THIS blog now has a moderator. In time we might even have some rules.
Ray grew up on a farm along the Tweed River in New South Wales. He started, but never completed, a degree in earth and biological sciences at the University of New England, Armidale. He’s had a few jobs over the years, including in the computer industry. Ray currently manages a residential complex on the Gold Coast which he describes as like being semi-retired. 
Ray enjoys watersports including dragon boating, kayaking, snorkeling and plain swimming. He is married to a wonderful woman and has two grandchildren.
He would like to see this blog develop comment threads where respectful discussions of issues concerning Earth’s environment and human politics can occur. Ray doesn’t like Twitter because it encourages instant responses rather than thoughtful ones.
Here’s to more thoughtful comments.
Welcome Ray the Moderator.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
Yay Ray!
Hullo from Kirra Point.
Thanks, good luck & have fun!
Thanks handjive. I hope it will be an enjoyable experience.
There’s a new sheriff in town. I hope that you don’t close down the saloons. Welcome to Dodge City!
I’ll cooperate. Just hope Ray is blue, not maroon.
Blue was rigged , until1980.
If you did not work for the norm , ( read NSW club), you were not in the fold.
UNMENTIONABLE
Consensus ?
Now , with all players, ( information ), available, different conclusions can happen.
And do
Hello and welcome Ray
Well done Ray!
A welcome and happy moderating to Ray the Moderator. Best wishes from the other hemisphere.
Cheers
Thanks for the welcome folks. Robert, I was born a blue, but almost in sight of maroon’s territory. Have always liked underdogs, so when I returned to the NSW/QLD border area, I found I liked to see the maroons win. And in the 90’s they had some thrilling victory’s right on the final whistle.
Ray
Welcome, Ray. I live up on the hill just behind you. I’m a Maroon but I voted Blue this year.
Gotta have some balance. ☺
SD, you didn’t vote Blue any more than the Saxons voted for William the Conqueror. If this was an Open Thread I’d tell you what I really think, but now that we have Ray moderating I’ll restrain myself.
Welcome to Ray!
Robert, ‘Arold ‘ad an eye full of arrow because the Battle of Hastings didn’t have a reff.
I still have friends who go by the name of William.
Those reffs make a big difference.
But I still voted Blue.
Ray,
If you are a friend of Jennifer you are OK with me.
Comments not coming in too fast so you should be ok.
What are you reading?
Peter, I am wading thru a swamp of rubbish comments in the spam queue, so not much time for reading. Okay, jokes aside, I don’t get around to reading much these days, apart from keeping up with the news, but I did buy a book called Sand, by Michael Welland recently, & I am enjoying that.