AN UNGRATEFUL NATION

When your house is burning , who do you call ? Firefighters , thats who ! We expect them to risk life and limb to save our property , but occasionally they have to go the extra mile to save people who are trapped within the structure !

Some say , " That is what they signed on for " !  Of course those saying that , would be the LAST to VOLUNTEER !  Same people regard those returning home , injured or even " Physically Challenged ", after serving in the Military as having " Chosen " to take those " Risks " when signing on for that " Career Choice "!

WRONG , WRONG attitude ! These people are serving YOU and I , someone has to work in these essential services or we ALL will be just as well be back living in caves , since carrying a bucket of water to the fire , if you can find the water , would be the only solution . Certainly the old western movies showing " Bucket Chains " to fight fires still exists in the 21st century in parts of the world .

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT ?

UNINSURED " FIREFIGHTERS " this is what this is about !

Horrified as an ex bushie from Oz and the Volunteer Bushfire brigade that there are  " Professional Fire Fighters " that are UNINSURED by their Community , or is it Country !

Reading " Change.org " today i found this Petition !

http://www.change.org/petitions/give-health-care-to-firefighters-who-battle-wildfires?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jqnLlliwJA&alert_id=jqnLlliwJA_utOqIehVOr

WHY in this 21st century World , are the people who safeguard our lives and property treated with such disregard ? Can you imagine " Police Officers " being UNINSURED by their Community ?

Time for ALL THINKING CITIZENS to act . Do as i have done , not only sign the " petition " but checkout the status of your local " Firefighters , Volunteers as well as Pros " , make sure they are FULLY COVERED  and if not enquire as to the reasons for any shortfall !

Those finding their " Guardian Angels " are NOT FULLY INSURED should act to highlight these discrepancies by campaigning with their local Politicians !

" NO " is not an Answer ,

" Will look into it " is not an answer ,

 " Will get back to you " , is not an answer !

 POSITIVE ACTION at a local level will be the first step to getting National Action !

When people GO IN HARMS WAY on OUR behalf , they and their families ,  regardless of Cost , deserve to be FULLY COMPENSATED or we ALL may find to our detriment an unacceptable alternative !

DO IT NOW !

M.Le President of the French Republique

For the Personal Attention of :

M.Le President of the Republique of France ,Francois Hollande

Your Excellency ,

I should  like  to  congratulate  you  on  your  Election  to  this  office . As the leader of an important Nation such as France your voice will be heard  and be heeded by other Nations in the World  Forum !

During this past week i have been in various locations in the South East of France and seen the efforts to make the roads safer for Cyclists !  Indeed since my last visit to  the 2011 Tour de France i see evidence that there is a desire on the part of the French Authorities to tackle the growing problem of Cyclist Safety . In so many parts of the world , the cyclist is viewed as  `` Road Kill `‘ , an unfortunate set of statistics , that the  Motoring Lobby  would prefer overlooked  !

The TOUR DE FRANCE is a world renowned event  that is enjoyed BY ALL each year and would be the ideal venue to remind ALL ROAD USERS that there is a place on the roads for ALL USERS !

At the Arrivee in Rumilly last night , i had occasion to speak with Chris Prudhomme , Director of  the " TDF " and the " Face and Voice of the TDF " for some years now after the retirement of Jean Marie Leblanc . I first met Chris whilst he was working with France TV and i know that he listened then to my views on Cycling  and my efforts to assist „ " " Handisport " !

My suggestion to him last night , was that "  The LeTour " publicise the Campaign started by the " Times Newspaper of london " which appears to be gaining Worldwide notice and endorsement  " Cities fit for Cycling " !

This campaign was ignored at the „ Giro dÌtalia,  since it is being promoted in Italy , by a rival Newspaper Group . Can you imagine that an errant motorist stricking a Cyclist , cares which  " newspaper " the  Cyclist chooses to read ?

Over the years i have seen too many people become victims of the " ME FIRST " generation ! In these harsh economic times so many French People and other Nationals are having to consider the Cycle as a means of transport , so as to balance their familly budget ! So many people are too frightened to get on a bike because of their fear of the traffic . Indeed during the Giro i met many who have given up Cycling because it has now  become too hazardous , and their families rely on their income .

Victims of Cycling Tragedies come from all walks of life , The Surgeon Father of Cyclist , Tyler Farrar , the Founder of the Willier Cycles  Company , Paul Crake an Australian Cycle Racer , Amy Gillett  , an Olympic Rower turned Cycle Racer , not to forget Wouter Weylandt , who died in the 2011 Giro dÌtalia  . So many day to day Commuters are struck down but do not get a mention since they are part of life`s everyday fabric .

BY YOUR INTERCESSION  ´, The Organisation oft he Tour de France , COULD bring the WORLD MEDIA’s  attention to the plight of the everyday Cyclist , and ensure that the Governments of the World follow France’s efforts to ensure ALL Cyclists arrive home SAFE ,to their family each night !

Many Politicians mean well when they voice their concerns to their Constituents BUT it takes a World Leader to motivate them to act in Concert !

As a humble cyclist , i enjoy the hospitality that the French people of ALL persuasions offer me . I am known to trample on the feet of those who think that my few efforts on behalf of the " Sportive Adaptees " are not worthy of  consideration . I know i would not succeed as a Politician but will continue to turn the pedals at the next " Le Tour " , which is my 15th Tour de France , riding each etappe in full day by day !

President Heinz Fischer

Spending Cuts fall on those most in need ! Governments everywhere target those who they think are least likely to fight back !

 

My letter to the Head of State in Austria :

 

 " As Head of State you must occasionally despair of the actions of your country’s citizens ? Whilst your position is mainly Ceremonial you no doubt are aware of the happenings brought about in the Political Sphere ! Currently the Government is being asked by the “ IMF “ to do more to balance the Country’s Budget and thus the Politicians are looking at the easiest target , Health and Pensions !

Would it be that this is the area less likely to fight “ Cutbacks “ or is it that the Politicians and servants of the State are too lazy to look at other areas ?

On a personal level I may not be affected by these changes but today I saw evidence of waste which makes me wonder what is being done to make “ Monies Allocated “ serve the purpose intended and not go to waste . On my way to Kufstein today , I cycled over a minor road that approaches Kundl and was surprised to find that it was being “ ripped up “ again today , since I saw workmen sweeping it clean yesterday after finishing the Asphalting days before ! Now I know that there are many Utilities that are allowed to interfere with the road surface when doing their work but most are employed by the State mechanism in one way or another so is it not possible for coordination ? Surely there must be a way in this day and age for “ PLANNING “ to allow ONE TRENCH with sewerage , electricity , gas and private cabling for things like telephone , broadband to be put “ in situ “ at the same time with access points at the side of the road for later maintenance and additions ?

Arriving at the “ Finanzamt “ in Kufstein I found that the new department ( Finance Police ) established in may 2011 was unaware of information I provided to the Schwaz Finanzamt office in December 2008 ! The officer in the office put me in touch by telephone with his colleague that was handling other matters relating to the Ski School that I had worked for in 2008 . However he was unaware that I had provided info that is now nearly three years in the system ! That I was entitled to refund of taxes paid in 2008 was the reason for asking the Finanzamt in Dec.2008 to assist me in early recovery . No doubt there are many other situations of a similar type that will result in the State recovering Huge amounts of outstanding taxes ?

Mr President before the Government introduce cuts in Health , Pensions and Welfare , would it not be better if they look at the efficiency of various state organisations and streamline expenditures so that many jobs are coordinated to be done at the same time thus eliminating WASTE of Resources ? Also could not the “ Finanzamt “ bring forward prosecution of “ Outstanding Cases “ so as to recover the vast amounts of money that rightfully belong to the state ?

 

Years ago I was told that “Politics is the art of looking Good , whilst doing nothing “ ! I hope this is not true in Austria ! "

 

Of course it is unlikely to make any difference in the short term as those in Government will have already acted on what they are promising but next time you come across a hole in the road see for yourself the amount of resources wasted because as sure as night follows day there will be more work done as soon as the first job is completed !

 

 

 

 

SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE ?

HERE IS A COMMENT I MADE TO " CYCLINGNEWS FORUM " tonight ! Recently they have been debating the right of a Guy needing " Blades " to compete !Who are they to debate anyone's rights when their only exercise is with a finger on the keyboard , of course their imagination leaps around somewhat during the search for something to add to the thread .

Today i was at a cycling event in Schwaz , Tirol where there were sections of the racing to include all ! Men , Women , juniors and even youngsters . there was even an australian , Liam Poole , competing in a team from Graz .

Everyone included ? No way , there was NOT ONE "Adaptive/ Physically Challenged person" there either as a spectator but more especially as a competitor ! The journalist i spoke to told me " THERE IS NO MEDIA INTEREST !"

What year are we living in ? Austria has about the best " Behinderten Ski Team " and the "Vorarlberg Behinderten Ski Team " has completed the "Race across America " some years ago !

SO ANYONE OF YOU DUMPING ON " Pistorius " for making the effort to remind the world there are those less fortunate than us LOOK IN THE MIRROR and ask yourself if you could endure even a portion of the demands made of him by those that would wish that he did not make the efforts for himself and those like himself .

Next year in London we will see many our " Politicians " sent in "Harms Way " serving their community and country once again on the sport field ! Some of those will not measure up to YOUR LOFTY standards but then they were given little choice about the way they did their duty and the consequences that resulted !

WE ALL OWE " OSCAR PISTORIUS " a debt of gratitude for his opening a door and encouraging more to try to reach an " Olympic or Paralympic Standard " and there are some aspiring to London that will not be able to go becaue of the " Rules & Regulations " that currently exist AND also the lack of funding and support from those whose only exercise is with the finger on a keyboard !

My blogs only seem to reach a few people BUT those reading them should take the time to ask their network of contacts to carry the story further .

ALL ABOARD !

 Cadel flavour of the month or will it be the year or the decade ? Politicians of ALL persuasions are jumping aboard the " band wagon " ! This time there was warning that there would be " sound bite Ops "! Didn't he come second twice ? Wasn't that an ACHIEVEMENT in and of it's self ? Not for the Polies , that is for certain !

After Cadel soloed to the World Champion win i posted on "parrabuddy " and to a variety of other outlets my view that Australia could by setting up a variety of additional " Cycling Events " become a MAJOR destination for those connected with cycling during the European Winter Cycling Season . Of course Europe has other cycling events during the winter in which the Cycle Road Racers enjoy participating ! 

Can anyone show me ONE event that was added to the Oz Cycling Calender since Cadel became World Champion ? Of course to put on events requires  "Sponsors " but there are many out there with "cash " burning holes in their pockets IF ONLY the event organisers would have looked ! I realise that my suggestions in October 2009 would have been too early for that " European Winter series " but IS there anything additional planned for this the 2011 European Winter Season ?

ALL are going to want to see Cadel perform on the Bike when he returns to Oz this year , no doubt he will be selective of the events he will participate in OR visit to acknowledge the Cycling Public BUT had Event Organisers put their thinking caps on there would be Additional Incentives for European Road Racers to have Wintered in Oz and bring their family and friends with them !

John Morris when head of Tourism in 2000 headquartered in the Westfield Tower was kind enough to hear me out , about some proposals i offered about "Sponsoring Cycling Events " ! Did he pass on to his colleagues any of the ideas to research ? Doubtful , as i was a "lightweight , outside the " IN circle " and it would have cost money . Wonder if i would get time now to propose some of the ideas i have espoused here and elsewhere ? NO CHANCE JOSE !

ALL the media are scrambling for ANY story about Cadel since this will sell newspapers , journals , DVDs and grab attention for the advertisers on TV and Radio . Wonder if any of the Cycling Event  Organisers are able to INTEREST Cadel's Management team in "Personal Appearances " at some yet to be arranged Cycle Events ?

At Pinerollo i was able to grab a photo with Matt White and speak  briefly with Stevo who were there talking to those racing at the TDF .

 

WE LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES for cycling .

 

ENJOY