cdbragg

  A work colleague of my wife became alarmed to learn that I selected the new bedding and towels for our  apartment. His instant reaction being -'Apart from the sex, obviously, are you sure he's not gay?' Strangely, it is not the first time that 'doubt' has crept into people's vision of me. I have, on more than one occasion been looked at sideways because of my less-than-manly traits. Some judge me metrosexual but frankly that feels soooooooo last decade.   One of my closest friends in the world went through a rather baffling phase where he lamented not being gay because, and you can't make this up, they get all the good bread! Now, you might not have met my mate; but seeming as this is posted on his website, I will labor under the assumption that you have met Cameron D. Bragg. That assumption means that you will be aware that he is known for his broad and seemingly random statements. It is only after some thought on your behalf, that you make some sense of it.  Is it a metaphor? Maybe, if you want it to be. Is it just literal? Well it became a staple of his conversations...

Why is everyone so much more important nowadays? If you you don't own a blog do you exist at all? I blog, therefore I am: Its a new world order. Frankly I do concede it to be incredibly post-modern (well actually whatever contemporary culture deems is the post, post- modern) to raise this debate in a blog. But, here I go I guess. Look at that last sentence for a minute will you? See how I started it with 'but?' What a revolutionary concept...no really. My wonderful English teacher Mrs.Robinson (yes that was her name and yes my mate Morry  and I sat in the back row and hummed dudt-ta, dudt, ta-dudt, dud dud, dud dud do,  all day long) would always stress the rules of grammar were quite specific about not beginning sentences with 'but' or 'and.' Quite right for mine too. It always sounds like you are picking up the story midstream. 'Now...where was I? That's right- But....' Much later I enrolled in a creative writing course and had another brilliant teacher by the name of Ray Mooney, who's bugbear (and trust me all writers and most readers have lots of them) was...well using the word 'was.' He taught...

This is almost off topic for the "Song of the Day" category, but it is overall something pretty cool.  A bloke by the name of Vermin Supreme is a serial US Presidential candidate.

This song by The Gregory Brothers takes some statements of his from a real candidate's forum and turns it into song.  It's probably not one of their best ever songs - but the fact that this guy is for real makes it pretty good.

He has a wide variety of policies, relating to things such as dental needs, ponies, zombies... and magic powder to turn you gay!  Hope you enjoy.

image from www.verminsupreme.com

So here is my response from Luke Hartsuyker relating to a proposed National Container Deposit System.  I received this back in September - sorry it took so long to update here. Dear Cameron Thanks for your email about container deposits. Although I can see the attraction of a national deposit scheme, this is a clear State responsibility. I believe the idea has merit and seems to work well in South Australia. You may want to raise the issue with your local State Member Andrew Fraser who can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Kind regards Luke Hartsuyker As an aside, the NSW Local Government & Shires Association has thrown it's weight behind a National Container Deposit System.  You can read their statement on their website here: http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/4098-9th-december-2011-its-time-for-container-deposit-schemes-councils-say.asp?intSiteID=1 The general gist being that the beverage industry should be responsible for their own waste, not local councils (in terms of bins in public places). In other news, the NT deposit scheme commenced on 1 January.  Well done! image source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-16/20110916greens-on-container-deposits/2902210...

Following my last post about a Container Deposit System, I decided to also write to my local Federal MP about the issue.  You'll remember my last correspondence with him from this post. Here's what I wrote in support of a Container Deposit System: Hi Luke, Thanks for your reply to my last email regarding your position on the issue of marriage equality. I appreciate you taking the time to give your thought to the issue. Today, I'm emailing you to ask you to advocate for and support the introduction of a National Container Deposit System. This would be a national version of the system currently in place in South Australia and due to be introduced in the Northern Territory from January, where each container sold (eg can, bottle, etc) can be redeemed for 10c. This is only a token amount but has been enough to keep the streets, parklands and waterways of South Australia virtually free of this kind of rubbish. I participated in Clean Up Australia Day earlier this year, working in Coffs Creek with some friends on our kayaks (see attached photo) and the majority of what we were finding was drink bottles and cans. A deposit system like...

I was listening to Background Briefing on Radio National this morning.  They had a really interesting program on the container deposit system that is being introduced in the Northern Territory.  This is like the one that has operated in South Australia since the 1970s, where each container includes a 10c deposit that is reclaimed when the container is returned.  It's a variation on the old "Cash A Can" system that I used to do when I was a kid. I've always thought that this kind of system was great.  It brings market forces in to play by placing a value on what is otherwise considered rubbish.  It is a great way for kids to earn a few extra dollars by collecting cans and bottles and helps to keep our streets clean. You can listen to the radio program here: http://goo.gl/8mk70 In the program, one of the arguments against a scheme was from the beverage industry, who argued that the best way to increase recycling is to put more recycling bins in public places.  They also seemed to be concerned with the cost of running the container collection process (even though Coca Cola Amatil make a profit on their part of this process)....

I'm pretty impressed with what's happening over at Fearless,  A great idea that looks at the way we approach the world, especially the way in which we respond to changing consumer needs and demands.   And let's face it.  We need to become a better society.  It is starting to happen at the fringes, with more people choosing organic, choosing free range and wanting to know more about how and where their food comes from.  We see it with the number of people who are concerned about live animal export, about the expanding coal seam gas industry.  And we see it in videos like this one, which I found via the Fearless blog. Yes, it's part of an advertising campaign for a major US fast food chain (as best I can tell).  And yes, there is always the chance that there is a bit of greenwashing going on.  But having a look at their website, they are at least talking about the issues of choosing only "naturally raised" animals.  And that sounds pretty good to me. So check out the video below.  Hopefully it will serve as a reminder that there are better ways to raise animals, better ways to feed...

If we don't tell our local representatives our thoughts... and if they don't ask (for whatever reasons)... how can we expect them to represent us?

So here is my letter, just emailed, to Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker.

I love the idea of winning the lotto.  I only buy tickets maybe three times per year, but when I do I am absolutely convinced I'm going to win (don't worry, I understand the reality and the odds, but it's nice to dream).
Usually, I've already worked out what/how/where/when/why I'm going to spend my immense winnings.
But I was listening to the...

School drift sets alarm bells ringing

Brumby vs Baillieu (image source news.com.au link)

Push to end donations - National - theage.com.au
-snip-
Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull is pushing for a ban on corporations and organisations contributing to political campaigns, saying it is high time the matter was addressed.
-snip-
I'm a bit worried about some of the stuff that is happening in politics in Australia right now. But at the same time,...

This stinks. Like a big fat dead whale that has blown up in the middle of a city street and coated the footpath and buildings in decaying blubber...
Oral briefings only for Haermeyer - www.theage.com.au
Apparently there was never any written communication about police corruption and gangland killings between Victoria Police and the Police...

The Australian political landscape took a turn for the better today, with Senator Brian Harradine, the independent Senator for Tasmania announced his retirement.
Harradine formally retires - Breaking News - http://www.theage.com.au
I once described Senator Harradine as a "boil on the neck of Australian democracy", and a quick lesson in Australian...

Well it's about time...
Fitzgerald berates both sides of politics - www.theage.com.au
The corruption of democracy - Opinion - www.theage.com.au
As you'll see in the articles from The Age newspaper, Tony Fitzgerald has finally said what has been obvious for many years. Mr Fitzgerald writes that the ethics of government have been abandoned by both...

The fight on Main Street - National - www.theage.com.au
I know Mordialloc well. It is a wonderful seaside village as this article suggests. There is a real community atmosphere in Mordialloc and a strong body of people who want to 'protect' it.
However, 'protection' in this sense means having absolutely no change. I'm not talking about...