Fear and misinformation about childhood vaccination

Posted to Knox Leader (22/4/2013) on 23/4/2013 at 12:40 AM
Commenting on "Belgrave GP hits out at people spreading “fear and misinformation” about childhood vaccination"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/call-to-vaccinate-children/comments-fngnvlxu-1226624633022

The following is an extract from Wikipedia on vaccination: "One of the most noteworthy allegations of vaccine-induced injury is the MMR vaccine controversy. A fraudulent 1998 paper by Andrew Wakefield, originally published in The Lancet, presented supposed evidence that the MMR Vaccine (an immunization against measles, mumps and rubella that is typically first administered to children before their first birthday) was linked to the onset of autism spectrum disorders. The article was partially retracted in 2004 by Wakefield's co-authors, and was fully retracted by The Lancet in 2010".

I would like those who believe in vaccination causing autism to tell me how many people out of the 23 million in Australia they know of are autistic. Autism and Asperger's Syndrome seem to be the new and popular neutro-medical jargons. Modern brain imaging techniques can look inside the brain but it cannot clearly identify a common pathology or to work out which part of it is causing anti-social behaviour.

What a fantastic thought that one day a scientist on this planet Earth discovers or isolates a vaccine to prevent idiocy!

Closure of Swinburne's Lilydale campus means students will face longer commutes

Posted to Waverley Leader (16/4/2013) on 16/4/2013 at 5:25 PM)
Commenting on "Closure of Swinburne's Lilydale campus means students will face longer commutes"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/closure-of-swinburnes-lilydale-campus-means-students-face-longer-commutes/story-fngnvlxu-1226620779603

With large land mass and therefore low population density, this is always a problem. Spare a thought for those coming from the regional areas to Melbourne to attend higher education. There is never enough money to go round to fund every education level.

The demographers were predicting a rapid population growth few years ago until a brake is put on in the latest census. The almost instant collapse of the international students coming to Australia to study distorted the statistical outcome, including the demand of TAFE, real estate and employment. Unfortunately, this is another disastrous consequence caused by the government policy-on-the-run. UK and Canada benefited immensely in economic terms from our international education door closure.

The government has no clue in what is going on in the education sector, and education sector has no clue in course rationalisation. The new funding model proposed by the Gillard government is half-baked; taking money from Universities to fund primary schooling is absurd and will result in massive shake out in the higher education sectors. There will be more closure of university campuses than just Swinburne Lilydale.

New CCTV cameras capture footage of people dumping rubbish at Huntingdale train station, police

Posted to Waverley Leader (16/4/2013) on 16/4/2013 at 1:59AM)
Commenting on "New CCTV cameras capture footage of people dumping rubbish at Huntingdale train station, police"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/new-cctv-cameras-capture-footage-of-people-dumping-rubbish-at-huntingdale-train-station-police/story-fngnvlxu-1226620843155

Come on, Mayor, you look pathetic sitting on a heap of rubbish like a fashion model. What sort of message are you trying to convey, an endorsement to hang around to be picked to the tip? I reckon that it is cheap shot for a photo session, in particular a person with a respectable position like a Mayor.

I have written on numerous occasions that I believe in no nonsense and zero tolerance. Culprits should not only be fined, but also do some real dirty hard labour, namely lifting the rubbish to a dump truck and clean up the place. They will be assigned duties on site to stop other dumpers from rubbishing the place.

Oakleigh's $20,000 art sculpture has divided residents

Posted to Waverley Leader (12/3/2013) on 14/3/2013 at 11:30 PM
Commenting on "Oakleigh's $20,000 art sculpture has divided residents"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/oakleighs-20000-art-sculpture-has-divided-residents/story-fngnvlxu-1226594891136

It is a matter of "the best man (artist) winning the ribbon", and in this case a Singaporean sculptor.

As a matter of fact, I agree totally with Loz that this is a hazard, and I firmly believe that this twisted metallic strip will cost Monash ratepayers millions of dollars for public liability compensation payment unless it is fenced up.

This public exhibit must be also very tempting for graffiti artists to show off their talent, and soon the silver surface with be multi-colour, matching the racial mix of City of Monash.

This piece of artwork is fated to join the former Melbourne sculpture Yellow Peril hidden in the wilderness!

Brandon Park Secondary College site could be home to four-storey residential development

Posted to Waverley Leader (9/3/2013) on 13/3/2013 at 12:27 PM
Comment on "Former Brandon Park Secondary College site could be home to four-storey residential development"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/former-brandon-park-secondary-college-site-could-be-home-to-four-storey-residential-development/story-fngnvlxu-1226592463666

Hadn't the former school created more traffic congestion than a 4-storey development?

Whether it is going to be a school, medium density dwelling development, business use or community multi-purpose building, we must understand the demographics of Brandon Park better. It is nice to have schools close to where the students reside, but then are the other schools in the area fully utilised? Holmesglen and Chisholm TAFEs are accessible by buses, and there are enough schools in the region. Be mindful of economy of scale.

There are times Brandon Park Shopping Centre carparks are seemingly full, but I can always find a space. Just have a look at the commercial building next to the shopping centre; there are still floors of unoccupied office space.

If a four-storey development is permitted, I can foresee Centro will apply permit for an extension of the shopping centre to go up to four storeys as well.
Property prices around Brandon Park have gone up leaps and bounce since the region was rezoned as Wheelers Hill. Further rezoning can only be a bonanza to the existing property owners.

Land is a scarce resource. I hope that there is balance of dwelling and recreational use of the site.

Mulgrave Mum sick of smashed bus shelters fears for safety of son

Posted to Waverley Leader (29/3/2013) on 29/3/2013 at 9:55 AM
Commenting on "Mulgrave Mum sick of smashed bus shelters fears for safety of son"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/mulgrave-mum-sick-of-smashed-bus-shelters-fears-for-safety-of-son/story-fngnvlxu-1226607530986

I believe in zero-tolerance. Anyone destroys any public or private property is liable for criminal damage and must pay for the damage in monetary term, even if it takes a life time to pay or the offender is a juvenile.

As for public property such as bus shelter, aesthetic design must not take precedence over safety and robustness.

Vandalism and hooliganism spread much faster than good behaviour. These must be nibbed at the butt promptly and the consequence broadcasted even if it is viewed as propaganda.

Is the Council indifferent to the smashing of 241 panes of glass? Obviously they are because the ratepayers have not heard of the other incidents. Every pane of glass smashed hits the ratepayers' hip pocket as repair costs and increase in insurance premium.

People of today are getting more and more indifferent and apprehensive towards others. Probably this is caused by information overload via the various media, and they are numbed by the daily bad news on social misbehaviour of private and public figures. There is no excuse for NOT caring if we want a live in a City that we can feel safe to roam about at anytime of the day. I don't want to live in Fort Knox.

Journey to raise poverty awareness

Posted to Waverley Leader (22/12/2012) on 19/3/2013 at 6:01 PM
Commenting on "Journey to raise poverty awareness"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/generic-journey-to-raise-poverty-awareness/

If the concerts of 2006, 2007 and 2010 Make Poverty History were successful, why is there a need for another one in 2013? Poverty is not history, and never will be, and such bold claim is not dissimilar to the one made by Bob Hawke on June 23, 1987 at an election campaign launch. He boldly said that "by 1990 no Australian child will be living in poverty".

People living below poverty line are not just a number. It represents a hidden scenario; the immeasurable pain and suffering of the people and their loved ones. Many do-gooders pledge or donate to campaigns to help the financial needy, but only to find their hard-earn money lined the pockets of the unscrupulous organisers, or gone to the administration costs.

Campaigns to raise awareness and funds by getting the public to go on hunger for hours, or sleep-out in stadiums with minimum comfort are no more than simplistic and naïve publicity stunts, and the long term impact is no bigger than a drop in the poverty ocean.

Last part of Blackburn North orchard sells for nearly $6m, set for development

Posted to Whitehorse Leader (13/3/2013) on 13/3/2013 at 11:18 AM
Comment on "Last part of Blackburn North orchard sells for nearly $6m, set for development"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/last-part-of-blackburn-north-orchard-sells-for-nearly-6m-set-for-development/story-fngnvlxu-1226595589440

It is understandable that we can't stop development, but unnecessary clearing of land and removal of lawn from front and backyards are causing floods in certain areas, but drought in other.

It is almost laughable that many new dwellings are given good star rating for carbon neutral, but most parts of the compound of the dwellings are concreted which in fact are a contributing factor that causes other environmental problem.

Since grass and trees absorb carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen due photosynthesis, it is important that each household should be mindful when they build or landscape their garden.

I hope that building codes for domestic and commercial buildings are changed in future to ensure a balance of build-up and green vegetation areas. It may sound dictatorial but large area of artificial lawn or concreted areas should not be allowed in order to avoid degradation of water content in soil due to lack of water penetration.

The concrete jungle of high density living like the City creates wind tunnels and well paved roads behave like water carriageway. Without grass or rough surfaces, speed of water flow cannot be slowed down. Furthermore, sealed surfaces stop water being absorbed as the water flows pass, thus compounding the problem.

Mcdonald confirms work to start on Tecoma outlet in may protesters continue action

Posted to Free Press Leader (6/3/2013) on 7/3/2013 at 1:25AM
Commenting on "Mcdonald confirms work to start on Tecoma outlet in may protesters continue action"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/mcdonalds-confirms-work-to-start-on-tecoma-outlet-in-may-protesters-continue-action/comments-fngnvlxu-1226591009912

Why is it immoral to have a McDonald outlet at Tecoma? It is a legal entity, running a legal business, nothing immoral like a brothel, or a club that sucks the gamblers' pockets dry with the poker machines.

It also creates employment, not only for the young people, but also for any businesses that associate with the McDonald - tradespeople, cleaning, maintenance, some local suppliers, etc.

Unlike many local shops that look so tired and uninviting for tourists, the outlet will provide a new lease of life.

If the locals object so strongly against it, they do not have to deal with the joint after it has been built. Any business without customers will doom to close. However, I doubt many will stay away from it; definitely not the kids who want to have their birthday parties held there, with loads of fun.

Knox Council bans the sharing of home-made cakes, also bans egg cartons and toilet rolls, from kinders

Posted to Knox Leader 26/2/2013 at 26/2/2013 at 2:24 AM
Commenting on "Knox Council bans the sharing of home-made cakes, also bans egg cartons and toilet rolls, from kinders"
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/knox-council-bans-the-sharing-of-home-made-cakes-also-bans-egg-cartons-and-toilet-rolls/comments-fngnvlxu-1226585158793

It is a matter of "damned if they do, damned if they don't".

I am supportive of Knox City Council's move. The basic hygiene standard of many people, adults and children alike, have dropped very much these days. Parents allow small children to crawl in public areas and later, they rub their facial parts or put food in their mouths using the dirty hands.

Many parents and children do not wash their hands after going to toilets. It is likely that the contaminated hands will introduce disease causing germs to the food they handle, or transfer to receptacles which are used to put food in mouths.

It is easy to point fingers at other people when things go wrong. Some victims or their families have been awarded by the courts hundreds of thousand or even millions of dollars as compensation. This induces fear to those who look after the kids, and leads to substantial increase in insurance premium of these establishments.

One needs to keep in mind that the crux of the matter is not about industrial-standard kitchen, but industrial-standard food handling by everyone. Will "fundraising cake stalls and sausage sizzles" be banned? No, if those operators meet the required Food Safety standard.