I’m pretty sure that there was a bit of ridicule aimed in Val’s direction when this was first touted.  At the time, I recall that I might have been somewhat slanted towards cynicism myself.

Until I found this

Ukuleles may not be uncool afterall

So where do I get tickets?

Tony Abbott aparently was on his way to a roadside location where he was to give a press release/interview regarding road safety, and the need to upgrade some of our nation’s roads.  With the camera’s rolling and reporters on-hand a truck comes sliding from behind, narrowly missing Mr Abbott’s car and eventually coming to a stop on the side of the road.

NEWSFLASH – the headlines are there, straight to the top of the news feeds around the nation.  Top story on the radio, blogs (ironically including this one!) and new websites.  The ABC news website has not one, but five separate references to this one story scattered throughout their main page.  What a windfall for publicity!

But I smell a rat. At first I was skeptical – how many times would a near accident happen to be captured on film, followed  by an interview so that it makes perfect vision/audio/print for our nation’s news services ?  I’m not that good at maths – but I would be it is not a very high statistical probability!  What do you reckon, is it a bit of a setup ?

Then I looked at the clip in detail, and applied my highly refined detective look (which means I squinted).  I am of the firm opinion that Tony Abbott (or his driver) actually caused the said traffic incident.  Imagine that!  Have a look for yourself, and in particular note that Tony’s car is stationary in the middle of what is evidently a busy main road, and appears to be turning into a roadside reserve that would not normally  have turning vehicles.

• http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201002/r516051_2825320.asx (the original ABC news video feed)

Clearly you can see that the coaster bus avoiding the stationary vehicle (Mr Abbott’s) and then a truck trying the same maneuver which results in it’s trailer sliding dangerously close the the stationary vehicle.  The driver of Mr Abbott’s car then starts to accellerate as he sees the danger behind.

The only reason a vehicle inthe position of the coaster bus would have to perform such a collision avoiding maneuver is that something unexpected has happened ahead, and there is a danger of collision.  Same for the following truck!  I would guess that the driver of the truck would not have seen Mr Abbott’s vehicle until the last minute, as it would have been blocking the view of the car until it swerved off the road.

Now before all you trolls start flaming in about how I wasn’t there – I already admit that I lack omnipotence, and didn’t witness the incident.  I would dearly love to hear from an eye-witness if they have some evidence to the contrary.

I do understand that most states have road rules that say something (or at least similar) to the effect that a driver should only follow as close to the vehicle in front so that they can perform an emergency stop if required (presumably without hitting anything).  So far as I can tell, this WAS performed successfully by both the coaster bus and truck as no one collided or was injured.  The safety margin was obviously low – and I wouldn’t like to try it again, but everyone got out OK.

But ANY road user would have to honestly admit that it is normal (although illegal) to follow cars on a major road with the presumption that they are not going to suddenly stop in the middle of the road.  A motorcycle rider I know once explained it perfectly -

“Yes, when making a right hand turn on a busy road, you can stop in the middle of the road and wait for oncoming traffic.  If everyone is switched on behind you, then you can get away with it.  It would be safer to pull off to the left, allow traffic to pass then cross the road entirely.  You are technically right in the first instance, but you might have to have that written on your headstone.”

…Clever guy.

Tony Abbott, from what I can tell, you (or your driver) are an idiot.  You might be technically right, but you know you (or your driver) caused that incident and now you are milking it for the publicity.  I really don’t know how you can manage the country if you can’t manage to get to a press conference safely.

I was reading through the Cairns Post online this morning and found a lovely little story about the Cairns Yacht Club – or should I say the “restored Cairns Yacht Club” now the centrepiece of the student hub at JCU in Smithfield.  You can read the story online and see the nice picture of the happy students.

Now – let me be perfectly clear.  I think the students at JCU absolutely deserve new facilities – it’s great that they have a new student hub and I wish them the best and hope they make the most of it.  Enjoy!

But .. (you knew that was coming I bet) – it is a subtle bit of continued politics that the Cairns Post continue to refer to this facility as the “restored Cairns Yacht Club”.  This adds legitimacy to the flawed process that had it removed in the first place, the con-job that was pulled on the Cairns public and stupidity that has added further expense to an already flawed process.

The article notes “a few of the floor boards” have been replaced… and “the end walls”.  I recall from earlier photos that there was only three walls left on the structure which means (to my logic) that at best we have one wall, part of a floor and some roof trusses. Other stories in the Post refer to the decay and what was left collapsing on itself. and photos on the Cairns Blog are inconclusive, but it doesn’t look like much of any wall is standing.

Umm..  Just how much of the old girl is left ?

My understanding of restoration is that you can restore something as long as you bring it back to (near) original condition, which in the case of the yacht club is pointless I agree.  It has (rightly) been used as a base for a new building that suits a new purpose.  The original building would make no sense where it is.

There are examples of moving buildings and restoring them – Cominos House is a prime example and worth a visit if you are in the area.  It has a rich history (as did the yacht club) and a well planned and executed removal (unlike the yacht club).  It is interesting to note that for such a fine example of “restoration” the council chipped in $95,000 in 1992 .

So – lets start calling it as it really is… a recycled building.  There is nothing wrong with that, recycling is good (not quite sure of the price tag ***).  To the Cairns Post – the yacht club was demolished and the bits were either sold by Anton’s (legally – due to a lax contract) or recycled into the new student hub.

*** P.S. – I would love a reader to comment or find a link to the actual amount of money that was thrown at the issue by council/government to get the decaying demolished hulk out of the plain sight of the CBD  (I think it was called a “relocation fund” ???).  I did some searches and couldn’t find the exact amount.

It seems that there is a growing trend (not supported by any statistics) to find hanging onto the very bottom of a Compost article, a line that basically reads:

“…did not return our calls”

or even

“… could not be contacted for comment”

To me, the ‘did not return our calls’ bit, appended to the end of a story fairly drips with affront and outrage, that the subject would presume to deny the precious Journo their story.

Here is a theory – or a question.

When confronted with the choice of a one line expression of disdain at the end of an article, compared to providing the potential to be mis-quoted, taken out of context, selectively (and creatively) edited, or repeatedly questioned in a variety of ways to achieve a predetermined answer; what do you think is the more sensible approach?

With great (lack of)  gusto, here it is!

I’d also like to remind visitors that Not The Cairns Post is a community blog designed to have everyone and anyone contribute articles. If you have some community news and experiences that you think will be of some interest, write up a story

Extra brownie points if it covers some local events and initiatives that don’t necessarily make it into the more mainstream media. Don’t be shy! =)

Greg was the business editor at the Cairns Post – and our well wishes also go out to the people at the Cairns Post over their sudden loss of a friend and colleague.

Best wishes to all in this difficult time for you.

But every now and then something happens that you might either witness or have a bit of knowledge about, and you therefore might go online (or borrow a copy off some fool that bought one) and check to see how news was delivered to the masses.

Lets look at an example as it appears online at 1315 on 18 July (noted in case it gets corrected and Tricia arcs up about it)

Sugar load spills in Tully street

Julie Lightfoot

Saturday, July 18, 2009

© The Cairns Post

TONNES of sugar was scattered across Tully’s main street yesterday after a collision between a freight train and a semi-trailer at a rail level crossing.

The 1km-long freight train was travelling south when it collided with the rear of the truck’s trailer at the town’s main entrance.

The crash caused the truck’s rig to flip and spill its sugar cargo on to the road.

Emergency crews rushed to Butler St near the Bruce Highway at 4.50pm yesterday.

Both drivers escaped uninjured from the crash, which happened at a crossing with no lights.

It took crews nearly four hours to clean up the mess before the road reopened.

Tully Sugar Mill boss John King was unavailable for comment last night.

Innisfail Police District Insp David Tucker said the circumstances of the crash was still under police investigation.

The crossing is one of 66 singled out across the state by Queensland Rail to have boom gates installed.

In the scheme of things, the story is no world shattering event (except perhaps if you happen to be the idiot in the truck,  one of the train drivers, clean up crew, or customer waiting for his delayed freight).  But it serves as a reminder to simply not trust anything written or published by the hacks at our local rag.

The bit that got me was  “which happened at a crossing with no lights” by which I presume to refer to those of the flashing kind that protect railway level crossings.  I actually don’t see the reason to report that information at all, because all legal level crossings have various forms of protection that only require simple compliance thereof, in which to avoid  violent contact with trains.  However, the statement is stunningly inaccurate and takes nothing more time consuming than a check on Googles excellent streetview to see that the crossing does in fact have flashing lights.

In light of recent tragic events at rail crossings, the hysteria that has been whipped over these death trap level crossings (usually by the road transport industry who tries to deflect fault from their ‘professional drivers’, and of course the meeja), and the money that QR has spent on their driver education campaign, makes this relatively minor error in reporting inexcusable.

Oh, and a 1 km long train? Don’t think so. Where did you dig that one up from Julie?

It occurs to me that the Cairns Post has finally come up with a way to try to circumvent the scrutiny of Media Watch using their own website as a tool for “creating opinion”…

So, here is how it works:

Step 1 - The Cairns Post write a story, then wait for the comments on their website to flow in. An example is the recent article on the 20th June shown HERE online, but published in their newspaper with the less complimentary headline “Website does the trick – Val’s a good stick”.

Step 2 - Wait for the comments to flow in.  These comments are completely un-vetted all one needs is a name and an email address, the Cairns Post have even admitted to previous comments being posted under false names.  When online, your location is even optional.

Step 3 - Here’s the clever part – the Cairns Post are known to censor their comments.  Michael Moore himself has published previously on this very topic, and has even created a column to this effect..  One of our own comments has also mentioned that their online comments were not published.

Step 4 – Wow, now all you have to do, is run a regular story based on the (twisted & filtered) “Facts” that are published on the Cairns Post website.  Voila – a news story for a slow news day, with no news at all.  Magic how you can twist the truth and set the agenda isn’t it.

There are two points to note, before someone from the Cairns Post goes crazy and starts commenting on this story (yes, we know your staff read this blog).

#1 - The Cairns Post is a newspaper employing journalists.  Most journalists belong  to the Australia Journalists Association, part of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).  These members are required to follow a code of ethics (full link here) In this piece, I am “assuming” that the Cairns Post subscribes to these (or similar) ethical standards.  I would welcome a comment from the Cairns Post if this is not true.  Part of this code states”

Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts.  Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis.  Do your utmost  to give a fair opportunity for reply.

and also to

Aim to attribute information to its source.  Where a source seeks anonymity, do not agree without first considering the source’s motives and any alternative attributable source.  Where confidences are accepted,  respect them in all circumstances.

There are also clauses to deal with conflicts – which boil down to that you should have a very good reason – mainly being the “advancement of the public interest”.

While online comments may be a legitimate media tool in the Internet Age, I do not believe that the Cairns Post can ethically run a story on their online comments given that there is no legitimate source checking, and that they have demonstrated censorship in the past of their online comments.

#2 - Before anyone from the Post starts commenting about our policy, bias or whatever – keep this in mind – we are not journalists.  This is a privately run forum with our own rules.  We have clearly stated our agenda, to hold the Cairns Media accountable for their actions.  The difference is that people coming to our blog will read this as a source of the contributor’s opinion.  People reading our region’s newspaper would widely assume that it is based on facts.

Incidentally, to date we have not censored any comments or posts, with one occasion of simply being slow to approve a comment.  We do this on a voluntary basis, not as our job so I would hope you understand.

The Cairns Post continues it’s attacks on the mayor, and the council.  Note Saturday’s condescending headline: “Website does the trick – Val’s a good stick,” casting aspersions on her new website – local web designer too I see, good one Val.  Most media savvy politicians have sites these days so it’s not as if it’s something new.

Then onto the editorial where the new editor slips into the ways of his predecessor with this little gem.  The Comms manager has apparently ordered some display material that, “featured one of the mayor’s favourite colours.” The mayor probably wouldn’t have a clue what operational things the manager is up to but Andrew has to have a go on behalf of the ratepayer.  We had higher hopes for you Andrew.

And finally, put the boot into council by running a point of view comment by an “old”Cairns  Events manager who’s got her nose out of joint because she’s missed out on getting on board with the new Festival Cairns which sounds a helluva lot more exciting that last years unwieldy concoction of unrelated events.  I’ll be rolling up for Geoffrey Yunupingu and the Saltwater band in a free concert after the new look parade this year.

Today's Cairns Post

Well – I must say that I have been following with interest the ongoing saga that has been labeled the  “cash for comments” scandal in Cairns.  There have been several noteworthy contributions to the public discussion – two of them being (shock!) The Cairns Post courtesy of Thomas Chamberlin and  Michael Moore’s “The Cairns Blog”

Then – with all that kudos that The Cairns Post were accruing, they go and run today’s frontpage article…  what does a Mayor Val Schier have to do to get a good headline around here?

I have to give credit where credit is due, the page 2/3 photo is the best photo that I have seen the Post publish in a long time.  But what is with the editors down there eh?

The front page headline alludes to the fact that the council is a circus, the CEO runs the place and that the councillors are dysfunctional.  It tops this off with a quip at the cars, the festival planning and a snide remark at the radio saga.  Grow Up !

Thomas Chamberlin has been dong an excellent job with his coverage over the last few days, and his editors cheapen his hard with with sensational crappy headlines which are more about editorial opinion than facts reported with journalistic integrity.  No wonder the newspapers of today are losing ground to the “blogosphere“.

The Ukulele headline on last Saturday’s post is a point in case.

Yes – this council is doing it’s bit to promote Cairns as a host for major events – and even mentions that the previous council fell behind in such promotion.

Yes – a potential ukulele festival is one of the events on the drawing board among other things.

Then why put such a demeaning photo on the front page of a hula doll with the mayor’s head superimposed on it??  Great one The Cairns Post – nice work.  Idiots.  Letters have come out over the next few days supporting the idea.  Tony Hillier (a respected local musician & journalist) even writes that ukuleles are enjoying a resurgence in the musical scene.

Does the post congratulate our Mayor’s vision?  Perhaps it takes a neutral stance as its journalists and editors race out to check the facts ?  NO – it spits out a dummy headline aimed at getting a chuckle out of the public at the expense of the Val Schier… again.

People – it’s getting a little tired.  We know it’s hard to come up with good headlines, it’s hard to add to our community without taking a cheap shot.  But that’s the job people – and why your editors get paid the big bucks… Grow up, get a grip, take a big glass of harden-the-f#ck-up and do something positive for this region.

Everyone else is trying to be positive  – we could all use your support.