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Last updated on May 20th, 2017 at 10:12 am
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.
Ross Gittins wrote an article a few years back to say that he had just purchased his first TV. This is not a worldly man – stinky, but not worldly.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2008 03 26 at 03:29 AM • permalink
I noticed on Insight (SBS last night) that even the homeless types and whiffy hippies were diving Ross a wide berth- if he’s stinky by their measure he must smell like satan’s bottom.
I like their idea of balance as well, two economists- one a Keynesian, the other a Marxist. Even the representatives of business were there to rent-seek, nary a mention of getting government the fuck out of a marketplace they’ve been the most inflationary factor in for the last thirty years.
The Fin Review is just showing off. A “lede” is the first paragraph of a newspaper story, pronounced lead as in “lead the race” but spelt lede to avoid confusion with the word “lead” (as in lead pencil) since the days when type was set in lead. So what the Fin Review is saying in its briliantly cryptic use of “knowlede” is know the first paragraphs of the stories in the Fin Review and you will know all the news that matters.
But then again it could be a fuck-up.
- Funny but one of the hallmarks of civilisation has been to provide ample fresh water. The Romans, Chinese, etc, all went to great lengths to provide their capitals with water on demand.
Its a signature of a civilised society, lush gardens, cool spaces and clean water.Our dickwitted government has lost sight of that simple, basic fact.
We don’t want to live with water restrictions. We don’t want dry, hot “Aussie” gardens.
We want cheap unlimited water, we pay taxes to you idiots to provide that. You can take your next state funded “interpretative dance and theatre company” any fold it up till its all points and cram it up your arse. Use that money to provide the basic signs of a civilised society instead.Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2008 03 26 at 04:47 AM • permalink
Gittins ranks along with Davidson and Colebatch as one of the most mentally challenged, utter asstards that vomits their uselessness on the now non-relevant Fairfax dunny rags. Add to that former f***head finance journo, the even more vacuous Dickhead Koch and what a mixture of complete drivel that seems sadly all the more typical of MSM reporting on finance and economics.
I don’t foresee a day of government advertisements proclaiming the social irresponsibility of showers, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them becoming less popular.
Who Gittins, government advertisements or showers?
Gittins believes the only way to combat inflation is for the government to raise taxes and spend even more…mostly on really useful programs such as climate change, welfare and government sponsored infrastructure programs.
It’s so disappointing to see these people putzing up the business pages. Who’s the business editor over there?
I won’t start actually worrying until this kind of slackassery makes it into the WSJ, but it still makes my gag reflex itch to see it on a business page somewhere else.
Posted by The Apologist on 2008 03 26 at 05:38 AM • permalink
- #11
Who Me? >>>>>>>>>>>>> i le<<<<<<<<<<<<<(i’ve left the spaces so you can figure out what it is)
kae, es ou is.
Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 05:41 AM • permalink
- #9 & 15
I agree.
There’s talk on the radio up here in SEQ that they’re going to drought proof SEQ, but we’ll still have water restrictions.Bastards.They’re talking recycling water and desal plants.
BULD THE FUCKING DAMS, BASTARDS.
sorry. I hate, abhor, detest shitty bloody gardens full of drought tolerent shit. HATE THEM.
/rant off
ahem.
sorryI’d also like to be able to wash my car and Karcher my house, thanks! That’s my NEW car.
#17 – kae – hw ae th CDs gong?
Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 05:47 AM • permalink
I think Fairfax will need to buy this product:
http://paypalweb.com/images/1mkg.gif
Posted by The Best Infidel on 2008 03 26 at 05:52 AM • permalink
Let me try that again. I’m no good with this link function:
Posted by The Best Infidel on 2008 03 26 at 05:56 AM • permalink
- #5 Habib,
I saw that last night. I was waiting for someone to mention the fact that Keating effectively ended people investing in rental properties.All these “poor” bastards that can’t afford rent or mortgage.While everyone wants a McMansion in a divine area with landscaped gardens, brand new furniture and three new cars, is it any wonder the dickheads can’t make their repayments?
We own our current property and have three rentals. The only reason we can keep the rentals is because we negatively gear them. ie, we’re paying them off with the rent, so can deduct the interest. We have long term renters in each which is why we don’t jack up the rent. Each of the renters though, could have bought the properties because each of the properties was bought for UNDER $250,000 over the last five years. Sure, the areas aren’t exactly salubrious, the houses are not mansions, but they are close to public transport and not far from EVERY amenity.
The two of us started out with a cheap house and hand-me-down furniture. I drive a thirty year old car by choice. You’ll have to bury me in my wog chariot.
I have NO sympathy for any of those people.
- Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 26 at 06:00 AM • permalink
- #24
They don’t seem to understand that good maintenance of painted houses in Qld (I have painted gable ends and soffits), means that you must, at least once a year, wash the mould off the paint before it gets under. Cuts down how often you need to paint.
(I just wish I could karcher the bathroom ceiling, but it’s too late now… dang it!)
(I have painted gable ends and soffits)
#25 – kae – I don’t remember you having those?
Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 06:15 AM • permalink
Radio report of KRudd speaking says we are one of the top economies. Wow in such a short time from paupers to princes. How did he do it? Git will be happy maybe will now shower.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 26 at 06:17 AM • permalink
Today the business section, tomorrow the classifieds. “We ask that you would remove all Gs from your ad. The energy saved in not having to print them will allow Mr. Gittins to take an extra 2 minute shower every 250 years.”
Posted by dean martin on 2008 03 26 at 06:21 AM • permalink
- “We ask that you would remove all Gs from your ad. The energy saved in not having to print them will allow Mr. Gittins to take an extra 2 minute shower every 250 years.”
But if you take the “G” out of G Spot there may be some unhappy campers around?Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 06:29 AM • permalink
- A new vice age?
I’m still working my way through the current vice age, thanks very much.Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 03 26 at 06:51 AM • permalink
- More economic news
royal butlers sheiked and czaredPosted by stackja1945 on 2008 03 26 at 06:54 AM • permalink
#29 surfie; Problems, always problems! Surely women can sacrifice for Mother aia?
Posted by dean martin on 2008 03 26 at 07:15 AM • permalink
#29 surfie; Problems, always problems! Surely women can sacrifice for Mother aia?
Nothing to do with men??????Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 07:23 AM • permalink
#29 Surfie, I reckon you and I and some of the other guys should go on a surfari. You know, travel the world trying to find the best juicy barrels a fella can slot in to. Haw. And if we happen to find the legendary “G” spot that the old longboard riders from Bondi and Kirra always so fondly reminisce about, we’ll keep the secret amongst the locals. What say, old salt?
#29 Surfie, I reckon you and I and some of the other guys should go on a surfari. You know, travel the world trying to find the best juicy barrels a fella can slot in to. Haw. And if we happen to find the legendary “G” spot that the old longboard riders from Bondi and Kirra always so fondly reminisce about, we’ll keep the secret amongst the locals. What say, old salt?
Endless Gummer?
Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 07:49 AM • permalink
They prolly tried a search en ine for an online spellchecker, but ‘ oo le.com’ juz wouldn’t work, for some strange reason.
Oh, ee. That’s so funny e.
E.
E.
Er.
You miht have to chane your name. What about, er, ordon? no.
re? nah.
arry? oh.
ideon? nah.
Hmm. A dilemma.#41
If youse uys o surfin the world can I come too?
Might be a bit crowded on the Hog, but.
#43 – kae – always room for you on me hog.
Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 08:12 AM • permalink
#50 – you know it is a big hog, not one of those little sporty jobbies.
Posted by surfmaster on 2008 03 26 at 08:16 AM • permalink
#9, Frollick, “You can take your next state funded “interpretative dance and theater company” any fold it up till its all points and cram it up your arse.”
I agree 100%, but what does that have to do with water?
#17, Kae, NEW car? Please tell me its a V8.
#22, Pogs, “Each of the properties was bought for UNDER $250,000 over the last five years… I have NO sympathy for any of those people.”
What are those properties worth now? Lots more?
People like you are the reason people like me cant buy a house. The value has doubled and my rent has tripled in that 5 year time frame.
You seem like a nice person so I wont tell you what I think of those who own lots of houses thru negative gearing.
Even at this site, I’d get told to go away and not come back.
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2008 03 26 at 09:34 AM • permalink
Not wanting to take a bath (or shower) is the sort of behavior one expects from a child, not an adult.
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2008 03 26 at 09:48 AM • permalink
#56 I could be wrong, but I think Kae’s car is because she travels quite a distance per day, and needs a car that isn’t likely to run down. If the old car isn’t reliable, it isn’t reliable.
As for the housing issue, your housing ability has very little to do with Pogria in NSW, but much to do with your Labor Government in WA. And the Labor Governments in all the States are just dying to blame all these issues on the previous Liberal Governments. The key for you is that you don’t. let. them. get. away. with. it!
It is the State Governments that affect housing prices the most, not Federal. If the States released more land (HA!), you’d be able to buy land to build on, rather than being outpriced because others can afford land with houses already on, or land they can afford to build houses on.
Ash, I think you’re right about kae’s car. She drives a long way from a rural district into town and needs a reliable vehicle that can cope with traffic. Although, these days she’s grown less patient on the highway, so instead of tailgating and beeping the horn she’s updated to something better suited to long commutes.
In olden days, the rich regarded bathing as a sign of their social superiority. These days, the ubiquity of electricity, mains water and sewerage mean even the great unwashed need no longer be. Perhaps that’s what’s driving the obsession: if the poorest worker can afford to shower daily, how can the rest of us settle for anything less?
I wonder if this is the real problem The Git has with everybody showering.
#58, Ash, Look its not like I’m blaming Pogs specifically here (sorry Pogs), I’m just venting my anger at not getting into the market 5 years ago, although it is a bit hard to come up with the money for a house at 21 unless your folks are rich and willing to share (mine aint).
As for your assertion that the state govt is to blame: you’re not wrong.
[rant] The f#ckers are currently trying to tell us that we need more “urban infill”. Which means anyone with a nice backyard should build a unit on it and flog it off for what a 4×2 cost 5 years back.Alternatively, it could mean the *@#&$ have no idea how to run a state despite the vast sums of tax dollars pouring in. The current state of water and power infrastructure, not forgetting the condition of the roads, is testament to that. Sorry its late; no links.
Here’s what I cant work out, if we aint got enough power and water now (wow that desal plant was a great idea hey?), and nothing is being done to improve the current situation, WTF is the point of building more houses?
The pricks have been in power here for 7 years, so the blame game doesn’t work any more. Not that it stops them from trying it on at least once a month…[/rant]
#59, Splice, “Something better suited” indeed
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2008 03 26 at 01:41 PM • permalink
- #59
That’s it, splice, but it’s got the ACME Rocket Pack and a few little extras…
(the real thing is this, it even LOOKS like it goes fast. 1.8L and they’ve just started advertising them on the Teev.)
- #61 Hi Woz,
I know you’re not cranky with me. Ash was correct about the State governments and land releases. Let’s also not forget local councils that screw every penny they can out of a developer before a plan is even submitted.
As I wrote earlier, a big problem with first home buyers is they want it all, big house, new cars etc. They don’t want to start small like their parents did. I’m also not a believer in helping the kids out. I’m willing to bet your parents didn’t get any help when they started out.
When we decided to go into property as an investment, and these properties are our superannuation, we actually didn’t have to look for long to find cheap places. There are many inexpensive places for sale, but no one wants to buy them. There was a lovely cottage for sale in Camden that had a very long backyard that went right down to the river park. Sure it was a little dilapidated and only had two bedrooms, but there was nothing wrong with it that couldn’t be fixed by an average handyman. The place had a $269,000 price tag and it took OVER a year to sell.
Yet places in the newer estates that had $5-600,000 on them and only a quarter of the land, sold within six weeks.
Let’s also not forget that owning rental properties is no picnic. Three properties, plus the family home means four sets of rates, we’re on tank water so only three sets of water rates, four sets of insurance, quarterly Provisional Tax payments, Real Estate agents commission and, when there’s maintenance to be done, it comes out of the rental, so some months there’s no income. After everything that has to be paid, is paid, we probably clear around three thousand a year off the three properties. That’s not three thousand each, that’s across all three. It’s the long term prospects that we’re in it for.
And Woz, none of the three properties has appreciated much over the last five years. They are basically only worth their land value.
You also mentioned you’d wished you had bought a house five years ago. Five years ago was a great time for sellers. It was a definite boom time. Now is the time to buy, many sellers are very open to negotiation and the market for almost all except the very high end has really slowed.
Last thing, it’s always cheaper to buy something that’s already built, than to buy land and build on it.
- #64 Kae,
I’m curious as to what her husband/partner thinks of her ideas. She did say “we” when she was rabbiting on about her “picture perfect pleasantville home for the fruit of her womb”.I still reckon she’s just pissed off because mum and uncle didn’t split the proceeds of granny’s estate with her.
Here in LA, after our horrible gorebels worming drought, with pleas to save water! save water! followed by a winter’s record rainfall, with more to come, the Department of Water & Power now wants to… wait for it… raise water rates because usage is down…
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2008 03 26 at 09:58 PM • permalink
#63, Pogs, “none of the three properties has appreciated much over the last five years”
You should have bought over here, they’d be worth a lot more. And you could charge whatever rent you felt like.
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2008 03 26 at 11:21 PM • permalink
Hahahahahahaha! How typical.