Fairfax move to protect their readers from an opinion that might be different from their view. Gosford Anglican Church gives up on Jesus, and holds to AGW alarmism. Hartcher steps aside. The matter looks less dangerous than that which claimed Greiner. So the press are playing the fantasy for ALP now, because they won't be able to celebrate later, and they will try to inflate things. If one was looking for a prostitute without clients, journalists may be the ones. ALP moves to deny the Libs the funds for Gonski. ABC fight to be unbalanced. Dylan sued. Why isAustralia home to islamo fascists? Where are the bent athletes we were told ruined our elite sports? Throwing money at schools seems ineffective.
===
Happy birthday and many happy returns Jenina Nguyen, John LaMantia, SeHong Win-Nguyen and Kenny Thai. Born on the same day, across the years, along with
- 1555 – Heinrich Meibom, German poet and historian (d. 1625)
- 1585 – John Cotton, English-American minister (d. 1652)
- 1647 – Daniel Eberlin, German composer and conductor (d. ca. 1715)
- 1660 – André Campra, French composer and conductor (d. 1744)
- 1667 – Michel Pignolet de Montéclair, French composer (d. 1737)
- 1713 – Gasparo Gozzi, Italian critic and playwright (d. 1786)
- 1777 – Juliette Récamier, French salonnière (d. 1849)
- 1795 – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish historian (d. 1881)
- 1910 – Alex North, American composer (d. 1991)
- 1921 – Deanna Durbin, Canadian-French actress and singer (d. 2013)
- 1930 – Ronnie Corbett, Scottish actor
- 1944 – Chris Hillman, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Byrds, The Hillmen, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Manassas)
- 1944 – Anna McGarrigle, Canadian singer-songwriter (Kate and Anna McGarrigle and Mountain City Four)
- 1949 – Jeff Bridges, American actor, singer, and producer
- 1949 – Pamela Stephenson, New Zealand-Australian actress and psychologist
- 1964 – Marisa Tomei, American actress
- 1973 – Tyra Banks, American model and actress
- 1992 – Guan Xueting, Chinese ice dancer
Matches
- 771 – Austrasian King Carloman dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne King of the now complete FrankishKingdom.
- 1259 – Kings Louis IX of France and Henry III of England agree to the Treaty of Paris, in which Henry renounces his claims to French-controlled territory on continental Europe (including Normandy) in exchange for Louis withdrawing his support for English rebels.
- 1619 – Thirty-eight colonists arrive at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia. The group's charter proclaims that the day "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."
- 1674 – Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to theIlliniwek. (The mission would later grow into the city of Chicago, Illinois.)
- 1829 – In the face of fierce local opposition, British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation declaring that anyone who abets suttee in Bengal is guilty of culpable homicide.
- 1872 – The crewless American ship Mary Celeste is found by the British brig Dei Gratia. The ship had been abandoned for nine days but was only slightly damaged.
- 1921 – The first Virginia Rappe manslaughter trial against Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle ends in a hung jury.
- 1954 – The first Burger King is opened in Miami, Florida.
- 1956 – The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) get together at Sun Studios for the first and last time.
- 1971 – "The Troubles": The Ulster Volunteer Force bombs a Catholic-owned pub in Belfast, killing 15 civilians and wounding 17. It was the city's highest death toll from a single incident during the conflict.
- 1971 – The Montreux Casino in Switzerland is set ablaze by someone wielding a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert; the incident would be noted in the Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water".
Despatches
- 749 – John of Damascus, Syrian monk, priest, and saint (b. 676)
- 1131 – Omar Khayyám, Persian poet, astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher (b. 1048)
- 1679 – Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher (b. 1588)
- 1850 – William Sturgeon, English physicist, invented the first practical electric motor (b. 1783)
HOW DARE HE
Tim Blair – Wednesday, December 04, 2013 (1:26pm)
In Fairfaxland, supporting a Liberal prime minister is controversial:
Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee copped plenty of sledging on social media for giving Prime Minister Tony Abbott his vote of support on Twitter last month …Lee, the former Australian fast-bowler, declared he was no swing-voter when he controversially tweeted after Australia’s victory over England in the opening Ashes Test at Brisbane on November 24 …‘’It’s no secret I’m a fan of Tony Abbott and what he’s doing for the country,’’ Lee said on Wednesday.
FAITHS ENTWINED
Tim Blair – Wednesday, December 04, 2013 (12:10pm)
Religion and global warming alarmism holding hands.
NSW Lib minister quits over corruption inquiry
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (1:40pm)
The stain spreads in NSW politics:
===Energy and Resources Minister Chris Hartcher has ... been forced to quit his portfolio as a result of an ICAC inquiry, but was confident he would clear his name…
In September, the Independent Commission Against Corruption raided the offices of central coast Liberal MPs Chris Spence and Darren Webber, seizing computers and documents.
The raids are believed to have been linked to allegations, revealed by Fairfax Media last year, that two staff members of Mr Hartcher funnelled political donations through a front company before the 2011 state election.
Last year Mr Hartcher told Parliament he was not under investigation in relation to the matter involving his two staff, but in September declined to repeat the statement.
Feminism wins. Prostitutes are fine, but can’t have clients
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (10:56am)
A sociology lecturer has an idea:
Why one but not both or neither?
===Imagine a scenario where prostitution is not restricted or sanctioned but buying sex is banned.So you can sell sex but not buy it.
Why one but not both or neither?
Labor denies Abbott the Labor cash for a Labor promise
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (10:30am)
Labor now backtracks on its own Gonski-related promises – the means to pay for the policy:
Doesn’t that perfectly capture Labor’s last six years?
UPDATE
Labor sides with Greens to block savings, and the Greens once again take the credit:
(Thanks to readers Gaetano and Peter of Bellevue Hill.)
===LABOR has deepened the political row over education by reversing one of its own policies one day after accusing Tony Abbott of a backflip, adding to fears of a hit to the budget from the government’s $1.2 billion increase in school funding.Labor insists the Government implement the Gonski changes but now denies it the money set aside to pay for them.
The policy switch raises the prospect of a Senate blockade over a $2.3bn savings measure, including an efficiency dividend on universities, that Labor announced in April and the Coalition later adopted to pay for the school reforms…
The $2.3bn saving included an efficiency dividend on universities to raise $900 million, changes to scholarships to raise $1.2bn and the removal of discounts on upfront fees to raise $230m. Bitterly opposed by universities after Labor announced them, the savings now face a veto from Labor and the Greens in the upper house and may not be passed until the balance of power changes in the Senate next July.
Doesn’t that perfectly capture Labor’s last six years?
UPDATE
Labor sides with Greens to block savings, and the Greens once again take the credit:
Is Labor the political arm of the Greens party?
(Thanks to readers Gaetano and Peter of Bellevue Hill.)
Where’s our Laterline?
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (10:11am)
Daryl McCann at Quadrant suggests ways to fix the ABC’s bias:
But the ABC should also realise there are many conservatives who do actually listen to the ABC and want it to stay - who listen to Jon Faine even though he can infuriate with his Leftism. Telling us to go listen to Neil Mitchell instead is an insult and derogation of duty. Mitchell is not a conservative but a populist - a windsock - and humorless and self-important besides. If I hear the word “decency” one more time…
No, the ABC has a responsibility to give the very many intelligent conservatives in this country a service as well.
(Thanks to reader Peter.)
===There are two choices for the Coalition, the first involves taking a leaf out of the New Left’s own handbook – affirmative action. For that to happen, though, the ABC must first own up to the fifty-year-old delusion of open-mindedness. All we ask is that for every episode of Media Watch hosted by Paul Barry there’s another one straight afterwards anchored by, say, Andrew Bolt – for every 7:30 Report an 8:30 Report, for every Lateline a Laterline, for every Insiders an Outsiders, and so on. Characters like Kerry O’Brien of “Bennelong has seen a large swing to the ABC” can come out of the political closet and be themselves.I’d prefer the first, not least because it is politically an easier sell.
On the other hand, if the ABC refuses to honour its commitment “to deliver content with integrity, diligence and transparency and to act in the interests of citizens”, the second option open to the Coalition government is to privatise the corporation, a not unreasonable outcome given that it would save the Australian taxpayer $1.1 billion (and climbing) every year, which includes Tony Jones’ $355,789 salary, Jon Faine’s $285,249, Fran Kelly’s $255,000, Paul Barry’s $191,259, Barry (sic) Cassidy’s $243,478 and Mark Scott’s own not inconsiderable of $773,787.
But the ABC should also realise there are many conservatives who do actually listen to the ABC and want it to stay - who listen to Jon Faine even though he can infuriate with his Leftism. Telling us to go listen to Neil Mitchell instead is an insult and derogation of duty. Mitchell is not a conservative but a populist - a windsock - and humorless and self-important besides. If I hear the word “decency” one more time…
No, the ABC has a responsibility to give the very many intelligent conservatives in this country a service as well.
(Thanks to reader Peter.)
Maybe Tony Abbott hasn’t angered Indonesia as Fairfax claims
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (9:33am)
Relations between the Indonesian Government and the Abbott Government may be not as shattered as Fairfax likes to claim:
Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb meets Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan at a meeting of the Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting, Bali Indonesia, 2 December 2013.
Let’s not think twice about laws against free speech, and hope Bob Dylan puts them right
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (9:08am)
The use of the law to stifle debate has become utterly ridiculous as well as sinister. I’m hoping the latest victim is finally admired enough to turn French officialdom into the real pariah:
French authorities have filed preliminary charges against Bob Dylan over a 2012 interview in which he is quoted comparing Croatians to Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan.Much in this case will depend on the bias of the judge, as is usually the case with such laws. Is he a Dylan fan or not?
The charges of “public insult and inciting hate” were filed against the musician in mid-November…
They stem from a lawsuit by a Croatian community group in France over remarks in an interview in Rolling Stone magazine in September 2012.
Speaking about race relations in the United States, Dylan was quoted as saying: “If you got a slave master or Klan in your blood, blacks can sense that. That stuff lingers to this day. Just like Jews can sense Nazi blood and the Serbs can sense Croatian blood.”
But France really is a joke, and its ethnic and religious strife - including many riots - suggests its laws against free speech do no good to balance the harm. Among some notorious cases:
French film star Brigitte Bardot was today convicted of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing that Muslims are destroying France…
In the December 2006 letter to Mr Sarkozy, now the president, Bardot said France is “tired of being led by the nose by this population that is destroying us, destroying our country by imposing its acts.”
The actress, who is most famous for her sex kitten role in And God Created Woman, was referring to the Muslim feast of Eid el-Kebir, celebrated by slaughtering sheep.
And:
Bernard Lewis, the British-born historian of Islamic religion and culture .... explicitly argued that, although the Turks massacred countless Armenians, there is no evidence that they operated according to a centralized policy of genocide, and that calling the killings that had the effect of diminishing the uniqueness of the Jewish Holocaust.And here the mere existence of ludicrous laws against causing “offence” allow a punishment by process that is so expensive for a defendant that even to win is to lose:
Lewis’ revisionism on the Armenian question led to his being charged and tried in France for denial a genocide, a crime there, and in the mid-1990s, he was ordered by a French court to pay one franc in damages after losing a case. Three other lawsuits against him in another French court, however, failed.
FORMER University of Canberra vice-chancellor and former chairman of the National Capital Authority Don Aitkin is being sued for $6 million for alleged racial discrimination.(Thanks to reader Mike.)
Ngambri Aboriginal elder Shane Mortimer alleges the adjunct professor’s blog contravenes Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act and has lodged an application for damages in the Federal Magistrates Court.
But Professor Aitkin said the application was preposterous…
‘’I am a supporter of the Aboriginal people in their struggle for respect … I’ve been a proponent for restoration for Aboriginal people since I can remember. I was a member of the ACT conciliation council while it existed for 10 years.’’
Mr Mortimer said he was offended by an article from August 27 that says: ‘’He looks about as Aboriginal as I do, and his constant references to his ‘ancestors’ makes me scratch my head.’’
Why is Australia their home? Is our door now shut?
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (8:35am)
If they are so keen to send people to Syria, why are they here?
===THE husband of controversial Muslim woman Carnita Matthews is one of two people arrested today for sending Australians to fight on the front lines of Syria’s civil war.Gosh, we’re a soft touch:
Hamdi Alqudsi, 39, ... is the husband of Ms Matthews’ who is best known for her run in with police, when she refused to remove her burqa during a random breath test, two years ago.
Hamdi Alqudsi claims to live a quiet, modest life.Who let them in? Is our door now shut?
Surviving on a disability pension and supposedly with less than $500 to his name, he lives in a small western Sydney home with one of his two wives, Carnita Matthews…
A CRACKDOWN on Australians travelling to Syria to fight with jihadists is set to widen, with police preparing to charge a third suspected extremist currently in jail on attempted murder charges…Note: the charges have not been proven. Those charged must be presumed innocent.
Hamdi Alqudsi, 39, and Amin Iman Mohamed, 23, both from Sydney, appeared in court…
AFP Deputy Commissioner Peter Drennan said police would allege Mr Alqudsi was “responsible for organising travel to Syria for Australian citizens to fight on the frontline, including with Jabhat al-Nusra and then with other al-Qa’ida-affiliated groups"…
Some of Mr Alqudsi’s supporters in court refused a request from the NSW Sheriff’s officer to remove their hats inside the courtroom.
”That’s part of the law? It’s not our law,” said one of the men, who declined to give his name.
Mr Mohamed’s lawyer, Peter Allport, ... said his client was part of the “Somali diaspora” who had fled the civil war and chaos in the East African country…
About 80 Australians, mostly dual nationals, are believed to be assisting the Syrian rebels in combat roles…
All those who Mr Alqudsi allegedly helped to travel to Syria were Australians and are understood to have come from a “variety” of backgrounds, marking them out from other Australians who have fought in Syria, most of whom have been Lebanese-Australian dual nationals.
According to court documents, their names are: Tyler Casy aka Abu Qaqa, Caner Temel aka Abu Moussa, Mehmet Biber aka Abu Abdul Malik, Muhammed Abdul Karim Musleh aka Abu Hassan, Mahmoud Abed Aboshi aka Abu Alem, Nassim Elbasha and Mr Mohamed, aka Abu Bilal.
ABC called Climategate whistleblower a “hacker”. So why isn’t Snowden a “thief”?
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (8:08am)
Edward Snowden steals
and releases US National Security Agency spying secrets which expose no
crime but do damage the national security of the US and its allies.
Here’s how the ABC routinely describes Snowden:
Here’s how the ABC (and Fairfax) routinely describes the leaker.
(Thanks to reader Barry.)
===Here’s how the ABC routinely describes Snowden:
The Guardian Australia has published secret documents from 2008, leaked by the US whistleblower Edward Snowden...An unknown person, believed to be a scientist, leaks emails from the most influential global warming scientists revealing collusion, bullying, manipulation of data and stifling of dissent.
Here’s how the ABC (and Fairfax) routinely describes the leaker.
The scandal began when hackers broke into the computer server at the University of East Anglia and stole thousands of personal emails from climate scientists late last year.ABC science presenter and alarmist Robyn ”100 metres” Williams goes further:
This theft is mischief on the level of Mossad or Stasiland by pros in the business of political subversion…Memo to ABC: your bias is showing. If the Climategate whistleblower is a “hacker” then Snowden is a “thief”.
There are two theories being offered about the origin of the expose. The first, and most convincing, given the forensic trail, is that a gang of professional hackers in Russia (Tomsk?) was hired by someone. The second is that the emails had been assembled by a person within the CRU in response to a Freedom of Information demand that had subsequently been blocked. This person then allowed the emails to escape ‘in the public interest’.
(Thanks to reader Barry.)
Pyne was only following orders
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (7:41am)
The Coalition should never have made its Gonski promise to start with. But the answer should never have been to break it.
Paul Kelly says the fault isn’t really Christopher Pyne’s (although he did bungle the sell):
===Paul Kelly says the fault isn’t really Christopher Pyne’s (although he did bungle the sell):
....this was a case of cabinet’s Expenditure Review Committee pushing for more savings but falling foul of the Coalition’s election pledges.
Christopher Pyne was personally given a letter by Tony Abbott that embodied the ERC’s deliberations. He was given a tough job but he mishandled it, causing deep agitation within the PM’s office. The ERC decided to commit to promised Gonski school funding for one year for the non-signatory states. Pyne’s brief was to run a public operation and private negotiation to try to get savings from the total pool of Gonski money given that NSW and Victoria had been generously treated…
It was never going to be realised because it ran into the brick wall of the election campaign pledges made by Abbott.
When the Prime Minister briefed Pyne, his Education Minister was scarcely happy. It was agreed he would begin by making a political issue of Labor’s removal of $1.2 billion from the pre-election estimates as the prelude to getting a better overall deal for the national government…
In the end [the Government] was battered into political submission.
Last Sunday night at a meeting involving Abbott, Julie Bishop, Joe Hockey, Pyne and Peta Credlin the decision was taken to cut their losses.
The ABC betrayed conservative Australians and now pays
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (6:58am)
Pressure on the ABC is mounting as Tony Abbott ups his rhetoric:
UPDATE
Well, to a point. Here’s Abbott, typically believing sweet reasonableness - and not a big stick - will make the Left do the right thing:
UPDATE
Cory Bernardi has been most articulate and most persuasive:
UPDATE
Miranda Devine:
===As pressure builds within the government for reform of the national broadcaster and its funding, Mr Abbott attacked the ABC for amplifying allegations Australia tapped the phones of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and senior officials.It could have proved cheaper for the ABC to honor its charter and provide balance - hire conservative presenters rather than only those from the Left. Now even Malcolm Turnbull sounds like a man with an axe:
“I think the ABC were guilty of poor judgment in broadcasting that material, which was obviously difficult for Australia’s national security and long-term best interests,” Mr Abbott said yesterday. “Why should the ABC be acting as an advertising agent for a left-wing British newspaper?”
Mr Abbott pledged to “speak plainly and candidly with Australians in the hope that ABC management will see sense”.
Earlier, Mr Turnbull told the Coalition partyroom ABC operations could be modernised, saying “old-fashioned” and “last-century work practices” were a problem for the ABC…Here are the issues with the ABC:
Coalition sources say ... support is strengthening for its charter to be withdrawn and funding stripped back under the commission of audit so it could only operate a basic radio and television.
- It is a state-owned media outlet.But to repeat. It would have been cheaper for the ABC to inject a bit of the balance it’s obliged to provide. Now, having so clearly declared war on conservatives, using bullets paid for by conservative taxpayers, it’s invited open resistance.
- It has spread vastly in reach, operating five national radio networks, four TV networks, an overseas TV service, bookshops and now a publishing arm, competing with newspapers on line. Its reach would not be tolerated in a private media business.
- It is now killing off private competitors. It offers free the same kind of on-line news and views to the same audience Fairfax must sell to to survive. Last month Politifact, a private on-line political fact-checking business, announced it had been forced to wind down operations and could close, in part because the ABC had this year created its own on-line political fact-checking unit.
- It is biased, in breach of its charter. The ABC is meant to be balanced, or at least present a range of voices. Yet every one of its main current affairs shows is headed by someone of the Left. Every one of the eight Media Watch presenters has been of the Left. Its main science presenters are of the global warming Left. Its most recent Radio National hirings - Jonathan Green and Waleed Aly - are of the Left. A recent survey, albeit limited, confirmed ABC staff strongly lean to the green left. A recent ABC TV program attacked an ABC critic by showing a doctored photo of him having sex with a dog under a sign “dog f...ker”. Yet all taxpayers are forced to pay for it.
- Now the ABC has, in coordination with the far-Left Guardian, published stolen spying secrets which had badly damaged the national interest without revealing any abuses of authority. Yet ABC presenters routinely refer to the source of the stolen information, Edward Snowden, as a “whistleblower” rather than traitor, saboteur or thief.
- The ABC is getting cruder. Calling conservative Chris Kenny a “dog f..er” is just one sign of it.
- The ABC is expensive, costing $1.2 billion a year.
UPDATE
Well, to a point. Here’s Abbott, typically believing sweet reasonableness - and not a big stick - will make the Left do the right thing:
MY intention is to speak plainly and candidly with the Australian people in the hope that ABC management will see sense...Anyone believe that merely talking nicely to the ABC will bring reform?
AS for the ABC’s other activities, well, look, I can understand why a lot of people in the media think that it’s not a level playing field when it comes to competition, given that the ABC is funded to the tune of a billion dollars or so a year by the taxpayer, but it’s been thus for many a long year and this government has no plans to change that.
UPDATE
Cory Bernardi has been most articulate and most persuasive:
Senior conservative senator Cory Bernardi touched off the spirited debate on Tuesday, slamming the ABC as ‘’a taxpayer-funded behemoth’’ for expanding into print via its online news operations which he said put it in direct competition with privately funded commercial media companies, operating in an already difficult market…Bernardi was very, very good on Radio National Breakfast this morning.
He said there was a compelling case to consider breaking the ABC into two entities with the traditional television and radio operations protected to ensure services in the bush and regional Australia, while the online news service could be disposed of…
According to multiple sources in the meeting, the trio of Ms Bishop, and senators Bernardi and Ian Macdonald, received ‘’warm’’ support for their assessments that the broadcaster had failed to maintain political balance, and was using its annual $1.1 billion tax-payer funding to crowd out commercial news organisations in breach of its charter.
UPDATE
Miranda Devine:
More than any other news organisation, the ABC gave Labor a free pass over the past six years of calamitous government.
Remarkably, it has run dead on serious crime allegations against senior Labor figures which are currently being investigated by police, while ferociously hunting down every verbal misstep or stumble by the new government.
So where are all those athletes we were told were taking performance-enhancing drugs?
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (6:24am)
So the prime scapegoat
so far in the “blackest day in Australian sport” didn’t actually oversee
any program of illicit drug taking, after all. Here the AFL’s emailed offer to Essendon chairman Paul Little to drop everything if coach James Hird just stepped aside for 12 months:
===
We added billions and students went backwards. So mere cash is not what schools need
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (6:17am)
First the Rudd Government launched the “Digital Education Revolution” in our schools - $2.4 billion to give senior secondary students their own lap tops. But computers don’t actually teach.
Then the Rudd Government launched the “Building the Education Revolution” in our schools - $16 billion for school halls, canteens and libraries. But buildings don’t actually teach.
So after this massive spending on everything in schools except better ways of teaching, what did we get?
AUSTRALIAN teenagers have slipped further behind their peers overseas in international tests assessing skills in reading, maths and science, now ranking behind students in Vietnam, Poland and Estonia.Asian countries soar. So it’s not so much the money but how you spend it and how you teach - and how families value what you teach. Yet tell that to our educationalists:
The latest results of the tests of 15-year-olds conducted by the OECD group of industrialised nations, released last night, show that Australia is one of 13 countries to have recorded a significant fall in student performance in maths since 2003, while nine countries recorded a significant improvement. Asian jurisdictions now dominate the ranks of high-scoring students.
While Australia’s results in reading and science remained relatively stable, maths scores recorded a big fall, and Australia has slipped outside the top 10 nations in all three subjects for the first time since the tests, called the Program for International Student Assessment, started in 2000.
Sue Thomson, the director of educational monitoring and research at the Australian Council for Educational Research who oversees PISA in Australia, ... said the report made the case for the Gonski review’s more equitable distribution of resources among schools...Yes, just add more cash. In fact, even the Gonski report, demanding another $5 billion a year for education, had to admit that the biggest falls in student performance didn’t come from children denied “equitable” funding but from those with plenty:
However, over the last decade the performance of Australian students has declined at all levels of achievement, notably at the top end. This decline has contributed to the fall in Australia’s international position.The biggest fall in our standards is among students at the top - students we must presume tend to come from non-disadvantaged backgrounds and good schools. And they are being overtaken mainly by students from disadvantaged countries, with largely poorer schools.
So is the money or the method of teaching to blame? To help you decide:
What follows are excerpts, presented verbatim, from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority website (ACARA) outlining how mathematics is to be taught and absorbed…No, I am not saying this idea explains our falling standard - comparatively - in maths. But it illustrates a tendency in education to stress proper attitudes rather than academic excellence.
The Australian Curriculum: Mathematics values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. It provides opportunities for students to appreciate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies have sophisticated applications of mathematical concepts.
Students will explore connections between representations of number and pattern and how they relate to aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. They will investigate time, place, relationships and measurement concepts in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts.
Just what a Labor Government would do to bail out a union-strangled business, too
Andrew Bolt December 04 2013 (6:02am)
I can’t believe this.
Now this Liberal Government is considering giving taxpayers’ money to to
a foreign company to bail out a struggling local operation mad enough
to give its unions a 35-hour week. And it employs a former union boss to
negotiate the deal:
A truly free market government would cut the costs of business, free the labor markets and give business more power to determine a proper market rate for labor. It would not subsidise the restrictive work practices and high costs of a union-dominated business. Do that and you just invite more beggars to your door.
And indeed:
===INDUSTRY Minister Ian Macfarlane has recruited his Labor predecessor Greg Combet to negotiate a rewrite of work practices at troubled food producer SPC Ardmona, including the future of the 35-hour week, as the government examines an assistance package.This government is completely lost in the thickets of industry assistance. Someone give it a compass.
Mr Macfarlane will today announce that Mr Combet, who was Julia Gillard’s industry minister, as well as Telstra chairwoman Catherine Livingstone and former Manufacturing Australia chief and Reserve board member Dick Warburton, will form a high-level panel to advise on a major restructure of the SPC fruit and vegetable canning operations. Mr Macfarlane has been in talks with its owner, Coca-Cola Amatil.
The Australian understands CCA has promised a significant investment in plant and equipment, and a range of new product lines as part of a restructuring package that would involve an investment from the Victorian and federal governments.
A truly free market government would cut the costs of business, free the labor markets and give business more power to determine a proper market rate for labor. It would not subsidise the restrictive work practices and high costs of a union-dominated business. Do that and you just invite more beggars to your door.
And indeed:
Mr Macfarlane said the process at SPC could provide a lead for Simplot, which makes Edgell and Bird’s Eye products as well as the Chiko Roll and is also seeking government assistance.Hey, there’s another Labor Government in Canberra.
David Bowles
I'm often amused at the close-minded, knee-jerk assumptions of some people who agitate for open-mindedness and tolerance. Granted, I probably shouldn't go around poking at hornets' nests, but the temptation to peer past personas is very tempting. I will now go back to keeping my mouth shut and an eyebrow raised in disapprobrium.
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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/biased-abc-leads-a-howling-media-mob/story-fni0cwl5-1226774514092
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4 her
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http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/scott-morrison-being-mean-for-the-hell-of-it-to-asylum-seekers-labor-20131204-2ypst.html
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.. they still vote Democrat. - ed
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Trinity de Cartier. Three types of gold. Three symbolic colors: pink for love, yellow for fidelity and white for friendship.
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<
The Labor opposition and Australian Greens voted in the Senate late on Monday night to overturn temporary protection visas (TPVs).
Mr Abbott, who has been under significant pressure on federal schools funding, described Labor MPs as 'wreckers and vandals' who were giving the Australian people a 'two-fingered salute' by blocking government bills.
He threatened to make the House of Representatives sit until Christmas to pass new yet-to-be-revealed laws to make up for the axing of TPVs, as well as to repeal the carbon and mining taxes and raise the debt ceiling to $500 billion.
'I don't think the Labor party should get a free pass at Christmas time if it's not prepared to accept that the people voted a certain way,' Mr Abbott said.
The refugee convention could also be in the firing line, despite Mr Abbott saying the government respected it.
'We think it's important that it be dealt with properly and we'll have more to say on this in the days and weeks ahead,' Mr Abbott said.
The prime minister has previously expressed concerns with the way the convention, which Australia ratified in 1954, had been 'imported into Australian law'.>
http://www.skynews.com.au/politics/article.aspx?id=930603
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http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/cut-abc-funding-urges-liberal-senator-cory-bernardi-as-coalition-ramps-up-attack-on-the-national-broadcaster-20131204-2ypet.html
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What is the problem? It is USA .. shoot him. - ed
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Meh, won't help poor people .. and won't make it more comfortable for poor people, but will make crime easier .. ed
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http://www.theage.com.au/environment/weather/so-much-for-summer-snow-predicted-20131204-2yq97.html
======
Due to the overwhelming response from corporate sponsors we are able to offer all our lucky social media buddies a special price! quote the promo code 'PARRACITY' at the check out and get your ticket for only $20!!! did i just say TWENTY DOLLARS? yes, yes i did. Hurry limited time only. Mahal X
===
<... 62 % SAID YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The other 38% of schizophrenics said no LMAO and the other 38% of schizophrenics said no >
===
I left my heart in San Frog Pano...
===
OFFENSIVE Ads you won't see today:
See more here: http://bit.ly/OFFENSIVEads
===
Rivka travels ..
===
http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/teachers-more-important-than-cash-pyne/story-e6frfku9-1226775129387
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http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/ex-qld-govt-head-cleared-of-crime/story-e6frfku9-1226775148733
===without ALP, we'd be as corrupt as NZ? - ed
===
Meh - ed
===
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Where is the cafe? Let's go! - ed
===
I keep telling myself that. Shorten is a genius. But if you judge him by his ability .. ed===
Pastor Rick Warren
Dear friends, I'd deeply appreciate it if you could pause for a moment and pray for me to have wisdom right now Since Matthew died early this year, I've declined all interview requests from media- except for CNN and PEOPLE magazine. But this week, I am in New York City for 4 days of interviews. I could use your prayers.
The reason is that today , THE DANIEL PLAN, my first major book since Purpose Driven Life (10 yrs ago) is being published. PD LIFE was about spiritual health. Purpose Driven CHURCH, was about church health. This new book is about honoring God with our physical health. It's the program we developed at Saddleback Church that helped 12,000 of our church members get healthier and lose 250,000 pounds last year. It's farmore than a diet... emphasizing FAITH... FOCUS... FRIENDS... FOOD... and FITNESS.
Here are some of the shows and interviews I'll do this week. Thanks for your prayers.
• Parade Magazine
• USA Today
• CNN Piers Morgan Live on December 4, 9-10 pm
• CBS This Morning on December 4, 8:30 am
• Fox News & Commentary with Todd Starnes on December 4
• HuffPost Live on December 4
• MSNBC Morning Joe on December 5
• FOX The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson on December 5, 2-3 pm
• CNN The Lead with Jake Tapper on December 5, 4-5 pm
• ABC's The View on December 6, 11 am
• The Dr. Oz Show on December 12 (check local listings)
• Fox & Friends on January 1
If you are intertested in watching any of these, you should check your local listings for exact times an stations.
Bless you!
===
Robin can say this with a conservative government elected there .. his humour is that partisan - ed
===
Wilcox shows Shorten? Shorten took the money away, and then demanded the Libs put it back ..
===
It took time & determination as well as the work of many hands to wreck a functioning Education System. For many years only the dedicated effort of the parents of some families who saw what was happening has propped it up by making up for it by teaching their children t...
except, there are good teachers who sacrifice much to educate kids despite the roadblocks. Some parents are impediments too. Also, some of the stupid rules also protect kids from bad teachers. It isn't as black and white as you paint, it is much worse. Some shockingly bad teachers get promoted. Some good ones get through. And then there are ones with good intentions who have no idea. The problem is not that education is bad. The problem is it is corrupted. There is sufficient information from external tests to evaluate the performance of teachers who have been working for more than eight years, but no one has the courage to use it. - ed
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http://calevbenyefuneh.blogspot.co.il/2013/11/why-die-for-danzig-israel-by-sarah-honig.html
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It never occurred to anyone this was the inevitable result of any cooperation with Al-Quds?
http://calevbenyefuneh.blogspot.co.il/2013/11/it-never-occurred-to-anyone-this-was.html
======
===
LISTEN to the truth about the Jewish State on "Insight to Israel":
https://www.facebook.com/
SEND a message to the Israeli Defense Force that we proudly stand with them as they defend the Jewish State by participating in "Hershey's for Heroes":
https://www.facebook.com/
WEAR your support for the IDF this Christmas and posting your pics:
https://www.facebook.com/
===
http://www.michaelfreund.org/14095/hanukka-samaria
======
===
===
http://www.israpundit.com/archives/63592030
===
http://www.wnd.com/2013/12/the-cancerous-new-york-times/
===During the Holocaust, Jews fervently tried to continue to commemorate the Jewish holidays, even while imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps.
Chanukah came to Bergen-Belsen. It was time to kindle the Chanukah lights. A jug of oil was not to be found, no candle was in sight, and a menorah belonged to the distant past. Instead, a wooden clog, the shoe of one of the inmates, became a menorah; strings pulled from a concentration-camp uniform, a wick; and the black camp shoe polish, pure oil.
Harav Yisrael Spira, the Bluzhover Rebbe, lit the first light and chanted the first two blessings in his pleasant voice, and the festive melody was filled with sorrow and pain. When he was about to recite the third blessing, he stopped, turned his head, and looked around as if he were searching for something.
But immediately, he turned his face back to the quivering small lights and in a strong, reassuring, comforting voice, chanted the third blessing: "Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season."
As soon as the Rebbe finished the ceremony of kindling the lights, a prisoner elbowed his way to him and said, "Rabbi Spira, you are a clever and honest person. I can understand your need to light Chanukah candles in these wretched times. I can even understand the historical note of the second blessing, 'Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season.' But the fact that you recited the third blessing is beyond me. How could you thank G-d and say 'Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season'? How could you say it when thousands of living Jewish skeletons are walking around in the camp, and millions more are being massacred? For this you are thankful to G-d? For this you praise Him? This you call 'keeping us alive'?"
"You are a hundred percent right," answered the Rebbe. "When I reached the third blessing, I also hesitated and asked myself, what should I do with this blessing? But I noticed that behind me a throng was standing, a large crowd of living Jews, their faces expressing faith, devotion, and concentration as they were listening to the rite of the kindling of Chanukah lights.
"I said to myself, that at times like these, they stand in throngs and with devotion listening to the Chanukah blessing 'Who wrought miracles for our fathers in days of old, at this season'; if, indeed, I was blessed to see such a people with so much faith and fervor, then I am under a special obligation to recite the third blessing."
(Adapted from Yaffa Eliach, Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust; pages 13-15)
Wishing you a Chanukah Sameach,
Ruth Lichtenstein
Director, Project Witness===
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O:32 snow-covered roads are scary
0:36 have you put on your winter tires?
===
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3
DECEMBER
2013
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December 4: Navy Day in India
- 771 – Austrasian King Carloman I died, leaving his brother Charlemagne King of the now complete Frankish Kingdom.
- 1639 – English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocksmade the first observation of a transit of Venus.
- 1829 – Sati, the Hindu funeral custom of widowsimmolating themselves, was prohibited in part of British India after years of campaigning by Ram Mohan Roy(pictured).
- 1909 – The first Grey Cup game, the championship game of the Canadian Football League, was held.
- 1980 – The English rock group Led Zeppelin officially disbanded.
- 2006 – Six black youths in Jena, Louisiana, US,assaulted a white teenager; the subsequent court case would become a cause célèbre.
Events[edit]
- 771 – Austrasian King Carloman dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne King of the now complete FrankishKingdom.
- 1110 – First Crusade: The Crusaders sack Sidon.
- 1259 – Kings Louis IX of France and Henry III of England agree to the Treaty of Paris, in which Henry renounces his claims to French-controlled territory on continental Europe (including Normandy) in exchange for Louis withdrawing his support for English rebels.
- 1563 – The final session of the Council of Trent is held. (It had opened on December 13, 1545.)
- 1619 – Thirty-eight colonists arrive at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia. The group's charter proclaims that the day "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."
- 1674 – Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to theIlliniwek. (The mission would later grow into the city of Chicago, Illinois.)
- 1676 – Battle of Lund: A Danish army under the command of King Christian V engages the Swedish army commanded by Field Marshal Simon Grundel-Helmfelt.
- 1745 – Charles Edward Stewart's army reaches Derby, its furthest point during the Second Jacobite Rising.
- 1783 – At Fraunces Tavern in New York City, U.S. General George Washington bids farewell to his officers.
- 1791 – The first edition of The Observer, the world's first Sunday newspaper, is published.
- 1829 – In the face of fierce local opposition, British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation declaring that anyone who abets suttee in Bengal is guilty of culpable homicide.
- 1864 – American Civil War: Sherman's March to the Sea – At Waynesboro, Georgia, forces under Union General Judson Kilpatrick prevent troops led by Confederate General Joseph Wheeler from interfering with Union General William T. Sherman's campaign destroying a wide swath of the South on his march to the Atlantic Ocean from Atlanta, Georgia.
- 1867 – Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry (better known today as the Grange).
- 1872 – The crewless American ship Mary Celeste is found by the British brig Dei Gratia. The ship had been abandoned for nine days but was only slightly damaged.
- 1875 – Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison. He will later be recaptured in Spain.
- 1881 – The first edition of the Los Angeles Times is published.
- 1893 – First Matabele War: A patrol of 34 British South Africa Company soldiers is ambushed and annihilated by more than 3,000 Matabelewarriors on the Shangani River in Matabeleland.
- 1909 – In Canadian football, the First Grey Cup game is played. The University of Toronto Varsity Blues defeat the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club, 26–6.
- 1909 – The Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club, the oldest surviving professional hockey franchise in the world, is founded as a charter member of the National Hockey Association.
- 1918 – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson sails for the World War I peace talks in Versailles, becoming the first US president to travel toEurope while in office.
- 1921 – The first Virginia Rappe manslaughter trial against Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle ends in a hung jury.
- 1937 – The first issue of the children's comic, The Dandy, is published.
- 1939 – World War II: HMS Nelson is struck by a mine (laid by U-31) off the Scottish coast and is laid up for repairs until August 1940.
- 1942 – World War II: Carlson's patrol during the Guadalcanal Campaign ends.
- 1943 – World War II: In Yugoslavia, resistance leader Marshal Josip Broz Tito proclaims a provisional democratic Yugoslav government in-exile.
- 1943 – World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt closes down the Works Progress Administration, because of the high levels of wartime employment in the United States.
- 1945 – By a vote of 65 to 7, the United States Senate approves United States participation in the United Nations. (The UN had been established on October 24, 1945.)
- 1954 – The first Burger King is opened in Miami, Florida.
- 1956 – The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) get together at Sun Studios for the first and last time.
- 1967 – Vietnam War: U.S. and South Vietnamese forces engage Viet Cong troops in the Mekong Delta.
- 1969 – Black Panther Party members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are shot and killed in their sleep during a raid by 14 Chicago police officers.
- 1971 – The United Nations Security Council calls an emergency session to consider the deteriorating situation between India and Pakistan.
- 1971 – The Indian Navy attacks the Pakistan Navy and Karachi.
- 1971 – The Montreux Casino in Switzerland is set ablaze by someone wielding a flare gun during a Frank Zappa concert; the incident would be noted in the Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water".
- 1971 – "The Troubles": The Ulster Volunteer Force bombs a Catholic-owned pub in Belfast, killing 15 civilians and wounding 17. It was the city's highest death toll from a single incident during the conflict.
- 1975 – Suriname joins the United Nations.
- 1977 – Jean-Bédel Bokassa, president of the Central African Republic, crowns himself Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire.
- 1977 – Malaysia Airlines Flight 653 is hijacked and crashes in Tanjong Kupang, Johor, killing 100.
- 1978 – Following the murder of Mayor George Moscone, Dianne Feinstein becomes San Francisco's first female mayor. (She will serve until January 8, 1988.)
- 1979 – The Hastie fire in Hull kills three schoolboys and eventually leads police to arrest Bruce George Peter Lee.
- 1980 – English rock group Led Zeppelin officially disbands, following the death of drummer John Bonham on September 25th.
- 1981 – South Africa grants independence to the Ciskei "homeland" (not recognized by any government outside South Africa).
- 1982 – The People's Republic of China adopts its current constitution.
- 1984 – Sri Lankan Civil War: Sri Lankan Army soldiers kill 107-150 civilians in Mannar.
- 1984 – Hezbollah militants hijack a Kuwait Airlines plane, killing four passengers.
- 1991 – Journalist Terry A. Anderson is released after 7 years in captivity as a hostage in Beirut. He is the last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon.
- 1991 – Captain Mark Pyle pilots Clipper Goodwill, a Pan American World Airways Boeing 727-221ADV, to Miami International Airport, ending 64 years of Pan Am operations.
- 1992 – Somali Civil War: President George H. W. Bush orders 28,000 U.S. troops to Somalia in Northeast Africa.
- 1993 – A truce is concluded between the government of Angola and UNITA rebels.
- 1998 – The Unity Module, the second module of the International Space Station, is launched.
- 2005 – Tens of thousands of people in Hong Kong protest for democracy and call on the government to allow universal and equal suffrage.
Births[edit]
- 1555 – Heinrich Meibom, German poet and historian (d. 1625)
- 1580 – Samuel Argall, English navy officer, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (d. 1626)
- 1585 – John Cotton, English-American minister (d. 1652)
- 1595 – Jean Chapelain, French poet (d. 1674)
- 1646 – Alain Emmanuel de Coëtlogon, French field marshal (d. 1730)
- 1647 – Daniel Eberlin, German composer and conductor (d. ca. 1715)
- 1660 – André Campra, French composer and conductor (d. 1744)
- 1667 – Michel Pignolet de Montéclair, French composer (d. 1737)
- 1670 – John Aislabie, English politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer of Great Britain (d. 1742)
- 1711 – Barbara of Portugal, Portuguese wife of Ferdinand VI of Spain (d. 1758)
- 1713 – Gasparo Gozzi, Italian critic and playwright (d. 1786)
- 1777 – Juliette Récamier, French salonnière (d. 1849)
- 1795 – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish historian (d. 1881)
- 1798 – Jules Armand Dufaure, French politician, 33rd Prime Minister of France (d. 1881)
- 1817 – Nikoloz Baratashvili, Georgian poet (d. 1845)
- 1835 – Samuel Butler, English author (d. 1902)
- 1844 – Franz Xavier Wernz, German religious leader, 25th Superior General of the Society of Jesus (d. 1914)
- 1852 – Orest Khvolson, Russian physicist (d. 1934)
- 1861 – Hannes Hafstein, Icelandic politician, 1st Prime Minister of Iceland (d. 1922)
- 1861 – Lillian Russell, American actress and singer (d. 1922)
- 1868 – Jesse Burkett, American baseball player (d. 1953)
- 1875 – Joe Corbett, American baseball player (d. 1945)
- 1875 – Rainer Maria Rilke, Austrian poet (d. 1926)
- 1878 – Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia (d. 1918)
- 1880 – Tom Taylor, Canadian soccer player (d. 1945)
- 1881 – Erwin von Witzleben, German field marshal (d. 1944)
- 1883 – Katharine Susannah Prichard, Australian author (d. 1969)
- 1886 – Jan Thomée, Dutch football player (d. 1954)
- 1889 – Lloyd Bacon, American actor and director (d. 1955)
- 1892 – Francisco Franco, Spanish general and politician, Caudillo of Spain (d. 1975)
- 1892 – Liu Bocheng, Chinese army officer (d. 1986)
- 1893 – Herbert Read, English anarchist (d. 1968)
- 1895 – Fung Yu-lan, Chinese philosopher (d. 1990)
- 1899 – Charlie Spencer, English footballer and manager (d. 1953)
- 1903 – Anna van der Vegt, Dutch gymnast (d. 1983)
- 1903 – Cornell Woolrich, American author (d. 1968)
- 1908 – Alfred Hershey, American bacteriologist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1997)
- 1909 – Jimmy Jewel, English actor (d. 1995)
- 1910 – Alex North, American composer (d. 1991)
- 1910 – R. Venkataraman, Indian lawyer and politician, 6th President of India (d. 2009)
- 1912 – Pappy Boyington, American pilot, Medal of Honor recipient (d. 1988)
- 1913 – Mark Robson, Canadian-American director and producer (d. 1978)
- 1914 – Rudolf Hausner, Austrian painter and sculptor (d. 1995)
- 1914 – Claude Renoir, French cinematographer (d. 1993)
- 1915 – Eddie Heywood, American pianist (d. 1989)
- 1916 – Ely Jacques Kahn, Jr., American journalist and author (d. 1994)
- 1917 – Movita Castaneda, American actress
- 1919 – I. K. Gujral, Indian politician, 12th Prime Minister of India (d. 2012)
- 1920 – Jeanne Manford, American educator and activist, co-founded Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (d. 2013)
- 1920 – Neville Thiele, Australian engineer (d. 2012)
- 1921 – Deanna Durbin, Canadian-French actress and singer (d. 2013)
- 1922 – Gérard Philipe, French actor (d. 1959)
- 1923 – Charles Keating, American financier and convicted fraudster
- 1923 – John Krish, British screenwriter and director
- 1923 – Eagle Keys, American-Canadian football player and coach (d. 2012)
- 1924 – John C. Portman, Jr., American architect, designed the Renaissance Center and Tomorrow Square
- 1925 – Albert Bandura, Canadian-American psychologist
- 1925 – Lino Lacedelli, Italian mountaineer (d. 2009)
- 1927 – William Labov, American linguist
- 1927 – Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe, silversmith and master jeweller (d. 2004)
- 1928 – Dena Dietrich, American actress
- 1930 – Ronnie Corbett, Scottish actor
- 1930 – Jim Hall, American guitarist and composer
- 1931 – Alex Delvecchio, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1931 – Wally George, American talk show host (d. 2003)
- 1932 – Roh Tae-woo, South Korean general and politician, 6th President of South Korea
- 1933 – Horst Buchholz, German actor (d. 2003)
- 1934 – Victor French, American actor (d. 1989)
- 1934 – Wink Martindale, American game show host
- 1935 – Paul O'Neill, American businessman and politician, 72nd United States Secretary of the Treasury
- 1935 – Robert Vesco, American financier and convicted fraudster (d. 2007)
- 1936 – Derek Nally, Irish politician
- 1937 – Max Baer, Jr., American actor, director, and producer
- 1938 – Andre Marrou, American politician
- 1938 – Yvonne Minton, Australian soprano
- 1939 – Joan Brady, American-British writer
- 1939 – Freddy Cannon, American singer
- 1940 – Gerd Achterberg, German football manager
- 1940 – Gary Gilmore, American murderer (d. 1977)
- 1942 – Gemma Jones, English actress
- 1944 – Chris Hillman, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Byrds, The Hillmen, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Manassas)
- 1944 – Anna McGarrigle, Canadian singer-songwriter (Kate and Anna McGarrigle and Mountain City Four)
- 1944 – François Migault, French race car driver (d. 2012)
- 1944 – Dennis Wilson, American singer-songwriter and producer (The Beach Boys) (d. 1983)
- 1945 – Roberta Bondar, Canadian astronaut
- 1946 – Geert Mak, Dutch journalist and author
- 1947 – Jane Lubchenco, American environmental scientist and politician, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2009-2013)
- 1947 – Terry Woods, Irish guitarist (The Pogues, Steeleye Span, Sweeney's Men, The Bucks, and Dr. Strangely Strange)
- 1948 – Southside Johnny, American singer-songwriter (Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes)
- 1949 – A. Scott Berg, American biographer
- 1949 – Jeff Bridges, American actor, singer, and producer
- 1949 – Pamela Stephenson, New Zealand-Australian actress and psychologist
- 1949 – Jock Stirrup, British politician and former Chief of Defence Staff
- 1951 – Gary Rossington, American guitarist (Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rossington-Collins Band, and The Rossington Band)
- 1951 – Patricia Wettig, American actress
- 1953 – Rick Middleton, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1953 – Gwen Humble, American actress
- 1954 – Tony Todd, American actor and producer
- 1955 – Phil Hammond, English politician
- 1955 – Dave Taylor, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1955 – Cassandra Wilson, American singer-songwriter and producer
- 1956 – Nia Griffith, British politician
- 1956 – Bernard King, American basketball player
- 1957 – Raul Boesel, Brazilian race car driver
- 1957 – Eric S. Raymond, American computer programmer and author
- 1959 – Susan W. Krebs, American politician
- 1959 – Paul McGrath, Irish footballer
- 1959 – Christa Rothenburger, German speed skater and cyclist
- 1960 – David Green, American baseball player
- 1960 – Glynis Nunn, Australian heptathlete
- 1961 – Frank Reich, American football player
- 1961 – Naomi Robson, American-Australian journalist
- 1962 – Julie Lemieux, Canadian voice actress
- 1962 – Kevin Richardson, English footballer
- 1963 – Sergey Bubka, Ukrainian pole vaulter
- 1964 – Sertab Erener, Turkish singer-songwriter
- 1964 – Jonathan Goldstein, American actor
- 1964 – Scott Hastings, Scottish rugby player
- 1964 – Chelsea Noble, American actress
- 1964 – Marisa Tomei, American actress
- 1965 – Álex de la Iglesia, Spanish director, screenwriter, and producer
- 1966 – Masta Ace, American rapper (eMC and Juice Crew)
- 1966 – Fred Armisen, American actor and comedian
- 1966 – Suzanne Malveaux, American journalist
- 1966 – Chris Shepherd, English director
- 1966 – Andy Hess, American bassist (Gov't Mule and The Black Crowes)
- 1968 – Mike Barrowman, American swimmer
- 1969 – Jay-Z, American rapper, producer, and entrepeneur, co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records
- 1969 – Plum Sykes, English-American author
- 1970 – John L. Adams, American actor
- 1970 – Kevin Sussman, American actor
- 1970 – Sylvester Terkay, American wrestler and mixed martial artist
- 1971 – Shannon Briggs, American boxer
- 1972 – Jassen Cullimore, Canadian ice hockey player
- 1972 – Nikki Tyler, American porn actress and model
- 1973 – Tyra Banks, American model and actress
- 1973 – Frank Boeijen, Dutch keyboard player (The Gathering)
- 1973 – Keith Caputo, American singer-songwriter and keyboard player (Life Of Agony)
- 1973 – Ferry Corsten, Dutch DJ and producer (Gouryella)
- 1973 – Steven Menzies, Australian rugby player
- 1973 – Kate Rusby, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (The Poozies)
- 1973 – Racci Shay, American drummer (Murderdolls, Synical, Dope, and Genitorturers)
- 1973 – Atsushi Tamura, Japanese actor and singer (jealkb)
- 1974 – Tadahito Iguchi, Japanese baseball player
- 1976 – Amie Comeaux, American singer (d. 1997)
- 1976 – Kristina Groves, Canadian speed skater
- 1977 – Big Pokey, American rapper (Screwed Up Click)
- 1977 – Morten Veland, Norwegian guitarist and songwriter (Sirenia, Tristania, and Mortemia)
- 1978 – Jaclyn Victor, Malaysian singer and actress
- 1979 – Ysabella Brave, American singer
- 1979 – Jay DeMerit, American soccer player
- 1981 – Courtney Cummz, American porn actress
- 1981 – Lila McCann, American singer
- 1982 – Waldo Ponce, Chilean footballer
- 1982 – Ho-Pin Tung, Dutch-Chinese race car driver
- 1982 – Nick Vujicic, Australian evangelist and motivational speaker
- 1983 – Jimmy Bartel, Australian footballer
- 1984 – Brooke Adams, American wrestler and model
- 1984 – Lindsay Felton, American actress
- 1984 – Marco Giambruno, Italian footballer
- 1984 – Lauren London, American actress
- 1984 – Anna Petrakova, Russian basketball player
- 1984 – Joe Thomas, American football player
- 1985 – Andrew Brackman, American baseball player
- 1985 – Carlos Gómez, Dominican baseball player
- 1986 – Kaija Udras, Estonian skier
- 1986 – Martell Webster, American basketball player
- 1987 – Orlando Brown, American actor and rapper
- 1987 – Kethy Õunpuu, Estonian footballer
- 1988 – Andriy Pylyavskyi, Ukrainian footballer
- 1990 – Lukman Haruna, Nigerian footballer
- 1990 – Igor Sjunin, Estonian triple jumper
- 1992 – Jean-Claude Iranzi, Rwandan footballer
- 1992 – Līna Mūze, Latvian javelin thrower
- 1992 – Guan Xueting, Chinese ice dancer
Deaths[edit]
- 749 – John of Damascus, Syrian monk, priest, and saint (b. 676)
- 771 – Carloman I, King of the Franks (b. 751)
- 1075 – Anno II, Archbishop of Cologne (b. 1010)
- 1131 – Omar Khayyám, Persian poet, astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher (b. 1048)
- 1214 – William the Lion, Scottish king (b. 1143)
- 1270 – Theobald II of Navarre (b. 1238)
- 1334 – Pope John XXII (b. 1249)
- 1340 – Henry Burghersh, English bishop (b. 1292)
- 1459 – Adolphus VIII, Count of Holstein (b. 1401)
- 1576 – Rheticus, Austrian mathematician (b. 1514)
- 1585 – John Willock, Scottish religious reformer (b. 1515)
- 1609 – Alexander Hume, Scottish poet (b. 1560)
- 1642 – Cardinal Richelieu, French clergyman and politician, Chief Minister of the French King (b. 1585)
- 1649 – William Drummond of Hawthornden, Scottish poet (b. 1585)
- 1679 – Thomas Hobbes, English philosopher (b. 1588)
- 1680 – Thomas Bartholin, Danish physician, mathematician, and theologian (b. 1616)
- 1696 – Empress Meishō of Japan (b. 1624)
- 1732 – John Gay, English poet and playwright (b. 1685)
- 1798 – Luigi Galvani, Italian physicist (b. 1737)
- 1828 – Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, English politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (b. 1770)
- 1841 – David Daniel Davis, Welsh physician (b. 1777)
- 1850 – William Sturgeon, English physicist, invented the first practical electric motor (b. 1783)
- 1893 – John Tyndall, Irish physicist (b. 1820)
- 1897 – Griffith Rhys Jones, Welsh conductor (b. 1834)
- 1902 – Charles Dow, American journalist (b. 1851)
- 1926 – Ivana Kobilca, Slovenian painter (b. 1861)
- 1933 – Stefan George, German poet (b. 1868)
- 1935 – Johan Halvorsen, Norwegian composer (b. 1864)
- 1935 – Charles Richet, French physiologist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1850)
- 1938 – Tamanishiki San'emon, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 32nd Yokozuna (b. 1903)
- 1942 – Juhan Kukk, Estonian politician, 3rd Head of State of Estonia (b. 1885)
- 1944 – Roger Bresnahan, American baseball player (b. 1879)
- 1945 – Thomas Hunt Morgan, American geneticist and biologist, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1866)
- 1948 – Frank Benford, American engineer and physicist (b. 1883)
- 1955 – József Galamb, Hungarian engineer (b. 1881)
- 1967 – Bert Lahr, American actor (b. 1895)
- 1969 – Fred Hampton, American activist (b. 1948)
- 1971 – Shunryu Suzuki, Japanese-American spiritual teacher, founded the San Francisco Zen Center (b. 1904)
- 1975 – Hannah Arendt, German-American political theorist (b. 1906)
- 1976 – Tommy Bolin, American guitarist (Zephyr, James Gang, and Deep Purple) (b. 1951)
- 1976 – Benjamin Britten, English composer (b. 1913)
- 1976 – W. F. McCoy, Irish politician (b. 1886)
- 1980 – Francisco de Sá Carneiro, Portuguese politician, 111th Prime Minister of Portugal (b. 1934)
- 1980 – Stanisława Walasiewicz, Polish-American runner (b. 1911)
- 1984 – Jack Mercer, American animator and voice actor (b. 1910)
- 1987 – Arnold Lobel, American children's author (b. 1933)
- 1987 – Rouben Mamoulian, Armenian-American director (b. 1897)
- 1988 – Osman Achmatowicz, Polish chemist (b. 1899)
- 1992 – Henry Clausen, American lawyer and author (b. 1905)
- 1993 – Margaret Landon, American author (b. 1903)
- 1993 – Frank Zappa, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (The Mothers of Invention) (b. 1940)
- 1995 – Lionel Giroux, Canadian wrestler (b. 1935)
- 1997 – Richard Vernon, English actor (b. 1925)
- 1999 – Rose Bird, American judge, 25th Chief Justice of California (b. 1936)
- 2000 – Henck Arron, Surinamese politician, 1st Prime Minister of the Republic of Suriname (b. 1936)
- 2003 – Iggy Katona, American race car driver (b. 1916)
- 2004 – Teo Peter, Romanian bass player (b. 1954)
- 2004 – Elena Souliotis, Greek soprano (b. 1943)
- 2005 – Errol Brathwaite, New Zealand author (b. 1924)
- 2005 – Gregg Hoffman, American film producer (b. 1963)
- 2005 – Gloria Lasso, French-Spanish singer (b. 1922)
- 2006 – K. Ganeshalingam, Sri Lankan Tamil politician, Mayor of Colombo (b. 1938)
- 2006 – James Kim, American television host and blogger (b. 1971)
- 2006 – Ross A. McGinnis, American soldier (b. 1987)
- 2007 – Pimp C, American rapper and producer (UGK) (b. 1973)
- 2007 – Norval Morrisseau, Canadian painter (b. 1932)
- 2007 – Chip Reese, American poker player (b. 1951)
- 2009 – Umaga, Samoan-American wrestler (b. 1973)
- 2009 – Liam Clancy, Irish singer, guitarist, and actor (The Clancy Brothers) (b. 1935)
- 2009 – Mall Vaasma, Estonian mycologist (b. 1945)
- 2011 – Sócrates, Brazilian footballer (b. 1954)
- 2011 – Hubert Sumlin, American singer and guitarist (b. 1931)
- 2012 – Grady Allen, American football player (b. 1946)
- 2012 – Vasily Belov, Russian poet (b. 1932)
- 2012 – Jack Brooks, American politician (b. 1922)
- 2012 – Miguel Calero, Colombian footballer (b. 1971)
- 2012 – Besse Cooper, American super-centenarian (b. 1896)
- 2012 – Anthony Deane-Drummond, English general (b. 1917)
- 2012 – Jonathan Harvey, English composer (b. 1939)
- 2012 – Eamon Kelly, Irish criminal (b. 1947)
- 2012 – Peter Kiesewetter, German composer (b. 1945)
- 2012 – Miroslav Kluc, Czech ice hockey player (b. 1922)
- 2012 – Carroll E. Lanier, American politician (b. 1926)
- 2012 – Larry Lawrence, American football player (b. 1949)
- 2012 – Paul Marcotte, American politician (b. 1928)
- 2012 – Hilmar Moore, American politician (b. 1920)
- 2012 – Tony Sweeney, Irish journalist (b. 1931)
- 2012 – Michael Till, English priest (b. 1935)
- 2012 – Ken Trickey, American basketball coach (b. 1933)
- 2012 – John Ward, American football player (b. 1948)
Holidays and observances[edit]
- Christian Feast Day:
- Day of Shango (Santería, Lukumí)
- First day that rain is prayed for, notably the only Jewish day which is tied to the civil calendar. (Diaspora in Judaism)
- Navy Day (India and Italy)
- Saint Barbara Day-related observance:
- Barbórka, Miners' Day in Poland
- Eid il-Burbara, a holiday similar to Halloween in honor of Saint Barbara. (Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine)
- Secret ceremonies in honor of Bona Dea (Roman Empire)
- Thai Environment Day (Thailand)
- Tupou I Day (Tonga)
“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 NIV
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Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
Morning
"There is no spot in thee."
Song of Solomon 4:7
Song of Solomon 4:7
Having pronounced his Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms his praise by a precious negative, "There is no spot in thee." As if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom that the carping world would insinuate that he had only mentioned her comely parts, and had purposely omitted those features which were deformed or defiled, he sums up all by declaring her universally and entirely fair, and utterly devoid of stain. A spot may soon be removed, and is the very least thing that can disfigure beauty, but even from this little blemish the believer is delivered in his Lord's sight. If he had said there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no deadly ulcer, we might even then have marvelled; but when he testifies that she is free from the slightest spot, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the depth of wonder is increased. If he had but promised to remove all spots by-and-by, we should have had eternal reason for joy; but when he speaks of it as already done, who can restrain the most intense emotions of satisfaction and delight? O my soul, here is marrow and fatness for thee; eat thy full, and be satisfied with royal dainties.
Christ Jesus has no quarrel with his spouse. She often wanders from him, and grieves his Holy Spirit, but he does not allow her faults to affect his love. He sometimes chides, but it is always in the tenderest manner, with the kindest intentions: it is "my love" even then. There is no remembrance of our follies, he does not cherish ill thoughts of us, but he pardons and loves as well after the offence as before it. It is well for us it is so, for if Jesus were as mindful of injuries as we are, how could he commune with us? Many a time a believer will put himself out of humour with the Lord for some slight turn in providence, but our precious Husband knows our silly hearts too well to take any offence at our ill manners.
Evening
"The Lord mighty in battle."
Psalm 24:8
Psalm 24:8
Well may our God be glorious in the eyes of his people, seeing that he has wrought such wonders for them, in them, and by them. For them, the Lord Jesus upon Calvary routed every foe, breaking all the weapons of the enemy in pieces by his finished work of satisfactory obedience; by his triumphant resurrection and ascension he completely overturned the hopes of hell, leading captivity captive, making a show of our enemies openly, triumphing over them by his cross. Every arrow of guilt which Satan might have shot at us is broken, for who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? Vain are the sharp swords of infernal malice, and the perpetual battles of the serpent's seed, for in the midst of the church the lame take the prey, and the feeblest warriors are crowned.
The saved may well adore their Lord for his conquests in them, since the arrows of their natural hatred are snapped, and the weapons of their rebellion broken. What victories has grace won in our evil hearts! How glorious is Jesus when the will is subdued, and sin dethroned! As for our remaining corruptions, they shall sustain an equally sure defeat, and every temptation, and doubt, and fear, shall be utterly destroyed. In the Salem of our peaceful hearts, the name of Jesus is great beyond compare: he has won our love, and he shall wear it. Even thus securely may we look for victories by us. We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. We shall cast down the powers of darkness which are in the world, by our faith, and zeal, and holiness; we shall win sinners to Jesus, we shall overturn false systems, we shall convert nations, for God is with us, and none shall stand before us. This evening let the Christian warrior chant the war song, and prepare for to-morrow's fight. Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.
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Today's reading: Ezekiel 45-46, 1 John 2 (NIV)
View today's reading on Bible GatewayToday's Old Testament reading: Ezekiel 45-46
Israel Fully Restored
1 "'When you allot the land as an inheritance, you are to present to the LORD a portion of the land as a sacred district, 25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide; the entire area will be holy. 2 Of this, a section 500 cubits square is to be for the sanctuary, with 50 cubits around it for open land. 3 In the sacred district, measure off a section 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. In it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. 4 It will be the sacred portion of the land for the priests, who minister in the sanctuary and who draw near to minister before the LORD. It will be a place for their houses as well as a holy place for the sanctuary. 5 An area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide will belong to the Levites, who serve in the temple, as their possession for towns to live in.
6 "'You are to give the city as its property an area 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long, adjoining the sacred portion; it will belong to all Israel....
Today's New Testament reading: 1 John 2
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
7 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining....
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ANGEL
An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:20-21
Angel: 1). A spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God (Oxford English Dictionary).
What did Mary see when the angel Gabriel appeared to her? What kind of being came with foreknowledge of a supernatural conception and with words that would change her identity forever? "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Lk. 1:28). How would the shepherds have described the angel with the glory of the Lord shining about? How could they encapsulate "a great company of the heavenly host," whose voices poured out a sudden tidal wave of sound, a booming chorus?: "Glory to God in the highest!" (Lk. 2:14 ). How would Joseph his own encounter with the angel? Or what would Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, say about their messengers? In the days leading up to the birth of Jesus, supernatural appearances and utterances were occurring like they never had before-an electric buzz of Heaven's voices among us.
The real meaning of "angel" is simply, "messenger." This reminds us that Christmas is about a message. It is a gospel, good news. The best news. And paving the way were powerful spiritual messengers whose very presence struck fear and awe in people (no pudgy, winged cherubs here). Their mission and their message transformed humankind-and we have never been the same.
This year, any one of us can probably think of a dozen cases in which we would like to hear a personal message from God. We have that message. It is a message individually suited to each of us, because it was sent to all of us. As the angel said to Joseph: "[Jesus] will save people from their sins." The angels' message from that cold night continues to ring through the atmosphere-centuries later, and it is as true as in its first utterance. In this mortal world that is at once be full of wonders, yet seized by sin and darkness: We have been saved.
Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for your message of hope and renewal, for your son. Let my heart receive this message new every day, and may my eyes be opened to your continued presence in this world.
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