Protestantism

» pink101 - Billy Graham

In response to Billy Graham posted by BrianTubbs:

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Billy Graham was taken to the hospital yesterday.
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Billy Graham

In response to Billy Graham posted by pink101:

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For info on his condition:
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http://www.my58.com/news/13922824/detail...
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-- posted by pink101

» redback - Billy Graham

In response to Billy Graham posted by pink101:

I understand Billy is 88, was admitted on Saturday for a non-life threatening condition and had chicken for Sunday lunch. Over here, we'd probably sneak him a beer or two.

-- posted by redback

» redback - Hugh Mackay

I've referred to this chap above as a "A morality and ethics analyst" which may undersell Professor Mackay a tad.

He describes himself as a social researcher, born in Sydney 69 years ago. Only having Australian academic qualifications, his non-US 'worldview' may be refreshing. Time will tell.

I cited him in another topic. His Aussie street cred should mean I give his new book a go. For substantive balance, I really do hanker for Aussie-based analysis. I have a profound hope not based on empirical evidence (as I've mentioned before) that Australia can be mature enough NOT to rely on USA or Canadian ideas to improve our workplace and social systems. Or so I've (naively) thought all that lifetime ago.

But, we wouldn't get study trips to the States if we don't at least give lip service to what they offer.

-- posted by redback

» redback - A poke at APEC

In response to Hugh Mackay posted by redback:

Sydney is hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC)forum at which Dubya and many other world leaders will attend.

In true US-style preparation, Black Hawk helicopters are on manouvres around town, our very first water cannon is on standby for recalcitrant Aussie citizens, 500+ prison beds are being freed up so the "less dangerous" ie non-political criminals will be let loose, some Sydney tourist spots become no-go zones. (When Tricky Dicky Cheney visited, we closed down the VERY BUSY iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge for his exclusive travel)

Residents are asked to "flee" the city for holidays elsewhere and there's a public holiday to discourage the city's working riff-raff. I don't know where the "homeless" go for their holidays.

Our freedoms are currently topical where we need to be careful to avoid Government exploiting anti-terrorism laws. BUT we're probably being dragged screaming further into the reality of post-911.

So, what extra joy does Dubya plan to bring us? I know he's going to get a decent feed and be given funny clothes to wear. He'll probably agree we need to "maintain the momentum" whatever Americans mean by that term...and he'll agree with an APEC vision:

"In conclusion, Australia and the US work well together. We need each other."

without choking on his food or doing a LOL.

-- posted by redback

» redback - A peck at APEC

In response to A poke at APEC posted by redback:

This topic should maybe read 'Only In Australia??'

We're now in full APEC mode. We're going to have unprecedented stop & search in the increasingly barricaded Sydney CBD. Public buses are modified into mobile prisons, the 60+ police horses are now laid up over the equine flu quarantine so the water cannon is less standby and more likely. A major crackdown on truancy to stop school-age kids protesting so who knows where they'll be bundled off to.

The equine flu is shaping up as one helluva major crisis and given the State's likely loss of gambling revenue, thousands losing jobs, taxpayers will be chipping in big-time. But compensation claims for what is billed a 'natural' disaster???

Anyway, it seems when the Pope prays to access Royal Randwick, he really prays. He hopes there'll be more crowds at bingo, perhaps? ABC

-- posted by redback

» redback - Fair Dinkum!

Consider the Elseya Irwini, a turtle unique to Australia and unusual in that it breathes through its bum. It proceeds at its own pace regardless of the hustle & bustle around it.

Maybe there's more turtle than redback within me. OEM ABC

-- posted by redback

» redback - sounds of silence

In response to Fair Dinkum! posted by redback:

Even Simon and Garfunkel can't be heard here!

Reality TV now involves real nuns inviting in 5 women to their enclosed Benedictine chapter...an Abbey in our beautiful Southern Highlands...for 33 days. There'll be no evictions. In fact, the only 'Big Brother' is expected to be THE Big Brother so should be a learning experience for nun and visitor alike.

Tis expected to be screened the end of this month.

Am I right in guessing this hasn't happened in the USA?

-- posted by redback

» Migisi - Only in Italy?

In response to sounds of silence posted by redback:
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Even Simon and Garfunkel can't be heard here!
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Have all OZ elevators been shut down?
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Reality TV now involves real nuns inviting in 5 women to their enclosed Benedictine chapter
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Reality TV?? Sounds like a bore. (12 hours on their knees praying, 12 hours on their knees washing floors.) By 'enclosed', do you mean cloistered?
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Am I right in guessing this hasn't happened in the USA?
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Not yet. But those crazy Italians....
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http://www.cathnews.com/news/302/150.php
Religious dramas more popular than reality TV in Italy
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(quote) "Reality TV shows and Hollywood blockbusters may scoop top viewing in most countries but in Italy religious films are attracting almost as many viewers to the small screen as soccer.
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"A made-for-TV film on the life of Saint Maria Goretti, a young girl who chose to die as a martyr rather than submit to sexual abuse, attracted some 10 million viewers last weekend -- 35% of households, Italian media reported.
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"TV programs that are hits in most countries, like fly-on-the-wall reality show Big Brother, attract big audiences in Italy, but not as many viewers as religious films.
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"The figures are something of a surprise to sociologists since surveys show church attendance among Italians has fallen steadily in recent years, even though 98% of the population is still described as Catholic.
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"Aware that they are on to an advertising bonanza, TV stations are already planning films on the life of Pope John Paul and Mother Teresa.
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"The most-watched religious TV film of all - seen by more than 50% of the population in April last year - starred Ed Asner as Pope John XXIII, known as the "good pope". (end)
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SOURCE -Reuters 2003
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-- posted by Migisi

» Migisi - Fair Dinkum!

In response to Fair Dinkum! posted by redback:

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it breathes through its bum.
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We have a few here. But we call them politicians. They talk out of their bums. Heh heh.

-- posted by Migisi