Another low-life email scam

In our electronic global village it won't be long before this email surfaces again in Australia.

According to Network World on Monday:
"You've been let go. Click here to register for severance pay. " With the economy in the state it is in now, people are afraid for their jobs and criminals are taking advantage of that fear, said Rubinoff. A common tactic includes sending an email to employees that looks like it is from the employer. The message appears to relay news that requires a quick response.
"It can be an email that appears to be from HR that says: 'You have been let go due to a layoff. If you wish to register for severance please register here,' and includes a malicious link."
No one wants to be the person that causes problems in this economy, so any email that appears to be from an employer will likely elicit a response, noted Rubinoff. Lares' Nickerson has also seen cons that use fake employer emails.
"It might say, 'In an effort to cut costs, we are sending W-2 forms electronically this year,'" said Nickerson"
* Eight other scams are here.

Internet charges: Court hands Berlin second warning

Court hands Berlin second warning
The Daily Examiner, 20th February 2009













Update:
According to The Daily Examiner on 13 May 2009:

Poor, poor Malcolm has the leadership blues...

It has been a hard few days for the Leader of the Liberal Party and the Loyal Opposition, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull.

He now has Joe Hockey as Shadow-Treasurer and the gaffes have already begun:

"The market has made everyday Australians richer than they have ever been, even with this economic downturn,"

Cory Bernardi showed a stubborn streak and wouldn't publicly bend the knee to his leader.

Tony Abbot decided that single pensioners should continue to go without.

Confirming his view of a fortnight ago:

Of course, pensioners do it tough. And yes, I have never had to live on the pension and would need to change my life in order to do so. Still, is simply increasing the pension necessarily the best way to go given that pensioners in their own home are much better off, in practice, that those that aren’t. There is always a host of worthy causes that taxpayers’ money might be spent on. The question is what’s best at this time. I reckon that spending that improves the economy makes more sense right now, in the bad times, than spending which improves the social infrastructure.

Peter Costello is obviously enjoying the leadership speculation at Malcolm's expense.

Then John Winston Howard gave his leadership the kiss of death by endorsing it.

It must be remembered that Howard endorsed Brendan Nelson in much the same manner just before he lost the top job to Turnbull.

Still, Malcolm can always go home and hideout with his blogging dogs.

Afghan Metrics: how's the war going then?

Afghanistan October 2001 from Google Images

Found in Wikileaks:

This important, high-level document, from 14 Jan 2009, presents 12 slides of graphs, maps, statistics and text about the war in Afghanistan. It was prepared by the Pentagon (CENTCOM), under the imprimatur of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan and written at the For Official Use Only level. The document is formally titled "Metrics Brief, 2007-2008".

The documents reveals, among other matters, that the yearly civilian death toll increased during 2008 by 40% to 46%, the number of attacks on the "Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan" (GIRoA), increased by 116%, surface to Air Fire by 67%, and that Improvised Explosive Device (IED) device casualties increased by 29%.

Download PDF here

Last week in the media:

KABUL (AFP) — US President Barack Obama has accepted Kabul's request to be part of a major review of US strategy in the "war on terror" in Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai and a US envoy said Sunday.

KABUL, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Afghanistan condemned on Friday the killing of civilians in a raid by Australian soldiers in the south of the country which it says was not coordinated with Afghan forces. The Australian Defence Force said five children had been killed in a shootout between Taliban insurgents and Australian Special Forces in southern Uruzgan province on Thursday, where they were "clearing" a number of compounds. The Afghan Defence Ministry said one woman and two children were killed and eight other people wounded in the attack.

__________________________

While the dead in Iraq continue to mount:

Iraq Body Count (civilian deaths)

Faces of the Fallen (US defence forces)

FOUND: an virtual office assistant for Stephen Mayne

I have been watching Stephen Mayne's progress as a shareholder activist on and off for some time now and reading his Mayne report whenever I remember.
He certainly writes a mountain of letters and emails. I stand in awe at the sheer volume over the years. What a ripper!
I've been wondering how he is managing to keep up with his multi-tasking since he also became a Manningham city councillor and I think I have the perfect solution for those times when there aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with the correspondence.
Cranky Old Man Letters - an online automated letter-writing program for emails addressed to Fortune 500 companies. This could be just the ticket.
Here is a copy of one online letter generated for emailing to Monsanto:

Varian Louisa
4022 Socialite Blvd.
Kansas, IL 61933
February 18, 2009

Hugh Grant
Monsanto
800 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63167

Good Evening:

The last time I was at Monsanto I decided that I was not going to take it anymore and I urinated on the immature floor in the lobby.
In the winter of 1953 below the 36th Parallel, I was with Company P and me and my buddy Daruka (also from Kansas) were freezing our GMOs off.
Charlie was everywhere.
All we had to eat was a can of turnips and only 36 bullets between us. I made it through that ordeal, but Daruka didn't.

I fought for our freedom and I am not going to take anymore from you guys over there in St. Louis. Trollop Monsanto!
I have to stop writing this shonky letter. I just misleading peed all over my hellish slacks because I am choking on my own anger while writing this letter.
Are you happy now. All of my problems in my life are because of Hugh Grant and his group of hot c*#ks over there at Monsanto.

Our economy is falling apart and you have the f@cking nerve to charge me for this damaged service! Eat A D#ck! If you think I am going to bail your multinationals out like the government, you better get bent.
I expect a apology from Monsanto before next Monday. I want it written on your official company letterhead and signed by Hugh Grant personally.
Do not send me some garbage written by an assistant. You will be hearing from my lawyer.

With My Compliments,

Varian Louisa

Neighbours Fear Mr Billabong Could Play Eye Spy

Billabong founder Gordon Merchant has, apparently, upset his neighbours in the northern NSW surfside village of Angourie.

Merchant's new home - oops! correction, that should read 'MANSION' - at Angourie, which is estimated to be worth $12 million, has a video camera installed on a two-metre tower. Apparently, the camera will be used to check out the nearby surf but some of Merchant's neighbours are not so sure about that.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reports that Merchant's mansion covers four house blocks at the Pacific Parade property, just south of Yamba.

A letter sent to The Gold Coast Bulletin outlined residents' concerns over the camera that will sit atop the roof of the three-storey beach house.

"We residents feel our privacy infringed, as this camera peers into our living and bedrooms 24 hours a day," said the local, who wished to remain anonymous.

Residents also believe the pole is above height restrictions for the area.

Clarence Valley Council Mayor Richie Williamson confirmed the council had received complaints.

"There will be a camera on top of his house but there have been investigations into that and it wasn't above any height limits," he said.

The man who founded the international clothing and accessories company Billabong on the Gold Coast in 1973 is worth an estimated $805 million and he has had a long association with Angourie and Yamba in northern NSW.

Mr Merchant has invested heavily in real estate in the towns and his helicopter is often seen flying into Yamba.

While most locals welcome his involvement and the building of the massive mansion, which has provided a good kick-along to local tradesmen, it seems not all have been won over.

Photo credit: Brendan Radke, The Gold Coast Bulletin, 19/2/09

Monsanto related environmental and health risks lead to court case - again

According to The Madison St Clair Record last week:

A group of Illinois residents who live in or near Sauget have filed a class-action lawsuit over the release of various hazardous substances that they claim has created a severe health risk and has contaminated their properties.

Lead class plaintiffs Vernon Lee Anderson Sr., Ernestine Lawrence, Katie Burnett-Smith, Martha Emily Young, Marcella Phillips and Bernice Laverne Collins argue that three release sites - a 90-acre landfill operated by Sauget and Co., a 314-acre W.G. Krummrich Plant and property owned by Cerro Flow Products - have released PCBs and other various substances, including dioxins and furans, into the atmosphere for more than 70 years.

Residents fear they will develop a deadly disease from the PCBs, which have been shown to result in toxic effects in the brain and nervous system and in low birth rates and birth defects.

"According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a lifetime dose of one milligram of PCBs is sufficient to cause cancer and other serious and life-threatening diseases," the suit filed Feb. 10 in St. Clair County Circuit Court states. "According to the World Health Organization, there is not safe level of exposure to PCBs."

Dioxins and furans are also known to be dangerous and to create significant health problems through inhalation, ingestion, dermal absorption and ingestion of homegrown produce.

In addition to the health risk, the residents claim the PCBs have contaminated property within a two-mile radius of the release sites, waterways and groundwater, the suit states.

The releases began after the W.G. Krummrich Plant, which is also referred to as the Monsanto Facility in the complaint, began producing, storing and disposing of PCBs at its facility, the residents claim.

In fact, "more PCBs were produced at the Monsanto Facility than at any other site in the United States, and perhaps even the free world," the suit states.

This Sauget flood plain region is well-known to the US Environmental Protection Agency and Monsanto had previously entered a negotiated settlement with the State of illinois.

Fox River Watch has a history of PCB health problems in the US here.

And with a corporate history like that Monsanto (along with the other biotech multinationals now operating here) expects Australians to take its word that the genetically modified crop types it is pushing onto often unwilling communities will do no harm?
Show us the longitudinal studies which scientifically demonstrate this, Monsanto.

* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.

Six Nervous Pollies or Where will NSW lose its next federal electorate in 2009?

In December 2008 Malcolm McKerras predicted that the NSW electorates of Gilmore and Throsby would possibly merge in any 2009 redistribution.
In February 2009 Antony Green is tipping; "Fowler and Macarthur are currently the NSW electorates with the lowest total enrolment and therefore subject to amalgamation, not Gilmore and Throsby. However, if the branch of Sydney Harbour known as Iron Cove is ignored and the boundary viewed as contigous, then any mini-redistribution on current numbers would see Lowe and Sydney amalgamated."
The Australian Electoral Commission has begun the lengthy redistribution process.
So which pollie will have to go?
And does this mean that we have avoided a politically expedient early federal election push by the government of the day or an opposition trying to scare us with the threat of one?

Bellingen flooding pictures

NSW North Coast flooding at Bellingen over the last two days. Photographs from The Bellingen Shire Courier Sun, ABC News and Pip Wilson posting at Flickr



Meanwhile Lord Howe Island which trades with the NSW North Coast is bracing itself for winds, strong seas and some flash flooding as Category 1 Tropical Cyclone Innis downgrades to an intense low.

Who is Zussino? What is he

Who is Zussino? What is he
That all the world offends him?
[with apologies to W. Shakespeare]

It seems that the NSW North Coast has for years had a phantom letter writer and Internet troll on the premises as it were.

What is interesting about this individual is that he presents himself as many different people; including a knight of the realm, doctor, former police or military officer and even whimsically changes gender in print to add a little more variety.

The number of names he uses is mounting so fast that they have to be counted on both hands, his known blogger pen names are also growing and email addresses are multiplying like rabbits.

It is not only local newspapers but also the national media who sometimes get caught out by these false persona.
It was amusing to find that in the past the Australian Press Council actually considered a complaint about one of these alternative identities.

Now as Net Mum it rather looks like he is at it again and this time it is North Coast Voices in his sights:

Watching this Aussie High Brow Attempt at Comment for the past 4 moinths leaves one feeling that we really would not like to be part of tis fanciful sewing circle, aka The Ultimate Bitchiness Society. Despite some decent intellects obvious among the snall madding crowd they NEVER hesitate to put the Slipper Into One of their Own if someone believes its time they were simply taken down a peg ot two. No other reason. Whush in goes the boot to remind the person copping the Doc Marten in the RibCage that these are "The Latte Drinkers with the Degrees from very small Obscure Universities" and if they do not take a shine to you, or you are ill or Heaven To Betsy, in the news and or before the Court, look out for some very strange preaching from Those who would not know the name of the first Commoner in the Bible, It is Aaron. This is an Odd collection of rather Odd People intent on sniping about others simply because they can. I would give it a Big Miss in the future. A great project however for Mentors and Teachers to show Joe Average how NOT to act and HOW NOT to actually be supportive of one another in time of need. I would rate it 1.5 out of 10 while actually questioning the motives of those most expressive. It reminds me of a Luncheon for Mystery Shoppers. NetMum

Posted at 01/22/2009-07:13:51 AM by NetMum, Reviewer , View profile [ Reputation score: 1 / 9 ]

Hilarious, misleading and oddly pathetic at the same time!

Monsanto propaganda rules! Or does it?

Monsanto propaganda rules - or does it?

Here is Monsanto's spin laced with alternative images:

Monsanto's research program centers on increasing yields for three key crops used for food, feed, fiber and fuel - corn, soybeans and cotton. The company's research pipeline uses more precise breeding techniques to develop higher-yielding germplasm. Other technologies result in plant traits that provide better protection against pests and better weed control. Monsanto's objective under this new commitment is to double yield for these three crops by 2030 in countries where farmers have access to current and anticipated new seed choices offered by the company.
{Genetically Modified Crops Implicated in Honey Bee Collapse Disorder}

This would mean, for example, that corn production in the prominent agricultural markets of Argentina, Brazil and the United States would reach a weighted average of 220 bushels per acre by 2030, compared to 109.1 bushels per acre in 2000. Soybean production in those countries would rise from a weighted average of 39.5 bushels per acre in 2000 to 79 bushels per acre in 2030. Cotton would increase from 1.4 bales (672 pounds) per acre to 2.8 bales (1,344 pounds) per acre.
{GM crops have failed and Canola yeild stoush}

Monsanto will establish a five-year, $10 million grant for rice and wheat research to be administered by a panel of world experts on food production in developing countries. Rice and wheat are key crops for food security, but are not a primary focus for the company. The chairperson of this panel will be named in the near future. A panel of independent judges will select one project per year to receive a $2 million grant. Further details on this program will be developed and announced in the coming months. {GM trial results spark debate}

* This post is part of North Coast Voices' effort to keep Monsanto's blog monitor (affectionately known as Mr. Monsanto) in long-term employment.

An ending too 'orrible to bear.........

This was sent to me earlier in the week.

I haven't been able to sleep with the light off since.

First Dog on the Moon cartoon from Crikey

Does Conroy's inclusion of Webshield in the Internet filtering trial give a hint of things to come?

The Federal Labor Minister for Censorship Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy has said that Webshield Internet Services (Webshield Internet Shield, Wigzell & Wigzell) will be part of the internet filtering trial.

Strange choice, but perhaps the senator thinks this relatively small South Australian ISP reflects his own narrow world view.

Webshield obviously finds favour with at least one Christian website which advertises and links to this internet provider.

It already has a niche in the voluntary content-filtering market, although an editorial by one of its principals does almost recognise the socio-political reality of the censorship 'climate' even if he comes to a self-interested conclusion.

The fact is the world is not ready for content filtering. We are still in the middle of an information revolution; the prevailing sentiment driven by the media, advertising and industry is one of euphoria and excitement not protection and caution. This principle applies to all new technologies, namely, that protection lags behind progress. It was true of the car where laws for seatbelts took over 50 years, and it's true of the Internet today where use of filtering is seen as a sign of weakness. Until the anything, anywhere, anytime gospel of technology can be moderated by a culture of caution, the ideological bias of society will be opposed to content filtering regardless of how effective it happens to be. It falls to the Government to provide the balance and it is heading in the right direction. History warns that attitudes are more effectively changed through disasters than education. As we stride boldly into this brave new world of technological progress, we need to heed H. G Wells "we are in a race between education and disaster".

Webshield long list of blocking categories:

Alcohol
Sites promoting the use of alcohol, drink recipes, bartender guides, home brewing methodology, drinking games, advertisements and use of alcohol for consumption purposes including pubs, bars, breweries and alcohol manufacturers.

Art
Non-commercial web sites that promote, exhibit, and/or display works of art, artists, art galleries, museums, art instruction, graphics tutorials, and art schools.

Banner
Ads Banner ads served from third party servers.

Books & Lit / Writings
Sites that discuss and promote books, literature, authors' sites, publishers' promotional sites, online books, books on tape, literary reviews, fan-fiction or other short fiction works, written screenplays/scripts (movies, TV, or drama).

Chat
Sites offering chatrooms and chat services as well as chat sites accessed via a web browser, chat logs, IRC client downloads, IRC channel listings or channel information.

Child Pornography
Sites that promote, discuss and portray children in sexual acts and activity.

Comics
Sites that distribute, display, discuss and promote comics, web comics, comic books, cartoons, flash/online animations and comic publishers. These include on-line cartoons and official web sites of comic strips.

Community Organizations
Sites of non-profit, charity, and community involvement organizations such as the YMCA, March of Dimes, Big Brothers/Sisters, Boy/Girl Scouts, etc.

Criminal Skills
Sites that promote crime or illegal activity such as credit card number generation, illegal surveillance and murder.

Cults
Sites promoting cult subject matter, use of mind control, paranoia, fear, and any other type of psychological control or manipulation.

Drugs
Sites that promote the sale/use of illegal drugs and narcotics, paraphernalia for express use with illegal narcotics, questionably legal "supplements" with a narcotic effect or sites that glorify the effect of illegal narcotics. Sites that offer techniques and products for testing clean for drugs as well as information on other forms of narcotics.

Education
Web sites of schools, learning centers, universities, teaching institutions, workshops, technical institutes and trade schools. Sites that contain information on teaching aids such as lesson planning guides, teacher supplies, career development education and .edu sites.

Educational Games
Sites that offer games related to education such as reading, spelling, math, developmental games and games with educational value.

Employment
Sites geared toward job seekers, such as online job bulletin boards, classified ad sites, resume-listing services, head hunting firms, resume building, cover-letter writing, etc.

Entertainment
All general entertainment sites not already classified in a specific category such as restaurants/clubs, clipart and animated .gifs, amusement parks, cell-phone ringtones, etc.

Explicit Art
Art web sites that display art works containing graphic nudity, nude photography, sex acts and/or disturbing images.

Fashion
Sites promoting and discussion of models, modeling, modeling portfolios, modeling agencies, modeling contests, fashion and apparel in a non-commercial manner. May contain some R-rated material, or bikini pictures.

Financial
Sites related to the financial trade, such as stock trading, financial news, online banking services, and trading exchanges.

Fitness
Sites promoting and discussing exercise, yoga, gyms, health clubs, nutrition, nutrition supplements, fitness equipment, diet information and weight loss.

Free Hosts
Sites hosted by consumer oriented free hosts or ISPs, including members.aol.com and Geocities.

Gambling
Sites which encourage gambling such as betting sites, bookmaker odds, lottery, bingo, horse/dog track, online sport betting, online casinos, etc.

Games
Sites related to computer or other games, such as game download sites, online games, video, board games and electronic games. Sites that advertise and host online games as well as sweepstakes & giveaways. Sites that offer cheat codes.

General Business
Web sites for businesses and commercial organizations where business is defined as an organization that provides goods and/or services for profit.

Government
Sites of governmental agencies at the national, state, local or international level. All .gov sites.

Hacking
Sites discussing and/or promoting unlawful or questionable tools or information revealing the ability to gain access to software or hardware/communications equipment and/or passwords. Sites that discuss password generation, compiled binaries, hacking tools, software piracy (game cracking).

Hate & Discrimination
Sites that contain material related to the discrimination of any group of people based on race, religion, gender, nationality, etc. Sites which concentrate on violence or the destruction of human life, including a single person or an entire race/religion/gender/etc. Sites focused on the superiority of one race/religion/gender/etc., while degrading others with use of propaganda or violent action.

Health/Medical
Sites of medical practices, hospitals, health insurance providers, nursing homes, and care centers. Sites that promote and provide information on prescription medicines and over the counter treatments. Sites offering information and references on health, medicine, preventative health care and other health-related topics.

Holistic
Sites offering information on alternative medicines and natural healing, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture and acupressure, chakra alignment, Feng Shui.

Humor
Sites whose primary purpose is for comedy, jokes, sound files, or other material intended to be funny.

Information Technology
Sites containing reviews, discussions, distribution, and promotion of computer programs, software, systems and hardware. Sites that contain discussion, reviews, news, and advocacy on computers, technological devices, and general technology. Sites that offer information, resources, hosting and guides for creating computer software and web sites.

Instant Messaging
Sites that offer and enable Instant Messaging, central servers for IM applications, Client-based applications for IM (prevents the use of IM clients).

Internet Radio
Sites that offer streaming radio internet programming (does not include downloadable music).

Internet Service Providers
Sites and guides to services that offer access to the Internet.

Legal
Sites pertaining to legal services, personal legal reference, on-line legal aid, law firms, legal reference, law libraries, legal services (notaries, etc.)

Lifestyle
Sites that contain material relative to an individual's personal life choices. This includes sexual preference, cultural identity, or organization/club affiliations.

Local Community
Sites of community governmental agencies and sites that promote and announce community events and community involvement such as City web sites and Chamber of Commerce.

Malicious Code/Spyware/Viruses
Sites that promote, demonstrate and/or use or offer code that intentionally cause harm by modifying or destroying computer systems. Sites that offer software to monitor user behavior without users knowledge and consent.

Message Boards
Sites that offer message boards, bulletin boards, and forums. Sites which offer visitors the ability to discuss topics with one another via Internet message board software. Sites that provide downloads and customization of web message board software.

Militant/Extremist/Terrorist
Sites that contain information regarding militias, antigovernment/ anti-establishment groups, terrorism, bombmaking/ usage, anarchy, etc.

Military - Official
Official web sites of government backed military organizations. All .mil top-level domains

Military - Appreciation
Sites that pertain to individual appreciation, remembrance or dedication to military units and organizations such as veterans, troop support, honoring military divisions, etc.

Movies & Television
Sites that discuss and promote film and television. This includes official sites of movies and television programs as well as those of film and television celebrities. Also included are personal fan sites of the aforementioned.

Music Appreciation
Sites that discuss and promote music, musicians, and the methods in which they are distributed. These sites include official web sites of musicians as well as fan sites that promote musical subjects and artists, playlists, lyrics, legal/licensed and mp3 distribution.

News
Web sites that distribute news, current events, and headlines.

Obscene/Tasteless
Sites that contain explicit graphical or text depictions of such things as mutilation, murder, bodily functions, horror, death, rude behavior, executions, violence, and obscenities etc.

Online Classes
Sites that provide access to classes conducted via the Internet.

Online Greeting Cards
Sites that offer e-greeting cards or e-postcards.

Outdoor Recreation
Sites pertaining to outdoor activities and non-competitive athletic activities, such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, rock climbing.

Paranormal
Sites dealing with subjects of the paranormal. This includes topics such as mysticism, UFOs, astrology, numerology, the occult, tarot, crypto-zoology and conspiracy theories.

Peer-to-Peer/File Sharing
Sites that offer peer-to-peer file sharing software and transfers.

Personals/Dating
Sites related to personal ads, dating sites, dating services, dating tips, relationships, introductions, "how-to find a mate" sites, introductions for purposes of finding friends or other relationships, etc.

Political Opinion
Opinions dealing with political concerns such as party platforms, political reform, candidate advocacy, PACs, lobbying organizations, campaign sites, "the president sucks" sites, recall sites, etc.

Pornography
Sites that portray sexual acts, activity, nudity, toys, stories/writings, bestiality, fetishes, videos, etc.

Real Estate
Sites pertaining to the buying, selling, renting, and leasing of properties (Commercial and Residential).

Recreation
Sites that pertain to hobbies, collecting, clubs and social organizations. Sites pertaining to horticulture, gardening and yard maintenance. Sites pertaining to decorating and crafting.

Reference
Reference collections including encyclopedias, atlases, historical data, biographies, how-to, language tools and references such as dictionaries, thesaurus and translators, information resources on scientific subjects.

Religion/Religious Establishment
Sites that pertain to mainstream religious institutions such as churches, temples, mosques, church sites, service times, location, church event calendars, etc.

Religious Opinion
Sites that pertain to discussion and/or advocacy of religious organizations, religious opinion and opinions formed from a religious viewpoint.

R-rated
Services pertaining to anything that involves 18 and over material such as lingerie and swimsuits, revealing pictures. Sites that are adult in nature without being explicitly pornographic.

Self-Defense
Web sites that offer information and advocacy of self-defense tools of a non-lethal nature. Includes techniques and products such as those designed to immobilize or harm a subject but not "intended" to cause death (i.e. martial arts, stun guns, mace, etc.)

Self-Help
Sites that include information such as therapies, counseling services, motivation, conferences, articles, self-awareness, spirituality, rape crisis centers, emotional and/or mental wellness, etc.

Search Engines
Major portal sites that either search the Internet or have a directory-based database of sites. Includes all sub-URLs under the main site.

Shopping
Sites that contain consumer oriented online shopping, online malls, classifieds, and online trading/auction services.

Social Opinion
Opinions dealing with social issues such as divorce, business ethics, abortion etc.

Sports
Sites for professional, collegiate, and other competitive sports such as baseball, basketball, hockey, football & soccer teams. Sites that offer information on sports magazines and sporting events such as the winter & summer Olympics, etc.

Streaming Media
Sites that offer "Internet TV" programming, streaming video and other streaming media.

Tickets
Sites that offer ticket sales for entertainment: concerts, sporting events, races, expos, etc.

Theater
Sites that promote and discuss live dramatic productions.

Travel
Sites that offer travel tickets and reservations, travel clubs, travelogues, visitor information bureaus, travel promotions, etc. Sites relating to traveling, such as travel agencies, cruise lines, airfare, etc.

Unsavory/ Dubious
Sites of a questionable legal or ethical nature. Sites which promote or distribute products, information, or devices whose use may be deemed unethical or, in some cases, illegal.

Vehicles
Sites that discuss, promote, and offer information on cars, trucks, motorcycles, watercraft, aircraft and other forms of transportation.

Web-based E-mail
Sites that offer free online web based e-mail services.

Web-based Proxies & Anonymizers
Sites that offer free anonymous proxy services

Web-based Newsgroups
Sites that offer archives of Usenet postings.

Web-based Storage
Sites that offer storage for personal files on remote servers for backup or exchange purposes.

Web Logs
Web sites from personal or non-commercial sources which feature commentary and articles written in a log or journal format (Blogs).

Weapons
Sites that provide information and promote the collecting, maintenance, advocacy and sales of legal firearms, knives, swords and related items.

Weather/Traffic
Web sites that offer weather forecasts, weather updates and traffic conditions/reports.

11th annual Clarence Valley cane toad round-up begins 22 February 2009

The annual Clarence Valley cane toad round-up is on again this week.

So put on some sturdy shoes and long pants, grab your gloves and torch and turn up:

Picture: Tweed Daily News

WHERE: Yamba Golf and Country Club, River Street, Yamba
WHEN: Sunday, 22 February 2009
RAIN: Call NPWS on 0427 484 336 or 0428 965 525
Free BBQ on the night
All welcome Children must be accompanied by an adult

Jeff Thomas, from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, will present a toad seminar, to explain where the pest is in the region and what is being done to get rid of the toads.
The talk will be held on Level 3, 49 Victoria Street, Grafton from noon to 1pm on Wednesday 18 February.

Report a NSW North Coast cane toad sighting and general toad information at Clarence Valley Conservation in Action

A Healthier Future For All Australians Interim Report transcript: a revolution has been recommended but will Rudd and Roxon listen?

The A Healthier Future For All Australians interim report was released today.

At first reading it is somewhat like the curate's egg - good in parts - and although this report is heavy on broadly worded aims and a fair degree of wishful thinking it does have one startlingly good recommendation that the Commonwealth should assume responsibility for primary health care (outside of the public hospital system).

What the report recommends regarding oral health:

11.1 We propose that Australia should have a scheme 'Denticare Australia' for universal access to preventive and restorative dental care, and dentures, regardless of people's ability to pay.

11.2 We propose that 'Denticare Australia' be based on a mixed approach of public and private cover. The additional costs would be funded by an increase in the Medicare Levy of 0.75 per cent of taxable income, with people opting either to become a member of a dental health plan (with a private insurer), or to use public dental services.

11.3 We support an equitable approach to financing a universal dental scheme. Under the proposed approach, the funding of dental services will be linked to ability to pay through an increase in the Medicare Levy.

We estimate that under this approach:

• Many people will pay no more than they currently pay for dental care – the increase in Medicare Levy of 0.75 per cent of taxable income will be smaller than existing out-of-pocket costs for dental services for many people.

• People on low incomes will pay considerably less and have much better access to dental health services.

11.4 We support the introduction of a one-year internship scheme prior to full registration, so that clinical preparation of oral health practitioners (dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists) operates under a similar model to medical practitioners.

11.5 We propose the national expansion of the pre-school and school dental programs.

11.6 We propose that additional funding be made available for improved oral health promotion, with interventions to be decided based upon relative cost-effectiveness assessment.

Full copy of A Healthier Future For All Australians interim report is here.
Reform directions section is here.

See: Attention: Rudd, Rees, Roxon, Saffin, Elliot. This mouth has been almost a decade on the public dental treatment waiting list