Baaa Baaa Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Whoa,
When did New Zealand become better than Australia?
Did I miss something? Is this Bizarro world?
"Goodbye, I'm Braddy Dane"
For the best couple of weeks there have been two issues that I've found very hard to think about, let alone write about.
Firstly, Steven Conroy still persists with the anti democratic, liberty violating ISP Filtering scheme. This would make Australia the ONLY developed country to have MANDATORY moral filters on the internet. This is an insult to adults everywhere and an extremely dangerous idea.
If you are Australian, and reading this, I implore you to visit this site and sign your name, GetUp! appears to be only organized movement that has a hope of getting the point across.
There has been a supposed version of the blacklist floating around, I have seen it, and yeah - there is ALOT of stuff that nobody should be looking at, exploitation, incest etc. However there are sites on there that are not illegal. I don't want to advertise some of them because they are in poor taste, even by my standards - but they are not illegal, and finding entertainment from them are purely a moral choice and something that NO government ANYWHERE should intervene over.
I would hope that to anyone who peruses this site would have enough common sense to know when something just isn't right, so I shouldn't have to expand on this too much as I would be preaching to the choir.
One of the pages on this list includes the following Wikipedia user profile !NSFW! now this page isn't really "tasteful" but there is NOTHING ILLEGAL - why the hell is blocked? some of the "pornographic" sites that are blocked are the standard web portals (don't think I don't know that you know what I'm talking about) - the same type of portals I visit from time to time (or daily, hourly) and there is nothing on those sites a consenting adult should not be able top view in the privacy of their own home.
The second thing that has been bugging me is the new Victorian legislation to ban iPhones as a gps unit in cars. This would include not being able to use them even if they are mounted in a cradle, you know LIKE A STANDARD GPS. And what is the reasoning?
"The Primary function of the phone is a phone, not a GPS"
What? So we are only to use devices based on their PRIMARY FUNCTION now?
OK then, I would expect ice trays banned from freezers, gaming banned from PCs, radios banned from cars, dvd functionality banned from the Xbox and all permits for home businesses revoked as we ONLY now use things based ONLY on their primary function. While we are at it, what is the primary function of a human being?
This law is so technophobic and ass-backwards that I'd laugh if I thought there was any hope of quashing it, but alas I know this will pass.
The iPhone, HTC whateverthefuck and any number of "smartphones" are rapidly adding new features and uses that are quickly making them integral parts of our lives. In fact, I'd say the feature I use the least on my iPhone is the phone. To me, the primary function of the device is a portable internet client.
I do not condone the use of mobile phones whilst driving, but utilising the phone as a GPS unit whilst NOT touching it and having it cradled shouldn't be an issue.
I started today's post by mentioning New Zealand, and saying that they are better than Australia.
Do you know why I've said that?
New Zealand has said they won't introduce a MANTATORY filter.
New Zealand also have NO plans to ban using one's phone as a GPS unit.
Even if they did, I would expect it I mean - they have sex with sheep - and that is a FACT - I read it on the internet.
I have said it once and I will say it again.
If the ISP filter passes government and is forced upon myself on anyone in my family, I will prepare to leave this country and will not return.
I won't leave without a fight though and will do everything I can to get such legislation reversed.
Failing that, I will leave this country.
I hope I am not the only one who feels this way.
- db
Lest we forget has been brought to you by…
Last week, the Australian Government and directors of the Australian War Memorial announced that the Last Post, which is played daily at the Memorial will be sponsored by a commercial entity.
There has been some outcry over this, but it certainly hasn’t been a shitstorm. This is probably due to the media not making a big deal of it and the fact that we GenY people “got no respect”.
It makes me wonder what the requirements were, if any, to become a sponsor.
For the sake of ironic-gold-you-couldn’t-make-up, I would have loved to have the last post joint sponsored by Volkswagen and Nissan.
Speaking of requirements, could someone tell me how in the hell the “Morrow” bar became a Cadbury Favorite?
What are their requirements to be named a favorite?
For those who haven’t had the experience of a Morrow bar, it’s basically a Mars bar with the unique ability to taste like shit wrapped in chocolate. Favorite my ass.
I promised myself that if I could keep this post short, I’d reward myself with some positive reinforcement.
That’ll do Dane, That’ll do.
-db
2 Cool 4 Skool
I have fond memories of school.
I remember getting in trouble. Most people do, but I find that I got in trouble for worse things than other kids.
Once, In the third grade I flashed my MASSIVE dong at a group of girls. Despite the way I talk, an action like this is completely out of character for me and for the life of me I can't remember why I did it. I do remember, however, the Vice Principle seeing me and pulling me in and giving me an earful. I think my excuse was that I was scratching it, which in hindsight wasn't much of an excuse at all.
In the fifth grade, a friend of mine gave me a floppy disk full of porn - that's right a FLOPPY disk FULL.
I remember that the now standard JPEG format couldn't be opened in Win 3.1, so I used a program called...uhhh what was it?...oh yeah Graphic Workshop to convert them to BMP format so it would auto open in Paint.
My friend an I then saw the business potential in this, and being young and optimistic - we seized the opportunity. If someone supplied a floppy and gave us $@ (that's $1 each) I would place the photos on the floppy for them. For added protection, I renamed the files to innocuous ones like "tweety.bmp", "roadrunner.bmp", "bugsbunny.bmp" etc.
Business was good until, someone didn't have the money. We refused to do it for him so he did what any other ten year old would. He screamed not fair at a teacher.
Sigh... The jig was up. I turned on the water works and claimed that I thought they were Looney Tunes pictures and that I never saw them and it was the other kids idea.
They had to tell my parents - the bastards - and I remember having a really awkward conversation with my Dad that night. It was mortifying.
My Dad did I good job he explained the "ins and outs" (PUN!), and then asked if I had any questions.
For the record I fucking HATE it when people ask if I have any questions. I always feel the pressure to ask one, as if it would be rude not to.
I was started to sweat, well 10 year olds don't sweat but still- you get the picture, I asked "How do condoms work?"
I didn't care how they worked, I just knew that "condom" was a word associated with sex. Dad took a second and to his credit, explained it to me.
Again in hindsight, I'm sure this "chat" wasn't comfortable for him either.
The thing I miss most about school was the first day of the year. The entire school would be pulled into the gymnasium for the "opening speech" by the principle.
I don't remember any of the speeches being inspirational but every single one involved the phrase "Your parents aren't here to clean up after you".
It would then be at least fifteen minutes of veiled threats and boundary setting.
Sure, the first year of highschool you took it seriously. It even scared you a little. But as the years wore on it seemed more and more funny to me. I always thought that maybe the teachers never got enough time off and bought all the stress from the last year into the next. I also always wanted them to do a straight "say what you mean version" of their "pep talk".
"Now listen here you little shits - if I catch one, JUST ONE of you asswipes smoking in a school uniform you will be wearing my fucking boot for he rest of your goddamn life!"
I miss school. I really do.
If you have any memories of school trouble or even the start of year speech please leave a comment.
If you feel the need to point out that I was perverted from the age of eight, you can do that to.
If you know a friend who would like a USB disk filled with porn with filenames of Simpsons characters - tell them to hit me up. Only $2.
-db
Setve Feilping isnt dum, just inconpetnt
Should we or anyone else be surprised by Steve Fielding's confession last week?
As funny as making fun of disabilities is, I certainly don't want to seem like I'm making fun of dyslexia, but the question has to be asked - can this disability effect his ability to be a "decision" maker?
If if that answer is a resounding "No", lets have a look at some facts:
1. He has a learning disability.
2. He has provided conditional support to the ISP level filtering scheme, wanting all X18+ rated and refused classification content banned for all citizens.
3. He believes that the world is 5800 years old, and that women feel pain at childbirth because another woman, made from the rib of a man ate an apple, that another man in the sky told her not to but a talking snake advised her otherwise.
4. Went to, and was "impressed by some of the data presented at the climate change sceptics' conference: namely that, although carbon emissions had increased in the last 10 years, global temperature had not."
Is this the type of person we want in any sort of powerful position?
I have been meaning to so a massive blog about the ISP level filtering and how it violates the core of a free society, but to be honest - the idea gets me so mad that I can't even think straight about the issue. It sets a scary new level of dumbness by our politicians and while over 100,000 people have signed the petition at GetUp, that is still a far cry short of the estimated 21.8 million people living on terra australis. At times I almost it hope it gets through and is implemented because, frankly, we get what we deserve. If we aren't willing to challenge the government on something as important as this, then we don't deserve any liberty.
As far as the data he saw in regards to Global temperature and Carbon emmissions - can someone - ANYONE -that knows this douchebag please explain the idea of climate change vs global warming to him?
Recently another study came out showing a link between our now extended drought (which has been extended from 7 years to a now projected 12 -13 years) and carbon emissions - it's funny that Steve didn't speak out with his "evidence" on that one.
The problem I see with Australia today, with the exception of the media, are the type of people who are in and support the Family First party.
In a rare insight from the Herald Sun, they described the party as "ultra-conservative evangelical Christians".
Those who know me, or can read properly (sorry, Steve) would be aware that I'm not a fan of conservatives, or Christians.
Putting my personal views aside (something those ultra-conservative evangelical Christians can NEVER do), I still have an issue with it.
In a free society there should be no special interest groups with any power, unless ALL special interest groups have equal power.
Pushing their morality onto a public by trying to block legislation for Stem Cell research, Abortion, Freedom of Speech or anything else for that matter should be looked at as an act of treason against a free society and should be met with dire consequences.
Ouch. That was harsh. I should probably stop now.
In summation: Can everyone do me a favor and not vote Family First when we have an early election next year? Thanks.
-db
GRAND FINALS FEVER
Guess what people...I don't follow football (AFL to all those reading interstate and internationally)
From the media SATURATION of AFL lately I can only assume that the grand final is soon.
There is a lot I don't understand about the game, but the main point I don't get is: Why are there footballers on my television saying "We're not saying don't drink....we're saying THINK".
Now I'll admit I've been absent lately..but I'm back. Back like a bad case of herpes and twice as irritating.
In my absence I've had time to read the paper.
I've noticed a few trends it the articles....People seem to be getting drunk and beating each other to death.
This is media worthy (finally they got it right) what I don't understand is what has this got to do with football?
Has this all stemmed from the one horrific bashing?
Luke was a footballer. Not one of the AFL guys, just a local footballer kinda guy. From what I understand he was talented and could be a "player" one day. But are we now only concerned about the attitude of "let's go out, get drunk and beat the life out of someone" because a footballer was involved?
There was very little media coverage of the police officer who was bashed in the CBD in August
However today a Geelong football player (again local...not AFL level) was punched and killed BY HIS OWN TEAM MATE
And I know that this story will be across the papers for the next few days.
Now before you send the hate mail my way, I think it's disgusting that these incidents occur. There is no fathomable excuse for the acts to happen.
What I'm questioning is the timing of the "awareness" of these incidents.
The alcohol and violence issue that is "plaguing" Melbourne at the moment apparently is out of control.
I say "apparently" because I don't venture into the city at night. Not because of the drunk people...because of the weird people (possibly related).
I believe that the "issue" has been going on for quite some time, I just think that since so many footballers have been involved in these incidents recently, the media has found a 'hook' and has started to report the trend.
For the sake of my sanity I hope I'm incorrect.
Look, I have this ability to drink LARGE amounts of alcohol. I mean RIDICULOUS amounts of alcohol. but in all my drinking experiences I've never had the urge to beat the life out of someone.
I've managed to get myself into heated "discussions" with people, but it's never turned physical.
That's because I have the ability to talk my way out of stupid situations.
The recent PSA's about "looking after a mate" are quite accurate. I'll actually applaud the state government for this advertising campaign. If you're drunk and want to act like a douche bag, fine...but do it at home.
Don't ruin someone else’s night.
Where were the friends of these morons who decided to get into a fight? I'm not excusing the douchebags that kill people, I just think there should be more accountability from everyone. Are the friends of the 'killer' at fault as well?
I know we all have independent thought. But if someone "independently thought" to beat the life out of an innocent by stander, surely that person is out with friends who could have said "fuck off and go sit in the corner".
Another point I don't quite understand. Are these violent attacks occurring because we're drinking more?
I don't believe we are.
I mean, we have more reason to:
- House prices are going up
- Job security is gone (thanks GFC)
- Population density is increasing
But I don't think we are drinking more (guess I could research this further...CDF)
Are we acting out (on innocent people) because we are losing control of our own situations?
I do honestly believe that this generation has a lot more to worry about the previous generations. I also believe that this generation is not mature enough to deal with the issues they have inherited. Lack of maturity is no excuse for acting out and hurting others.
So...I guess my point is:
1. I'm bewildered that a human being can kill and destroy the life of another human being
2. I'm disappointed that the media are using Footballers to convey a safe drinking message
3. I'm saddened that we NEED footballers to convey a safe drinking message to the general public
-ms
Worst. Movie. Ever.
This is just a little mini opinionation for the moment, but please do not be disheartened! I have resigned from my crappy job and the new job I have allows me more time to focus on things in the opinionationsphere!
I promise things will start moving again very soon.
Well, things moving that I'm pushing.
For a list of things Mandy could be doing at the moment, please refer to this previous post.
I watched a movie last night; a movie that I am quite certain is the worst movie I have ever seen.
You know how some movies are so bad that they are almost... good?
Well this wasn't one of those. This movie was so bad that it angered me more than watching A Current Affair or the "News"
I am referring to the aptly titled: Disaster Movie
Now I didn't exactly go into this movie with high hopes of anything intelligent or clever, I have watched Epic Movie and Date Movie and almost sat through the entire trailer of Superhero Movie, so I knew what I was getting into.
After sitting through this...this... thing, I wanted to get a plane to Hollywood so I could meet one of the writers and break their hands, so they would never write again.
I tweeted about this a little bit but it didn't end there, I found myself thinking about how bad this movie was, I tried to laugh about how bad it was, but I couldn't - it was just... terrible.
I didn't giggle, laugh or even crack a smile throughout the ENTIRE EXPERIENCE.
This blog isn't exactly helping to exercise my hatred of this waste of space, but I would like to know if:
a) I'm alone
and
b) Do you know a movie that could be worse than it?
If you haven't seen the movie DON'T.
If you do anyway DO NOT SAY YOU WEREN'T WARNED.
If you are dumb enough to purchase a DVD of this crap after reading this, I suggest you try your hardest to offload it to someone else.
I would suggest that one illegally procure it, but you would be better off downloading 2girls1cup 75 times and watching it, at least it will hold your attention and has some resemblance of a plot.
I am so mad right now, I want an apology from everyone involved with the production of what I believe is THE 100% WORST MOVIE EVER.
- db