In the "News" Today

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The West Australian today (14 Jan 2012) is -- as usual -- full of reports on what is stupid with the world. I typed "wrong with the world", then changed it. The world would not be human if it were less stupid :-)
Why waste your time and mine with a rant about every stupid report that is considered to be "news"...? So I've put the highlights into this single post.
For your reading pleasure.

Reluctant heir to Australia's richest fortune

I don't mind rich people spending their money. Along with most other gossip page readers, I get vicarious pleasure from reading about the spending habits of the people who don't have to think before they spend. As a parent myself, I love and agree with the way that Posh & Becks spend a fortune on toys for their kids.
Today's paper looks at the Rinehart family. Not so much their spending habits, as the way that they fight over the wealth. No worries there; I ignored most of the article.
But I like to look at the pictures.
One picture has a caption about the branch of the family which alternates living between Sydney and New York. So far, so good. We'd all love to spread our time between favourite locations. Though we may argue over New York and Sydney being on our favourites list.
They live, "in Sydney, in a $5.4 million-dollar house ... bought by family company 150 Investments -- owned by Gina Rinehart..."
Wait a minute... "bought by family company..." ?
So the occupants are -- I guess -- paying a suitable rent. Or the property is declared as personal property -- not tax deductible for those six months. Or the rental value is declared as a fringe benefit and full tax is paid...
Or it is an example of rich people living high on the hog. While the tax office -- and the poor suckers who actually pay tax -- are supporting the lifestyle. Those who have the gold make the rules.
Surely not.

Physio students in ECU course fiasco

ECU created a course in physiotherapy. Then enrolled students in the course. And then attempted to get accreditation for the course.

Professor Cox said that the course started in 2010 and it was not possible to get accreditation or a preliminary agreement with the [Australian Physiotherapy Council] before the program began. But the university had met all the timing requirements to lodge its application.

The university met all the timing requirements for accreditation application. Clearly they did not meet the content and quality requirements for actual accreditation. Timely form-filling is a bit of a waste of time if the actual course is inadequate.
So when did ECU tell its students that the course was not accredited?
Two years after the first enrolments. When the first students were about to graduate. More importantly -- well after the students had paid all of their fees for the course.
So what is the ECU advice for graduates who now find that they have wasted two years of study?

The university is telling students to apply directly to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia for registration.

"Don't tell us," says ECU. "We don't care."

Supermodel flying high as Qantas ambassador

Miranda Kerr is now paid to be a "brand ambassador" for Qantas. "And she already has something in common with Qantas."
Oooohh! That's amazing! Something in common other than a love of money? Yes... "Miranda's all-time favourite colour is red."
And there I was, getting other ideas from the photo with the story...
Both Qantas and Miranda have a nice structure. And a lot of it is plastic.

Dude, where's my pork bun?

Dude food is in. All the best chef dudes are cooking it. Correct cooking does require tude and tatts. But what else?
For those who need to know, here's the summary:

• The description is snobby and ostentatious
• It tastes delicious
• You're surprised at the small size of the serve
• And you're shocked by the large size of the price.

That's dude food, man.

Private option a worthy idea for Rottnest

We have two broad options for the future of Rottnest: Cut costs to provide an affordable and close beachside holiday location for locals, or, Spend a heap of money to try to attract rich tourists away from Bali.
Well, we already know which choice has been made. Sure, it's a losing option. But when wealthy -- therefore powerful -- people say, we want a fancy holiday resort close to Perth... the government must listen.
Will it ever really be competitive to Bali?
You've got to be joking.
Still, the government has to be seen to be backing its rich supporters. So they are testing the waters with the idea that private management could -- somehow -- make Rottnest cheaper than Bali.
So what will be next?
Private management of Rottnest resorts. Then private ownership of Rottnest resorts. Timeshare sales. Permanent sales, for those rich enough...
Wealthy entrepreneurs living permanently on Rottnest. The need to commute daily to the Perth office. Tent City removed, to make way for the helipads.
No need for the ferry service; anyone who is allowed to visit Rottnest can afford their own yacht. Only owners of yacht mooring spots allowed to land on Rottnest...
Private option a worthy idea? Another great idea for Ripleys... Believe it, or not!

and to wrap it all up...

Muhammad Ali is almost 70 years old. His approaching birthday is reason enough for The West to provide a page of tribute. Two Ali quotes are well worth reading...

• Me... wheeeeeee

Say it, believe it, feel better with your life :-)

• A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life

Say it, believe it, act on it... Are you just living, repeating thirty-year-old thoughts? Live, learn and -- if necessary -- be willing to think new thoughts.
We may not need to change out views. But we do need to consider whether those views should be changed.

Independent thinking & independent analysis of your problems. Agamedes Consulting: Support for your thought. email nick leth at gmail dot com