Trapped by Hubris
Celebrity enthusiasts for the ALP are out in force. Cate Blanchett has been delusional in her support for Whitlam. There is one thing Whitlam did which has lasted. He made Advance Australia Fair take the place of God Save the Queen as the national anthem. Lasting change which hasn't caused crippling debt but which was typically divisive and as subtle and devoid of intent as a spit in the eye. Noel Pearson also went to his happy place when speaking about Whitlam. The Whitlam Pearson spoke of would not be recognisable to his policy victims, were they to be able to have heard the speech. Whitlam's powerful influence in world politics resulted in the deaths of many Vietnamese, Cambodians, Timorise and Chinese. Whitlam's callous disregard of individuals in Australia is measured by the debt he saddled the nation in, optimistically viewing the children as a source of national income.
Obama is helping the dismantling of the US Democrat party as a political force. Still, he can salvage a future if he changes his ways, and stops trying to divide America and destroy her institutions. He needs to let go of his vision .. it is what is weighing him down.
Greens have a new policy in Australia that should save the world. Pee in the shower. Reminder, Milne did say the alternatives were mining coal or choosing death. Most sensible people choose to allow industry to mine coal.
ABC seems disinterested in news of arrests on charges of an assassination attempt on the Queen. It took them time to report it and they played down the role of Islamo Fascists. David Marr on Insiders seemed vey keen to call it something else. Maybe he felt it was going to be another workplace accident, like that executed by US army psychologist Nidal Hassan.
MH17 Shirtfronting
Journalists joke about Abbott facing Putin over MH17. But it is a terribly sad joke. I like and admire Mr Abbott and appreciate what he is doing to achieve any solace for relatives and loved ones of those killed through an act of terror. I feel that Russia is culpable, but not solely, and it concerns me that questions are not being asked of another culpable party, the Ukraine, because of political allegiance.
The hard questions Ukraine have not yet answered, and have not really been asked, is what role they played in having MH17 targeted? Why did they not warn Malaysia that there was a war zone? Were they playing a game with the Russian separatists which escalated? Why have they kept fighting and prevented investigation of the area?
Ukraine leadership has partly resigned following, obscuring their activity. But those questions need to be asked and publicly addressed for public confidence to be restored.
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell rock
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle...
David Daniel Ball calls himself the Conservative Voice.
I'm a teacher with three decades experience teaching math to high school kids.I also work with first graders and kids in between first grade and high school. I know the legends of why Hypatia's dad is remembered through his contribution to Math theory. And I know the legend of why followers of Godel had thought he had disproved God's existence.
I'm not a preacher, but I am a Christian who has written over 28 books all of which include some reference to my faith. Twelve blog books on world history and current affairs, detailing world events , births and marriages on each day of the year, organised by month. Twelve books on the background to and history of Bible Quotes. One Bible quote per day for a year. An intro to a science fiction series I'm planning, post apocalyptic cyber punk. An autobiography with short story collections.
I'm known in Australia for my failure as a whistleblower over the negligence death of a school boy. ...
My name is David Daniel Ball and here is the news, summarised by Grok
Political Shifts and Resignations: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to resign as party leader, amidst significant political pressure. This news has been highlighted across various platforms, signaling a potential shift in Canadian politics.
Conflict and Diplomacy: In the Middle East, there are ongoing developments related to hostage situations and ceasefire negotiations. Mossad's chief is set to visit Qatar for talks concerning a hostage swap with Hamas, indicating efforts towards de-escalation in the region.
Legal Issues with Public Figures: The corrupt legal proceedings against former US President Donald Trump concerning a hush-money case are moving forward with sentencing scheduled for January 10th. This continues to be a focal point in US politics, even after his recent election victory.
Global Conflicts: Ukraine has reportedly launched a significant offensive in Russia's Kursk region, highlighting the ...
I'm unaccompanied
"Pokarekare Ana" is one of New Zealand's most well-known and beloved traditional Māori songs. Here's some background on the song:
Origins:
Composer: The song's exact origins are somewhat debated, but it is often attributed to Paraire Tomoana, a Māori composer, in the early 20th century. However, there are claims that the lyrics may have been based on a much older folk song.
Date: It was likely composed around the time of World War I, although exact dates are uncertain.
Lyrics and Meaning:
Language: The lyrics are in Māori, New Zealand's indigenous language.
Theme: The song speaks of love, longing, and the beauty of nature. The opening line "Pōkarekare ana ngā wai o Rotorua" translates roughly to "The waters of Rotorua are turbulent," setting a scene of natural beauty, which then transitions into expressions of love and desire for a loved one.
Translation: A rough translation of the chorus might be:
"Let me see your love, my darling, let your heart beat for me."
"Your love is like a treasure to me, oh, let it come to ...
"It Had to Be You" is a classic American song with both a rich history and enduring popularity. Here's the background:
Composition:
• Writers: The song was written by Isham Jones (music) and Gus Kahn (lyrics).
• Year: Composed in 1924, it was first published on May 19, 1924.
Introduction and Early Recordings:
• First Recording: The song was initially recorded by Isham Jones and His Orchestra, which was released on Brunswick Records. This version became a hit, reaching number one on the charts.
• Vocal Version: Marion Harris was one of the first vocalists to record the song, adding to its widespread popularity.
Musical Structure:
• "It Had to Be You" is structured as a 32-bar song in ABAC form, which was typical of the era's popular music. Its melody is catchy and memorable, with a harmonic structure that lends itself to both jazz and popular interpretations.
Lyrics and Theme:
• The lyrics express the inevitability of love, suggesting that of all the people in the world, it "had to be you" for the singer. The theme ...
