Patriot Realm

Few figures burn as brightly as Queen Boudicea, the fierce and indomitable leader who rose from tragedy to challenge the might of the Roman Empire.

Driven by a relentless love for her people and a thirst for justice, Boudicea united the fractured tribes of ancient Britain in a passionate fight for freedom.

Her story is one of defiance, resilience, and an unyielding spirit - a testament to the enduring power of patriotism and the human will to resist oppression.

Boadicea, Queen of the Iceni, based in what is now Norfolk/Suffolk in eastern England,  stood before the might of the Roman Empire ~ 60-61 AD.

Since Emperor Claudius's invasion in 43 AD, the Romans had established control over Britain, bringing with them advanced equipment, military tactics and infrastructure. Yet, Boadicea’s stand against tyranny and unwavering commitment to her people, ignited a spark of resistance.

Around 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth formed as a hot ball of molten rock created from gases released by the Sun.

Over time, its surface cooled down and solidified into a rough crust, constantly pushed and reshaped by molten rock (magma) beneath it.

Volcanoes breaking through the crust released water vapor into the atmosphere, eventually condensing into rain.

That rain collected in low areas, forming the oceans. Water from comets that struck Earth also contributed to that process, which was essentially complete by about 3.8 billion years ago.

Another brick in the wall of totalitarianism in Australia was laid recently, with the mortar of hand-ringing faux concern for the ‘safety’ of our children troweled on in generous quantities. At some point in the next year or so, it will be illegal for children under 16 years of age to use some social media apps.

Which means all users will have to clear this age hurdle, somehow, when our Priestess of Permitted Pronouncements gets around to writing, and maybe publishing, the ‘guideliness’ referenced in the legislation.

There’s no defined measure by which the success or failure of this new legislation will be judged. So there will be no limit on how far this inch of restriction will be translated into miles of oppression in the future, again in the name of ‘safety.’

A single real (or fabricated) case of bullying leading to suicide would be more than enough for the government of the day to claim a mandate for ratcheting up the level of restrictions for access to the internet.

Another 26th of January is on our doorstep. Only a few more sleeps before we gather our daggy thongs, ( not from Woolies, of course) search out the shorts with the flag plastered all over them and order in a few slabs, a keg or 3 and assemble around the barbie at the appointed hour ( normally around 11 am ) to tell a few mate jokes and have one too many.

We'll dust off the cricket bat and ball while the missus makes the salads and the kids are reminded that beer always lives in the bathtub on Australia Day. Unless there is a frog in the bath of course.... 

" Oi !  Get your Dad a beer! " will resonate around this great dusty island and we will pull each other's leg and tell jokes about who had a convict in their ancestry.

Will this happen this year?

I reckon it will. With more gusto than for many years.  

As President-Elect Trump is days away from returning to the Whitehouse, I pondered a man who may have applauded his victory and his ambitions to make America Great Again. Both men ran as outsiders to politics, appealing to voters disillusioned with the traditional political establishment.

Ross Perot was best known as a maverick billionaire and two-time U.S. presidential candidate He was one of the most successful third-party candidates in American history.

But what a lot of people don't know is that he also played a remarkable role in a daring rescue mission in 1978. This lesser-known part of his life, dubbed "Operation Hotfoot," (Help Our Two Friends Out of Tehran) illustrates Perot's determination, ability to think under pressure, and  commitment to those under his care.

I am not a fan of maggots. Let us be clear on that from the outset. Horrible little squirmy things. Writhing and thriving.. . 

I do not care who ( or  WHO )  tells me that they are full of protein and eating zee bugs will make me happy, I am not eating one.