Monday, February 20, 2012
Ultimate Proof
There can be no greater proof of the inability of the mind to control external matter than the continued refusal of golf balls to disobey the laws of physics.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Confusion
I can't help confusing Quentin Bryce, who is the Queen we have when we haven't got the Queen, with Quentin Blake, the illustrator ( or is it with Quentin Crisp, the Naked Civil Servant?). I did have to wonder why one of the Quentins who were in Darwin today felt it appropriate to commend the sacrifices of those who survived the bombing.
This Quentin reportedly said "This anniversary helps us remember those we helped shape our future as a strong and self-reliant nation actively involved in world affairs." One supposes she actually said those who helped, but I thought that the bombing of Darwin was followed by some panic and a mass evacuation.
The National Archives The Bombing of Darwin Fact sheet 195 says
Hardly shaping our future as strong and self reliant!
This Quentin reportedly said "This anniversary helps us remember those we helped shape our future as a strong and self-reliant nation actively involved in world affairs." One supposes she actually said those who helped, but I thought that the bombing of Darwin was followed by some panic and a mass evacuation.
The National Archives The Bombing of Darwin Fact sheet 195 says
In the hours following the air raids on 19 February, believing that an invasion was imminent, Darwin's population began to stream southwards, heading for Adelaide River and the train south. Approximately half Darwin's civilian population ultimately fled. The panic in the town was repeated at the RAAF base, where servicemen deserted their stations in great numbers. Three days after the attack 278 servicemen were still missing. The exodus south (which later became known as 'The Adelaide River stakes'), and the looting and disorder which subsequently occurred, led the government to hurriedly appoint a Commission of Inquiry led by Mr Justice Lowe which issued two reports, one on 27 March and the other on 9 April 1942.
