Wed 17th February 2021 Current Affairs

Editorial Sun Feb 7^th 2021

 

On Friday, at work in the adjacent suburb of Hallam, a lightning storm resulted in power going down across Hallam. Children at the tutorial centre at 8pm were forced to work from fading daylight across summer of Melbourne. Lights returned fifteen minutes later. Work was done and children got a new appreciation of Zeus. When I got back home, I found the internet was down from wifi, but I had phone data operative. I searched for internet failure and found nothing. I waited until next morning, and found a report of NBN failure the night before. I went to work in the morning. At work I was called by my estate agent who had tried to reset the modem in the share accommodation, without success. I told them of the NBN outage report, with the news that the anticipated recovery was on Monday at 6pm, the fourth day from the failure. 

I went home and checked the internet again. Still down, I checked the outage reports, and there were none. Not even at my address. Clearly, the estate agent had not got the landlord to raise the issue with the ISP. There is no reason to believe the internet will be restored on even the fourth day if no one is looking at the issue. 

What has caused this outage? Internet gets slow whenever there is a thunderstorm. I live in Dandenong, a suburb of Melbourne. There is no excuse for such poor service. 

 

Editorial Thursday 11^th February 2021

Having reported the outage to my landlord’s agent, I queried them as to why no fault was reported on the address a day later, two days later, three days later and four days later. The estate agent raised their voice to me “It is not my job to sit by a phone for a telecommunications company hours on end. I’ve alerted the landlord.” 

 

“Yes, but the telecommunications company needs to know there is a fault or they cannot address it.”

 

“I take your point but I have told you I have alerted the landlord.”

 

“Have you advised them to report the fault?”

 

“They said they will fix it. If they haven’t fixed by the end of working day tomorrow I will see to it. Have a good day, sir”

 

It wasn’t working on day five, but another member of the share household found mail addressed to the landlord from the telecommunications company and opened it. It said that the company was sending a final warning before cancellation. The company was forced to close their cable service and link to NBN instead. The cancellation was to take place on the 15^th February, ten days after they in fact cancelled it. Had the company been called when the ‘fault’ was detected, the problem could have been addressed immediately. The agent has still not apologised to me. Neither is the internet connected after seven days. 

 

My oldest sister sent me a near fifty year old school photo of me. I told her that I had lost all my photos when FB booted me. I have no place for such memories, but I’m thankful she thought of me. I had been booted from FB after Jan 6^th for not being a good citizen, as I endorsed Donald Trump for President. I am not uncivilised  and never condone violence or racism, but FB booted me. My sister, a left wing loony, said I should go somewhere else where I’m accepted. She suggested I use the library to access the internet. She was taunting me. That is how they behave.

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Here is a video I made Financial News Report

I thought this funny. It is about twenty years old. I first posted the audio at
http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=40024
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Helium was up, feathers were down.
Paper was stationary.
Fluorescent tubing was dimmed in light trading.
Knives were up sharply.
Cows steered into a bull market.
Pencils lost a few points.
Hiking equipment was trailing.
Elevators rose, while escalators continued their slow decline.
Weights were up in heavy trading.
Light switches were off.
Mining equipment hit rock bottom.
Diapers remained unchanged.
Shipping lines stayed at an even keel.
The market for raisins dried up.
Coca Cola fizzled.
Caterpillar stock inched up a bit.
Sun peaked at midday.
Balloon prices were inflated.
Scott Tissue touched a new bottom.
And batteries exploded in an attempt to recharge the market.
3 new bonds are being issued:
* Lewinsky bond: Has no maturity
* Gore bond: Has no interest
* Clinton bond: Has no principle.
https://rumble.com/vaoehl-financial-news-report.html

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=== From 2018 ===

Don't give up on hope. South Australia goes to polls in a month's time. Last election a jaded population tired of the ALP corrupt administration could not overcome an electoral office gerrymander. The party is capable of governing well in South Australia. But oxygen thief Malcolm Turnbull is keen to use this time to weaken Nationals under Barnaby Joyce. Joyce is an effective minister, whose effective leadership of the Nationals has to be undermined if Malcolm is to survive longer as PM. Malcolm does not plan for anything special as PM, he likes to dither. But, if SA Liberals win at election, Turnbull will not be Premier. Important changes need to be made to South Australia to bring back industry and improve every single state sector. Nick Xenophon cannot improve things in South Australia. Cory Bernardi's Conservatives are a good second pick, after the coalition. 

Turns out that Trump did not collude with Russia to win election, according to Mueller. 

=== from 2017 ===

I am reading a research article by Matthew C. MacWilliams , University of Massachusetts Amherst, a PhD student. The article was popular among #FakeNewsMedia. Matthew writes "On June 16, 2015, the day Donald Trump announced his campaign for president, three Republican Party insider favorites, former Governor Jeb Bush, Governor Scott Walker, and Senator Marco Rubio, led the Republican presidential field. The invisible primary predicted by the party decides theory appeared in full tilt, with party insiders seemingly in control of the process while Trump’s candidacy was simply an unwelcome diversion. One month and two days later, polling showed Trump leading Bush, Walker’s support stagnating, and Rubio fading. To the dismay, then alarm, and finally the horror of the Republican Party establishment, Trump led the RealClearPolitics poll-of-polls average thereafter and, after the New Hampshire primary, the delegate count as well." It is nice of Matthew to start with a date. It makes it look like he has done research. There was a reason why Trump was in front while the early favourites faded. They hadn't concentrated on eliminating Trump, as he was seen as an oaf. They viewed each other as bigger obstacles. Trump probably planned to fly under the radar, because he didn't have the political resources of a Governor or highly placed Senator. But Trump had the endorsement of Sarah Palin and the Tea Party at that time. This information was available to Matthew who fixates on dismay, alarm and horror. Researchers should use reason, and that is aided by facts. 

=== from 2016 ===

No more columns until I secure accommodation. 

=== from 2015 ===

Political division is as old as politics. Solon, from Athens (circa 600 BC), made a contribution to legislation, but it is not now known what his contributions were or precisely what they meant. It is said that he tried to legislate against moral decline. Just as with similar attempts today, he failed. People need more than legislation to be good. Which is why it is important to maintain cultural assets. In 1801 on this day, the young US Democracy had a difficult choice to make when the vote did not specify a President. The two opponents of Jefferson and Burr were chosen, with Jefferson being President and Burr being Vice President. It was the height for both of them. Jefferson got a second term, but Burr duelled with and killed a political opponent, Alexander Hamilton and did not contest a second term. Both Jefferson and Burr were part of what would later be the political division dominated by the Democrat Party. They made choices that were sincere but empty. Opposing slavery but maintaining slaves. Wanting independence but not being prudent with money. Taking credit for extraordinary blessings which had nothing to do with policy (Louisiana Purchase). Supporting France, including revolutionary France, at the expense of good relations with the UK. 

Yet Jefferson and Adams, both bitter political opponents, were friends. It is important to not be ruled by hate, even while disagreeing with opponents. The hatred ABC journalists have for conservative politicians is apparent, and it is important the conservative doesn't fall for the trap of being too strident while being assertive. Scott Morrison is showing himself a master of balance and poise while under assault. Turnbull is too likely to 'go native' and be what the haters want. Mr Abbott has had to wear the damage too often, without being as assertive as Morrison. Once the public see that the haters are mastered, and not intimidated, then they will embrace the conservative as a narrow majority did in the Howard years of government. But division of the type Turnbull offers will skewer and water down support, as happened to end the Howard government. The Howard government prospered with very ambitious and talented ministers. It also foundered with division. But the one constant still present is the hatred of the ABC journalist for any conservative. 

Greyhound racing has come under investigation inAustralia with many of the most prominent members of the sport caught in live baiting of their animals. The sport should survive, but those involved must be banned forever from the sport, and serve any time for any crime they committed in torturing and killing animals. One hopes it hadn't extended to people. 

From 2014

How long will racist opposition to helping Aboriginal families continue? Indefinitely if Greens MP David Shoebridge has his way. The stolen generation is a dangerous myth which has, in recent years, prevented help from going to those who need it most. The mortality statistics alone are telling. The problem is not culture or race, the problem is disadvantage and racists are obstructing the standard of care that would be automatic for a child of any other heritage. Marijuana is a dangerous drug. It has no positives from moderate use as alcohol does for adults. The tragedy of the Luke Batty murder is clearly related to marijuana use. It is important the drug is not legalised for public consumption. More on both issues from Miranda Devine are linked and posted.

Today is the birthday of Horace-Bénédict de Saussure. He worked in the Swiss Alps and created the basis of geology that underpinned Darwin's theory of Evolution. He also created an insulated glass box which captured sunlight, that underpinned todays AGW hysteria. Banjo Patterson was born on this day.  He was one of Australia's greatest lyric poets. Young people might ask if he was greater than Michael Hutchence. He is. AB Devilliers celebrates a birthday today, illustrating great people can also be losers. Giordano Bruno was the inspiration for 2GB. Molière is inspiration for anyone that breathes or loves. Both passed on this day. For me, the day is significant for the 1963 birth of my brother.

Historical perspective on this day

In 364, Roman Emperor Jovian died after a reign of eight months. He was found dead in his tent at Tyana(Asia Minor) en route back to Constantinople in suspicious circumstances. 1370, Northern Crusades: Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights met in the Battle of Rudau. 1411, Following the successful campaigns during the Ottoman Interregnum, Musa Çelebi, one of the sons of Bayezid I, became Sultan with the support of Mircea I of Wallachia. 1500, Duke Friedrich and Duke Johann attempted to subdue the peasantry of Dithmarschen, Denmark, in the Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600, the philosopher Giordano Bruno was burned alive, for heresy, at Campo de' Fiori in Rome. 1621, Myles Standish was appointed as first commander of the English Plymouth Colony in North America. 1753, in Sweden February 17 is followed by March 1 as the country moved from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.

In 1801, an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr was resolved when Jefferson was elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President by the United States House of Representatives. 1814, War of the Sixth Coalition: The Battle of Mormans. 1819, the United States House of Representatives passed the Missouri Compromise for the first time. 1838, Weenen massacre: Hundreds of Voortrekkers along the Blaukraans River, Natal were killed by Zulus. 1854, The United Kingdom recognised the independence of the Orange Free State. 1863, a group of citizens of Geneva founded an International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross. 1864, American Civil War: The H. L. Hunley became the first submarine to engage and sink a warship, the USS Housatonic. 1865, American Civil War: Columbia, South Carolina, was burnedas Confederate forces fled from advancing Union forces. 1871, the victorious Prussian Army paraded through Paris, France after the end of the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War.

In 1904, Madama Butterfly received its première at La Scala in Milan. 1913, the Armory Showopened in New York City, displaying works of artists who were to become some of the most influential painters of the early 20th century. 1933, the Blaine Act ended Prohibition in the United States. Also 1933, Newsweek magazine was first published. 1944, World War II: The Battle of Eniwetok Atoll began. The battle ended in an American victory on February 22. Also 1944, World War II: Operation Hailstone began. U.S. naval air, surface, and submarine attack against Truk Lagoon, Japan's main base in the central Pacific, in support of the Eniwetok invasion. 1949, Chaim Weizmann began his term as the first President of Israel.

In 1959, Project Vanguard: Vanguard 2 – The first weather satellite was launched to measure cloud-cover distribution. 1964, in Wesberry v. Sanders the Supreme Court of the United Statesruled that congressional districts had to be approximately equal in population. In 1964, Gabonese president Leon M'ba was toppled by a coup and his rival, Jean-Hilaire Aubame, was installed in his place. 1965, Project Ranger: The Ranger 8 probe launched on its mission to photograph the Mare Tranquillitatis region of the Moon in preparation for the manned Apollomissions. Mare Tranquillitatis or the "Sea of Tranquility" would become the site chosen for the Apollo 11 lunar landing. 1968, in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened. 1972, Cumulative sales of the Volkswagen Beetle exceed those of the Ford Model-T. 1974, Robert K. Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzed the White House in a stolen helicopter. 1978, the Troubles: The Provisional IRA detonated an incendiary bomb at the La Mon restaurant, near Belfast, killing 12 and seriously injuring 30. 1979, the Sino-Vietnamese War began.

In 1980, Mount Everest, 1st Winter Ascent by Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy. 1992, Nagorno-Karabakh War: Armenian troops massacre more than 20 Azerbaijani civilians in the village of Qaradağlı. 1995, the Cenepa War between Peru and Ecuador ended on a cease-fire brokered by the UN. 1996, in Philadelphia, world champion Garry Kasparov beat the Deep Blue supercomputer in a chess match. Also 1996, NASA's Discovery Program began as the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft lifted off on the first mission ever to orbit and land on an asteroid, 433 Eros. 2003, the London congestion charge was introduced. 2006, a massive mudslideoccurred in Southern Leyte, Philippines; the official death toll was set at 1,126. 2008, Kosovodeclared independence as the Republic of Kosovo. 2011, Libyan protests began. In Bahrain, security forces launched a deadly pre-dawn raid on protesters in Pearl Roundabout in Manama, the day was locally known as Bloody Thursday.

=== Bible Reading ===

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Today's reading: Leviticus 19-20, Matthew 27:51-66 (NIV)

View today's reading on Bible Gateway

Today's Old Testament reading: Leviticus 19-20

Various Laws

¹ The LORD said to Moses, ² "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

³ "'Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.

⁴ "'Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.

...read the rest on Bible Gateway

Today's New Testament reading: Matthew 27:51-66

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus' resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

...read the rest on Bible Gateway

=== Morning and Evening ===

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February 16: Morning

"I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content." - Philippians 4:11

These words show us that contentment is not a natural propensity of man. "Ill weeds grow apace." Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles and brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: and so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. If we would have wheat, we must plough and sow; if we want flowers, there must be the garden, and all the gardener's care. Now, contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and if we would have it, it must be cultivated; it will not grow in us by nature; it is the new nature alone that can produce it, and even then we must be specially careful and watchful that we maintain and cultivate the grace which God has sown in us. Paul says, "I have learned ... to be content;" as much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, and then broke down. And when at last he had attained unto it, and could say, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content," he was an old, grey-headed man, upon the borders of the grave--a poor prisoner shut up in Nero's dungeon at Rome. We might well be willing to endure Paul's infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by any means attain unto his good degree. Do not indulge the notion that you can be contented without learning, or learn without discipline. It is not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Brother, hush that murmur, natural though it be, and continue a diligent pupil in the College of Content.

Evening

"Thy good Spirit." - Nehemiah 9:20

Common, too common is the sin of forgetting the Holy Spirit. This is folly and ingratitude. He deserves well at our hands, for he is good, supremely good. As God, he is good essentially. He shares in the threefold ascription of Holy, holy, holy, which ascends to the Triune Jehovah. Unmixed purity and truth, and grace is he. He is good benevolently, tenderly bearing with our waywardness, striving with our rebellious wills; quickening us from our death in sin, and then training us for the skies as a loving nurse fosters her child. How generous, forgiving, and tender is this patient Spirit of God. He is good operatively. All his works are good in the most eminent degree: he suggests good thoughts, prompts good actions, reveals good truths, applies good promises, assists in good attainments, and leads to good results. There is no spiritual good in all the world of which he is not the author and sustainer, and heaven itself will owe the perfect character of its redeemed inhabitants to his work. He is good officially; whether as Comforter, Instructor, Guide, Sanctifier, Quickener, or Intercessor, he fulfils his office well, and each work is fraught with the highest good to the church of God. They who yield to his influences become good, they who obey his impulses do good, they who live under his power receive good. Let us then act towards so good a person according to the dictates of gratitude. Let us revere his person, and adore him as God over all, blessed forever; let us own his power, and our need of him by waiting upon him in all our holy enterprises; let us hourly seek his aid, and never grieve him; and let us speak to his praise whenever occasion occurs. The church will never prosper until more reverently it believes in the Holy Ghost. He is so good and kind, that it is sad indeed that he should be grieved by slights and negligences.

=== Bible Quote ===

=== Message ===

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I am a decent man and don't care for the abuse given me. I created a video raising awareness of anti police feeling among western communities. I chose the senseless killing of Nicola Cotton, a Louisiana policewoman who joined post Katrina, to highlight the issue. I did this in order to get an income after having been illegally blacklisted from work in NSW for being a whistleblower. I have not done anything wrong. Local council appointees refused to endorse my work, so I did it for free. Youtube's Adsence refused to allow me to profit from their marketing it. Meanwhile, I am hostage to abysmal political leadership and hopeless journalists. My shopfront has opened on Facebook.

===

I am publishing a book called Bread of Life: January.

Bread of Life is a daily bible quote with a layman's understanding of the meaning. I give one quote for each day, and also a series of personal stories illustrating key concepts eg Who is God? What is a miracle? Why is there tragedy?

January is the first of the anticipated year-long work of thirteen books. One for each month and the whole year. It costs to publish. It (Kindle version) should retail at about $2US online, but the paperback version would cost more, according to production cost.If you have a heart for giving, I fundraise at gofund.me/27tkwuc (Gofundme finished the fund raiser, 2017)

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Editorials will appear in the "History in a Year by the Conservative Voice" series, starting with August, September, October, or at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482020262/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_dVHPub0MQKDZ4 The kindle version is cheaper, but the soft back version allows a free kindle version.

The Amazon Author Page for David Ball

UK .. http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B01683ZOWG

French .. http://www.amazon.fr/-/e/B01683ZOWG

Japan .. http://www.amazon.co.jp/-/e/B01683ZOWG

German .. http://www.amazon.de/-/e/B01683ZOWG

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Other Stuff

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I'm now on MAGAbook to sidestep FB censorship

https://www.magabook.com/register?invite=11673951025fadd3f055eca4.00045664

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I'm looking for former students to endorse me

https://www.superprof.com.au/write-recommendation-13371374-1cc2cf0f56166c9b04ad4097fc7d0b67.html

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