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EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – The Run Home …
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 Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts:
July 28th: – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – – Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: |
Title: – NRL Round 21 – Upsets galore – – The Run Home continues – | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 30th July 2012 | |
The ‘run home’ produced after Round 20 has been updated below. The green highlight represents a correct selection, the red indicates an incorrect selection. Snoop-Poops ‘The Run Home’ – with thanks to Rookie Bookie …
The final 8 would then be: (Use 2nd Number With Adjustments for incorrect picks in Round 21 results.)
The Sharkies v Panthers match was decided in the 79th minute with a referee call about a restart kickoff going the 10 meters – Panthers score from the ensuring scrum to tie the game and then win in extra time. Replays show the linesmen was nowhere near the 10m line to rule and replays are contentious. If Sharkies miss the eight – that ref’s call will most likely be the reason. The top four have not changed, the seventh and eight spot is not a three-way battle between, Broncos, Titans and Raiders with the for and against deciding. Given the form of all the teams outside the top four – this season’s contenders are those sitting atop the table at the moment. Teams outside the top four are just gonna make up the numbers with five rounds to go.
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EYE-BALL Opinion on – Mal Brough – is it replacing one crook with another –
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 Latest ‘Opinion’ Posts: 20th July: – Australia’s Watergate – Gillard to go to Jail … if JUSTICE be served!!! 19th July: – Julia Gillard – Prime Minister … the Leader who Trashed a Nation !!! July 15th: July 15th: – What are we doing in Afghanistan? July 14th: – Harry’s Political Updates … July 14th: – Albanese and Gillard defending – … Peter Slipper … July 13th: Greece – the downward spiral … July 13th: Skyrocketing Electricity Costs … June 5th: Democracy v Party Politics … The reason why it fails us all … July 4th: Ex French President – Nicolas Sarkozy To see more EYE-BALL ‘Opinion’ posts: |
Title: – Mal Brough – – is it replacing one crook with another – | Author: EYE-BALL Opinion | 30th July 2012 | |
| T he Liberal National pre-selection for the Federal seat of Fisher was yesterday and Mal Brough was endorsed as the next Candidate for the next Federal Election.
It is widely accepted that the current sitting Member Peter Slipper, now an Independent after resigning from the Liberal Party earlier this year to take up the Speaker position in the HOR’s – cannot win this seat at the next election. He is still facing Legal investigations and Court proceedings over alleged ‘sexual harassment’ and ‘expense rorting’ allegations.
Brough lost the Federal Qld seat of ‘Longman’ in the Howard 2007 election loss. The seat was won back by Liberal candidate – Roy Watt in the 2010 election. Under Howard, Brough was a rising star and served as Minister for Families and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in the last years of his term. He had been a MP since 1996. He is the brother of former ‘Family Feud’ host, Sunshine Coast media celebrity, and current Channel 7 Sunshine Coast Newsreader – Rob Brough. See Mal Brough’s Wikipedia profile here … In recent months he has been connected with the Peter Slipper affair – i.e. allegations of sexual harassment and Parliamentary expense rorting. Recent media reports have Mal Brough connected with the Slipper accuser Ashby in providing ‘advice and guidance’ in helping Ashby formulate his allegations and claims. Read this story here … and more here … Brough has a vested interest in seeing Peter Slipper disgraced as the sitting Member in the seat he has just been pre-selected for. Why he would be so obvious in assisting Ashby against Slipper is a moot point. It does show just how desperate Brough is to get another crack at being a MP with all the perks and opportunities that presents. Surely after 11 years and as a Minister of several different portfolios – that experience would have served him well in a search for a career in the private sector. Or, is this a case of someone who has been unable to adjust to a hand that feeds you, as opposed to a hand that has to find a way to feed itself. Peter Slipper is the perfect example of why prospective candidates for high public office need to be vetted way beyond current standards. Perhaps the self-serving actions of Mal Brough also need to be investigated before he gets to have his name placed upon the ballot paper. Some 300+ members attended the pre-selection meeting held yesterday. Yes that’s right, 300+ odd Liberal National Party members get to choose who represents the Liberal Nation Party for Fisher. There were 83,724 registered voters in the District of Fisher at the 2010 election. This 300 odd represents just 0.004% of the electorate – it really is a case of the extreme minority having a monster say in who gets to have a go at becoming the Federal Representative for Fisher. I don’t know Mal Brough – only what comes via media performances and what is available via reading wider publications. Howard thought highly of him, and Tony Abbott supported him in the Fisher pre-selection vote. Malcolm Turnbull supported a different candidate as did a number of other prominent Liberal MP’s. AN ABC story on this pre-selection victory dotted all his ‘I’s” and crossed all the “T’s” – read that story here … But who is Mal Brough? If he can help orchestrate allegations of sexual harassment, and parliamentary expense rorting to destroy a siting MP – what else is he capable of. Voters in the electorate of Fisher need to know more. Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam. Links to Australian Parliamentary Website – MP’s
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EYE-BALL Guru on – Greece – Should they be allowed to leave the Eurozone …
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 Latest GURU Posts:
July 27th: – Superannuation – a great big rip-off – Part III!!! July 19th: The “LIBOR” Scandal …Part III – Banks a conduit for crime and corruption!!! July 14th: – Link to Part II – The LIBOR Scandal … The Banks are in Trouble … again!!! July 8th: – Link to Part I – The LIBOR Scandal … about to explode … July 7th: – The “CARBON v CLIMATE CHANGE” Debate – Part I – OIL and its Contribution – June 15th: – The GFC – the right of reply … the right to question … June 8th: June 6th: Treasurer SWAN just won Lotto … May 29th: Greek Investors re-engage in Equity Market … May 28th: An example of a Government truly concerned about Currency appreciation … May 28th: Greeks flip over Lagarde’s – ‘pay your taxes’ gibe … May 24th: April 29th: Joe Hockey’s misfires on Welfare – he should be made to serve a lifetime on welfare existence … Mar 14th: US Bank Stress Tests – The Cover-Up and bullshit continues … Feb 12th: The Continuing Cost of the High Value A$ … Dec 23rd 2011: To see more GURU posts: |
Title: – Greece – – Should they be allowed to leave the Eurozone – | Author: EYE-BALL Guru | 30th July 2012 | |
| The GFC has made a mess of Greece and several other Eurozone Nations. For over two years all the talk and intent has been to keep the Eurozone intact and it is time to rethink the whole exercise.Nations like Greece and Spain, and soon to be joined by other members of the P.I.I.G.S. – i.e. Portugal, Italy, Ireland and the two already mentioned, Greece and Spain – have nowhere to hide. They are bankrupt and on the open market they are for sale.
Yet – the Bankers who are owed are forcing Germany and France – the two most stable Nations within the Eurozone to save Greece and the rest. Let us try and look at this issue from a different perspective. A Snapshot of Greece’s Economy: (Pasted from Wikipedia.)
A developed country, the economy of Greece mainly revolves around the service sector (85.0%) and industry (12.0%), while agriculture makes up 3.0% of the national economic output. Important Greek industries include tourism (with 14.9 million international tourists in 2009, it is ranked as the 7th most visited country in the European Union and 16th in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization) and merchant shipping (at 16.2% of the world’s total capacity, the Greek merchant marine is the largest in the world, while the country is also a considerable agricultural producer (including fisheries) within the union. As the largest economy in the Balkans, Greece is also an important regional investor.
The country’s economy was devastated by the Second World War, and the high levels of economic growth that followed throughout the 1950s to 1970s are dubbed the Greek economic miracle. Since the turn of the millennium, Greece saw high levels of GDP growth above the Eurozone average peaking at 5.9% in 2003 and 5.5% in 2006. Due to the late-2000s financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis, the Greek economy saw growth rates of –6.9% in 2011,[30] –3.4% in 2010, –3.3% in 2009 and –0.2% in 2008. The country’s public debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 165.3% of nominal gross domestic product in 2011. After negotiating the biggest debt restructuring in history with the private sector, Greece reduced its sovereign debt burden to 132.4% of GDP in the first quarter of 2012. Greek/Euro Currency: When Greece joined the Eurozone in 1998 its common currency was the ‘Drachma’, if had a fixed value against the central €Euro currency and that fixed rate value was 353.1 for the period 1998-2000, and 340.75 thereafter. The €Euro value since 1998 against the US$ is charted below: [Please click on chart to enlarge in a new window.] €Euro v US$ Chart: (courtesy of Incredible Charts.) Chart Comment: This is a 15 year weekly chart of the €v$US – with 2000 lows of €0.84 and pre GFC highs in 2008 of €1.60. With the Greek currency pegged to the €Euro since 1998, that means the Greek economy experienced a currency appreciation of almost 100% between 2000 – 2008 – i.e. value of exports halved, and value of imports doubled. The Greek economy GDP growth for the period – i.e. 2000 – 2012 is charted below: [Again please click on chart to enlarge.] Greek GDP Chart: (courtesy of Trading Economics.) Chart Comment: The old debate on how GDP growth is impacted by Public Debt growth emerges again – does public spending fuel GDP growth numbers? As can be seen from the GDP chart above, GDP growth remained positive except for two single monthly figures in early 2002, and mid 2005. To compare the growth in Greece’s public debt for the same period, please see chart below. [Again please click on chart to enlarge.] Greek Budget Chart: (courtesy of Trading Economics.) Chart Comment: This chart mirrors the GDP growth in reverse up to the 2008/9 GFC crisis. That is to say – that in the years 2000-08, public debt and GDP growth were in tandem. To further reveal how the Greek Public Debt grew as a percentage of Greek GDP, see the chart below. [Again please click on chart to enlarge.] Greek Debt/GDP Chart: (courtesy of Trading Economics.) Chart Comment: As can be seen – when the Debt/GDP chart (above) is compared with the Public Debt chart (previous) – and as Public debt is shown to have fallen in the last two years – the Debt/GDP ratio has grown from 129% to 165%. This translates to a complete meltdown in Greek commerce and industry. Nobody from offshore wants to invest in Greece, and the Greek population are resigned to their fate. Tourism: The Greek tourism industry has taken a big hit – much the same as the Australian Tourism industry has. This can be put down to a single factor – currency value. Overseas visitors to Australia have shrunk by the same value as Australian’s now travelling overseas for holidays. This is a double whammy – and Greece are in the same boat. Whilst they remain attached to the €Euro, their tourism industry cannot compete in the global market – nor any other export market for that matter. To better gauge this comparison, the ‘Retail Sales’ for Greece over the 2000-12 period is charted below: [Again please click on chart to enlarge.] Greek Retail Sales: (courtesy of Trading Economics.) Chart Comment: As Greece have reduced their public debt over the last two years due to austerity imposed measures – so has retail spending as shown by the above chart. Greek’s know they are in trouble financially – people are just not spending. During the lead up to the the recent 2nd round of elections, Greek Banks were reporting massive cash withdrawals that compromised liquidity positions of Greek Banks and the Central Bank. Who’s in Charge – The Banks or the Politicians? OK – this is all the obvious. What do we do now? If Greece stays in the Eurozone it will become more of a basket case economy that it already is. WIth its Drachma currency pegged to the €Euro – all of its export revenues will continue to dry up. Greece is at the mercy of the World and whoever wants to buy in. That will not happen until Greece is thrown out of the Eurozone and then the firesale of investment into Greece will flow. The Greeks can do this willingly, or wait until European Banks and the ECB (European Central Bank) cuts off supply at some point in the future. The fear for Greeks is that for the past 12 years they have fed of the fat of an inflated economy and currency. Debt has been the way of paying for that expansion and lavish lifestyle. Can this be seen as a Banker’s problem. Yes it should be – they lent sovereign debt and charged accordingly. The only reason Greece is still surviving is because these same greedy Banks want their money back. Greece is not the only Nation lured into sovereign debt crisis by greedy and all to willing Bankers to provide funding on their terms. Of course they should be made to wear the risks when Nations default. The problem there is that the French and German Banks involved would default themselves if they took the hit, and in that light, the French and German politicians are fighting tooth and nail to keep Greece afloat. So who really is in charge in Europe – the Banks or the Politicians? What does the future hold for Greece? It either stays poor and shrinks further into extreme third world status – or it tells the Banks to ‘fuck-off’ and it goes alone. Only then can the Greek people begin to learn how to walk by itself again. The IMF will help them – but it all comes down to how Greek Politicians really want to give up on their own pensions and perks of office. A Reuters story on the latest developments can be read below. Whatever the outcome – all Greece can offer to the global financial markets is a slow death by a thousand cuts – and in between the slow leak of capital will continue.
… As mentioned – tell the Banks where to go or be their ‘bitch’ for the next generation and beyond … Conclusion: Greece should opt to leave the Eurozone. It would then have a currency reflective of its worth in international markets and with that worth would come international investment seeking cheap buys. Greece have to start over again – as they did after WWII – they have a pedigree that has been proven and is as old as civilisation itself. They lost sight after the 2004 Olympics and the GFC found them out – they have to be allowed to rebuild and control their own destiny and they cannot do that with the Eurozone and a currency peg that destroys everything Greece can offer the world. Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam.
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EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL’s Parramatta are Delusional – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson ???
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| Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts:
22nd July: NRL Round 20 – Upsets galore July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – – Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: |
Title: – NRL’s Parramatta areDelusional – – Comparing Ricky Stuart with Jack Gibson!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 28th July 2012 | |
The drama does not end there – Stuart still wants to keep the State of Origin Coaching position or ties with the roll. Stuart’s coaching performances to date being compared with the signing of Jack Gibson as Parramatta Coach has to make Parramatta’s Chairman Roy Spagnolo look and sound like a goose.
A grub like Stuart thinks he can do both jobs, SOO and Parramatta – greater coaches have tried and failed – i.e. Craig Bellamy during QLD’s recent 7-0 series wins. Stuart wants the cash, the payola – nothing but a greedy grab. The man’s ego is beyond his capability as a coach – and for the record what is his career coaching record – working backwards: [Extracted from Wikipedia.]
On 17 November 2010 Stuart was appointed as the state’s first full-time coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team for two years with a get-out clause for the 2012 series should Stuart return to NRL coaching. Stuart remains as the last man to ever win a State of Origin series for New South Wales with Queensland having dominated ever since. Stuart coached the Blues for the 2011 series, which was lost to the Maroons by two games to one. Stuart, however, achieved his promise that the Blues would win at least one game that series, that being Game II. The Blues’ win in Game II brought belief amongst the NSW media and fans that the five-year losing streak would end, but New South Wales was beaten in the third and deciding Origin match by a scoreline of 34–24. Stuart continued in the NSW head coaching role for the 2012 series, which was once again lost by two games to one. For the second consecutive year however, New South Wales won Game II in Sydney. In the 2012 series he again lost 2-1 with the decider game going to the Maroons 21-20 thus giving the Maroons a 7-0 series winning streak.
In 2007 Stuart took over from Stuart Raper as head coach of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks with a two year contract, which was then extended to the end of the 2011 playing season. But on 24 May 2010, with 18 months left on his contract, Stuart announced his resignation from the end of the 2010 season,ending yet another tenure prematurely and at loggerheads with club executives,members and players, handing the job over to current Sharks assistant coach, Shane Flanagan. Despite the Sharks making the preliminary finals in 2008, Stuart’s time with the club was marred by a horror year in 2009. Not only was the club in dire financial straits but the Cronulla Sharks club was also tarnished by media allegations about a 2002 group-sex incident involving former Sharks players, player Reni Maitua’s dismissal after testing positive to drugs, removal of the captaincy from key player Paul Gallen, accused of racist remarks despite evidence of his non-racist stance, several unsavoury incidents involving now-disgraced CEO Tony Zappia (including his assault of a female staff member and involvement in an insurance-fraud fan donation scandal).
In December 2005 Stuart was appointed as coach of Australian national rugby league team, replacing Wayne Bennett after Australia’s loss in the 2005 Tri-Nations final to New Zealand by a scoreline of 24-0. This meant that Stuart had to stand down as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team. Stuart enjoyed success with the Kangaroos: winning the Anzac Tests of 2006 and 2007, as well as the 2006 Tri-Nations. In addition, at the end of the 2007 season, the team won a one-off Test against New Zealand. At the 2008 Rugby League World Cup the Kangaroos dominated their opposition and Ricky Stuart took the team undefeated to the final against New Zealand. Despite their favouritism, the Kangaroos lost 20–34. Afterwards he was reported to be so incensed by the defeat that he verbally attacked Geoff Carr, the Chief Executive of Australian Rugby League, claiming that tournament organizers and match officials conspired to cause the Australian loss. The next morning he had a chance meeting with Ashley Klein, who refereed the final, and Stuart Cummings, England’s director of referees, at their hotel. He is reported to have verbally abused both officials in front of a number of witnesses, calling Klein a cheat, and of being physically and aggressively intimidating. Following an outburst at officials Ricky Stuart stood down his position as Australian coach and was handed a $20,000 fine.
In 2005, Stuart was appointed coach of the New South Wales. His coaching approach continued the Phil Gould legacy of matching the Queensland passion by focussing the NSW players’ pride in the jumper and achievements of those who have worn it before. Although Stuart only coached the NSW side for just one series, the Blues managed to win the series 2-1 after having lost the first match in high drama. Stuart began his first grade coaching career in 2002 with the Sydney Roosters, taking over from Graham Murray and winning the premiership in his first year as coach. The following season he took the Roosters to the 2003 NRL grand final but they lost to the Penrith Panthers. The 2004 Stuart-coached Roosters side was also beaten in the Grand Final, but the team struggled in 2005 and 2006 despite the high calibre of the player roster. Stuart’s contract was terminated and he left the Roosters two weeks before the end of the 2006 season. Comment: Stuart was a ‘grub’ as a player, niggling and always trying to get under the opposition’s skin – much in the mould of Priddis and the like. As a Coach at the Roosters where he had success – he was mentored by Phil Gould and it was Gould’s break with the Roosters in 2005 that saw Stuart’s Coaching career take a dive. Without Gould to hold his hand Stuart has no creditability as a coach as proved since 2005. His record as Australian Coach – is best summarised by his egregious un-sportsman outburst at having lost the final against New Zealand. Yet Parramatta in yesterday’s signing openly state that he is the equal of Jack Gibson’s signing … why do stupid people show such disrespect to one of the games greats. The same Parramatta Administrators were saying the same about Chris Sandow after his signing last season for $550k from Souths … the Rabbits sold a dud and Parramatta were too stupid to understand what so many fans knew. It is the same with the Stuart signing. The history of Parramatta’s recent Coaches reads like a graveyard of career ending choices –
Brian Smith had a stink at Newcastle after the Parramatta gig – he was unsuccessful there and then went to the Roosters – where he coached them to a losing Grand Final performance against St George in the 2010 final. Taylor went to Souths and no longer coaches an NRL side. Hagan quit NRL coaching and joined the QLD State of Origin coaching staff and been there ever since. Anderson is now a commentator on ABC’s Grandstand and other media outlets. Kearney was sacked a week ago by Parramatta – and it is not known what his intentions are. Stuart will be just another name on an empty list of coaches who came and then went without delivering Parramatta fans the flag they have been searching ever since Jack Gibson gave them three successive Premierships in 1981, ’82, ans ’83. Stuart is no Gibson, not now and never will be … but then what would the current Eels Chairman Roy Spagnolo know about history if he is so eager to pronounce Stuart’s signing the equal of Jack Gibson’s signing. Stupid … Stupid … Stupid … Parramatta deserve all the crap that is still to come their way if this is how they compare greatness.
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EYE-BALL Guru on – Superannuation – a great big rip-off – Part III …
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| Latest GURU Posts:July 19th:The “LIBOR” Scandal …Part III – Banks a conduit for crime and corruption!!!
July 14th: – Link to Part II – The LIBOR Scandal … The Banks are in Trouble … again!!! July 8th: – Link to Part I – The LIBOR Scandal … about to explode … July 7th: – The “CARBON v CLIMATE CHANGE” Debate – Part I – OIL and its Contribution – June 15th: – The GFC – the right of reply … the right to question … June 8th: June 6th: Treasurer SWAN just won Lotto … May 29th: Greek Investors re-engage in Equity Market … May 28th: An example of a Government truly concerned about Currency appreciation … May 28th: Greeks flip over Lagarde’s – ‘pay your taxes’ gibe … May 24th: April 29th: Joe Hockey’s misfires on Welfare – he should be made to serve a lifetime on welfare existence … Mar 14th: US Bank Stress Tests – The Cover-Up and bullshit continues … Feb 12th: The Continuing Cost of the High Value A$ … Dec 23rd 2011: To see more GURU posts: |
Title: – Superannuation – – a great big rip-off – Part III!!! | Author: EYE-BALL Guru | 27th July 2012 | |
Link to Previous Posts on this Subject:
The World Financial Markets and its wellbeing continues its uncertain dance. Western Governments are being forced to tinker with economic growth forecasts against a soul destroying and global self-inflicted debt crisis. The debt burden is toxic and how Governments and Banks are responding to the crisis threatens the nest-egg of every Superannuation holder across the Globe! Superannuation is a lifetime of savings and planing for retirement. It is the heaven we are all promised in a modern world. It is also a Government induced fix to an overspend commitment to Pension payments Governments know they cannot cover or afford. These funds are supposedly held in trust and they currently represent the only credit funds of worth all around the globe. Given the GFC – there is no doubt they are now at risk. Global Governments have been planing for taxpayer funded retirements for decades. The intent is to reduce the Government Welfare spend for Aged Pension payments. Population demographics in Western Nations show slowing population growth, an aging population, and people living a lot longer. Its intent is understood – but in an ever increasing risk market for both investors, and continuity of lifestyle, buying a 40 yr ‘call’ option on a financial future is the worst kind of investment anybody could ever put their hard earned cash into. Paying for that call option on a weekly basis is like insurance – the added ‘con’ to this investment is how Governments now tax the contributions ‘up-front’ which in turn diminish the compound earnings of the fund. In a nutshell – it’s annuity styled Insurance Policy that you are paying for weekly with great upside for the Government. You won’t know until 40 years time whether the call option payout has real value or worth. For the privilege of owning this ‘call’ option – the Government receives a weekly 15% option premium from your contribution and it’s called a Superannuation tax. This ‘up-front’ tax collect was only introduced in the early 90’s. Prior to then – you would pay 30% after you retired. The arrangement now is you pay 15% up front, and another 15% at the back end if you have not managed your affairs properly. Those ‘affairs’ depend on the complexity and frequency of Legislative changes made to Superannuation rules during each term of Government. In addition there is the market volatility in investment returns, the negatives of flat index and exorbitant Fund Management fees charged against invested funds. In the last four years and since the GFC engulfed the Global Investment market, the Rate of Return (ROR) growth in Superannuation funds has struggled to match employee contributions. That is to say that employee contributions plus Fund investment returns created a negative growth year on year after allowing for inflation indexing. Before the conclusions derived from the facts are disclosed hereto – let us take a ride on some of the research material uncovered.
The chart below shows the ROR for the 5 and 8 year periods as the first two columns, and then the year on year ROR for 2007-2011. [To enlarge – Click on image to open in a new window.] Source Data: APRA Superannuation Report can be viewed using this link. Perusal of this report provides further evidence to support Government incentives to increase Superannuation contributions. HILDA: But what is also interesting and of significance as a reference supplement to the above data is the HILDA Report – [The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey] This report is published by the – University of Melbourne – Faculty of Business and Economics – and provides 2009-10 survey results relating to Australians employees, their superannuation entitlements, and their employment income/age demographics. [This HILDA report can be read in full using – this link … A Table 1 extraction from this HILDA report shows the Australian Workforce broken down into age groups and income levels. [To enlarge – please click on image to open in a new window.] From data presented in the Table above – the welfare threshold level of $150,000 excludes the 2.4% of the workforce who earn above $180,000, and a portion of the 18% who earn between $80k and $180k. This would indicate that the 80% who earn less than $80k a year, and perhaps some 80% of the 18% who earn between 80k and 180k, i.e. another 15%, and a total of 95% of the total workforce – would be eligible for means tested threshold welfare payments. More interesting though is the value of Super Funds held by individuals also published in the HILDA report – linked here. See Table 2 data Below – [To enlarge – please click on image to open in a new window.] This Table hides many secrets about the Superannuation lie. As at the survey period – 2009-10 –
To take this a little further – with Interest rate levels at 2-3% for investment returns, a $1 million retirement nest egg will return you some $20-30k annually before any Tax liability you might have. Diversify the $1 million to a range of investment options, i.e. equities, Funds Management products, and the ROR might yield 7-8%, that would represent a $40k to $75k earn less tax obligations as an annual income. There are only 89,000 Australians who have $1 million or more in super entitlements. The compulsory Superannuation levy – a salary sacrifice of 9% made in the early 90’s, has had some 20 years to grow retirement savings. The sum total of all Australian Superannuation funds is around $1.3 trillion. As the 2009-10 survey results presented above show – some 13.213 million workers were represented, and as measured up against the 2012 value of $1.3 trillion of superannuation funds value – the value of each superannuants ‘nest egg’ translates to a lump sum value close to $100k. It is painfully obvious that what ever savings are being put aside – it will never cover required living standards as benchmarked by the Governments own proposed Budget 2012 $300k income threshold limits that provide additional welfare support. Attempts to allow additional Super contributions over and above the 9% employer contribution have many a purpose. The incentive comes at a cost of 15% up front. Now if these additional contributions were allowed to be made as a ‘salary sacrifice’ and paid into super funds before payee tax was applied it would be a fair arrangement. Yet – the Government allows these top ups for low income earners with a promised Government contribution. Put another way – as each year rolls on by – the goalposts are being moved – yet the superannuation contribution is pegged at the 9%. So as wage increases are restricted, against an increasing cost of living – superannuation savings are woefully neglected to provide for financial security into the future. The Superannuation experiment is a FRAUD. When the early 1990’s Superannuation contributions were changed – the Government introduced a massive cash cow for itself when it taxed new contributions at 15%. This changed the ‘compound’ factor of Superannuation Fund entitlements grew by in a very significant way. All to the financial advantage of the Government. The compound effect of the up front 15% tax collect going to the Government as opposed to the Superannuant is explained in detail in Part I of this story – [click here to see story with calculation to demonstrate this] – This ‘tactic’ renders the Government as the biggest winner in the early 1990’s Superannuation gamble. The Government is not exposed to the Financial Markets volatility, their 15% upfront collections now represent some percent of the total Government revenue stream. Given the above Table 2 – and the numbered summary of highlights – only 316,000 employed people under the age of 65 have $500k or more of super. That 316k represents 2.4% of the workforce of 13.2 million – 3.6 million have no super, and 7.3 million have less that $100k … Given where the GFC is – and the likelihood of more negative returns in coming years – see Chant West Super PDF report – Superannuation is being sold a product that will insulate the population against a poverty stricken retirement. This ‘call’ option Ponzi scheme is a cash cow for Government – not for sucker employees. The Funds would be better put toward home ownership for a like with like investment. You ask any investment advisor about a 40 year investment return being sought via short term market securities. Since 1970 equities have shown mammoth returns up until the GFC hit in 2008. This growth in USA markets has been replicated in other Western Markets – as has the fall and flatline since the GFC. [Click on chart to open source webpage.] Commentary that comes with this chart states: “Is it possible that an 18 year Bull market (1982-2000) could be followed by a 2.5 year Bear (March 2000 peak to October 2002 low), and then launch into another multi-decade (2003-2018) Bull? “Sure, anything is possible. But as the chart above plainly shows, it would be historically unprecedented.” Each of the ‘Bear’ or ‘flatline’ periods in the above chart have lasted 18-21 years … the chart is to 2004 and we know that the DJIA went on to add another 4,000 points to be above 14,000 in the period to 2008 – that would mean that the red zone did not start until 2008 – and has 18-21 years of bear market activity ahead of it. This GFC fallout is far from over and that puts all Superannuation ROR’s at extreme risk. If we look at the sovereign debt numbers for the largest economies – USA, Japan, Europe, UK – all are technically bankrupt when future cash requirements are costed on top of existing debt – financial obligations just cannot be met without tax increases and horrendous budgetary cuts. What is happening in Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and about to engulf France and the UK after the Olympics – the cash holdings in Superannuation will look pretty good as National Savings. No – Superannuation served the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s generation retirees – but for the next generations the ‘nest-egg’ and retirement plans are all on hold. Dow to Gold Ratio Since 1915 “This next chart tracks the ratio of the Dow Jones Industrial Average to the price of gold. The number essentially tells you how many ounces of gold it would take to buy the Dow on any given month. Previous cycle lows have been 1.94 ounces in February of 1933 and 1.29 ounces in January of 1980.” [Click on chart to open source webpage.] What can be gained from this chart is that the Gold/DJIA ratio is in a Bear trend – that means either an exponential increase in the price of Gold which in US$ terms is happening, or the DJIA is in for a deep Bear trend, or a combination of both. The trade is to be long Gold in US$ terms and short the DJIA. The next chart is of the DJIA over the last 100 years – [Click on enlarge chart and open source webpage.] It took a War to pull the World out of a global depression during the 30’s in the aftermath of the 1929 crash. And that did not start until the 1950’s. This 2011-21 decade has started as did the 1930’s with the Financial troubles in Europe, and with America’s economic meltdown that no one will call a depression – it is all set up again. Asia is where everyone is looking for help and a prayer. China will only serve China’s interest, as will India, Russia likewise given how the West have treated these Nations over the last Century. All holders of Superannuation need to take heed – get control of your own funds – spend $1000 or so to set up your own Super Fund and take control of your investments. You’ll pay no fees – you can lend to your own home as an investment and you pay your own Super Fund the monthly payments. All that has to be done now is to have the Government return the 15% up front tax levy that it took back in the early 90’s … Banks make a fortune in fees of Superannuation Management as do the Fund Managers outside the Banks. There is no guarantee of return but if they make big bucks, the staff bonus’ they pay to employees come out of your earn. Look – nobody has the perfect investment strategy for a 40 year payout. The facts presented here are meant to show that giving control to others who play the markets with your future pension – have not performed for a number of years. This with the forecast of troubled times ahead should give you warning that you need to take charge of your Super funds. Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam.
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EYE-BALL’s Rookie Bookie on – Weekend Preview – 27th – 30th July.
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Latest ‘Rookie Bookie Updates:
GI Index Performance: 04th Apr = (+) 216.67 Links to previous Posts: 2012:
To see more EYE-BALL ‘Rookie Bookie’ posts: |
Title: – Weekend Preview – 27th – 30th July – | Author: Rookie Bookie | 26th July 2012 | |
Last Weekend Update:
The Rugby Championship: With Reds defeated by Natal Sharks Australia has two extra weeks to prepare for their first match against the All Blacks in Sydney on August 18th. Later that night Pumas play Springboks at Capetown. Ewan McKenzie might well ask does he really want to takeover from Robbie Deans as Australian Coach at the conclusion of this season. Australia has deep-seated problems, but they definitely will go better in this series than that shown through Super Rugby this year. With John O’Neil going off to work for Echo Entertainment, things might change. I truly doubt it. Quite frankly the universe of Football would be better off uniting League and Union, rather than all crap about one game being superior. The fight over best talent, is a deep part of the problem. That ain’t going to happen either. Winning the Southern 4 Nations, is all about home wins and bonus points. Defensive patterns will be better than shown through provincial rugby, and bonus points for 4 tries more rare. Therefore bonus points for narrow away losses tend to determine the ultimate winner. Most expect NZ to win 6 matches, history says they will win 4, 3 home matches and an away win against Argentina. Who can match them. Recent history suggests it will be ever so tight. Who might Argentina have their best match against?
Super Rugby Semi Finals:
Following weekend Super Rugby Series Winner:
I have one of the finalists riding no matter what. Should Stormers beat Sharks, I have the home team advantage, should Sharks win the final will be played in NZ, which is not real good for me. Sharks are now 3 very impressive wins on the trot and so are Crusaders. Chiefs are coming off two tough losses to Crusaders at home then Wellington away. I backed Sharks at the last moment against Reds because @ $2.55 I thought it was generous. That is what I will do again this weekend. Should I get much more than $2.50 on Chiefs I will back them. I simply do not buy this logic about Crusaders are the only team left who are previous winners therefore have a massive psychological advantage. It might count for some, but not the advantage given by most. Reds won their inaugural Super trophy last year with the home advantage against the Crusaders, and so did Bulls when they first won. Bulls scored 2 tries to Crusaders 1 last Saturday but Bulls committed too many professional fouls in defence and Dan Carter’s deadly boot had the match won by half time. In that match in the second half Bulls elected to run the ball for tries rather than take easy 3 pointers. These semi finals will both be extremely tight contests and I expect not won before the hooter of fulltime. Sharks seem to enjoy broken play opportunities, and because of time differences I haven’t seen enough of Stormers recently. Stormers winning in the round robin shows great consistency. Go the Chiefs, and go the Stormers. Sharks represent value but I have enough on the game. I might have a side bet. There is no point whatsoever in talking starts. All 4 teams are simply out there to win. Crusaders are also capable of brilliant tries against the run of play, but I know that Chiefs are worthy opponents. AFL – Round 18:
Best Bet: Freo Value: Adelaide (Might be crowing), Western Bulldogs (Julia might get a win), At the Margin: Western Bulldogs The Race for the Flag Sydney Swans –
Really tough draw, particularly where Geelong could possibly face elimination in round 23, best aspect is Hawks don’t like playing at the SCG. Meet Pies at Olympic Stadium. I predict 4 from 6. Adelaide –
Should win 5 from 6, Geelong this weekend is the toughest match. They lost 2Q to West Coast. Hawthorn –
Expected to now go through undefeated, big ask! Took their foot off the gas in 4th qtr against Pies Collingwood –
Would want to win every match now, 2 biggies, Sydney and Perth?? Were comprehensively beaten by Hawks, but worryingly lost 2 of last 3. West Coast Eagles –
In 2 weeks dropped from equal 1st to out of the four. Freo is their nemesis, it now looks so tough. Next 2 rounds should see them consolidate in the 8 but very big ask to see them back into the top 4. Focus on injured stars. Essendon Bombers –
3 wins see them in the final series. Geelong –
The hiding they gave Bombers might not be enough this test against Adelaide tougher. Massive run home. North –
Tough win over Richmond losing the critical 3rd quarter, they merely make up the numbers. Fremantle –
Biggest win was over Geelong in R1. Unlikely to pose serious threat. Top Four Betting:
Final 8 Betting:
Grand Final Betting:
NRL Round 21: (Underlined = Forecasted Winner)
Best Bet: Titans Value: Panthers, Knights, Eels, Wests At the Margin: TBA. Top Four Market:
Top Eight Market:
Wooden Spoon: (most regular season losses);
Chookies 1 and a half wins in front, and quoted to make the 8. Please save me. Grand Final Market:
I simply have too much too think about to look at any other sports. I believe that Bulldogs v Cowboys is now an absolutely critical match up. That said next week there will be others. Souths will have an excuse against Tigers because of loss of Inglis and Luke. They still need to play strong irrespective. Both Broncos and Melbourne need comprehensive wins. Eels smell blood, and if Melbourne were to lose this then their season would resemble Saints at this time last year. Betting Summary: Long Term Positions:
This Weekend – NRL/AFL:
My bet on Adelaide Crows winning the minor premiership will look wonky should they lose to Geelong, but that as an aside, Hawthorn and Sydney have several tests to come. Should Adelaide win their remaining draw is a cruise. Essendon and Freo and the 3 of the 4 jokes. I am thinking about backing Cowboys to win NRL premiership. They will be short if they lower Bulldogs colours. I believe the 4 in the preliminary finals will be Bulldogs, Broncos, Cowboys and Souths. Therefore grand final will be from 2 of those. An interesting thought, what price Adam Reynolds to trifecta Dally M, Rookie of the Year, and leading competition point scorer. I still think Billy Slater amassed enough Dally M points before injury to be in the final count, and Adam Reynolds is 17 points behind Jarrod Croker in point scoring.
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EYE-BALL Opinion on – Life is just a Bitch… – bitchen’ for bitchen’s sake !!!
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| Latest ‘Opinion’ Posts:
19th July: – Julia Gillard – Prime Minister … the Leader who Trashed a Nation !!! July 15th: July 15th: – What are we doing in Afghanistan? July 14th: – Harry’s Political Updates … July 14th: – Albanese and Gillard defending – … Peter Slipper … July 13th: Greece – the downward spiral … July 13th: Skyrocketing Electricity Costs … June 5th: Democracy v Party Politics … The reason why it fails us all … July 4th: Ex French President – Nicolas Sarkozy To see more EYE-BALL ‘Opinion’ posts: |
Title: – Life is just a Bitch… – bitchen’ for bitchen’s sake !!! | Author: EYE-BALL Opinion | 26th July 2012 | |
| T oday I went looking for some feel good stories and found my mood becoming darker and darker as I read some of the Olympic dribble coming from Australian Journalists bored out of their wits already.
An ABC’s sports Journalist based out of Melbourne named Amy Banbridge is obviously out of her comfort zone in the UK and logged the following article:
Comment: The Olympics will be the central focus of the Media ‘horde’ for the next 2-3 weeks – this is a fact. The world loves to watch elite athletes in their prime to live their own forgotten dreams of a misspent youth. Journalist still trying to work out the geography of Olympic events in these early days, still have to log a story. In the last months or so we’ve had the ‘Hooker’ failures, in more recent weeks we’ve had the Women’s Basketball team flying economy, and the men business class, the liberated squabble over who is going to carry the Australian flag, the racist comments over the mens 400m event – it’s been anything but positive stories. And today – we have this crab of a story on ‘how fit is Leisel Jones. Who is Amy Bainbridge? As journalist’s go – the quality of the above story tells us who she is – some women’s libber with insecurities, who needs to write about her issues made up from other people’s issues. Leisel Jones is happy with herself – why write about other people writing about her … but then that is what this post is all about – writing about someone who wrote about someone who wrote about someone. How much truth do you think you get from that pyramid of crap … Amy Bainbridge – go get a life and go back and get a refund on any money you may have paid to teach you how to be a journalist. You suck … Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam. Links to Australian Parliamentary Website – MP’s
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EYE-BALL’s Harry’ Growl on – Australian Gangsters Inc Part I – Gillard and the ALP by another name!!!
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Latest ‘Harry’s Growl’ Posts:
21st July: – Gillard Spoofs – about the only way to survive!!! July 20th: July 14th: June 15th: June 9th: June 4th: June 2nd: May 22nd: May 10th: May 8th: April 24th: To see more EYE-BALL Harry’s Growl posts: |
Title: – Australian Gangsters Inc Part I- – Gillard and the ALP by another name!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Harry’s Growl | 26th July 2012 | |
| Godfather Gillard: The Prime Minister of Australia is a Gangster – her Cabinet Members are mostly all Union carrying hoods and partners in ‘Gangsters Inc’ – and running this country like it was mafia hood-land – all according to recent reports. If these media reports be true – including reported stand-over incidents including a caper where the PM of Australia allegedly ‘blackmailed’ and intimidated the Heads of News Ltd, and the Fairfax Media empires to pull the previously reported AWU fraud story – her Gangster title is deserved. The reports claim the PM rang the CEO’s of these major Media empires to have pulled, retracted and apology published over a legally approved story that went to press in the Murdoch press the same day. That story covered her involvement with a fraud against the AWU whilst she served as a Partner with Melbourne Law form, Slater and Gordon where it is alleged she helped set up the false AWU bank accounts used to funnel the fraud monies. Some research into the UNION movement across Australia reveals almost a A$ billion of Union dues are paid into Union accounts ever year. Most of these Unions have no real accountability or independent audit process to verify how those Members funds are used. Gillard is accused of Union fraud back in the early 90’s and she has escaped accountability for that fraud ever since. Recent revelations and exposures connected with the Health Services Union (HSU) – and its past Secretary Craig Thompson in the House of Representatives have highlighted in luminous detail how Union funds can and are being used and abused by Executive Management. Gillard’s fraud case has similar extortion overtones to the HSU case – and a fight is brewing between the Union Faction support for Gillard as the puppet Leader, and the ALP members who want to divorce the Union and return the party to more traditional policy and roots. Gangster Gillard has many enemies – and she puffs herself up to face the ‘media-throng’ as regular as her ass shits – she struts like a cock-less rooster and nags at her diminishing followers how good a job she is doing. Trouble is that her support Her protection all have limp-dicks – people like ‘Goon-head’ Swan, ‘Dickless’ Shorten, ‘Blow-Hard’ Conroy, ‘Dried-up’ Roxon, and a host of other over achieved underachiever’s all lined up in a row behind ‘Gangster’ Gillard. The MEDIA: There were two stories yesterday and another over the weekend all calling Gillard for the chop-block. The first was a Mike Carlton story in The Weekend Australian – see below:
With each of thee three stories – no mention is made of the AWU Fraud story involving Gillard. These publications, The Australian, and the Sydney Morning Herald, flag bearing Australian media publications of both News Ltd and Fairfax Media, have held up their deal with Gillard and her Gangster Government and not run any story about the AWU fraud case. But by other means they have attacked Gillard’s Leadership credentials. Latest polls have Gillard’s ALP rating at 28, down three points in a week – most political commentators have her gone by September – but the big question is who will replace her. This post is not about that but how a Gangster thug like Gillard could pull the wool over so many good people in the ALP party? How could such a vile and corrupted person rise to the position of Prime Minister and tarnish the respect and honor such a position holds? This dragon lady deserves to be before a Judge and jury determining her criminal involvement in fraud, blackmail, legal responsibility and fiduciary allegations, to name but a few charges that Public and Crown Prosecutors could begin investigating immediately. Talking about it, or screaming it from the rooftops will make it happen. Whatever she holds over News Ltd and Fairfax is so powerful they turned themselves into turnips overnight over this story. Getting Glenn Milne or John Hartigan from The Australian to talk should not be that hard if called before a Royal Commission. Truth is all that is asked for here … and if the voters are denied that truth – then Democracy in this Nation will fall to all time lows. Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam. Links to Australian Parliamentary Website – MP’s:
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EYE-BALL’s Harry’ Growl on – Gillard Spoofs – about the only way to survive!!!
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| Latest ‘Harry’s Growl’ Posts:
July 21st: Gillard, the Unions & the Media – All match’s made with the Devil!!! July 20th: July 14th: June 15th: June 9th: June 4th: June 2nd: May 22nd: May 10th: May 8th: April 24th: To see more EYE-BALL Harry’s Growl posts: |
Title: – Gillard Spoofs – – about the only way to survive!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Harry’s Growl | 21st July 2012 | |
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Send up Bill Shorten Inverview: The Real Bill Shorten Interview: On Climate Change: Some oldies but goodies to finish: A serious post – Kerry Packer appearing before a Parliamentary Committee in 1991: Sir Les Patterson 1: Sir Les Patterson 2: Sir Les Patterson 3: Sir Les Patterson 4: And to finish – Dame Edna … hope the last few have make you forget the Julia moments … Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam. Links to Australian Parliamentary Website – MP’s
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EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – NRL Round 20 – Upsets galore – Final 8 positions on the line…
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| Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts:
July 20th: The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – – Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: |
Title: – NRL Round 20 – Upsets galore – Final 8 positions on the line… | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 21st July 2012 | |
Tigers hold eighth position on 22 points – behind them are five teams on 20 points. Seventh place is the Seaeagles and their form is also suspect.If Cowboys win tomorrow night – they will go to 4th ahead of the Broncos who could have slid from 3rd to 6th if Cowboys win and had the Sharkies won.The upsets over the weekend were Parramatta’s win over the Storm, bottom placed beats top placed and that makes 4 losses in a row for the Storm. The Broncos loss will be expensive – Hoffman and Teo will be fronting the judiciary and both will miss matches. Teo has gone once already this season and could get 2-3 weeks for his careless coat-hanger. Hoffman’s hit on Bailey was just blatant, and any argument he was going for the ball is stupid. Clenched fist – stiff forearm – he did not miss. The Broncos are in trouble and their momentum like the Storm is backwards. Canterbury were awesome against the Seaeagles – despite to rough house tactics employed by Toovey’s troops. Glen Stewart is a coward – always attacking in defence from behind and always offering a cheap shot – Babar just keeps defying the critics and nobody can shut him down despite him being targeted. The Rabbits are another form team but without Inglis their surge might suffer. His hit on Young from my view was OK – he did the same to the Broncos Hoffman twice a few weeks ago and did not even bring a penalty. His elbow did not lift and first contact was made below the head and Young’s head cannoned into Inglis with the force of the tackle. A great hit … the NRL have either got to ban the ‘shoulder charge’ – and make players use their arms to engage in a tackle, or define the parameters of a shoulder charge. If a player stands his ground and braces himself with his shoulder and it makes contact with the head in any way – the judiciary see it as ‘head-high’ and a stint on the sideline beckons. Given Young’s physical distress the rules need to protect players and a blind-side shoulder charge risk’s a players safety. For mine it has to go – as with the third man in low on the player in possession. Back to the ladder – teams lining up for the 8th position – Warriors, Titans, Knights, Raiders, and Dragons can all turn it on on a good day. Realistically, Warriors are about the only team who could last past the first weekend of Finals footy. The top four spot also has interest given the new finals matchups. Storm and Broncos are most at risk from losing their top 4 spot. If they do – their season will be all but over. The teams to watch for mine are the Bulldogs, the Rabbits depending on how long they give Inglis, and the Cowboys with their massive forward pack and Thurston. Manly’s Coach Toovey ‘mad-dog’ interview last night says a lot about the mad-monk performances this year. He ain’t a coaches bootlace … and the exodus of players from Manly this season attests to that. With six rounds to go – a finals berth is there for the taking for 13 of the 16 teams. The Roosters only have pride to play for at 14th and the Panthers and Eels will battle for the wooden spoon. The Eels victory over the top placed Storm last night and their coaches last game – give some indication how close the competition is. The Run Home – thanks to Rookie Bookie…
The final 8 would then be:
The eighth spot would then be decided on for/against record between Broncos and Warriors with the Broncos having 57 points advantage after round 20. Every team in the top eight if the Warriors make it has a shot – Of course this is all crystal ball stuff and the pressure of the moment will get to some teams. More importantly – how will a referee’s whistle blow for a penalty influence the outcome of the Finals ladder – I guarantee you it will be the case In a season where back to back sets has resulted in 70% of all tries scored – and this stat is only been beaten by the number of tries scored of the back of a penalty. A big thanks to Rookie-Bookie for his in-depth week in week out analysis and odds presentation for all NRL, AFL and Union codes. Nobody would realise how much work went into his weekly efforts. His efforts have made this season more predictable even though his selections in the latter part of the season have wavered a little. But then who else would have picked Eels to beat Storm, and Canberra to thrash the Sharkies over the weekend. He will come good for the Finals series. We’re now down to the business end of the season – if Inglis goes then we know the judiciary is rigged …
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EYE-BALL’s Harry’ Growl on – Gillard, the Unions & the Media – – All match’s made with the Devil!!!
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| Latest ‘Harry’s Growl’ Posts:
July 20th: July 14th: June 15th: June 9th: June 4th: June 2nd: May 22nd: May 10th: May 8th: April 24th: To see more EYE-BALL Harry’s Growl posts: |
Title: – Gillard, the Unions & the Media – – All match’s made with the Devil!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Harry’s Growl | 21st July 2012 | |
| The UNIONS:
The Australian Union movement has a proud history in Australia’s story. Union membership in Australia stands near 1.8 million, each contributing a minimum of $10 a week or thereabouts. That equates to $932 million of Union members funds collected a year. The AWU – Australian Workers Unionis the largest Union in Australia and the oldest. The AWU has 135,000 members and been in operation since 1886. Its weekly membership donations equate to $1.35 million and in a year they collect some $70.2 million. On the expense side – they employ 200 staff across 45 offices – assume $100k rent for each office, and a salary of $75k for each employ – that erodes some $19.5 million – and leaves $54.5 million for what? Political donations and influence – and of course the gravy ride for the Union executive swaying the votes of Union delegates and Political heavyweights to get themselves and their mates appointed to the ALP Party executive fast track. The ALP political donations list for 2010-11 show a donation total of $37.1 million. These are the official donation lists – there are of course other donations made independent of the official list. Individual Unions run their own ads during election campaigns and these are funded directly by the Union movement independent of the official ALP donation lists. If these expense/revenue ratios work for all the other Unions – recent concerns over how Union Members funds are being used and spent are warranted. Trying to find a Union balance sheet without considerable expense is not simple – but based on the simple numbers outlined above it would not be hard to live a life beyond your wildest dreams if someone a bit twisted was in charge of all these funds. There is no independent oversight for most of these Unions, they have Auditors but that is more a rubber stamp that a true independent and external Audit. The MEDIA: For a very long time Rupert Murdoch has used his sway and media clout to play puppet-master all over the World of Politics. His editorials and opinion mouthpieces have sucked in the public and swayed political influence to Rupert Murdoch’s version of how the World should be run. We all got a glimpse of how Murdoch plied his staff to get the ‘dirt’ and sell his version of the News in the UK – well when Gillard trumped him over the AWU Fraud scandal raise by Glenn Milne and published by ‘The Australian” in Aug 2011 – what was she using as leverage? We already know how the AWU slush fund she helped set up for her lover, and then father to an unborn child when she was a Partner with Slater and Gordon. She survived the scandal unscathed – and used the coy and sheepish phrase – ‘I was young and naive’ … how can you be a Partner in a reutable Law Firm and be ‘young and naive’? No – she had some dark secret she used against Murdoch and the Fairfax Media group to have the AWU story pulled. Whoever finds that nugget will have found the poison to sink many a career. Who would publish it if News and Fairfax have agreed to never again run the story? At what point would they walk away from their agreement with Gillard? Of course the bigger angle here is the ‘con’ being played upon the Australian public. To refresh again the Alan Jones interview with sacked 2UE broadcaster Mike Smith – that interview is presented below:
Let us now walk a little further down the Union connection with Gillard, particular the AWU – in a story published in the SMH today – Paul Howes and Joe Ludwig, National Secretary and President laid claim to a promise to – ‘act to keep Gillard in the PM position’. This story proves yet again where Paul Howes sits when it comes to deciding who leads the ALP. It is sickening to think Howes can be so brazen about the power he believes he has. He is also a dumbass because he does not realise the Australian Public will not tolerate having their choice of Labor Leader taken from them, or for his Unionised power hungry ego to play thug and bully across the ALP landscape. Howes is no Bill Kelty – and Joe Ludwig knows all about the AWU fraud Gillard was connected with – yet he wants to support her – just how morally bankrupt are these people and the Australian public will call it for what it is. The SMH story is published below in part:
The AWU and Gillard story resurfaced again a month or so ago – and it’s had a good run this week – and still the mainstream media walk away from it like it was toxic sludge … what does Gillard hold over the Media proprietors that has them so intimidated? Makes you feel unsafe right – as if we will ever know the full story … all we can do is keep chipping away at the truth and believe that others who do know will come forth and tumble this whole house of cards – Unions, Media, and the Government … now is that treason or seditious behaviour?
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EYE-BALL’s Harry’ Growl on – Shame … Shame … Shame … Murdoch Media to blame for the Global descent into darkness!!!
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| Latest ‘Harry’s Growl’ Posts:
July 14th: Harry’s Political Updates … June 15th: Harry’s Political Updates … June 9th: Harry’s Political Updates … Various stories … June 4th: Harry’s Political Updates … Various Stories … June 2nd: Harry’s Political Updates … Various Stories … May 22nd: Harry’s Political Updates … Various Stories … May 10th: ‘Rome and the Mob’ … Craig Thompson survives yet again. May 8th: The Australian ALP Government – more corrupt and worse than Bikie Gangs … April 24th: The Peter SLIPPER affair – Harry’s take … To see more EYE-BALL Harry’s Growl posts: |
Title: – Shame … Shame … Shame … – – Murdoch Media to blame for the Global descent into darkness!!! Author: EYE-BALL’s Harry’s Growl | 20th July 2012 | |
Given the actions of both Fairfax Media and News Ltd publications over their refusal to cover the story concerning Gillards involvement in the AWU fraud going back to 1992-95, the Australian public are being lied to and short changed. This story had been researched, reported and published by News Ltd journalist Glenn Milne in Aug 2011. It was approved for print by the Murdoch press lawyers. Yet on the same day the story was published in “The Australian”, News Ltd boss John Hartigan received a call from PM Gillard. It is alleged that she threatened both Hartigan, and News Publications, and the Fairfax Media with ‘damaging’ actions if they did not pull the story, offer a retraction and apology, and promise never to report on the story again. According to the evidence presented in the Alan Jones interview with Mike Smith yesterday, Gillard is a thief, a criminal, and should now be investigated to determine what scope of charges she should face in criminal proceedings. Listen to interview below:
This detail aside – what is more frightening is that the free media in this Nation and their satellite networks have misled and denied the Australian public the ‘freedom of information’ that the media have access to and are supposed to print. They acceded to Gillards demands under duress – and in that moment – the two biggest players in Australian Media, News and Fairfax, ceased to be creditable, of have any right to call themselves a news service. Their actions demand they be stripped of any right to presumed creditability – that goes for all Print, TV, Radio, Current Affairs, Blog, and all other Political reporting sites owned and operated by both the News and Fairfax press. The biggest story in half a century is unfolding in boutique Blog sites, Social Media Journalists, a Radio interview here or there, and through solicited commentary associated with these non-mainstream media outlets – and out mainstream media refuse to cover the story.
Mike Smith was sacked from 2UE – but fronted the 2GB Alan Jones show for an interview yesterday. This interview – presented above – presents evidence and commentary that hold as serious an allegation that can be made against any Politician, let alone a Prime Minister. The EYE-BALL Opinion has also posted on this matter – see link here … – and that goes to Gillard’s role in the fraud. This post is about the Media’s capitulation on ethics and standards and the most holy of principles all journalists, editors and media proprietors operate under and understand – that being ‘freedom of the press’. How can a press gallery function if Editors and Proprietors are dictated to by the Prime Minister – where is the separation of powers? This single issue brings to question whether the Proprietors have the ethical qualifications to be allowed to own Media interests. This in itself should demand a Royal Commission into what happened, and the fault with that is that this ALP Government would stack the Royal Commission with ‘yes’ men appointed to give the Government a pass mark and the Media a soft glove slap for their ethics violations. What is playing out in the UK with the ‘News of the World’ phone tapping has much to do with Gillards leverage in the happenings here when this story first broke. There have been on and off rumblings about this story for many years – Gillard was unemployable after Slater and Gordon sacked her for her role in assisting and abetting the fraud as a Partnered employee. She has never worked as a lawyer since. Six months after her sacking she found employ through former Vic Premier Kerner’s friendship in John Brumby’s Victorian Labour Government – and from there she managed to get herself pre-selected and the rest is history as they say. What background checks did the ALP do to vet Gillard before her pre-selection? For that matter – what checks did the media do to investigate this story at the time when it was raised in the Victorian Parliament? How did Gillard escape any scrutiny over her past and connection with this Union fraud? All questions the Australian media have to answer. This story is far from finished – and if the Alan Jones interview with Mike Smith does not get the story some mainstream attention – then we are all well and truly stuffed and in the hands of egomaniacs twice removed from the asylum. Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam. Links to Australian Parliamentary Website – MP’s
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EYE-BALL’s Herman on – Micro Economics – Thoughts and Opinions on the Energy Debate!!!
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Links to Previous ‘Herman’ Posts:
July 18th: A Chronology of Farce – and of a Government who Wonders Why Their Opinion Polls are so low. July 4th: 2012 Overture – The Northern Summer Arrives – June 16th: 2012 Overture – The Greek Elections June 2nd: May 26th: White Collar Crime – Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper … or just Federal Parliament? May 17th: Apr 23rd: An update on the French Presidential elections and other Apr 21st: A Philosophical Appraisal of Socio Economic Index… to Capture Wider Social Well Being. Mar 26th: The 2012 Overture – A Crappy New Year – Part III. Feb 14th: Democrazy Part XV – Clinging to Power. To see more EYE-BALL ‘Herman’ posts: |
Title: – Micro Economics – – Thoughts and opinions on the Energy Debate!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Herman | 21st July 2012 | |
 D
avid Murray said relatively quietly as he took retirement from the Future Fund that the Carbon Tax was possibly the worst, the most inefficient tax he had ever seen. See SMH story here … My thoughts are similar but possibly for different reasons. It is all about micro-economics, and the efficiency of taxes, in terms of the cost of collecting them, and equitable redistribution of wealth or society benefits. When the Carbon Tax package was announced on July 10th last year I wrote “The Carbon Tax Detail. Why is the Devil always in the Detail?” [Post Linked here] Since then I have been rather quiet about the Carbon Tax. On this, I believe there is little we can do about the Carbon Tax, other than be aware of this sheer dishonesty and wait for the next Federal election. On Tuesday I received a letter from AGL setting out their new Gas and Electricity charges payable from August 2nd. The upshot of the 3 pages is reproduced below. [1st Column = old price; 2nd column = new price; 3rd column = percentage increase.] [All of the above does not include GST.] The Carbon Tax is not the only driver of these price hikes. First we had the outgoing ALP state government buying back electricity from solar household producers at 60c per kwh. Then we had the incoming Liberal government wanting to renege on that deal buying at 40c then 50c. That policy was woeful because solar electricity does not increase base load. Electricity producers still needed to convert existing turbines to gas/coal or build new dual coal/gas facilities and decommission the older less efficient production. After that we had a $23 per tonne carbon emission added. Roughly 6% of the price hike is due to solar rebate, and maybe 12% to Carbon Tax. So the Liberal Premier assured the electorate that this 18% price hike would not happen and asked the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (iPart) to see what could be done. Do not forget politically it is good for the Liberal State Government to allow the Federal ALP government to carry all the blame. This federal government keeps telling us that any company’s falsely claiming price hikes based on Carbon Tax will be prosecuted by the ACCC. Therefore – this is NSW’s State Liberal government and it’s iPart v ALP Federal government and it’s ACCC. After considering the actual kwh increase the ACCC might try to make some sense of why gas prices are up on average 14.5%. Then they might consider why late payment fees, daily supply fees and other costs associated with debt collection are up at all. Particularly relating to late payment fee, the current class action test case against the ANZ regarding charging interest and a late payment fee on credit cards should make the likes of AGL just a little bit more circumspect about charging this fee and raising it by roughly CPI. The micro economic argument is that energy costs have substantial multiplier effect through the costs of production and other household costs. Our manufacturing sector already reeling from high currency pays about 50% more than North American manufacturers for a kwh of electricity. Our government should be trying to keep energy prices down, not bloat them. Once more our government doesn’t understand. We are told we are being compensated. We think poorly of politicians. They don’t earn our respect. Recently one of them said, ‘politics means being popular’. I beg your pardon, politics is firstly and foremost public service. It is the highest honour given to lead our nation, to serve the constituency. It requires wisdom, jurisprudence, integrity and equity. We are sick and tired of the apparent ineptitude and apparent self-serving nature of our politicians. Any tripe by Oakeshott or Windsor dictating support for Gillard and thereby usurping the constituency does not cut. Surely there is some decency within parliament to bring about an election to let the constituency choose. Believing in sanity is insanity itself.
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EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop on – The NRL’s Bronco’s Finals Hopes – Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic …
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| Latest ‘Snoop-Poop’ Posts:
July 5th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 and Series Review June 25th: – 2012 State of Origin – Game 3 Preview June 13th: NSW SOO Coach – A Dirty Stinkin’ RAT … June 9th: June 8th: The Darcy/Monk Facebook Photos … June 7th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 2 Preview May 28th: May 24th: 2012 State of Origin – Game 1 Review May 21st: 2012 State of Origin Preview – Game 1 To see more EYE-BALL Snoop-Poop posts: |
Title: – The NRL’s Bronco’s Final Hopes – – Round 20 Report – Defence OK – Attack pathetic!!! | Author: EYE-BALL’s Snoop-Poop | 20th July 2012 | |
 The Broncos 14-10 loss to the Titans tonight prove again that despite their 390 ‘for’ points scored tally – that has then currently 3rd on the Ladder, but possibely 6th by the end of the weekend matches if Souths, Cowboys and Sharks all win – their hold on a finals berth is far from guaranteed.
I’ve made no secret of my Bronco support – but I’m their harshest critic … in their total game time this season they have dominated field position and tackles in the opposition 22 by a large margin. Week in week out I look for improvement in their attack when pressuring the oppositions line – it just does not happen. The kick is about the only way they can score – the line is always flat with no options, there is no structure with forwards running dummy lines, it is just bash and barge with ball movement side to side. It is so predictable and pathetic and so unlike Broncos play patterns. This is a coaching problem – whether Lockyer’s departure has Griffin playing them this style is unlikely – Cory Norman has proved his potential in defence but it is his lack of vision in attack that has this team at sixes and sevens when trying to set up plays. The 390 points scored has them 6th on the ladder of points scored – they would have the top ranking for all teams for tackles in possession in the oppositions 22 zone. The Broncos forwards have kept them in this season’s competition. Cory Norman showed early promise in attack early in the season, but as the season has progressed his options have become ultra conservative. He does not appear to have the organisational skill. Wallace has been great in defence but even his attack is all about the kick. The backline injured player list of Yow Yeh and Copley, would not make a lot of difference. The Wingers are short and can’t jump and have no upmh up the middle coming out of their own 20 zone … It has been their defence that has won them matches and going forward into the money end of the season – unless their attack gets some punch and creates some doubt in the opposition defence – they’ll crash out in the first weekend of finals – if they make the finals.
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EYE-BALL Opinion on – Australia’s Watergate – Gillard to go to Jail … if JUSTICE be served!!!
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| Latest ‘EYE-BALL Opinion’ Posts:
July 20th: Rob Oakeshott – Independent … Declares PM Leadership will force his hand… July 19th: Julia Gillard – Prime Minister … July 15th: July 15th: – What are we doing in Afghanistan? July 14th: – Harry’s Political Updates … July 14th: – Albanese and Gillard defending – … Peter Slipper … July 13th: Greece – the downward spiral … July 13th: Skyrocketing Electricity Costs … June 5th: Democracy v Party Politics … The reason why it fails us all … July 4th: Ex French President – Nicolas Sarkozy To see more EYE-BALL ‘Opinion’ posts: |
Title: – Australia’s Watergate – – Gillard to go to Jail … if JUSTICE be served!!! | Author: EYE-BALL Opinion | 20th July 2012 | |
Well – today in Australian Politics – a story broke outside the mainstream media cycle that if acted upon, will make the ‘Kerr Dismissal’ pale into insignificance. The ‘Watergate’ scandal sunk a US Presidency – this story will sink Gillard, and if Law enforcement and the Justice system do their job – Gillard will be one of many who serve time behind bars. Australian icon and cartoonist Larry Pickering has been on this story for some time – as has a number of other ‘bloggers’ and fringe media publications. Even this site has been pushing the story for months. Pickering’s publication today has pushed the story even further – his commentary appears below:
Comment: Reading this story created a thirst – and among the comments posted to this story was a link to Alan Jones’ 2GB interview with Mike Smith broadcast today – that interview – some 30min long – is just absolute listening. The interview can be heard on replay using the link provided below.
Comment: This Interview goes for some 30 minutes and reveals detail that any Public Prosecutor would want in building a case. The fact that the case would be against a sitting prime Minister begs the question – is Justice equal for one and all? It proved to be so in a fashion for Richard Nixon – he did no jail time – and Gillard may escape true justice herself – but for her to remain as our Prime Minister and Ambassador to the World – the Independents have to cross the floor – to either hand power to Abbott, or advise the GG that they no longer support the Prime Minister. This could all happen as soon as this weekend if the story gathers attention – the 2GB interview happened this morning and the news cycle on commercial and ABC TV, radio tonight did not go anywhere near the story. There are a few key points to note:
This is the very heart of the matter – not only can the ALP defend their position or actions – every MP and Senator has to confess their knowledge and resign their position if they held knowledge on what transpired – if not first hand, but also secondary or heresy information they failed to act upon. WHere this goes from here has to involve the GG, the highest Court in the Land, and the Australian Federal Police, just who has been corrupted in those 2nd and 3rd options will dictate how this plays out. Have your say where it counts: – contact your Local Federal Representative via the links below and let them know how you feel about this, or any other topic that you feel strongly about – or you can just post a comment below and let off some steam. Links to Australian Parliamentary Website – MP’s
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