Shane Warne, the worst cricket commentator ever!

There are two things that make me cringe and feel embarrassed to be Australian. The first is that mind-numbing chant “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi”! The other is Shane Warne in the Channel 9 cricket commentary box. Only a bogan would rate how good a Prime Minister is by how fast he/she can down a beer, and only a moron would consider what toppings you have on your pizza to be more important than what is happening on the cricket field. Being a world class bowler does not convert to being a good commentator.

Obviously the producers and bosses at 9 are either too impotent to take control of the commentary box or condone and maybe even encourage his behaviour. I’m sure if Richie was still there things would be very different! If Warne is going to be a permanent fixture in the future then, rather sadly, I will have to give up viewing and only listen to the ABC radio coverage. I’ve tried muting the tv and listening to the radio but the coverage is not synchronised. Unfortunately, we live in a communications black spot and radio coverage is very poor, but I would rather listen to background static than have to endure an egotistical, childish airhead (and those who encourage him).

Thanks for nothing Mr Koutsantonis

Hypothetical scenario for Tom Koutsantonis.

A highly paid, city based politician is involved in a serious accident on a South Australian country road. Within 20 – 30 mins at least one CFS unit has arrived at the site. Among the crew are a farmer who was repairing farm equipment, a couple who closed the door of their small family business and a 78 year old pensioner who was mowing his lawn. These people, along with many others, laid out traffic cones, assisted police with traffic control, swept debris off the road and hosed down fuel spills. These people gave up their time and possible earnings to VOLUNTEER their services because that is what country people do – after all someone has to do it, right!

To reward these people our Treasurer and his Labour cronies have decided to massively increase the Emergency Services Levy, so now, CFS and SES volunteers not only give of their time, they have to pay through the nose for the privilege. Thanks for nothing Mr Koutsantonis.

Australia Post - an expensive, inefficient monoply

Does Australia have the most expensive and inefficient postal service in the world? It would certainly seem so after two recent transactions I have had with them.
Firstly, why did it cost me nearly $15 to send a small box of scrap booking paper and embellishments, weighing less than 500g, from Mt Gambier to Alice Springs, and why did it take 15 days to arrive!!??!!
Secondly, why can I purchase a video from America and have it posted to me for $AU10.90, and for it to arrive in perfect condition, halfway around the world, within a week. However, when I post this same item, with similar packaging, to a friend a few hundred km's away, I am charged $9.95 and it arrives broken. Thanks for nothing Australia Post, you obviously don't care very much about your customers.   I think it's about time this monopoly had a huge shake-up, or allow private enterprise in for some competition.

Why are they killing children in Nigeria?

We are continually being told that Islam is a peaceful religion, that Muslims are non violent, amicable people. Why then, are Muslims killing Muslim children in Nigeria? Apparently just because they are going to school! Are these killers worried that educated children will see them for what they are and won't want to join them in their cause, but just might want to go on to become teachers, doctors, nurses or some other worthwhile occupation? Yes, I can see why militant rebels would not want anyone to get an education.

Sticks and stones will break your bones and words CAN hurt you!

 “Sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me” - WRONG
As soon as I heard about Charlotte Dawson's death, I thought, OK here we go - now all the ugly trolls will come out to play, but I certainly did not expect the Rev. Fred Nile to be among them.
Obviously I did not know her personally, but she seemed like a nice, genuine person, who like 99.99% of the human race had some tough choices to make in her lifetime. However, it is NOT up to the righteous few to judge or condemn her for these choices, so Fred Nile, butt out! You sound like those fanatical religious nuts in America who disrupt funerals of fallen soldiers or stand on street corners proclaiming God hates everyone but them. There is nothing good, charitable or benevolent (all the things a good Christian is supposed to be) about people like this, and for all the good things you proclaim to do Mr Nile, it is all too easy to alienate people with ill chosen words.