Elections vulnerable to the corrupt

When we look at aftermath of the USA election, it is easy to feel rather self-righteous in Australia that it could not happen here. Except our system is actually in a rather bad way but nobody in parliament wants to do a thing about it, even when we are now vulnerable to the corrupt.

Our electoral system is much more centralised than that of the USA. So, we will not see the same sort of state-by-state drama here. But what we do have is an outdated Electoral Act and a largely powerless Australian Electoral Commission. Our 2019 election emphasised just how vulnerable our system really is.

Pitch the &*%#ing thing up!

It is 5:08 pm, AEDST, as I begin to type. And as I type, I am watching the Fifth Test against India. And I am left with one burning question – are the Australian fast bowlers on the take? Are there sub-continental bookies rubbing their hands together in glee?

I realise that making such an allegation is pretty harsh. But how else can we explain the way in which the Australian quickies are simply giving the game away? They did it in the first innings in failing to clean up the Indian tail and have now been doing it for the entire Indian second innings.

Bling for Scotty

Donald Trump has just awarded Scott Morrison with the Legion of Merit. But for what?

First of all, just what is the Legion of Merit? It is a military award of the US Armed Forces for ‘exceptional meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services and achievements.’

So, who is eligible for the Legion of Merit? You are supposed to be in the Uniformed Services of the USA and or a member of allied armed services.

Sorry, but just when was Scotty of Marketing in the Australian armed services, providing outstanding services and achievements in that role? For that matter, can you imagine Scotty in something like the Army?

Ready, set – dance!

According to He Who Knows All, Peter FitzSimons, we aren’t fussed about the Olympics admitting breakdancing as a new event. Really? In fact, every person I have asked about it agrees with me – that it is a ridiculous thing. And meanwhile, established sport is still overlooked for an Olympic berth.

Let me make something quite clear. I do not have a problem with breakdancing itself. Does it require skill? Yes. Can it be competitive? Yes. Could I do it? No. But playing classic piano in an eisteddfod also fits those qualifiers. But we aren’t about to see the 200 metre grand piano Für Elise dash as a prelude to the sprint finals.

Fraser Anning and a nasty female canine

Oh dear. With all that has been happening this year, I missed this little gem. But when I really did need a laugh, this gave it to me.

What prompted this eventual hilarity was Facebook reminding me that 12 months ago today, I posted a comment that bankruptcy proceedings had just started against Fraser Anning.

The Palmer-Porter Follies

I just discovered a big error of fact in what was originally posted. So for now it was easier to just delete. But this piece shall return once I have edited appropriately.

All hail the valiant Sir SloMo!

Once upon a time we could rely on things like national newspapers to at least pretend to be impartial. These days that is pretty hard to find.

Take today’s Sunday Telegraph for example. Alas, it was the only paper left at the shop when I went for a constitutional. And the front page shouted ‘ScoMo saved my life. ‘Leftie’ found bleeding on beach thanks PM, bodyguard for rescue.’

Clearly the important part, or least what the Shit Times would like at least some of us to think, is that SloMo saved the person despite being a dreaded Leftie. What a man! What a hero!!

public domain graphic from http://www.cleanpng.com/

‘We must save her!’

Facebook and fraud

Facebook. The massive social media organisation is never far away from the news for one reason or another. But one thing I am not seeing them being reported on, is how Facebook might potentially be involved in fraud, either before or after the fact.

Pretty serious sounding stuff, isn’it.

Pay Facebook to cheat

Internet scams are nothing new. And one in particular has been doing the rounds for some time now, citing all sorts of names and television programs, while Facebook and Twitter take payment for hosting ads for the scammers. But now the ABC is reporting on this and maybe something may change. Maybe.

An Utterly Pointless Commission

There was one thing that came out strongly in the 2019 Federal election. It needs urgent attention. And all in parliament are simply ignoring it,

The last election proved once and for all how utterly useless and powerless the Australian Electoral Commission is, through no fault of their own. The Electoral Act and associated legislation and regulation are in urgent need of remedial attention. But the whole subject is subject of deafening political silence.