Condi in Bondi

Alright, Condolezza Rice is in Australia to talk about security issues with John Howard's mop and the Japanese.

The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has arrived in Sydney for the start of three days of security talks in Australia....

Dr Rice's visit will culminate on Saturday with trilateral strategic talks with Mr Downer and the Japanese Foreign Minister, Taro Aso.

Earlier, she said China's military and economic rise would be the focus of the trilateral talks because it was the major force driving regional changes.

I wish I could play mouse in their meeting and listen in on what strategies they'll come up with. I could imagine it'll be along those lines:

John Howard: Doctor Rice, you look stunning as always. I can tell you have been doing your Thai-Bo exercises. Can I offer you a cup of oil, or maybe some Milo?

Condolezza: Shut up, fool. I am not here to exchange pleasantries, I am here to get you rat bags back in line. Whats all this nonsense about you guys not being able to see China as the major threat to our empire?

John Howard: Well sorry Dr Rice, but the Peoples Republic of China hasn't done us anything, and are not threatening us either, we have no reason to perceive..."

Condolezza: So fucking what! Iraq didn't do you anything either, and Saddam wasn't threatening you wheatbrains either, why all of a sudden this pussyfooting around?

John Howard: You know Dr Rice, China is a tick bigger than Iraq, and we have good trade relations with them. I am sure we can overcome any quarrelsome issues with more diplomatic.."

Condolezza: Diplomatic, schlipomatic, my scrawny arse we will. Since when are you sunburned mop disobedient enough to not go to war when we tell you to? Have you forgotten how we Americans have saved your sorry arses 60 years ago from them Japs?

Japanese Delegation: Domo arigato for mentioning us your Highness Doctel Lice, but we wouldn't do that again. Austalia is now good fliend of us and ..."

Condolezza: Oh no, you got that all wrong ol squezze eye. You will attack Australia when we tell you to do so, or at least finance us when we will. Am I understood?

The Japanese Delegation and John Howard nod with their heads, a body gesture that seems to please the Dominatrix, and she reclines and takes off her black leather boots. John Howard and the Japanese Delegation immediately start massaging Condi's feet, knowing that this will keep them in her good books. Maybe, later on, when they have a chance to be alone, she might even whip them.




Am I mistaken or can I see John Howard in the crowd?

The Queen and her games

Isn't it amazing how the ol Dame looks after her colonies? Jetting down under to open her Commonwealth games, meeting a few subjects while inspecting the lands, telling the Parliament what a spiff country we are, all grown up now, you know. The only criticism she gave our parliamentarian Timewasters on the way was that the Indigenous Owners of Australia are not getting enough attention and their situation in the colony should improve. Not that she apologised for the fact that it was her kingdom's bloody governments who raped these people of pretty much everything they had and made a penal colony out of their existence, but, at least she acknowledged that the Australian government is doing a shame job when it comes to looking after the Traditional Owners of this country.

Today's Aboriginal protests in Melbourne followed the Queen's pointed remark during a speech in Canberra last night, saying: "For many indigenous Australians, there remains much to be done."

Boos, jeers and chants of "shame" greeted Prime Minister John Howard when he arrived with his wife Janette for today's Melbourne lunch.

But there were cheers for the Queen from several hundred monarchists – one holding aloft a large portrait of the monarch as she and Prince Philip pulled up in a Rolls Royce.

Also welcoming the Queen was an Aboriginal elder, Uncle Max Eulo, who wore a red loincloth and bodypaint as he held a traditional smoking ceremony nearby.

Liz and her Rolls, when will she pick up on the fact that there are much better cars. Although, she only takes little drives, airport - hotel, hotel - club, club - hotel, hotel - airport, all up less than 40 K's, and plenty of entourage to fix that fuel guzzling thing on the spot should it break down.

Reclaim the global commons!

Ever heard of 'Terminator Technology'? I mean apart from when you were reading up on which gadgets Armored Schwarzenegger was equipped with? Well, it's the term used for the chemistry applied by GM Giants like Monsanto to stop farmers all over the world from doing what farmers all over the world have ben doing for as long as there were farmers all over the world, namely to save some seeds from this year's harvest to sow the crop for next year. Through genetic manipulation seeds are rentered worthless, forcing farmers to buy the seeds for every new crop from the Biotech giant.

But rather than trying to fight this technology, the Australian, US and Canadian governments actually endorse this shit. This is from a press release from the Friends of People Close to Nature:

Australian Government backs Terminator technology - ancient practice of seed-saving under threat
Dear Friends,

Please consider signing up on this urgent petition sent by The Grail. There is a petition attached. Organisations can also endorse by going to Banterminator.org. Further information below. URGENT: Petition - Terminator Technology

The next meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity is March 21 -312006 so we need to submit as many signatures as possible by March 15. Below is a media release on Terminator and find more background info at: http://www.banterminator.org

News Release, 22 February 2006

Australian Government backs Terminator technology - ancient practice of seed-saving under threat

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a de facto moratorium on Terminator (sterile seed) technologies, in 2000. Terminator technology, sterilises crop seeds, prevents the ancient practice of seed saving and gives patent owners monopoly control of seed fertility.At the next CBD meeting in Brazil (20-31 March 2006) the Australian Government delegation appears set to lift a global Terminator ban.

"It's outrageous that the Australian Government is backing Terminator seedson behalf of the gene technology industry, and the US government which cannot vote as it is not a party to the CBD," says GeneEthics Network Director, Bob Phelps.

"The Australian government would undermine food security and the biodiversity on which all life depends, for interests which act in bad faith by not even joining the Convention," he says.

"Australia is doing the dirty work for Monsanto and the US government which are hostile to biodiversity conservation and have no place at CBD meetings," he says.

Terminator technology was developed to prevent farmers from saving and re-using harvested seed, forcing them to buy new seeds each season. After global protests, in 1999 Monsanto CEO Robert Shapiro said, "We are making a public commitment not to commercialise sterile seed technologies, such as the one dubbed 'Terminator'."

But now, Monsanto says it will only keep Terminator out of food crops -opening the door to Terminator cotton, tobacco, pharmaceutical crops and pastures - and says, "Monsanto does not rule out the potential development and use of one of these technologies in the future. The company will continue to study the risks and benefits of this technology on a case-by-case basis."

Monsanto's revised pledge resonates closely with the actions of the Australian, Canadian and N Z delegations that are promoting Terminator at the UN on a case-by-case basis, says Bob Phelps.

"It appears Australia will again back an end the Terminator ban, by echoing the language of Monsanto's weak new promise on suicide seed technology," he says.

The International Ban Terminator campaign today announces that over 300 diverse civil society organisations worldwide demand a permanent ban on Terminator technology, which sterilises crop seeds and prevents the ancient practice of seed saving. See: http://www.banterminator.org/endorsements

"A total and permanent ban on Terminator is needed so we urge all governments to dismiss Monsanto's watered down case-by-case approach when the CBD meets in Brazil next month," says Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Ban Terminator Campaign.

"The gene technology companies want nothing to be grown without a licence making them the masters of sterility and reproduction," says Greenpeace International's Benny Haerlin. "They are pursuing a step by step strategy - tagged 'case by case' to gain control of the global food supply and undermine the integrity and fertility of nature." The technology threatens agricultural biodiversity and could destroy food production for the 1.4 billion people who depend on farm-saved seed.

"The world's farmers and Indigenous peoples cannot trust Monsanto," says Alejandro Argumedo from Asociación ANDES - Potato Park in Cusco, Peru. "Monsanto's broken promise is a deadly betrayal because Indigenous peoples and farmers depend on seed saving for food security and self-determination."

"Terminator is a direct assault on farmers, Indigenous cultures and on the food sovereignty and well-being of all rural people, especially the poorest," said Chukki Nanjundaswamy of La Via Campesina in India, which represents tens of millions of peasant farmers worldwide. "If Australia and Monsanto bully the UN into allowing 'case by case' acceptance of Terminator, developing world farmers will be carried off the land coffin by coffin." Emphasis added

If you ask me people, then we have to fight tooth and nail to make the sale, distribution and marketing of such "suicide seeds" and its technology a crime against humanity. Our common goods are not for sale!
Air - Water - Seeds & Genes - Land & Shelter - Culture& Knowledge - Forrests & Oceans

So, lets get active and let the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, The Hon Peter McGauran MP know what you think of 'Terminator Technology' and the Howard government's support for this assault on agricultural common goods.

Postal Address
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601

(02) 6277 7520(Tel)
(02) 6273 4120(Fax)

Switchboard: +61 2 6272 3933
Corporate Public Relations: +61 2 6272 5120

Or get in touch with him in Gippsland, his Sale office:

McGauran, The Hon Peter John
PO Box 486, Sale Vic 3850

Or pop in while you are there, at 98 Raymond Street, Sale, Vic

Email:
Peter.McGauran.MP@aph.gov.au or click here

(03) 5144 6744 (tel)
(03) 5144 3945 (fax)

Which ever way you want, just let him and your local MP know that this sucks. Thanx.

Lest we forget

After mentioning East Timor, and the shameful politics the Australian government is dishing out to this beautiful nation at its door steps, with hardly any criticism from within Australia (disgraceful squared), I thought it might be a good idea to also talk about West Papua.
The people of this country were sold out by the Dutch, the US and worst, the UN. Ever since the Indonesian government took over control over this resource rich island in 1969, have its native people, the rightful owners of this land, been oppressed by the TNI (Indonesian military or militias).

Across the border, the population of Papua New Guinea, were given full independence in 1975. If one looks at the map one has to wonder why this double standard was applied.

The Australian government sends troops to "liberate" Iraqi people, but not a word about West Papua. Quite contrary, cooperation with the TNI, assistance and training is given to the very troops who violate human rights on a scale that needs to be seen to be comprehended. Remember what East Timor looked like after the TNI was forced to leave the country? Brutality pure. The hypocrisy stinks to the heavens.

How many West Papuans have been killed since the Indonesian take over is hard to say. Its lots though. Here is John Pilger's take on the situation:

An estimated 100,000 Papuans, or 10 per cent of the population, have been killed by the Indonesian military. This is a fraction of the true figure, according to refugees. In January, 43 West Papuans reached Australia's north coast after a hazardous six-week journey in a dugout. They had no food, and had dribbled their last fresh water into their children's mouths. "We knew," said Herman Wainggai, the leader, "that if the Indonesian military had caught us, most of us would have died. They treat West Papuans like animals. They kill us like animals. They have created militias and jihadis to do just that. It is the same as East Timor."

And so, to this very day, are the people of West Papua the victims of colonial politics and resource plunder. Where are the legions of US troops that liberate oppressed people? In Iraq, running torture prisons. Where are the Australian politicians & troops to help our persecuted and subdued neighbors? Where is the UN to flex some muscles on this matter? Busy causing and mismanaging the Iraq quagmire.

I sincerely appreciate their efforts in supporting the East Timorese people in their independence vote and the aftermath, although even here one has to say that much bloodshed could have been prevented through earlier, much earlier support for the Timorese.

West Papuans need our support, any ol' way we can. I applaude the few Australian and international organisations that do try and keep the issue in the spotlight, the people that put in their time and money to help the tyrranised over there, and wake us up over here.

For further reading on this urgent issue (at least for the West Papuans), check out:
Friends of people close to nature or Dutch Photojournalists or SBS Dateline or Australian West Papua Association or AWPA Sydney.

Tell me where you live, and I tell you how fat you are

This from SBS News: TOO BIG FOR OUR LOOS

Australia’s standards association is worried that Australians are getting so fat that toilet seats may have to be made stronger to bear their weight.

Standards Australia is expected to recommend "an increase in the strength of toilet seats to accommodate the increasing size of humans".

So, while people in Australia are getting so fat that toilet seats might break under their weight, 300 Kms to the North, in East Timor, people are unwillingly slimming down, having hardly any reason to go to the toilet. It is a shame, it really is.

Australia is fast becoming a nation of gluttonous obese people with no desire to share their calories, chomp, chomp, chomp. At the same time, the Australian government is ripping the Timorese people off, stealing their natural gas reserves. But then again, considering the price of toilet paper these days, Australians need more income than the Timorese.

The logic of it all

It sure looks like a terrorist attack to me

The Israeli Forces have yet again given a demonstration in what they are really good at, killing innocent people:

Witnesses said the eight-year-old boy was killed while standing close to the car. Two others, boys aged 14 and 15, also died, a hospital official said.

So, as it stands, in the pursuit of one Islamic Jihad activist 3 innocent bystanders were killed, as so often. Since the beginning of the second intifada in September 00, over at least 600 Palestinian children were killed by Israeli Forces, compared with 123 Israeli children who died from Palestinian attacks. Those numbers are an indicator for how ruthless the waring parties are in Palestine, on both sides. That Israeli Forces have killed 5 times as many Palestinian children as they did in return, leads me to award this month's Trophy for Excellence in Killing Fellow Humans to the cowards of the IDF, congratulations, job badly done.

Israeli Minister for Palestinian Deaths Shaul Mofaz

The Israeli spokesman for the Department of Deaths has announced that even elected Prime Ministers will not be immune to their "targeted" killings.

Israel's defence minister has said Hamas leaders, including Ismail Haniya, the incoming Palestinian prime minister, will not be immune from what Israel calls targeted killings if the group resumes attacks.

Alright, first we have Pat "I want blood" Robertson, the Christian nutcase TV preacher In the US calling for Hugo Chavez's assassination, and now the Israeli minister, who is eager to see the elected Palestinian leader being "deleted". Take a low IQ, add religion, with a sprinkle of power, and presto, you got a selfrighteous fool who will walk over dead bodies to get to his heaven. Planet earth, what a place.

Darwin's theory revisited

After walking past the monkey enclosure in the local zoo, watching them sitting around, playing with each other, climbing up and down trees, swinging on tyres, eating bananas they didn't have to pick, and therefore having the time to pick each others fur, not having a worry in the world, not even taxes, I was wondering if it was us who evolved from the monkeys, or could it have possibly been the other way around?

Am Anfang

Captain's log book, location planet earth, 5:09 am local time.