-
Liberty Quote
- It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.
— Thomas Sowell -
Pages
-
Recent Comments
Open Thread – Saturday, 15 January 2022
This entry was posted in Open Forum. Bookmark the permalink.
Bald:
If you look at a detailed map of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia you will see some strange shapes appearing in the very south of the country. These are the Soviet formed exclaves belonging to both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. They were formed in the 1950s to answer the question of what to do with small regions which were ethnically diverse from the Kyrgyz Republic the people had found themselves living in due to Stalin’s map making.
These exclaves had always intrigued me and I wondered what life was like in them. However there is zero information online about visiting them. However I am always up for a wasted journey so I hired a car in northern Kyrgyzstan and drove 1000kms to one of these exclaves to see if foreigners were allowed to enter or not.
Join me on a wild adventure towards the mysterious mountain exclave of Shohimardo
Avoid this Soviet Exclave!
Report comment
Court will adjourn until 1:30pm Melbourne time
Report comment
Brilliant!
Dire Straits – Ticket to heaven
Report comment
Bonkers!
ENZED UIM 2016 Jetsprint WORLDS ACTION
Report comment
BREAKING NEWS: 100% of Australian want Novak to stay in Oz.
According to the latest survey in Australia, a surprising 100% agree that he should stay in Australia and play tennis.
( Note: Survey of me and a couple of mates)
Report comment
Dickhead Dan
When you read the comments on tennis blogs and livestreams, many people are just sick of Australia. If China werent currently being such arseholes they would be challenging to host the first Major of the year.
Report comment
ᵔᴥᵔ
Un
.
Deux
.
Trois
.
Report comment
2.17pm
Government elaborates on why it didn’t seek Djokovic’s current vaccination views
By Simone Fox Koob
Australian government counsel Stephen Lloyd, SC, is addressing the fact that Novak Djokovic’s views on vaccination were not sought this week by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke during considerations about whether to cancel the Serbian tennis star’s visa.
Mr Lloyd said that “the mere fact it might have been reasonable to make an inquiry does not make the person bound to make it”.
He then questioned whether the information would have even been useful if it had been sought.
“Whatever the applicant might have said in a letter in response to such an inquiry about his current vaccination views would not have altered the facts of his previous stated views and impression held by the Australian community,” Mr Lloyd said.
“A large part of the issue is not just what his views are but how his views are perceived … to that extent there is no reason to think there was any duty to inquire.”
He also says Djokovic has chosen not to give any evidence during this trial.
“There’s no evidence before the court that the applicant could or would have put forward any useful material to the Minister had his views been sought. He has chosen not to put any evidence in this trial.”
Report comment
Australia is truly the Lucky Country.
With all the problems plaguing the world, 3 Federal judges are spending their Sunday with a case where a person who is definitely Not a threat to Australia is, according to the govt, a threat to Australia.
Report comment
2.30pm
Federal government finishes its oral submissions
By Simone Fox Koob
The lawyer acting for the Immigration Minister, Stephen Lloyd, SC, has now finished his oral submissions.
He stressed that the government does not have to prove that Djokovic will foster anti-vaccination sentiment, but that he may foster it.
The applicant’s views or widely understood views about vaccination have come to the fore, they are right in people’s mind in the moment, the Minister has to make a decision about risk … and how he has now become an icon for the anti-vaccination groups and then what role that will have if somebody of his significance being present in Australia at a time when that is the issue.
The Minister clearly sees there is a risk that in the same way as Mr Djokovic advertises or associates with an array of products, and no doubt because of his popularity and status that does well for those people who engage him for his endorsements.
Rightly or wrongly, he is perceived to endorse an anti-vaccination view and that his presence is perceived to contribute that and foster further sentiment.
We say that the known facts, the facts of Mr Djokovic’s views or perceived views, knowledge of his perceived views, and historical views … in combination with his status and presence could be seen to contribute significantly to those issues, and that’s all that’s required to make the inference the Minister made.
Mr Lloyd said that “people of Mr Djokovic’s status are able to influence people who look up to him”.
Nicholas Wood, SC, appearing on behalf of Djokovic, is now replying.
***
The Morrison government has previously described the Australian people as “sheep”.
This case is confirming that is how they view us.
Report comment
They can be back at 3 pm.
How long do they need to decide the obvious?
Report comment
“A large part of the issue is not just what his views are but how his views are perceived … to that extent there is no reason to think there was any duty to inquire.”
Stalin would be so proud. That should open plenty of doors. I’ll have to check, not on the truth, but how my views are perceived. Let us re-try Newton, Einstein, Flemming…. on how their views were perceived at the time.
This has been a fabulous session. The legal vortex, wiggle and jiggle, double and triple negatives.
Lesson: Remember to TICK THE RIGHT BOX.
It is Brazil without the cockroach
Report comment
Morning folks, videos from Anthony Weiner’ laptop making their way out of Wikileaks. You really, really, really don’t want them to be true but on the other hand you do. Naughty Hillary. Naughty Huma.
Report comment
Australians are stupid.
They won’t be able to work out that an Oz LNP MP can transmit a virus the same as a Serb athlete.
As above. Australians are stupid.
When there is any increase in cases, just say it could have been worse if Djokovic had been allowed to stay. Sheep won’t understand that the number of cases has no relevance to Djokovic in the country or out of it.
Report comment
There’s nothing worse than a few days without one’ pretentious, insufferable friends.
Double and boosted and infected. Down the bottom she’s searching for a replacement for Geoffrey. Run away lads
Report comment
Can I have a FMD
2.44pm
The Federal Court has now adjourned
By Simone Fox Koob
The court has now adjourned to allow Chief Justice James Allsop, Justice Anthony Besanko and Justice David O’Callaghan to make a decision.
Chief Justice Allsop said the three would spend the afternoon and maybe the early evening dealing with the arguments that have been put before the court, “not with a view to delivering all reasons today, but with a view if possible to reach a view as to the outcome of the matter”.
“We would hope to be in a position to identify to the parties later in the afternoon what the course is that we propose,” he said.
He said that the court may come back this afternoon or tomorrow morning and, if so, it will be announced on the court website and relisted.
Djokovic’s lawyer, Nick Wood, SC, requested that if the court ruled in Djokovic’s favour, an order be made requiring the tennis star’s immediate release within 30 minutes of the decision being handed down.
Report comment
From Dr Robert Malone:
“How Bad is my Batch”
Report comment
Re-reading that, it looks like Allsop is committed to getting the outcome today.
Report comment
Global warming record
If you’re ever out in NW Qld you need to stop for a coldie at the historic Cloncurry pub. Walls lined with old newspapers saying not so fast Onslow.
But of course. Birds falling out of the sky stone dead. Animals in their paddocks likewise. Locals reckon they get 50+ every year but it’s just another day so they don’t jump up and down about it.
Report comment
Pariah
Pet advice, basically don’t leave them home alone
Anyway, time for some exercise
Report comment
No achievement of note.
Report comment
He was the one asking most of the questions. Seemed fairly even-handed.
They need to decide quickly.
I can help.
3-0 in favour of Djokovic.
Report comment
From a different Cat –
2 of them aren’t about you know what.
Report comment
Virginia’s New AG Fires Civil Rights Division, Will Start Prosecuting Cases Dropped By ‘Social Justice’ DAs
Report comment
I hope one of them was mine, Ted!
Report comment
Heads of State: Disapproval Ratings
UK
USA
Australia
Report comment
Ruth Slenczynska – My Life In Music (album trailer)
Report comment
Ruth, in 1930 as:
A Five Year Old Prodigy
Report comment
Do we have to poo everyday?
💩💩💩💩💩💩💩
Report comment
Came across this side effect of that complete bastard biden’s open border policy:
Among girls in the U.S. who are sex trafficked before the age of 18, how many times will the average victim be raped over her lifetime?
You get 3 choices.
Report comment
Interesting.
Asked the local staff at a particular establishment if a jab pass is needed in the drive thru. Yes he states.
Will you use your discretion I ask? ( Big smile and walked away without utterance )
Solved.
Just need to work at my local….place were you buy food. Owners need to protect their holdings, I understand..no malice. Escape routes are organized.
This will be fun.
Report comment
Any business hosting that Premier Clown and family needs to be! [ self censorship]
Report comment
Craig Kelly MP
@CraigKellyMP
·
2h
What’s happened to Australia ?
What’s happened to free thought ?
Spending hours arguing about Djokovic’s “views” on vaccination when that makes NO difference to an Aussie’s medical decision they’ve ALREADY made.
Aussies have ALREADY been coerced or have decided for THEMSELVES.
Report comment
Its not exactly an offence in this country to walk around with a placard saying, down with vaccines.
Report comment
I have started building up the Elections section of the CatWiki.
If any of you would like to help, you can add information in the wiki, or if you have something to add but don’t want to do it there, you can put a CatWiki tag in the Open Thread and share it as a comment here.
I will pick it up and add it to the wiki.
Also, there are other ways to contribute to the wiki. If you notice errors or comments that need to be updated, flag it here.
Thanks.
Report comment
Djokovic loses, now to be deported.
What a country.
I won’t be watching a single game.
Report comment
Djokovic deported for wrongthink.
God help Australia.
Report comment
mh, thanks for your commentary.
Report comment
The Morrison government:
And the ConservaCorp monkeys like Chris Smith, Hadley, Bolt, Murray, will now be sent out to cheer this fvcking shitshow on.
Report comment
Yes, lets rejoice because we going to China for the cold Olympics. Back to the source.
Report comment
Scummo’s darkest hour.
What-a-Gimp.
Report comment
The headlines display the impartiality of the media.
Novak Djokovic booted from Australia by court
And the justice system, summed up:
It is no part or function of the court to decide upon the merit or wisdom of the decision
Report comment
They came for Conservative, Christian Folau, and conservative, christian Scotty played dumb.
They also came for Conservative, Christian Pell, and conservative, christian Scotty played mute.
They came again for Conservative, Christian Djokovic, and conservative, christian Scotty played politics.
Report comment
Craig Kelly MP
@CraigKellyMP
·
24m
Geniuses &🤡🤡alike may celebrate BUT so-called human rights advocates & believers in Australia as a “free country” should be horrified.
Basically ANYONE coming to Australia can be removed JUST because their views are not liked & “may” lead to “anyone” here having the same “view”.
Report comment
After losing his last-ditch bid to overturn his visa cancellation, Djokovic released a statement to the media.
Report comment
People who’s views could be perceived as not aligned with the government.
Report comment
Vasek Pospisil
Canadian Professional Tennis Player
Report comment
From the WeStandWithNovak thread
Report comment
˘◡˘
Break time
1/
Audrey Hepburn
Moon River
Report comment
2/
A bird imitating a human voice
Report comment
Morrison has made his election pitch tonight about keeping borders strong, etc.
What a turd.
Report comment
Scummo’s darkest hour.
They came for Conservative, Christian Folau, and conservative, christian Scotty played dumb.
They also came for Conservative, Christian Pell, and conservative, christian Scotty played mute.
They came again for Conservative, Christian Djokovic, and conservative, christian Scotty played politics.
Kaysee,
Scummo is about as ‘Christian’ as Rudd. He’ll probably still get the ‘Hillsong’ vote though because he is one of them.
I’d love to know how much our pollies have been paid or threatened to perpetuate this mess on our nation.
Report comment
Djoker aced by Big Pharma’s racket,
Meanwhile, Scummo searches for his balls…
Report comment
Is there any one in the media who will ask the question:
Knowing all the facts about Djokovic, why was he granted a visa?
The borders could have been kept stronger if Novak had not been let in.
Report comment
Hopefully, baseball bats await the turd who gave us the lockdowns/vax that we DIDN’T have to have*
*Keating’s recession we “had to have”, thanks to him overheating the economy
Report comment
And about as “Conservative”.
That is why he is a lower-cased conservative and christian.
Report comment
Stairmaster Dan lives in your head rent-free, Scummo.
Report comment
Avi Yemini
Report comment
Report comment
🐹
One
.
Two
.
Three
.
Report comment
“Wakey wakey, hands off snakey!!!”
********
The Beauty Of Razorback
Report comment
Craig Kelly MP
@CraigKellyMP
·
45m
As a Member of the Australian Parliament I apologise to you
@DjokerNole for how badly you’ve been treated by the Australian Govt.
We know you just wanted to play tennis, but the Aust Govt wrongly allowed politics to interfere in sport.
Report comment
This blokes editing skills are to be commended.
Supertramp – Give A Little Bit (Remastered 2010)
Report comment
9.43pm
Djokovic at airport ahead of flight out
Novak Djokovic was on his way out of Australia on Sunday night following his unsuccessful attempt to fight against having his visa cancelled by the Australian government.
Djokovic was photographed upon arrival at the airport on Sunday evening following his unsuccessful attempt to convince the Federal Court to stop his deportation and allow him to stay in the country and compete for the Australian Open men’s title.
Djokovic was reportedly booked to fly out at 10.30pm AEDT for Dubai.
The Serbian tennis superstar was also pictured with what appeared to be Australian Federal Police officers observing him as he waited for his flight in a lounge.
Report comment
I’ve mentioned before I have the impression of Novak Djokovic as a chap who loves his tennis, dedicated to fitness and physical and mental wellbeing in a way that is above what most of us can undertake. He did not come to Australia to cause dissent, but to win the Australian Open.
Why PM MOrrison went down this track is odd. It feels as if a piece of a jigsaw is missing? I don’t think the pale unhealthy looking Hawke chap is driving this, but Scott Morrison and his group of advisors (perhaps the evangelical types?) telling him what to do. Where do these decisions come from, not the LNP.
Report comment
Candy,
This is Morrison the day before Djokovic arrived. No concern whatsoever:
https://twitter.com/itisimrankhan/status/1479689521751113728?s=20
Report comment
Looking forward to Djokovic sticking the proverbial steel cap boot into this country.
Unleash yourself dude, when you land back home.
Report comment
Looking forward to the gigolos and whores in MSM commentary in the days ahead.
Line yourself up, wankers.
Report comment
Joel Fitzgibbon
@fitzhunter
·
Jan 15
Watch immigration minister Alex Hawke praising
@DjokerNole last year describing him as a great Ambassador here in Australia #djokovic
https://twitter.com/fitzhunter/status/1482166714578399233?s=20
—-
Note: Hawke says “good”, but you get the point. It’s 2021 and Alex Hawke is praising Djokovic for his ambassador qualities.
Report comment
Meanwhile as some fucking tennis player gets the boot; I wonder if the 2 are related:
“[E]nclaves, mini-states and neighborhoods in large European cities will begin to appear. Yes, they will always be a minority. But they are more united and threaten violence. And the state will have to obey their instructions”. — Sergei Markov, Russian political scientist, interview in Lenta.ru, January 3, 2022.
Many of the migrants already live on the generosity of European welfare, even as the police, social workers and ambulances do not enter these areas or must be protected when they do.
In these lost areas, we are no longer in Europe.
On December 8, 2021, during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 30 of the Catholic faithful were attacked in the street and threatened with death. The attackers shouted, “kuffars” (“infidels”) and “it is not your home”, Le Figaro reported. “Wallah [I swear] on the Koran, we will cut your throat”, attackers told the priest who opened the procession. This took place not in Pakistan, but in Nanterre, France.
In Brussels, according to former Secretary of State Bianca Debaets, “there are too many areas where it is difficult for women and homosexuals to walk”.
Although women of foreign nationality are only one-sixth of all women of childbearing age in Belgium, half of all children in Belgium are now born to foreign women…. This is the picture that just emerged from the National Institute of Statistics.
One-third of Belgium’s population is of foreign origin; Belgians are already in the minority in Brussels….
But as everyone knows, the “Great Replacement” is just a far-right fantasy….
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18137/europe-multicultural-volcano
Report comment
GTV:
Hazzard has totally lost the plot
Alongside family members who would dob in Anne Frank via the crime stoppers number.
I think mother just had a light bulb moment when I mentioned that. Massive argument is over.
OMA, lived a few blocks over from her, back in the day. And they met.
Report comment
Leak
He could have done better
Report comment
I am nibbling Nobby’s nuts.
No peanut reaction here.
Report comment
Vaccines working well
Report comment
Comment on CovidWorld
Ankur
Ankur
41 minutes ago
The Australians like their pharma mandates, lockdowns and authoritarianism. Most of them want more of it. They are just screwed. I feel sorry for any sane people left there.
***
Thanks. It’s not easy.
Report comment
Report comment
Lame pics.
Report comment
That link didn’t work.
Lame pics.
Report comment
Report comment
He gets very animated when he is lying out of his arsehole.
Report comment
When you think about it, a single ABF officer knocking back the visa of the world’s No. 1 tennis player coming to the Open seems very presumptious and out of the blue. I wonder if senior officers directed that to happen no matter how the visa was filled out.
Report comment
PM Morrison is not truthful. I read where he said that he believed God planned for him to be PM to help Australia. So it is probably not mistruths to him but the plan. It seems as if he has been given a special link to the Lord or believes he has.
Report comment
Candy, there is an election around the corner.
Morrison tells reporter this is how the process works, business as usual. Nothing to see here.
Frightened Australians start crying it’s not fair.
Morrison’s handlers then construct a Tampa moment.
Djokovic gets deported.
Next: 🎉 Thank you ScoMo for keeping us safe 🎊
Report comment
Globalist says The Great Reset must continue
Report comment
Unfortunately it’s the left raising the obvious issues:
Implications for the future
…While the Federal Court’s decision may be viewed as legally justified given the breadth of the cancellation powers in the Migration Act, some thought must be given to the future implications of these powers and what this means for the ability of the government to cancel other people’s visas.
The basis of Hawke’s findings seemed to be it was enough to show Djokovic is an iconic sports star who is perceived as being anti-vaccination and therefore may foster anti-vax sentiment in Australia.
I have a number of concerns with this.
First, it is unfair if the perception or actions of others can determine someone’s eligibility to remain in a country. A person may wrongly be viewed as having a particular belief and still be subject to a visa cancellation.
Second, the minister relied on Djokovic’s claimed status as a “role model” and his capacity as a high-profile sportsperson to apparently influence society. What if a sportsperson is unvaccinated, but not high-profile?
Third, and this is the most concerning point, if we extend this logic to other people, it could justify the cancellation of any individual who is seen as a “role model” and who may be perceived as causing social unrest or protests.
Lastly, the idea a person can have their visa cancelled because their views might affect the health, safety or good order of the Australian community raises issues for freedom of expression.
A wide cancellation power allows the government to stop international visitors who may have an important message to tell Australians. That would pose significant concerns for political debate in Australia.
https://theconversation.com/why-novak-djokovic-lost-his-fight-to-stay-in-australia-and-why-it-sets-a-concerning-precedent-175038
Report comment
Novak isn’t a precedent, Milo, TR and Lauren Southern were.
Report comment
Watch when you can. 1:48:10
Yuri Gagarin “First in space” Full Movie
Report comment
Steve trickler says:
January 16, 2022 at 11:52 pm
I am nibbling Nobby’s nuts.
No peanut reaction here.
Nobby had a big smile on his face.
cohenite says:
January 17, 2022 at 10:57 am
Novak isn’t a precedent, Milo, TR and Lauren Southern were.
And Gavin McInnes.
Report comment
Cheered on by ConservaCorp.
The difference with Novak is he is here to hit a ball around a tennis court, then go home.
Report comment
Great Reset gone wild!
Column: California should abolish parenthood, in the name of equity
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnists/2022/01/13/column-california-should-abolish-parenthood-name-equity/6513756001/
Report comment
Enabled by the amendments to Acts by turds in the legislature under the present scamdemic.
Report comment
Column: California should abolish parenthood, in the name of equity
The Bee needs to hire this guy as a writer.
Report comment
I think we can now safely say that no person will ever be allowed to enter Australia to speak about the dangers of any type of vaccine.
The Morrison-Pfizer Coalition has made that clear, as they have now argued successfully in court that someone here to hit tennis balls may perceived by someone as anti vaccine, therefore must be banned.
Report comment
This is better. Great movie posted above but the CC is crap. This is a reboot.
First Orbit – the movie
Report comment
***
Shut your fat gob, Marise.
Report comment
I don’t think comparing Djokovic to Milo Y etc is relevant. They are invited or arrange to speak on various social issues or support a book they are writing. Not a sport, not a competition.
Djokovic made it plain he just wanted to play tennis however PM Morrison and the judges have inferred he was here to cause dissent and spread illness, ie, to do something criminal.
Report comment
Good quote/observation that has passed me by
Report comment
Drag race a bit different to Mr Tricklers postings
And as I’m concerned about your health a word on trans fats
Report comment
The WIP toons were about the 10 year challenge
Here’s my contribution
And ‘er indoors
Report comment