Phil relates how he overheard a private conversation on the train, and he wished that he could un-hear it. How much do we value privacy these days and are social media and modern technology blurring the lines between private and public conversation? Then there are conversations which get rudely shut-down most disrespectfully – eg the Uluru Declaration from our indigenous peoples’  representatives. Politicians! – are you listening? Or are you scared of the conversation?

It is just 200 years since the first anti-cruelty to animals Bill was passed in the British Parliament. Since then, we have become more aware of the plight of the way we humans treat animals – as beasts of burden, as exhibits in zoo, creatures for sport, or as food.

On the World scene, we report about Singapore’s Gay Celebrations during the Month of August, as they find a place in the restrictive scene in Singapore; At this year’s AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Prince Harry highlighted the need to eliminate the stigma from HIV/AIDS; The situation of a long-term lesbian couple being banned from joining a US seniors village is also discussed.

On the 69th anniversary of the creation of the Snowy Mountains Authority in 1949, we wonder whether the original scheme would meet current environmental impact scrutiny, and how Snowy II, as promoted by the current government, will be possible with climate change, droughts and the possible lack of water resources for an expansion of the Hydro scheme.

Did you know that some of QANTAS’s its earlier aircraft were assembled from a ‘box of bits’, rather than being built in a factory, fully tested and airworthy?

Listen to these stories, opinions and more – presented with some merriment by Chris, Gordon & Phil.

Show #816 – First broadcast on 7 August 2018

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