Advertisements
Tag Archive | Australia
June 4, 2019  

Jailed Cardinal George Pell’s Appeal Re. Child Abuse Is Taking Place In Australia Right NOW.

by Anura Guruge

Click to access Australia ABC.news with video updates.

Click image to access this post.

George Pell (b. 1941, 77-years old) was convicted of ‘sodomy’
in December 2018.

He was given a 6-year prison sentence.

He has been serving that sentence since at least February 2019 (if not earlier).

This was an APPEAL, for having conviction completely overturned, that was filed earlier this year.

If he wins this appeal he will be released from prison.

If he loses he will have to finish his 6-year sentence. He will not be asking for it to be reduced.

Related posts:
 Search ‘pope’ or ‘cardinal’.
 Check Category ‘religion’.

by Anura Guruge

Advertisements
May 27, 2019  

Cricket World Cup 2019: Who Do I Think/Hope Will Win It.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

Click to ENLARGE.

As with so many decisions in my life, I have two choices — one based on what I think (i.e., what my heads says) and the other being what I want (i.e., going with the heart).

Despite their poor performance in the warm-up game against Australia (on Saturday), I, like most of the professional pundits, think that England can pull this off. Nothing wrong with that. As a proud Brit I will, of course, rejoice. But, I don’t have an empathy with any of the current English players. They just seems so robotic.

On the other hand, I genuinely like quite a few of the South Africans. I have really got to admire and enjoy the South Africans over the last few years. They have usurped the West Indies, a team I ardently supported for over 40-years, as the team I look forward to watching and rooting for.

What I like most is their genuine, fondness for each other — irrespective of color or religion (given that they have white & black, Christians and Muslims). That team exemplifies what Nelson Mandela wanted for all of South Africa. I think part of my fondness for them is my devotion to Nelson Mandela. Supporting this South African team is like paying homage to Nelson. That appeals to me. Plus, some really exciting cricketers: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada … They all remind me of the West Indians that I should to adore.

Well, the 2019 World Cup hasn’t even started yet. So, a long way to go. But, it should be fun — especially with U.S. coverage available with Willow TV.

Related posts:
 Search ‘world cup’.

by Anura Guruge

April 17, 2019  

Australian ‘Mystery Road’ Detective Series On ‘Acorn’ Is Intriguing & Educational.

by Anura Guruge

Click to access the ‘Acorn’ Webpage for this series.

Found it, like so many other gems on ‘Acorn‘, while browsing the catalog looking for good mystery/detective shows. Looked interesting and it sure has been.

We became addicted to ‘A Place To Call Home‘ on Acorn — which was Australian and set in Australia. ‘Mystery Road‘ shares that trait.

Tight, gripping, intriguing. Powerful, in-your-face characters. The mystery is set within an aboriginal community. That is the educational part. we have not had that much exposure to modern day aboriginal life and this show takes you there — in spades. Reminds me, very much, of the Navajos and life in and around my beloved Canyon de Chelly. The male detective is ‘BLACK’ — i.e., an aborigine. That gives it all a nice twist. He has a colorful past too.

We have only watched the first 4 episodes. But, they were good. I can’t wait to go back and finish the series. I think I will not be disappointed.

Related posts:
Search on “Acorn TV“.

by Anura Guruge

The Diary Of Anne Frank

March 21, 2019  

New Zealand, To Its Eternal Credit, Exemplifies The Decency & Dignity I Ascribe To Cricket Playing Nations.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

Click to ENLARGE.

Click to ENLARGE.

Cricket civilizes you. Plain and simple. Sportsmanship is paramount in cricket. Hence, the above expression: “It isn’t cricket”.

So, I, who watch cricket, on a large screen TV, nearly every day, and have been a fanatic all my life, strongly believe that cricket playing nations tend to be more decnet than those that don’t play cricket.

By ‘cricket playing nations’ I am referring to the 12 countries permitted to play 5-Day International Test Matches. Yes, cricket at the highest level, is played between countries and a match can last up to 5-days — and still end in a draw. That is the beauty & charm. That is what civilizes you. No crash, bangk, wallop. Very dignified.

Right now there are 11 countries that are Test nations: India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The ‘West Indies‘ also play Test cricket but they are a conglomeration of small states that come together to play cricket. 105-countries, worldwide, play cricket. But, I am talking just about the 11 Test playing countries — New Zealand one of them.

I am so proud of New Zealand. Way to go. Obviously, it would have been better if this unfortunate incident never happened, but NZ showed us how to rise above and prevail.

And their 38-year old Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. WOW. WOW. WOW. What class. What courage. She is exemplary.

I have thought about immigrating to New Zealand! I, however, have never been. Not even close. I also don’t have any NZ friends. Dealt with a fe, but I can’t say I interact with any Kiwanis right now. My loss.

One of my all time heroes, Edmund Hillary, is a New Zealander.

I know NZ from all the cricket I watch — and some rugby. I count Richard Hadlee, Glenn Turner, Bev Congdon, Ross Taylor et. al. among my favorites. Bev Congdon made my Summer of 1973!

So, I have always had an affinity with dear Ol’ New Zealand — a British Commonwealth member no less.

How they have behaved and prevailed over the last few days has been brilliant. So, inspirational.

Thank YOU, New Zealand.

Thank YOU, Jacinda Ardern.

by Anura Guruge

March 13, 2019  

Cardinal George Pell Is Actually In A Prison Cell Now — NOT On Bail.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE and admire. My own work.

Click image to access this post.

This full-length, 1-hour 8-minute sentencing hearing is worth watching
or, at a minimum, dipping into to get a flavor of the proceedings.

There was some confusion on this yesterday during his sentencing hearing; i.e., whether he would be allowed out, a free man, until his June 2019 appeal hearing. I made sure to double check,

He is in a prison cell. Has been for 15-days now. Two-weeks prior to yesterday’s sentencing hearing. So, he is no longer prancing around, cock-a-hoop. But, there is a chance that he might be able to wriggle free in June after his appeal hearing.

Right now he is on the permanent sex offenders list. Not sure what will happen IF he is acquitted on his appeal.

So, the pope now has the issue of one of his cardinals, an elector no less (i.e., under-80), is actually in a prison — and it is not Castel Sant’Angelo (the Vatican prison in the old days).

Maybe the pope is waiting for June, praying desperately and hoping for a miracle.

But, for now, Cardinal George Pell is actually in prison.

He probably is in isolation. I have to imagine that some red-blooded Australians, in prison, would want to have a word or two with him about his child abuse. Even hardened criminals don’t take kindly to this crime.

Related posts:
 Search ‘pope’ or ‘cardinal’.
 Check Category ‘religion’.

by Anura Guruge

February 26, 2019  

George Pell Will Not Be The First Cardinal To Be Imprisoned; But He Will Be First For Sodomy.

by Anura Guruge

This from ‘The Washington Post’. Google for more …

Click image for my December 2018 post.

Cardinals going to prison is nothing new.

During the Middle Ages various imperial powers, or in some instances disgruntled popes, would imprison cardinals that they took a dislike to — often to prevent them voting at conclaves.

Then during the last century we had political imprisonments — mainly by communist countries. One well know example was Chinese Cardinal Ignatius Kung who was imprisoned for over 30-years for dissent. He remained a cardinal throughout.

Then there was also Hungarian Cardinal József Mindszenty. He too spent 8-years in prison — yet again he remained a cardinal throughout.

But, things are different with the dirty old bugger, George Pell. What he has been convicted of is that of sodomizing a child!

He will be the first cardinal to be imprisoned for sodomy.

The mind boggles as to what kind of reception he will receive in an Australian prison. I doubt that Australian prisoners take too kindly to old men who sodomize kids.

He most likely will be forced to resign his cardinalate. He will be the 2nd to do so, after Theodore McCarrick, since 1927.

No cardinalate resignations for 90-years, then 2 in one-year!

Related posts:
 Search ‘pope’ or ‘cardinal’.
 Check Category ‘religion’.

by Anura Guruge

December 25, 2018  

Wishing YOU A Very Festive ‘Boxing Day 2018’ & With TWO Test Matches It Does NOT Get Better.

by Anura Guruge

Click to ENLARGE.

I feel bad for the Americans in that they were never blessed to discover and relish ‘Boxing Day‘. It is a wonderful British Holiday, day to chill-out after and enjoy some sporting action. And IF you are a true Brit there is nothing better than a Test match on Boxing day and this year, i.e., 2018, we have TWO: Australia vs India and South Africa vs Pakistan. I will be watching both of them. Given that Australia is 12-hours ahead of us, I plan to start watching the Australia vs India Test shortly.

Enjoy. Make ‘Boxing Day’ a part of your Christmas ritual. You will be better for it.

Happy ‘Boxing Day 2018’.

Related posts:
 Check Category ‘Holidays’.

by Anura Guruge

« Older Posts
%d bloggers like this: