Scoring Points

It is interesting and odd to hear our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, call for an end to the “political point scoring”. All this in spite of her election campaign being the dirtiest that I have ever witnessed. It was a campaign all about scoring political points.

It is usually the case that those commenting about political point scoring are in fact themselves trying to score political points. For Gillard it is to score points with those that have allowed her to form government by the skin of her teeth.

By her statement she has drawn a line in the sand and she will have to lead by example. The proof will be in the pudding when it comes time for another election in 12 months, I mean 3 years time.

What Really Matters

It was great to see a spirited Jim Stynes at the Brownlow Medal presentation. He spoke on matters football, life and cancer.

Interesting that it took his serious cancer for him to put his life in perspective. Now he openly claims that in the long run football doesn’t matter and he is now focused on being the best man he can be and making a positive difference to the world.

Football is good, but it has never been the be all and end all of life. It just takes time for some to get it.

Jim Stynes says he was taking too much for granted prior to his cancer diagnosis. Goes to show that we should all know what is most important while we still have our full health. For Jim that means relationships, with family, friends and teammates.

The playing of football is fleeting. Even the night’s winner, Chris Judd, reiterated these sentiments, so refreshing to come form a current player.

Being Neutral

It is a worthwhile exercise for all footy purists like myself to attend a match where one has absolutely no ties to either team. I had a chance to do this recently when I attended the VFL grand final between North Ballarat and the Northern Bullants.

Being neutral it is interesting to observe those in the vicinity that have a greater vested interest in the match’s outcome. Umpires were abused and player efforts were either lauded or insulted. I watch and wonder if I look that absurd when I get very parochial.

There is no foul language from my lip like there were with these fans, but I do get carried away sometimes.

Let’s hope that I have mellowed enough in my mature age not to be as embarrassing as those whom I witnessed.

A Balanced Debate

“Climate Change: The Facts”
Collaborated by the Institute of Public Affairs

Climate change is a confusing issue. No one knows the facts on what will happen, that is because no one can know what will happen. Be very wary of the use of the term modelling, that’s one fact.

Alarmists and Sceptics, whatever. One thing is for sure, debate has been non-existent or at the very least one sided with claims of settled science. Science demands rigor, and on this issue there has been none.

The Institute of Public Affairs aimed to rectify this imbalance by producing this book and sending it to every MP and selling it to those in the general public willing to purchase. As it is aimed at politicians it is brief, to the point and broken down into manageable chunks covering a variety of aspects on this huge issue.

It not only covers the science with experts such as Ian Plimer. It also informs on the climategate scandal. As well as the economic and political ramifications, often forgotten by those running the country.

It’s short yet thorough. A good read for anyone interested in balance in debate.

Fizzer

Let’s get something out of the way early, I don’t like Collingwood. Who does? Except for Collingwood members and supporters.

So it’s understandable that when I scored a ticket for the Geelong Vs Collingwood preliminary final that I went hoping for Geelong to give Collingwood a football lesson. How disappointed I was.

From the outset it was obvious. The umpiring was going Collingwood’s way, as was the bounce of the ball. To rub salt into my wounded heart, Collingwood were skillful, had better decision-making and tackled ruthlessly. Geelong was never in it, Collingwood never let them have a sniff.

Geelong constantly made mistakes, as the pressure was intense. So intense that there became the perception of pressure when there wasn’t any.

Geelong got a few goals back in the last quarter but it was little consolation as Collingwood had long gone into autopilot. You just can’t give the best team in the competition a 10-goal lead and expect to get away with it, I don’t care who you are.

The Geelong dynasty is in danger of being declared officially over. Cameron Ling looked slow, Ottens made no impact and has one year left maximum. Gary Ablett’s apparent move to the Gold Coast won’t help either.

An Ablett departure would draw the curtain on Geelong’s era of dominance. He was the only Geelong player that could say they had a positive influence on the game that night. Some rapid infusion of youth might be necessary as those stalwarts that were so important to their success are on the decline.

The years ahead will bring opportunities for other teams to start their own dynasty. Just please, not Collingwood.