That's it really. Imagine if the government had a police database full of everyone's identity, addresses, photograph, fingerprints, and that that database was easily accessible but is protected by a single password that is difficult to change.
That'd be really really stupid wouldn't it?
"WHEN we're done, tap water will be relegated to showers and washing dishes." The messianic ambitions of Gatorade's former American president came a step closer to being realised in Australia this week, with the launch of a "world first" sports drink targeting children under 13.[...]
A spokesman for Gatorade said the company was not recommending to children its product replace water, and that the promotional material was "for media purposes only".
Right...
These people should go watch Idiocracy, a stupid stupid movie full of stupid jokes that cut way too close to the bone.
Like replacing water for Gatorade.
Lowest water supply level since 1968. I don't know if comparison is in in percentage or in mega-litres. I presume Melbourne's population was a fair bit lower in 1968. The Thomson Reservoir, which supplies 60% of Melbourne's water didn't exist until 1983.
We were at 49.7% at the same time last year. Our water efficiency has improved 22% since last year.
The government has no plans to further restrict water usage to households.
The latest budget included vagueness about water infrastructure spending "by the end of the year".
I'm wondering why they didn't do this the other way around, an opt-out service. Put everyone's number on there by default and anyone who actually wants to be called by telemarketers or who has some paranoid fear of having their number in a database could go to the website and have it removed.
Oh wait, the answer to that is really obvious isn't it? Silly economy.
The Do Not Call register is launched on Thursday (that's today!).
You can sign up on the website www.donotcall.gov.au or wait for postal or phone registration. The donotcall.gov.au website is currently being hammered to death.
Phone numbers on the Do Not Call register will never be called by telemarketers without consent, but certain organisations will be exempt including political parties, government agencies, education or religious organisations (why?) and charities. It may take up to 30 days for your registration to be "recognised" by telemarketing companies (why?).
Personally I'd like the option in legislation for the person called to be able to ask for this number to never be called again by this organisation, and for the organisation to be bound to record that request and abide it. That option may well be in the new legislation.
Even those not on the Do Not Call list will not be allowed to be called by telemarketers before 9am or after 8pm on weekdays and not before 9am or after 5pm Saturdays. Sundays are still being discussed.
Complaints against telemarketers can be made after 31 May 2007 when the new laws come into effect.
I've been called three times by Telstra in the last month asking me why I'm no longer with them. They seem to think my answer will change. I wonder if Telstra will somehow manage to register as a religious or educational organisation to get around these new laws.