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• Chinese & Amsterdam Storeys
  by Maxwell Edward

  “Good afternoon Gentlemen. Our delicious Chinese restaurant serves some of the greatest Chinese delicacies. Can I take your orders?” J…

  “Good afternoon Gentlemen. Our delicious Chinese restaurant serves some of the greatest Chinese delicacies. Can I take your orders?” Jermaine takes charge as usual. “I imagine you can sir. Well my friend will have special fried rice and I will have special sweet n sour chicken. Could you make sure it’s especially sweet n sour though? Thanks sir.” People love to eat Chinese. More often the meals though…for the appetisers may prove too fattening over time. Neville and Jermaine have definitely had their share of fattening up over time. Neville is said to eat more Chinese than most Chinese and as for Jermaine, he probably eats more of most things than most people. “Jerry, don’t you think it’s strange how he mentioned they serve some of the greatest Chinese delicacies?” Jermaine who finds nothing short of highly unusual strange, makes a joke from anything less of great importance. “_Why_? What did you expect in a Chinese Restaurant, Indian food?” Neville who hears these jokes more often than not (but still not in appreciation of them) seems to always be misunderstood. “No, I mean, we’re not Chinese. I can’t see anyone in here that is Chinese…In fact I would say that the only Chinese this restaurant ever sees is on the plates. So, they could get away with telling us that this restaurant actually serves the greatest Chinese delicacies. Why would they not?” Jermaine’s opinion always went back to philosophy. “Some wise advice I have for you Nev. Never question the Chinese.” Something about the way the duo talked, it was utter enjoyment. The puns continuously employed emphasised it. A certain kind of pleasure whenever they accompanied one another was unleashed. “Oh Jerry, you got to hear about what happened to my cousin. _You’ll never believe it_…So Ben was in Amsterdam for some time, on holiday or something. Well on the last week he jumped off the top of a three-storey apartment balcony.” Jermaine who believes most things reasonable, but also hesitates in jumping to conclusions always feels obliged to question the situation. “Why the hell would anyone do something like that?” Neville started blushing. He was never as outgoing as Jermaine, even being questioned made him feel slightly insecure. “Well Jerry, you know my cousin Benjamin. No one questions him.” A certain kind of tension was building somewhere between Nevilles growing timidity and Jermaine’s pursuing nerves. “I think anyone thinking about jumping off the third storey of an apartment should be prepared to answer a lot of questions.” There was an uncomfortable short-lived silence between the duos. Neville thought of it as his responsibility to protect his cousin’s reputation, yet his loyalty had previously shown to lead to misdemeanours. Neville decided to break his loyalty for what his reason was telling him was sensibility. “Yeah Jermaine, agreed. Benjamin sure must be a moron hey. Oh, which reminds me, did I tell you he is going to become a lawyer?” The Chinese waiter had brought back the dishes. This is possibly the fastest time a waiter had brought out dishes (which were supposed to be quality cuisines). Then again, Jermaine and his friends always had their doubts about Chinese restaurants. Over their many meals they had discussed many things ranging from the health issues to the political and economic consequences of the different restaurant franchises. The Chinese waiter did not talk this time. He had a chilling frown cast upon his face. Perhaps he had heard their talking? Perhaps it was just the all-round atmosphere of working in such a demanding service. Jermaine and Neville dug into their meals, each choosing their pick of chop sticks and spoon respectively although ironically not in quite a disorderly manner. It was only lucky that Neville chose a spoon for the fried rice to prevent any more mess (if more mess were possible). “So Nev, back to the story; now that you tell me Mr. Benjamin wants to be a lawyer…that makes much more sense; their all lying bastards. This is one big story to you in order to gain your sympathy or something. It can’t really be explained, except that he is behind it all…” “Not true. I saw his bandages and cuts and sores; everything. That can’t really be faked.” “I’m sure for a lawyer, anything can be faked. Any kind of falsehood can be created and unleashed by those guys!” “No seriously. Okay here’s the story, he said he went to a party. He got pretty drunk knowing it was his last week. Who knows maybe he even did…goddamn man it’s Amsterdam! I don’t have to mention the possibilities, their limitless! Anything could have happened. Well anyway, he woke up and that is when the nurse told him what had been reported to her.” “You know what this sounds like? Chinese whispers. She said this; he said that, you say this…” Sceptical Jermaine could never let any possibility go. “Okay whatever, whatever.” Neville had enough. This sort-of-debate had turned into a sort-of-argument. It was time for him to try and change the mannerism of things “Hey Jerry, this kind of talking is probably not good for eating, let’s just eat okay. I mean just the other day I saw the scars and bleeding…well you know.” Eating continued. Polite (enough) slurping of Chinese tea and rice among other things died down the sound of thought. Than Jermaine continued speaking, but not where they left off. “Hey Nev, I’ll be back in a minute. Just have to convenience myself!” Neville sat there. Five minutes boring his intellect- no one to talk to! Jermaine returned. Back to his meal; back to messy eating and the hope of more polite interesting talk. Before Neville had seen it, Jermaine had finished the rest of his special sweet n sour. “Hey Neville, are you still feeling hungry at all?” Before Neville had a chance to reply Jermaine had beckoned the waiter over and ordered “Special Chinese fortune cookies”. The cookies came in no time at all again. It made it seem like there was surely something efficiently magical about this restaurant. “Hey Nev, can you tell me about this story a bit more. So would you get this, I actually heard about a story similar to his; actually two stories, exactly like his…they both sort of were like these crazy stories where these things happened to guys in…well Chinese restaurants actually!” Neville was only half listening, except the information was still unconsciously processing into his mind. He opened his fortune cookie. “No I do not believe it! Coincidences of such do not occur! Madness unleashed!” Neville started shaking intensely, trembling, his usual steady figure rumbling in what looked like fear; his skin pale and pupils dilating and goose bumps on his skin forming. Than he shoved his hands over his head and continued his fearful actions half-hidden by the table. Jermaine grabbed the little slice of Chinese paper, it must be not so fortunate whatever the fortune be he thought! “You will suffer falling three-storeys tonight. Do not question the Chinese” They both sat there; Jermaine seemingly doing and thinking nothing except watching the actions of Neville. Neville with his behaviour turning more and more intense and shocking as seconds progressed and turned into minutes. “Neville!” Neville took no notice, for a moment, to only a moment later reply, “What? Don’t you fucking get this? Can’t you see what’s happening?” Jermaine looked at his watch. Five minutes. Long enough…longer would be dangerous perhaps. “My good friend Neville. I have a confession. I put that note in your cracker…it’s to teach you a lesson really. But it’s also quite a cracker now too to think of it! You should have seen the look on your face! And my friend, I’ll tell you the moral of the story…Question anything with suspicion, even the Chinese, otherwise who knows what will be unleashed!”

• the 'Sydney vs Melbourne' debate
  by sunset

  I always wonder why people debate this topic. It’s usually people from Melbourne who bring it up. For example, I worked for a time in…

  I always wonder why people debate this topic. It’s usually people from Melbourne who bring it up. For example, I worked for a time in Newtown for a trendy homewares/New Age books and furniture shop, whose owners were from Melbourne. They began their other shop in Melbourne. They would constantly harp on the ‘more fashionable people’ from Melbourne. ‘More stylish’, ‘more cosmo’ and the ‘more this and more that’, ad nauseam. Funnily enough, it was not very endearing. Firstly because it left you with the impression there was nothing we did well here in Sydney and therefore they were better than us. Secondly, as I enjoyed living in Sydney, I never actually compared myself to being somewhere better and having to put down somewhere else to feel that ‘here’ is good. Couple this ‘we are better’ attitude with the all their New Age philosophies, which aren’t bad on their own, but coming from such shallow, materialistic and competitive people, we who worked there never felt they had much creditability. Actually, since they tried to get away with paying us $10 an hour, because they ‘could’ in Melbourne, also was not very endearing! The upshot was we took them to the Industrial Relation Commitee, competitors found copies of their homeware designs (made in Bali) and threatened to sue and their lack of love for Sydney showed and the shop didn’t last. Does that solve the debate? Of course not. All I’m saying is that Melbourne people are the ones who seem to bring it up (in fact, plenty of people who don’t live in Sydney seem to have a Sydney ‘phobia’-the unknown is scary!) but when you live here, all seems normal. I like the vibrancy, the sense that anything is possible and the weather is generally warm enough to enjoy life. I’m not a still, reflective person and I reckon Melbourne does well because of their stiller qualities, which lends itself well to creativity. But does that mean we have to compare? We’re just different. And the same-we all like to be happy where we live, and if you like it, that’s all that matters.

• The Photoshop Debate
  by Natalie Manuel

  I have added a new journal entry on my website about the misconceptions of photoshop and how it relates to art and music :) “*Click He…

  I have added a new journal entry on my website about the misconceptions of photoshop and how it relates to art and music :) Click Here to read the entry… Cheers!

• The ethics of photojournalism...
  by Melinda Kerr

  Hi fellow bubblers. A couple of days ago I uploaded my entry into the real photo comp. It fostered some fairly blunt debate with another …

  Hi fellow bubblers. A couple of days ago I uploaded my entry into the real photo comp. It fostered some fairly blunt debate with another member of red bubble about what was ethical and what wasn’t in photojournalism. At first i felt uncomfortable about the debate but on reflection I find it really interesting. I see that Jessica Tremp has also faced the same dillemma. I admire Jessica’s work enormously and I encourage you to view her latest piece here Whilst you’re there check out her other shots, she’s excellent. If you want to see the one that started the debate :-) Check out mine here I’m interested in the discussion and welcome all points of view. It’s great we have the bubble to share our thoughts in…:0)

• Plagiarism
  by Jennifer Woodward

  When does inspiration for one’s work, become plagiarism? I’ve just been watching an interesting debate on the subject, and it seems th…

  When does inspiration for one’s work, become plagiarism? I’ve just been watching an interesting debate on the subject, and it seems there’s a fine line between the two. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on the subject. I think it’s a particularly grey area in the creative arts.

• WHAAAAAT!!!!!!!! I JUST SOLD 18 CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  by Melinda Kerr

  OK SO I CAN ONLY TYPE IN CAPS FOR THIS ‘COS THIS IS INSANE!!!!! / I JUST SOLD 18 CARDS IN ONE HIT!!!! / WHO WAS IT?? / WAS IT YOU / I’LL …

  OK SO I CAN ONLY TYPE IN CAPS FOR THIS ‘COS THIS IS INSANE!!!!! / I JUST SOLD 18 CARDS IN ONE HIT!!!! / WHO WAS IT?? / WAS IT YOU / I’LL NAME MY FIRST BORN AFTER YOU. / OR AT LEAST MY DOG. / SHE’LL ANSWER TO ANYTHING. / THAT’S AROUND $16 TO HEAL AFRICA. / THEY SURVIVE ON LESS THAN $1 A DAY OVER THERE. / SO THIS’LL HELP. / THIS’LL REALLY HELP. / THANKYOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU. / HOLD ON… / MUM?? / WAS IT YOU??

• RED RAG 01
  by Melinda Kerr

  Ok bubblers! As promised here is the first version of RED RAG. Red Rag is a weekly post which asks an ethical question and invites opinio…

  Ok bubblers! As promised here is the first version of RED RAG. Red Rag is a weekly post which asks an ethical question and invites opinions. It is borne of the reaction to last weeks post ‘ethics and photojournalism’ which inspired some feverish, and very interesting debate. / As author of red rag, I will post statements/questions which I may or may not agree with – doesn’t matter…the point is to fire up the ‘other’ side of the brain – the one we only use when we’re trying to read our tax return – and even then not vey successfully. The one we fried at art school. The one our parents dream of us one day reaquainting ourselves with. The one which let’s face it, most of us probably don’t have. / Please help make this a success, then maybe the Gods of RB will give me a logo, a template, a hearty cyber hand shake, or at the very least, not kick me off. / Ok, so to this weeks topic. Here goes: WHAT RIGHT DO WE HAVE TO PUBLICALLY MOCK CELEBRATIES? SHOULD WE BE ALLOWED TO MOCK THEM FOR OUR OWN FINANCIAL GAIN (ANTI-PARIS HILTON T-SHIRTS ETC) AT WHAT POINT DOES A CELEBRITY BECOME PUBLIC FREE FODDER? AND WHY IS IT WRONG TO PUBLICALLY DEFAME THE PERSON DOWN THE STREET BUT NOT THESE PEOPLE WE DON’T EVEN KNOW? I’ll start off by saying Paris Hilton is unfairly mocked. She is who she is and deserves our respect. We have no right to defame her just because she exists or chooses to behave as she likes. Everyone else in the world lives their lives by their own rules including ourselves-yet it’s considered defamatory and uncool to mock others who aren’t in the public eye. What’s the difference? Ok, so get bubbling…

• RED RAG 02
  by RedRag

  Oh yeah, so you thought the old Red Rag wasn’t gonna happen today, well, you thought wrong. See I even have my own profile. Yep the Rag i…

  Oh yeah, so you thought the old Red Rag wasn’t gonna happen today, well, you thought wrong. See I even have my own profile. Yep the Rag is a cyber dude. Ok, so to this week’s controversial question. Well I was tempted to pose the provocative issue ‘Should Alan Reading be allowed to be creative AND operate a forklift?’ but I thought better of it. He’s wild man, you don’t wanna get him angry. See his latest Scary huh? Besides he’s often giving my good friend Melinda Kerr a hard time which we just can’t have ‘cos she’s soooo nicey nice. So here’s the question…and before you say it YESSSS it’s been on the forums but I’m bringin’ it out into the open – with a decent lashing of my own self-important opinion. / ‘When is nudity art and when is it pornography?’ Here’s the red raggers opinion: RED BUBBLE SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANY NUDITY EVEN IF IT IS DEEMED ART ‘COS KIDS DON’T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ART AND PORNOGRAPHY SO WE SHOULDN’T TAKE THE RISK… So you know the rules, there are none…get raggin’...

• RED RAG 04
  by RedRag

  Well the Bull’s footy team lost again on the weekend so he’s one angry little horned monster. Which is just the way he likes it. / This w…

  Well the Bull’s footy team lost again on the weekend so he’s one angry little horned monster. Which is just the way he likes it. / This weeks Rag is about copyright. The Bull’s done a bit of stampeding through the forums and has seen a coupla folk comment on work they think they’ve ‘seen somewhere before...’ So, are their people out there rippin’ stuff off? Come on THAT’S WHAT YOU MEAN ISN’T IT??? The Beast wants to know…where is the line drawn at ‘inspired by’ versus ‘completely copied...’ / Like if you see a pic on Getty, download it and trace it-is that ok?? The Bull reckons it is…If you see another t-shirt design on RB and you think, that’d be nice in a different font, different colour and with a message which is a slight evolution of the original…is that ok????? Come on Monday. GET RAGGIN!!!!!

• To Logo, or not to Logo? - That is the question...
  by DieselLaws

  Guys, I need your help. You would have recognised the Diesel Laws brand LOGO popping up on my shirts next to the characters and text e…

  Guys, I need your help. You would have recognised the Diesel Laws brand LOGO popping up on my shirts next to the characters and text etc – but should I have it on all of them? Obviously Diesel Laws is a brand that I am pushing very strongly in the real world however at this point in time, it may be a more personal thing in a customers eyes….. Basically what I am trying to say is that do you believe the logo could be putting someone off? If so, please point out the images and tell me why so I can change this for the future. Your help is greatly appreciated friends! p.s. I need more sleep.

• Get set for RED RAG!!
  by Melinda Kerr

  Ok, I have just been having a cyber chat with the bubble braniacs out there and it has been decided that every week I will pose a questio…

  Ok, I have just been having a cyber chat with the bubble braniacs out there and it has been decided that every week I will pose a question that is bound to foster energetic debate. Or at least strong opinions! This is due to the ‘success’ of a thread I posted a few days ago called ethics of photojournalism. If you haven’t seen it, it’s here Fellow bubblers were really responsive & the resulting discussion was enthusiastic and eye opening. So here’s how it will work…Every Monday I will post a topic under RED RAG. I may or may not agree with the sentiment but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that RB will become a forum for keen debate and intellectual stimulation. After all we should feed that ‘other’ side of the brain too every now and then :0) See you Monday…

• Calling all horse riders!
  by Denzil

  Sorry, I’m about to get on my high horse (double meaning intended). I worked in equestrian sport management for 5 years (I was lucky enou…

  Sorry, I’m about to get on my high horse (double meaning intended). I worked in equestrian sport management for 5 years (I was lucky enought to be the CEO of the Australian peak body, the Equestrian Federation of Australia from 1996 to 2001), and I’ve been involved in innury research in the area of eventing for the last 5 years. One of my obsessions is helmets for riders. In fact I’m a woman on a mission. I KNOW that for almost everyone who rides regularly, who knows their horse, who hasn’t fallen off for years, yada yada yada – I’ve used the same arguments with myself as I rode around an arena for 20 years without a helmet – it’s the same old thing – I won’t fall off, my horse never bucks, I know how to roll when I hit the ground, it’s not as though I’m jumping, it’s a sand arena – you articulate it, I’ve heard it. / It’s all self-delusion folks, and particularly when the justification is used for child riders. Forgive a passionate diatribe, and it’s probably not totally appropriate on RB, but there’s an audience here, specially through the two equine based groups – PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHILDREN WEAR A HARD HAT WHEN THEY RIDE! Adults can make their own risk assessment, however questionable this may be, but kids are not capable of making these judgements. There are thousands of people in the world who are now suffering the full range of ill effects of falling off, being kicked in the head, etc., without head protection – and there are thousands more WHO ARE DEAD! It’s classic case of ‘It won’t happen to me’ – but what if it happens to your kid? Having started this, I’m happy to engage in debate on the topic if people are interested – in fact I’d welcome it! over to you…

• red rag now has it's own profile (and sexy logo)
  by Melinda Kerr

  For this weeks red rag go to here

  For this weeks red rag go to here

• RED RAG 03
  by RedRag

  Oooh it’s cold in RR’s paddock this morning, so I’m feeling a little frostier than normal. / RR has been perusing the bubble of late and h…

  Oooh it’s cold in RR’s paddock this morning, so I’m feeling a little frostier than normal. / RR has been perusing the bubble of late and has decided all this ‘nicey-nicey’ stuff is just a little too ‘nicey-nicey’ for him. / So this week’s bubble bursting topic is: WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE SOOOO NICE TO EACH OTHER ON RB. HOW ABOUT A BIT OF COLD, HARD TRUTHS PEOPLE. HOW ABOUT WE BAN THE WORDS ‘NICE’ ‘FANTASTIC’ ‘WOW’ INCREDIBLE’ ‘AWESOME’ AND ‘GREAT’ FOR A WHOLE WEEK. NOT TO MENTION RR’S PET HATE ‘THANKS.’ IF THIS IS AN ARTIST’S SITE WHAT ARE WE SAYING? ARTIST’S CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH????’ AND ONE FINAL QUESTION-WHY AM I SUDDENLEY WRITING IN CAPS? / Damn hoofs – they always get in the way on keyboards….snort….get RAGGIN’!!!!!!!!!

• Sarah Palin Anomaly, The VP Candidates Debate, sort of.
  by klezedawg

  Well, I’ve been watching the Vice Presidental Candidates square off and found the whole thing leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Sarah Pal…

  Well, I’ve been watching the Vice Presidental Candidates square off and found the whole thing leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Sarah Palin just said whatever the hell she wanted, despite the questions that were asked of her. Why Joe Biden or the moderator didn’t call her out on this is beyond me, tonight was the perfect oppurtunity to draw her out in the open and show just how little she really knows about the issues. Instead, they just stepped back and let her do her reciting bit. Then to top it all off, she made a statement that she wanted the Vice President’s role and power expanded in the Constitution. After eight years of Dick Cheney the last thing we need is another VP who thinks they deserve more power. I really would have liked to see Joe Biden call her out on that point. So here’s the bottom line, the only thing that differs between Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney is that Hugh Heffner has never, or will never ask Dick Cheney to pose nude for his magazine. All the Republicans are saying what a triumph Mrs. Palin’s performance was tonight, so I guess the key to winning a debate is to ignore the questions, act cute, wink at the camera, and regurgitate talking points.

• Ninja T-shirts - Inspired by my Funny Friend
  by zee1

  I have just uploaded a couple of new t-shirts that where inspired by a friend who truely makes me laugh. Off in my own world I was unawa…

  I have just uploaded a couple of new t-shirts that where inspired by a friend who truely makes me laugh. Off in my own world I was unaware of an on-line war that is raging amongst the mases .............. Ninja’s versus Pirates (who would win) Advantages of being a Ninja / Ninja career option This t-shirt is in his honour for lightening up my day. I also hope to follow up with some pirate ones or ones about the debate itself. Three cheers to new friends and Bubble Up everyone!!! Cheers, Zee1

• Sarah Palin Anomaly, The VP Candidates Debate part 2
  by klezedawg

  This was just too big for a single journal entry. Sarah Palin, and the more conservative memebers of the media, have been accusing J…

  This was just too big for a single journal entry. Sarah Palin, and the more conservative memebers of the media, have been accusing Joe Biden of pointing backwards by discussing the Bush years during the debate. Being that McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time, he wasn’t going backwards but pointing out just how much a McCain administration won’t bring real change. So if you are looking for a return to the dustbowl era, or you want to see more deregulation in our corporate structure and all the damage that comes with it, or if you’re happy with your kids not learning, or if invading countries on false intel is your bag then please stay home on November 4th because the rest of us want our nation back!!!

• New Ninja T-Shirt - Not very mature
  by zee1

  Good Morning Bubblers, Yeah it’s Sunday not Monday and the whole day is ahead. I have uploaded another not very mature Ninja t-shirt …

  Good Morning Bubblers, Yeah it’s Sunday not Monday and the whole day is ahead. I have uploaded another not very mature Ninja t-shirt this time with some pictures attached rather than just words. I am still to do a pirate one in the great debate of who would win out, pirates or Ninja’s. I know what your thinking it is a huge world issue that doesn’t get the media coverage it should but creating messages about the big topics is what I am all about:) Ninja Occupation Have a great day one and all and may creative inspiration take you someone special today. Bubble Up!

• A Bit Disheartened
  by Splogy

  Hi to those of you who were so lovely to comment on my photos and even add me to your watch list. You may (or may not) have been wonderi…

  Hi to those of you who were so lovely to comment on my photos and even add me to your watch list. You may (or may not) have been wondering if I were ever going to add anything else. I will. Recently have just not made time to get some new “stuff”, but prior to that had been reading the various ?? blog conversations about what is art and what is not and blah, blah, blah. I appreciate people not wanting to flood out the “art” with happy snaps but it also made me not feel very welcome – despite the lovely comments people have made. this is not meant to be a “poor me”, I know I’m not a photographer’s left pinky; I don’t have the equipment and really, at present, not the inclination to work towards becoming a fantastic photographer. I guess am just “playing”. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t or won’t come up with a real gem whilst I’m playing. Sometimes it’s one of those “gems” and it’s recognition that can be the making of someone’s passion for photography. I also realise that everyone has a right to free expression of their opinion and choose to view those conversations (whatever it’s called) not as personal attacks. That didn’t stop me feeling like I should just stay away until I could come up with something super fantastic (if that’s possible). maybe that is exactly what some of the people on this site would like. Hmmm. I guess it comes back to what the site is about; only a show case for people already knowing they’re an artist and getting a chance for feedback and improvement or perhaps a bit more gracious and allow ‘Wannabe’s” and “couldbe’s if they were encouraged” to get a foot in and some invaluable feedback from the very people who think they shouldn’t be there “clogging” up the site. Basically I can see both points of view, but tend to lean towards being more charitable and letting everyone do with the site what they see it is for them. Maybe I’d feel more selfish if I was more established in my skill and fell into the category of “artist” or “photographer” instead of my self-confessed category of “point and snap”er. Maybe not. Just an explanation of why I haven’t added anything for a while. Cheers.

• 10/02/08 Per-MISSION
  by VanSnuG

  Friends, I have to LEAVE RB for some time maybe until weekend. I’ll be BACK on Sunday. And in case you missed it last night, ... “I…

  Friends, I have to LEAVE RB for some time maybe until weekend. I’ll be BACK on Sunday. And in case you missed it last night, ... “In order to save energy, I recommend that you TURN OFF your TV from 8:00 PM to Midnight tonight.” - This message is approved by Sarah Palin for Better America.

• Sea Shepherd Captain Challenges Hern to Public Debate!!
  by Crockpot

  Sea Shepherd News / News Releases / 04/15/2008 Watson Challenges Hearn to a Debate The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hear…

  Sea Shepherd News / News Releases / 04/15/2008 Watson Challenges Hearn to a Debate The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Loyola Hearn is quick to shoot accusations and mis-information from the hip without pausing to think. But how would he do in a face to face debate with the man he loves to hate. Captain Paul Watson, Founder and President of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society today issued a challenge to Mr. Hearn. “You defend the seal killers and I’ll defend the seals, face to face, in public.” “Mr. Hearn described me as gutless,” said Watson. “It’s easy to call people names but he should demonstrate that he has the ‘guts’ to debate me in public. My bet is he will hide behind some sort of excuse that he won’t dignify me with a debate which means in other words that likes to take his shots from behind.” Captain Watson said he would be willing to debate Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams. “In fact, I’ll even take the two of them on together if they feel the need to support each other.” Captain Watson debated Premier Brian Peckford at Memorial University years ago. “Mr. Peckford defended his position on his home turf quite well I thought,” said Watson and added with a laugh, “but I still think I scored more points in that debate. The point is that Mr. Peckford had the courage to defend his position in a public debate. I don’t think that Hearn or Williams have that kind of integrity; I think they both prefer to take cheap shots behind the skirts of the media. ” Captain Watson will debate Hearn or Williams or the two of them anywhere, anyplace and at anytime. “I think this debate has the potential to be enlightening, amusing and certainly entertaining,” said Captain Watson. “Let’s go for it Loyola, Danny, or the both of you. Hey, it could be fun and the public can judge the merits of our arguments much better.”

• Another side to the debate
  by Patricia L. Ballard

  All of the posts on photography have been fascinating. Professional vs. amateur, in camera settings vs post processing, etc. Had my annua…

  All of the posts on photography have been fascinating. Professional vs. amateur, in camera settings vs post processing, etc. Had my annual eye exam last week, it started me thinking about all of this again. I’d been noticing that I was having trouble focusing more lately. For the last several years I’ve been relying on autofocus more and more. Seems that I have the beginnings of a cataract and it’s starting to interfere with my sight. Comes from 30 years spent in the wonderful New Mexico sun. Soooo, while I’d love always be able to see a shot through the camera lens, it’s not going to be possible all of the time. Post processing has become a necessity for me. Several of my friends have given up photography for this reason. This is not an option for me! OK, through with my venting.