned during your holiday. The water... well, it won't make you sick, but you may well wish you could be.
We're certainly not bothered by Charles Darwin... but do you mean Henry Parkes on the $5? Those huge beards certainly were popular at one stage.
The Darwin Diva refers to the 'city' of Darwin. But that town is named after Darwin anyway. (HMS Beagle dropped by in 1839).
A "kebab and burrito" place should have been fair warning. Probably neither done well. (what were you thinking???)
But there's plenty of excellent little bisto in Adelaide (try North Adelaide for as good a bet as anywhere). Just across the "river" and parks from the centre. Makes a good walk before lunch.
Order a Clare Valley riesling (or ten), some local squid, and enjoy that spring sunshine. It's a pleasant time of the year to be in Adelaide.
Keep us posted! Cheers mate :)
Thanks for the word. I am having a great time here. Last night we went to Glenelg Beach for a reception, and today we saw some more of the city.
I've been warned about the water but can't say it's any worse than what we have in DC. And really, c'mon, any guy with a beard like that is as good as Charles "Satan" Darwin, right?
As for the kebab and burrito place, how could I resist? I will admit, the burrito did resemble a ... burrito ... at least in appearance, though they toasted it in a weird way. And then there was the humus business.
The people here have been wonderful, and weather is perfect, the conference is challenging and interesting, and I just figured out how to get free wireless in the hotel -- what beats that?
JimK
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