Does anyone else feel that we are on a roundabout and we don't know how to get off? Are we feeling dizzy with the government putting dollars over decency? Do we feel we are swinging by our necks on a government noose?
Of late, " I remember " has taken on a sense of urgency. It is as if our minds need to share as much as possible before the lights go out on the old world we grew up in and the New World Order takes over. Nostalgia is comfort food for the soul.
Particularly in these days when we are being driven crazy by profit over patriotism and callousness over care.
Read more: Roundabouts and Swings - Why Childhood is so Important
As 15th August ( the surrender by Japan in WW II ) approaches one can anticipate the usual diatribes from the unwashed and soy-latte sets lecturing us on how bad we were in 1945 to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. None of these know-alls were even alive in 1945 so whatever they have to say comes from their collective backsides.
Britain, Germany and the USA were all working to become the first to master nuclear fission. Thankfully it was America who won.
The American effort began in 1939 when Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt setting out the possibilities and predicted consequences of unleashing nuclear power. Einstein, a German born Jew, left Germany to study in Zurich and renounced his citizenship in 1896 to avoid compulsory military service.
Read more: Hiroshima and Nagasaki - a Moment in Time or Just in Time?
On July 28, 2023, Weekend Australian Magazine published a bombshell report based on an exclusive interview with Dr. Robert (Bob) Kadlec, the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) who served under Donald Trump. Basically, the subtext of the interview can be summarized as “it was all Tony’s fault, not mine.”
To many readers this may seem like just more Washington, DC Kabuki theater with a side order of limited hangout (much like the prior Vanity Fair article in which Kadlec provided a generous scoop of spin with a topping of CYA). Personally, I find this whole “inside the Beltway” rush to deflect blame for the gross “public health” mismanagement and rampant lying during the COVIDcrisis slightly amusing, in a twisted sort of way, but definitely popcorn worthy.
I have often pondered why mankind decided to go after the humble whale. After all, the whale was out there, in the ocean, minding his or her own business and wasn't really causing any problem. Unless you were a seal, krill or plankton. In which case, you probably had a civil rights claim or two.
Yet this gentle giant ( as far as humans are concerned ) was not bothering anyone. All the whales wanted to do was what they have done since God first had a great idea " I think I'll make a whale. " and the whales just cruised around, having babies, blowing bubbles and migrating to warmer places and having a jolly old time.
So what did the poor whale do to us? Well, let me tell you a whale of a tale and how the Industrial Revolution saved it.
“We do not have to visit a madhouse to find disordered minds; our planet is the mental institution of the universe.”
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
How many times in our lives has it been said or thought that things could not get worse, weirder, more absurd, more dangerous, more immoral, more brutal, more controlling, more restrictive, more perverted, more murderous, or more insane? Can those thoughts even be considered in this day and age of complete and total lunacy? What has happened to mankind, and can it all be blamed on brainwashing and indoctrination by the ruling class over the rest of society?
I am motivated to write this article after reading a post online elsewhere where a person said that he was culling his " followers " from his social media.
Why?
Because they couldn't argue their case. Instead, they were resorting to ridicule, abuse, insults and one-line comebacks, instead of pointing out why they held an opinion that was worthy of consideration.
Herein lies the problem.
You see, today, people have lost the ability to debate. To argue their case. To defend their position. To exemplify why they are right. How they came to their conclusion, where they found their information in order to form their opinion and when they came to form their opinion in the first place.
We were to be a crew of three, John, Adriane and myself. Adriane, however, using her keen feminine wisdom suggested we post an ad on the bulletin board in the American Church seeking a shipmate. An American student who was living in Paris for the summer made quick response.
Mary was a smart and pretty girl of twenty-one from an upper, middle class, Washington family. She was to return at summer's end to an executive training position with General Electric. Mary, obviously bright, had competed for that chance among several hundred applicants. We advised her to consider the proposition overnight. The following morning Mary arrived with her bag packed and ready to go.
Read more: PARIS TO LYON BY CANAL ON THE WANDERLUST II - Part 2
Born 113 years ago, Douglas Bader would grow up to be a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace responsible for more than 20 aerial victories during the Second World War.
But his success stalled in August 1941 when he was forced to bail out of his plane over France, and he was subsequently captured by the Germans, ending up at Colditz prisoner of war camp until its liberation in 1945.
Read more: Douglas Bader - hero , flying ace and an inspiration to reach for the sky
My father passed 8 years ago on the 4th of August. Needless to say. it will be like so many other days, a day of loss. Just before dawn the other night, there was the hint of a thunderstorm. Not big. Just a rumble in the sky and some distant lightning.
Mum ( Redhead) lay snuggled in bed with her male manx cat and he purred and asked for a reassuring rub on his belly and a kiss. A nudge from his head to remind her that he was there.
It took me back to the days when Dad used to say to wake up in the early hours and ask Redhead " Would you like a cup of tea? " and they would sit together and chat and enjoy the dawn hours together, with a nice cup of tea.
Read more: Purring. Protective and Passionate - a real furry fairy story
In October, 2022, after months of negotiation and speculation, the World’s Richest Man purchased “his favourite social media platform” for $44-billion US dollars — because he could, and because he could bring change.
The change he subsequently brought, was the change that was truly desired by a silent (but truly silenced) majority.
And it was Good…
…but he was not done changing…
Read more: FROM TWITTER TO X: Musk's Dark Vision for an "Everything App"
As sports descends into a quagmire of politics, trans rights, flag burning and racial divides, it seems to me that we need to look to historic events to be reminded of what sport is really all about.
To represent your country or town, school or community is an honour. It is a moment that should be filled with pride. Not only for the players, but also the spectators who fill the stadiums and cheer for their favourite.
I watched a film last night called " 83" - about the Cricket World Cup victory by India. What a story of sportsmanship, unity, mateship and determination. How sad that we now seem to be following 1984 from George Orwell instead of the inspiration of Kapil Dev's 1983....
Read more: 1983 was about Winners. 1984 is about Losers. Howzat for a headline?
Crack Up or Crack Apart When the world gets grim, you’ve only got two choices:…
185 hits
Dusty Gulch Dispatch: The Croc Cavalry & the Great Duckening By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Special…
351 hits
The Warning of Gareth Jones: Who Owns Our Land, Our Water, Our Future? When we…
322 hits
"At his best, man is the noblest of all animals; separated from law and justice,…
343 hits
As a teacher seasoned by years of studying history and upholding the integrity of language,…
476 hits
“The stupidity of democracy. It will always remain as one of democracy’s best jokes that…
412 hits
It was 19 years ago on the 4th of September 2006 that Steve Irwin rolled…
498 hits
Why Even a My Little Pony Rifle Makes More Sense than Gun Bans We have…
482 hits
Dusty Gulch Dispatch: The Great Literary Rebellion By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Special Correspondent (still in…
477 hits
I was 12 years old when "The Prisoner " came out. Sometimes, I would sneak…
510 hits
Ordinary people following rules - without questioning right from wrong - can enable harm. History…
459 hits
On September 3rd, Australia marks National Flag Day - a day that should fill us…
571 hits
Australia was never built on timidity. It was carved out by men and women who…
658 hits
It is hard to believe that twenty-eight years have passed since the world lost Diana,…
607 hits
Few figures divide Australians as sharply as Ned Kelly. To some, he is a larrikin…
752 hits
Paddy’s Golden Mischief: A Rat’s-Eye View of Dusty Gulch By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble, Chief Correspondent…
525 hits
We are told it’s all under control. Markets are managed, energy transitions are planned, and…
548 hits
In the shadow of a shattered empire, the Weimar Republic rose in 1919, promising democracy,…
582 hits
“Some of us may forget that, of all the Allies, it was the Australians who…
691 hits
When 5 Ducks Take on Snakes, Dusty Gulch Prepares for Bloodshed By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble,…
588 hits
" Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it…
624 hits
In early 1951, New Zealand’s waterfronts weren’t just bustling ports - they had become battlegrounds.…
686 hits
Ratty News Special: “From Gondwana to Dusty Gulch: The Ostrich Problem” By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble,…
643 hits
During World War II, Australia was a vital cog in the Allied machine, sending troops…
736 hits
Of all the magnificent units and regiments of the Australian Army I doubt if…
677 hits
The Emu War is one of Australia’s strangest historical events. In late 1932, the government…
600 hits
For nearly a decade, I’ve poured my soul into this blog. Twelve hours a day,…
564 hits
The Battle of Long Tan took place on August 18, 1966, in the Phuoc Tuy…
626 hits
We live in a strange age where even computers can sound like they care. AI…
495 hits
RATTY NEWS EXCLUSIVE: DIGITAL DINGO’S BIN BONANZA By Roderick (Whiskers) McNibble – Chief Correspondent, Dusty…
674 hits
On 6 and 9 August 1945, the United States detonated two atomic bombs over the…
580 hits
Democracy: Now With 97% Less Majority Rule Because who needs the will of the people…
741 hits