Will I or won't I - donate my organs?

I’m a secular Jew. To me that means I’m a non believer but I still identify with Jewish history and culture, however I choose which customs I observe and which I don’t. In other words, I draw a line. Why I’ve drawn my line where I have, I can’t explain. For example I don’t keep kosher, i.e. I mix meat and dairy foods at the same meal off the same plate; but I don’t eat forbidden food including pig, shellfish and rabbit. And so to the issue of organ donation by Jews. It’s a complicated and controversial issue [1]. But, it seems, attitudes are becoming more liberal as time goes on [2, 3]. And practices, of course, follow attitudes. Until now I haven’t signed up to become an organ donor [4]. It’s something I’m thinking about, though. But so far I’ve not made up my mind one way or the other. Despite DonateLife Week (formerly Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week) this year not being until 20-27 February [5], yesterday it was announced that Tasmanians are donating their organs at the highest rate of any State: in 2010, 20 actual donors per million population compared with the national figure of 14 [6]. That surprised me. I’d thought that because on average Tasmanians aren’t as well educated as mainlanders, they wouldn’t take to an altruistic activity like organ donation. But perhaps less educated people can see organ donation’s advantages in simpler and thus clearer terms. Food for thought, eh. Ho hum.

About outing sprouts

There’s great rivalry between Tasmania’s south and its north. Each has its own big city (well, big for Tasmania), its own beer brand, and its own football competition. Likewise Melbourne and Sydney are rivals. And, I suspect, a similar process explains why Canadians decry being mistaken for Americans. Me? The only ways I can tell them apart is by looking for an explanatory flag or maple leaf; and by the pronunciation of out words, e.g. out, about. And sprout. Segueing along, I’m into sprouting. Darling Meg started me off when she was here in October. It’s really easy [1, 2]. And it’s fun to watch the sprouts sprout; and then lengthen day-by-day to become a delicious tangle. I use a jar that contained olives in its previous life; and I cover the jar’s opening with a square of muslin held on by a rubber band. I started by sprouting mung beans. Then Sweetheart Vivienne bought me a sprouting mix of various beans and seeds – for a dollar. Meg says that each day’s liquid runoff’s highly nutritious. So far I haven’t been courageous enough to drink even a drop of it. Rather I pour it on the herb garden. Also, sprouting can be done all year round. So what’s not to like? It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s nutritious, it’s perennial, and it’s inexpensive. Give it a try. You won’t regret it. And if you’re a Canadian, telling people about it will ensure you’re not mistaken for an American.

Their smoke, my ersatz depression

You’d think it’d be common knowledge, even in this civilisational backwater called Tasmania, that fires put carbon into the air and so add to global warming and climate change. But that doesn’t stop Forestry Tasmania and Gunns Limited undertaking 200 planned burnoffs in Tasmania each autumn – ostensibly to germinate seeds in the ground after the chainsaws, excavators and skidders have done their work. These aren’t minor burns, mind. Their smoke plumes resemble nuclear mushroom clouds. The burns not only load the air with carbon, their particulates reduce visibility and, more importantly, aggravate lung diseases like asthma and emphysema. But does that stop the forces of darkness (pun intended)? Don’t answer that – it’s a rhetorical question. They even have a website, don’tcha know [1]. Recently some environmental activists highlighted Forestry Tasmania’s arrogant, woeful and arguably negligent disregard for the public and planetary good. Here’s the background [2, 3], and here’s their creative response [4]. Will it do any good? Oops, that’s another rhetorical question. I find it all so depressing. Which reminds me of this wonderful article in the 1 March New Yorker, titled ‘Head Case” Can psychiatry be a science? [5] The author writes that the US National Institute of Mental Health estimates over 17M Americans suffer from depression. And he quotes a psychologist who thinks this number’s ridiculous — not because people aren’t depressed, but because in most cases their depression’s not a mental illness but rather a sane response to a crazy world. Yessir.

Reflections on Anzac Day 2010

Yesterday was Anzac Day. Last year I wrote of it in point form [1]. Today I’m doing it again:

I didn’t keep my resolution to read Les Carlyon’s 2001 book Gallipoli [2] and 2006 book The Great War [3] before Anzac Day 2010.

But I’ve changed my mind about the 1985 film ANZACS [4]. I now plan to see it before Anzac Day 2011.

Yesterday I marched in Deloraine’s Anzac Day march, as part of the 24-person contingent from the five volunteer fire brigades in the Deloraine area.

It’s the first time I’ve done so. I don’t know what made me do it this year.

In bright sunshine the march down the main street ended at the newly restored cenotaph near the Meander River where there was a ceremony and service watched by the public outside the cenotaph precinct.

At each corner of the cenotaph, an army cadet stood stock still with head bowed for the entire time.

The several speakers were mostly boring. Some content of the speeches overlapped (why weren’t the speeches pre-coordinated?), and an elderly female clergywoman said some prayers.

As a secular Jew, it offended me that all the prayers mentioned Jesus, there was a reading from John’s gospel, and two Christian hymns were sung. To my knowledge Australia has no official religion. And if Christians are in the majority, that doesn’t justify them ramming their beliefs down the minority’s throats.

The best speaker was the Captain of HMAS Collins [5] – the lead submarine in our fleet of Collins Class submarines [6]. He spoke about a Deloraine boy John Collins (1899-1989) who became Vice Admiral Sir John Collins KBE, CB (pictured). He was Chief of Naval Staff 1948-55, and of course the Collins Class submarines were named after him.

I don’t know the words of Advance Australia Fair. I don’t intend to learn them.

I was most moved when the Last Post [7] was followed by a minute’s silence after which the Australian flag was slowly raised to full mast. The laying of several wreaths came second.

I was appalled that God Save the Queen was sung.

Overall I’m pleased I attended. I don’t know if I’ll go in 2011. I’ll decide after I’ve read the books and watched the movie.

This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. I saw on treehugger.com some amazing bus stop shelters [1]. None is in Australia. Ho hum.

2. Microsoft published guides to ‘How to shop online more safely’ [2a] and ‘How to use third-party payment services’ [2b]. I doubt we can ever know too much about these matters.

3. the despoiling of parts of the Great Barrier Reef by a cargo ship makes this catalogue of corporate villainy apposite [3]. Ho hum (again).

4. this item from the Rocky Mountain Institute [RMI] explains how cars can, and must, be made lighter without compromising safety [4]. Yes we can.

5. adjunctively, this ‘Winning the oil endgame’ Ted Talk by the RMI’s Amory Lovins, a hero of mine, was released [5]. The sooner the better.

6. if you’re in a viewing mood, this film Tarkine: Saving the Last of Gondwana graphically shows what’s best and worst about Tasmania [6]. And Tasmanians.

7. Sweetheart Vivienne and her Dad featured on the Age’s ‘2 of us’ page [7]. Congrats to them both.

8. darling Jarrah lost a BIG front tooth [8]. I hope the tooth fairy took note it was a BIG tooth.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

A Saturday ram re-up

On our farm we run and breed Border Leicester sheep. They’re full bloods, i.e. their bloodlines are pure. So we carefully ensure our rams aren’t related to our ewes. Given this, and also that we don’t mate our ewes until they’re over 18 months old, each two years we need to buy a ram. We’d last bought one in March 2008. So this year we needed a re-up. A lamb’s gestation period’s five months, and we lamb in late October when it’s warm (unlike many farmers who lamb in late winter so they have lambs to sell in spring. They have heavier lamb losses which they expect/accept.) So a week ago I began phoning around. Due to the above average rain Tasmania enjoyed in Spring and Summer, many farmers decided to increase their sheep numbers. So rams were hard to come by. Eventually we decided to buy a ram lamb, i.e. a lamb under a year old. Yesterday morning we drove to Hagley where a farmer had yarded up 90 ram lambs (pictured). They weighed 45-50kg on the hoof, and looked in fine fettle. We selected one who’s long in the body (so hopefully his offspring will be too, making for thicker chops) and well hung (I don’t know if that signifies virility; but it can’t hurt). We paid A$300. He’s now resting up in our home paddock until late May when we’ll introduce him to 30+ girlfriends. (The usual mating ratio’s one ram to 100 ewes, so one to 30+ is a doddle.) I’ll keep you posted regarding developments.

farmdoc's blog post number 660

Are you up for some arithmetic? As at June 2007 Tasmania’s population was 493,300 [1]. As this was over 2½ years ago, let’s round it up to 500,000. A recent Greens Media Release [2] quotes official government data [3] that in the calendar year 2009 Player Expenditure (i.e. amount wagered less amount won) on all Electronic Gaming Machines was $220,032,572. Dividing $220,032,572 by 500,000 gives an average $440 ‘pokie loss’ for every Tasmanian. About 30% of the 500,000 Tasmanians are under the legal gambling age (I’m an unsophisticated old guy, so I prefer the word ‘gambling’ to its modern euphemism ‘gaming). Excluding this 30%, the $440 rises to $629. But clearly some of the $220,032,572 net loss was incurred by people living elsewhere and visiting Tasmania, which reduces $629 figure, as we’re looking at Tasmanians only. Even an average $440 is high, because many adults – including me – don’t bother with Electronic Gaming Machines at all. I guess the per capita losses are biggest in very wealthy people, and very poor people who seek instant riches. More fool them. But that’s unfair; it’s an addiction. However the $220,032,572 net loss figure shows how foolish it is to expect to win consistently. In 2009 the average loss per machine was $59,938. Finally, all the above figures exclude non-electronic gambling. What a cancer in our society. And created and sanctioned by a government hungry for revenue. A pox on it.

farmdoc's blog post number 608

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…
1. Federal environment Minister Peter Garrett used emergency powers to heritage list the Tarkine Wilderness in north-west Tasmania because it’s a place of outstanding natural and cultural heritage value [1]. The moronic Tasmanian government still wants to build a A$23M tourist road through it.
2. it was announced that biodegradable plastic bags will be used at the 2010 Australian F1 Grand Prix and will help make it a ‘Green Event’ [2]. What’s that hot, brown, steamy stuff that comes out of the back end of bulls?
3. the Medical Journal of Australia [MJA] reported that some people are more violent and exhibit `werewolf' tendencies during a full moon [3]. The next full moon’s on New Year's Eve, so it won’t be a true test.
4. the MJA also published research showing that the faster you tear off a Band-Aid, the less it hurts. Also women reported less pain so doing than men. [4] Doesn’t bother me because my wife and daughters have made me an honorary woman.
5. in yet more medical news, a Queensland study reveals that using sunscreen is cost effective in preventing cancer [5]. Yep.
6. the Australia Institute reported that in 2009, Australia’s big four banks made a combined profit of A$35.1B. In other words, for every dollar spent in Australia, three cents went into bank profits. [6] Yet the banks have the temerity to raise interest rates on their loans by almost double the recent Reserve Bank’s 0.25% rise. Bastards.
7. Grammar Girl reminds us that the ‘X’ in ‘Xmas’ has a religious origin, and is not merely replacing Christ with an X [7]. Ho hum.
8. happy 42nd wedding anniversary today to my Sweetheart Vivienne (and me). Also to Gavin and Orly on your 7th.
Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

farmdoc's blog post number 606

When I was a nipper I hardly ever ate cooked vegetables. Maybe this was because my mother (and grandmother) tended to overcook them. I’ll never know. I did, however, eat a small number of vegetables raw. But I’m sure overall I ate less vegetable than I should’ve. I think a lot of kids are like I was. Which is a problem, because no doubt vegetables are an essential component of a balanced diet. So I was intrigued to read on page 35 in the latest issue of Tas Regions magazine, of the Vegecation program – which aims to get kids to eat more vegetables by increasing the awareness of the importance of eating fresh produce. The 1-week pilot programme at 10 primary and secondary schools in North West Tasmania, involved 1,550 children sampling a wide variety of vegetables and fruit. Apparently it was such a success that next year Vegecation is to be extended to all Northern Tasmanian schools, with add-ons including growers giving talks at schools. It sounds fine to me. Visits to paddocks and market gardens would be worth considering too. After – or before – all, here in Tasmania, Taste is in our nature.

P.S. Now that I’m an older kid, I eat more vegetables. And what’s more, some cooked ones too. But doing so hasn’t made my hair grow – let alone get curly. Ho hum.

farmdoc's blog post number 567

Today’s Celebrate Tasmania Day. Its slogans are ‘Tasmania – worth celebrating’ and ‘It’s time to celebrate what’s great about Tasmania’. Today Tasmanians are being exhorted to select from this smorgasbord: think what makes us Tasmanians, celebrate everything good about life in Tasmania, stop and collectively enjoy each others’ company, learn the names of our neighbours, say g’day to them if we already know their names, play cricket in the park, get together for a community BBQ, visit somewhere in Tasmania we’ve never been before, attend a CTD event, and (for reasons unclear to me) print out and build this pinwheel. I’m doing none of these things. I think CTD’s superficial, jingoistic, banal and stupid. It’s a top-down event and not a grassroots one. So someone has an agenda. I wonder if it’s the State Election in March 2010. It makes sense: it’s only a short mental hop from the good things in Tasmania, to re-electing the incumbent government so the good things can continue. It’d be much more productive if Tasmanians spent CTD discussing how to improve Tasmania. But top of that list would be to vote out the pack of pathetic individuals who masquerade as the current government. So that’s not on the agenda. Yesterday I wrote that I don’t go in for herd activities. That puts me in the vast minority among my half million fellow Tasmanians – who will undoubtedly do what they’re told today. More fool them.

farmdoc's blog post number 434

The World Health Organisation’s definition of Health is ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. Somebody should tell the Tasmanian Health Minister Lara Giddings (pictured) that WHO’s definition delimits her job. Last week she declared that all elective surgery in Tasmania’s public hospitals must be for health gain. Fair enough. But then she said the Tasmanian government can no longer justify funding cosmetic surgery when the demand for its public hospital services is unprecedented. So in Tasmania’s public hospitals there’ll be no more breast implants and reductions, for example. Some people who have cosmetic surgery are psychologically well adjusted, so their surgery’s for vanity reasons only. But others have it to alleviate severe psychological (or psychiatric) problems caused by their preoperative cosmetic disability. I think the latter group’s surgery should be accommodated in public hospitals, because as per the WHO definition, psychological well-being’s every bit as valid and important as physical well-being. Ms Giddings manifestly disagrees. She said ‘if you don’t have an absolute need then don’t expect the public hospital system to provide you with cosmetic surgery’. Thus it’s her view that physical need is absolute but mental need isn’t. So they should call her the ‘Physical Health Minister’. Or else sack her for neglecting half her job.