Activity from mattoxic

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Noublions Jamais L'Australie

Today is ANZAC day in Australia and New Zealand, the commemorating the abortive Gallipoli landings of 1915. It is a solemn day, marked by a dawn service and parade in every town across the two countries.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 10:10 PM on April 24, 2008 (73 comments)

Fnarr Fnarr Fnarr

Viz Comics have some wonderfully puerile games for you to enjoy- and needless to say, probably NSFW. Try your hand at Roger's Profanisaurus Hangman [Previously] Or play a round of Lesbian Tennis (PC only download, Mac users, you're not missing much). Perhaps you would like to keep a virtual pet, perhaps a Sim City style holiday resort game is more your cup of tea (Download). Full collection here.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 6:06 AM on March 27, 2008 (10 comments)

HMAS Sydney and Kormeran found

Sailing from Sumatra back to Fremantle in November 1941, the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney encountered a Dutch freighter off the West Australian coast. The freighter turned out to be the disguised German mercantile raider Kormoran. After an ensuing fight, the Sydney went down with all hands, the reasons for which have been debated ever since. First the Kormoran, then over night the Sydney have been found by research organisation, Finding Sydney Foundation.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 3:59 PM on March 16, 2008 (21 comments)

Are we there yet?

The Gough, or Bodleian map is surprisingly accurate considering it dates from the 14th century. The Map is considered the first true map of Britain. Some say the red lines cris-crossing the map are roads, however, some disagree. You be the judge, because the map is available for interractive viewing at Queens University Belfast.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 8:02 PM on January 31, 2008 (8 comments)

Don't say it, spray it

Did the Victorian police overreact in spraying capsicum spray into spectators at the Australian open tennis on Tuesday night? The officers say they were protecting themselves, it seems not all agree and legal action might ensue. Is the Australian Open (or any international sporting contest in Australia) still a family friendly environment?
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 3:54 AM on January 17, 2008 (44 comments)

Think before you act

Allegro Non Troppo is an animated film written and directed by Bruno Bozzetto [previously]. Now the wonder of the youtubes enjoy Ravel's Bolero [Part 2] [Part 3], Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, Dvorak's Slavonic Dance # 7, Sibelius' Valse Triste, Vivaldi's Concerto in C major, and Stravinsky's Firebird.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 4:49 AM on January 11, 2008 (21 comments)

Of Whales and Racism

"Australians must not use whales to justify the racist ideology" The Australian government's [proto] stance on Japanese whaling in the Southern Ocean has drawn a strong response by an anonymous youtube poster, citing racism as the core reason the Australian Government is taking a stand on the Japanese Whale Research Programme [caution, gruesome video and yet more racist youtube comments]. It seems Steve and Terri Irwin are trying to stop them.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 3:12 AM on January 7, 2008 (75 comments)

You won't find Elcho Island in the Mediterranean

I'm sure you'll agree that these Yolngu dancers offer a different interpretation of Zorba the Greek. The dancers have become a youtube 'hit' and are set to tour the Greece in '08.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 8:57 PM on November 21, 2007 (18 comments)

Beers & Sheilas

Today marks 90 years since one of the last successful cavalry charges of modern warfare - carried out by the Australian Light Horse. The charge was recently reenacted.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:17 AM on November 1, 2007 (15 comments)

When one isn't enough

Sick of the single link youtube post? Try a Hershey Bypass
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 7:36 PM on October 9, 2007 (29 comments)

Burma's dissent

B U R M A [Via Crikey] and "M" link quite disturbing
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 9:46 PM on October 1, 2007 (48 comments)

and in other news...

...On account of the unavoidable circumstances, the members of the security forces fired some shots employing the least force to disperse the mob.... Meet the New Light of Myanmar, official mouthpiece of the catchily-named SLORC
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 6:22 AM on September 27, 2007 (29 comments)

Post Punk vs New Wave? The USA vs The UK? Commercial vs Independant?

What did XTC, The Cramps, Echo and the Bunnymen, Dead Kennedys, Klaus Nomi, The Go Gos, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Alley Cats, Oingo Boingo, Pere Ubu, The Au Pairs, Gang of Four, The Members, UB40, Steel Pulse, DEVO, X, The Fleshtones, The Police, Wall of Voodoo , Gary Numan, Skafish, Joan Jett, Chelsea, John Cooper Clarke, Invisible Sex, and many more have in common? URGH A MUSIC WAR.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 6:37 AM on July 26, 2007 (65 comments)

Double edged sword

Australian Prime Minister John Howard dipped his toe in the waters of new media this week by releasing his climate change policy via youtube, however which is the real clip? Unfortunately Labor was ready with their own message. Rumours abound (via crikey- login req’d) that the PM’s staffers are censoring comments, or are they?
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 10:35 PM on July 18, 2007 (23 comments)

See, it IS fun

Battleship Extreme, Operation Tiger, Operation Thunderbolt, Operation Seahawk, Operation Allied Shield, are newly released online games from the Australian Defence Force. But where’s Operation Tank Rage?
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 11:22 PM on July 15, 2007 (7 comments)

Don’t mention the O word

Following the script from A Crude Awakening, Australian Defence Minister Brendan Nelson announced today that new reasons for staying the course in helping Iraqi forces stand up as we stand down is not regime change nor ridding the country of weapons of mass destruction, but… ensuring Australia's “energy security”.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:56 PM on July 4, 2007 (22 comments)

Press R for Randomize

I've been annoying my colleagues by creating beautiful music
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 7:43 PM on June 27, 2007 (31 comments)

Yank, Doolde, Dan and Dee

Who was Garry Owens? That’s right, he's an American radio announcer, but kids all over the world grew up with his distinctive voice He probably better known for his work as the voice of this great American cold war warrior, and grist to this gratuitous youtube post. Roger Ramjet and his Eagles Fighting for our freedom
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 4:15 AM on June 26, 2007 (25 comments)

Response to a national emergency? Cynical election year stunt? Land Grab?

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has declared that the sexual abuse of Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory is a national emergency. He has announced a sweeping takeover of powers from the Territory Government in response to the crisis outlined in the Little Children are Sacred” report [6mb PDF] Some say knee-jerk and ill thought through, some say return to the bad old days of white paternalism, yet say there are many other issues confronting Aboriginal people. Why act now after 10 years in power, and a host of similar reports? Could it be an approaching federal election?
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:14 PM on June 21, 2007 (73 comments)

Ships come aground

Newsfilter, pretty sure this isn't meant to happen [via]
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 8:37 PM on June 7, 2007 (40 comments)

Goal, OUCH, No Fair

Australian Rules football is a tough fast game (previously), and there is no tougher place to play than on the “Gravel”. The home ground of the Tasmanian Queenstown Crows has recently been inducted into Tasmania’s Football Hall of Fame for a very good reason. Y’see, unlike the lush manicured grounds of other clubs, the Crows have a distinct home ground advantage- their ground is covered in… gravel.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 7:42 AM on June 1, 2007 (18 comments)

Black hole of Mars

Black hole mystery on Mars If a future earth ever needs a place to send convicts, the high-resolution camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter may have found it a few nights back. (via crikey.com.au)
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 9:39 PM on May 24, 2007 (65 comments)

Sydney under attack

65 years ago in May 1942, Sydney was doing what it does best: partying. The clubs and brothels of Kings Cross (site plays short burst of swing music, but may help set the scene) offered plenty of choice to US and Australian service men on leave in Australia's largest city. The party came to a shattering halt when three Japanese midget submarines crept into the harbour, past eight electronic indicator loops, past six patrolling Royal Australian Navy ships, and past an anti-submarine net stretched across the inner harbour entrance and … full history here. Recently one of the submarines has been found, virtually intact.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:29 AM on May 23, 2007 (14 comments)

Evil Little Bastard Filter

How Could He? After the (who else but) Murdoch owned Sydney telegraph splashed the headline “How Could She” in response to the mother’s abandonment of her new born baby outside a hospital in depressed outer Melbourne suburb of Dandenong, Australia’s Prime Minister Howard leaped to the paper's defence saying that’s how most Australian’s would feel- Is it really how most of us would feel? Or is it just “dog whistle politics” from this past master, or a bad idea to criticise the ‘Tele’ in an election year?
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:44 AM on May 18, 2007 (42 comments)

V-TECH RAMPAGE

Is it 2000 bucks worth of offensive? A Sydney youth who has created an uproar with an online game based on the Virginia Tech massacre, says he will remove the game if he receives $US2000 in "donations". More via Melbourne Age
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 10:20 PM on May 15, 2007 (32 comments)

Evacuate Australia!

If Art Bell is to be believed, up to 11 million Australians could be calling USA home due to years of severe drought in the country's food bowl. The story picked up, and given appropriate treatment by the venerable News Corporation online mouthpiece news.com.au. Is it hard being a climate change sceptic when your boss is a convert? Is climate change a left wing plot?
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 7:51 PM on May 12, 2007 (56 comments)

Live Vessel Movements

A group of enthusiasts bring you live vessel movements from around the Irish Sea (and further!) derived from AIS data. Click on the map to see the individual ships, their statistics and photos. Nice use of google maps here see who is docked and who is underway
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:04 AM on April 25, 2007 (15 comments)

Yenshui Fireworks Festival

The annual fireworks festival at the town of YenShui in southern Taiwan is notable for many reasons, notwithstanding the extreme danger to the many participants (youtube link). Large “beehive” structures created by the townspeople each contain hundreds of rockets which are launched into the crowd. (youtube link). The ubiqui-pedia link is here
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 7:41 PM on March 7, 2007 (9 comments)

Remembering Taiwan’s “White Terror” of the 28th February 1947

60 years ago today, an incident took place in Taipei, which led to the massive slaughter of thousands of Taiwanese at the hands of Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese troops. Many were imprisoned for torture and execution on Green Island off Taiwan's eastern coast. More on Green Island here, and an interesting-ish flickr photo set here
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 6:12 AM on February 26, 2007 (8 comments)

Australian News Filter

What is it with airlines and tee-shirts? Australian carrier Qantas is now getting in on the action with a passenger refused a flight because the airline deemed his shirt to be offensive. This is similar to another case. Previously mentioned.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 8:37 PM on January 21, 2007 (64 comments)

AWB's Sweet little earner

Make that bribe a tax deduction The Australian Wheat Board (AWB) [previously] has been found by to have breached UN sanctions on Iraq by paying the former regime almost three hundred million Australian dollars (300,000,000.00 AUD = 235,733,088.15 USD) in illegal “kickbacks” (read bribes). While the Australian Navy was instrumental in enforcing sanctions, at a huge cost to the Australian people (and indeed a far greater cost to Iraq people) this company was doing all it could to prop up Sadam’s regime. Now in the Australian Taxation Office have ruled that the bribes aren’t bribes, and have allowed the AWB to claim them as a tax deduction. Happily for some AWB’s share price surged with the news, so that’s some good news at least. It looks as if US might be taking action.
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 3:42 PM on December 20, 2006 (18 comments)

Palm Island

Palm Island off Queensland’s stunning north coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth, well maybe not if you’re an Australian Aborigine. Mulrunji Doomadgee, a fit, healthy, 36-year-old man, died in police custody on Palm Island on 19 November 2004 following his arrest by Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley on a charge of "public nuisance". Yet Queensland DPP Leanne Clare has described the death as "a terrible accident’ caused by a ‘complicated fall’. [via crikey.com.au- subs req’d]
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 8:25 PM on December 14, 2006 (10 comments)

Third time's a charm

Japanese Spider-Man seen here before, but this time he seems to be protected by a bandito type sporting a machine-gun guitar (but sadly, not one of these).
posted to MetaFilter by mattoxic at 5:40 PM on December 4, 2006 (8 comments)