Posts by Susan60@aus.social
(DIR) Post #AwznTvuLQ0ZP9JadiC by Susan60@aus.social
2025-08-09T02:41:55Z
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@VulcanTourist @fatsam Oh we have! Howard set the scene for even worse shenanigans under Abbott & Morrison. (Both bigger in stature than Howard.) Turnbull tried to stop to rightwards lurch, but didn’t have the numbers. (Or the spine?) The difference here is that their party is losing support and currently looks unelectable. The main coalition party (the “Liberal” party) only has two metropolitan members in the national parliament. This isn’t good. We need a strong opposition party to push back on government, at all times, regardless of who is in power. I think our compulsory voting, preferential voting system & independent election authority (which draws electoral boundaries, runs elections etc) mean that extremist parties simply can’t do more than be an irritant. It does also mean that left wing parties can feel a need to be more centrist than left, making things like significant taxation reform, housing policies etc difficult. This is even more evident now that the other major party has skewed further right. And while the focus on individual politicians & personalities has grown over the years, not having a president or even electing our prime minister, (that is done by the party that wins government), policy & ideology are discussed & evaluated more. “Charisma” & showmanship aren’t as important, although they’re not insignificant. I’m not sure what network you’re referencing. Public utilities were largely privatised at a state & federal level in the 90s, ostensibly to increase efficiency & reduce costs to the consumer. That hasn’t gone well. I’d love to see power & water come back into public ownership & control, & think it would allow much faster & better coordinated moves towards renewable energy. And our telephone system is a minefield.
(DIR) Post #AxEJ7jw5AO92OVIrFg by Susan60@aus.social
2025-08-16T14:16:50Z
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@stux 🥰
(DIR) Post #AxZZXaedyX8eixeYdM by Susan60@aus.social
2025-08-20T02:29:27Z
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@alice This has been my experience. I’m currently reducing my anti-depressant dosage, very slowly, under supervision.
(DIR) Post #Ay6vbMaynYrfUFoye0 by Susan60@aus.social
2025-09-11T22:42:25Z
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@futurebird One of my former colleagues was a Maths teacher who got my year 7s very engaged with something. I wish I’d had her and you as my teachers.
(DIR) Post #AyLEv8SFqNHuzoAqMi by Susan60@aus.social
2025-09-16T21:41:30Z
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@tofugolem I do. That doesn’t mean I’m not very frustrated by such people. But I get that there are those who are ignorant, disengaged etc. And that the corruption of the democratic process in the most capitalistic country in the world is what is behind all of this. It is the rich power brokers who actually bear responsibility for this situation. #USPol
(DIR) Post #AyLEvApj05FaNBAcE4 by Susan60@aus.social
2025-09-16T22:39:05Z
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@tofugolem Oh I’m not letting anyone off the hook! I feel sorry for them because there’s nothing so galling as realising that the terrible situation you’re in is a result of your own stupidity/hubris etc. But it’s a very hard lesson that they need to learn. Sadly some will be so arrogant that they will still manage to blame someone else.
(DIR) Post #AyLEvCWehxBXccGPmS by Susan60@aus.social
2025-09-17T02:22:59Z
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@tofugolem I don’t waste a lot of time on them. My empathy & sorrow are real, but fleeting. And if ignorance and greed bring about their downfall, that is a fair consequence. And you’re right, there are many, many others in much worse situations.
(DIR) Post #AzLwQQKgZdz6fCwUNc by Susan60@aus.social
2025-10-19T02:24:24Z
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@futurebird Spain too apparently!
(DIR) Post #AzgILRFXuvXPLLv2Dg by Susan60@aus.social
2025-10-28T22:04:15Z
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@futurebird If it was made out of sustainable materials & not plastic, it might be irresistible.
(DIR) Post #AzsvXqsofOGUQbiTtA by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-04T00:18:38Z
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Just saw Fred chasing a beautiful black butterfly, which he fortunately failed to catch.
(DIR) Post #Azsvy9REImJHVMLypU by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-04T00:24:47Z
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@futurebird Gee, the rabbit holes that could take you down… 😂
(DIR) Post #B17lCM3w60wR8wYWg4 by Susan60@aus.social
2025-12-11T01:56:51Z
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@futurebird I think this is where non-native speaking English teachers can be better the native English speakers like me. They might have a few issues of their own around prepositions for example, but have learnt grammar more explicitly than us native speakers. I’m currently teaching verb tenses & am a bit out of practice so it’s hard! (She’s getting lessons at bargain prices so it’s all good.)
(DIR) Post #B1KSPWMZjmF6mSJlwG by Susan60@aus.social
2025-12-16T21:25:59Z
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@argv_minus_one
(DIR) Post #B21sOntswlVr0ZZ4bY by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-07T22:40:15Z
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There’s a few points of interest in this article. The QLD woman refers to people’s concerns about pollution & the ozone layer. The ozone layer came under threat as a result of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used as propellants in aerosols which have mostly been phased out & replaced. Apparently the threat now posed to the ozone layer comes from the burning op of satellites in the atmosphere as they burn up on re-entry. Starlink pollution. Cremation might be a factor in carbon emissions & climate change, but as far as I know, it’s not a threat to the ozone layer. The fact that much of our funeral industry has been taken over by large US companies isn’t something I knew. But I will be ensuring that I avoid any such companies if I ever have to arrange any more funerals! https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/08/gone-to-a-wetter-place-the-queenslanders-disrupting-the-death-industry-with-water-cremations?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
(DIR) Post #B21sOvdWBVAr07y7Ci by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-07T23:09:21Z
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When my brother died a few years back, largely somewhat estranged from just about everyone, his son spoke to sis & I & then arranged a private cremation. I think that was about $1,000, but nearly $3,000 seems to be the norm now, with popularity rising. (😡)We then had a surprisingly well attended gathering at my sister’s house. I think that people who might’ve felt ambivalent about attending a funeral service to “honour” him, were much more inclined to gather to meet up with old friends & acquaintances in a private home.
(DIR) Post #B21sP3DvyVSkX63nRA by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-07T23:10:45Z
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A PowerPoint of photos was running on a TV, and my nephew had set up a microphone in case anyone wanted to speak formally, but no one did. (Sis & I are both good speakers, & I’m sure a few others who were there are as well, but no one felt inclined.) It was… really nice. No one felt uncomfortable being forced to pretend that we had lots of respect for the dead person, or were consumed with grief. OTOH, we were there because, for a time, we’d felt a connection with him.
(DIR) Post #B21sPAjO3xmVofpVw0 by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-07T23:18:54Z
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We were able to reminisce as much as we were comfortable to do so. And while it was implied rather than stated, we shared the knowledge, that a person who had been capable of so much good, had caused a lot of pain. We grieved the fact that, for whatever reasons, he had been unable to thrive, to shine.
(DIR) Post #B21sPIbslkX2FiNdLc by Susan60@aus.social
2025-11-07T23:20:17Z
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I have no doubt that he was neurodivergent, that his “schizophrenia” (diagnosed by a CATT team over the course of a few hours) & later “manic depressive” disorder was actually AuADHD, aggravated by a society incapable of recognising, valuing & supporting him, and the substance abuse he engaged in. #ADHD@autistics
(DIR) Post #B2Ksu87BX0GegOxg80 by Susan60@aus.social
2026-01-16T07:36:36Z
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Took a photo of a newly opened magnolia in the park yesterday. The start to go brown so quickly, but this one was pristine. #Bloomscrolling
(DIR) Post #B2RYCxuUgGErLCR3QW by Susan60@aus.social
2026-01-19T12:57:40Z
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@Nonilex FFS!