Last I'll say on the subject is a big shout out for Medicare.

So I reckon I seen the GP about half a dozen times, blood tests probably the same. twice through the machine (imaging) with the second being something fancy where they filled me up with a contrasting dye through the arse (not pleasant). Then the operation of which I counted 6 in the room before I passed out and I know my surgeon, his assistant and entourage hadn't entered the room yet (could've been anything up to a dozen in there, I'd bet min of 10), then 10 days in hospital with post op blood tests daily, drugs, x-rays, more dye imaging and bad food.

My bill? $70 for the first GP appointment (of which most of it's claimed back on Medicare), all following GP visits were then bulk billed. and I had to meet part payment on the imaging machines of about $250 odd each.

So all this has cost me out of pocket about $500-600 bucks.

I put it to you that in The U.S, somebody who had a low paying job with inadequate or no insurance would not have been able to have this done and would die a slow painful death over the next few years.

Now I could afford this myself, but I tell you I feel no guilt or shame having it on the public bill because I have payed my taxes and my medicare levy for decades and health care is the right and should be the right of any citizen in an advanced democracy.

Long live f***in Medicare. It didn't SAVE my life (because if neccessary I would've paid myself) but not everyone can and so it saves lives HOURLY.

Curious point - A friend I hadn't heard from in a while rang me in hospital to check on me because when he heard what I had he wanted to tell me he went through diverticulitis and a colon reconstruction and so give me some pep talk that things would be OK. He said at the end he was $7000 out of pocket for whole procedure. Me being near zero for the same procedure plus some (the bladder fistula) I asked how could that be?

Private insurance - Private Hospital, private room.

So he paid $7000 just to have a private room. I pulled the curtains around, stuck my airpods in and watched Netflix, Stan, Foxtel on my Ipad. Read books on my E-Reader and I had all the privacy I wanted.

Long live Medicare.

It would be strange having agitated for more money from the raiders to move back to England where the best offer on the table is less than what the Raiders are giving him now. SL and the clubs are having major cash problems atm that'll take years to get over and they might never - hence the calls for The NRL to buy them

He'll stay in Aus because $200k odd p.a extra is hard to knock back, that's over 1/2 a mill over 3 years. And it'll be with The Dragons or us.

And The raiders won't let him go this year. He'll be back way before the semi's and if they make the semi's he's the sort of player that wins them.

Newcastle Herald reporting that Connor Watson is on the cusp of re-signing with Knights.... he’d be the only decent No.9 left on the open market, unless we jag HD’s mate Grant, which using Dib’s 2.0 pay scale would be deserving of $3mil over 5yr deal. 

‘Showers and storms set to batter the coasts’

I would be over the moon if we got Grant...IMO that is similar to signing Thurston, I player who will make everyone else look better. 

I still think Brittan is the poor man's version of Grant, and beyond that look for a young guy..

I would also sign Andrew McCollough as an experienced guy to show a young player the ropes...Newcastle have gone better since he joined..

This is the position I would like the club to focus on

Reed Mahoney might be off contract at the Eels, but he was at  our club previously and some idiot let him go.

Someone on the Kennel has posted the following:-

Jackson Hastings has agreed with Dogs 2yr deal
Addo Carr & Cotric have both verbally agreed to join Dogs

This will make Marki happy if true... Tolman has agreed with Dragons on 1yr deal

Dogs & Tigers are fighting over Grant as it seems Smith will go around again next year. 

When you say ‘someone on the kennel’ is that the same thing as ‘asking for a friend’???...

My other main sporting team West Ham a vital 3-2 win this morning..

Yes, I mostly posting to put the boot into Villi when he is down (your welcome) :)

However, in the Dogs (and perhaps Villa) context, teams sometimes secure a vital win after most fans have given up.
One good win changes momentum and marginal areas of the game start falling on the right side of the fence, due to a bit more confidence and enthusiasm.. 

Nothing like wining to change the mood,  confidence and momentum .. it is the only thing which does 

The are the occasional shafts of light at the end of what looks like a long dark tunnel for the Dogs, we need a win, it win be hard to get, but the upside is massive.

My other main sporting team West Ham a vital 3-2 win this morning..

Yes, I mostly posting to put the boot into Villi when he is down (your welcome) :)

However, in the Dogs (and perhaps Villa) context, teams sometimes secure a vital win after most fans have given up.
One good win changes momentum and marginal areas of the game start falling on the right side of the fence, due to a bit more confidence and enthusiasm.. 

Nothing like wining to change the mood,  confidence and momentum .. it is the only thing which does 

The are the occasional shafts of light at the end of what looks like a long dark tunnel for the Dogs, we need a win, it win be hard to get, but the upside is massive.

$700k Adam Elliott has followed in the footsteps of Napa in having a video leaked... he’s on the piss & he’s waving his bat & balls for everyone to see.....

It's worse.. Dman is shooting the video.. :)

Elliott must have a thing about getting his kit off after a few drinks, nice guy but I'm glad I don't drink with him..