Holden veteran Steven Richards has made a surprise switch to Ford where he will partner rising star Mark Winterbottom, who is convinced he can wrest the V8 Supercar mantle back for the blue oval this season.

Yahoo Sports.

Bannerman doesn’t often indulge in supermarket exploratives. He finds the commercialistic falsehoods presented to be not only so very indicative of todays society, but also outrageously indicative of how easily we, the ardent consumer, are duped by the conservative push for globalism at any cost.

Eva Cox from the Women's Electoral Lobby has also questioned the decision to include an organisation opposed to abortion. "I think it is politically extraordinarily inept," she said.

But Mr Abbott says Centacare is a professional organisation and safeguards will be in place to ensure women are not pressured into a decision.

ABC News.

Mr Howard picked up the Most Embarrassing Australian gong with 33 per cent of the vote but had to deal with something he hasn't faced in a decade - tough opposition.

NEWS.com.au.

Bannerman has never considered any FHM poll to be conclusive. However, he is quite certain of the quality of the thought processes and opinions employed in this particular poll. What a hoot, eh? John Winston Howard confirmed as Australia’s Most Embarrassing Person. Oh, the irony.

Bannerman was chatting to a friend this morning, about many issues, but one in particular which aligns with this article. Both B-man and his interlocutor are ‘baby-boomers’, inferring that both are long enough in the tooth to appreciate what proper parental responsibility, concern and control really means.

The US Office of Military Commissions also confirmed today that Hicks would likely be in the first group of Guantanamo Bay inmates charged.

NEWS.com.au.

Well, reader, Bannerman has the distinct feeling that he’s read this story before. Some time in the past, in fact. Maybe some thirty-one months ago?

This is a real hoot! Pat Robertson, probably through his direct link with the all-knowing and all-seeing supernatural deity he worships, has claimed a prophesy.

"I'm not saying necessarily nuclear, the Lord didn't say nuclear. It'll be mass killing, possibly millions of people, major cities. The evil people will come after this country and there's a possibility, not a possibility, a definite certainty, that chaos is going to rule,"

Hmmmm……..Bannerman doubts this prophecy has any validity. After all……there’s no mention of fire, brimstone or wailing, keening and a gnashing of teeth. Just chaos and a few million deaths.  No, from what Bannerman knows of Robertson’s God, he always includes at least the wailing & gnashing of teeth.

Bannerman calls Robertson out as a fraud on this one.

Next week marks the fifth anniversary of David Hicks's imprisonment without trial in the notorious detention centre at Guantanamo Bay. He got there after being sold for $1000 to American special forces in Afghanistan by a Northern Alliance warlord.

England's selectors are adamant that Andrew Flintoff was the right man to captain England in the Ashes series

NineMSN

Shane and Simone separated in mid-2005, but the leg spinner has expressed his desire for reconciliation, describing her as his "rock."

NineMSN.

The federal government is becoming increasingly out of touch when it comes to the child care needs of working families, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says.

Yahoo!7 News.

A very interesting and thought-provoking doco on SBS last evening, dealing with nuclear energy. Specifically, our fears surrounding the myths, legends and known facts of nuclear radiation. The article was rather appropriately entitled “Nuclear Nightmares”, produced by the British Horizon team.

Bannerman is feeling decidedly cynical. Hardly surprising, given that he’s given the last weeks news articles regarding David Hicks the once-over again. Why cynicism? Why not cynicism. John Howard is cynical. Phillip Ruddock is cynical.

"The Western people are the biggest liars and oppressors and especially the English race," the Mufti of Australia said in Arabic during the extensive interview in Eqypt, his birthplace. "The Anglo-Saxons who arrived in Australia arrived in shackles. We paid for passports from our own pockets. We have a right in Australia more than they have."

NEWS.com.au.

Bannerman gave this dill the benefit of the doubt over his ‘plates of meat’ gaff. Statements like that above are quite simply the ravings of an ill-informed, arrogant, religious elitist who garners a dangerous following with his idiotic statements. There can be no claims of being taken out of context this time around, given the Imam was speaking in Arabic, to an Arabic speaking audience, in an Arabic speaking country. In fact, his country of birth. No, Bannerman believes the Sheik knew precisely what he was saying, despite the ludicrous nature of the statements.

This man cannot be permitted by his community to continue to inflame perceived cultural differences between his muslim community and the rest of Australia. If Muslims wish to be considered as Australians, wish to be considered as a part of Australia, it’s culture and its people, then this moronic religious nutbag must be disavowed and cast off as representative of the Islamic community. He is not worthy of that community, and most definitely is not acceptable as an Aussie.

Bannerman has deliberately allowed a day or so to pass before making any assessments on the Bush plan for American success in Iraq. He (Bannerman, not Bush) has drawn an analogy between the Bush plan, and an oft espoused roulette strategy called ‘Doubling’. 

"Our country and our parliament will be much the poorer for Jim Killen's passing.”

ABC News.

It may be too late, it may be too little, but Bush has given US strategy at least a fighting chance of success.

That’s a big improvement on the situation even two months ago.

Greg Sheridan.

How un-Australian are you? Do you eat lamb? Have a gander at this latest offering from that dour, straight-faced Aussie comedian, Stan Kekovich. Given the current crop of political showboats in Canberra, Bannerman would gladly vote for Stan as PM in a wink.

"You cannot simply stick your finger up in the wind and say, 'gee, public opinion's against. We better quit',"

ABC News.

Bannerman believes that Dick Cheney would be singing a different tune, were his boss’s administration half-way through it’s first term, instead of half-way through it’s second, and final term. This dismissal of public opinion, blatant and arrogant as it is, merely serves to highlight the complete and utter disregard the Bush administration holds for the American electorate. This is a sign of current Yankee politics. “Oh well……we’re fucked come the end of this term, so to hell with them all.”

Bannerman believes the Bush administration is indeed holding up a finger to public opinion.

If you’re of a similar vintage to the Bannerman, you’ll remember the fizzer that Comet Halley was 21 years ago. Such a dramatic disappointment as a visual spectacle and no end-of-the-world impacts at all. Terribly sad.

Now, we have C/2006 P1, otherwise named for it’s discoverer, Robert McNaught, an amateur astronomer currently observing courtesy of Siding Spring in New South Wales. Tonight, 15 January 2007, was supposed to be the peak naked eye observation chance, but in reality, and for hammer-chewers like Bannerman, a day either side doesn’t make a whole lot of difference. Anyway, Missus Bannerman screwed up the surprise by wasting this evening’s opportunity on her grandchildren. Now she knows, Mister & Missus Bannerman will be heading for a high point just prior to tomorrow’s sunset. Hopefully, the weather will be clear, hot and slightly hazy come sunset.

Photos by tomorrow evening, as they say in the classics, at 11:00pm

Amid the lowest world oil prices in 20 months, an investigation has found petrol retailers have not passed any of the relief on to consumers.

Herald Sun.

Bannerman is stunned, nay, shocked to read that oil majors haven’t been treating consumers honestly these last several months….years….decades. 

The company says it is relocating because it cannot compete with low-cost imports.

ABC News.

And this despite being the recipient of millions in taxpayer-funded government support. Bannerman wonders why, with all those millions in support, the company simply doesn’t lay off a few workers and slap AWA’s in front of the remainder. That’s the Workchoices solution, isn’t it?

"The formality of weddings has never been a big thing for me," Ms Gillard says. “I'm not an actively religious person, so you manage your relationships on the basis of whether you feel committed or not, rather than have you been through a particular ceremony. People have all sorts of choices - for me (marriage) doesn't loom large."

Julia Gillard.

Bannerman entirely agrees. He also entirely agrees with Ms Gillards estimation that motherhood and politics at the top level simply don’t mix. Consider Mark Latham. Not as a mother, although some might use that term in a derogatory fashion. His own focus on family would loom large in his failure, although from differing aspects than those which effect women in politics. Politics is most definitely NOT a mens only game, but women who believe that full-on motherhood and a top level political career are not only possible, but also achievable options together, simply aren’t being realistic.

Imagine, for example, Prime Minister Mother at an Asian Trade conference more concerned with her toddlers teething difficulties than avoiding being conned in trade negotiations. Yes, fanciful scenario and highly unlikely to ever occur, but Bannerman would ask the reader to consider just why said scenario would be so unlikely. The answer is quite simple. Motherhood and political leadership aren’t compatible. In fact, the very idea is laughable, just as is the concept of John W Howard caring about David Hicks.

Bannerman heard this snippet this morning and didn’t quite believe his ears. Looking up the internet news soon confirmed that his hearing is fine. He’s wondering if ALP policy makers thought processes are though.

A man has been caught using a tiny camera in his shoe to peer up the skirts of female public transport users in Melbourne.

ABC News.

Experience has proven to the Bannerman that one merely needs to invest a little time and silver tongue to achieve much better results than this lad would have done. Women just love being told they’re good looking, and are only too willing to prove it when a camera comes out into the open. Shove one up their skirts and this is what you’ll get.

The cost of creating a shoe-cam recorder alone must have been prohibitive. Now it’s in the hands of the coppers. A waste of time, effort and money in B-man’s books.

For those of you, who like the Bannerman, just can’t resist ye olde black-and-white movie historica, tune to ABC television tonight at 23:30 hours for the 1933 version of King Kong. Yes indeed…..Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot and Sam Hardy.

I’m not sure whether this is 4:30am Christmas morning in front of Mum and Dad’s old Westinghouse black-and-white or not……..

Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile has rebutted Deputy Opposition Leader Julia Gillard's claims that it is unlikely a mother would reach the office of prime minister.

ABC News.

Well, when you’re acting PM and Little Johnny Howler is off on another tax-payer funded jaunt, naturally you’ll lunge at any opportunity to score a point. However weak and tainted that point might be.

In truth, when you get right down to it, Vaile is right. There is currently a mother in the role of PM. The instincts are void, but he’s a mother none the less.

The United States ambassador to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum says America must be included in any Asia-Pacific free trade agreement.

ABC News.

In a parody of the Monty Python sketch, Spanish Inquisition, it seems that absolutely nothing is to be permitted to take place on the face of the globe unless the United States is included. The US is demanding to be included in any Asia-Pacific FTA, and if it eventually is, just watch the rubbery mask come off. Thing is though, everyone expects the United States. To whinge and bitch about not getting their own way when it comes to trade negotiations, that is.

Bannerman says, Fuck ‘em! East Asia is most definitely NOT the Washington ring road.

The Federal Opposition is calling on the Government to take action against a Sydney cleric for encouraging Muslim children to die as martyrs. The head of the Global Islam Youth Centre, Sheikh Feiz Mohammed, also referred to Jewish people as pigs in a video of one his lectures.

ABC News.

"The rules even allow hearsay within hearsay, meaning that Mr Hicks could be placed in a position where he doesn't have the opportunity to cross-examine the person twice removed from the witness who actually made an allegation about him,"

theage.

He said that she said that he heard that David Hicks is a card carrying Al Qaeda member. That’s how Dick Cheney wants the military commission process to function. The process which was deliberately legislated as an act of government, to remove it from the reach of a justice system which decreed its predecessor illegal in 2006. David Hicks is still to be charged under this kangaroo court system. Why, escapes your Bannerman, although he does note, with some considerable chagrin, the stunningly loud silence with which the Australian government are complaining.

"The rules even allow hearsay within hearsay, meaning that Mr Hicks could be placed in a position where he doesn't have the opportunity to cross-examine the person twice removed from the witness who actually made an allegation about him,"

theage.

He said that she said that he heard that David Hicks is a card carrying Al Qaeda member. That’s how Dick Cheney wants the military commission process to function. The process which was deliberately legislated as an act of government, to remove it from the reach of a justice system which decreed its predecessor illegal in 2006. David Hicks is still to be charged under this kangaroo court system. Why, escapes your Bannerman, although he does note, with some considerable chagrin, the stunningly loud silence with which the Australian government are complaining.

Bannerman is concerned, but not really all that surprised that Little Johnny Howler should choose to be a party to a video supporting a Christian fringe group.

Howler is, supposedly, a Christian. Devout or otherwise is irrelevant, but that he chooses to use his Christianity for political advantage is not in question. He isn’t overt or radical about it, but he is openly considerate of Christian organisations, as this issue shows clearly.

Disingenuity aside, Bannerman considers overt displays of any form of religious allegiance by politicians like Howler to be not only poor politics, but openly ignorant and dismissive of faiths other than those promoted. Howler, if he really is as smart a politician as Bannerman considers him to be, should never have associated himself with an organisation like ‘Catch the Fire Ministeries’, or failed Family First candidates such as Danny Nalliah. Maybe he’s not that smart a politician. Certainly not if he’s happy to associate with religious nutbags like Nalliah and Scott.

Bannerman noted the news of China’s supposed anti-satellite test with considerable interest. It is becoming increasingly clear that China not only has an efficient and advancing space technology regime, but is also determined that existing technological competitors know about it.

Bannerman is extremely reticent to link to other bloggers, primarily due to the less than desirable quality of polemic which ‘partisan hacks’ tend to offer. However, some cases require highlighting, and so, Bannerman says, Thank you, Antony Loewenstein.

Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes is to undergo open heart surgery next month.

ABC News .

Bannerman wishes him all the very best. The Progenitor underwent the very same op in 2004, from which he never recovered. Still, thirty years can make a hell of a difference, despite a lifetime of booze, drugs and beating your body senseless. Bear up, Jimmy!

Bannerman is outraged!!!  The man is alive, isn’t he?!!! What more can a concerned politician do???!

"The stakes will be high when America chooses a new president in 2008.”

ABC News.

A massive understatement if ever there was one. America could do a hell of a lot worse than elect her first female President. In fact, she already has what history will surely record as her worst President. George Walker Bush. Asleep to international terrorism, ignorant of public opinion, blind to economic failure, a war monger, a foreign policy destroyer, Bush has taken America down to low road in her relations with the global community, and further sullies her reputation by claiming his God commands he does what he’s done.

Indeed, Bannerman believes that America has already done far worse than Hillary Clinton. In 2008, she can only do better.

"The conclusions of the British parliamentary committee that you don't have the most basic standards applying at Guantanamo Bay adds weight to our view about the fact that David Hicks has been there for too long and ought now to be released." – Kelvin Thompson, Opposition Legal Affairs spokesman

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock was in transit but a spokesman said: "We've been assured the facilities at Guantanamo Bay are modelled on maximum security prisons in the United States".

Sydney Morning Herald.

Ruddock’s spokesperson needs to undertake a little research before opening their flapper:

‘In some jurisdictions, supermax prisoners can acquire increased privileges and amenities-e.g. more telephone calls, access to radio or a television, the ability to walk to the shower without handcuffs or shackles-as an incentive and reward for appropriate behaviour. But the privileges usually only reflect a tinkering at the edges of the basic model of confinement and do not significantly ameliorate the conditions. Moreover, these "privileges" are taken away as punishment for even minor infractions.’

‘Once an inmate is in a supermax, there is usually some sort of periodic review to determine if there is a need for continued segregation or, in facilities with progressive incentive levels, whether an inmate should be moved up or down. Unfortunately, the reviews are often perfunctory, concluding with reiterations of stale justifications. Staff rarely have adequate familiarity with or background information about inmates to make considered judgements -- and there are insufficient institutional incentives for them to give sufficient weight to the inmates' right to be free of unnecessary restrictions.’ 

Human Rights Watch ‘Out-of-Sight’ Briefing Paper on US Supermax Prison conditions, 2000

Bannerman wonders when David Hicks was last permitted to make a telephone call when he wanted to, listen to radio or watch television, walk to the showers unshackled. He also wonders what review process has ever been undertaken over the past five years to determine Hicks’ need to be held in almost continual solitary confinement.

Clearly, even though what we hear about through the media is often third hand, Guantanamo Bay does not meet even the Human Rights Watch assessment of US Supermax prison conditions. David Hicks must be released and repatriated to Australia without delay. Failure by the Howard government to see to this requirement with despatch condemns it for all time as failed guardians of Australian civil rights.

Prime Minister John Howard has called the move stupid and offensive, while Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd says it is "political correctness gone mad".

ABC News.

Naturally, the leaders of the two major political parties would say that. Rudd after Howard especially. Howard most particularly because he so desperately wants, nay, needs to be seen by the electorate as the quintessential patriotic Aussie. Kevin Rudd is being led along by his political nose. What he really believes is not known because of his party’s need to be seen to be either strenuously opposed to Howard’s ideals in a strong public position, or with him in a perceived public position.

Bannerman applauds Andrew Bartlett and the democrats for stating the bleeding obvious. The symbol of nationalism – which is all a flag is, apart from a collection of stitched coloured cloth, is being used by those who see it to their benefit to do so. Such was the ethos of National Socialism in Germany, circa 1932. At every turn, the swastika showed the German peoples allegiance to an ideal. Just what ‘ideal’ are Australian’s being aligned with in this politically promoted allegiance to a flag which remembers a nations colonial heritage and nothing else?

The Democrats are quite right in supporting the stand of the Big Day Out’s organisers. Whatever our nation’s flag may be, whatever it may represent, it must not be permitted to be used as a rallying point for martyrs and jingoists, nor must it be permitted to be denigrated by those whose focus is other than a peaceful, united and rational Australian community.

With yesterday's post in mind, Bannerman came across what turns out to be an older article on Space_dot_Com this morning, which reveals that the second brightest star in the southern cross is, in fact, a binary system. Beta Crucis, or Mimosa to give it’s common name, is classified as a blue-white giant, differing from our own Sun in that Beta Crucis is much, much larger and nearing the end of it’s main sequence phase. It’s partner, a smaller red giant star, orbits 8 AU,or eight times the distance which Earth orbits our Sun, from Beta Crucis.

This revelation raises a query in Bannerman’s mind. Should Australia amend the flag?

Bannerman is watching 7:30 Report (transcript available tomorrow). He notes with some minor excitement that Little Johnny Howler has just used the word ‘guarantee’. As in the context of the Australian electorate realising who can ‘guarantee’ continuing economic prosperity.

This is a distinct change of tack from the master politician. Never before has he uttered that word or inferred any form of iron clad confidence from his government. Now he has. Is this a slip, in the tasting of a potential electoral victory? Has the clever man slipped? Time will tell.

"The Australia I want for the future has a strong economy, but one where we don't throw the fair go out the back door," - Federal Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd

ABC News.

There’s yet another “Find Your Political Bent” quiz alive and thriving within the OzBlogosphere. It’s living here.

Minutes after Australia's consumer watchdog declared oil companies had done the right thing by cutting the cost of petrol to appropriate levels, they thumbed their noses at motorists by ratcheting bowser prices up 12c yesterday.

NEWS.com.au.

Bannerman asks a question. Why is there a “normal weekly price cycle” which decrees that oil refiners make more profits at some points in the week than at others? If the Tapis market rate is trending downward, surely the retail price should do exactly the same?

Bannerman thinks something is very rotten in the state of our fuel economy.

Howard unveils $10b water plan

ABC News.

From the former DIMIA, especially for the Sheik Taj el-Din Al Hilali. Here ya go, Sheik! Rub our convict noses in your 100% Australianism. Of course, any other pretender only has to get 75%, but seeing as you're such an all over Aussie, you'll need to get 100%. Off ya go!