ICC Rankings Come Attack

The ICC was forced to defend a list of rankings of the best batsmen and bowlers of all time based on ratings over an extended period of time.  They were called into line by ex-Indian players and an ex-BCCI (Indian Cricket Board) secretary because Sachin Tendulkar was not in the Top 10.

I think the ICC should stop allowing the sub-continent to dictate what happens in world cricket especially in trivial matters as these.  Why should they have to defend a list that compares a certain statistic over the period of the game and a players career and then ranks them?  It is interesting to cricket followers to see how batsmen from different eras compare and we all know that Sachin is arguably the 2nd best batsman in history behind Sir Don.  The subcontinent cricket nations wield too much power in the boardroom and this needs to be rectified for the betterment of the game.

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Missing in Action IV?

I just had to post this.  Chuck Norris will sort them all out.  Maybe it is "research" into his new film "Braddock: Missing in Action IV"?

Chuck Norris the only WMD in Iraq: US troops - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Some cool Chuck Norris Facts

http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

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Sorry - Is The Hardest Word

The Aboriginal Alliance says the Government should back up it's apology with adequate compensation.  I didn't see that coming!

Why does the current government have to apologise for a previous government's policies or decisions however right or wrong?  What happened to some of these kids is not right and if people today want to say sorry then I'm all for that but in my eyes I didn't do it so I have nothing to say sorry for and really neither does the government.  Are the Jews still asking the government of today to say sorry for Hitler's actions?

John Howard didn't want to do this during his reign as Prime Minister and I understood that.  KRudd needs to worry about getting the economy right and governing Australia for the next 4 years and this apology is going to take a lot of resources now and in the ensuing aftermath to get right.

I understand the symbolic nature of the "Sorry" but to then want monetary compensation when they get more concessions than every other non-aboriginal Australian is just rude.

Here's my idea - accept the apology, move on and create a culture that all Australians can be part and proud of.

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AFL - Full of Double Standards

The charges against Ben Cousins have been dropped in a Perth court today due to the police making an awful mess of the situation and not understanding the laws regarding the new drug testing procedures for drivers they suspect are under the influence of drugs.  This means he has no legal case to answer and therefore in the eyes of the law has done nothing wrong even though we all know a bit different.

So what about Richard Pratt?  Pratt is the Carlton President and has been convicted of price fixing and fined $36 million.  He has a criminal conviction against his name.  According to Carlton's CEO Greg Swann, they (the Club), are fully behind Pratt because the price fixing took place before Pratt became President of Carlton.

The AFL Commission meeting is on Monday 19 November and according to their spokesman the commission had not discussed Pratt's position at Carlton and suitability to be a club chairman.  The main agenda item is Ben Cousins and him bringing the game into disrepute.

Double standards - I think so.

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It's Time To Go.....Gretel!

About bloody time!

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Time to Start Again

It has been quite some time since my last blog and the period off has been one of many changes.  Of course the cricket season has started once again, I have bought a new car and the house has had a few more updates to it.  I will get back into the habit of writing some posts every now and then so stay tuned for more.

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An Open Letter to McDonalds

Dear McDonalds,

I am never eating at one of your franchisees every again.  To put it briefly the customer service and food is poor.  It has been some 4 months since I last ate at one of your stores and the experience is not one I will want to be part of again.  You employ young people who have no interest in what they are doing.  They take the money, slap together the food and pass it out and I am supposed to feel part of a wonderful experience if your adverts are anything to go by.

I had a McChicken burger with chips and a diet coke and paid $6.45 for the experience.  The chips were unsalted and full of oil, the burger was like cardboard with mayonnaise.  We went through the drive through as it was the only option available at the time.  It took 30 minutes for you to take our order, prepare the food, take our money and then give us our goodies.  Not what I call "fast food".  We received our bag of McDonalds and there were no paper towels in the bag.  I would think it would be wise to include a few as most people will eat part of the meal in the car and going into the store to get some was not an option at the time of purchase.

You have lost me as a customer and hopefully I will be able to influence as many people as I can against eating at your stores.  I wish you all the best in the future.

Regards,

Nick & Kay

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Australian of the Year?

Australian of the Year - what does it really mean?  Is it recognition for contributions to the local/world community or is it recognition for how many times you get your face on the News?

Flannery suggests Pearson for Australian of the Year

The 2007 Australian of the Year, Tim Flannery, says he thinks next year's honours should go to prominent community members such as Noel Pearson or Terry Hicks.

Terry Hicks?  Is he serious?  What has he done for the Australian community to warrant this nomination?  He has supported his terrorist son through his ordeal in Cuba and for that he should be recognised?  He said later on in the article:

For some nominations such as Senior Australian of the Year I'd look at people like Terry Hicks, who's really been a great dad in the worst of times and people like that I think we should celebrate as well in our society

I think if you are going to award someone because they have been going through the "worst of times" then there are lots more worthy than Terry Hicks.  What about the mum/dad that has to sit through hours of treatment with their terminally ill child only to watch them die at the end?  That is the worst of times.  If your son is a terrorist, yes it would be hard with him in prison on the other side of the world, but is it worthy of Australian of the Year?

Lets get some perspective here and apply common sense when handing out these "awards" or get rid of them totally.  I wonder what Fiona Stanley thinks of it?  She has spent her life's work in trying to help the world community and was recognised previously.  Try comparing that achievement with what Terry Hicks has done and I know who I would rather give the accolades to.

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