Good morning readers, (if there are any)
God I hate the car culture, and I hate politicians who pander to it. Also I don't like much criticizing the Bracks Government, but when I read that all speed camera locations are to be made public, it makes me mad.[click]
And on the same topic, our worst killer national roads are to have a $1 billion upgrade coutesy of the federal government. Well I say that there is no such thing as a "killer road". The killers are morons in their cars. [click]
Actually I did hear about a road killing people once. It was because of an earthquake and a big hole opened up. And it wasn't even in this country
I think that all governments should enforce responsible driving through technological means. eg, when a driver exceeds the speed limit by a certain amount or over a certain distance, his/her car should be disabled after a 2 minute warning.
Scary about Hurricane Monica, eh? Winds gusting up to 300kph, and it's heading for Darwin. [click]
I think it's time we all started acting like we actually care about our climate and the safety of our planet. Yeh, sure, we talk about it, but that's not enough.
There's precious little hope as long as we keep voting in a government that is in the pocket of the fossil fuel industry (and now starting to climb into the pocket of the uranium mining industry) and acting like vandals to the planet earth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scanning the papers, I found these next two articles in different papers, but thought they should be linked together. Typical of human behavior: Kill your befefactor.
So read first, one, then the other.
Furry, cute and full of the milk of human kindness
By Orietta Guerrera, Rural ReporterApril 24, 2006
Melbourne researchers have stumbled across a compound in wallaby milk that is 100 times more effective than penicillin in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The team from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries was examining the ingredients of wallaby milk when it identified the super-potent compound, and its potential to combat bacteria and fungus including E. coli, streptococci, salmonella and golden staph.
Research team leader Ben Cocks said the discovery could have a profound impact on both animal and human health.
"We made the first observation a bit over a year ago, and since then we've got much more information about it, about how it's made, the range of bacteria that it's active against, and how potent it is," he said yesterday.
"And from a biological, evolutionary perspective it's very interesting because there's no equivalent in humans or in cows.
"It seems as if the placental mammals like humans and cows lost the gene for this anti-microbial."
Wallabies are born without a proper immune system and rely on the nutrients in their mother's milk until they begin to develop antibodies at 100 days old.
The scientists were researching the chemical properties of the breast milk of tammar wallabies at the department's research centre in Attwood to identify how their immune-deficient newborns built up resistance to bacteria while growing in the pouch.
They had hoped this research would lead to increasing the protein richness in cows' milk for consumers, but instead made the vital health discovery. Laboratory tests showed the compound was 100 times more potent than penicillin in attacking bacteria.
While the researchers have only tested the milk of tammar wallabies, Dr Cocks believes the bacteria-fighting compound will also be found in the milk of other wallabies and kangaroos.
He said the compound was relatively easy to commercially synthesise, but the next step was to examine whether the compound was safe for human use, and if so, whether it would be best applied intravenously, topically or orally.
The group has approached pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hoping they will co-operate to develop the product. "This is all early stages," Dr Cocks said. "Even if someone picks it up, you're looking at six years plus."
Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron said yesterday: "We've taken a patent on that compound and DPI has been showing this to drug companies who have an interest in this because of the resistance to antibiotics, and obviously that's becoming a growing problem."
Exports of wallaby fur slammed
Ewin Hannan
April 24, 2006
WALLABY fur would be sold to European fashion markets under plans before the Howard Government to export thousands of skins from Tasmania.
Green groups vowed yesterday to fight the plan, saying Australians should be appalled the animal was being used in the "disgusting" fur trade.
Under the plan before the Environment Department, the skins of 30,000 wallabies killed each year in Tasmania would be exported for use in the fur trade.
Supporters of the proposal say almost all the skins are currently wasted because there is no viable domestic market.
Wallabies are currently killed and processed in Tasmania for human consumption and pet food under the control of the state's Meat Hygiene Act.
Pat O'Brien, president of the Wildlife Protection Association of Australia, attacked the export plan. "The fur trade has always been a disgusting industry," he said. It's unnecessary. It just panders to a few very wealthy socialites."
Mr O'Brien said the federal Government had approved plans to export fur and meat from wallabies killed on King and Flinders islands. The association is trying to overturn the plan in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
According to the Tasmanian Government, Lenah Game Meats is the only Australian company licensed to "harvest" possums and wallabies. Wallaby meat is marketed to restaurants in Germany and France and the company's local menu includes marinated wallaby kebabs, salami and sausages.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lets have a look at some letters
Letters from the Age
Let's hear from those who fought
WITH another Anzac Day approaching, I suppose our Prime Minister - and, sadly, Leader of the Opposition - will be preparing themselves for yet another sanctimonious assault on the sentiments of average Australians whereby they try to associate themselves with the soldiers who fought the real battles. Again we will hear the often repeated rhetoric about the bravery and selflessness shown by ordinary people who were fighting for their country or simply wanting to protect their mates in adversity.
But as an ex-Vietnam veteran I wonder when we will hear the combined voices of those who lead us talking about the futility of war in total, and the devastation and psychological displacement it causes. I wonder when we will hear the true reasons behind the conflicts, and the admissions that in the end war solves little and progresses us all even less.
I wonder if these individuals really have the best interest of us all at heart? Or is it that they are more concerned about self-promotion, success at the next election and simply trying to ensure their place in history?
If so, lest we forget!Graeme Foley, Kew
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
No way to save a few minutes
IS ALAN Barron (Letters, 22/4) serious when he applauds Robert Doyle's stance on the speed limit of the Geelong Road? Consider this: Assume that Geelong is 80 kms from Melbourne. Now assume that you could travel at the maximum speed limit the entire way (which it sounds like Alan would love to be allowed to do). If the maximum speed limit is 100 km/h, your journey would take 48 minutes.
When you increase this to 110 km/h, the journey would take about 44 minutes. A saving of four minutes - wow!
If you browse the TAC safety website you'll find:
1. speed is one of the major factors contributing to crashes on Victoria's roads;
2. the economic cost to Victoria of speed-related serious crashes has been estimated to be in excess of $1 billion in 2000;
3. Small reductions in speed can result in significant reductions in road trauma.
After reading this, you'd have to be insane to think that it's a good idea to increase speed limits in order to save motorists a paltry couple of minutes.Ty Capach, Northcote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll finish off with this cartoon
see ya'
Paul
God I hate the car culture, and I hate politicians who pander to it. Also I don't like much criticizing the Bracks Government, but when I read that all speed camera locations are to be made public, it makes me mad.[click]
And on the same topic, our worst killer national roads are to have a $1 billion upgrade coutesy of the federal government. Well I say that there is no such thing as a "killer road". The killers are morons in their cars. [click]
Actually I did hear about a road killing people once. It was because of an earthquake and a big hole opened up. And it wasn't even in this country
I think that all governments should enforce responsible driving through technological means. eg, when a driver exceeds the speed limit by a certain amount or over a certain distance, his/her car should be disabled after a 2 minute warning.
Scary about Hurricane Monica, eh? Winds gusting up to 300kph, and it's heading for Darwin. [click]
I think it's time we all started acting like we actually care about our climate and the safety of our planet. Yeh, sure, we talk about it, but that's not enough.
There's precious little hope as long as we keep voting in a government that is in the pocket of the fossil fuel industry (and now starting to climb into the pocket of the uranium mining industry) and acting like vandals to the planet earth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scanning the papers, I found these next two articles in different papers, but thought they should be linked together. Typical of human behavior: Kill your befefactor.
So read first, one, then the other.
Furry, cute and full of the milk of human kindness
By Orietta Guerrera, Rural ReporterApril 24, 2006
Melbourne researchers have stumbled across a compound in wallaby milk that is 100 times more effective than penicillin in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The team from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries was examining the ingredients of wallaby milk when it identified the super-potent compound, and its potential to combat bacteria and fungus including E. coli, streptococci, salmonella and golden staph.
Research team leader Ben Cocks said the discovery could have a profound impact on both animal and human health.
"We made the first observation a bit over a year ago, and since then we've got much more information about it, about how it's made, the range of bacteria that it's active against, and how potent it is," he said yesterday.
"And from a biological, evolutionary perspective it's very interesting because there's no equivalent in humans or in cows.
"It seems as if the placental mammals like humans and cows lost the gene for this anti-microbial."
Wallabies are born without a proper immune system and rely on the nutrients in their mother's milk until they begin to develop antibodies at 100 days old.
The scientists were researching the chemical properties of the breast milk of tammar wallabies at the department's research centre in Attwood to identify how their immune-deficient newborns built up resistance to bacteria while growing in the pouch.
They had hoped this research would lead to increasing the protein richness in cows' milk for consumers, but instead made the vital health discovery. Laboratory tests showed the compound was 100 times more potent than penicillin in attacking bacteria.
While the researchers have only tested the milk of tammar wallabies, Dr Cocks believes the bacteria-fighting compound will also be found in the milk of other wallabies and kangaroos.
He said the compound was relatively easy to commercially synthesise, but the next step was to examine whether the compound was safe for human use, and if so, whether it would be best applied intravenously, topically or orally.
The group has approached pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hoping they will co-operate to develop the product. "This is all early stages," Dr Cocks said. "Even if someone picks it up, you're looking at six years plus."
Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron said yesterday: "We've taken a patent on that compound and DPI has been showing this to drug companies who have an interest in this because of the resistance to antibiotics, and obviously that's becoming a growing problem."
Exports of wallaby fur slammed
Ewin Hannan
April 24, 2006
WALLABY fur would be sold to European fashion markets under plans before the Howard Government to export thousands of skins from Tasmania.
Green groups vowed yesterday to fight the plan, saying Australians should be appalled the animal was being used in the "disgusting" fur trade.
Under the plan before the Environment Department, the skins of 30,000 wallabies killed each year in Tasmania would be exported for use in the fur trade.
Supporters of the proposal say almost all the skins are currently wasted because there is no viable domestic market.
Wallabies are currently killed and processed in Tasmania for human consumption and pet food under the control of the state's Meat Hygiene Act.
Pat O'Brien, president of the Wildlife Protection Association of Australia, attacked the export plan. "The fur trade has always been a disgusting industry," he said. It's unnecessary. It just panders to a few very wealthy socialites."
Mr O'Brien said the federal Government had approved plans to export fur and meat from wallabies killed on King and Flinders islands. The association is trying to overturn the plan in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
According to the Tasmanian Government, Lenah Game Meats is the only Australian company licensed to "harvest" possums and wallabies. Wallaby meat is marketed to restaurants in Germany and France and the company's local menu includes marinated wallaby kebabs, salami and sausages.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lets have a look at some letters
Letters from the Age
Let's hear from those who fought
WITH another Anzac Day approaching, I suppose our Prime Minister - and, sadly, Leader of the Opposition - will be preparing themselves for yet another sanctimonious assault on the sentiments of average Australians whereby they try to associate themselves with the soldiers who fought the real battles. Again we will hear the often repeated rhetoric about the bravery and selflessness shown by ordinary people who were fighting for their country or simply wanting to protect their mates in adversity.
But as an ex-Vietnam veteran I wonder when we will hear the combined voices of those who lead us talking about the futility of war in total, and the devastation and psychological displacement it causes. I wonder when we will hear the true reasons behind the conflicts, and the admissions that in the end war solves little and progresses us all even less.
I wonder if these individuals really have the best interest of us all at heart? Or is it that they are more concerned about self-promotion, success at the next election and simply trying to ensure their place in history?
If so, lest we forget!Graeme Foley, Kew
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
No way to save a few minutes
IS ALAN Barron (Letters, 22/4) serious when he applauds Robert Doyle's stance on the speed limit of the Geelong Road? Consider this: Assume that Geelong is 80 kms from Melbourne. Now assume that you could travel at the maximum speed limit the entire way (which it sounds like Alan would love to be allowed to do). If the maximum speed limit is 100 km/h, your journey would take 48 minutes.
When you increase this to 110 km/h, the journey would take about 44 minutes. A saving of four minutes - wow!
If you browse the TAC safety website you'll find:
1. speed is one of the major factors contributing to crashes on Victoria's roads;
2. the economic cost to Victoria of speed-related serious crashes has been estimated to be in excess of $1 billion in 2000;
3. Small reductions in speed can result in significant reductions in road trauma.
After reading this, you'd have to be insane to think that it's a good idea to increase speed limits in order to save motorists a paltry couple of minutes.Ty Capach, Northcote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll finish off with this cartoon
see ya'
Paul
posted by tetmupco2 | 1:24 PM
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