I don't entirely agree with this article: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/27/world-heritage-forests-burn-as-global-tragedy-unfolds-in-tasmania

The Tassie fires were all lit by napalm - oops flash 21. Most, 95%, of lightning is negatively charged 'cold' explosive lightning and does start fires. The 5% is positively charge lighting that does every time. It can last 1 second or more, but is almost invariably followed by rain. This is just an attack on the wilderness and natural history - that is not very 'successful' by the sounds of it - despite the hype - 70 fires burning 7,000 hectares not 70,000 as I have been told - hard to confirm and no time.

Eco-system preservation key to protection from climate change: http://theconversation.com/the-best-way-to-protect-us-from-climate-change-save-our-ecosystems-54110? This (sort of) prominent recognition is both long overdue and welcome but I still have to groan at the almost autistic degree of reticence evident within its content - e.g.: "There is now clear evidence that intact forests have a positive influence on both planetary climate and local weather regimes." How can it possibly be otherwise given that climate, along with its sub-set of local weather regime, are entirely the product of bio-physical function? Is there any doubt that climate would alter due to massive physical change - ie shift in global axis, asteroid impact, etc? Why then is there such obscurity and caution regarding climatic impact due to the massive disruptions that are cumulative, and continuing, upon the bio-sphere? Also, how about proceeds from carbon pricing mechanisms go largely toward eco-system restoration rather than to gaming by global financial markets?

The Russians have cut off many of the pathways the C.I.A. has been using for a not-very-secret effort to arm rebel groups, according to several current and former officials. US Secretary of State John Kerry repeatedly implored Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to keep the Azaz corridor open, the major supply artery for "moderate rebels' in Syria. The rebels are increasingly cut off from their arms suppliers -- and the US is now begging for peace. http://russia-insider.com/en/russia-has-destroyed-cias-weapons-smuggling... Back in August last year, it was apparent even in Western media coverage that the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS) is not sustaining its fighting capacity from within Iraq or Syria, but rather through supply lines that lead to and from adjacent nations. These nations include Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and most obviously, NATO-member Turkey. Logic dictates that an army with empty stomachs is unable to march. Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with this quote, found out first hand just how true these words were when his army found itself deep within Russia without supplies, leading to its ultimate and catastrophic defeat. Likewise, ISIS' fighting capacity depends entirely on its supply lines. We know that the United States provided Saddam Hussein with chemical weapons to use against Iran. This use of chemical weapons, we know that Ghouta attacks in 2013 were blamed on the Assad government, but it was all scam. Assad's enemies have been supplying vetted rebel groups with weapons via a Turkey-based operations center. Some of the vetted groups have received military training overseen by the U.S. CIA. The Syrian government says it aims to seal the border to cut rebel supply routes from Turkey.

From Population Education at http://www.populationeducation.org/content/world-population-video

World Population Video

Watch human population grow from 1 CE to present and see projected growth in under six minutes. This "dot" video, one of Population Education’s most popular teaching tools, was updated in 2015 and is now more accurate than ever with all dots placed using GIS. Stream below or purchase your own copy of the World Population DVD that includes the narration in six languages and closed captions.

Copyright 2015.

Accompanying the video is the companion site World Population History. Created for both classrooms and a general audience, the site lets visitors zoom in on the map for a closer look at population centers and many of the population dots are annotated with events and information about the location. A historical timeline simultaneously gives context to the changes on the map through milestones that have impacted population over the years. Readings, interactive tools, and classroom lesson plans make the site even more interactive experience for all visitors.

VicForests refused to stop logging an area rich in rare wildlife in the Kuark forest Block, home to Yellow-bellied Gliders, Long-footed Potoroos, rare plants, rainforest and the critically endangered new species of Galaxias fish. VicForests declined to halt logging after court proceedings were filed.On Friday (12/2/16) our lawyers at Environment Justice Australia (EJA) filed a writ in the Supreme Court against VicForests over its logging in this stand of forest, south of Goolengook (30km NE of Orbost). VicForests still refused to stop logging and so we were forced to seek an urgent injunction on the Saturday. A temporary injunction was granted and VicForests has since agreed not to log until March 21st. EJA is now preparing the necessary documents for this case to proceed. A brief article about this appeared in Friday’s (19th February) Age. East Gippsland logging faces fresh court challenge over endangered species Surveys like those which have given us information to help base our case on were covered by the ABC. The news story can be read and listened to here. Environmentalists accuse state logger of forest survey conflict of interest Just last week the state's logger VicForests agreed to lock up 100 hectares of forest after environmentalists discovered 15 of the gliders. Environmentalists argue VicForests hasn't done a good enough job at surveying the forests for protected rare and threatened species, so they're conducting their own surveys in other areas. Of course, VicForests don't want to find threatened species, so they just don't look! Donate to EEG http://eastgippsland.net.au/donate-to-eeg

The American F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a dog, a hugely expensive dog, not least because it has only one engine, and jets in dogfights have flame-outs when upside down and their engine dies. The Russian Sukhoi S-35 (not sure of spelling) has two engines and has vastly superior reliability, range, and manoevrability. Something about Vectoring Jets (guess like bow thrusters on ships). Indonesia is buying S-35s, and presumably China. As ever, Australia is wheelbarrowing vast hoards of gold to the Boeing-Lockheed military-industrial complex. Dave ZPG Hughes

Here is the link to the discussion on Channel 7. The Discussion about immigration on Channel 7’s Sunrise was revealing this morning (Sunday 13 March 2016). Well done to Mark Latham and Kelvin Thompson fighting the fight on economic grounds and sticking up for the average citizen in the suburbs. Too bad we aren’t advanced enough in the debate to think about the environment and the big picture global impact of high population. The contradictions put forward by the Migration Council and Centre for Independent Studies are also revealing: When there is congestion, poor roads and high house prices business groups say "poor planning by government ". When there are "skills shortages " business groups don't say poor planning by government, they say we need more government action to increase immigration to fill the shortages. When business groups talk about taxes and government regulations they say get out of our way, Free enterprise will solve all the nations woes. When business groups talk about "skills shortages" they don't want the free enterprise system to solve the problem they want more government action to increase immigration. They forget all about free enterprise action like increasing wages and increasing training. The only time business groups talk about increasing training is when they want government to pay for it. When business groups say high immigration helps the economy they mean it helps the top end of the economy. High immigration keeps labour rates low. That is one of the big reasons business loves high immigration. It keeps wages low and helps them improve profits. Corporate profits have increased 5 times faster than the average wage in the past 15 years while immigration rates have been high. http://www.businessinsider.com.au/corporate-profits-hit-new-record-high-2012-11

The Conversation is the Fox News of academic discourse in an era when academics have become the lackeys and mouthpieces of corporate sponsors. Does Murdoch have any overt links to The Conversation (syndicated in several countries) or is it just the presence of his hacks, such as Michelle Grattan, the Australian Conversation editor? I'm not sure. Hope someone will look into the matter. Why anyone would think that The Conversation is somehow enlightened and intelligent, I don't know: I guess that those who thought the Age was, will think the Conversation is. Someone is always capturing public communication channels so that we cannot hear each other, only our self-designated managers.

A licence to kill native animals has been labelled “red tape” by the Baird government and will be abolished, prompting warnings the move will declare “open season” on kangaroos, emus, wombats and cockatoos. He may have been celebrated for ending the cruelty of greyhound racing, but there’s no such consideration for native animals – they are just “red tape” to be eliminated! The Office of Environment and Heritage issued permits for 34 species, or a total of 145,550 animals and birds to be killed in 2015-16. This included more than 100,000 eastern grey kangaroos, almost 9000 corellas, 6500 sulphur crested cockatoos, 5500 galahs, 655 emus, 175 swamp wallabies, 113 wombats and 83 magpies. Apparently these iconic native animals aren’t part of our “environment” or even “heritage” now? AWPC Baird government declares open season on native animals Sign the petition: Stop the Baird government declaring "open season" on our Native Animals

James, I stated that "Churchill sent my father to Greece to become cannon fodder for the Germans. The manoeuvre was executed by Churchill on the pretext of trying to get the US to support the British". While this may seem harsh, I believe that if anybody who has read Peter Ewer's book 'Forgotten Anzacs" (2016 revised edition) they would most likely agree with me. However, in an attempt to lay all the cards on the table I have researched the matter to the best of my ability in the time available. While most of following has been taken from the aforementioned book, I've scanned the internet, mainly Wikipedia for further material. While I've tried to be open minded on the matter, some of the facts will always be open to interpretation and personal opinions can distort even the most obvious truths. The circumstances surrounding the occupation of Greece by the Allied forces in 1941 are many and varied. "With the success of Operation Compass, and the failure of the Italian invasion of Greece, the complete defeat of Italy stared Hitler in the face - something sure to complicate his plans to invade Russia in the northern summer of 1941." [1] The arrival of the Germans into the Mediterranean posed one of the greatest strategic choices of the war for Churchill and his high command: conquest over Italy in North Africa or to divert forces to Greece in an attempt to defend the European mainland. Furthermore, Churchill had a wider strategic imperative - that of impressing American political opinion with the aim of retaining their support and unltimately, their entry into the war. [2] Franklin Roosevelt's re-election as President of the US in 1940 - a declared opponent of fascism - had supported the British despite America's opposition to being entangled in another European war. With the spectre of insolvency staring Churchill in the face, he cabled Roosevelt begging him not to insist on a ship laden with Britain's last gold reserves sail to the US in payment for American goods. With one of the master strokes of World War Two, the American President introduced Lend Lease whereby the British would be lent or leased goods which would be returned at the end of the war. [3] In a bid to justify the means Churchill believed that the British needed to be seen fighting the Germans in Greece as opposed to success over the Italians in North Africa. While this may have been the logical imperative in the grand scheme, but whether it was in the interests of the Greeks, Australians and New Zealanders was another thing. [4] The US employed William Donovan who flew into the Mediterranean warzone to assess the situation. His glowing assessment was a boon for the struggling British forces - " ... Britain was fighting, that it would continue to fight, that it could and would defeat the Germans as it had defeated the Italians, that America would support it to victory come what may, and that the American people were determined not to permit it to be defeated". [5] Meanwhile Hitler initiated plans to invade the balkans including Greece followed by Russia. While the former went ahead as planned on April 6th 1941, the latter was deferred from May15th until June 22nd for various reasons. These included the Balkans campaign which required a diversion of troops and resources, an unusually wet winter which kept riveres in full flood until late spring. transport and fuel distribution problems and difficulty in locating airfields for the Luftwaffe. [6] In early February 1941 general Richard O'Connor leading the charge into Libya was aghast at the suspension of the offensive to drive the Axis out of Africa while troops were deployed in the Greek campaign thus allowing Hitler to take the initiative in the Mediterranean. [7] Further to this was the tacit acknowledgement that Greece would fall to the Nazis within a matter of weeks. [8] Negotiations between the British War Office and the Anzacs were far from explicit. While the Australian Prime Minister was seen to be otherwise distracted, the British Commander in Chief Archibald Wavell advised Menzies of the campaign on or around February13th who failed to make mention of it to General Blamey. On February 18th Wavell addressed Blamey on the matter who assumed that it would taken up by the Australian Government. Wavell's sophistication in the matter combined with Menzies' and Blamey's lack of communication saw both countries enter the campiagn without the consent of the Asutralian and New Zealand Governments. [9] One of the major drawbacks of the British campaign in Greece was the lack of armoured support. The sum total of one armoured brigade which was extremely badly managed against the might of several German Panzer Divisions. [10] Furthermore, I estimate, the Luftwaffe outnumbered the RAF by more than 4 planes to one of better quality and firepower. By the time British troops had begun to arrive in Greece, the Allied plan was beginning to unravel. With politicians of all persuasions including Churchill ducking for for cover as the British forces were out-numbered, out-gunned and out-resourced by the Germans. Blamey made it clear regarding the prospects of success: "In view of the Germans much proclaimed intention to drive us off the continent wherever we appear, landing this small British force would be most welcome to them as it gives good reason to attack ... Miltary operation extremely hazardous in view of the disparity between opposing forces in number and training." [11] While Menzies pondered his future, in particular his long term aspirations of becoming the British Prime Minister, all of which lay in the hands of Churchill's critics. [12] By supporting the Greek campaign, Menzies was to come under further scrutiny from the head of the Australian army. Notwithstanding the success or failure of the Greek campaign, Churchill was buoyed by the news that the American Senate had voted in favour of Lend Lease. [13] The Greek campaign has been variously described as a 'great risk for a good cause' , extremely hazardous, a piecemeal dispatch to Europe, a fiasco, it caused a furore in Australia at the time and around 39% of Australians troops were killed, wounded or became prisoners of war. [14] In 1952 the Historical Branch of the UK Cabinet Office concluded that the Balkan campaign had no influence on the launching of Operation Barbarossa! [15] [1] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p72 [2] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p73 [3] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p73 {1} Martin Gilbert - Finest Hour pp975-976 [4] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p74 [5] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p75 {3} Op cit p155 [6] Wikipedia - Operation Barbarossa - {88} Bradley & Buell pp35-40, {89} Shirer pp829-830, {90} Beevor p163 [7] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p79 [8] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p79 {13} NA UK WO p193 [9] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p84 {26} Long - Greece, Crete & Syria p20 [10] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p86 {29} Maugham - Tobruk, El Alamein Ch3 [11] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p91 {39} Op cit p17 [12] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 (Revised Edition) p92 {40} day - Menzies and Churchill [13] Forgotten Anzacs - Peter Ewer - 2016 )Revised Edition) p93 {41} Op cit p20 [14] World War 2 Australia - Greece and Crete [15] Wikipedia - Battle of Greece - {199} Kirchubel - Opposing Plans p16

Lots of good data in Leith van Olensen's site. Terry McCrann, Mass Immigration not working for Australiais good for dismantling the usual twaddle written by Jessica Irvine, catastrophising about the ageing population, today in The Age ‘Why I love a Big Australia’ www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/why-i-love-a-big-australia-and-you-should-too-20170714-gxbrrz.html

Fourth Crossing Wildlife is conducting two wildlife care courses at Traralgon, Victoria on 16th and 17th of September. Course costs $25 to attend one day OR $40 to attend both days. 16th September: A Guide to the care of Bare-nosed Wombats Brief History General Biology an d Development Rescuing Hydration Raising orphaned joeys The Unwell Joey – The Carer’s perspective Caring for larger wombats Housing Release Living with Wild Wombats Case Studies 17 September: A guide to the Care of Macropods Meet the Macs Compare the Pair Rescue Hydration Raising orphaned joeys The Unwell Joey Housing Caring for larger macropods Release TO REGISTER FOR THESE COURSES Please contact Linda Dennis at [email protected] Thank you.