OZ OPEN

Another Oz Open is over. Safin and Hewitt were the stars, no question. They both deserved a moment in the sun, but this year the powerful Russian is shining bright. Hewitt did have a win when he proposed marriage to his new squeeze, good luck to her.

Davenport and Williams, what a disaster. What game are they playing. Equal pay for equal work, they don't deserve any pay. Their match was one of the worst I have ever seen. It is time that women play three sets to win, and start playing at a much higher standard.

Molik has the potential, let's hope the rest of the world comes to the party.

COUNTRY DRIVERS UNFAIRLY TREATED

Are country drives unfairly treated under the current penalty points scheme? Over the past year the demerit point system attached to driving offenses have doubled. Thus a driver can lose their license faster than ever.

Most city based motorists travel between 20 and 30,000 kms per annum. If they lose their license in the three year time line, they have many travel alternatives: buses, trams, cabs, trains, etc.

Country drivers cover 30,000 plus kms per annum and are much more likely to receive driving tickets and lose their license. They have very few alternatives that will take them shopping, to work, or school, etc. Maybe a train to another town, or some buses.

Cab drivers are allowed 24 demerit points in three years, country drivers should be given the same allowance. Drivers with a history of losing their license may be given less discretion.

Random drug testing is here, but is it another example of big brother? No one wants those under the influence of any substance, that impairs their skills to take control of a vehicle or machine.

As many drugs are illegal there can be no safe limit, unlike booze which is a legal substance. With insufficient knowledge to make reasonable legal judgments then should we have as a penalty the canceling of a drivers license and all that this action entails. How much does the time between exposures to drugs and the time of the test relate to driving ability?

Is it true that front seat passengers can be tested and also loose their license? Isn't this taking extreme action, the passenger may have been taking responsible action by not driving. What if the vehicle is a taxi and the driver fails the test, and the passenger? I think I will start riding in the back of all vehicles when under the weather, regardless of the reason.

Speaking of Little Johnny. We hear his wife has been in hospital and wish her the best. I hope the stories around the big "C" halls of power about Little Johnny and his lover, a woman of knowledge, are not the cause. Beneath that exterior of cold, calculating evil, lies a heart of lust? I wonder if he mentions this in his prayers during the prayer breakfasts.

No wonder the family do not live in the lodge. By the way, the excuse for living in Sydney, was the children's education needs. Haven't they all flown the royal nest? So why are we paying for two residences for one man and his wife? How much are all those public servants, who are based in Canberra, costing us in accommodation and other expenses? Come on Labour; Democrats and Greens, start spilling the beans on Howard and his cronies. Are you scarred to yell? Then when it is your turn, you will have to toe the line.

IT'S TIME.....

Well, well, Mark has fallen down, he gave it a great shot, thanks Mark, good luck with the rest of your life.

Who will pick up the poisoned chalice, Big Kim, the lovable and cuddly bear, will he do a Johnny, and rise to the occasion?

Some one will have to make the plunge and egos are never in short supply.

Will the party move forward and face the challenge of a one horse parliament? Can the Democrats or Greens bring something of value to the cause in July 2005?