MikeFitz with overflow bit set…

Tuesday 5 June, is UNEP’s 2007 World Environment Day.  A great day for each of us to consider our personal commitment to things like carpooling, recycling, whatever we can do to prolong the existence of our species on this planet.

This is also a great day for governments to announce new environment-friendly policies.  I’m expecting something from the Howard government.  However, don’t be conned.  Everyone can see that, after 12 years as a global-warming denier, John Howard’s recently-acquired green tinge is just mould^*.

Queensland Greens Environment Day Symposium

On Tuesday, the Queensland Greens will hold a fund-raising Environment Day symposium with Senator Bob Brown.
Location: The Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, South Bank
Time: 7pm for 7.30pm
Tickets: $25  All invited but places are limited; bookings essential.  I’ve purchased mine!

Australian Greens leader, Senator Bob Brown with Queensland Greens lead Senate Candidate, Larissa Waters

Senate Campaign Launch

On Wednesday, they will launch their Senate Campaign for the upcoming election.  Did I mention that a good friend of mine, Larissa Waters, is the lead candidate on their Senate ticket?

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^* Apologies to mould spores everywhere.

That is, a post from Washington.  Washington, DC.

Mike’s Political Bits

Mrs Fitz says I have to behave when I am a guest in another country.  However, …

“Citizens of the United States of America,

“I have come to address you as a representative of the citizens of the rest of our planet.

“I urge you to impeach your President, George W Bush, for telling lies to the American People and to all of America’s allies.

“Support the April 28 Nationwide Impeachment Actions, at www.a28.org.

“Why am I saying this?
I am an Australian citizen and a friend of America.  My business provides services based on the sale of products from a major US corporation.  I fully supported the deployment of Australian troops to Afghanistan to chase after the enemies of Democracy.  I also supported the deployment of Australian troops to Iraq to counter the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction.  However, I now know that this imaginary threat was a huge lie.  I, you, we have all been betrayed by the lies of your president.

“There were no WMDs.  There was no thought-out plan for a transition to democracy in Iraq.  We were lied to.  And rather than admit this lie, every day your President watches your sons and daughters be slaughtered.

“It is wrong to say, as our Australian Prime Minister, John Howard says, that to prematurely pull out of Iraq would give comfort to the enemies of democracy.  Nothing could give the enemies of democracy more satisfaction than to see America mired in its current Iraq situation where there is a death toll greater than the tragedy at Virginia Tech before lunch every day, and then another in the afternoon.

Arlington National Cemetery, VA.

“I saw the 2000 crosses on the beach at Santa Monica in October 2005.  And now, in 2007, the US toll has passed 3000.  Can you see what is happening here?  Nothing in Iraq has changed since the “Mission Accomplished” speech in 2003, except the death toll.

“George W, you may have thought you were brave to commit your country to this path, but it will take a braver man to admit you were wrong.

“So, citizens of the United States of America, what will happen if you do NOT impeach this President? Future Presidents will think it is OK to tell lies to the American people and to the world.  What sort of America will your children grow up in then?

School children participating in a military wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington.

“So do it for your children.  Do it for your country.  Do it for all the members of your species on this planet.  Write a letter to your congressman.  Write letters to the Senators for your state demanding that they Impeach George Bush!

“And on April 28, support the Nationwide Impeachment Actions, www.a28.org.

“I myself will be in New York either at the Great Hill in Central Park, (near W. 106th Street and Central Park West) from 11AM to 4:30PM or at Tompkins Square Park from 1:00-400 PM .

There. I’ve said it.
— MikeFitz (from Australia)

And now a few words from guest blogger, Mrs Fitz.

Maureen’s Touristy Bits

Mon 23 Apr 07 - AM

It is now 1am and oh golly, have we had a big day! Caught the train down to Washington DC. Much quicker than the plane - no trip to the airport and no hours of security and queues and checking in and no trip back from the airport. Just 3 hrs 20 mins of very comfortable traveling, and only a few blocks walk from our overnight hotel in NY.. 

The cherry blossoms are out everywhere, but not much else, as it has been 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit cooler until a week ago. The tulips are to die for.  Overwhelming.

Union Station at Washington DC is just beautiful.  100 years old and divine.  The escalators down to the subways are the most terrifying I have ever seen - so long and steep., You wouldn’t want to trip at the top!

Walked around Capitol Hill and surrounds on a perfect 75 degree cloudless day.Fahrenheit.  Spent some time with a Texan who thought everyone should have a gun, especially the Professors at Virginia tech!  And, after all, we are in Virginia.  Flags are at half mast everywhere and they have just had a state holiday for mourning those poor students.  When this American chap heard we once had Fox Channel but had cut it off, he recoiled - he immediately called us liberals.  Put him straight, I did.  Suddenly, I came up with the solution for world peace.  The next US President should be female, black, gay and a Moslem.  He didn’t like that much.  But, let’s face it, his solution isn’t working.

Then we went on a night bus tour, and visited so many monuments to presidents who had mostly ended up assassinated.  John Howard should think about that before he even dreams of lightening up the gun laws! The night tour was terrific.  Met some great Americans who wanted to see the end of Dubbya (but not dead), and who also thought Abe Lincoln was a good guy for ensuring the freedom of slaves.

Washington DC is so much more beautiful than I ever could imagine.  You may remember I was disappointed with New York in 2005 - so much dirtier, smaller and less exciting than on the tele.  Well, Washinton DC is mind blowing.  Dozens and dozens of fantastic buildings, museums, gardens, parks etc., in sparkling white marble, with no sign of litter or pollution.  Really the most gorgeous city imaginable.

We are staying in the quaint, architecturally magnificent Dupont circle district in an amazing B and B., a short train ride to Union Station and all the action.  A very male gay district.  In fact, Mike is the only non gay in the village.  Love it!  Very safe, and everyone is so sweet.  Mike will cope.

A huge day ahead tomorrow. So much to see and do here. Like being in a massive lolly shop!

Bore you all stupid again soon,

Love, Maureen and Mike.

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Mon 23 Apr 07 - PM

I am totally, utterly, completely, exhausted.  Washington is killing me.  Had a lovely breakfast here at the B and B.  Met the other 3 people staying here.  Very nice.  They don’t like Dubbya.  Went back on the hop on hop off bus and saw things in the daytime.  An amazing day, weather wise.  Probably 28 degrees, perfect blue skies.  Could not imagine any better.

Decided to thoroughly do the Arlington Cemetery, where you have to have either 20 years service, be killed in action, or win one of the top 4 medals, be a President, or a combo of the above.  Saw JFK’s Grave, with Jackie beside him and the eternal flame she lit to him. Their son who died as an infant, and their stillborn daughter beside them,.  The whole site is immaculate and magnificent, with green, green grass, resplendent cherry blossoms, azaleas, tulips and other luscious flowers which look good enough to eat.  At the tomb of the unknown soldier we saw the changing of the guard; a ceremony as formal,or even more so than London’s.  American culture thick as treacle, oozing out of every moment.  Nevertheless, quite special.  Terrible to think of the 54,000 young men killed in Korea, and the 56,000, with an average age of 18, sent to the slaughter in Vietnam.

Went past Robert E Lee’s house, and back to the Lincoln Memorial to see the Vietmam memorial in daylight.  Tried to go up the 500 plus feet Washington Memorial, but passes are booked out for four weeks.  One thing about Washington - everything is free entry, but you need to book ahead or join a queue.  That which is not free is very cheap. Quite commendable.

Mr & Mrs Fitz @ the White House.

Then went to the White House.  As you do.  When we arrived, Dubbya was just leaving.  Waved him goodbye.  Went and had a look at his digs.  And then, just as we were leaving, Dubbya came back.  Yep, we met the President of the United States of America…  Again.  Know how Forrest Gump felt.  Saw him from about 20 feet away in his car with lots of security around.  He must have ducked out to Maccas for lunch while we were inspecting his house.  Maybe he knew he shouldn’t be around while Mike was there.  He didn’t slow down for long enough for me to educate him about the solution to world peace.  Pity.

SkyLab (We walked inside), a German WWII V1 “buzz-bomb” and a Tomahawk cruise missile.

Then on to the Air and Space Museum, part of the 18 museums which make up the Smithsonian Institute.  Wanted to go to the Museum of the Native American Indian, but they had a power blackout.  I’ll get Energex to give them a bit of advice when I get home.

Tonight, we are nursing our blisters.  Of course, Mike’s are worse.  As I am typing this, Andy and Karla are boarding the plane in Brissie to join us in NY.  Very exciting.

Love to all.  Suffer, all you poor bastards at SPMC.  I think of you so, so often!
— Maureen.

Australia’s most significant Federal Election in a decade is approaching.  It must take place some time between 4 August 2007 and 19 January 2008.  This election is significant because it should mark the end of 12 years of decline in our democracy, presided over by “Dishonest John”.

Forgive my soap-boxing, but personally, I have yet to forgive Dishonest John for his cynical manipulation of the 1998 Republic referendum question.  But there have been worse fibs.  WA blogger Archie has put together a deliberately dispassionate record of some of Dishonest John’s bigger porkies; “Never-Ever GST”, “Children Overboard”, “WMDs”.

Now, some of us live in marginal electorates and may rejoice in our ability to influence the outcome.  On the other hand, some of us live in “safe” seats and may despair that our votes don’t count for much.  But this time, no matter which seat we live in, we ALL have an important vote to cast - IN THE SENATE.

If we have learned only one thing from this last term of the Howard government, it’s how dangerous it is to deliver an absolute Senate majority to the party who controls the lower house as well.

Qld Greens Senate preselection

This month, in preparation for the upcoming election, the Queensland Greens are selecting their Senate candidates.  And our good friend and environmental lawyer, Larissa Waters has put up her hand.  It was Larissa who performed so well against Premier Peter Beattie in his seat of Brisbane Central in the last State election.  Larissa gained a 6% swing, the largest swing to a Green in that election.  Check out her website at http://www.larissawaters.net.

I know Larissa is passionate about not only the environment but also social justice issues which affect us all as citizens.  I know that, if elected to the Senate, Larissa will make the right decisions for my country and our planet.

A very good friend, Kylie Hood, has just returned from Cambodia with some remarkable photos.  I particularly liked these, taken in the slums of Stung Meanchey Municipal Waste Dump.

Children in Slums of Stung Meanchey Municipal Waste Dump, Cambodia
Photography by Kylie Hood

Kylie has created an on-line gallery displaying a selection of her Cambodian photos.

And, Yes.  She is a professional photographer.  Kylie’s Portfolio displays a variety of styles; Architecture, Food, Commercial.  She can even make IT guys in suits look good.

But her passion is PEOPLE!  My family and Kylie’s were fortunate to travel through Jordan and Egypt in 2005.  When most of us were taking happy snaps of Roman ruins, crusader castles and pharoahs’ pyramids, Kylie always had her camera pointed in the opposite direction capturing people at work and play, along with their hopes and fears, joys and sorrows.

Here are some of the “People” photos taken on that trip.

Have a look at the Kylie Hood Photography web site for some remarkable “People” photos.  The images of homeless people she captured for Mission Australia’s calendar are breathtaking.

Last September I wrote this other post which included this Google Satellite Image of the Ziggurat of Ur.

Google Satellite Image of the Ziggurat of Ur

The Ziggurat is just north of the massive US-operated Tallil air base in the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar.  This is where the Australian Task Group (the majority of Australia’s forces in Iraq) are currently stationed.  See Operation Catalyst.

My instructions in September were…

Click on the image above and look at the area around the Ziggurat  …  zoom out a couple of levels and then pan south until you will see the air base.  Note the odd crater in the ground, made around the time the previous users were persuaded to leave.

If you had followed these instructions in September, you would have seen the air base swarming with aircraft, helicopters and vehicles. You would also have seen rows and rows of barracks, workshops, stores and mess huts.  I’m guessing you may even have seen the shadow of a Golden Arches sign.

Follow these instructions today and you will see imagery that looks decidedly pre-2003.  No sign at all of the US or Australian encampment.

Now, I’m not normally a fan of censorship on the net, but in this case, I’ll make an exception.  It appears, the bad guys have been using Google Maps to acquire targets inside coalition bases.

In January, British troops in Basra arrested an insurgent who was found with a Google Earth map of the Shatt Al Arab base, home for 1,000 British soldiers.  Following representations from the British government, Google seems to have reverted to pre-2003 imagery for all militarily-sensitive areas in Iraq.

As I wrote the previous post, there was an enormous Australia Day Pool Party/BBQ going on in my back yard.  #1 Son, Peter, has organised an Australia Day BBQ each year for several years now.  This year it was bigger than ever as both Andy and Robbie were here with their mates as well.

Triple-J’s countdown of the Hottest 100 provided the music.

I got to wash lettuce, slice tomato and onion etc for hamburgers and, later on, fill two wheelie bins with empties.

Update: 28-Jan-07
And speaking of Australia Day, you’ve just gotta love Sam…

Update: 1-Feb-07
Peter took a gazillion more great photos, Andy uploaded some to a flickr photo set, and John Blade recounts how much fun it all was…

Victorian blogger Ariel went to work this morning under a red moon. Only it wasn’t the moon; it was the sun smothered in smoke haze from bushfires.  February’s bushfires in early December - and the promise of worse to come.  Who’s causing this climate change?  It couldn’t be us!

• Mrs Fitz was in China in September and October 2006.  Every time I spoke to her on the phone, she had a hacking smoker’s cough - for several weeks.  She doesn’t smoke.  It was the air pollution.  She travelled extensively in China and the only place she saw clear sky was in Tibet.  Others have posted photos of the pollution in Shenzhen, just over the border from Hong Kong.
• An acquaintance who lives in the next suburb (our sons went to the same primary school) has relocated his furniture manufacturing operations from Australia to China.  He boasts about the cheap labour and lack of environmental regulation. (And he expects me to be impressed. Dickhead!)

Put these facts together, and it’s clearly we Western consumers who can make a difference to our planet.

Have we won or lost the battle to save our planet’s lungs, the Amazon basin?  It won’t matter soon, if we don’t stop contributing to China’s unfettered development.

Would my dickhead acquaintance bother manufacturing in China if he had to pay a carbon tax on the Australian coal burned to provide his cheap Chinese power?

Welcome to readers following up my comments in today’s Sunday Mail article “Iraq Diggers silenced” by Lucy Carne.  You may be interested in my earlier posts on this topic:

• Crackdown on MilBlogs? - Thu 21 Sep 2006
• 2/14 LHR QMI at the Ziggurat of Ur - Sun 24 Sep 2006

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Update Tue 12 Dec 06
Following Sunday’s article, there has been international commentary.  See:

• Milblogging.com: Australian Army bans soldiers from writing blogs, and
• DefenseTech.org: Aussie Military Bans Blogs

#3 Son finished high school on Friday, and Mrs Fitz is cheering loudest of all.  Special thanks with gold stars are due to two special teachers.  First, Bronwyn Masterman, whose dedication to her students, helped #3 son through so much of his final year.  Second, Jenny Middleton who has now helped all three of our sons to excel in their IT related subjects.  Thanks ladies, and may Googling your names reveal a thousand praises.

Fraser Island Beach House

I have just returned from a big day’s driving.  I deposited #3 Son and a pack of his (now ex-)classmates at my favourite place on the planet, Fraser Island, for the schoolies week.  Fortunately, there was a low tide in the middle of the day, so I could get on and off the island on the same tide.

I was prompted to write about this by fellow Brisvegas blogger, MadameBoffin, who wrote about the joy of watching her two-year-old nephew explore Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens.  It’s so important to let youngsters explore the great outdoors.  Otherwise, they grow up believing the four basic elements are concrete, steel, glass and electrical cables. 

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Shattered Shards Scattered; Satirical Scripts Shredded!

Really angry tonight! At the end of tonight’s episode of The Glass House, Wil Anderson announced that the year’s final episode on November 29 would be the last Glass House ever.

I smell political interference from spoil-sports who don’t enjoy satire.  Or maybe they don’t like the way The Glass House alerts many young people to political issues.  You know young people.  They’re the ones who generally don’t vote for 1950’s conservative values.

Sign or view the guestbook

The Glass House’s Guestbook is choked with hundreds of messages condemning the decision and supporting the cast and crew of the show.

Ashleigh has had a suitably angry rant over at Ashleigh’s Dump.  He points out that an ABC spokes-person said…

“We’re not axing the show but we’re not going to commission it next year.”

What’s the difference?  The effect on the viewing public is the same.  Oh wait!  One of them involves lower lawyers fees. 

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