Friday 20 February 2009
Poor, poor Malcolm has the leadership blues...
Afghan Metrics: how's the war going then?
__________________________
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
Thursday 19 February 2009
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.