Thursday, March 27, 2008
THE WEATHER MAKER
Tim Flannery in the March edition of Jetstar’s inflight magazine:
The water problem is so severe for Adelaide that it may run out of water by early 2009.
Subsequently, on March 25:
It actually rained in Adelaide this morning. Hard, wet, continuous rain.
Bonus points for the rain being wet; that’ll make up for it only lasting ten minutes. Flannery’s rain-bringing qualities were first noticed last year when he filled Sydney’s dams.
UPDATE. Tim Flannery Has a Strange Experience.
HERB PETERSON
Herb Peterson, inventor of the Egg McMuffin, has died at 89.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS INVOLVED - PROOF!
The same old truther lines from little-known Australian filmmaker Gillian Norman:
It was all too convenient. Convenient that the American air defenses yawned and rolled over when they heard reports that planes had been hijacked. Handy that the missile batteries surrounding the Pentagon failed to respond and the CCTV cameras just happened to blink out. Convenient that the approaching plane did a big loop to crash – supposedly – into the unoccupied backside of the edifice, luckily missing the military brass. Images of red flashes of explosions at lower levels of the collapsing Twin Towers, shown in the earliest reports and never seen again, were a big giveaway, as was the immediate finger pointing to bin Laden on the basis of faked evidence of the miraculous survival of a hijacker’s passport in the rubble of the WTC, and the convenient idiots’ guides to flying a plane, so fortuitously found in a parked car. All so very opportune.
Kyle: Really? But what makes Norman interesting is that while truthering on about Australia being “complicit in America’s war crimes”, Norman seeks - and is given - government funding to pursue her truthy anti-US film hobby:
The following feature films have been financed so far during the 2005/2006 period ...
EMPIRE AMERICANA (Feature-length documentary)
Uplink Media
Producers: Gillian Norman, Danny Schecter
Director/Writer: Gillian Norman
Sales and Distribution: Madman Cinema
Synopsis: An intimate examination of America’s quest for empire and the impact on a grateful world of the emerging Empire Americana as the guardian of democracy, policing the planet to extend peace and freedom.
That might be the polite, grant-requesting summary of Norman’s film. This probably gives a more accurate idea:
As dark warclouds descend over the nations, a powerful Empire Americana presents itself on the global stage as a beacon of freedom to a world in peril; an Empire driven by a radical ideology that pursues total war in a quest for global dominion.
Norman also received government help for her more overtly truthy film ShadowPlay, the international sale of which was promoted by the South Australian Film Corporation:
Gillian Norman, producer-director of Upstream Media recently attended Strategic Partners sponsored by the SAFC ...
Pitching a provocative docudrama, ShadowPlay, exploring charges that 9/11 was an inside job contrived to advance American Empire, Gillian was offered an international distribution agreement and met a potential Canadian co-producer.
Thank you, South Australian Film Corporation, for helping raise awareness of trutherdom.
For Gillian Norman who also participated in AIDC’s MeetMarket, “Strategic Partners has pioneered an initiative that has provided invaluable support to many producers, and has shown that – ironically in an age of cybercommunication – it’s the facilitated face-to-face meeting that gets the handshakes.”
The AIDC - Australian International Documentary Conference - is another government-funded group. Sounds like a conspiracy theory right here, doesn’t it? Sadly for Norman, the government handouts apparently ended last year:
The Australian Film Corporation had recently after a 2 hour plus meeting with Gillian put ShadowPlay at the top of the list of documentaries to receive a post production grant of 85k. Unfortunately the board (not the critics, who love it) has decided that it has missed out, I wonder why?
Probably because it looks like this.
Gillian Norman fans who crave more may enjoy her conversation with NYC meditation teacher Paula Gloria about 9/9/07 terror attacks on Sydney that never happened. Paula Gloria fans may enjoy her dancing for peace ... after four minutes or so, following a phone call for peace.
TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES USED
At last:
Plans are now finalised for Melbourne restaurants’ participation in Earth Hour.
Just in time! Let’s see how things are going:
Andrew McConnell, Three One Two’s creative chef, will be donning a miner’s lamp to light his Carlton kitchen ... “Earth Hour is a great starting point for all of us to change our ways,” says McConnell.
Drop by next week to see McConnell cooking the same way he always did. Multi-restaurant chef Ian Curley is planning a special Earth Hour four-course dinner for 40:
“It’s about raising awareness. The money this event generates will pay for a green consultant to help the group move towards sustainable practices,” he says.
That’s what every restaurant needs; a green consultant. Verge chef Dallas Cuddy (!!!) is already superearthyfriendly:
“We use a lot of traditional Japanese techniques that require no cooking with heat.”
They serve sushi.
(Via Infidel Tiger. In other Earth Hour dining developments, Gerry C. emails: “At my club we are taking Earth Hour seriously. At precisely 8pm we will be turning off the light and only heavy beer will be available.”)
UPDATE. An Indian family prepares a meal, Earth Hour-style:
Problem is, such methods are bad for the planet - and people:
The climate impact of these energy sources pales beside the direct impact on the lives of the people — mainly women and their children — who spend a significant portion of the day gathering the fuels or breathing the smoke. International development agencies estimate that more than 1.5 million people die young each year from avoidable respiratory ailments associated with cooking ... the climate [also] benefits from shifting away from such energy options ...
(Via Chris P.)
THEY’VE HAD YEARS MORE EXPERIENCE
Climate Camp Australia just looks timid. For a more commanding climate camp concept you must visit German Climate Camp - Das Camp!
FINE COLUMNS
David Burchell in The Australian and Peter Foster in the National Post.
(Via Murph and Diogene Borealis)
TROOPS RESPECTED
“In this age of climate change, it is becoming clear that just like the suffragettes and civil rights advocates, governments are not going to solve the problems of the 21st century for us,” reports Perth Indymedia. “That is why we are inviting you to take part in the Activists, Newcomers and Zealots Action Camp ...”
Yep. These parasites are calling themselves ANZAC.
(Via Rohan T.)
UPDATE. It’s illegal, of course. Let’s hope these particular ANZACs are shot down.
STRIKE TALKS TO BEGIN IN 3, 2, 1 ...
ABC boss Mark Scott, last week:
We have to reorganise the way we work. If Sky News can deliver a 24-hour news service with a fraction of the number of journalists working in ABC newsrooms, then it stands to follow that the ABC is capable of producing a 24/7 news service ...
The reorganisation commences:
ABC staff are to be made redundant as part of a restructure of the national broadcaster’s television production department.
Scott means business. Good.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
C-CLASS PROTEST
The Mercedes-Benz of peace has been up on blocks for a while, but now it’s back on the road:
Via Zombie, whose latest photo essay is the best yet.
FUN ADDED
An email from Tim Costello to World Vision Australia staff:
Dear Colleagues,
This weekend the world is observing Earth Hour. This is a global climate change initiative run by WWF which calls on individuals and businesses around the world to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday March 29 2008 between 8pm and 9pm. However as most staff will not be at work during this time, we have decided to promote the hour at work on Friday 28 March between 12pm - 1pm ...
In order to add some fun to this event, some members of the Sustainability Committee will be walking around the building during this time on Friday with black balloons. State Offices will also have their own ‘Earth Hour police’. Any staff who have left their desks for lunch and have not turned off their computers and monitors will have a black balloon attached to their desk.
Green Team! Green Team! Green Team!
UPDATE. Dave returned to his office Monday to discover he’d left a computer on all weekend ...
He was taken from his place of employment that afternoon.
UPDATE II. Convicted diablos del brillo (power wasters, or, literally, “brightness devils”) are paraded in the streets.
UPDATE III. An empty interrogation room bears mute testimony to Earth Hour Police efficiency.
LIFE SUSTAINED
Excuse me, but shouldn’t a Sustainable Living Champion be slightly older than 15? I vote for Olive Riley, who has sustained life for 108 years.
ANT NOT THE CRAZIEST
The announcement:
After a very successful talk’s last year, newmatilda.com is holding its second In Conversation discussion panel.
The topics:
Who Can You Trust?
Who is a credible source online?
The speakers:
Jackie Dent: ABC Opinion Online & UN Afghanistan spokesperson
Antony Lowenstein: Author of My Israel Question, journalist, blogger
Tom O’Loughlin: Sydney Alternative Media- Editor of micro news site & solicitor
Edmund Tadros: SMH.com & investigative journalist
The questions people may wish to ask if they attend this “successful talk’s”:
• On complex issues, how seriously should we take someone who can’t even judge age or gender?
• Is inventing quotes a bad thing?
• Why might someone be so much milder in print than he is online?
• Should we trust someone who betrays his own family?
Yet Antony isn’t the craziest bug on New Matilda’s panel. He’s joined by Tom O’Loughlin, editor of sub-fringe conspiracy site Sydney Alternative Media. Talk about your credible online sources; this boy makes ol’ Ant look like, I don’t know, a journalist.
(Via Dylan Kissane)
NEGATIVE IMPACT SUGGESTED
You don’t say:
The data suggest that the continuing and sometimes fractious Democratic nomination fight could have a negative impact for the Democratic Party in next November’s election.
INNOCENCE LOST
Fairfax - Australia’s most knowledgeable media company - defines power:
Via Dan Lewis. Also at Fairfax, Ross Gittins has issues with showering:
If we choose to spend a little of our wealth on lots of showers, what of it? Surely it’s a pretty innocent vice.
Well, not as innocent as it was now we’re in the age of climate change.
This ran in the business pages.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
HOUR OF POWER
“We have to start somewhere,” writes illumination activist Jay Currie. “I am starting with keeping my lights on at 8PM March 29. All of them.”
Yes! Also celebrating Saturday night’s Hour of Power are Jason Soon and Tim Bennett, who emails:
In honour of Earth Hour, my friends and I will be hosting the first annual Carbon Party. To mark this solemn occasion, we will be running the space heaters and air conditioning simultaneously, while putting loads of clothing through the dryer and turning all the incandescent lights on. Dinner will be grain-fed beef cooked over a wood fire (none of that clean LPG barbecue gas), served with imported vegetables shipped in from overseas (whether or not they can be found at the local farmers’ market). Bog rolls for the evening will be of softest five-ply tissue paper.
That’s the spirit! Evil Pundit suggests an investment in 5000 watts of earth-destroying lighthouse bulb, but you can easily join in the fun using common household appliances, as Samantha Burns - “Earth Hour stupidity, and all it represents, must end” - explains:
Possible items you may want to switch ON:
-all household lights
-air conditioner
-heater
-automobiles (your ride)
-automobile headlights
-washer
-dryer
-dishwasher
-stove/oven
-put on oven’s self-cleaning cycle
-microwave
-any/all kitchen appliances
-television
-dvd player
-game system
-stereo
And don’t forget computers, which you may use to track the SMH’s hilarious Earth Hour trickery. Compared to the Hour of Power, that other hour is an absolute crock of dark:
Instead of cooking a soufflé, choke down a couple of raw beaten egg whites.
No, no, no! There’ll be no encouragement of death during the Hour of Power, an officially life-affirming event. And, unlike certain other hours, there is no hint of sparky coercion:
Since Malaysians aren’t gonna voluntarily switch off their lights, how about if they’re forced to go without electricity just for that one hour between 2000 and 2100?
How about if you’re forced to shut the hell up? Already indicating support for the Hour of Power are Habib, bovious, DrewB, Huck Foley, Dave S., John Enright, eeniemeenie, Irobot, Mike Laz, Hong Kong, Pogria, SwinishCapitalist, wronwright, MarkL, Jeff S., The Leadster, Tungsten Monk, rinardman, satisfiedmind16 and ProWomanProLife. They’ll join billions of others worldwide whose lights will be on at 8pm on the 29th (all lit houses are considered to be Hour of Power participants). By contrast, Earth Hour is practically friendless:
As of 1pm 26.03.08 only 2 people from Apollo Bay have signed up to Earth Hour.
Hour of Power updates to follow. Commence photographic preparations - Saturday night will be an all-in festival of light.
UPDATE. The Age’s Catherine Deveny seems almost on the verge of joining our sacred hour:
Is it just me or does anyone else wonder why they’re busting their balls to make a piss-weak contribution to saving the environment ... ?
Don’t worry, I’m going to keep doing it, and so should you, but it does shit me at times because it seems so futile.
She’s sure giving that mirror of hers a workout lately. Sensitive Andrew must be aghast.
UPDATE II. Some Byron Bay residents have no choice but to observe Earth Hour:
“We will be turning off the lights in the 35 units which we manage at Byron Central Apartments for the hour. We will be advising our holiday makers that this will be happening.”
Nice of them. (Via Raffi)