US/Iraq
Yes, I believe that practically all WMD were removed/destroyed before the US invaded. I also have always thought that the US military is in some ways a tool for economic/political gain for the US government. I also accept that it is quite likely that either the US gov departments or spy agencies exaggerated wherever possible evidence and claims of WMD. I also accept that al queda probably has not had that much support from Iraq. It is also dubious whether the war concurs with the spirit of international law as it stands (even though technically, it "might" be legal by the letter of the law). But I still think on balance that the war is better than the foreseeable alternatives - both for the Iraqi people, the new world order, and American (and Australian) foreign policy in general. I can't see how any more Iraqis died with the war than would have died at the hands of a dictator, or even just because the economy was completely ruined (different people would have died of course but certainly not less).
To be fair to the US, they could hardly have known whether the WMD's were removed, destroyed or still there somewhere, until they invaded; given Iraq's regime complete and successful secrecy regarding WMD's.
The war and aftermath do however show a distinct weakness in the US with regards to trained peacekeepers, diplomats etc. There is nowhere near enough of the types of personnel they need, and way too many that they don't. Australia seems to have a better balance, but we've got more important issues closer to home (e.g. Solomon Islands). Country building should really become a new industry, and needs a different mix of personnell to kick start the process than the US military has. Hopefully private enterprise can take over once a feeling of general security presides again.
Volleyball
Yay. We won our first division final on Saturday. However, the opposition let us down by only fielding two of their four players.
Monday, June 16, 2003
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Howards way
Here are my brazen, self-defeating predictions on Australian politics:
1) Labor will have a leadership challenge, probably being won by someone other than Simon Crean or Beasley.
2) In a similar fashion, after Howard fails to retire gracefully, a successful leadership challenge is made by Peter Costello (Keating style) for leadership of the Liberals.
3) In the run up to the election, the electorate will be fairly polarised (ie. Bi-polar as against multi-polar) because of the new faces being offered for PM, will avoid the minor parties somewhat.
4) The election will not be a landslide either way, with neither major party proposing a raft of popular policies - rather, both will have a mixture of popular and unpopular policies.
5) Protest votes will be fairly rare, though there will be a reasonable block of votes swinging away from the incumbents due to the "It's time" view, that comes around after a few elections.
6) I will not predict the actual outcome of the election, other than what I've already mentioned, because the deal between the major parties is to avoid landslides and keep down the minor party votes, not as to actually which side gets in: that is left up to us:- This is the beauty of the two party-preferred compulsory voting system we have. Evolution of politics under our voting principles bring us inevitably to this equilibrium of two major parties/coalitions taking turns in power.
Here are my brazen, self-defeating predictions on Australian politics:
1) Labor will have a leadership challenge, probably being won by someone other than Simon Crean or Beasley.
2) In a similar fashion, after Howard fails to retire gracefully, a successful leadership challenge is made by Peter Costello (Keating style) for leadership of the Liberals.
3) In the run up to the election, the electorate will be fairly polarised (ie. Bi-polar as against multi-polar) because of the new faces being offered for PM, will avoid the minor parties somewhat.
4) The election will not be a landslide either way, with neither major party proposing a raft of popular policies - rather, both will have a mixture of popular and unpopular policies.
5) Protest votes will be fairly rare, though there will be a reasonable block of votes swinging away from the incumbents due to the "It's time" view, that comes around after a few elections.
6) I will not predict the actual outcome of the election, other than what I've already mentioned, because the deal between the major parties is to avoid landslides and keep down the minor party votes, not as to actually which side gets in: that is left up to us:- This is the beauty of the two party-preferred compulsory voting system we have. Evolution of politics under our voting principles bring us inevitably to this equilibrium of two major parties/coalitions taking turns in power.
Monday, June 02, 2003
Monday 2nd June 2003
Matteo
Is the name of a cousin (friend?) from Italy requiring a place to stay sunday night 8th of June in Sydney.
Handyman
Feeling pretty good with myself having fixed a leaky tap, changed the washers in our shower, and replaced the thermostat in our old fridge. But what about putting up the curtains, cleaning the ceiling fans and tidying the pantry, I hear my wifes evil alterego Karla say. Ahhh that can wait.
Star Wars Return of the Jedi
Watched most of this on tv. Noted that the subplot of befriending the local Ewoks to help with the effort against the empire is strikingly similar to what Australians did in World War II against the Japanese empire. Befriending locals in East Timor, PNG and Borneo was critical to the success of many an Australian campaign in World War II, especially when sabotaging an enemy position.
Big Brother
Though some of my friends discount this show as pure trash - It has been a great teacher of group dynamics and associated psychology, that I use in working out how our employees think, predicting their moves, and obtaining the best possible result for all (usually trying for win-win situations where possible)
Friday 30th May
Kids
We get a lot of people who tell us that Zachary looks just like Nikolas did at that age; or that Felicia looks like Belinda did at her age. Me & Kylie are in a unique position to test that theory out. We are going to take "replica" photos of Felicia & Zachary in the same clothes, poses and lighting as some of the numerous pictures of Nikolas & Belinda 6 and a quarter years previously. Since our children are fairly evenly spaced apart (Girl,boy,girl,boy) this should confuse a lot of people as to which is which (If it is to be believed that they were so similar)
Matteo
Is the name of a cousin (friend?) from Italy requiring a place to stay sunday night 8th of June in Sydney.
Handyman
Feeling pretty good with myself having fixed a leaky tap, changed the washers in our shower, and replaced the thermostat in our old fridge. But what about putting up the curtains, cleaning the ceiling fans and tidying the pantry, I hear my wifes evil alterego Karla say. Ahhh that can wait.
Star Wars Return of the Jedi
Watched most of this on tv. Noted that the subplot of befriending the local Ewoks to help with the effort against the empire is strikingly similar to what Australians did in World War II against the Japanese empire. Befriending locals in East Timor, PNG and Borneo was critical to the success of many an Australian campaign in World War II, especially when sabotaging an enemy position.
Big Brother
Though some of my friends discount this show as pure trash - It has been a great teacher of group dynamics and associated psychology, that I use in working out how our employees think, predicting their moves, and obtaining the best possible result for all (usually trying for win-win situations where possible)
Friday 30th May
Kids
We get a lot of people who tell us that Zachary looks just like Nikolas did at that age; or that Felicia looks like Belinda did at her age. Me & Kylie are in a unique position to test that theory out. We are going to take "replica" photos of Felicia & Zachary in the same clothes, poses and lighting as some of the numerous pictures of Nikolas & Belinda 6 and a quarter years previously. Since our children are fairly evenly spaced apart (Girl,boy,girl,boy) this should confuse a lot of people as to which is which (If it is to be believed that they were so similar)
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