489

“Censorship is basically a lost battle.” – Ross Anderson

488

“I think the Pope should just shut the fuck up.” – Sean Lock

http://www.myspace.com/seanlockcomedy

487

But we can be lying on this beach
And we really don’t care
Our love may be like a beached whale
And we’re maybe running out of air.

- Josie Lawrence

486

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” – Charles M Schulz

485

“You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.” – Jeannette Rankin

484

“It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.” – Jean-Luc Godard

483

“Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” – Bertolt Brecht

482

“My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music.” – Vladimir Nabokov

481

“Labour’s coalition of voters has been eroded by neo-liberal policies that have seen a race to the bottom with flexible labour markets and a failure to give proper protection for agency workers, by the promotion of personal debt to mitigate against the transfer of wealth from labour to capital, by the extension of the market into wider spheres of society and, of course, by the foreign policy misadventure in Iraq.” – Colin Burgon

480

“Google searches are so fast, you can enter a search for donkey porn and it will show up 932,000 results in 0.32 seconds yet it’s taken them five years to work out there are human rights abuses in China.” – John Gordillo

479

“It’s rather nice that we can talk about a story that’s got the words Irish, teenage boy and sex but doesn’t have the word Bishop in it.” – Fred McCauley

478

“The policy of the US is regime change, with or without inspectors.” – Ari Fleischer, White House spokesman

477

“It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.” – Voltaire

Cyclone Olga Threat Map

As always, many thanks to BoM for the maps and data. Excellent people doing a great job.

IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.

PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 13
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 5:03am EST on Monday the 25th of January 2010

A Cyclone WATCH remains current for the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast and islands from Port McArthur to Burketown.

The Cyclone WATCH from Karumba to Burketown has been cancelled.

At 4:00 am EST [3:30 am CST] Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga was estimated to be 370 kilometres east northeast of Croydon and near stationary.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga has resumed a westward track.  It is presently over the southern Atherton Tablelands and is expected to continue moving westward towards the gulf country.  If it moves over the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria it may re-intensify into a Tropical Cyclone on Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall and flooding may develop between Cairns and Mackay. Flood warnings and a separate Severe Weather Warning are current for these possible conditions.

People between Burketown in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and Port McArthur in the Northern Territory should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.  If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

Details of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga at 4:00 am EST [3:30 am CST]:
.Centre located near…… 17.4 degrees South 145.6 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 35 kilometres
.Recent movement………. slowly westwards
.Wind gusts near centre… 85 kilometres per hour
.Category…….. below cyclone intensity
.Central pressure……… 996 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 11:00 am EST Monday 25 January [10:30 am CST Monday 25 January].

Ex-Cyclone Olga Threat Map

IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this
warning.

PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 12
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 10:54pm EST on Sunday the 24th of January 2010

A Cyclone WATCH remains current for the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast and islands from Karumba to Borroloola.

At 10:00 pm EST [9:30 pm CST] Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga was estimated to be 50 kilometres east northeast of Cairns and near stationary.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga has remained near stationary immediately off the Cairns coast during the last several hours. It is expected to resume a westward track during the next 6 to 12 hours and be located in the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria by Tuesday morning. It may re-intensify into a Tropical Cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria on Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall and flooding is likely to develop between Cooktown and Mackay as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga and an associated monsoon trough moves ashore early Monday. Flood warnings and a separate Severe Weather Warning are current for these developing conditions.

People between Karumba in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and Borroloola in the Northern Territory should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.  If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

Details of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Olga at 10:00 pm EST [9:30 pm CST]:
.Centre located near…… 16.8 degrees South 146.2 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 55 kilometres
.Recent movement………. near stationary
.Wind gusts near centre… 85 kilometres per hour
.Category…….. below cyclone intensity
.Central pressure……… 997 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 5:00 am EST Monday 25 January [4:30 am CST Monday 25 January].

476

Police in the UK are planning to use unmanned spy drones, controversially deployed in Afghanistan, for the ­”routine” monitoring of antisocial motorists, ­protesters, agricultural thieves and fly-tippers, in a significant expansion of covert state surveillance. – The Guardian

“MegaCity Code 7592, wilful sabotage of a public droid, that’s 6 months, citizen. Let’s see your Unicard.” – Judge Dredd

As the Yuletide break is now over we return you to your scheduled daily photos+witty political quotations.

The BoM Advice (see below) states that there is a Cyclone Watch for the southern gulf islands and coast as it may re-intensify in two days time.

Cyclone Olga Threat Map

As always, many thanks to BoM for the maps and data. Excellent people doing a great job.

IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this
warning.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 10
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 2:01pm EST on Sunday the 24th of January 2010

A Cyclone WARNING is current for coast, island and adjacent inland areas from Cooktown to Cairns.

A Cyclone WATCH is current for the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast and islands from Karumba to Borroloola.

At 1:00 pm EST Tropical Cyclone Olga, Category 1 was estimated to be 15 kilometres east of Cape Tribulation and 95 kilometres north of Cairns moving west at 16 kilometres per hour.

GALES are expected about the coast between Cooktown and Cairns and adjacent inland areas during the afternoon.

Very heavy rainfall with localised flooding is expected to develop about the North Tropical Coast.

Abnormally high tides are expected between Cooktown and Cairns, but the sea level should not exceed the highest tide of the year. Large waves are likely along the beachfront.

People between Cooktown and Cairns should remain inside until the cyclone has passed and listen to the next advice at 5pm.

People between Karumba in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and Borroloola in the Northern Territory should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.  If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Olga at 1:00 pm EST:
.Centre located near…… 16.1 degrees South 145.6 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 35 kilometres
.Recent movement………. towards the west at 16 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre… 120 kilometres per hour
.Severity category…….. 1
.Central pressure……… 986 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 5:00 pm EST Sunday 24 January.

The wanker that lives across the road bought a new car yesterday with a seriously anti-social sound system. He’s spent most of the day sitting in the car on his driveway playing some really crappy music. Not funny.

Update: He’s playing Phil Collins and Michael Jackson…please, someone smite this tosser with a small and localised cyclone.

As always, many thanks to BoM for the maps and data. Excellent people doing a great job.

IDQP0005
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: Transmitters serving the area between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY
TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 9
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
Issued at 10:52am EST on Sunday the 24th of January 2010

A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island areas from Coen to Cairns.

A Cyclone WATCH has been declared for the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast and islands from Karumba to Borroloola.

At 10:00 am EST Tropical Cyclone Olga, Category 2 was estimated to be 105 kilometres east southeast of Cooktown and 145 kilometres north northeast of Cairns moving west northwest at 17 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Olga, category 2, is currently located off the North Tropical Coast east of Cooktown and is moving towards the coast.

GALES are expected about the coast between Coen and Cairns during the day.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS are likely to develop about the coast between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas during the early afternoon.

Very heavy rainfall with localised flooding is expected to develop about the North Tropical Coast.

As the cyclone approaches the coast this afternoon, abnormally high tides are expected between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas, but the sea level should not exceed the highest tide of the year. Large waves are likely along the beachfront.

People in the path of the cyclone should stay calm and remain in a secure shelter while the  destructive winds continue. Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone -  destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time. Heed the advice and follow the instructions of Police or State Emergency Service personnel.

People between Coen and Cairns should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. Boats and outside property should be secured as quickly as possible.

People between Karumba in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and Borroloola in the Northern Territory should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.  If you are unsure about the actions to be taken, information is available from your local government or local State Emergency Service.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Olga at 10:00 am EST:
.Centre located near…… 15.7 degrees South 146.2 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 35 kilometres
.Recent movement………. towards the west northwest at 17 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre… 140 kilometres per hour
.Severity category…….. 2
.Central pressure……… 980 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 2:00 pm EST Sunday 24 January.

Not much in the way of photo opportunities unless you like grey. The 256km Cairns rainfall radar tells some of the story quite well:

256 km Cairns Radar Loop

There was no sign of people panic-buying everything at the shops yesterday. We tend to stock up with a few extra food items each week before the cyclone season starts. The “tin cupboard” runneth over considerably at this time of year.

Cyclone Olga Threat Map

As always, many thanks to BoM for the maps and data. Excellent people doing a great job.

IDQP0005

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: Transmitters serving the area between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 8

Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane

Issued at 8:03am EST on Sunday the 24th of January 2010

A Cyclone WARNING is now current for coastal and island areas from Coen to Cairns.

The Cyclone WARNING from Innisfail to Cairns has been cancelled.

At 7:00 am EST Tropical Cyclone Olga, Category 2 was estimated to be 190 kilometres east of Cooktown and 205 kilometres northeast of Cairns moving west northwest at 17 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Olga, category 2, is currently located over the northwest Coral Sea and has recently slowed to become near stationary. It is expected to resume moving towards the coast during the day.

GALES are expected to develop about the coast between Coen and Cairns late this morning.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS are likely to develop about the coast between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas this afternoon.

Very heavy rainfall with localised flooding is expected to develop about the North Tropical Coast during the day.

As the cyclone approaches the coast this evening, abnormally high tides are expected between Cape Flattery and Port Douglas, but the sea level should not exceed the highest tide of the year. Large waves are likely along the beachfront.

People between Coen and Cairns should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. Boats and outside property should be secured as quickly as possible.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Olga at 7:00 am EST:

.Centre located near…… 15.5 degrees South 147.0 degrees East
.Location accuracy…….. within 30 kilometres
.Recent movement………. towards the west northwest at 17 kilometres per hour
.Wind gusts near centre… 155 kilometres per hour
.Severity category…….. 2
.Central pressure……… 980 hectoPascals

The next advice will be issued by 11:00 am EST Sunday 24 January.