I listened to the podcast linked below and if our ABC is similar to the BBC, you should be able to listen to it anywhere. The podcast is is made by the RN radio programme Rear Vision and discusses the disastrous privatisation of the water and sewerage system in I think, England and Wales. I am not sure about the other countries in Great Britain.
The privatisation was initiated by late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (she without empathy) and has been an utter disgrace, so if you want your blood to boil in fury about sewerage flowing into fresh water and governmental permission to rip off the people of the aforesaid countries, take half an hour to listen to the podcast. It is very enlightening.
Sadly ABC no longer allows direct downloading as it wants everyone to use the ABC app, which I believe you can use overseas. You can listen online though.
In other matters, for months the Australian government has been warning its citizens against visiting the Middle East and over the past several weeks, it has been urging Australians to return to Australia before things really kick off in area. Well, it seems kicking off is pretty close to being underway.
Now the government is talking about emergency evacuation flights and ferries. If my government was urging me to return home, I damn well would have at the first serious warning, promptly. I suppose there are some citizens of Australia in the Middle East who would be reluctant to uproot their established lives there, but at least they know the situation and can make educated judgements. Wouldn't it to be better to be safe than sorry? I do not like the idea of Australians or anyone being put at risk to evacuate those who were too stubborn and could now be screaming help. Of course down the track our government will receive bad press, by leaving all those, 'innocent and desperate people overseas who are innocently caught up in a war'.
Yes, I am in a bit of a grump tonight.
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Privatisation of essential services never serves the population well. Never, ever.
ReplyDeleteAnd a big yes to your final rant as well.
I seem to be stuck in grumpy mode at the moment. On so many fronts.
EC, we have countless examples in our country where privatisation hasn't worked. I hope you feel happier soon.
DeleteI think we all have reason to be grumpy right now.
ReplyDeleteAs we do at a certain age, JayCee.
DeleteSorry to admit it, but there are times I wish for ignorant bliss. ~sigh~ The worldwide suffering, both natural and manmade, makes my heart and soul ache. Best wishes, my dear.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Darla. Some people take no notice of what is happening around the world or on their own doorstep. I can't do that.
DeleteGood on your government for doing emergency evacs and trying to get their folks out. I'd be the first one on the plane.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Never mind the cost, Sandra.
DeleteThere are Australian citizens who choose to live in Lebanon when they retire , they take their pension benefits with them which they are entitled to , and rejoin their extended families . Their hearts are there and I suspect they won’t leave because they look after their elderly.
ReplyDeleteHolidaymakers have been told numerous times to leave and they should have . We should not be paying for their return .
I just wish it would all stop , I suspect we all have friends from all of these groups and so we all worry .
The conflict never ceases in the Middle East and it seems there is no solution
I hate the violent protests and the intimidation we see happening in Australia . Protest in peace for an end to the conflict and leave the horses alone!
Anon, yes as I suggested. Tourists and those simply visiting family should have left already. The protest for the 7th has been cancelled in Sydney, and I hope it is calm here.
DeleteWe all need to grump.
ReplyDeleteAt times we do, Dora.
DeleteI can't speak for the USA as a whole, but here in Cleveland, water is still a public utility. If you were to privatize it, I'd guess you'd have to privatize Lake Erie, the source of all the water.
ReplyDeleteKIrk, if there is private profit to made by privatising the storage, I am sure it would be. A private company could just deliver the water rather than own the storage.
DeleteYeah, travel warning emails would be sent out to anyone in the region. Not another taxpayer paying venture for someone's indulgence
ReplyDeleteRoentare, quite right.
DeleteYou are not a grump. You are a realist and I agree with you! About that and many other things. Aloha, Andrew
ReplyDeleteCloudia, I don't think I am unreasonable about the Middle East war and the need to flee.
DeleteIt just really seems to me that when people choose to visit dangerous places, they are assuming a risk. They should be bright enough to know they are assuming that risk. That's on them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should start a "Grumpy Old Git" club. We could sit around and talk sense.
I'll join the grumpy old girl club Debby, with pleasure.
DeleteHow I agree with you about the flights for Australians in the middle east. For me it serves them right getting caught there when given the opportunity to return to their homeland. I have no sympathy for them at all. I know I'm harsh, but that is how I feel.
ReplyDeleteI feel much the same Margaret. The have been warned many times.
DeleteAgree with others above - we are united in our grumpiness.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Alison, as we are entitled to be at a certain age.
DeleteThe government will receive bad press, but the people have had fair warning to come home ASAP. I assumed that was for people visiting that area. But for those who have jobs and live there, do they still have homes in Australia to come back to? Or do they uproot their families and come to live in expensive hotels? Given the housing shortage nationwide, that's a possibility they have to consider. I'm sure they would like to come home but wheels in motion are often too slow.
ReplyDeleteRiver, it is not like it has ever been a safe and stable area to live. The judgement about what to do is up to those who chose to live there. If they cut themselves off from Australia without any accommodation here, I think they were foolish.
DeleteRegarding environmental matters, it's maddening to think about the long-term damage caused by poor policy decisions. On west Asia, the larger question is how people assess personal risk versus governmental advice. But, your concern about the burden on rescue operations is indeed valid.
ReplyDeletePradeep, for a first world country, what has happened is a disgrace. The more recent government advice has been much stronger than earlier general advice. I note the RAFF has two planes sitting in Cyprus ready to fly to evacuate.
DeleteThe sewage being drained into some of our most beautiful rivers is terrible. The River Wye for instance also has the overflow from over large chicken farms. Privatization is a wretched business that does not take into account the social necessity and environmental need for clean water.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Middle East, as someone said this morning, Pandora's box has been opened, we now all wait for the next episode. And whilst we do more children, women and men lose their homes, livelihoods, and lives. War is a wicked business.
Thelma, it is shocking for a first world country. How was it allowed to happen beyond me, in spite of me knowing how it happened.
DeleteWar is wicked. Talking and negotiating is much better.
Agree and despair.
ReplyDeleteJB, we mustn't lose hope, in spite of despair.
DeletePrivatisation is a losing proposition for customers/ citizens every single time but to privatise water is more than scandalous. A basic human right contaminated and used for profit.
ReplyDeleteSome weeks ago I saw somebody on a community fb page asking how to get into Lebanon. I wondered why anyone would want to go against all the advice and circumvent a system designed to keep them safe. You're right, if people haven't got out by now, it's too late
We are on the same page Kylie, to speak the cliche.
DeleteThere are things that work best as a non-profit government service -
ReplyDeleteOh yes, TP.
DeleteI suppose it's possible that some people there had to stay, for family reasons or work obligations (though they'd have to be pretty serious obligations to keep me there if I were them).
ReplyDeleteThames Water, our water provider in London, is basically bankrupt. I don't understand all the backstory -- I haven't followed it closely enough -- but I suppose this privatization is part of it.
Steve, yes many will fit into that category.
DeleteWater companies have been bled dry by paying huge dividends to shareholders and there is no capital to invest in infrastructure. Capitalism at its worst.
Just don't get me started on the disgraceful water companies!
ReplyDeleteFun60, it is such a disgrace that it was allowed to happen.
Delete