Wow, Poirot, that is a sad blow to the kidneys!

I for one will miss u greatly - though I have to admit I was rather hoping for a return, in due course, of more of the wit, thrust and parry so reminiscent of the Poirot of old, the very 'soul of wit' I so enjoyed reading. (Perhaps the topics have just not been conducive.)

Life just hasn't been the same for a fair while - on OLO or elsewhere.
I miss those early days (in my OLO delving), of Poirot, Squeers, Pelican, Pericles and Lexi waxing philosophical on life, 'humanity', educational possibilities and even the very nature of consciousness.
(Though Squeers lost me entirely at times - but was never dull, and really put the grey matter to work. Whatever happened to him?)

Lately we have become far too engrossed with politics, economics and global warming - with an attendant tendency for diametrically opposed views (or innate or philosophically-based bias) to dominate the discussion and raise tempers. Such a pity.

Were we perhaps more content before Rudd and Gillard, and pre- NBN, Gonski and NDIS? Have these opened our eyes, or merely opened a new bag of 'worms'?
(Or, can the GFC have so shaken us out of our complacent slumber that we are now forever chasing shadows and pointing fingers?)

Life will go on, politics will be forever flawed, and not everyone will be happy no matter who is in power and no matter how hard they work to make Oz more prosperous or 'productive'.

I believe in a 'fair go', and in 'community', and would like to see a greater emphasis on these in business, law, politics, education, healthcare, housing, environment, development and infrastructure.
Ethics, 'quality' and moderation, and all for one.
And, have a spectacular Christmas.

Poirot, "Yes, otb, this time I mean it"

You will not regret escaping the rut. Sally forth and never look back.

Travel well, Bloke. :)

I caught the news the other night when the whole Gongski thing first broke.There was Bill Shorten making a visit to a western Sydney school
(his body language making him look for all the world like a sheepish schoolboy).

When one of the students asked him the predictable question: "What does it take to be a leader?"
Bill piped up with: "A leader must always tell the truth"
(a blatant bit of political point scoring at the expense of the kids!)

I thought, heck Bill, you've been spruiking Julia as leader for the last three years -and she made a habit of telling fibs!
Where were your principles then?

And, on that more important issue (raised by Saltpetre):
<<I miss those early days [of OLO], of Poirot...>>
Yep! I do too.The OLO of the last week was like an Ozzie barbie without the buzz of the ubiquitous blow fly!

Well the Tory,s here went off a bit early.
Its not a good look.
Backward steps proving someone Abbott or more likely Pyne the Princess is damaged by this.
Again shaky start for a new government and historic.
Not going to be surprised if in the long run Abbott is replaced by Turnbull, will however every concerned if it happens.
What a messy crew!

Somersaults, back -flips etc. If they're for the better than good. Far more competent a move than keeping on going with proven failure & expecting a different result i.e. ALP of recent past.

All the best to you Poirot. Saltpetre has said much of how people of thought regard you. Sorry to have missed whatever got you suspended for so long, must've been accurate. Save your spleen and Merry Christmas.

Luciferase (a la prochain, ailleurs, put etre?)