Reference:- What is the so called "political spectrum "?

Reference :-  We hear so much about "leftists "  and " the right " .  But we seldom hear a definition of these terms . 

We were chowing down on our cornflakes this morning , watching the news on the tele ,  when Ken junior brought up the topic of politics .   Out of the blue , just like that , Ken junior posed a tricky question . 

"  What is a Leftist ? " ,  Ken junior said . 

"  They are your commies and socialists . " ,  I said . 

"  What is their manifesto ? " , Ken junior said . 

" They want to rule the world , oppose free speech , and their evil dictatorships killed millions of innocents " , I said . 

" Did they have any famous leaders ? " , Ken junior said . 

" Stalin in Russia , Mao Zedong in  China , Pol Pot in Cambodia  " , I said .

Ken junior scraped the last few soggy cornflakes out of his bowl . 

" So if they are the poster boys of the left , did they believe in gay marriage , free medical care , equal pay for women , abortion rights , preferred pronouns , gender reassignment surgery , renewable energy , and environmentalism ? " , Ken junior said . 

At this stage Gabbo interrupted .  

" I don't think so . " Gabbo said . 

" So what is the manifesto of the " right " ? ,  Ken junior said . 

" The " right " believes in individual freedom , the rule of law , peace , the ability of everybody to enjoy the prosperity offered by the capitalist system  and democracy "  ,  I said . 

"  That sounds great . Does the the " right " have poster boys too ? " , Ken junior said . 

Gabbo interrupted again . 

 "  Famous poster boys of the right include  Mussolini , Hitler and Franco " , Gabbo said . 

" Did they believe in free speech , peace , democratic elections , and  the rule of law " , Ken junior said , 

"  They wanted to rule the world , opposed free speech , and their evil dictatorships killed millions of people . " ,  Gabbo said . 

"  I am confused . " Ken junior said . 

" For the love of God , Gabbo , stop confusing Ken junior. " , I said . 

" Can't you think of a simple definition ? " Ken junior said . 

Gabbo thought for awhile . 

  "   Alright , how about this ?  I will write  it down and put it on the fridge door with one of those Kooralya Pub fridge magnets  . " ,  Gabbo said . 

Gabbo wrote his definition in a notepad , tore out the page , and  stuck it on the fridge door beside Monte's picture of a 650 Yamaha doing a wheelie . 

  It reads :- 

     Left wing politicians are any politicians that right wing politicians despise  . 

     Right wing politicians are any politicians that left wing politicians despise . 

 I am glad Gabbo has cleared that up for us . 

Your comrade , Ken .

 

Reference :- Australia's ABC Journalist , David Speers , interviewed former Australian Prime Minister , Scott Morrison .

 Reference :-   Former Australian P.M. ,  Mr Scott Morrison , gave his opinion regarding the outcome of the USA election . 

Dear Mr Morrison ,

                                     Well done Sir , I say , well done . Out of an eight minute interview you dedicated a generous two minutes to discussing the topic ( as a polite gesture  ) ,  before launching into a six minute advertisement for your employer , American Global Strategies . Those Global Strategy guys can hardly expect to impress their shareholders unless we Aussies fear a major conflict with China , and your job relies upon such fear .   You sure managed to ramp that up during your interview . And to those who object to your buddying up with warmongers , I simply say this . Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop have done the same , and who is complaining about that ? 

 It is impressive , Mr Morrison , that you now count Mr Mike Pompeo and Mr Robert O'Brien among your friends . If anybody knows how to start a war those guys do . And nothing makes money like a war ..... or at least the fear of war , however unlikely  . 

Anyway Mr Morrison , keep up the good work . But I must warn you that there is talk at home of your name appearing in the re-opened inquiry into that Robot Debt fiasco .  It seems unfair that you should be pursued until the end of time for a minor error that caused a few deaths . You must feel like Adolf Eichmann .  Take my advice and be sure to skim as much moola out of arms sales as you can .  The Aussie taxpayer will be shelling out billions for that dodgy AUKUS deal , so make sure your snout is deep in the trough .  You might need the cash to pay for the necessary silks to get you off an eventual criminal charge related to Robot Debt .  ( You know , perjury , that sort of thing.  )    But please , don't let such ruminations cause you any sleepless nights . 

Your comrade  , 

Ken

Reference :- Israeli Prime Minister , Mr Netanyahu , is finding that many soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force are reluctant to return to Northern Gaza .

 Reference:-  Nobody enjoys repeating a job that they thought they had completed weeks ago . 

Dear Mr Netanyahu , 

                                   It sure is becoming tedious , this war in Gaza.  And now you have to find some way to incentivise soldiers who are loath to return to the battlefield in the North , which has become re-infested with returning locals ...... I mean evil terrorists .  As an older chap , I cannot imagine what would entice  me to risk life and limb in a labyrinth of unwinnable urban warfare .  Fortunately I can rely on Ken junior , callow youth as he is , for suggestions . He belongs to the same age group as those who are fighting for the survival of the State of Israel , so his advice is likely to be pertinent . 

 Ken junior reckons that your soldiers seemed very pleased with themselves during the early stages of the war .  He says that there are dozens of posts from the early days visible on those so called " social media sites " , with photos (and even little movies  ) of chaps having a rip roaring time .  You know , raiding pantries, blowing up universities , trashing houses ,  crushing all sorts of civilian goods and chattels under tank tracks and the like . In particular Ken junior reckons the most fun was had when soldiers dressed up in stolen women's underwear , and smashed children's toys  ( dolls and so on ) to smithereens .  

It must be disappointing for soldiers to return only to find Gaza so ruined that there are no undies or toys to relax with after a stressful day shooting anything that moves . 

Ken junior reckons that a few planeloads of saucy lingerie and baby dolls dropped into  the conflict zone would cheers the lads up no end . Maybe a few tricycles as well .  Such items are cheap as chips compared with the cost of 2000 pound bombs , and you might be surprised by how much they lift morale .  

Personally , I think the stench of rotting corpses is probably a bit off putting for some .  Incense sticks might provide useful aromatherapy for soldiers  camping overnight .   Fortunately close to half of the corpses are children , and they will decompose faster than the adults , so don't over-order the frankincense and myrrh , which is what I believe you people favour in the Levant . 

( Ken junior tells me the frankincense and myrrh reference is from the New Testament , which Zionists don't take as gospel , so to speak .  But I reckon that perfumey stuff must have been around way back during the reign of King David . There were plenty of rotting corpses in those days too , by all accounts . )

Your comrade ,

Ken 

PS .  Don't let your soldiers film themselves larking about this time . The International Criminal Court is run by a humorless bunch of old pettiffoggers who can't take a joke . Nobody wants to be arrested while holidaying in other climes , like that poor young  IDF soldier Moche Avichzer . Last I heard he had been arrested  in Morocco after sharing a few photos of his activities in Gaza with the locals . Who would have guessed  that Morocco would be full of self -righteous wowsers ?

Reference:- Contributing Editor at The Sky Reply , young Monte , is reading a book .

Reference :-    Usually if Monte is reading a book it is the workshop manual for his motorbike or a parts catalogue . Not this time . 

Last eve Monte was lounging on the sofa with Dog's head on his lap ,  reading a book . 

" What's that you're reading there Monte ? . "  I said. 

" Its about the War " , Monte said . 

 Gabbo and Ken junior looked up from their game of Scrabble . ( The tele fritzed out weeks ago and we haven't bothered to get it repaired ) 

 " Which War ? "  Ken junior said . 

 Monte flashed a cheeky grin . 

"  Have a guess . "  Monte  said 

 " WW2 ", Ken junior said . 

"  Nope . ", Monte said . 

" WW1.  " ,  Ken junior said . 

" Nope " , Monte said . 

Gabbo was up for the challenge . 

" OK , how about these then , just for starters ?  " , Gabbo said .

" The Gulf War , The Afghanistan War , The Vietnam War , The American Civil War , The Korean War , The French Revolutionary War , The Falklands War , The American War of Independence , The Iraq War  , The Libya War ,  The War in East Timor , The Napoleonic Wars ,  The War of the Roses ,  The Hundred Years War , The Spanish War , The Trojan War ,  The Bosnian War  ,  or The Russo- Japanese War  .  " ,  Gabbo said . 

Monte laughed . 

" You need to think of a different type of war . " , Monte said 

" Alright , I think I know what you mean . How about these  ?  "  Gabbo said . 

" The War on Drugs , The War on Poverty , The War on Cancer , The War on the West , The War on the Woke , The War on Disease , The War on Islam , The War on Men , The War on Women , The War on the Media , The War on Truth , The War on Freedom , The War on Jews , The War on Terror , The War on the Aged , The War on The Deep State , The War on Misinformation , The War on the Media , The War on Activists , The War on Aborigines ........... errrr ....... I know ,  and The War on Emus . You might have to google that last one  , but it is real . " , Gabbo said . 

" Nope " , Monte said . 

" OK . For the love of God, we give up ! " ,  Ken junior said . 

" It's  a book from 1877 by Pontonie-Pierre  called " The War on War " ,  Monte said . 

 " Have you found out who won yet ? " ,  Ken junior said . 

 " Not yet , but I think it might end up being a draw .  " , Monte said . 

Obviously I had better get the tele fixed as soon as possible . 

Also , it worries me that Gabbo clustered together  " The War on Truth " ,  " The War on Freedom " , and " The War on the Jews " .  

  I wonder if he is becoming a loathsome anti-semite ?  And come to think of it , antisemitism does seem to be very much on the rise , despite the best efforts of the highly esteemed Israeli Prime Minister , Mr Netanyahu  . 

Maybe it's time for a War on Antisemitism .  

I mentioned this to Ken junior . 

" Maybe  it is time for a War on Antisemitism ? " , I said . 

" That war has already been going for a long time " , Ken junior said . 

Well how about that ?  I didn't know . 

I sure hope no innocent bystanders have become unintended collateral damage .

Your comrade , 

Ken .

Reference :- Christmas is not far away . Time to start thinking about felicitous gifts for those special people in our lives .

 Reference :-   This is an offer not to be missed .

 Copies of " The Sky Reply " book , which is a compilation of all the Sky Replies from inception until August 2020 ,  are being offered for free by the authors .  Currently there is only one of these special collector's editions available on ebay for ten aussie dollars , plus postage / handling .    This is a rare opportunity to obtain a copy for free .  Including free postage worldwide !

The book contains the first 334 Sky Replies , neatly bound in a handsome paperback with charming graphics.

It is the perfect Christmas gift with which to impress , amuse or irritate your friends and family . 

This is not a joke , it is a serious offer .  

Requests for free copies can be forwarded by email to kengover313@gmail.com 

Limited numbers remain  ( we do not anticipate printing a second edition )  and I guess they will be forwarded on a first come first served basis . 

 Ken junior reckons everybody will think we are joking  .  

Personally , I think the sincerity of this offer is quite obvious , and the remaining copies will be quickly taken .     

But let us see. 

Your comrade  , 

Ken 

 

 

Reference:- What the heck . I feel like posting something ridiculous . Will anybody care ...or even notice ?

Reference :-   Certain sections of media commentary have become so simple-minded that I thought we might as well relax , and partake in the high jinks  . 

Here at The Sky Reply we have encountered some very alarming statistics relating to the " troubles"  in Gaza .  Conservative media heroes , like those highly articulate examples of western intelligentsia , young Douglas Murray and his comrade Konstantin Kisin ,  have failed to draw our attention to these awful tallies . It is disappointing , since Douglas and Konstantin  are usually very fond of quoting numbers to support their scholarly essays .

Anyway , to those young chaps I will simply quote the economist Ronald Coase  . ( footnote to Douglas :-  He was British,  of course , so feel free to be impressed .  )  

" If you torture the data for long enough it will confess to anything . " 

However , to that I would add that first you must collect said data  ,which in this instance did not happen . 

 So here it is . 

 Since October 7 ( that memorable day during the 76 year war between Israel and Palestine ) , over 40,000 Palestinians have been slaughtered in Gaza .  Some were indeed Hamas fighters , although most were women and children .  During the same period , over 40,000 businesses have closed down in Israel because of the hostilities .

Obviously  one Palestinian dies for every Israeli business that goes to the wall . ( No pun intended ) 

There are over 2 million Palestinians , but Israel can only boast perhaps  700,000 businesses at best . 

Clearly Israel's businesses will all become bankrupt before Mr Netanyahu  can achieve his goal of ethnic cleansing . 

That is just simple mathematics . 

Furthermore , 500 thousand Israelis out of 10 million have been displaced , which is 5 % of the population . Yet only 2 % of the 2 million Palestinians have been slaughtered .  At that rate , by the time 100% of the Israelis have fled for their lives  , only 40% of the Palestinians will have been ......ahem .... cleansed from Gaza .  

 Mr Netanyahu appears to be ruining his own country faster than he is achieving  what the United nations politely refers to as " plausible " genocide . 

Once again , simple mathematics . 

I showed these calculations to Ken junior .  

" They make as much sense as Douglas Murray or Konstantin Kisin in an Oxford Union Debate " , Ken junior said . 

" Indeed so . " , I said .  

" What does that mean ?  " Ken junior  said . 

" My point exactly . " I said . 

Your comrade , 

 Ken .

 

  

Reference :- Holy Smokes ! What is going on in the world ?

 Reference :-  How are we supposed to access the news these days ?  

After months shivering in the cold with Seasonal Affective Disorder , the Sky Reply Team emerged eager to start work , only to face disappointment .   We carefully perused weeks of Sky News reporting , looking for something worthy of comment or further analysis , and found NOTHING !     The other mainstream news channels were little better . What is happening ? 

Ken junior is the team member we turn to regarding computers , that  inter-web thing  , and the various incarnations of what is popularly known as the  " social media "  .  He spends a great deal of time looking at his computer , so it is no surprise that he is an expert . 

Anyway , he tells us that these days many folk don't bother watching the news on the tele , or reading  the daily tabloids . He says young folk don't trust the mainstream media .  Ken junior reckons that young folk source their news from "social media " these days .

" Young folk source their news from " social media " these days . "  Ken junior said . 

 " Do they ? " , I said . 

Now, it occurs to me that perhaps a lot of misinformation is spread on these so called "social media" platforms .  I mean , at least we can rely on the honesty and integrity of the mainstream media . The moguls that own the mainstream media and the award winning gazettes didn't get rich by being unprofessional and deliberately spreading propaganda . They take their service to the community seriously .   I gently offered this suggestion to Ken junior . 

" The moguls that own  the mainstream media and the award winning gazettes didn't get rich by being unprofessional and deliberately spreading propaganda . They take their service to the community seriously , you idiot .  " I said . 

Ken junior sighed , clicked away at his lap top computer and then showed me this quote , which read as follows ....... 

" The idea that owners of media organizations regard the practice of journalism as a public service is as outdated as the idea that businesses operate in the interests of a better world . " 

" Who said that ? " , I said 

" The head of News Corp , Lachlan K Murdoch . "  Ken junior said . 

" Never heard of him . " ,  I said 

 Anyway , thinking about it , I might get a computer myself . After all I am pretty handy on a QWERTY keyboard having almost worn the letters off the keys on my trusty Remington typewriter .  

That way I can show Ken junior  ( who is disappointingly naive for his age ) that those independent news reporters on social media are untrustworthy , and only doing it for the money . 

Your comrade ,

 Ken