Jetty Road Weekly Blog 1/09/25

Source: The Guardian

The Mad Katter

A Very, Very 'Deep North' Tea Party

Big Bob (TMK) calls a Presser

The Press Gallery (PG) : Thanks for inviting us to your Tea Party Bob. TMK: Now don’t you be a bunch of smart arses. It’s a presser. Right? Are you going to let me apologise to you losers or what?

PG: Losers?

Bob’s Minder (BM) gives him a gentle nudge. TMK: Aaah sorry. I was channelling a bit of Bjelke there. PG: Well let’s hear it then Bob.

TMK: (Clears his throat. Adjusts his hat) Ahem. The Bundy’s on me. Sorry for any offence I might have caused to you folks. (Raises his fists and grins) I’ve left the boxing gloves at home. So how about you enjoy a bit of North Queensland hospitality. Come and break bread with me? PG1: There’s no Lebanese bread Bob. PG2: Where’s the hummus? PG3: There’s no falafel. TMK: (Begins to splutter. The fists rise) A phone rings BM: It’s for you Bob.

TMK: (Takes the phone. Nods a lot. Turns back to the press gallery) Sorry folks I have to return to Brissie. They have intercepted a boat of asylum seekers off Bribie Island. PG: What can you do Bob? Surely the Feds and Immigration will take care of it. TMK: I  have to go and welcome them. PG: Welcome them??? TMK: They’re American.

Song: Long Tall Texan – Murray Kellum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBX3uaZnxQQ

Source: The ABC

Austin

Amidst all the dross in a reality saturated entertainment world there is a real gem.

Michael Theo as Austin is brilliant. Is he just playing himself? Is he just naturally dead pan? Is he just as forthright in real life? Who cares. Full credit to Michael, the writers and producers that Austin as a character stands on his own two feet. He is human in the best sense. True to himself and deeply loved by his mum and grandfather. They too are terrific and thank goodness we are back in Oz and see more of Gia Carides and the wonderfully curmudgeonly Roy Billings. Ben Miller has never been my cup of tea. He is so good at playing a prick that after a while he begins to prickle. Sally Phillips is a great foil and yes, it is all made up and designed to create some dramatic humorous tension, but why would she ever put up with Him?

Greta played by Claire Lovering as a manipulating pommy PR promoter is, on the other hand, a quirky, mischievous villain. She is also an Australian. There are days when I am reluctant to watch the latest recording of Austin because of  Ben. Silly I know but I used to feel the same about Ricky Gervais. Then we sit down and Michael, Gia and Roy create their bit of magic. Tune in if you have not watched Austin. You won’t regret it.

Source: Princeton University Alumni

I Heard It On The Radio

(An  occasional series)

Maria Ressa

When I was working I travelled to Hobart regularly. The radio was my constant companion. In my latter years Radio National in particular. So much did I value the radio as my companion, informant, entertainer and teacher that once when interviewing a prospective employee I mentally dismissed his earnest confession that he listened to self-improvement tapes on his car journeys. He did not get the job.

So I found myself on Saturday once more heading south and tuned into Nick Bryant. I was aware of the horror Rodrigo Duterte had inflicted on his citizens. I confess I was only vaguely aware of Maria. A  Nobel Peace Prize Winner and a gutsy survivor of his regime. I will let you explore her history and recollections of that time for yourself. But not before I share some of her insights. Rappler.com was the news organisation she co-founded and was persecuted for by Duterte. Somehow she and Rappler survived despite her being imprisoned, losing advertisers and having a travelling embargo placed on her by the then Philippines’ government.  The boot is now on the other foot. Maria a celebrated and free journalist and Duterte confined in the Hague and awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.

The insight that hit home the most was her take on Facebook. Duterte she observed was an autocrat intent on ignoring facts and spreading mistruth to shore up his power and authority.  Zuckerberg with his manipulation of algorithms she asserted was no different. They were both autocrats he and Duterte, self-serving,  spreading misinformation and undermining democracy. She says it so much better than I ever could:  https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/saturdayextra/saturday-extra/105658824

Video: The HODS - https://youtu.be/MvrMR_G8-5I