farmdoc's blog post number 622

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

1. the F1 blogosphere was awash (can a blogosphere be awash?) with posts about the Australian Grand Prix being without a naming rights sponsor 2½ months before this year’s event [1]. All indicators point to the event being moribund – if not dead. But the government continues its life support. Why?

2. in last Sunday’s Sunday Age, its production editor, a Mr Coulter, wrote an article advocating buses to replace Melbourne’s trams [2]. As you didn’t mention the buses’ fuel, your view is not worth the paper it’s written on, sir.

3. this Age piece confirmed the benefit of businesses having easy-to-remember phone numbers [3]. They’re useful for individuals too. Mine ends in 1230.

4. Nutrition Diva wrote that frozen vegetables lose little nutritional value during freezing; and in the off-season they may be more nutritious than fresh vegies from far away [4]. What about the packaging?

5. this ABC News item tells of 1,300 people – labelling them ‘peace activists’ – who are in Egypt hoping to cross into Gaza to protest against Israel’ economic blockade of Gaza [5]. What – no mention of Gilad Shalit? How very convenient of these bleeding heart do-gooders to overlook the Hamas’s barbarian treatment of him, let alone its stated aim of eliminating a UN member state. A pox on all 1,300 of them.

6. treehugger.com put up an item about San Francisco offering free water to the public [6]. It’s happening, PJ. Not yet at the global tipping point, but every step’s one step towards it. Roll on, GlobalTap.

7. also in treehugger was a story of a group of girls in northern England who’ve started a campaign to make bicycling stylish for girls – who are under represented among cyclists [7]. This is one for you, Meg. Roll on, BikeBeauty.

8. yesterday my fellow Mole Creek resident Pete the Maremma [8] turned seven years old. Happy birthday, Petey Boy. Mate.

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

farmdoc's blog post number 594

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

1. the Iraqi journalist who last December threw his shoes at President Bush, became the target when an exiled Iraqi journalist threw a shoe at him [1]. He deserves it. He’s a heel for disrespecting President Bush’s office.

2. Chelsea Clinton – Bill and Hillary’s daughter – became engaged to her long time boyfriend, 31-year-old investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, who is Jewish [2]. When the young couple have children, will Hill and Bill be Buba and Zayda?

3. television stations were clamouring to sign up Matthew Johns who few months ago was sacked by Channel Nine for being involved in a Cronulla Sharks group-sex scandal in 2002 [3]. This tells us not how talented our Matthew is, but how sick and warped our society is.

4. I read that Nicole Kidman has lent her voice to Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cups, by narrating promotional film spruiking Australia’s credentials to host one of these sporting extravaganzas [4]. That we’ve resorted to a celebrity voice with no sports let alone soccer credentials, means our bid is weak, and all things considered it should rightfully be doomed to failure.

5. the election of Tony Abbott as federal opposition leader means the opposition won’t support the Rudd government’s emission trading scheme legislation [5]. I agree that Rudd’s scheme is pathetic (cuts not deep enough, big polluters rewarded, citizens slugged). But Abbott, representing Big Business, may not propose anything better. Or anything at all.

6. Tiger Woods duffed his approach when driving home [6]. I’ve no sympathy for him. It counts for nought that he’s the best golfer ever and the world’s wealthiest sportsman. Because the measure of the man is that he hasn’t respected his wife and children.

7. the EU has proposed East Jerusalem becomes the capital of a future Palestinian state [7]. This comes at the end of 20 years of joy after the Berlin Wall came down. The EU should mind its own business – which Jerusalem is most definitely not.

8. free water bubblers are being reintroduced in central London [8]. You’re a man ahead of your time, PJ. [9]

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