Author: badjohn7

Writer and author. Published novel as eBook and print version. - Brownout - a story of life and doom - set in Philippines, Australia and USA. Also published a non fiction work about grief, "Waiting for a Miracle: Life in the Dead Zone" as an eBook and print version. Another non fiction work is, "From Brexit to Brazil via Hong Kong, China, Russia and the USA" available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo etc. This book is a collection of essays that deal with the most pressing issues of our time, including Covid-19 and its political and social ramifications.

Wretched Recep Tayyip Erdoğan


Wretched Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

The murder of 50 innocent people, and the injuring of many more by a nameless Australian man at two mosques in Christchurch has brought out the best and worst in humanity. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and the emergency services in Christchurch all performed magnificently showing their empathy and genuine humanity. This is quite apart from their efficiency in minimising the effects of this horrible tragedy as much as possible.

Alas. the same cannot be said for the President of Turkey. Erdoğan couldn’t resist making stupid inflammatory comments to bolster up support from his radical islamist base before upcoming elections. His remarks about sending home people with anti-islamist attitudes in coffins, particularly Australians, if they visited Turkey are of the same ilk as the views of the nameless assassin of those innocent people in the mosques. What does this turkey (the president not the country) want? More violence and more terrorism?

To add ignorance and absurdity to his statements he said that the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 was an attack by the Anzacs against Islam. How ludicrous! The attack on Turkey was an attempted backdoor strike against Germany, a Christian country that was allied with Turkey in the Great War. Religion had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

The great Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, took great care to make Turkey a secular state and quickly forgave the Anzacs for their attack. After that Australia, New Zealand and Turkey became great friends. The lunatic current president of Turkey, by his extremist promotion of Islam has not only prevented his country from joining the EU but is also endangering its membership of NATO.

This is not to even mention his strident steps towards creating a dictatorship, gaoling his critics at the slightest pretext. No wonder the Turkish military attempted a coup. How else could they protect the legacy of Ataturk? It is a shame that the coup didn’t succeed! Let’s just hope that the people of Turkey will quickly wake up and see this man for what he is and how he is attempting to destroy a previously happy and successful nation.

The other major characters in Brownout-666


The other major characters in Brownout – 666

The character of Marilyn Delgado, Rick’s love interest, is largely based on that of a young woman I once employed as a secretary. Many of Marilyn’s actions in the story are entirely fictional.

Typical Filipina secretary at work

Marilyn is a moderately devout Catholic but remains a physical person with the usual hopes and aspirations. She is a proud Filipino but is often the victim of her own culture.

Christopher Daly, Rick’s uncle, is a really a composite of people I have known. He is a highly moral man who always tries to do the right thing. His own morals often give him a weakness that makes him an easy victim of unscrupulous people and organisations.

Hans Werttenburger, is a diehard Nazi and former SS man, whose views on Hitler and WWII have changed little over the decades. I based him on SS men I met in Germany in the 1970’s.

ss man

The Character of Alma Lopez, the 14 year old schoolgirl, was based on a number of precocious teenagers I met over the years in the Philippines.


Precocious Filipina Schoolgirl

 

Cecilia Crisputa, was based on a qualified nurse who once worked for me as a maid.

Typical Filipino nurse in uniform

Tobacco taxes, poverty and organised crime


Tobacco taxes, poverty and organised crime

   Scott Morrison PM  

Bill Shorten Opposition leader

Richard Dinatale leader of the Greens

While nobody would argue that smoking is healthy or that it shouldn’t be discouraged, the entire Australian federal parliament is guilty of the unintended and horrendous consequences of the current “tax them till death” policy. Australia’s approach to this issue not only makes us the laughing stock of the world but also causes massive harm to our own society. Various political parties and groups have factored in to projected revenues these draconian tax levels.

The hypocrisy is evident to anyone with half a brain. Are “Quit Smoking” aids free? Of course not!

The Negative consequences of this stupid policy

There are many people, who cannot or will not (for various reasons) quit. Quite often these people are amongst the poorest in our community. This reads as “children without shoes or enough to eat.”

Tobacco products are so expensive in Oz that smokers drag their fags until the very end, thus consuming more tar and poisons. The mentally ill tend to smoke and it is always much harder for them to quit than for the general population. My own sister suffers from bipolar type 1, is a pensioner and one of her doctors told her not to try to quit as it would increase her stress levels and thus her illness. I, myself suffer from severe depression and OCD. I can’t see a way to quitting either.

Organised crime is laughing all the way to the bank. This policy is expanding and enabling the reach of organised crime networks. Tobacco is now more expensive than marijuana or ice. Troubled youth, who may have previously resorted to smoking are now taking the drug ice, which is far more dangerous for both the individual and society as a whole.

Alternatives

There are many ways to discourage smoking without targeting the extremely vulnerable. It is possible to set an age for purchase of smoking products (demanding ID) and raising it every year. That should assist in keeping the young from the evil habit. Progressive reductions in public areas where smoking is allowed can also help.

An example of a sensible tobacco policy that I am familiar with, springs to mind. In Taiwan the rate of smoking amongst the young is much lower than that in Oz. Their campaigns against smoking have become a cultural norm. Yet they do not target the vulnerable sections of their society such as the hopelessly addicted elderly, the mentally ill (my brother-in-law in Taiwan is battling schizophrenia and he smokes and is a low income earner).

The Future.

Will any of our parliamentary leaders have the courage to try to solve this problem and set tobacco taxes at reasonable and sensible levels? I can only hope but I doubt it! Australia is heading for third world status in a rush in all areas but one; tobacco prices

Australian Federal Opposition attacks responsible saving


 

Australian Federal Opposition attacks responsible saving

Bill Shorten

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bill Shorten of the Australian Labor Party has promised to introduce, if he wins government at the next election, a policy of abolishing franking tax credits for all but public pensioners (full or part). This policy is unreasonable and unfair. He has also hinted at further financial attacks on self-funded retirees.

I am a self-funded retiree who has just enough income and just enough assets to not qualify for even a part pension. I certainly would not call myself wealthy by any means. This proposed policy will only affect the moderately comfortable self-funded retirees as the genuinely wealthy ones will not be affected by it. Those wealthy ones will earn enough from their investments so that they will get their franking credits off their tax and would not be in the position to receive a franking credit tax rebate anyway.

Each year I donate a similar amount to worthwhile charities as I receive in franking credit rebates. The introduction of your policy would mean that I would not be in a position to make those charitable donations. My father was also a self-funded retiree who did not possess great wealth. Due to dementia he spent the last three years of his life in a nursing home. Because he was not on a pension he had to pay approx. $1500 a week for the nursing home (I personally saw the bills and receipts). The Rudd government introduced a tax on self-funded retirees in nursing homes. My father had to pay approx. $1500 a week extra tax on top of the nursing home charges (I personally saw those bills and receipts also).

Governments over the years have verbally encouraged people to save for their retirements where possible and not be a burden on the public purse. Yet those people who do just this and become self-funded retirees are often punished for their thrift and responsibility. This new policy will further exacerbate this situation if introduced. In times of economic uncertainty and likely government shortfalls in revenue do we really want to encourage more people to go on the government pension and take less responsibility in managing their own finances?

I have voted Labor most of the time over the years. However I will not be voting Labor while this policy remains and I imagine considerable numbers of other self-funded retirees will be doing the same.

 

Why I wrote this book



 The author

Why I wrote this book

Although I was teaching at Cromer High School as the cold case disappearance of Lynette Dawson and the male teacher and schoolgirl sex rings were unfolding, and although I had first heard of the allegations of murder in the 90’s this intriguing case has nothing directly to do with my reasons for penning this tale.

In fact, the only and indirect reference to Cromer High in my story was somewhat a matter of chance. Much of my novel, “Brownout-666: or the real meaning of the swastika,” is based on real events. I could have written part of the story as a nonfiction work but, aside from the constant danger of being sued for liable or defamation, I also wanted to include my take on what is happening to human society and its disastrous consequences around the world. Political inaction on climate change, corruption and how greed and abject stupidity, along with short sightedness on many levels have all long concerned me.

In addition I wished to explore exploitative sexuality along with the passion of Eros and romantic love – hence the graphic sex scenes. In Australia of the 70s and 80s many young men were sexually frustrated. That in addition to the prevailing culture of the time probably caused a sexually exploitative and conquest attitude amongst many males. It is these themes that are common to “The Teacher’s Pet” podcast and my novel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XzhquLFYGI

Cory Aquino

The word “Brownout” appears many times and has meaning on numerous levels. When I lived in the Philippines in the late 80s and early 90s I told people that one day I would write a book called “Brownout.” Brownouts or the sudden cutting of electricity supply were ubiquitous during my sojourns in that country. On another level the term has metaphorical meaning. Cultural clash or inability to deal with problems in a logical and systematic way is just like the dying of the light. Many of the problems that I experienced in the Philippines, including the massive corruption, exist everywhere but in more subtle forms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1CWJjVeJuI

Truth and justice are almost impossible to achieve but every year our world seems to slip further and further from those ideals. My novel is both a warning and a call to action for humanity.

Theresa May and her Brexit folly


Theresa May’s Brexit obsession is a recipe for disaster

Despite a number of prominent leaders in the UK, including two former PMs stating that a 2nd Brexit referendum is the only sensible thing to do, Mrs. May erroneously thinks that another referendum would further divide the nation. Perhaps her aim is simply to go down in history in a big way. The nation is already bitterly divided and headed downhill fast. A second referendum with all the options on the table is the only way to move forward.

Carrying on with her chosen course is only likely to divide the nation further. Scotland and Northern Ireland will demand independence referendums (the 2nd for Scotland and the first for Northern Ireland) and the breakup of the UK is a likely result. If this is not further dividing the UK then what is?

 

The real danger of a China intent on “conquering” the world


China’s uncompromising plan to take over much of the world

China, under President for life, Xi Xing Ping, has set a course to “conquer” as much of the world as possible, covertly (with bribery and bullying “loans” to small and vulnerable nations), overtly such as the takeover of much of the South China Sea and simple denial of historical fact as is the case concerning Taiwan.

The really terrifying aspect of China’s march is an apparent total lack of a moral compass. The current trial of China’s social credit system is “1984” stuff. Everyone is photographed and a file kept on the entire population. Those who are good Party members etc. can travel wherever they like and can afford. Others who might buy too much liquor or criticise the government, suddenly find themselves unable to even travel to the next town. They are stopped from boarding trains or buses etc.

The recent admission of genetic alteration of human embryos by a Chinese scientist could even be scarier. It is not a huge stretch to see a future where human embryos are altered to create model citizens and die-hard supporters of the Chinese government.

We should be afraid, very afraid.

The Teacher’s Pet,Chris Dawson and Me


Chris and Lynnette Dawson and Joanne Curtis

The Teacher’s Pet, Chris Dawson and me

John Spencer, author of “Brownout-666: or the real meaning of the swastika” was a teacher at Sydney’s Cromer High School between 1979 and 1981 and personally knew many of the protagonists in this cold case probable murder and story of lust, schoolgirls, betrayal and improper sexuality that is currently grabbing headlines around the world and is the subject of The Teacher’s Pet podcast by Hedley Thomas of the “The Australian” newspaper.
John’s novel is largely based on true events and, while only making one indirect reference to Cromer High School, explores in depth many of the themes apparent in this podcast, including male predatory sexual behaviour from that era, changes to such attitudes over the decades and the legal ramifications thereof, older men pursuing young girls, and the particular socio/sexual problems of Australian men at that time that may have led to their hunter/conquest at-all-costs attitudes.
John’s book is available on Amazon and elsewhere.
His email address is jspe3506@bigpond.net.au and his website is http://www.creativityandpower.com

Blog Posts


Be afraid of the Future

The only real solution to the Refugee Crisis

The evil triangle of World Power

Why does Putin support the murder of children?

Brownout – 666 a current and sexy story about the Philippines and why the world doesn’t tick

Month: December 2013

Be afraid of the Future


Be afraid of the Future

Posted on by badjohn7

 

There are too many leaders and those waiting in the wings who only care about their own egos, power and wealth and are not concerned with the good of their countries or the planet as a whole. Sensible policies and positive action are mostly ignored.

donald trump

Witness the Trump fiasco and the recent Peter Dutton challenge to PM, Malcolm Turnbull in Australia. As of the time of writing the saga will continue at 12 noon AEST tomorrow. In the light of the ongoing drama the Treasurer, Scott Morrison, is also contesting the leadership.

malcom Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull, moderate PM               Peter Dutton “heartless” ego maniac fascist
who donates his entire salary to
charity.

Ego and power grabbing are all consuming. This will spell disaster for humanity and many other species.

My novel, “Brownout – 666,” explores geo-politics along with inter-cultural love and sex, and warns about the need to understand the danger of the future! Get it now on http://bit.ly/2nr0ZeR   You will be surprised but not disappointed in this mystery thriller that makes terrifying philosophical predictions!