Macca

Interesting article from the New York Times ... the article seems completely unbiased to me. More like a case of reporting the facts (not alternative facts) Mr Trump's Random Insult Diplomacy And here's my take on the 'Wall' that may or may not be built ... I'm rather happy that the 'plan' to build the wall is still on (although Trump has stated that parts of the wall will be a fence - a rabbit-proof fence?) It's going to have to be approximately 3200 kilometres long (which is the equivalent distance of Melbourne to Cooktown - Cooktown is 200 ks further on from Cairns) That's quite some distance. Ever driven that far? The wall would need to be 'manned' ... one outpost every 50 metres amounts about to about 64,000 guards ... that will cost a bit. Where's the money for that going to come from? A 21 foot wall isn't going to keep people out anyway ... they can go underneath, over the top (a 22 foot ladder should suffice) or around it. They can come in via Canada or simply fly in on a visa on a one-way ticket. Or be dropped off via a boat along the West coast or around Florida. Where there is a will there is a way. The outlay of building this wall will cost the Americans a small fortune ... talk of whacking on a 20% tax on Mexican goods would amount to the Americans paying for it ... they import a great deal from Mexico so up goes the cost of living - 'Trump-Style' Do his supporters understand that they'll be lumbered with the cost? Probably not. The initial money needed for the wall would need to be passed by congress and there's already a number of Republican reps who are dead against the idea. They're talking about a cost of 10-20 billion but it would almost certainly cost a great deal more than that. The Press should hound the White House & Trump about the wall ... they're on solid ground in terms of it being non-viable and Trump and his goon mates won't have any answers. It's a weak spot that needs to be attacked.

It's going to be a wild ride ... no doubt. I posted earlier that what you see is what you get with Trump but that includes an unpredictability that is unprecedented. It was the same in the 18 month lead up to the election. Every day brought a new aspect/angle/situation in that lead-up and nothing much has changed. Now, that's not my cup of tea but I'm hard to please ... for many, they love what he's doing and that has to be acknowledged. I genuinely hope Trump proves me wrong and if he does, I'll be happy to acknowledge that. It's only been 14 days - there's a ways to go.

Ha ha ha! Well played sir ... and no, there's not a snowflakes chance in hell that I'm ever having another bet. If he lasts 4 years it will mean that he's done a decent job ... just can't see it happening. Not with Trump anyway. Sooner or later he'll make an error that will get him impeached (that's my non-bet anyway) Besides which, you told us on numerous occasions that he'd be an absolute train-wreck. You haven't changed your mind so soon have you?

It's got nothing to do with the Democrats or Hillary anymore - that ship sailed in November ... most have acknowledged that Trump has won, even his haters. This is all on Trump and Trump alone ... many who are firmly in his camp now will be looking for the exit plan soon enough. By the way, I believe Hillary would have failed as well. Most political leaders do and so too their idealistic parties. I'm forever amazed why so many idolise so-called leaders in an often obsessive/compulsive fashion ... we see it in footy all the time. The pedestals are often crowded from the adoring crowds whilst people like me don't believe in that nonsense at all. No system works and no system will ever work. Why? Because humans are ungovernable. We all share the same dastardly traits. No matter what religion, colour, language, political beliefs et al - we're all different but we're all the same. Trump will go down the same path as many of his predecessors ... he'll fail sooner or later. Replaced by another who will almost certainly fail.

It is nothing but interesting (and often amusing) ... it's difficult to look away Earl. It's like he's created his own reality show that can only star and involve 1 person - himself. Was going to start a thread asking people to find the most obscure way he could end up losing the Presidency (whether impeached or otherwise) ... the possibilities are endless. Every day brings a new aspect/angle/situation. One thing that can be said though ... he's not going to change and what you see is what you get. There's a unique transparency that defies logic. Ultimately he will fail spectacularly and it's hard to see him lasting 4 years ... I reckon the Republicans will bring about his demise (if he is somehow impeached the Republicans will be needed in order to impeach him) Before anyone accuses me of being from the left - just don't. I have very little regard for the extreme left or those who lean too far left and ... I have the same low regard for those from the far right (or the alt-right) Both sides have numerous loonies and are as bad as each other. As for Trump - he's a totally different cat altogether.

Well the "JLT Community Series" starts in 12 days so we'll find out soon enough Wyl.

My heart says Atlanta but my head says the Patriots ... (plus, I want to win the post-season tipping comp) New England 28 Atlanta 25 The Pats will need to be beaten which sounds obvious but they won't ordinarily make enough errors to lose. In other words, the Falcons are going to have to play lights out in order to win. But for your sake JV, I hope I'm wrong. Good luck on Monday! Post Season Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - JV7 7 - Gorgoroth, Macca 6 - Clintosaurus 5 - DeeSpencer

It's been reported that the players currently get 22% of revenues but you're right, that figure isn't written into the now expired CBA. However, the figure is and can be used as a guideline towards their ambit claim of 25%. The players are currently being offered a 10% increase for this season with incremental increases thereafter (probably around about 3%) This offered deal effectively keeps the players share of revenues at about 22%. I do tend to agree with your projected outcome but ... it's now been over 3 months since the agreement ran out and the offer from the AFL hasn't been accepted.

Threatening to strike in largely meaningless practice games is hardly going to make them shudder at AFL house ... there's a percentage of fans who might think the games are ultra-important but even most of those fans change their tune once the practice games are done with. The same process gets repeated every season - 'Can't wait' becomes meh As for striking when the real stuff gets going, I very much doubt it will ever get to that stage. Regardless, there's been no mention of striking during the season proper. As is often the case, the middle ground will win out ... the ambit claim is just that. An ambit claim. A negotiated percentage will be agreed to. Are the players currently getting 22% and wanting 25%? Look for a negotiated figure between those 2 numbers. The new TV rights which is about to kick in (2.508 billion) has changed the landscape. Survey finds 711 of 712 AFL players support push for percentage pay model .

Depends on what the objective is Wyl ... what if the AFLPA just want to exert a little muscle to try and strengthen their position? As far as I can make out the CBA agreement expired on the 31st of October 2016 but ... the terms of that agreement continue on verbatim until such a time as a new agreement is reached. There are a few other clauses that can change that arrangement but none that have been taken up as yet. So both sides are not necessarily in a hurry ... the current CBA agreement in place is not necessarily a bad one for both parties so we may continue to see ongoing threats and maneuvers until both sit down at the table and nut things out. Or alternatively, the standoff could go on for quite some time.

The AFL or the AFLPA ... Trump or Hillary ... Collingwood or Essendon on ANZAC day. No ideal outcomes there dc For what it's worth I reckon the AFL & the AFLPA will come to an agreement and we won't see any strike action. Even if we did, I suspect we'd only see the more veteran players sitting out the practice games (as they're apt to do now anyway)

I knew the details, but the devil is in the details. A fixed percentage of revenue for the players (is it 25%?) would 'effectively' be a bridge too far for the AFL. The AFL would much prefer to pay a fixed amount or a percentage of the 'net income' (and that figure would then have to be agreed upon) Anyway, the thrust of my argument is that if we're not on the players side, we're 'effectively' on the AFL's side. And generally, it's difficult to ever find a kind word about the AFL (both here and as a general rule)

I don't necessarily disagree with your thoughts on the MFC - I just don't see the real relevance with this particular issue. People here need to realise that if they're not arguing on behalf of the players they are effectively arguing for the corporate giant that is the AFL. In an ideal world a lot of those monies would be redirected into worthy causes (such as country footy, metro footy, junior programs etc) but history tells us that the AFL continues to be far too frugal in those areas. I'd also dispense with a 'minimum' salary cap but keep the maximum. All pokies ownership and operations would go too. Stringent PED testing (weekly blood tests as opposed to once a year urine tests) The last 2 items would cost the clubs & the AFL a lot of money but they'd be able to readjust. But it won't happen so my ideal outcome is nothing but a pipe-dream. If the AFL wants the public to be on their side then maybe they can promote a better way to distribute those tens of millions of dollars ... at the moment all we're effectively hearing is "We don't want to give the players any more money"

So we know that there is a truckload of money that the AFL generates that can be distributed in whichever way that the AFL wants (to a point) ... if the players don't get to their desired outcomes, where does those tens of millions of dollars go? It's all very well to say that the money should go back into grass-roots programs but does anyone seriously believe that the AFL are going to redirect funds in that direction? Fat chance. So if the money is up for grabs then we can't blame the players for trying to get as much of that money as possible. I don't blame them at all - they're putting on the show. Ultimately we fund those monies and as long as we continue to watch the sport in droves, those large amounts of monies are going to continue to stream in.

It looks like international cricket is heading for a major re-structure ... Radical schedule shake-up proposed at ICC meeting I'll just comment on the proposed changes for test cricket ... In a nutshell, the changes would result in a 'rolling' 2 year cycle where 9 test nations (excluding Zimbabwe) would all play each other once in a series (even 1 test qualifies as a 'series') - culminating in a final involving the 2 best performed teams. When & where the final might be played is obviously open for discussion as well. Mid January might suit the Southern hemisphere nations where as August/September might suit the Northern Hemisphere nations. Maintaining interest over 2 years might be tricky but as with anything that is new, the adjustment in thinking can happen. Let's face it, the current overall test structure has no real structure ... series are often planned way in advance based on home team ideal outcomes and revenue goals. However, apparently none of the iconic series (Ashes etc) would be effected so those revenue goals could still be reached. Another factor is that another 3 nations (Zimbabwe, Ireland? & Afghanistan?) would operate concurrently (but separately) within that same 2 year cycle with the other 9 nations all playing those 3 nations once as well. That's a lot of test cricket with each nation being required to play 11 other nations over a 2 year period ... it's do-able as long as a number of those series' are only 1 or 2 tests in length. The Australian 2 year calender could read as follows (in theory - for 1 cycle only) 1st Year Sept/Oct .......... Sri Lanka (3 tests - Away) Oct/Nov ........... NZ (2 - Home) Nov/Dec/Jan ... England (5 - Home)) Apr/May .......... West Indies (3 - Away) July ................. Ireland (1 - Cairns) July ................. Zimbabwe (1 - Darwin) 2nd Year Sept/Oct .......... Pakistan (3 - Away - Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi) Oct/Nov .......... South Africa (3 - Home) Dec/Jan .......... India (4 - Home) July ................. Bangladesh (2 - Away) Jul/Aug ........... Afghanistan (1 - Neutral venue) .

Just watched the latest 30 for 30 doco .... 'This Was the XFL' and it was very good. The league ultimately only lasted 1 year but a number of the innovations used in that 1 season are being used by the NFL today. Overall the show highlighted an intriguing snap-shot of how the Americans go about things ... the doco is being repeated on ESPN on Sunday night (8.30pm) and is well worth a look. Here's the trailer ...

Time really does fly doesn't it? ... it's been nearly 3 and a half years since the finale of 'Breaking Bad'. It's time for the re-watch. Here's the insider podcast ... n.b. episode 1 is season 2 episode 1 (not season 1) And here's a 'related' clip from Jimmy Fallon ...

Well, we've got the dream final coming up ... Roger vs Rafa The tennis has been great viewing ... especially the 2 epic mens semi-finals. The Williams sisters going at it tomorrow night is another classic match-up. The only time I ever care about Australian representation is if those representing our country behave themselves, give their best and not act like petulant juveniles. If that doesn't happen, I'm tuning out (but not from the sport) But watching the best go against the best is what this world sport is all about ... bring on Sunday evening. One of Federer or Nadal will win another grand slam tournament - before this tournament began at least, that scenario was a long shot.

Had a look at the first 2 episodes of 'Travelers' & 'Incorporated' ... both new sci-fi series. Both have potential ... like any new show, there needs to be an affinity/attachment to the characters portrayed. Travelers might win-out over Incorporated in that area but both shows are well worth a look (if you like sci-fi) Incorporated borrows from 'Gattaca' a bit whilst Travelers is a little like '12 Monkeys' ... not copied though as both series are quite original.

A couple from 'Ozark Mountain Daredevils' & 'Blackfoot' More 70's Southern rock ...

I agree bing but myself and numerous other people that I come across have been saying what you just said for decades. But we more often than not don't see any real change ... cosmetic at best or nothing changes. It takes a major incident like this to hasten major change but it's my bet that that major change will be watered down. I hope I'm wrong. My personal view is a zero tolerance one and the numbers are growing (world-wide) on that stance. Nutbean made some very pertinent points re the drug 'ice' ... there's a chance that this low-life killer may not even remember what he has done. .

Preventative measures has always been the best solution (even though it's not a cure-all) In my opinion he should have either still been serving time for his string of earlier offences (over time) or in a remand centre for the more current offences. How he and numerous others are allowed to be freed up to commit more crime is hard to fathom. Our gun laws were tightened up appreciably after the Queen St, Hoddle St & Port Arthur Massacres and now it's time to come down hard on all other violent crimes. As for the bollards, we now live in a time of terrorist type acts so we have no choice but to be ultra-careful.

But the police & authorities would have obviously known what he'd done prior to the donuts. It's not as if he was a cleanskin. Attempted to kill his brother with a knife earlier in the day and 5 years earlier, had bashed the same brother senseless and put him into hospital Has been in and out of jail for car theft and drug offences Had a string of dangerous driving offences (at least 20) ... google for more info on those offences Had caused a major disturbance at a nightclub the night before (which included threats and a large amount of damage) Had posted numerous threats on facebook for all the world to see ... with a number of references to ISIS ideologies Had a history of using potent drugs (ice included) which was also well documented beforehand Bashed and badly burnt a 76 year old man and stole his car (2 nights before) On top of all that he was extremely well known to police - they and the authorities had to know what he was capable of. But the problem is that police powers are limited when it comes to these sorts of incidents ... plus, the bail laws are far too soft. Crime & punishment is completely out of whack and there lies another problem - it's hard to do what he did from a jail cell. The astonishing thing is that it's taken a week for someone (the Prime Minister) to make reference to the lack of bollards on the pedestrian walkways ... Turnbull is rightly concerned that a similar incident could easily happen again (his comments included using the word terrorism) I'm by no means saying that the police should have shot him but there had to be a way to disable that vehicle. I can also acknowledge those having a differing view to mine with regards to affirmative action. .

The key is scoring a TD or 2 early and then putting the Pats on the back foot. They are always going to come back at you though so a lot will rest with Ryan. They'll probably double-team Jones so you'll need your running game up and about. Both Freeman & Coleman are decent and if both get amongst it, that might throw the Patriots off a bit. Atlanta's all-round offense is tough for any defence. The match-up (the Falcons offense vs Patriots defence) will be New England's toughest all year (by a stretch) The reverse could be said of course as well. So then it boils down to what tricks Belichick has up his sleeve with his own offense ... and whether the Falcons defence can cope with it. .

It's hard to have it all in this league ... Belichick has got it figured though. Most of his players are expendable and they are often treated as straight-out commodities. It quite literally is all about the team - no prima donna's, no diva's, no big-heads. Gronk gets away with a little bit but his game-day face is ultra serious. However, Gronk being out means business as usual for New England. But here's the catch ... a team has to be great like the Pats with a QB like Brady in order for Belichick to then 'manage' the way he does - it's not like their system can just be copied. On top of all that, he's the master coach with a game plan that can be either new or change every week. An opposition team's coaching staff doesn't know what it's going to get. They are going to be hard to beat and Atlanta cannot afford any slip-ups. The Atlanta D-Line is going to have to find a way to get at Brady ... easier said than done of course.