As the debate continues and tradgically more p-plate youths lose their lives, what can be done to make the roads safer?
Restricting p-plate driver numbers could be an option but making a midnight curfew is not an option. In the instances where p-plate drivers and their passangers have been killed a common thread is involved. Full-cars, late nights and dare I say speed and alcohol are involved.
I am not claiming that the driver has been drinking - I am sure he/she has not as there is zero tollerance but it is still a difficult task driving a car full of drunk mates. Not only are they subconciously egging you on to drive faster, you to want to get home because you haven't been drinking and are some aggitated that you have to drive your mates home.
Certainly it is a hard task at any age but in young drivers it is harder. There are less cars on the road so you feel that you can get home quiker. Combine that with your loud mates and it is a recipe for distaster.
It makes it difficult to drive and concentrate and therefore these horrific crashes occur. Remember with a zero tollerance alcohol policy, amongst youth drinkers they know they therefore cannot drive home and therefore can drink as much as they want.
My solution is to bring in a curfew for p-plate drivers. One passanger can travel with the driver after 10PM in the evening until 6AM the following morning.
The arguments therefore for p-plater's who need to drive home in the early hours because of shifts can and will reduce the problems on designated drivers who have to take their drunk mates home. It is a fair compromise and I think something that could go towards improving the fatalities.
I am in no way suggesting that these circumstances surround the current p-plate crashes but suggest these could be reasons as to why they occur.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Debnam the deadbeat
Does Peter Debnam want to become Premier of New South Wales or does he want to be in opposition for another four years, by which time the Liberal Party would have a new leader anyway?All he has to do is SHUT UP.
His claims today that retiring Attorney-General Bob Debus is under police investigation with no proof, is like falling on your own sword.Labor is self-destructing in the state as it is.
Either Debnam needs proof to his claims or just SHUT UP. He need not say anything as Labor are doing their own damage and losing the election.
Obviously Debnam has poor advisors or the wrong people around, or maybe he lacks intelligence and he is not the right man for the job. Possibly a mixture of the lot.
It is too late for Liberal to change leaders now this close to an election. Debnam and his Party need to stand united offer an alternative for change and release a set of policies that will woo voters from Labor to Liberal.
A fair analysis would say most voters are fed up with the Government. A number of fatal flaws have plagued Morris Iemma, since he took on the role of Premier, following the resignation of Premier Five Star - Bob Carr. He could obviously smell shit about to hit the fan and therefore left, allowing Iemma to pick up the pieces, lose sleep and wonder why he ever took the job on.
The Cross-City Tunnel Fiasco, calling the tunnel boss a "f*** wit" mistakenly on national television. The Orkopolous ordeal, Carl Scully dramas. The riots in Cronulla. It just seems to be going from bad to worse to worse to worse.
Let’s be realistic New South Wales - will rail, housing, health, education slow down at? NO
Will there be fewer cars on the road in one year? NO.
We need action plans NOW. Realistic and achievable plans in five year increments that will develop basic infrastructure.
Would you return the Iemma Government after this ill-fated term in office?
Debman and Liberal need to get their act together. If no alternative Government is provided then we will go through the next four years with stalemate as independents will be voted in and no policy will be made.
SO Mr. Debman my message is simple - stop making deadbeat comments and SHUT UP or make sensible, realistic comments and name policy changes so we can have a change of Government.
His claims today that retiring Attorney-General Bob Debus is under police investigation with no proof, is like falling on your own sword.Labor is self-destructing in the state as it is.
Either Debnam needs proof to his claims or just SHUT UP. He need not say anything as Labor are doing their own damage and losing the election.
Obviously Debnam has poor advisors or the wrong people around, or maybe he lacks intelligence and he is not the right man for the job. Possibly a mixture of the lot.
It is too late for Liberal to change leaders now this close to an election. Debnam and his Party need to stand united offer an alternative for change and release a set of policies that will woo voters from Labor to Liberal.
A fair analysis would say most voters are fed up with the Government. A number of fatal flaws have plagued Morris Iemma, since he took on the role of Premier, following the resignation of Premier Five Star - Bob Carr. He could obviously smell shit about to hit the fan and therefore left, allowing Iemma to pick up the pieces, lose sleep and wonder why he ever took the job on.
The Cross-City Tunnel Fiasco, calling the tunnel boss a "f*** wit" mistakenly on national television. The Orkopolous ordeal, Carl Scully dramas. The riots in Cronulla. It just seems to be going from bad to worse to worse to worse.
Let’s be realistic New South Wales - will rail, housing, health, education slow down at? NO
Will there be fewer cars on the road in one year? NO.
We need action plans NOW. Realistic and achievable plans in five year increments that will develop basic infrastructure.
Would you return the Iemma Government after this ill-fated term in office?
Debman and Liberal need to get their act together. If no alternative Government is provided then we will go through the next four years with stalemate as independents will be voted in and no policy will be made.
SO Mr. Debman my message is simple - stop making deadbeat comments and SHUT UP or make sensible, realistic comments and name policy changes so we can have a change of Government.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Dad's Army will still kick the Poms ass
Despite Ian Botham's recent comments that, 'losing to dad's army would be piss poor' (refereing to Australia and England's battle for next week's Ashes) Australia will still defeat England and retain the Ashes this summer.
Age is not a worry. Experience is the difference and speaks for itself.
Despite the fact Australia lost last year's Ashes, we only just lost it. Be realistic, if McGrath had not rolled his ankle, if we had scored four more runs. We would have won the Ashes.
The last 18 months have seen Australia improve and England well, not do to much. Nevertheless the series will be competitive and form means nothing when the Ashes is on the line.
Australia's biggest challenge will be picking the best XI. With a number of options, who will bat at Number 6 and who will be the fourth specialist bowler?
Despite writing that Bracken and Watson had played their way into the 1st test, this week will all but confirm my claims with Pura Cup and tour matches across the country.
Shaun Tait has stood tall with a menacing spell against the Poms in the PM's XI. The fastest bowler in the country was devistating and put the Poms on the backfoot immediately. If he is on target, he could single handedly destroy the English top order.
Phil Jacques is batting himself into form, continually knocking on the selectors doors with two centuries against the poms in three days.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting has stated Langer's position is not under threat and the incumbent will be returned as opener for the first test.
With so many possibilities. I am glad that I don't wear a selectors hat and have to make the tough calls.
So which names will be read out and the end of the week? Possibly Jacques could be used in the six batsmen, not as a specialist opener?
Michael Clarke has still not performed with 50 against the Poms while Watson got a duck.
Why not choose Jacques?
In the bowling stocks Mitchell Johnson picked a valuable four wicket haul against the WACAs while Tait's chances were done no harm with his game for the PMXI.
As of Monday November 13, my Australian XI now reads:
1. Justin Langer
2. Matthew Hayden
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Phil Jacques
5. Damien Martyn
6. Michael Hussey
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Brett Lee
10. Shaun Tait
11. Glen McGrath
12th Nathan Bracken
Age is not a worry. Experience is the difference and speaks for itself.
Despite the fact Australia lost last year's Ashes, we only just lost it. Be realistic, if McGrath had not rolled his ankle, if we had scored four more runs. We would have won the Ashes.
The last 18 months have seen Australia improve and England well, not do to much. Nevertheless the series will be competitive and form means nothing when the Ashes is on the line.
Australia's biggest challenge will be picking the best XI. With a number of options, who will bat at Number 6 and who will be the fourth specialist bowler?
Despite writing that Bracken and Watson had played their way into the 1st test, this week will all but confirm my claims with Pura Cup and tour matches across the country.
Shaun Tait has stood tall with a menacing spell against the Poms in the PM's XI. The fastest bowler in the country was devistating and put the Poms on the backfoot immediately. If he is on target, he could single handedly destroy the English top order.
Phil Jacques is batting himself into form, continually knocking on the selectors doors with two centuries against the poms in three days.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting has stated Langer's position is not under threat and the incumbent will be returned as opener for the first test.
With so many possibilities. I am glad that I don't wear a selectors hat and have to make the tough calls.
So which names will be read out and the end of the week? Possibly Jacques could be used in the six batsmen, not as a specialist opener?
Michael Clarke has still not performed with 50 against the Poms while Watson got a duck.
Why not choose Jacques?
In the bowling stocks Mitchell Johnson picked a valuable four wicket haul against the WACAs while Tait's chances were done no harm with his game for the PMXI.
As of Monday November 13, my Australian XI now reads:
1. Justin Langer
2. Matthew Hayden
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Phil Jacques
5. Damien Martyn
6. Michael Hussey
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Brett Lee
10. Shaun Tait
11. Glen McGrath
12th Nathan Bracken
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Labor or Liberal? Who will next Govern NSW
Does our country still have any decent human beings in politics? It's a tough job but you have an obligation if you wish to be a representative of your people.
The Peter Reith phone fiasco chased a decent man out of Federal Parliament a few years ago until now, when Labor MP for NSW Milton Orkopoulos has been sacked over child sex allegations.
This is the most disgraceful allegation and makes you wonder how this person was ever a representative of his people?
I have no time or sympathy for these allegations and if proven true then he should not be given any special privileges nor should he have any entitlements as regular parliamentarians would get.
Turning to the Labor vs. Liberal showdown for state governance who will win?
Iemma and his mob are in tatters. Carl Scully gone - a party in disarray. Cross city tunnel damage. Roads. Tolls. Education. Hospitals.
Its time for change and its time for a new government but is the Liberal Party any better? Debman is raw and new to the job. He has not released any policies. He just plays the opposite card to the Government on every policy issue.
Bickering continues to haunt the Liberals who have inter-party issues with the Right Wing assuming control. While the Party is unstable how could the voters have any confidence to vote them into power?
The underlying question is why then are there no decent people in politics? It is just that politics.
Whether it is between two parties or within the party, egos and agendas always come first as voters are seen as numbers, not participants in the electoral process.
Can we have some sensible, intelligent people going into politics? What is needed to get better representatives running our states and country? Why don't people want to go into Politics?
We couldn't get a worse bunch than we have at the moment and let's hope the problems of the past few months have weeded out the thorns so we can develop and sustain the social and economic issues of this state
The Peter Reith phone fiasco chased a decent man out of Federal Parliament a few years ago until now, when Labor MP for NSW Milton Orkopoulos has been sacked over child sex allegations.
This is the most disgraceful allegation and makes you wonder how this person was ever a representative of his people?
I have no time or sympathy for these allegations and if proven true then he should not be given any special privileges nor should he have any entitlements as regular parliamentarians would get.
Turning to the Labor vs. Liberal showdown for state governance who will win?
Iemma and his mob are in tatters. Carl Scully gone - a party in disarray. Cross city tunnel damage. Roads. Tolls. Education. Hospitals.
Its time for change and its time for a new government but is the Liberal Party any better? Debman is raw and new to the job. He has not released any policies. He just plays the opposite card to the Government on every policy issue.
Bickering continues to haunt the Liberals who have inter-party issues with the Right Wing assuming control. While the Party is unstable how could the voters have any confidence to vote them into power?
The underlying question is why then are there no decent people in politics? It is just that politics.
Whether it is between two parties or within the party, egos and agendas always come first as voters are seen as numbers, not participants in the electoral process.
Can we have some sensible, intelligent people going into politics? What is needed to get better representatives running our states and country? Why don't people want to go into Politics?
We couldn't get a worse bunch than we have at the moment and let's hope the problems of the past few months have weeded out the thorns so we can develop and sustain the social and economic issues of this state
Monday, November 06, 2006
Bracken & Watson play their way into the Ashes
Nathan Bracken and Shane Watson completed match winning performances in last night's ICC Champions Trophy final. Bracken, a test discard and Watson who has promised so much but yet to deliver gave selectors their strongest indictaion yet that they are ready and the best men for the two available positions.
Bracken had a stella tournament, partnering Lee with the new ball and proving most useful bowling in the death. With 10 wickets at 19.4 for the tournament, he could not have done more to press his claims. The prize wickets of Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan last night, came at crucial times and turned the dimension of the game in Australia's way.
Not to be out done, Watson claimed 2/11 off his three overs and then added 57 runs not out as opening batsmen. Watson has proven himself this tournament and with this momentem should be instated to the test XI for the Ashes.
Shaun Tait put another spanner in the works, with an impressive bowling display for South Australia against New South Wales in the Pura Cup. Along with Jason Gillespie, the two were devestating, having NSW 4/1 in their second innings.
The biggest headache for the Poms would have to be the emphatic return of Glenn McGrath. Doubted by some, after a slow start to the Champions Trophy, the spear head of Australian fast bowling came back with a bang and grabbed 10 scalps at 15.80.
Damien Martyn has also found form with the bat, being the most impressive batsmen of the Australians in India and will look to take this form into the Ashes. With an average of 80.33 for the tournament, he will restore the Australian middle order.
With this in mind, my Australia XI for the 1st test against England in Brisbane would be:
1. Justin Langer
2. Matthew Hayden
3. Ricky Ponting (c)
4. Damien Martyn
5. Michael Hussey
6. Shane Watson
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Brett Lee
10. Nathan Bracken
11. Glenn McGrath
12th Man: Shaun Tait
Bracken had a stella tournament, partnering Lee with the new ball and proving most useful bowling in the death. With 10 wickets at 19.4 for the tournament, he could not have done more to press his claims. The prize wickets of Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan last night, came at crucial times and turned the dimension of the game in Australia's way.
Not to be out done, Watson claimed 2/11 off his three overs and then added 57 runs not out as opening batsmen. Watson has proven himself this tournament and with this momentem should be instated to the test XI for the Ashes.
Shaun Tait put another spanner in the works, with an impressive bowling display for South Australia against New South Wales in the Pura Cup. Along with Jason Gillespie, the two were devestating, having NSW 4/1 in their second innings.
The biggest headache for the Poms would have to be the emphatic return of Glenn McGrath. Doubted by some, after a slow start to the Champions Trophy, the spear head of Australian fast bowling came back with a bang and grabbed 10 scalps at 15.80.
Damien Martyn has also found form with the bat, being the most impressive batsmen of the Australians in India and will look to take this form into the Ashes. With an average of 80.33 for the tournament, he will restore the Australian middle order.
With this in mind, my Australia XI for the 1st test against England in Brisbane would be:
1. Justin Langer
2. Matthew Hayden
3. Ricky Ponting (c)
4. Damien Martyn
5. Michael Hussey
6. Shane Watson
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Shane Warne
9. Brett Lee
10. Nathan Bracken
11. Glenn McGrath
12th Man: Shaun Tait
Sunday, November 05, 2006
What is the value of representing your country in a test match?
International rugby league is a farse anyway but picking a second string team against Great Britain is arrogant. Ricky Stuart well be answerable to the media, fans and administrators this week as we ask, 'why did you pick a number of reserves in the Kangaroos?'
The honor to represent your country and play a test match should be the ultimate prize but if the ARL are going to hand out test jerseys then Nathan Fien should be entitled to play for the Kiwis. In no way is it the individuals who were picked's fault but rather a young ambitious coach who provided yet another example as to why the Roosters sacked him as coach.
Ricky Stuart selceted a jet lagged, unproven Jamie Lyon. Ok, he may have had a great season playing B Grade League in Great Britian but that is no match to NRL or International League.
Ben Hornby a fantastic custodian for the Dragons but if he is the second best half back in Australia, then we have massive problems. The days where a plethora of talent could be selected from the likes of Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley, Kevin Walters, Allan Langer, Geoff Toovey, Andrew Johns, Greg Alexander, Ricky Stuart, Matthew Johns were fighting tooth and nails to break into the Kangaroos halves combinations.
It comes back to a lack of depth in League, similar to the problems with Union. The bigger problem though is the honor we place on playing test match rugby league.
The series should be cancelled if jumpers are going to be handed to players, and rest others in matches. It's not done by any team, any where by any one unless it is assured of a victory.
ARL were proven wrong, Great Britain are not going to be a pushover and they deserve a lot more respect than the code is giving them.
If we want to be serious about International Rugby League then prove it or can it!
The honor to represent your country and play a test match should be the ultimate prize but if the ARL are going to hand out test jerseys then Nathan Fien should be entitled to play for the Kiwis. In no way is it the individuals who were picked's fault but rather a young ambitious coach who provided yet another example as to why the Roosters sacked him as coach.
Ricky Stuart selceted a jet lagged, unproven Jamie Lyon. Ok, he may have had a great season playing B Grade League in Great Britian but that is no match to NRL or International League.
Ben Hornby a fantastic custodian for the Dragons but if he is the second best half back in Australia, then we have massive problems. The days where a plethora of talent could be selected from the likes of Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley, Kevin Walters, Allan Langer, Geoff Toovey, Andrew Johns, Greg Alexander, Ricky Stuart, Matthew Johns were fighting tooth and nails to break into the Kangaroos halves combinations.
It comes back to a lack of depth in League, similar to the problems with Union. The bigger problem though is the honor we place on playing test match rugby league.
The series should be cancelled if jumpers are going to be handed to players, and rest others in matches. It's not done by any team, any where by any one unless it is assured of a victory.
ARL were proven wrong, Great Britain are not going to be a pushover and they deserve a lot more respect than the code is giving them.
If we want to be serious about International Rugby League then prove it or can it!
Friday, November 03, 2006
12 months on - the Wallabies... same shit different smell
A new coach, a few players in new positions... same shit different smell
Losing on Wednesday evening to a club side has all but summarised the Wallabies year. They have looked woeful at the best of times.
Player depth in Australia is at an all time low. There are no exciting prospects in Rugby in 2006.
I remember the David Campese era, he was an exciting player, a player that would get bums on seats at games. Now who do we have?
Wonder child Matt Giteau will be earning six zereos next year, for what?
A small inside centre that doesn't get the service from his grandfather half back. Or maybe put the million dollar baby in the half position, but ask why would you pay a few million dollars for a halfback?
Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri were the excitment that was injected into the Wallabies but that has failed. Rogers is returning to League, Lote has expressed his desires and well do we need to say anymore about Dell...
So who is the generation of boom of excitment in the Wallabies?
Gregan, Latham, Larkham, Mortlock.... they are solid players but they are not exciting players or Dan Carter's, Joe Rockocko or anyone of the All Black backs.
Australian rugby is in trouble. Our best prospect looks to be boom Joey's fly half, Kurtly Beale. Give him a go..
There is no depth in Australian rugby. Wednesday's loss had players in unfamiliar positions. Gerrard is not a fly half. Turunui is not a winger.
Connolly has done nothing! Yes we have won a few more games, but we don't look any better.
It's time to clean out Australian rugby and re-build. I have not even began to discuss the forwards or the woeful front row combinations the Wallabies have tried this year.
Maybe its time to skip a generation and blood some youth. Australian rugby needs to move forwards and holding onto some of our elder statesman, as well as playing people in unfamiliar positions is not the answer.
Connolly might not be the right man for the job and maybe we need to look at who can lead the Wallabies to a world cup victory on 2007, cause at the moment its just the same shit with a different smell.
Losing on Wednesday evening to a club side has all but summarised the Wallabies year. They have looked woeful at the best of times.
Player depth in Australia is at an all time low. There are no exciting prospects in Rugby in 2006.
I remember the David Campese era, he was an exciting player, a player that would get bums on seats at games. Now who do we have?
Wonder child Matt Giteau will be earning six zereos next year, for what?
A small inside centre that doesn't get the service from his grandfather half back. Or maybe put the million dollar baby in the half position, but ask why would you pay a few million dollars for a halfback?
Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri were the excitment that was injected into the Wallabies but that has failed. Rogers is returning to League, Lote has expressed his desires and well do we need to say anymore about Dell...
So who is the generation of boom of excitment in the Wallabies?
Gregan, Latham, Larkham, Mortlock.... they are solid players but they are not exciting players or Dan Carter's, Joe Rockocko or anyone of the All Black backs.
Australian rugby is in trouble. Our best prospect looks to be boom Joey's fly half, Kurtly Beale. Give him a go..
There is no depth in Australian rugby. Wednesday's loss had players in unfamiliar positions. Gerrard is not a fly half. Turunui is not a winger.
Connolly has done nothing! Yes we have won a few more games, but we don't look any better.
It's time to clean out Australian rugby and re-build. I have not even began to discuss the forwards or the woeful front row combinations the Wallabies have tried this year.
Maybe its time to skip a generation and blood some youth. Australian rugby needs to move forwards and holding onto some of our elder statesman, as well as playing people in unfamiliar positions is not the answer.
Connolly might not be the right man for the job and maybe we need to look at who can lead the Wallabies to a world cup victory on 2007, cause at the moment its just the same shit with a different smell.
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