In Foreign News
The BBC reports that Venezuela seizes toilet paper factory to avoid shortage.
Apparently the country has been experiencing shortages that have required the importation of toilet paper and the government is suspicious about the reasons for the shortages. [BTW – did you know that the Koch brothers make toilet paper?]
I hope they can unclog the distribution system.
In Australia they are still counting votes. The ABC reports that Clive Palmer wins Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax by 36 votes, triggering recount:
Businessman Clive Palmer has finished just 36 votes ahead in the race for the federal seat of Fairfax, a result which will trigger an automatic recount.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will conduct a recount because the margin is less than 100 votes.
…Mr Palmer told the ABC’s PM program earlier this week that he had other concerns about the electoral process, particularly about ex-military officers involved in the process of counting votes.
“You’ve seen what’s happened in Egypt with a coup over,” he said.
“In a free democracy we don’t want military personnel in control of our election process. We are civilians and it should be a civilian election.
“It’s just too much of a coincidence you’ve got so many ex-military people acting as divisional directors in House of Representative seats.”
I don’t really see how denying former members of the military the right to participate in the process makes the system more democratic, but then I’m not obscenely wealthy like Mr. Palmer.
7 comments
“[BTW – did you know that the Koch brothers make toilet paper?]”
Their slogan: “We offer everything for… and from… the bottom.”
They really are scum. They started on third base with an inherited business and act like they hit a home run. When the price of oil was at its maximum the Shrubbery topped off the US strategic oil reserve with oil from the Kochs. That’s how they made a huge leap in their fortunes.
OT: the cold front is over here tonight and I know exactly what you and Stella have been going through. My sinuses of been throbbing all day.
I truly hope the recount shows that the + is actually a -!! Clive Palmer is a bad joke. Bah!
Glad to hear things may be warming up for you. 🙂 It’s still chilly here, though we have had a couple decent days with actual sun! :O We have a couple sheep grazing in the back yard for the past week. With all the rain it was impossible to mow, and the grass & weeds are waist high! Ah well… The two sheep seem to be enjoying themselves (and are making a decent dent in the *food supply*). 😉
You know how we were saying that the US Mil/Int security couldn’t get much worse? Well… apparently…
Starbucks WiFi network more secure than Pentagon’s
And the morons are worried that there may be spy’s & terrorists amongst the people which justifies stealing everyone’s data? Hmmmm! Too me, this just proves that the Officials are all full of *you-know-what* and need truck loads of the Krap Brothers products!!
They got rid of all of the military and government IT people, so there is no one left to write a solid Request for Proposals for systems, so they get what they ask for, because they have no idea what they need. Everything is out-sourced ‘to save money’, and the results are disastrous.
There are no incentives to do a great job because when the contract ends so does your job. No promotions and no future are not exactly inspirational.
I got the feeling that Mr Palmer thinks that he paid the most for the job of MP, so it should have been awarded to him immediately. I doubt he is going to be able to handle the actual duties of attending Parliament and dealing with constituents. I see a by-election in the not too distant future as he decides he isn’t having any fun.
Well… It looks like it will be interesting I guess. Hmmm.
Underestimate Clive Palmer at your peril, critics say
I can hope that he will keep Abbott in check. Otherwise, we are truly screwed.
I doubt Abbott’s government will last all that long as he is not exactly easy to get along with from what I’ve seen. He seems to be more suited to the opposition than leading the government.
It strikes me that Palmer will want more of a voice in things than Abbott wants to give him, so there will be some hard feelings before long.