Patriot Realm

In the annals of history, certain events stand out as extraordinary displays of human resilience and solidarity.

One such event is the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II.

Against all odds, the allied forces executed a remarkable rescue mission that saved hundreds of thousands of lives and altered the course of the war. The operation, known as the "Miracle of Dunkirk," remains etched in our collective memory as a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of adversity.

“Let’s put you in the dunking chair and we’ll figure out what nature says about your status in the next world, and then we’ll make a decision about what to do with your still-living body.” — Matt Taibbi

I’m sure you’re asking yourself: what’s up with the company CEOs like Anheuser-Busch’s Brendan Whitworth, Target’s Brian Cornell, and North Face’s Todd Spaletto? Did they green-light the disastrous Pride Month marketing campaigns based on transgender activism that are suddenly wrecking their businesses? Or do these things just happen down the chain-of-command while the top dogs are otherwise occupied, knocking golf balls around or reviewing their stock options’ strike prices?

Well, this has caught me off guard. I never expected Mark McGowan to pull a Jacinta Ardern and do the " I am tired " routine. 

So worn out, so exhausted from working so hard to ..... well, I am amazed. Some might say that it is a "Thank God, about time " moment. I could not possibly say that. 

Poor man. Some might say " It is amazing how they worked so hard to screw us over during the Covid Scamdemic and, when they look like they might be up for a bit of scrutiny, they bugger off because they are so, so tired. Boo Hoo. "

Someone might say " Well, guess what Mark McGowan and all of you who are bailing out right now? You are in the Life boat and we are left bailing the water out of a sinking ship that is our country. 

Thanks a million. "

 John Wayne is an American Hollywood icon every bit the equal of James Dean or Marilyn Monroe.

He is also a man from another era, a man whose conservatism came as naturally as walking down the street.

Affectionately known as “The Duke,” he spent three decades as a top box office draw with 179 film and television credits to his name.

Nearly 30 years has flowed under the bridge since I last owned a dog. That doesn’t mean that I’ve had nothing to do with dogs. It means that I’ve had relationships with other people’s dogs as a by-product of the relationship with their owners - some of an intimate nature and some not. But that’s what this series of posts is all about - the behaviour of people and dogs.

The day I met Eddie I had driven about 50 kilometres to Alan’s house on the outskirts of Nowra, a town some two hours drive south of Sydney. I’d been modifying some paint shaking machines for my brother who owns several paint shops. However, I needed  a special machine cutting tool and it was the sort of tool I’d probably never use again and couldn’t really justify its heady price tag. Borrowing was the best option.

Alan was another of those middle-aged men who was trying to get on with life after the trauma of a failed marriage. It’s funny how people wake up one morning in a 25-year marriage to discover they hate each other. Men never know why, women always tell you that the split comes from a lifetime of hell at the hands of an uncaring and self-absorbed man.

Back in 2005, I was teaching in an adult learning environment. I had been a long time fan of Science Fiction and an avid reader of the old classics. I loved the work of Douglas Adams and had read the works of pretty much every Sci Fi author I could lay my hands on. I had read the work of JRR Tolkien.

I was no Sci Fi novice. 

In short, I was a Space Opera, Sci Fi, Fantasy junkie. Always searching for my next fix. 

I sat down one day during our class lunch break and one of my students was sitting, munching on his sandwich and totally engrossed in a paperback novel. It appeared to be huge. Over a thousand pages. He was so engrossed in his book that I felt almost invasive by asking him what he was reading.