Posts by Paul Williams

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  • Speaker: Part 10: Like Comedy, Timing is…,

    Those two hours west, Sydney, provide the perfect time advantage for the last twenty or so overs - the glorious run chase or slow strangulation (gwad, the spectre of Woolmer's demise now hangs over us). The little one wakes up, you do the caring father routine and change nappies, administer milk and resettle... then a quick dash to a mate's or the nearest feral pub; a sneaky pint and a badly charred pie - heaven!

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Speaker: Part 9: Fred Ain't Dead,

    What a sad development re Bob Woolmer today. :o(

    I can't work out which is more tragic. The thought that he died from the stress or despair of losing to the Irish or the prospect that some fan(atic) has murdered him? Either way, I suspect Greg Chappell will be keeping his distance from Ganguly.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Speaker: Part 9: Fred Ain't Dead,

    The best thing about the Poms is their supporters. Them and Monty. They were awful during the Ashes test, boring and negative. The only way the could be worse would be if Clive Woodward was their coach.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Speaker: Part 6: Why We Lose,

    No way? I've been misinformed.

    Thanks for the advice Legbreak - I'd been told that it was "Skull" but had not confirmed; am happy to defer to you.

    O'Keefe played for Australia - 24 tests according to wiki - but it's his commentary that I know him for. Including shameless blog-whoring on this bit of genius:

    http://backin15.blogspot.com/2007/02/better-than-keith-quinns-inarticulate.html

    shameless blog-whoring off

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Speaker: Part 6: Why We Lose,

    'Nuf of this blue pill bollocks...

    I wandered around inner Sydney looking for a feral bar bulging at the seam, full of beige brigaded kiwis, but alas there was none. Just me, walking alone in the morning light, euphoric at the glorious defeat of ol'blighty. Thankfully it's Paddy's day and the Irish are willing to celebrate anything (particularly it potentially involves a new use for their hurly).

    I see Gary Sober's six sixes in an over has been repeated. It was poor old Kerry O'Keefe who suffered Sober's wrath - damn fine commentator if not leg-spinner.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Hard News: Gay, but really not happy,

    Craig Ranapia said:

    __Do you have any idea how difficult it is to put little leather chaps, harnass and false eyelashes on a guineapig?__

    It's got to be easier than getting a three year old, up, dressed, through the bathroom, fed and watered, reunited with 'Golly (don't ask) and person-handled into a car seat... all by 6.45am. And then the fun really begins...

    6.45am? OMG, we struggle to make 7.45am - personally, I'd have better luck with the chaps and eyelashes than the 6.45am deadline.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bad men,

    And there it is; television has finally reached the bottom of the big-ideas-bucket!

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bad men,

    simon g said:

    One way to improve trials/verdicts is ... to take part.

    I don't disagree however having more, and possibly more capable, juries won't change the operation of the rules of evidence and criminal proceedure (3410's comment above about the delay in the complaint makes matters even more complex).

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bad men,

    I'm pretty sympathetic to the call for changes to the trial process, for rape and for other criminal acts. When I was a young and impressionable law student, criminal law and evidence courses were quite a wake up in terms of the exposure of victims. Of course the rigours of the rules of evidence and procedure are there for good reason, and bad cases make for bad law etc, however cases like this have chilling effect on other victims which is in no one's best interests.

    Russell, I'm sure there'll be no major objection to the changes to PA; you/PA team run a great service, I hope you make a matzah.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

  • Island Life: Browned to perfection,

    So is gender, race, age, and lots of other things we choose not to discriminate on.

    Tussock, actually gender and race are not terribly good predictors of income or labour market participation (race is relevant to qualifications, gender isn't).

    Also, I'm not suggesting some centralised control of the entire economy but... building schools and hositals when existing facilities are full is a pretty good way of ensuring waiting lists and over-crowded schools. Generally, schools and hospitals are planned over 10 - 20 year horizons and are linked to other developments including roading, public transport, sewage blah blah blah blah blah...

    Peter, your examples don't negate the fact that earnings and labour market participation are tightly correlated with qualifications. Your "many" is not all, nor is it most. Most high wage earners are qualified at or above trade level. Therefore, if we have any interest in migrants finding meaningful work, we should have a look at their qualifications/skills compared with employers' demand.

    I wonder if your examples of poor planning aren't really about funding. There is only so much government can or should plan, but schools, roads and hospitals are up there... and I'm not for one moment suggesting no migration 'cause it muck's with our plans, I'm just saying opening the borders makes it damn near impossible to plan sensibly - I have no problem with additional migration, none whatsoever... the more the merrier I say.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report

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