Tuesday, December 14, 2010

“IS A JULIAN IN THE HOUSE?” or “FROM LITTLE THINGS BIG THINGS GROW”

Author Reinhardt D.J.
Arthur noticed the connection but we still can’t get him off the office Harley he borrowed the other week.
Reckons when he gets enough on the job experience he’s applying for a job with OzBike Magazine.
Nonetheless he’s found the time to follow what’s been happening to the lad from Townsville and put together a few notes comparing the huge amount of press Julian has been copping to the total lack of page space for real social justice and public interest issues in Australia.
So while Arthur’s out roaring about on that big bore Panhead I’m stuck here seeing that his story pans out.
Amazing isn’t it how one story isn’t ‘deemed’ worthy of publication when another is.
The APN group, for instance, seem as guilty of selectivity and conflict of interest as anyone else in the much compromised and corrupted media.
But for God’s sake if they are on the spot for the main chance and a scoop then they should be able to do infinitely better than this effort -
- That is, if they have the slightest interest in overseeing justice instead of hoping to sell a few more regional papers with the same old weeping mum/errant child human interest angle tripe.

The team at Calligula’s Horse have heard rumours that APN have developed a misguided belief that they might be able to access the WIKILEAKS files at bargain basement prices if they can manipulate Julian’s mum into some vile exclusivity agreement.
We cannot believe that. Surely they wouldn’t/couldn’t be that silly.
But let’s look at how silly they can be.
It takes our minds back to the last federal election in a certain electorate in regional Queensland. (Oh Yeah; you democracy challenged third worlders should note that raffles are rigged expertly in good ol’ Queensland too.)
A reasonable person would have fair expectation that an event advertised as a pre-election public forum would be open to each and every voter (and each electoral candidate for that matter) who wished to attend the local uni campus for that occasion.
That reasonable person would expect that - if, in good faith, he’d composed and lodged a ‘question’ with the convenor in good time prior to the forum, for the purpose of that question being put to the candidates during the forum – that in the interest of democratic process such a question be actually be asked of the candidates at that forum.
Here is the question that APN staff decided to censor -
“Hello --- ------, (the forum convenor)
Thank you for permitting me time to brief you by phone at 1520 hrs, August 16.
As mentioned my family has grave concerns that our politicians refuse to address and avoid action by declaring the matters complex and/or cross jurisdictional.
I believe the matters I raise are well within the concept of the public interest to have answered in public and be addressed and have corrected by the next Federal Member for Hinkler.

Background summary; justification for request for answers -

My son Matthew passed away at home after a long illness - 13/12/2004.
He became ill when on multi-national military manoeuvres at Shoalwater Bay with 9 RQR some four years earlier. I believe the exercise was “Croc 99”.
My son at the time had been a Defence Reservist for some ten years, was a bearer of the “Combat Readiness Badge” * and would have passed a physical and medical before attending this exercise.
* - http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/1999-00_Audit_Report_26.pdf - which document details ‘combat readiness’ status.

I submit that -

·         it is beyond belief that a soldier, albeit a Reservist, can be deemed “Combat Ready” and fit enough for service, can be deemed a few months later only good enough for the scrap heap.
·         it is a matter of record that Shoalwater Bay and other Defence exercise areas are a focus for a number of endemic tropical diseases causing symptoms such as were displayed by my son. **
·         government is quite able to resolve cross jurisdictional problems when it suits government - but apparently not in the case of this family.
My family’s concerns surround the matters mentioned above as do my questions relate to Matthew’s treatment -
·         by Defence,
·         by the public health system and Bundaberg hospital after he became ill and
·         the way his family was treated by ‘governance’ after his death.
By this I mean that Matthew’s service record clearly indicates that at about ten years service he was a fit, capable, highly qualified and multi-skilled soldier. It also demonstrates that once he became unwell at twelve years in he was treated with the same notorious distain that the Australian Defence Force and the Dept. of Veterans Affairs metes out to his colleagues. ***
Then once Matthew became seriously ill with oesophageal haemorrhage - what did he meet by way of health care?

None other than Bundaberg hospital and Dr Patel’s team. ****

As well as being a Defence Reservist Matthew was also a partner in our family business. He helped with the design, prototyping and testing of a product we invented towards saving police lives. *****
It appears that police reward industry innovators from Bundaberg by firstly renewing their licenses (purchased from police - $2000) the same day Matthew dies - then arbitrarily cancelling those licenses a few weeks later after a series of ‘home invasions’ at the time when this family was still in mourning.
A feature of our democracy is the recognition that ‘detriment caused by defective administration’ does happen. ******
On paper - but apparently only on paper - these schemes provide resolution for detriment and harm.
It is a matter of record that my family has been subject to an intensity of detriment and harm.

The question follows -

1 - Could Mr Neville or any other candidate present explain why the Member for Hinkler refused to act - for that matter, refused to meet with us even to discuss this family’s concerns?
By this I mean that if Mr Neville is re-elected will he continue to refuse my family our democratic right.

Best regards –“

The result –
“Hi ---, this email was sent to me from a gentleman that called me yesterday and talked about his questions for Paul Neville.  Can you put this in as a question for the forum?  Thanks,
------------ --------- (convenor)
Senior Lecturer, -------- -----------
-- University Australia,
University Drive
” - etc

Fair enough and timely response from the actual convenor; but what follows from APN –
Let’s choose the best of the excuses they could come up with why in their opinion a superannuated ex-movie theatre manager (whose movie theatre had to be bought by city council to keep it going) is more important than the process of democracy –

“Dear Mr ---------,
As I said in my reply yesterday, I’m not trying to suggest your concerns aren’t valid and I would like to look into them further. What I said was I did not think tonight was the appropriate forum to raise them. The forum is about the policy of each of the candidates and their party, and how those affect the whole electorate. The idea is to help swinging voters make up their minds before Saturday’s polling day.

Your complaint with Mr Neville, while understandably very distressing to you, will not have a wider impact on the rest of the audience and I’m concerned your complaint would be disruptive to the proceedings because of the complicated nature of it. Nor do I think you will be able to get a satisfactory or informed answer tonight.

We have asked people to submit their questions on the understanding we will do our best to ask as many as possible within the time constraints, but there is no guarantee all questions will be asked. This is exactly the same as our letters to the editor page — we are often unable to print people’s letters immediately because of the number we are sent and there is often a lag between submission and publication. As always, we reserve the right to edit or not publish if we feel the content is inappropriate or defamatory.

I’m sorry if you object to my judgment on this, but my judgment is that while I believe your concerns are inappropriate for tonight, I will still give you the commitment to look at them in closer detail. And there is certainly no collusion between me and any candidate. The ---- ---- has always and will always do its best to treat everyone fairly and does not give any partisan support to any individual or party.

Kind regards,
-------- ------
Editor -------- -------“

What utter piffle.
The grieving father of his dead son was denied ‘permission’ to raise the issue of federal involvement and the complete refusal of action of/by the incumbent federal politician at the only public forum here prior to the last election.

That bastard regained his seat because of the complete absence of any embarrassment and the slumbrous apathy of the electorate.
Should it embarrass our politicians to speak truth in reply to such a simple question as raised above?

Ask Julian Assange.

Isn’t this what people like us and Julian are suggesting – that the whole lot with money and influence are corrupted beyond any redemption?
Isn’t it the small things like refusal of justice or representation that usually go unnoticed because they are ‘too complex’ to be reported and usually only happen on a piecemeal basis to unimportant individuals and those unable to speak up for themselves?
Isn’t that what ‘democracy’ is allegedly about?

Isn’t it all becoming a bit bloody obvious how ‘from little things big things grow’?

With apologies to Paul Kelly and his song the big things that have grown up in the Land of Oz is corruption.
It undoubtedly started out small (like, HA, with the RUM CORPS) and probably remains relatively small out in the regions mainly because it is aided and abetted by stupid people who betray for free believing they’ll be ‘okay’ if the stick with those they perceive as the winners.

So back to Kelly –
“A story of something more - how power and privilege cannot move people who know where they stand and stand in the law.” – which is now something thrown out the door.
No. It has all gone past a joke, Paul K. Time for a protest song.
While Australian Nationals have been denied natural justice and been locked up overseas another set of us are copping worse here.
We’ve had a political coup closely followed by a disastrous election a few months ago. All a bit counterproductive and completely irresponsible according to rank armchair amateurs.
A control freak with a geek’s sense of humour was toppled in favour of a signed up member of ‘Emily’s List ™.
She claims to have been a lawyer but evidently fails to grasp the first principles of natural justice as does her Attorney General.
According to rank armchair amateurs this demotes our coup winning PM down to the level of the mutiny troubled Bligh in Queensland.
Funny how the allegedly tightbound Kev accepts a bit of critical exposure as part of the political process while those who gave him the bum’s rush are frothing at the mouth.
But while all this crapola continues unionists and activists are being unlawfully arrested and detained now and here in Oz.

A ‘labor’ ™ government, EH?

When we were young Bjelke Petersen used to feed the chooks (the media).
Nowadays the press feed the chooks (the populace).
Doesn’t take a great mind to define who’s dipping out either way.
Can’t work it out, you Bunny?
Why, the populace are the losers every time these days.
Well, there you have it.
Looks like Arthur had a point – had earned his research grant and his petrol money after all.
Required reading -
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/julian-assanges-accusers-are-jealous-liars-says-lawyer-bjorn-hurtig/comments-e6frg12c-1225969995110

Saturday, December 11, 2010

“A Typical Day at the Depot”

Image – A trooper of the 11th Light Horse. This soldier was wounded in cavalry action near a place called Meggido (Armaggedon) in Palestine. He had German parents, so had to pull strings to enlist in the AIF. If he’d been captured he’d most likely been shot as a traitor.
He is the grandfather of the bloke you’ll see below.

Author – Klaus Knoppke  AOB AMEB
This document is about the accountability of (or lack thereof) our governments and the way those supposedly elected to represent us seem disinclined unless, apparently, there is something ‘in it’ for them.

We had to go to a funeral this morning to pay our last respects to the mother of one of our friends. She was an Aboriginal Elder beloved of our community.

While drinking our coffee before heading off we were listening to an ABC news item; an interview with a Queensland independent parliamentarian declaring that an ex- colleague of his should be offered immunity from further prosecution pursuant to his testifying against other allegedly corrupt Queensland politicians.

We listened with some interest while trying our best to understand how far he’d have to search to find a ‘suitable’ judge to chair yet another Queensland inquiry.
We wondered what games he was up to this time.

Such speculation was cut short when we had to depart for the funeral but after a pleasant twenty minute drive across town, through the rain, we arrived at the well manicured lawns of the funeral home.

Funerals, for most people are sobering, insightful, events but to arrive at a funeral to find the chapel and atrium full with standing room only out in the misting rain lends a certain solemnity to the occasion of saying farewell to a very special and obviously well loved lady.

All that was as it should be but there amongst the crowd out of the rain under the atrium stood about the only ‘suit’ out in a humid Queensland summer’s morning.

Indeed, our corruption fighting politician mentioned above – which in itself is no problem since he’s a perfect right to pay his respects too.

And in any case, no matter how long he’s been avoiding us and what we deem to be his responsibility, a funeral is no place to make a fuss by cornering such a dangerous species as a Queensland politician.

So without causing any fuss we came back to the office for another coffee only to have the NON FARMER burst through the door a few minutes later.

The second he’d arrived back at the office he’d had a phonecall from QBuild enquiring about supply of his weapons clearing stations ostensibly for the Queensland Justice Department.
They wanted one (one off). A ridiculous order - for an item that, by its nature, must be series manufactured – from a regime that knows that perfectly well.
Image – Matthew’s hand. A picture taken for the operating manual for the Qld Police weapons clearing stations. The hand that held that plastic dummy pistol is now still.
He’s been dead for six years thanks to his being mug enough to volunteer his life away.

“Such an easy thing to do is pull a network of ten businesses together every couple of weeks when it suits them just to make a single item – profitable too, I think not.
Do you know; since Matthew died and that Messenger ----- refused to take on board that he was a victim of that hospital – that’s about the fiftieth stupid call from some blonk or other Queensland bureaucrat insisting we drop everything and go broke for their convenience.” – said the NON FARMER.

None of which’ll mean much to the casual reader unless they are of the government procurement/ engineering manufacturing industry – or had read “Ground Zero” -
- or like NON FARMER – that plus having been in the situation of seeing what useless, two-faced lying scurrilous bastards our politicians can be -

- as is amply confirmed by comparing  the press statements of our suit-at-the-funeral with how they behave if you need their services.

But the thing that really gets up the NON FARMER”S nose is the pretence that our messenger for justice and right undertakes his activities without favour.
Anyone reading his articles would believe he has the bone between his teeth on everyone’s behalf -
- and that Queensland apparently now has a team of freedom-fighters, par-excellance.
Except that some now reckon the ‘messenger of justice and right’ is nothing but a grubby, opportunity seeking, mean spirited, amoral charlatan who carefully picks and chooses his ’good works’ for his self-aggrandisement rather than for the benefit of Queenslanders.
Image – Matthew aboard HMS Illustrious when he was a cadet.

“What I cannot handle is the fact that our first-born son was a victim of that hospital – that he died in late 2004 – and that this ‘fighter for justice’ pretended he didn’t see me at that funeral.
Oh yeah – he pretends to care about the dead – when it might be a public occasion with cameras about – but when it’s private – Naaah – he won’t even take a phonecall!
Don’t for a second believe he’s any better or worse than those of his ex-pals he now calls corrupt.
In my estimation you have to be corrupted beyond recall to gain pre-selection for the ‘grand raffle’ (he means the ballot) anywhere in this country.”
Image – Matthew, Company HQ Sigs – that’s about 100 kilograms hanging off his shoulders

Since this account was drafted we’ve contacted Mr. Messenger’s office twice.
Both times he was ‘unavailable’.
The first occasion we didn’t hear background voice noise – the second – we did.
Someone was home but couldn’t be bothered coming to the phone.
(Yep. We have the same setup at Calligula’s Horse. A small, well ventilated room with a single open topped porcelain THRONE and a sign on the door saying ‘MANAGER’.)

So why not say it here and now –
  • His Nibs was elected in good faith by his peers to represent the interests of Queenslanders –
  • yet appears to be somewhat selective in that undertaking –
  • but cannot pretend to be constrained by the false pretence that he is constrained to representing only those of his own electorate –
  • since his coup de main, the Bundaberg Hospital scandal, is most certainly not located in his electorate, nor were the majority of the victims.

A reasonable person could only assume that, upon the face of the record, Mr. Messenger has done some good against strong opposition from his colleagues.
That same reasonable person would have difficulty understanding why Mr. Messenger, who seems so keen to continue the battle, wouldn’t want to amass as much ammunition as he could in that circumstance.
We have attempted to provide Mr. Messenger and a number of his parliamentary colleagues our share of that ammunition – information and corroborative documentation.
In Mr. Messenger’s case his non-response has been in an ‘opacity’ class of its own.

It is to his shame that he refuses to listen or take on information when it suits what appears to be nothing more than his prejudice.

If any thing could be said in his support it is that he is dealing with a sort who will countenance anything including deleting the parliamentary record.
Try clicking the hospital inquiry url, here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Messenger

Enough noise has been made for long enough now by profoundly knowledgeable and well respected people about corruption in Queensland.

"Access can now be purchased, patronage is dispensed, mates and supporters are appointed and retired politicians exploit their connections to obtain 'success fees' for deals between business and government," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"Neither side of politics is interested in these issues except for short-term political advantage as each enjoys or plots impatiently for its turn at the privileges and opportunities which accompany power."

The amazing thing is that no one in Queensland/Australia seems to give a stuff – a remarkably similar attitude they display to the impending fate of another Queenslander.

 Mr. Julian Assange’s experience the last few days –
- gives fair indication of the mentality and appreciation of the RULE-OF-LAW displayed by some of the senior decisionmakers in our governments - http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/wikileaks-acts-may-be-criminal-mcclelland-20101209-18r99.html
- which certainly gives notice as to how whistleblowers and those exposing government dishonesty shall be dealt with in future.

And while some, even in the US, can see the truth and speak plainly -
“Some of us wish to encourage in individuals the sense of justice which would embolden them to challenge the institutions that control our fate by bringing their secrets to light.”
- others elsewhere in Australia play the same game of selective deafness as is institutionalized in Queensland
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/09/3089510.htm?section=justin "I believe the Prime Minister is showing a contempt for the rule of law - the way she has ruled out the presumption of innocence and instead there seems to be a presumption of guilt when it comes to Mr Assange," Mr Wilkie said.
Which is good of Mr. Wilkie and undoubtedly good press.

Conclusion –
Messrs. Messenger and Wilkie are independent politicians.
Both present as upholders of rightness and truth and take pains to ensure that the press maintain that as their image.
The difference A NON FARMER has noticed between these two men is that the Queensland fighter for justice and right flat refuses to communicate with him while his Federal opposite number had invited A NON FARMER to forward representations to his office.
That was accomplished months ago.
The one and only result is copied here –

Desr -------------
I can’t open the attachments to this email in their current zipped format.  Could you please re-send in another format?
Thankyou.
-------------------------

Office of Andrew Wilkie MP
Independent Member for Denison
HOBART          
(03) 62345255    188 Collins St Hobart
7000 / GPO
Box 32 Hobart
7001
CANBERRA      (02) 32774766
MOBILE             0418 169 490
EMAIL                --------------- at aph.gov.au

This document is by way of an open letter to all those independent politicians who pretend to be reformers.
It would be good if one or two of them acted at least as vociferously in the interest of Australian citizens as they pretend to do for celebrities and outsiders in their opportunistic scuffle for the main chance.