Is Tasmania going to pot
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- Leon Ewing, a local "teaching artist", proposed giving marijuana to school children to stimulate their imaginations and creativity. - The proposal was defended by MONA's creative director who said it was brave and creative, and Tasmania may need provocative ideas to improve its poor education outcomes. - However, the proposal raises several legal issues around giving mind-altering substances to underage children and having them live with and take drugs with artists. It is unlikely to be supported by the Tasmanian government.
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What really happened at Waterloo
The article discusses a planned reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo where French lawyers intend to rewrite history by having Napoleon emerge as the victor. They claim Napoleon actually won at Waterloo based on his historical importance, despite clear evidence that the Duke of Wellington commanded the allied army to defeat Napoleon. The article goes on to sarcastically suggest other historical battles the French could pretend to have won, noting France's few actual military victories. It concludes by questioning whether "lost" may have a different meaning when translated from French.
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Unwanted gifts present a dilemma of what to do with them. Some options include hiding them in an "unwanted presents cupboard" until the givers visit, as the author's mother did, then displaying them prominently. Over time, these unwanted gifts from past decades have become nostalgic curiosities. Another option is re-gifting, selling unwanted gifts online, donating to charity, or throwing away. The author sometimes gives inappropriate gifts when in a mood, such as alcohol to a recovering alcoholic, and cites examples of humorously inappropriate gifts from comedians. A post-Christmas survey found many Australians receive unwanted gifts each year, and over half have re-gifted or stored unwanted gifts away
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Climate change is threatening beer production, as rising temperatures and weather extremes could negatively impact barley crops and lower the quality of malt. The "Save the Ales" campaign, which is running as part of Earth Hour, aims to raise awareness of this issue and encourage Australians to celebrate Earth Hour by drinking local beer. However, the author notes that claims about climate change's effects on crops use uncertain language like "could affect". The author also jokes that their nightly drinking helps the campaign's goals.
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2) One dentist the author saw as a child was a former prisoner of war who seemed to take out his frustrations from the war on his patients through unnecessary treatments.
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1. The document discusses transgender issues in Australia and India, focusing on prominent transgender individuals who have achieved success despite facing discrimination.
2. It profiles Group Captain Catherine McGregor, formerly known as Malcolm McGregor, who came out as transgender while serving in the Australian military and was supported in her career transition.
3. It also mentions Madhu Kinnar, a transgender woman in India who was elected mayor, making history as the first transgender person to win such a political position despite coming from a marginalized Dalit background.
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The document discusses a man named Brian Leonard Golightly Marshall from Toogoom, Queensland, Australia who claims to be the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It provides evidence for this claim, such as that he looks like the image on the Shroud of Turin and that a letter from the former Pope Benedict praised him and called him the Messiah. It also notes that Brian established "Miracle Water" that can provide cures, and that the author plans to visit Toogoom to obtain some after confirming they can get a Medicare rebate for it.
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1) The document discusses the rising cost of living and financial struggles, even for those considered well-off such as a Supreme Court judge in Queensland, Justice John Byrne.
2) Justice Byrne is challenging his late mother's will that left most of her $17 million estate to a veterinary hospital rather than him and his brother.
3) Though Justice Byrne earns $381,691 annually as a judge, he claims his expenses are at least $118,200 per year, leaving him with little savings and motivating him to seek more from his mother's estate for a comfortable retirement.
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1) The document discusses several notable press conferences that went awry, including a Polish government prosecutor who shot himself in the head during a press conference and an American treasurer who committed suicide on camera.
2) It also discusses the unintended consequences of a press secretary's comments that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
3) Throughout, it comments on the often fraught relationship between politicians, press secretaries, and journalists.
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1) Duke Franz von Bayern is considered by Jacobites to be the rightful king of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland as the senior descendant of the last Stuart king, James II.
2) The Royal Stuart Society, based in London, maintains the line of succession which now rests with Duke Franz as the head of the House of Wittelsbach in Bavaria.
3) Despite past interest, Duke Franz is happy in his role as the Duke of Bavaria and does not make claims to the British throne, seeing it as an internal British issue.
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1) The document discusses the 50th anniversary of the film musical "The Sound of Music" and the author's initial dislike for the film as a teenager, in contrast to his mother's love for it.
2) As a 16-year-old in 1965, the author dismissed the film as too sugary sweet while preferring rock music, but it went on to become hugely popular and financially successful.
3) Over the years, the author's opinion changed and he has come to appreciate aspects of the film, such as its themes of love, music, happiness and family, though he still dislikes how it portrayed the family's escape from Austria.
The heat is on for lizards
Male bearded dragons in Australia have been found to spontaneously change sex when exposed to hot weather, according to a study by researchers at the University of Canberra. The team observed that hot temperatures can cause the chromosomes in male lizards to become disrupted, transforming them into functional females capable of laying eggs. However, this sex reversal negatively impacts the population as the offspring of female lizards that were formerly male consistently produce only male babies themselves. If this pattern continues, it could eliminate males from the bearded dragon population in the wild.
The Great Australian Novel
This document is a satirical piece where the author humorously outlines their plans to write "The Great Australian Novel." Some key points:
1) The author claims they have been urged to write this novel by "multitudes" of people impressed by their skills, though they can only name two supporters, one who is dead and one in an institution.
2) The author grandiosely describes how their novel will be brilliantly written and receive widespread acclaim.
3) Various ideas for the novel are proposed, such as making it semi-autobiographical about overcoming adversity, though the examples given are obviously fabricated for humor.
4) The ending circle backs to wondering why the character
The crime of ageing
1) The author expresses disappointment at being rejected from consideration for a mission to establish the first human colony on Mars, believing it was due to his age.
2) During a discussion with his mother about his upcoming birthday, she refers to him as elderly, despite him being years away from 70. This highlights the generational differences in how age is perceived.
3) There are varying definitions of what constitutes "old age" according to different government organizations, with thresholds ranging from 45 to 65 years old. The author finds humor in the numerous government inquiries and recommendations focused on addressing barriers faced by older individuals.
Taking things a bit too far
This document discusses a news story about a prostitute in Germany who kept a lamb named Rosi as a "sex slave" for nine days. The lamb had been stolen from a zoo. The document expresses relief that Rosi has now been returned safely to the zoo and integrated back into the herd. It questions whether the prostitute practiced safe sex with Rosi and wonders about her identity, as she had stolen 26 other animals previously. The document concludes by suggesting contacting German police to identify the prostitute in case she tries to immigrate to Australia.
Sweet revenge
Russell Grenning discusses the growing issue of "revenge porn", where intimate images are posted online by ex-partners seeking retaliation. Two cases are described in detail, including a woman named Cathy whose photos were doctored into porn scenes without her consent, severely impacting her life. Laws criminalizing revenge porn are inadequate or nonexistent in most Australian states. While some tech companies are taking steps to limit the spread of such images, victims have little recourse against overseas websites that host the content.
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Is Tasmania going to pot
- 1. Is Tasmania goingto pot? Russell Grenning I’ve alwayshada soft spotfor Tasmaniaand,overthe years,localshave showna remarkable ingenuityandperseveranceinpursuingideasthat,if implemented,wouldgiveThe Apple Isle a distinctadvantage. So itwas withan openmindandevenwithpre-disposedsympathy,I consideredanideaadvanced by local “teaching artist” LeonEwingthat school childrenshouldbe givenmarijuanatostimulate theirimaginationsandcreativity. Mr Ewingispart of the rich tapestryof alterative artinall of itsforms that is embracedbyHobart’s Museumof OldandNewArt (MONA) anditsannual winter“DarkMofo”festival of ideas whichwill be held laterthismonth.One aimof thisfestival whichfeaturesalternative bands andcreative,free- wheelingactivitiessuchasthe “NudeSolstice Swim”is to improve Tasmania’slamentablylow educationlevels. MONA creative directorLeighCarmichaeldefendsMr Ewing’sproposal inthe interestsof improving the State’seducationoutcomes.Maybe,justmaybe,Tasmania’spreciouslittle tykescouldproduce some trulyrevolutionaryart,literature andeverythingelse if theygotstonedinthe classroom. “We don’tnecessarily agreewiththis idea, butwe love thatit is braveand creative, and in order for seismic change,we’ll need to thinkbig and be open to provocativeideas,” Mr Carmichael said. Accordingto Mr Ewing,”We already prescribeamphetamine-likemedicationsto ourchildren for focusand docility.What if we medicated forcreativity? Educationalmarijuana,if you will.” He has citeda historyof the use of mind-alteringsubstancesbyartiststo “broaden their consciousness”andasked, “Whatgeniuscould be nurtured,if notunleashed,in such circumstances? Andhe adds, “Whata transformationalexperience.” Mr Ewingisnot justa cutting-edgeartist–althoughwhathe hasproducedapart fromthisideahas eludedme –he caresabout kiddies.Hisplanwouldincluderecruitinga “voluntary controlgroup, screened for robustmentalhealth”and customisedvaporiserswouldbe usedtodeliverthe drug.I wonderif theywouldbe customisedblue forboysandpinkforgirlsand I am glad – relievedeven – that Mr Ewingisnot suggestingthatthe kiddiessmokepot – smokingisn’tgoodforyou,afterall. He alsosuggeststhatthisspeciallychosengroupof kiddiesshouldworkwithMONA artists,in residence,tounleashtheircreativity. I don’twant tobe overlycritical of course andderide andsneerat ideaswhichcouldimprove educational outcomesandall of thatbut I wonderif he hasgiventhe slightestthoughttothe legality of hisproposal.Forexample:Whatage inTasmaniaisthe legal age of consent?How wouldthe law there treatparentswho“volunteered”theirunder-age childrento goand take drugswith,and live with,“creative artists”?
- 2. “Dark Mofo”isofficiallysupportedbythe TasmanianGovernmentviaits EventsTasmania tourism promotionoutfitandwhile the LiberalGovernmentthere hasyettoexpressaview aboutMr Ewing’sidea,I’mgame tobet that theywill notjustrejectitoutof handbut vigorouslycondemnit. Don’trun away withanyfalse notionthatthe TasmanianLiberal Government isdeeply miredin19th centurythinkingaboutdrugs.Itwas onlyinJanuarywhenitgave the greenlighttocannabisfarming to produce the drug formedicinal use –the firstState to doso - and itis collaboratingwithclinical trialsunderwayinNSWto testa derivative of the drugto treatsuch conditionsasepilepsy,multiple sclerosisandinflammatorydiseases. Already,the TasmanianGovernmenthasannouncedthatpolice wouldnotseektoprosecute terminallyillusersof medicinal cannabisoreventhose whocommentonitsbenefits. Health MinisterMichael Ferguson hasclassed CBD– whichhas no psychotropicpropertiesunlike standard- use cannabisand isone of 85 active cannabinoidsfoundinthe plant –as a prescription-only medicine from1June. SadlyforMr Ewing,it seemsthata perceivedlackof creativityamongchildrenisnotactually recognisedasa conditionrequiringtreatmentbycannabis. The latestresearch on the possible effectsof cannabisoncreativitywaspublishedlastOctoberin the journal “Psychopharmacology”whichconcluded, “Thefindingssuggestthatcannabiswith low potency doesnothavean effect on creativity,while highly potentcannabisactually impairsdivergent thinking”. Certainlyanydrugcan impairbrainfunctionandinduce hallucinations –once,butonlyonce – I imaginedverycreativelythatthe prettiestlittle thingin the discowasutterlybesottedwithme after I had ingestedabout27 potsof the ambernectar. WhenI awoke the nextmorning,alone anddishevelled,Irealisedthatmyexcursionintoreleased creativitywas,sadly,amonumental self-delusion. Mr Ewingshouldtake note.