We love having you comment here at Pure Poison but it’s a little bit difficult for discussion to continue uninterrupted on specific posts when off-topic comments land in the middle of them. So each day we’ll launch an open thread where you can leave comments that don’t quite fit on one of the other posts. Remember that tip-offs can be made here.
Have at it!
41 Comments
Im amazed at how little coverage the BNP’s Andrew Brons victory in the European parlimetary elections is getting in the Australian media.
I would have thought the Nazi party making a resurgance (in Britain of all places) would be big news.
Current BNP leader Nick Griffin was publically denying the holocaust as recently as 1998, and the BNP candiate Andrew Brons has a long and well documented history of violence against Jewish property and persons. (Maybe their membership in various violent neonazi groups was “research”?)
Despite this, the BNP courted Jewish votes during European Parlimenatry elections and now accept Jewish members in their search for allies against the “Islamic invasion” of Britain.
I think British Jews should be very, very nervous. People like this don’t just stop being nazis overnight, even when they find a new target to vilify and attack.
http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/the-real-bnp/index.php
“Senator Brown has been ordered to reimburse Forestry Tasmania $240,000 in fees over a legal battle to stop logging in the Wielangta forest in Tasmania’s south-east.
Senator Brown told ABC Local Radio he is not crying poor, but he has already been contacted by people who want to help.
“Dick Smith rang me last night … he didn’t make any specific commitment but he wanted the number of my lawyers,” he said.”
Here’s an idea Bob, don’t sue people when you know you’re going to lose. And have a bit more dignity than to run to rich, millionaire “North-shore Greenies”.
Not forgetting that Sydney has the worst pollution in Australia. Sydney pumps 922,000,000 litres of RAW sewerage into the Pacific Ocean every day. That’s 200 tonnes of heavy metals and 20 tonnes of organochlorines a year.
Shame Sydney shame.
Help keep Bob Brown in the senate.
http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/
Joel B1 – FAIL. Bob won the initial case, and the Federal Liberal and Tasmanian Labor governments then amended the RFA (From The Age – “The section in which the state agreed to protect endangered species from logging was rewritten.”). Both governments intervened on the side of Forestry Tasmania and against protected species. Anyone interested in supporting Bob, or finding out more about why all this happened, should go to http://www.on-trial.info/.
Hey, Joel B1, you are a graduate of Ackerman Upstairs College, aren’t you? Where else would you learn to make such a tenuous connection as that between a Tasmanian Green senator’s legal woes and Sydney’s water pollution?
Bolt’s man crush on Ramsay (poster boy of workchoices) is now truely over after the attack on Grimshaw.
He couldn’t resist a dig at Bob Brown but I seem to recall Andrew Bolt had his fine of $250,000 for slander paid by his employer, didn’t he?
Hello DBD,
You’re right, the election of Brons should be huge news, and is very troubling.
I can only think his success is perhaps the result of something of a backlash against Islamic violence that has been perpetrated in Europe and perhaps against the protests that occurred over the Mohammed cartoons, which saw Islamic protestors in England and elsewhere carrying placards with extremely violent messages on them ?
I think too, he may have been helped by a perception by many in England that perhaps the Government of Blair/Brown have allowed too many concessions to migrants and to non-Christian religions, particularly Islam, and they are sending a message by voting for Brons — either way it is rather disturbing and I’m very surprised that he got support from the Jewish community.
It will be interesting to see what sort of influence he exerts over the next few years — I’m not really sure exactly how much power and influence members of the European Parliament actually have.
Dam Buster @ 6
I notice he’s waxing wrathful at the demonic media who have willingly blown up the boring Ramsay into a “news” phenomenon…no doubt he will seek employment elsewhere in protest, like he did when Rupert swore to turn News Ltd. into a carbon-neutral company.
JoelB1 How about heading over to Bolt and asking him why he hasn’t condemed the terroist murder of Dr Tiller and why he has remained silent on the catholic churches shameful actions in Ierland? At least Bob Brown is doing something and trying to make a difference. As Monkey wrench points out andrew’s legal cost was for a slightly different reason.
I heard a nice definition of “Totalitarian” this morning “what I mean by totalitarianism is the idea that there‘s only one right way. There‘s only one correct answer, that there‘s no gray areas, there‘s nothing complex.” Melissa Harris-Lacewell. Associate professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University, on the Rachel Madow Show. Sound like anyone we know?
“Bolt’s man crush on Ramsay (poster boy of workchoices) is now truely over after the attack on Grimshaw.”
Ha Ha.
IMO It’s wrong to make fun of someone’s appearance, unless that person is a paid model I can’t see the relevance of their looks. FWIW in my opinion Grimshaw is a more physically attractive person than Ramsay, however beauty is a very subjective thing.
On the topic of the BNP I suggested to my mate in the UK over google chat that although Labour are crap and Gordon Brown is a failure why on earth do people think they need to vote Tory or worse (by a country mile) the BNP? What’s wrong with voting Green, I would have thought it the natural choice for workers who feel hard done by by the UK Labour party.
I’m picking that many voters in the UK can’t remember Thatcher and her three million unemployed and the ridiculously inequitable Poll Tax!
Joel B1 @ 2 – do you have any links to support your claim that 922 ML of untreated Sydney sewage is pumped into the ocean, or did you just make that up? Knowing something of the industry, I find your claim somewhat ridiculous.
On other matters, it would seem that suddenly Steven Fielding is the new messiah to Bolt & Ackerman. Funny how no mention is made to the fact that the conference he attended was run by the Heartland institute, who conicidentally fund ‘Dr’ Roy Spencer – author of Bolt’s oft used and meaningless graph.
Gibbot
I noticed a letter in the Age which made a telling point about Fielding, why did he have to go to the US to “consult” on GW? Don’t we have climate scientist here? Isn’t Plimer and Flannery enough for him? It begins to all look a bit strange.
Hi Gav.
I guess im more concerned about the symbolic value of this victory, rather than any power they might exert.
As for the support of Jewish voters for BNP, i can only assume its the “enemy of my enemy is my friend” kind of alliance.
Patricia Richardson, herself ethnically Jewish, is BNP member for Epping forest and her husband, also a BNP candidate, won the nearby ward of Loughton Broadway in 2004.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Richardson_(politician)
I wonder how she deals with the holacaust denial, and goosestepping antisemitism of her fellow BNP members?
Strange bedfellows indeed.
Gibbot – As someone else who knows a little about the industry, try this website:
http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Oursystemsandoperations/WastewaterTreatmentPlants/Coastal.cfm
922ML per day from Sydney’s 3 main treatment plants which are all High-Rate Primary treatment. So they are not discarging RAW sewerage as claimed. In fact only “Approximately 0.5 per cent of Sydney’s sewage is discharged untreated to the ocean at Vaucluse, Diamond Bay and Diamond Bay South.”
What’s wrong with voting Green, I would have thought it the natural choice for workers who feel hard done by by the UK Labour party.
On ABC radio this morning they said the majority of votes in the european elections went to the conservaitves and the UKIP with labour coming 3rd. they didn’t mention the greens at all.
“Joel B1 @ 2 – do you have any links to support your claim that 922 ML of untreated Sydney sewage is pumped into the ocean, or did you just make that up? Knowing something of the industry, I find your claim somewhat ridiculous” (Gibbot @12)
Come in Spinner!
First, “primary treatment” means taking out the bigger logs/rocks etc so they don’t damage the outfall pumps. So don’t be thinking it’s not RAW sewerage ’cause it is, just mashed up. Better to use a big name than tell the truth hey?
Second, http://www.sydneywater.com.au/OurSystemsAndOperations/WastewaterTreatmentPlants/Coastal.cfm
North Head High-rate primary 336 Megalitre/day
Bondi High-rate primary 130 Megalitre/day
Malabar High-rate primary 456 Megalitre/day
Basically, that’s it for most of Sydney. There are secondary and tertiary plants but these are nothing compared to the big three.
Third “I find your claim somewhat ridiculous”. Maybe an apology is order seeing as you’re totally and utterly incorrect.
See, I’ve done the research and don’t just rely on “emotions and feel-good fair-tales”
@ 15 “Gibbot – As someone else who knows a little about the industry, try this website:….all High-Rate Primary treatment. So they are not discarging RAW sewerage as claimed. ”
Wow, being Left/Green really does mean believing the hype!
If you’re so knowledgeable maybe you can tell us exactly what “Primary Treatment” is?
Primary treatment means “macerating the shit up” it’s still raw sewerage you idiot.
Come on, where’s the howls of indignation? righteous outrage?
Face it, you’re wrong, Sydney is the biggest polluter in Australia and it’s a national disgrace. But all the Sydney Chardonnay Greenies can think of is their “holiday-whore Tassie”
PS You do all know that when poo was washing up on Bondi a few years ago they fixed it by extending the outfalls another 3km to sea. That’s sweeping the shit under the carpet on a truly massive scale!
Gee Joel, Why the abuse?
Do you even realize I do not even live in Sydney?
Nice work on trying to make it like it is our issue when you brought it up.
http://www.sydneywater.com.au/OurSystemsandOperations/WastewaterTreatmentLevels/
There is the link, go nuts. I am not doing your work for you.
Interesting article here about the BNP’s remarkable backflip on Judaism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/10/thefarright.race
In the past ten years the BNP have gone from vicious anti semites to rabid pro zionists.
Ruth Smeed, of the Board of Deputies, said: “The BNP website is now one of the most Zionist on the web – it goes further than any of the mainstream parties in its support of Israel and at the same time demonises Islam and the Muslim world.”
Fucking hypocrites. The far Right are happy as long as there is a minority group to villify and blame for crime and unemployment. I don’t think they much care who the victims are, as long as they are convenient scapegoats.
Dear JoelB1
Please explain how sewage (piss and shit mostly) is worse than heavy metals of the sort used in wood pulp to paper production? Now the Sydney sewage situation is not ideal it has not been shown to have disastorous effects on the enviroment. Let’s face it fish shit in the sea all the time, are they polluting the sea?
Sewage is bio-degradable, Heavy metals are not.
What do they do with there sewage in Tasmania?
You are trying to make what is a very silly point.
Hi DBD,
Yes, the symbolism of Brons’ victory is not to be under-estimated, and I imagine it could well lead the way for more BNP and mainland European based extreme ultra Nationalist party candidates to gain office in future elections.
I’m assuming there must be some sort of power or influence that goes with these EU seats, otherwise I can’t see any reason for having them.
Confessions’ point is interesting too, it sounds like Western Europeans are perhaps turning towards a more Conservative frame of mind after having more Left-wing type governments over recent years. I guess its just the way the political cycle moves.
Joel @ 17 – I’ve been to two of the three big STPs Named (North Head & Bondi) and know precisely what treatment takes place. Let’s take North Head. The sewage from the North side tunnel is pumped above ground and into biosolid fermenting tanks where the methane is extracted, cleaned and used to fuel a cogen (that’s a big generator), which supplies about half of the above ground power requirements. From there, the sludge is de-watered (wrung out) and the solids heat and chemical treated. It receives one further treatment off site, rendering it perfectly safe to touch and is then sold for use in roadmaking and landscaping. The water that remains receives further treatment and what is discharged is very close to bing drinkable. Much is stored and used by firefighters during the fire season.
The only time untreated influent is released is in periods of torrential rain when the storage tunnel is unable to cope, and that is primarily stormwater. North Head is actually touted by Sydney Water as one of the greenest plants in the country, and like all STPs has to conform to stringent EPA guidelines or face heavy fines.
Points for trying though. Apology accepted.
@ 24 “Joel @ 17 – I’ve been to two of the three big STPs Named (North Head & Bondi) and know precisely what treatment takes place. Let’s take North Head. The sewage from the North side tunnel is pumped above ground and into biosolid fermenting tanks where the methane is extracted, cleaned and used to fuel a cogen (that’s a big generator), which supplies about half of the above ground power requirements. From there, the sludge is de-watered (wrung out) and the solids heat and chemical treated.”
Bullshit. How it is you’re describing a tertiary treatment and Sydney Water say’s it primary? Someone’s got hold of the wrong treatment plant.
Nice try, but between you and Sydney Water I think I believe Sydney Water…
This comment is not a diversion.
Bono was a twat (and probably still is)
Bono invested in Pandemic Studios. Pandemic make “games” where you get to kill people and destroy property. But that’s OK, the people are only Latin Americans.
(http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1162836.ece)
If you read the article, it repeatedly states that Bono is “unwittingly” involved in this debacle. I don’t know how anyone, not even Bono, can invest US $300,000,000 in a company without knowing what it makes. Especially as Pandemic are notorious for having previously won a US $65 million contract with the US Army to train soldiers in urban warfare techniques.
Some extracts:
“”If you see it, you can buy it, steal it, or blow the living crap out of it.”
Called Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, it is made by Pandemic Studios, in which a private equity firm established by the U2 lead singer (ie Bono) has invested $300m (£165m).”
“Pandemic Studios has a reputation for the realism of its games. It has also produced Full Spectrum Warrior, a game that was initially made for the US Army to train soldiers in urban warfare techniques.”
“In the US, activists are dismayed that a man who has campaigned on Aids and poverty should be linked, however unwittingly, to a product that makes entertainment from the destruction of an independent country.”
So, by investing US $300,000,000 in a warmongering software company, Bono is either a hypocritical twat or a half-wit.
PS, I forgot, there’s a publicity photo of a smugly grinning Bono meeting with the owners of Pandemic floating around somewhere on the web.
Hi DBD,
Just saw your 1.31pm post — don’t know how I missed it before — it is a very interesting article. I can’t help but think that the BNP’s anti-Semitism would still be lurking just under the surface and I reckon it wouldn’t take much to see it rise again. A leopard can’t change its spots and all that…
Think I’ll have to do some research into the European Parliament and see what sort of influence it has on internal domestic politics in individual European countries, I’ve never thought too much about it until now.
Some light entertainment on a snowy Tuesday in Hobart…
“Make your own Mr. Gruff the Atheist goat. Children can keep him on their desks and practice witnessing techniques on him in between homework. Mr. Gruff comes with a coffee mug that he can hold. (Do not use mug with Lambuel figure. Lambuel thinks coffee is yucky!)”
What’s wrong with coffee?
(http://objectiveministries.org/kidz/crafts.html)
PS These are the people who are setting out soon to discover a Pterosaur to show that creationism is Gods way.
ss @22
Thanks for your comment. Tassie; all tertiary treated.
BTW the untreated shit from Sydney contains 200 tonnes of heavy metal that end up in the ocean every year. (haven’t got the reference for that so you’ll have to trust me LOL)
Lol — Love Our Lord !!
That site is Gold JoelB1, I particularly like the crucifiction nails decorations that the kiddies can make to hang on the Christmas tree.
Joel @ 25 – You better get some facts before you shoot off you fool.
North Head Bio-solid removal http://www.rdptech.com/tch2bbs.htm
Bio-solid and methane gas co-generation http://www.sydneywater.com.au/majorprojects/pdf/NorthHeadInfoSheet02.pdf
Like you said “I believe Sydney Water”..
Next time try and link some facts rather than name calling.
Melbourne has just been rated the 3rd most liveable city in the world by The Economist magazine. Last two years it was number two. Five Australian cities are in the top twenty, three in the top ten (Sydney is 9th FWIW). Naturally there is deafening silence from Bolt et al about this.
But if you want a good (if sarcastic) laugh have a squizz at the reader’s comments in the Hun regarding these happy tidings. Here’s a sample (this reads better if you say it using the voice of old Steptoe out of Steptoe and Son, I find):
“”Let’s see – the world’s worst water supply, broken public transport, ineffective state and local government, electricity costs blowing out, taxes blowing out, thugs knifing people daily, home invasions, …….Yep, definitely one of the best places on earth to live. NOT”" Posted by: GP of Melb 9:26am today
Thugs knifing people daily….Where DO these effwits live (if “live” is the word we’re looking for)?
Bob Brown saved from own stupidity by Green mates with money.
“Speaking from his helicopter over Lake Eyre today, Mr Smith said …”
Now that’s irony…
dam buster @31
Nice proposal, has it been done? I see no mention of what treatment level this is expected to be.
Furthermore, I think the following line from the proposal intro really sums up the attitude of Sydney to pollution:
“It will also improve the reliability of the plants operation, ensuring continued protection of bathing water quality on local beaches.
Did you get that bit? That’s with an outfall 3km from shore!
To answer your question Bertus, they live a long way up their own arses.
dam buster @31
Hmm, looking at the pics in http://www.sydneywater.com.au/majorprojects/pdf/NorthHeadInfoSheet02.pdf I’m not impressed.
Pretty small plant for 1 Million people! And funnily, Sydney Water still maintains that North Head is Primary Treatment at 336,000,000 litres a day. Really, don’t ya think if they’ld got it up to secondary or better still tertiary they’ld mention it on their web-site page detailing Ocean Outfalls?
It’s a “feel-good” scheme that fools the more “accepting” citizens.
Sure it’s of benefit, but it’s only a 1/2 flush in the ocean…
Dam Buster – thanks for saving me the trouble. I was speaking from first hand experience. North Head has been a tertiary treatment plant for a few years now.
Joel B1 – Facts is facts. Believe what you choose, but while I’ll concede that there is still much room for improvement with Sydney’s water treatment, things are vastly different to what they used to be. You’d be amazed at the technology that’s being employed.
By the way, loved the link. I’m going to be making myself Professor Giraffenstein’s Clockwork Creation Science Factoidamajig at work tomorrow.
Good job!
that brown became liable for court costs having won the case initially is another nasty under the table piece of work from (dis)honest john howard and his rat mate paul lennon. If howard and lennon had any shred of common decency they’d foot the bill for Brown’s court costs.
he might be gone but the howard stench still lingers over the country.
Very interesting Time Team ep on at the moment on the ABC, for anybody interested.
Sorry about that last comment.
Silly me, this is typical Bob tactics. Like when he got arrested for stopping that Green Jobs dam.
Frankly, I hope that American {guy — Scott} f*cks off back to America.
Joel B1 – So you agree it is indeed not RAW sewerage being discharged? ready to remove your remark?
Also you should do the research on the actual heavy metal discahrges from the likes of North Head. You will find they are considered low even by the clean ocean organisation..
http://cleanocean.org/index_general.asp?menuid=400.040.040.010
Apologies accepted.