HAPPY NEW YEAR, UNHAPPY CENTENARY.

      New Year's Day, 100 yrs. ago, marks Australia's first terrorist attack by Muslims, as mentioned in my book, The Sable Provenance. Two Indian nationals attacked a train out of Broken Hill, killing 4 and injuring 7. They were shot dead by police. Islamic terrorists?? Yes, notes were found in their pockets attributing their actions to the glory of Allah. This was very close to the murder of my grandmother by Muslim radical students from the dental school in Banda Aceh [the town almost wiped out by the 2004 tsunami]. Lets pray for a peace-filled year ahead on our streets, in our homes and on the roads.

CURED...AND I DIDN'T DIE.

    Lump of pork. Totally encase in cooking salt for 2 weeks. Wash and dry. Soak in water, vinegar, desired spices esp. cayenne for a week or two. Wash and dry. All previous storage to be at around 12deg. Store to dry out a week. EAT. No preservatives used [except salt which I laced with sugar]. Quite palatable, depending on the aromatics used, and I didn't get sick.

IS JAPAN THE NEW REICH?

     As a watcher of universal trends that hint a a new world order, its clear that our globe is politically divided into three blocs. First, the Totalitarian countries of mainly Russia and China. Second, the Islamic bloc with the likes of IS, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and others, not to mention seemingly benign Islamic states and countries. Third, little ol' us of the democratic world, with the US, Europe, Canada etc.Japan wants to be seen as part of the latter bloc, but it alarms me for one, although i've not read anything to suggest that they are anything but a loyal Western ally. Really?                                                 The Japanese govt. is pushing to change laws that gives them "fast access of their military into theatres of war". This is in the name of being able to support Western allies and peace-keeping. From info I've seen and read in the last 18 mths the Japanese military, navy and air force are recruiting like never before in modern times, and their training is fanatical. Well, excuse me but I thought the surrender of Germany and Japan obliged those countries to arm themselves as was sufficient for their immediate defense, not to a level to fit them out to engage other countries externally, nor where they were under any direct threat.                                                                                                                           Remember, following WWII, although Germany had been quashed, within 20 years it had re-built enough military might to almost conquer the rest of the world.So what is the real reason that Japan is so hell-bent on building up its armies and legislating for its unrestricted movement? This is a country that, 70 years ago at the armistice, had to undertake not to worship its Emperor as the One God, to not consider consequently that only the Japanese were truly human while all others were sub-human [hence the justification to torture and maltreat the sub-humans]. Am I being alarmist, or will we see a repeat of Chamberlain smooching up to Hitler?

SHAKEN, BUT IDRIS NOT TOO STIRRED.

     Insignificant snippet touts Idris Elba as the next 007. Idris suggests that he is not handsome enough....yeah sure! Here's one bloke that wouldn't mind your looks. Having seen quite a lot of Elba I would say he would lend some "dignified Cool" to the role. But its a way off as Daniel Craig is contracted for the next Bond, late 2015. But can't wait to see what Idris can do with the role.... but please writers, not tooo much action.

HIRE A NANNY[STATE] .

     Now we can't drink milk, au naturale. The Vic. govt. is reportedly planning to force milk producers to pasteurise milk and/or add a bitter taste to it following the death of a child recently, after his mother had given him 'bath milk".                                                                                                             Add this to compulsory seat-belts, helmets, plain-packaging etc. Last month W.A.'s major sponser of cultural and sporting events was the influence behind the cancellation of "Carmen", the light opera because, as culture buffs know, it is set in a ciggy factory. [The cancellation was overturned after a public fuss].

WHAT WAS CHRISTMAS ALL ABOUT?

      Of  the human person Psalm 8 says: "thou hast made him little less than God, and dost crown him with glory and honour." In Psalm we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," and destined for eternal union with our creator/father/mother. But we stuff up by sin and our ignoring God.                                     To redeem us, God himself took on human flesh to show us the Way back, to show us just how much He loves His creatures, and to urge us to love our fellow beings. THAT WAS CHRISTMAS.... God became a human through Mary's assent and Joseph's forebearance, in the person of Jesus Josephson, the Christ [the annointed]. Happy Days!                                                                                        Check out the great read/short story in the gospel of Luke.

NAUGHTY BOYS, Go to Your Room!

      KIM: You rat! You made a nasty film about me.                                                                                     BARA: Awww, its just a bit of fun and free speech.                                                                                 KIM: I'm gunna bomb you if you show it.                                                                                                 BARA: What about when you spied on us on the NET?                                                                           KIM: Did not.                                                                                                                                             BARA: Did too! So we just cut your service....heeergh.                                                                           ME: That's enough! Go to your room and don't come out until you both get some sense, shake hands make up. And I'm taking away all your toy planes and ships and nuclear missiles until you do.