Month: November 2005

I’ve just noticed how biased Wikipedia is. I seldom use it a reference but decided to look at it after Tim Lambert mentioned the site in a post.

I did a search on John Howard and noticed this Further Reading list.

David Barnett and Pru Goward, John Howard, Prime Minister, Viking, 1997
Tony Kevin A Certain Maritime Incident the sinking of SIEV X, Scribe Publications, 2004. ISBN 1920769218.
Margo Kingston Not Happy, John! defending Australia’s democracy, Penguin, June 2004. ISBN 0143002589.
Marion Maddox God Under Howard: The rise of the religious right in Australian politics, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, February 2005. ISBN 1741145686.
David Marr & Marian Wilkinson Dark Victory. ISBN 0143002589
Andrew Wilkie, Axis of deceit, Schwarz Publishing, Melbourne, 2004. In series Black Inc. Agenda. ISBN 09750769-2-2 (“the story of the intelligence officer who risked all to tell the truth about WMD and Iraq”: cover)

Wow!

In the Dicussion section it all becomes clear. Contributor Adam Car writes;

I am referring to the Further reading section – all of which are identified as “criticisms of Howard.” It has never occurred to anyone to have a “Praise of Howard” section. This is of course because almost all Wikpedians (including me) are anti-Howard.

Comments like that are fine for a writer, commentator or journalist where the readers know the authors political bent but the pedia suggests accurate information given without bias and its clearly not the case.

From the Australian

WHEN it ends up on the dinner plate, cow becomes beef, sheep becomes lamb, so why not invent a more palatable name for turning the national symbol into tucker?

News.com carried the article as well and called for suggestions from it’s readers.

(Hop) Scotch Fillet, Hoppy Chops, Jumpy Rump, Porter Pouch Steak and Hoppy hamburgers are a few suggestions however the freakish had to join in.

Angela says How about murdered national icon? and Mike: As a veggie for twenty years, I prefer the label “alive and free”.

What is alive and free to Mike could well be alive, free and in plague proportions to the man on the land. In good years we have plagues of roos all watered and fed by the additional dams and grazing we have put in since settelement. There are countless more roos in the country than there were in the 1700s and it’s not as if they are an endangered species. Let the country make some money from them – God knows thay have cost us dearly too date.

More suggestions here.

Maybe you can think of some better ones.

So your ISP promises 256 kbs and you still think things are going slowly. Click here and test your connection. I did and got 109, 130 and 135kbs.

Might have a chat with Optus when I can set aside 30 mins to go through the ‘your call is important to us’ rubbish.

A MOTORCYCLIST allegedly on the run from police came unstuck after he hit a cane toad and lost control of his bike, north of Brisbane.

On Friday I represented Legacy at Tradelink, a commercial enterprise mainly involved with plumbing. They have a couple of hundred stores around Australia all administered from their Brisbane HQ.

Once a month the staff have a theme day, dress up and generally have a good time while collecting for a nominated charity. This intiative comes from the top but is clearly supported from the ground floor. Friday being Armistice day the theme was the service and sacrifice of servicemen over our history.

I was there all booted and spured with polished medals and regimental tie and was escorted around by two delightful ladies dressed as nurses, complete with make-up scars. One section had turned their office space into 4077 MASH with people dressed as BJ, Honeycut, Radar, ‘Hot Lips’ Hooligan and yes, there was a Cpl Klinger. He did it so well and had the panache to carry it off. One young man had his grandfathers medals, with history and a young woman had a huge library of 1942 newspapers and Time magazines recovered from under the linoleum when she recarpeted. Entire sections were given over to military themes with militaria, badges, flags, posters, news clippings, model soldiers and equipment.

What impressed me was the respectful way I was treated. Not me personally, of course, but what I represented. Everyone I met knew what Legacy does and they gave generously – almost $500, a sum that will be matched one-for-one by the GM. They spoke respectfully of service and sacrifice and nearly all had a story to tell of their family member who had died or served.

It bouyed me and reaffirmed my faith in the Australian people. No politics, just thanks and I thank them in return. Not for the money, although it is appreciated, but for their smiles, handshakes, appreciative comments about Legacy and service and just for taking us seriously.

Armistice Day is always sad for me – I’ve buried too many friends for it not to be so, but this one was all the better for my having visited Tradelink.