UN - Funny name for a whore

“Pissing into the sea” is one of those colourful phrases usually reserved for an endeavour that is a complete waste of time or fruitless. Certainly a phrase that could be used for any reform process in that monstrous waste of taxpayer money and time commonly known as the United Nations.

Of course, you will hear the morons of the world parroting “oh it was not sanctioned by the UN or the international community thinks” What reasonable person gives a bucket of dingo droppings for what the UN thinks?

Let’s review the status of the of the filthy old whore at the moment.

The old UN Commission on Human Rights was dismantled in June last year in a flurry of much demanded reforms (and after acknowledging the UNCHR was an obscene travesty.

The replacement the UN Human Rights Council, sounds good so far with such leading luminaries of Human Rights such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China, Cuba, Angola, Azerbaijan… (Are you puking yet?)

Perhaps that’s not fair, I mean they have already made nine resolutions criticising human rights abuses, so they are obviously on the job.

The resolutions, The slaughter of African Muslims in Dafur (Remind anyone of a book ..some are more equal than others?)…nope … Harassment of opposition parties in Zimbabwe..nope… China…Nope…Russia…nope or dare I say even Indonesia’s somewhat patchy record…nope. How about a resolution on Saudi Arabia were women are banned from even driving a car!...nope

All nine resolutions are directed at Israel, including one accusing Israel of transgressing women’s rights…Now I am no great fan of Israel but give me a break…what a bunch on International Wankers!

Some other pearlers

UN Committee on Information: China and Kazakhstan

The UN Commission on Sustainable Development: Chairman Zimbabwe

World Food Program executive board: Sudan and Zimbabwe

UN’s Disarmament Commission: Iran was just elected as vice-chairman,

The UN International Labour Organisation Governing Body (the one lots of union officials and the left wing loons like to appeal to): wait for it … Saudi Arabia (Ask any returning Indonesian Worker how well they are treated in SA).

Perhaps insensitive to mention another country who is on the Human Rights Council but has yet to solved the murder of a HR activist on its national carrier, or bring anyone to account for over a 1000 deaths in 1998 (although it does seem to help your promotion opportunities?). Anyway that would be insensitive so I won’t mention that.

It’s all a joke and not a very nice one. It is well past time that the more rational nations of the world dumped the UN, this dodgy old street whore, with nary a moral fibre left in her stinking, pus ridden body.

Ignore the catcalls and whines of the world slime pits and create a new organisation that actually stands for something. First rule of entry, if you ain’t democracy don’t bother knocking. If you cannot guarantee your own citizens safety and basic human rights…ditto.

As for the rest of you, hey none asked you to join, fill ya boots on someone else’s dollar.

Acknowledgement: A lot of the idea for this and even some direct pinches are from a bloke by the name of James Allan (Professor of Law). Thanks James

GLOBAL WARMING...

Al...AL Where are you????????????..You promised the ICE WAS MELTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DILBERT GOES NUCLEAR

As promised, more from the National Office of Shallow Thought (also known as Indonesian Nuclear Technology Supervisory Agency)

Now just because I do not support the wholesale alarmist calls of the more radical Green groups does not mean (as some have suggested) that we at the stump are blind to moronic plans to turn us all into glowing mutants.

With Indonesian’s Nuclear Power proposal even Blind Freddy could see that a Nuclear Power Plant/Industry in Indonesia would be an unmitigated economic and environmental disaster! Fortunately, us ANTI – NUKES have secret ally in fighting such a proposal, none other than the Nuclear Technology Supervisory Agency itself. Even the dullest moss rock upon reading the tripe that issues forth from this tomb of creative thought would be left in any doubt that Indonesia is not ready for a Nuclear Industry.

Risk Management is a fairly basic industry requirement (any industry) requiring a risk management study to be performed before any project is begun. This requires an honest and open assessment of any and all risks in the project that may be encountered. Fortunately, our very own agency has come up with these RISK MANAGEMENT “Howlers” to keep us all amused.

"All forms of technology involve certain risks, but since the early development of our reactors we have surveyed all probabilities”.

All probabilities???? Very godlike, most professional risk management strategies at least have the humility to allow for the unforeseen in some fashion but not these guys! Direct line to the Gods apparently.

"Regulations oblige us to choose power plant technology that has been proven safe, rather than new, untested technology,"

One assume these are similar to the regulations and regulated in the same manner that ensure our “SAFE” air travel, sea travel and train travel.

“Many Asian countries frequently affected by earthquakes such as Japan and Korea had long been developing their own nuclear power plants. Japan has built more than 50 power plants and South Korea has built more than 20 power plants. Japan is often hit by earthquakes but has avoided nuclear accidents. Why are we so worried about risks we are able to anticipate?"

Honest assessments of the risk remember? Is our Agency of Stupid suggesting that Indonesia is on technological par with South Korea and Japan? Sheesh.. There comes a time that even self delusion needs medication before we do serious harm! Seriously, we have not even been able to dig a flood mitigation channel in our capital city in 60 years or maintain a sidewalk fit for pedestrians, on what planet do we think we could maintain a Nuclear Power Plant?

What kind of self serving, dodgy risk management study has been done if you cannot even acknowledge that countries like Japan and South Korea just might just have a technological edge on Indonesia.

Ok maybe I am a cynic, but with a radio-active fallout having a half life of hundreds if not thousands of years, surely we are entitled ask…”WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?”

Of course, it would naïve to think this about bettering the lives of the general populace. Everyone knows that Nuclear Power Plants are hideously expensive and there would be MEGA BUCKS to be made. You can just see Ma Baker (ie) and the boys waiting for honey pot(pun intended) to be opened.

For those who do think I am being overly cynical perhaps you could point me to something/anything that would put our hearts at rest that we could trust these guys not to make us glow green in the night!

As a side issue, I have never understood the concept of why Nuke Power in Indonesia (or Iran for that matter). Millions of tonnes of free coal, free gas and free oil in the ground but Indonesia just sells it off and seeks in import hideously expensive glow in the dark technology. Less to do with a realistic approach to a problem and more to do with macho erections and mega bucks perhaps.

I don’t claim to a economist, but surely one way out of the power crisis (without glowing green) would be to build into future coal, oil contracts a requirement to build and supply fuel for public access power stations, the cost of which could be offset against normally paid taxes and royalties. This would mean there would be fewer opportunities for the parasites of this country to sneak their fingers into the honey jar, so it won’t happen anytime soon, don’t hold your breath waiting ok.

Anyway for those who would like to read the silliest statement made in support of Nuclear Energy, check out May 9th edition of the Jakarta Post. Once again where are our reporters to challenge such blatant “Dilbert” statements? Seriously guys/girls there is more to reporting than spewing out mindless press releases on behalf of some self serving public servant (Ok its a risk using that term here).

Disclaimer:
1. I am actually a supporter of Nuclear Energy, but why I would trust the blokes talking and speaking so far to organize a hooker in a knock shop

2. Sorry about the picture, I was looking for mutants and found “Communist Mutants From Outer Space”..Gotta love the title anyway

From Breadbasket to basketcase

After having seen their work up close, I am not a big fan of the United Nations . With some very notable personal exceptions, at best the UN could reasonably be called inept, corrupt and nothing more than a talkfest (and I do excise WHO from this assessment, which has done some remarkable things for humanity over the years).

However the UN does provide grim amusement (?) from time to time. The latest in grim insanity is ZIMBABWE has been elected to head a key UN environmental commission. Despite ruining its economy and being under sanctions for human rights abuses, Zimbabwe was elected by a 26-21 vote and will replace Qatar as the head of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

Sustainable development???????? An inflation rate of 2200% unable to meet more than 50% of its food needs for the coming year and an 80% poverty rate from a country than was once renown as Africa's bread basket. What the hell is going on in the UN, I can only assume WHO is trialing new drugs within the UN.

Sheesh next thing you know.. they will be appointing countries who cannot guarantee human rights activists will not be murdered on their National Carrier to the human rights commission.

The more it goes on the more, the more stump thinks perhaps its time for a new Organisation with entry requirements based more on actions rather than political correctness. For those that don't like it .., those who cannot get entry, those who suddenly find the money trough has dried up, ...stiff..get your act together or complain to the UN, the stump is sure they will write a very mean letter to someone.

Later in the week, the stump will keep with the insanity theme and discuss the latest howlers from temple of stupid, the Indonesian Nuclear Support Agency (ok..I forget the actual name ..how about "the office of shallow thought"). However as taste, check this out for a quote gushing from the office of shallow thought in support of a Indonesian Nuclear Power Industry.

“Many Asian countries frequently affected by earthquakes such as Japan and Korea had long been developing their own nuclear power plants. "

Gee there is so much wrong with that sentence its scary! Perhaps we should also compare Japan and Korea's air, rail and sea transport industry as well just to see how far we need to go before we start playing with things that kill people for thousands of years. Still more later..

Howard and the Loony Left

Wow..they are everywhere! Must be the rutting season!


Back in oz, the last few months all the talk has been about the upcoming election and how Prime Minister'sward's Government will fall. Naturally, the very thought of John Howard being defeated has the loony left in an absolute orgasmic lather of anticipation.


As usual however, Howard sat back and waited for the Opposition Party (Australian Labour Party..a misnomer if ever there was..perhaps Australian Public Trough Party would be better) to self destruct.


Lo and behold, Julia Gillard, the Opposition's workplace relations spokeswoman (who's main claim to fame seems to have never had a job that was not funded by other workers), warned business it could be "injured" if it chose to become a propagandist for John Howard on industrial relations.


Gotta love that election strategy, threaten and black mail business in the run up to an election..but wait there's more..


Ms Gillard said that during an election year, the political contest was a "pretty hard, fast place to be".
"It's a contact sport, if you like, with a lot of injury," she said. "I don't think it's a wise place for Australian business to be out on the field in the fray getting those injuries on the way through."


You can read the rest of the article in today's paper


Julia, our little public funded, protected koala bear you are about to find out just how rough the fray can get! Could you be more stupid telling the nation's industry and wealth generators, they should have no interest or say in an election year.. Who should be free to have the only opinion? Little leftist dreamers, knocking back lattes at the public funded university, perhaps the worn out, "public" broadcaster hacks or maybe a aged, compromised pop singer? ....


For those that hate John Howard, get ready for a few more years.. Don't blame us voters, blame the loons who provide no choice!


Julia and the rest of the loony left, this is for you from the real world, where people have to have access to jobs and work for a living.

NAZI BASTARDS

Funny how things come together, this week I seem to be stuck in my semi-annual anti-rabid green (and yet I consider myself a environmently aware person) anti left, anti socialist frame of mind and I come across this.

- We demand that the State shall make it its primary duty to provide a livelihood for its citizens. - The abolition of incomes unearned by work.
- The breaking of the slavery of interest.
- Personal enrichment from war must be regarded as a crime against the nation. We demand therefore the ruthless confiscation of all war profits.
- We demand the nationalization of all businesses which have been formed into corporations (trusts) (Sound familiar yet?).
- We demand profit-sharing in large industrial enterprises (perhaps now?).
- We demand the extensive development of insurance for old age.
- We demand the passing of a law for the expropriation of land for communal purposes without compensation.
- The State must consider a thorough reconstruction of our national system of education. The aim of the school must be to give the pupil, beginning with the first sign of intelligence, a grasp of the nation of the State (through the study of civic affairs).
- The State must ensure that the nation's health standards are raised by protecting mothers and infants, by prohibiting child labor.
- We demand the abolition of the mercenary army and the foundation of a people's army.
- The publishing of papers which are not conducive to the national welfare must be forbidden.
- Our nation can achieve permanent health only from within on the basis of the principle: The common interest before self-interest.
- To put the whole of this program into effect, we demand the creation of a strong central state power.

I think that about covers the general position of our leftish, green hued friends... not bad charter really ..bloke who wrote it went on to make a bit of name for himself..Adolf Hitler Feb 1920.

I stole this from a right bastard over at BASTARDS INC

Greens Nazis and Taxes

It comes as no surprise that some have taken me to task for daring to question the new gods and their acolytes of this new century. The new Green God revolution is far nastier the tie-tied version of the 70's and 80's and there isn't even free love involved anymore.

Oh no the new Green Gods, demand absolute loyalty and unquestioning, slavish devotion to the cause. Dare to question any part of the message be it global warming, all corporate is bad, everything western is bad.. then crucifixion is the best you can hope for.

A key plank of the Green God altar is a sort of slime green socialism (how many times do we have to go do this road before we realise it doesn't work..sigh). This slime green socialism means anyone who has the nerve to try and rise above the morass of sameness shall be taxed into submission.

On taxes ..perhaps a slice of the real world might help...

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you areall such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of yourdaily beer by $20. 'Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so thefirst four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the$20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should p ay.

And so: The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings). The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free.

But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. 'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!' 'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar,too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!' 'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!' 'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!' The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction.

Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen,
Ph.D.Professor of Economics
University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do notunderstand, no explanation is possible.

LAZY NGO'S

Been “jalan jalan lagi” but strangely that had little effect on the world. The world didn’t stop and wait for me to get back.

I see the Newmont trial is over and Mr. Ness and the company has been acquitted of pollution and environmental damage charges. Based on newspaper reports of mishandled evidence, false reports and various other agenda driven slanders, it remains bizarre that the process took this long.

It’s a shame that various NGO still have not realised the damage to their credibility this case has done to them. It’s a bigger shame the NGO’s have compromised themselves just when Indonesia needs a reliable and transparent environmental watchdog the most. Its time for some leadership reviews and not just in the corporate world.

Here’s a tip …..’Walli’s” of the world, take a trip out to Surabaya and go play in the toxic mud brought to us by the Brothers Grimm. Perhaps out there you may regain some perspective.

Meanwhile a recent strike at Freeport, Papua raised a number of comments around the blogsphere. Predictably (and some what of a yawn), it was the mostly the “BIG BAD MULTINATIONAL” biased comments flowing again.

Invariably, the calls from the rabid green are to close the mine down and pay compensation (based on what??) and return the land to the people.

Of course, you never hear of what will replace the mine as the single biggest taxpayer in Indonesia. Perhaps a payroll tax on the ojek drivers?

In this strike, native Papuans wanted to a pay rise to over 3 times the national average and were concerned that Javanese were always given preference to Papuans in recruitment and career options.

The recruitment and promotion of Javanese over other ethnic groups is an explosive issue throughout many of the provinces. Decades of unequal school funding and “transmigration” policies have left many provinces way behind their Javanese cousins and this has yet to reach its crisis point. Although its safe to say the government does not have a lot time left to act.

The Papuans have every right to demand more opportunities from the wealth taken from their land. I can’t help but think their anger is misdirected. Any company is going to select its employees from the most qualified. A better question is where have the taxes and royalties gone? Why haven’t we got the best schools and hospitals in Indonesia based on out input to the national coffers? These are not questions that Freeport is responsible for.

The other issue is getting paid over three times the National Average. I know makes the NGO’s and other rabids feel all warm and fuzzy. Yippee!! We have screwed a few more bucks of our wealth back from the evil multi national!

Its short sighted, immature and devastates the communities involved. Basic supply and demand principles mean than market prices rise to the level the consumer can afford to pay (Hero Bali vs Hero Solo). Unless you can afford to employ every member of that community, you have condemned those without access to those higher wages to even greater poverty. (Does anyone want to take a bet that the price of a bag of rice in Papua does not double on the basis of the new wages?)


Perhaps instead of chasing ghosts and glory, the WALLI’s of this world could actually develop and propose viable working plans that ensure “All” of the community advances on the back of the natural bounty of the land.

Of course, this would require a bit of thought and planning. You cannot go changing the rules halfway thru the game .. UPFRONT AND TRANSPARENT

ANZAC DAY

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET

A Tribute to the mothers of the fallen from Turkish Ruler "Ataturk" in 1934

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.

(Turkey became a republic in 1923 and Ataturk became the first president. Ataturk (then Kemal) commanded the Turkish defences against the ANZACS)

ANZAC Day - 25 April

This day-is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day so special to Australians?
When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

BASTARDS, BULLIES AND TROLLS

Before we start on grimmer topics today, “Greenant” has been on the job and has reported our resident Troll, who likes to impersonate a Indonesian Man is actually a woman (actually a big hairy woman) from Oz. You know the type, sarong wearing dyke westerner, strutting around the local village, the male hater, sucking the public teat for sustenance, Stay tuned for more details..Thanks Greenant, certainly explains the penis envy.


Bullies and Bastards

A few weeks ago, I was reading the local paper and there was the picture of a group graduating pilots, blindfolded and being forced to sit drums of filthy oil and trash whilst their Non Commissioned Officers and other seniors looked on. The name for this is bullying and bastardisation in its lowest form.

Besides a fleeting thought, that is it any wonder that the Military has the reputation it does, I thought no more about it.

Until today..The Jakarta Post reports that another student had died from bullying at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN). The IPDN is a quasi military school for wanna be public servants (which is a misnomer in its own right). This is not the first time this hell hole of thugs has being in the news, a senior lecturer at the school reported “34 students had died at IPDN since 1993”

Safe to assume that the “head” of the school has been dismissed and awaiting police investigation..Nope.

“Authorities at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) suspended a lecturer Lecturer Inu Kencana Syafi'i on Monday after he spoke publicly on the death of a sophomore student and other violence at the college”

Now can you imagine the carnage and mayhem if such things were reported as happening in an American Prison …Still that’s the way things are here “Howl at the moon and the Middle East” Threaten violence and mayhem over a fully clad Playboy whilst tripping over far greater excesses in your own back yard.
Here’s is the full article from the JP as linking to the post is waste of time

IPDN lecturer suspended over violence report
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Sumedang
Authorities at the Institute of Public Administration (IPDN) suspended a lecturer on Monday after he spoke publicly on the death of a sophomore student and other violence at the college.
Lecturer Inu Kencana Syafi'i said that if the suspension was a punishment then it was unjust and did not correspond with his work to stop brutality at the academy.

Inu sent a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono informing him that 34 students had died at IPDN since 1993, 17 of whom are believed to have died in suspicious circumstances.
"I sent him the letter this morning enclosing data on the deaths of the college students in order to set it straight that I'm not making this up. Not all the students died of unnatural causes apparently, but I have specified the irregular ones," he was quoted by Detikcom as saying at his official house in the IPDN lecturers' housing complex in Jatinangor, Sumedang, on Monday.

In the report shown to reporters, he said 34 students had died from 1993 to 2007, the most recent case being the death of sophomore Cliff Muntu from North Sulawesi. He highlighted the names of students whom he alleged died of unnatural causes.

On May 8, 1993, according to Inu's report, Aliyan, from West Kalimantan, fell from the second floor of the Bengkulu dormitory. Also that year, the report says, an East Java student, Gatot, was found dead with bruises on his chest and broken ribs after attending basic military training.
"I saw the condition of the student with my own eyes," said Inu.

The report says that in 1995, Alfian, from Lampung, was found dead with a fractured skull in his dormitory and in 1997 Fahruddin from Central Java died of unnatural causes. College authorities refused to allow doctors to perform an autopsy on him, according to the report.
In 1999, Edy, whose origin is not listed in the report, died during a field study and, Inu says, the institute also refused an autopsy on him. In 2000, Arizal, from South Sulawesi, was believed to have drowned in Lake Toba, North Sumatra. Purwanto, from Central Java, was found dead with broken ribs after graduating from the college in 2000.

In the same year, Obeth Nego Indow, from Papua, died in his senior's room with blood in his mouth and broken ribs, the report alleges.
In March 2000, a West Java student Eri Rahman, died in hospital after being beaten by seniors, who were sent to prison, but allowed to graduate after they served their sentences.
In 2000, a student from Jakarta, Utari Mustika, allegedly bled to death after an abortion. Her body was left in a mosque in Cimahi, West Java.

On July 25, 2002, Teddy Frederich Hendra, from Maluku, drowned and his body was found floating in the sea off Cilacap. In 2002, South Sulawesi student Wirman Nurman died. The college claimed he died in a traffic accident. In 2003, Wahyu Hidayat, from West Java, died after allegedly being beaten by his seniors. In 2004, Arizal Sasad, from Central Java, died. College officials told his parents he had died in a traffic accident.

In 2005, Irfan Albert Hibo, from Papua, died in his room and college officials said he committed suicide by taking insecticide, although it was later alleged that he died of a drug overdose.
In 2006, Papuan student Manfred Hubi, died at IPDN's IIP branch campus in Cilandak, Jakarta. College officials claimed he died of acute hepatitis, but they again refused to allow an autopsy.

"The difference between my data and that of the IPDN officials, which indicated that 29 students had died, is because theirs did not include students who died mysteriously and whose bodies were not examined," Inu said.
Inu received the suspension letter, signed by IPDN assistant rector Tjahja Supriatna, on Sunday.

"I don't understand it. They say I don't have to teach as long as I have to deal with the investigative team," said Inu, who has been teaching at the college for 17 years.
He also alleged that lecturers had used formaldehyde to hide bruises on Cliff's body, and asked why they had not been questioned.


Yep... COVER IT UP AND CONTINUE AS NORMAL

Australian Labour Party

(Cartoon: Labour Party burnt out pop star trying to remember what he stands for, with coaching from kid rudd)

Election time is coming up in Australia, which normally would not be much of an issue in Indonesia except that the current Prime Minister seems to be a favourite of Indcoup and Treespotter. So I thought I would dedicate a post on the theory that a rotting fish, rots from the head first.

Personally, I have never had much time for John Howard as I consider him as a more than economical with the truth when it suits him and just a little sneaky. Having said that, there is no doubt he is the consummate professional politician in the region bar none.

Time and again, the Australian Labour Party has thrown up challenges to the throne, only to find their chosen challengers, weak kneed bullies (Latham) intellectual ravers (Beasley) and their latest puff balloon of choice Kevin Rudd. Kevin Rudd’s latest claim to glory (besides never ever being able to answer a question with a straight answer) is this latest PR disaster:
“VIETNAM veterans have been offended by Labor leader Kevin Rudd’s request for a “fake” dawn service so he can commemorate Anzac Day live on Channel Seven’s breakfast show from Long Tan in Vietnam.
The plan for an earlier 4.15am service to coincide with the peak 7.15am morning TV ratings period were hatched by Mr Rudd’s office and staff of the Sunrise show several weeks ago.”


Few days hold greater reverence to Australian’s than ANZAC day and for some mealy mouthed spiv like Rudd to suggest the timings held in remembrance of the fallen be changed to suit his own inflated sense of self importance is repulsive in the extreme.
Rudd like the party he represents has demonstrated yet again they have no idea what is important to the average Australian and will self-destruct long before Election Day handing Howard yet another election on a platter…idiots.


To be fair, you cannot expect much from a political party, laced with Union Hacks, taxpayer funded leftist journalists and barely literate, washed up, bubble gum pop stars. You would have to dig long and hard in the Australian Labour Party to find anyone who has actually contributed to the economy of Australia and not spent their whole lives somewhere on the taxpayer teat.


As a twist, my own motives and ethics will be tested in this election. With the Australian Dollar at .80 USD up from .48c back in 2000. A vote for the economic disaster that is the Labour Party could only be good for my wallet but bad for the country...(Ok..Only kidding!! Only a fool, welfare cheats or at the risk of repeating myself, a socialist could vote for the rotting fish that is the Australian Labour Party).


Brace yourself for a few more years of Howard.

ANGRY EASTER

Not everyone is excited about Easter and that egg brother thing

Frisco Rises for Easter

Frisk0dude on his recent release from captivy, as his mom said "I can't remember his name but his face rings a bell

Hey GOOD NEWS..

In a fitting tribute to Easter, Friskodude

has arisen from the dead. After going missing for many months, leading to several rumours to do with wet suits, babyoil and large overly friendly elephants, he has emerged to blog again.

Mind you he is still a bastard coz he has not come clean with all the "whys and wherefores" to his disappearance.

We now return you our quest for the best of Indonesia.

Indonesian Quest

"Indonesia Most Liveable" has generated some very interesting comments and
Jakartass has added his considerable influence to assist in the Greenstump quest. Thanks J.

I am hoping for some comments/advice on various regions from the Indonesian Perspective. I did get one comment from the resident blogshpere "expat pretending to be Indonesian" but included it for low class humour value only and it certianly doesn't count as an Indonesian Perspective Comment.

Based on the information so far, some future locations are already penciled in for a visit in the very near future. Bitangs on the beach, relaxing in the rainforest sounds so nice but in the meantime

"I am sitting in my dingy little office,
where a stingy ray of sunlight struggles feebly down between the houses tall,
And the foetid air and gritty of the dusty, dirty city
Through the open window floating, spreads its foulness over all.

And in place of lowing cattle, I can hear the fiendish rattle
Of the tramways and the buses making hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the gutter children fighting,
Comes fitfully and faintly through the ceaseless tramp of feet.

And the hurrying people daunt me,
and their pallid faces haunt me
As they shoulder one another in their rush and nervous haste,
With their eager eyes and greedy,
and their stunted forms and weedy,
For townsfolk have no time to grow, they have no time to waste

With a few more suggestions, perhaps we could develop an intineray purely based on Indonesian bloggers recommendations. A bloggers intinerary?? ...Mmm what would we call it "The Blogger's Run"...naagh... sounds a little to Hash House Harriers to me and might scare off the more "relaxed" bloggers out there. Suggestions anyone?

If this keeps going perhaps a new blog, with pictures and comments from our bloggers on each place..the mind boggles or is that bloggles.

Indonesia Most Liveable

Jakartass recently reminded me that there are yet many places in Indonesia, I have yet to visit. We can too easily get set in our ways and forget that Indonesia is huge and diverse place so.........

I intend to be around in Indonesia for some time and shall now launch on a new mission:

To find Indonesia's most liveable province/city/town/village.

Naturally any such quest would be highly subjective, in my case the following would have to be considered:

1. Tolerant and FPI (and assorted other nutters) free;

2. Progessive Schooling;

3. Unpolluted;

4. Adhence to basic rule of law;

5. Beach/Mountain vistas;

6. Access - roads, rail, airports;

7. Infrastructure;

8. Traditional as opposed to imported culture;

9. Friendly, open society;

9 ...Eeer.. I will think of more and I open to suggestions .

A dream list is one thing, reality is different and life is a trade-off. It should be fun and I really would like suggestions on where to start, who knows I might learn something despite being an "Ol Dog". In the meantime, some thoughts:

Jakarta: Nice (make that interesting) to visit but who would want to live there? A city self destructing after generations of uncontrolled growth and poor planning. Is this not the world's polluted city?

Bandung: Seriously pretty, particularly up in the mountains. Bandung is (was) great, all the facilities of a big city, progessive, no serious traffic issues and then...they built the tollroad!!! Vale Bandung. However general area remains a favourite, perhaps a town close by?

Papua: Talk about views..talk about nature at its best. Is this not one of the last true paradises on Earth? Unfortunately, any place under a media black-out obviously has some very ugly secrets.

Kalimantan: I think we missed it, unless you are into seeing vast Oil Palm plantations or worse vacant, eroded hillsides where virgin forests used to stand, then Kalimantan's glory days are past. I have no doubt that Kalimantan will gain prominance again in the future as a symbol of short sighted greed and contempt for the environment. Furture generations will curse their forebears every time Kalimantan is mentioned.

Bali: Island of the Gods under attack from within and without. Still in my opinion, one of the most interesting cultures in Indonesia. Do yourself a favour a read some history of Bali before you go (preferably not the sanatised versions printed in Indonesia). To live there..I would need to travel to some of the more remote places I think.

Others...heaps..suggestions, comments

John Howard goes green.

Well one thing you can say about Western Governments they are slow learners! The Australian Government is proving particulary thick in a field with some very dense over achievers.

Despite having its own water and de-forestation crisis (ok the water crisis is a crock, as the only reason there is one is because everytime a new dam was proposed the the loony deep greenies blocked it...increase in population..no increase in water storage for last twenty years..oh my...we are running out of water!! ...Knuckle draggers!)

As I was saying, despite have their own problems and that the only return for money splashed all over South East Asia is a royal pain in the arse, Australian Prime Minister, John Winston Howard yesterday pledged to buy scores of luxury homes in Jakarta and Singapore..Thanks for coming sucker!

Green Workers and Green Trees

We all have them, those pivotal moments in a plan where we make a decision and run with it, only think later “Damn, hadn’t thought of that”!

This is one such story. A couple hours from where I live is a nice little town and from an outsider’s point of view the Wali Kota (Mayor) has/is doing a very good job. The streets are clean, there is a garbage service and generally the town infrastructure is sound. Of course, like the majority of Indonesia, basic amenities like power and water remain sporadic at best, however that is well outside the local Wali Kota’s control.

Along with clean streets a significant work force is employed to ensure the Parks and Gardens are maintained. This is where the pivotal plan moment kicks in, its very easy to imagine.

Scene: The bosses all sitting around admiring their new Blackberrys (in tandem with the second compulsory “mistress phone”).

First Official “Ok, we have got these Parks and Gardens up and running and have a new budget for uniforms”

Second Official “Great, that should keep every one happy, what is the design”

First Official “I was thinking Parks and Gardens, its obvious the uniform should be Green”

Second Official “ Great Idea, lets do it maybe we will get mention in the Stern Report”

Three weeks later…

First Official “We seem to be going through a lot of Parks and Gardens workers’

Second Official “Why, they not happy? We bought them uniforms”

First Official "That’s the trouble, most of our Gardens are in the middle of the roads, with the green uniforms, the workers look just like bushes until they stand up in front of the on-rushing bus”

Second Official “Sheesh, our poor workers, Green seemed such a good idea. I wonder what the last thing is going through their mind when the bus hits them"

First Official “Their arse”

HAPPY PHONE RINGS = END SCENE

Ferrys and Braveheart

Not a lot of posts lately, still tripping around. Its always an interesting activity and you see lots of WTF sights. However I would like to take the time to express my admiration for the "Ferry Operators" of Indonesia. You would think with the raft of recent transport disasters the operators would be too scared to move unless everything was just right and perfect.

Naaghh Maybe not!
Now I don't claim to be a qaulified Captain (well of ferries anyway) but I would think the first rule in ocean safety would be close the doors before we set off?

Or if you must transport a truck load of flammable fluid on a passenger/car ferry then have someone standby with a fire extinguisher?

Oh well, the Greenstump rule of ferry travel remains.

Park the vehicle, quick as possible to the top deck, pick your jumping off spot, carry a two litre plastic drink bottle as it provides more than enough flotation for someone who can swim more than 50M.

Don't bother with the Life Buoys as they are normally triple knotted to the ship to stop people knocking them off. This of course can be hassle if the ferry sinks in water deeper than the rope reach to the Life Buoy.

Vanquished Forests

Recently “Kompas” a local newspaper revealed that Indonesia had the dubious honour of being the number one nation in de-forestation for 2006. This was quickly followed by the news on the weekend that Indonesia is now number three in the world as a major contributor to CO2 emissions behind the United States and China.

The number 3 rating is much undeserved and should be protested. With correct score weightings, Indonesia should have easily achieved the number one rating in both divisions. It should be noted that in both China’s and the United States, there are at least payoffs to the nation’s populace with increased access to power and in most cases an increase in the standard of living (albeit at someone’s expense).

In the case of Indonesia, the increased CO2 emissions are not due to the production of electricity or services to the public. Rather the CO2 is a direct result of uncontrolled burning off, deforestation and peat burning. All of which line the pockets of the chosen few at the expense of the rest of the population. This way everybody loses.

Last week I had the opportunity to see for myself the devastation to the forests wrought by the chosen few. Thought we would take a long drive and see the much abused tropical forest before it was all gone!.. Bugger me, if the forest didn’t drive right past us (see picture)

My Indonesian comrade was moved to say “I hate these guys”! Apparently ever since the supposed clamp down on illegal logging, all they have done is change their methods. Instead of huge mills in the jungle, they employ poor local villagers to operate small, portable mills and have them deliver the logs to the side of the road. These small two or three men operations disappear every time there is word of a Police raid (sadly, the raids always received plenty of advance warning).

Once on the road, the logs are picked up by trucks picking up timber, like bemos (bus) on a passenger run.

Asking the obvious “What about the trucks? Don’t they get stopped by the Police”? With an obvious pity for my poor grasp of the situation, my comrade just rubbed his thumb and forefinger together.

Poor Fella, My Country

Still on the conservation front, the lamest interview this year goes to the spokesman for Nuclear Power in Indonesia (whose name is forgettable as is his grasp of the issues, but see last weekend’s Jakarta Post it you want to send a dill a card).

After several column inches of vague assurances and dubious science, his finishing statement was essentially, “Don’t Worry, even if there was an accident, the government would pay compensation”..??????????????????????

I wonder what the formulae are for compensation for radio active fallout which lasts hundreds of years! About the same for mudflows, I am guessing.

Perth, Singapore

Recently had a good excuse to spend time in Perth, Australia this last fortnight. Perth certainly deserves its reputation as the most beautiful city in Australia, if a little er..quiet after 10pm. I am sure if you were a local there would be plenty of places to enjoy but as a tourist...shhhh..I think everyone's asleep! After Indonesia where there seems to people carrying on with their lives 24 hours a day, its a bit of a culture shock to be staring down the main street of a major city with nary a soul to be seen.

Best of all got to spend a few days in SINGAPORE, which just so happened to have a huge parade every night down Orchard Road.

Life can be Good !

Check out the parade in Singapore (Gotta love them Singapore Girls) and the beach right out side our hotel in oz.

Indonesian Playboys

Many years ago when I first came to Indonesia, friend took me aside and said “Welcome to Bizzaro Land, where nothing is as it seems where yes means no and No means maybe”
He went on to explain (with some accuracy it was proven as time past) that Indonesia was a place that would bring you to the very depths of despair only to be followed the very next day with an overwhelming urge to spend the rest of your life here.

Incredible natural beauty contrasted with the ugliness of unchecked pollution and plundering. Vast wealth walking hand in hand with abject poverty. Loving family links to which most westerners have never experienced often coupled with an absolute disregard for their fellow Indonesian. It’s an interesting ride to say the least.

Why do I bring this up, well yesterday was really one of those “Bizarro Land” moments
Only in a Alternate universe could this happen,

A mother with four children poisons her children and then kills herself because her husband has run away and she has no money to feed, clothe or school her children (one was just a babe in arms).

A child dies in it's father arms from malnourishment

Hundreds of people die in plane crashes, Ferry burnings and Train smashes in a period of weeks.

Thousands of people are homeless due unchecked volcanic mudflows, with the company reportedly responsible during little expect ducking and weaving.

Now in a sane world you would think that a Minister for People’s Welfare and a Transport Minister would have at least a case to answer. Nope, here in Bizarre land we charge the editor of a lame verson of Playboy Magazine. His crime; damaging the country’s morals and “making the people uneasy” and further we demand he is sentenced to two years Gaol. All played to a background of bucktoothed, illegal immigrants, moral fanatics and their sheep

I am going out on limb here, and suggest it is not a Lame, Dated Magazine that makes Indonesians and anyone else with an ounce of humanity uneasy. Its pictures and stories of children dying, mothers so desperate they kill their own children. That’s obscene! That’s Offensive…..That’s so sad it breaks your heart.

Every one of you thieving, miserable, self serving, greedy, inbred, vile, vomitous fat bastards sitting in your ivory towers, scamming your next rip-off, should be forced to have a 8x10 glossy picture of those children on your desk, so you can see what you are responsible for every bloody day! You are morally bankrupt Playboys of Indonesia.

The people really do deserve so much more than this..

Cromwell, Indonesia and Babies

Back again! Due to picking up a very nasty bug that would not go away, I spent a bit of time in Perth, Australia. Perth would have to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world although somewhat islolated and bloody hot 43c, but great beach weather!!

I had plenty of time to catch on my reading, some very good and very very bad books out there. During my literary excursion, I came across this little extract from Oliver Cromwell's 1653 dissolution of the English Long Parliment.


"Its high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contemptof all virtue and defiled by your practice of every vice. Ye are a factious crew and enemies of all good goverment.

Ye are a pack of mercenary wretches and would like Esau. sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money. Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess?

Ye have no more religion than my horse! Which of you have not bartered your conscience for brides?...Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation. You were deputed to get grievances redressed; are you not yourselves the greatest grievance?

Depart immediately - go, get you out, make haste youye venal slaves begone!
Lock up the doors""

Say what you like about Ol Ollie, he had a way with words and I could think of a mass mailing address for this speech myself.

Taking a decent amount of time off does bring some persective back into your life,.You can get overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, happy, sad, estatic, depressed living in Indonesia as an expat.

Somethings will never makes sense to me! How important can trip be that you, mum, the three month old baby sans helmet or any sense of self preservation for your yourself or child have to ride a motor bike like a lunatic thru the traffic? Or, how can a nation so proud that it flys the national flag at any and all places/occasions then turnaround thoughtlessly dump litter and shit (literally) without even a twinge of guilt?

Then in oz for a reality check to the other extreme. What kind of over over regulated place is this!

Baggage Handling allowance 30kg, we have 31Kg..1 am in the morning, "Sorry sir, you have to unload 1 KG from your bag because our baggage handlers can't lift it"...WTF, Who are you baggage handlers - 6 year old children, bugger me they can lift it in Singapore, Indonesia and all points north!

On the plane, here's your meal and enjoy your "plastic" knife...please what am I the world's worst perpared evil doer? Oz Custom's and Immigration: What do you do Indonesia? Where are you staying? Why did you come? etc etc... Answer "listen up sunshine its 3 in the morning and I am F...ed if I am going to justify to some overweight twit, why I want to return to the country of my birth" (ok that was a bad answer, as apparently that triggers the lets search everything bell..bastards)

On the road (aka Indonesian Motor bike comparsion). Look at the babies here, back seat, roped down with industrial strength cargo nets and speed camera's every 2 km (all in the name of road safety..pig's arse..revenue raising)

As for smoking...damn...its the orginal "burning at the stake" Actually not quite, because passive smoking of burning human flesh will apparently cause cancer in people several oceans away. They still tie you to the stake but in place of the burning, various tax payer funded green groups force you to snort tofu and soy bean milk, listening to the chant the "Koyto Good - America Bad" until your head bursts.

So all in all, I guess I am saying its nice to be back warts n all.

NUCLEAR FACE OFF

The concept of “Face” is an incredibly difficult and dangerous concept particularly when it is Nuclear Powered!

I say face because that can be the only reason that the “powers that be” would even consider a Nuclear Power Plant in Indonesia. Does anyone with even one last firing synapse believe that Nuclear Power Plant could be built and operated safely in the current conditions in Indonesia?

Indonesia has been beset by an on-going list on natural disasters whose most inglorious claim to fame is rather than being mitigated by human invention, the suffering is magnified by powers of 10 by a combination of greed, corruption and a sheer lack of concern for others. Not content with natural disasters, we have decided that we can do so much better than Nature and create the conditions for a disaster that will ensure suffering for thousands of years by building a Nuclear Power Plant in one of the worlds most geographically unstable regions. But hey there are some big bucks to be made!

Why should we be concerned you ask? We assured that Safety protocols will be investigated later.

Well that’s a relief; perhaps we could use the agencies that are responsible for quality and standards on:

Railways…ooops maybe not
Shipping and Ferry’s …oops maybe not
Airlines…..Sorry
Toll roads…nope

I am more than willing to be corrected, to which agency would you be willing to trust the health of the next five generations of your family? As for the rest of South East Asia are you willing to trust country that renders your air unbreathable year after year due rampant burning off of World Heritage Forest for the sake of the rich few?

Besides the above it is economically stupid. Indonesia sits on the world’s largest coal reserves and year after year ships millions of tones of coal to provide power and lighting to other countries. Meanwhile over 40% of her citizens sit in darkness.

How hard would it be to invest some of the billions of Nuclear dollars into Clean Coal Technology and the welfare of her own people? Just the stopping of the wide spread practice of “transfer pricing” would pay for the coal required for the foreseeable future.

It will be interesting if the now discredited environmental group WALHI can make a difference and serve the environment as it is supposed to instead on some bizarre political/personal agenda.

Anyway, I am off to check out the wind patterns to see in which 20,000 sq km area is out of bounds for the next 5000 years.
By the way, I am actually a supporter of Nuclear Power as clean, robust answer to the earths future energy needs. However a couple of fairly basic considerations are required:

a. A robust system of checks and balances
b. A safety regime that is not subject to money politics
c. A stable Geographic Location
d. The ability to assess the above.

In the meantime, before we start thinking about a Nuclear Power Plant, we concentrate on:

Planes that stay in the air
Ferries that don’t sink monthly
Toll roads that don’t collapse after six weeks
Capitial cities that don’t flood every year

Sorry if some find this a bit brutal…But a Nuclear Power Plant…ARE YOU SERIOUS?

GREEN WANK

There is saying from a movie ‘Build it and they will come” and more realistic twist would be “Green it and the Scam will come” Indonesia has it own versions, the more ominous and far reaching being the now strangely silent Newmont pollution trial which Unspun covers here

(Where have all those accusers gone..Still they will be back on the other side when the lawsuits start).

In a worrying trend, Australia seems to leading the way in gold medal for “Green Stupids”. The latest "green wank" may well not be a scam, but it is certainly a stupid way to be parted from your money and a sleazy way to make some. Essentially a company is selling you carbon credits that will off set your carbon foot print on the planet. Or as it was reported the company “vows to spend the $8 you give them on products, such as energy-saving lightbulbs and water-saving shower heads, that reduce emissions elsewhere (if not in your own backyard)”.

Now obviously the you can spend more than $8 on carbon credits with the company (as I sure they would want you too) like one sad soul “For $20, the company made Jenny XXXX into a "carbon-neutral granny" last year. Her daughter, Emily, gave her a gift certificate to offset two years' worth of flatulence. "I don't like to brag, but I actually don't have much flatulence," Mrs XXXX says. "But when I do, I feel OK about it, because the damage to the planet has been offset."…. or “Take Sally XXX and her husband, Stephen XXXX, of Sydney's northern beaches. They have a four-wheel drive, two children - George, 3, and Olivia, 1, both of whom wear disposable nappies - and take three interstate trips a year.

Easy Being Green used a complicated mathematical formula (I bet they did) to value the family's "footprint" at $600 a year, so Mr XXXX bought $600 worth of carbon credits for his wife for her birthday.”
Pleaasee… The amazing thing is not that these people bought this stuff but they actually made any money in the first place. Seriously, you have a lazy six hundred dollars and best thing thing you can think of to improve the planet is an Anti Granny Fart Tax Certificate.

The Chief Executive commenting on a “Simliar money for Green” scheme that generated millions of dollars, mostly from tax payer was cancelled by the government when it proved unworkable (surprise) said "Well, not to rort, but it obviously had its problems."..yea right!

Still the old adges seem to apply – A fool and his money…….

Still if anyone has $600 they want to spend contact me and I will install some light bulbs and even plant a tree for you or buy you a cork for granny’s bum. Oh, I also have some left Y2k recovery plans left over going cheap.

P.S ..Anyone want to bet the CE of the company owns more than one car?

WE HATE BUSH

Along with the plethora of Starbucks across the world, the other parallel trend is the rise in “Anti-America/Bush/USA-ism”. Of course, in Indonesia as in so many other places, your resident “rent a crowd” doffs the placards, the fake blood, complete in the US inspired uniform of jeans, t shirts and base ball cap (guys, the pointy pit goes to the front, its not really that hard) much to the amusement of many.

The Republicans in particular are reviled by many in Indonesia. Although sadly in a lot of cases, the Protestors would be hard pressed to tell you what party Bush represented. To be fair, it’s unreasonable to expect any deep thought process from a mob.

Ironically, a Democrat President with a Democrat controlled congress would be a disaster in real terms for Indonesia. Democrats are traditionally far more interested in human rights abuses (perceived or otherwise) than the Republicans. ..Hello Papua..Munir, East Timor ..How’s that coming along Indonesia? Democrats also place far more emphasis on domestic trade protection, guess where that will be felt.

Of course, the more isolationist foreign policies of the Democrats and need to fund domestic welfare programs will severely restrict foreign aid programs in countries viewed as less than critical in the new order (aka Indonesia). But hey we hate bush, so it’s all going to be good.

So is it to be principles or practical for Indonesia??

I must admit I did kind of like a recent article by Janet Albrechtsen which said in part:

“Anti-Americanism has morphed into a desire to bring America to heel, something that coincides with the goal of Islamists. But if the big, fast rich guy retreats, it’s worth asking who will step up to the plate when the West needs things fixed. The dawdling burghers of Europe may recall that small and slow did not help the Kuwaitis, Bosnian Muslims, Kosovars, Afghanis or the tsunami victims.”
‘So the Islamic world will complain the US is anti-Muslim while overlooking Bosnia. Europeans regularly overlook the fact that American power, resolve and, yes, idealism, delivered them from both Nazism and communism. Nor, when they nip down to the corner store for some foie gras in their BMWs or Citroens, do they remember the contribution the Marshall Plan made to their postwar prosperity.”

Disclosure time. Personally I dislike Bush as well; trouble is I dislike the vast majority of leaders (?) who dislike America more. I think dear ol Janet is probably a bit over the top in defence of America but the point is well made.

Honour..what honour!

"Rape of Pakistani girl leads to protest
Bruce Loudon, South Asia correspondent
February 02, 2007

IN a savage repeat of the Mukhtar Mai case that ignited international outrage, a 16-year-old Pakistani girl was reported last night to have been kidnapped and pack-raped by 11 men, then paraded naked through her village near the town of Ubaro, 530km from the port city of Karachi.
The teenager is believed to have suffered horrifying injuries during the brutal and sustained attack, described as an "honour revenge" after her cousin eloped with the female relative of one of the men accused in the case.
Adding to her agony, police initially expressed scepticism that there had been any sexual assault, refusing to take action, adopting the same attitude they did in the Mukhtar Mai case.

Women are often used in Pakistan's backward rural areas as a means of settling tribal vendettas and so-called matters of "honour". What is clear from last night's reports is that despite the reform of the country's rape laws - forced through parliament by President Pervez Musharraf in the face of trenchant opposition from Islamic fundamentalists - dreadful outrages continue."

I wonder if this will come up in the next round of talks between the Presidents..

It really is a matter of how low can you go..scum!

April Fools

After months of feeling a bit "crook" finally found out whats wrong. Although still not sure why it did not show up on the first blood test a month ago or why it always takes 3 hours to get a blood test done in Indonesia. Anyway it would appear I have picked up a stomach bug which gives rise to on-going fevers and saps any remaining energy and rational thought you may have. Still feverish, so enjoy the following fever induced rant,

Yesterday was the first day, they let me out of hospital and lo and behold its the 1st of April, I had no idea I was out that long!! The Jakarta Post was just full on, with one story after another each topping the other for best April Fool's Joke.

The Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyanto is quoted as saying the nation's commercial poultry breeders were "more well informed about bird flu than back yard farmers and more prepared to deal with the disease and most commercial concerns have implemented proper bio-security measures, successfully combatting bird flu in commercial poultry"

That's a hoot, anyone who has the misfortune to visit the majority of commercial poultry concerns in Indonesia would see the filth and generations of fowl shit raising meters from the floor. Even on the best of days, most Indonesian chickens look at best half starved, racid excuses for poultry. One for the journos..Did not one of you want ask about the well known state of these "concerns"? Or why Singapore banned poultry products from Indonesia a full 12 months before the first ever warning about bird flu in Indonesia?

The Chief Editor of the Jakarta Post learnt (relearnt) the old adage "never share the stage with animals or small children". At a panel discussion regarding the role of Indonesia as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the chief editor said " Indonesia needed to be both pragmatic and idealistic in its decisions with the UNSC or risk falling into a double standard of behaviour" sensible words indeed! Trouble was, he was follwed up by Government Minister (?) Djoko Susilo with "for instance, it should be made clear why Indonesia decided to abstain on the Myanmar resolution whilst we uphold democratic and human right values"... Hard to act to follow...although I must be thick coz it still ain't clear to me.


The absolute gold star gem of April Fool's articles was the report that the Jakarta Health Agency was revising a draft law to punish those who refuse to take part an active part in efforts to curb commincable diseases. "For example if we find, during a door to door inspection, find mosquito lavae in a water container, we will give the resident a santion" said Agency Head Salimar Salim. It is said the administration has mulled sending offenders to jail for six months or leving a fine of Rp 50 million ($5488).

Yea..right..Right law..wrong target. How about sending to jail for six months those useless bastards, who despite forever granting themselves allowances, are quite happy for the residents to live next to non-flowing, stinking black cesspits that Jakaratans have to call rivers. Or the kilometers of open sewage drains, or the dodgy developments that increase Jakarta's flooding year in year out..
The poor guy in the kampung, with his bowl of water is the evil one..I think not.. Next thing you know he will get the blame for creating the bird flu crisis..Oops sorry already done that..

As Unspun says..where are the real journalists and media? Who will ask the questions that will reveal these people as the year long April Fool's Joke they are?

One last point, thanks to all for looking after my Troll while I have been away. I know he is immature, not very bright, abusive and somewhat boring after awhile. However it pays to remind us that even evolution forks off into a dead end from time to time. We should all take care that if we wade in the shallow end of the gene pool always wear protection.

Professors and Liars

In this day and age of global and instant media coverage, the trouble with making really bizarre statements is it is only a matter of time before someone, somewhere calls your bluff!

Senior Brother Grimm commenting on the Lapindo Mud Disaster that left thousands upon thousands homeless and has caused untold enviromental damage, recently stated "According to the experts, it is truly a natural disaster nothing can prevent," This was in front of a room of foreign correspondents in Jakarta last week. He went on to say "It happens in a lot of places of the world". Yea Right!! These statements were made to the sound effects of journalists and others laughing uncontrollably and falling off chairs.

Then wouldn't you know it on Page 3 of Jakarta Post today, the findings of a scientific team lead by Professor Richard Davies (University of Durhams Centre for Research into Earth Energy Systems). The good Professor not only disputes the Brother's Grim Version, but actually rules them out even as just silly. The article which was printed in the peer review journal "GSA Today".

Thats two completely different stories going around. The trick for most us in Indonesia is to work out who is the liar. Do we believe Professor Davies and his team or the ass clutching version of the brothers Grim.

Even in the worst of circumstances, there is always a smile (grimace) to be had if you look hard enough. The lastest competition in Indonesia is which is the poorly position named cabinet position in Indonesia..Is it "Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare" (What a great title) or Transport ("we know the planes are safe") Minister or the annual favorite the Minister the Environment (also know as Minister for Plam Oil) .

I'll say one thing for them all, they all have balls as big as elephants! How the F*** these Grims and friends even look at themselves in the mirror every day astounds me.

Also on the rumour mill.... Over 5000 villagers in Puncak Papau have been forced to flee their homes due to violence and threats of violence. No confirmation as yet and I don't think we will see anything in Indonesian Papers. Does anyone have any good links on the latest "hearts and minds" in the provinces.

Tough Tape and Tough Men

Ok, a couple of direct pinches today, after all piracy is not a crime but a vocation in Indonesia.
Out of respect for the Indonesian Airline Industry and the Transport Minister we bring you these:



To find out which airline you will have to go here.

On another topic, although still related to unsavory human beings and a lack of regard for others. I am constantly surprised by the tolerance that Indonesians show to people (and I use the term loosely!) that continue to bring the majority religion and the nation into disrepute.

"Islamic (????) Protesters at the indecency (????) trial of editor Playboy's Indonesia editor, Erwin Arnada hurled abuse at Playboy magazine's first Indonesian centerfold Thursday, calling her a prostitute and saying they hoped her daughter would be raped." As the incident was widely reported in the International Herald Tribune, its safe to say Indonesia's reputation as taken yet another knock on the world stage, thanks to the bottom feeders.

"Hope your daughter gets raped!!!" besides the fact that playboy international, let alone the soaped, washed out Indonesia version is pretty lame. To say I hope you daughter gets raped, is by any standards in any civilisation a repugnant comment!! It is a sad reflection on society that people like this still seem to be able to walk the street without being condemned as the complete Dickheads and two-bit bullies they are.

One of the protestors was pictured in last Friday’s Jakarta Post (and we ain’t talking the top of the gene pool here), was pictured trying to destroy a copy of the Indonesian Playboy. Sadly (for him) he was reduced to tearing it up page by page (which is pathetic, we ain't talking a phone book here). Even more ironic was a man (?) like him was tearing up pictures of a beautiful girl in a bikini. Lets be honest, it’s the closest a sorry little thug like that is every going to get to a girl not under duress.

If you cannot get last Friday's Jakarta Post, Indcoup has remarkable likeness of the thug here

There are millions upon millions of great people in Indonesia, but as they say.."just one goat"

Lords of the RINGS

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong. You cannot shirk this and be a man." Mark Twain

From time to time, Indonesian bloggers particularly expatriate bloggers face the accusation they are too critical of Indonesia and its ways (for want of a better term). In many cases, quite rightly and I do include myself.

In my defence, its the old story when you do good no one notices...do bad and the world world knows about it.

So in that vein and with the bottom feeders already at the trough positioning for the next election, I thought I would so a post appealing for help to identify those in power, who actually are working for the people. You know the good guys, the honest ones, the ethical ones.

The Jakarta Post gives a great example today, there must have been at least one person who said NO THANKS!

I won't link to the post, the links disappear anyway, but story goes like this..

Three members of the Bekasi Legislative Council from the 1999-2004 period returned Friday gold signet rings that were bestowed upon them as gifts at the end of their terms in office.

The rings, worth Rp 66.6 million each (about $7000USD EACH), were given to 45 councilors. But the Supreme Audit Agency found they were improperly purchased, using budgetary funds.

Ok we can discount the three members who gave the rings back as good guys. Its safe to assume they only did it after The 2004 Presidential Decree on guidelines for regional budget spending which states that money for gifts, souvenirs or bouquets cannot be taken from the budget was issued.

(Getting nervous lads..if it was an attack of ethics, it took a long time coming).

So my question is surely there was one man/woman who didn't need a Presidential Decree to tell right from wrong?

Surely there is one man/woman who looking around the conditions that Bapak and Average have to endure thought "gee a $7000 gift from the council budget, in country with 10 million unemployed (officially, unofficially I reckon you could times that by 5 and still be under)is not really the thing to do?

Surely, there is one man/woman who looked at the schools in the said area and just vomited at the thought of taking the ring?

Who is he/she?

We need a hero!!

Perhaps we could start a bloggers dream team??? (if we can find enough respectable contenders, gotta admit cupboard looks bare).

BALI - ISLAND OF THE GODS

It was a great break on the Island of the Gods (Bali). Sun, Sand and some outstanding games of Golf. There is a lot to be said for Girl Caddies and an Ocean view Golf Course. Don't forget your KITAS as it makes the difference between a $100 and $200 game of Golf, expensive but wow!!!! By the way, the little white hut you can see in the distance that's the tee off for the green in the foreground...Ain't far but teeing off across the ocean eats balls.

Unfortunately, we made the error of booking via Lion (Lying) Air, one of the low cost, lower standard carriers (as Gardua was booked solid) that plague this country.. This resulted in both journeys to and from Bali being a trial that tested the most adventurous amongst us. Minimum Delay seven hours and (I guess this is good) only two bags misplaced.

Setting new standards in Customer Service, our cheerful Lying representative informed us that if our bag was found then he would call us and we could come down and pick it up. Gee..After a seven hour delay and lost bag that was probably not the thing to say. We certainly gained the attention of the security guards as it was explained if I had to come and collect the bag, then it would be from an orifice not normally used for storing lost property.

We at the stump have decided its just too much to expect for an Indonesian Airline to display any degree of competence or professionalism. Changes are afoot and we are busy planning our next break to sunny Thailand for a week of Golf and Diving (ok…so the breaks a long way off, we can day dream). It’s a shame Bali is so ham strung by such dangerous morons and I don't just mean the airlines.

At the time of writing, the ADAM Air plane is still not found, survivors are still being picked up from yet another ferry sinking, tens of thousands of people are still being displaced by toxic mud from the Lapindo Disaster and the responsible ministers still have jobs. Situation normal..

I will be a bit busy catching up on work for awhile, so I will post when I can.

P.S. I have found a new Troll; his name is “ASS”. He isn’t very smart and repeats himself a lot but is kind of funny. I promise I shall feed this one more often.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

To All,

I am off to take a well earned (I reckon anyway) break...

Have a great, safe and happy Christmas and New Year..

Who knows Indonesia may even get a Christmas Present and the "Brothers Grimm" may be brought to account before the law!!

Anyway........HAVE FUN AND REMEMBER CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS..CALL SOMEONE FROM YOUR PAST AND JUST SAY HI..(It may be the best present they receive this year).

If a goat, cow or turkey comes a knocking...Refugee status applies at this time of year

IRAQ

Personally I had grave doubts about Iraq long before the WMD proved so damn hard to find. No doubt that Saddam was a murderous bastard but then it’s not like there are not another dozen like him in the world.

Of course, there is a certain amount of selective blindness on both sides of the equation. Its interesting to note the outrage of some parts of the world in regard to Iraq but absolute silence to the genocide in Sudan (a large number of those being slaughtered being Sudanese Muslims but apparently the "Animal Farm" theory is in effect here). Even more revolting is the simpering greetings give to Sudanese Ambassadors by ...Ahem...some governments.

Still back to Iraq whilst not funny the following highlights the folly of it all.

IRAQ

Gloating I am

I shouldn't gloat but...I as a confirmed Cricket Tragic, I can't help myself so...

Billy was at school this morning and the teacher asked all the children what their fathers did for a living. All the typical answers came out, fireman,policeman,salesman, chippy, captain of industry etc, but Billy was being uncharacteristically quiet and so the teacher asked him about his father. "My father is an exotic dancer in a gay club and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes if the offer is really good, he'll go out with a man, rent a cheap hotel room and let them sleep with him." The teacher quickly set the other children some work and took little Billy aside to ask him if that was really true. "No" said Billy, "He plays cricket for England but I was just too embarrassed to say."

As for the real news besides again pasting the English in the traditional manner expected, the best Headline from the WACA was:

Privilege to watch three musketeers put England to sword
"Only the most hard-hearted rejoiced at the disintegration of the elite of English cricket, but it was a privilege to witness batsmen of the calibre of Michael Hussey, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Clarke in full cry"

Gilchrist was in full cry too, 24 of six balls and the same poor "bowler" and 100 in 57 balls..

Oh well sometimes..life is good!!

King Prawn Cricket

Another Cricket Test is underway (Still cannot watch it here..bugger!) and some of my associates have been kind enough to send me pictures of themselves enjoying the match from a Corporate Box. This raises two questions; Who did they kill for tickets? Would it be considered bad form, if I send them a King Prawn by snail mail for xmas?

Undercover Cookie. has been kind enough to correct my post on the cricket. It’s the Barmy Army not Balmy Army although UC should be careful correcting my spelling errors it is a full time job with very low pay and job satisfaction.

UC further states that like millions of other poor souls, she really has not got the hang of cricket yet. She should not be disappointed, it’s like reading a Joseph Conrad novel, an acquired taste requiring concentration and dedication but once acquired everything else is just a pale imitations.

By the way, if you like reading, do try some Joseph Conrad. Enjoy the magnificent use of words to paint a picture. Its interesting to note that English was not even JC’s first language yet he puts all to shame before his prose. Wilbur Smith could only dream such ability.

On lighter news (or should that be lightweight news). Despite the fact my Trolls have obviously died and been recycled as road way humps, there is a sort of competition to decide what is the correct plural term for Trolls. Some early suggestions include:

Herd, Cluster, and personal favorite a ‘Nuisance of Trolls” (Thanks UC). Of course some of the more non PC had to be ruled out for legal reasons i.e. A LAPINDO of Trolls or a Bakery (sic) of Trolls. Anyway feel free to post any suggestions. The winner will be re-directed to Treespotters site as with his untold wealth, he is always giving away prizes like two tickets to Disney On Ice in Tehran or such like (I can only afford to throw in a free Bintang).



Anyway, winding down to Christmas and a holiday in beautiful Bali..Countdown has begun.

P.S. The Poms are losing the cricket again..oh the joy..the joooyyy…

P.P.S. Rumour has it (and I missed it) that Beheadings in Iraq were aired on national TV Today. Note to the "Powers that be" (Or Idiots that are) you only look very very stupid and ignorant when you complain about people kissing on TV but allow beheadings to aired in prime time (let alone any other time). What sad twisted values some people (?) have.

Im Back...Where's the Troll?

Been a bit crook (sick) and at the same time busy traveling around a bit so my blogging has been more slack of late. I think my trolls have died of neglect (similar to real life I suppose).

Still not all is lost, Treespotter has been exposed as one of the pasty Balmy Army. After all I have written, bleated, blabbed, moaned and groaned about! It is my post on the miserable effort by the POM’s in the first Ashes Cricket Test that leads him to accuse me of cultural superiority.

Tough!!…Did I tell youse, the Poms got flogged, shellacked(?), beaten, trounced, whipped and burnt in the Second Ashes test as well. I did get some advice where the cricket could be viewed but not being a Jakarta lad, I am doomed to internet streaming (at glacial download speed, I think that’s Wally Grout coming up to wicket keep now)

Other things of note; It looks like a former GAM fighter will be governor of Aceh which is sure to make the “powers that be” in Jakarta more than a tad jittery. I can have a second girlfriend and/or wife (although apparently my penis will be removed, which kinda defeats the purpose). Sorry if you don't get the last one. Its been all the rage lately in Indonesia if it is right or not to take one wife or two, three or even four ok five then. It has been quite a talking point (the topic not the wives).

There is a BLOGFEST on this Friday?? See Jakartass for details..

Oh and I nearly forgot... Vice Prez Kalla reckons (and I paraphrase here)”The current anti corruption drive is making government officials to scared to do their jobs and therefore stalling numerous projects” I must be a cynic..Does that mean they don’t how to perform their duties without being corrupt..nagh couldn’t be!!
Some one really needs to a book on our Kalla, the US has its Bushisms we could have our Kallams, its only fair why should the yanks have all the fun.

My own personal view is that the current (oops anti-corruption) corruption drive is all arse about. I don’t believe for a minute that the average Indonesian is any more corrupt than anyone else. The vast majority of (all) people will take advantage if they think they can get away with no consequences. The difference being is a free and robust professional press/media is just waiting to shame you. Name any country with a free and robust press and you will find them near the top of the anti-corruption tree..Name any country with a restricted, muzzled, pliant press and you will find them languishing at the bottom of the corruption tree (where the manure collects).

Of course, that means activists should not die on national carriers, reporters should be protected not beaten up or killed, and editors should not have to face long and lengthy trials for publishing unpopular stories (nor have their homes seized).

Free the press, Free the nation.

Lastly, according to the Jakarta Post today "20 Greenpeace Supporters were jailed for protesting the destruction of Indonesian Forests. Interesting...there are currently……..0, zilch, nada in custody for covering hundreds of homes in mud. . Yosef Ardi has interesting post on the topic here.