Reader Alert! Pistols, or perhaps handbags, at 10 paces at dawn

Two very seasoned correspondents who appear regularly (some might say, "too regularly") in The Daily Examiner's letters columns seem set for one almighty brawl. 

The correspondent from the lower end of the valley (the area that contributes vast amounts of $$$s to the coffers of the local council and helped bail out the cash-strapped upper valley council via a process of enforced amalgamation) has thrown a red flag in the face of the true-blue, conservative commentator from upstream.

Watch this space!

Abbott's 'flood' politics don't appear to be resonating with the general public

When a public figure like Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott tries to play politics in a rolling natural disaster; from his 'more dams' call, to cravenly trying to scare Queensland flood victims by falsely calling into doubt their basic eligibility for Centrelink's Disaster Recovery Payment and then following that with a reworking of his 'great big new tax' mantra with lines like Queenslanders should not be taxed to fund the rebuilding effort - then he too can find himself amongst the casualties:

Tables from the Essentail Report on 17 January 2011 don't indicate any great enthusiasm for Abbott. The survey was conducted online from 11 to 16 January 2011 at the height of east coast flooding and, after Abbott had given a number of interviews on the subject. It is based on 1,052 respondents.

Trust Joe Hockey to state the obvious in an attempt to point score

I rather think that Opposition shadow spokesperson on Treasury matters is beginning his 2011 push to pressure the Gillard Government concerning the Australian national budget’s bottom line, by using the January 2011 floods as his lever starting with these tweets on Saturday 15 January:

JoeHockey JoeHockey

......so watch for inflationary pressures as massive infrastructure and labour demands of rebuild kick in with higher commodity prices.

JoeHockey Joe Hockey

Prime cut meat currently $32 a kilo and producers in FNQ get $2.20 a kilo (undressed so say $4.40 equiv). Southern Aus. prices up to $3.20!

JoeHockey Joe Hockey

Watch commodity prices surge after floods. Not just coal etc but food and meat in particular. Road damage makes access to markets very tough

Emailers obviously don't know their audiences

Went to the mail box today and found amongst the assorted cattle-dogs and other junk mail one message that almost tugged my heart strings. It nearly had me convinced it was the real thing, but there was one dead-seat giveaway clue that meant it wasn't truly meant for me.

Read the e below and see if you can find the clanger.

From: Mrs. Barbara Bruno.

Dear Friend,

I am the above named person but now undergoing medical treatment.  I am married to Dr. William Bruno (Jnr) who worked with British Judicial Commission in Chelsea England for over a decade before he died on 5th of July in the year 2003. We were married for fifteen years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for two weeks.

When my late husband was alive he deposited a Huge sum of money with one Finance/Security Company now a Bank in London (United Kingdom). Presently, this money is still with the Bank. Recently, My Doctor told me that I would not last for the next 150 days due to cancer problem. Though what disturbs me most is my stroke. So, you know my predicament, I have decided to donate this fund to an individual or better still a God fearing person who will utilize this fund the way I am going to instruct here in. I want an individual that would provide succor to poor donate to orphanages, widows, and propagating peace in the universe.

I took this decision because I don’t have a Kin that would inherit the funds, My Late husband's relatives are not inclined to helping the less privileged and I do not want my late husband’s Estate misused. Thus, the reason for taking this bold decision, I’m not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Almighty.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the My late husband's Lawyer In London he would assist in re covering the funds from the Finance/Security Company . I would also issue you a letter of authority that will empower you as the original Benefactor of this fund. I want you to always pray for me.  Please assure me that you will act according to my specification herein, Write back soon.

Thank you and May the Almighty bless you.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. Barbara Bruno.

barbrabrun@aol.com

 Yep, it was the "God fearing person" bit. Don't ya just hate it when spammers cannot get basic facts right!

And where was Tony?

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And where was Tony Abbott? Oh, he was doing doorstops, filmed walkabouts and radio interviews playing at 'flood' politics.
Before that? Well he was doing the odd 'flood' interview while on holidays.
Definitely a talker not a doer when it doesn't involve wearing lycra or showing off the navel.

Jules tongue-in-cheek scores a Keneally bullseye

After a year of ignoring NSW North Coast invitations to inspect problems on the Pacific Highway, NSW Premier Krisitina Keneally quickly hops up by helicopter for a photo opportunity during the recent flooding, and...............the locals noticed!

The Daily Examiner political cartoon on 15 January 2011