Yes. The powers of the Federal Govt are in the constitution. All other powers fall to the states. We were separate British colonies with strong identities. eg Different rail gauges. None had a different official language though! The colonies identified their common interests & united.

Thanks for explaining this. I’m Australian & we also have a parliamentary democracy & a federation. Our system has its faults but there’s also some old wisdom in it. We (I believe this may be true of Canada as well) combine the best of the British system & the US.

One of my fondest memories is watching Twiggy in the movie The Boyfriend on TV on Christmas night in 1970s when I was a teenager. I have no idea why it was on at Christmas but Twiggy was wonderful #twiggy #sadiefrost #twiggymovie

More evidence of extensive training

One of us is trained … and I don’t think it’s the one with orange fur

Large ginger cat in bed reading a book

Nothing beats curling up with a good book. Friday night here in Sydney. What’s everyone reading?

Tabby cat sleeping in front of television

I buy technology so my cats can sleep on it

A tabby short hair sitting on a cat pedestal, ginger long haired male sitting on the floor, and long haired female tabby lying belly up on the floor

I think this is the first photo I’ve posted of all three of our cats. Top to bottom: Samantha, Max (oldest), & Bella (our baby … everyone dotes on her, especially Max)

Small tabby cat hiding behind a big ginger cat

Our little darling was frightened by the vacuum cleaner and hid behind her big brother. He’s not impressed by being photographed

Two tabby cats snuggling at a window

These step sisters squabble all the time. But they love each other … especially when they can share a nice spot at the window

Donald Trump: New Jersey, New Orleans, New York … all named after foreign places. Give them American names!!!! 😉

Donald Trump - rename New England should be renamed Old America!!!! 😉

Statue of a cat wearing a real pink sun hat

The library cat of Devonport, New Zealand

Should resign for putting politics over religion … oh, wait that was directed at the person who didn’t launch a crypto coin.

Train ride to Cabramatta for excellent Vietnamese (and other SE Asian) food. Sydney is a multicultural city. (And a ferry ride to anywhere … as mentioned by many others)

Can someone explain this to me? Musk makes EV’s right?

Trump’s war on electric cars has only just begun The auto industry is facing a major shift under Donald Trump.

Trump’s war on electric cars has only just begun

For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Romans 16:18

Jesus Christ! Or should it be $JesusChrist

A constitutional question: could the 22nd Amdt be repealed using the same expedited (but legal) process used for the repeal of Prohibition? Hopefully the GOP will not get the numbers in Congress. But is there a risk?

A cat snuggled on a bed & a cat on a window hammock

Enjoying the cool weather after a week long heatwave (I live in Sydney, Australia)

An excellent and (comparatively) inexpensive collection.

Book Cover of John Donne and His World by Derek Parker

My first book of 2025. I love this series. My favourite light reading.

Two cats lying on a table close together

They’ve made a New Year’s resolution to share … let’s see how that goes.

Mackerel Tabby cat looking pleadingly at the camera

My mother in law has come to stay with us for New Year’s. She has a devoted fan (liberal doses of treats!) #cats

Does Leia meow? Our Bella doesn’t meow. She trills even to herself ie alone in a room. She chatters at birds and moths and when my wife calls out to her but silently

Our Bella. They look like sisters (I guess all cats & all humans are related the further back you go)

The Three Stooges

This is our evening routine. My wife gets in bed & our cat jumps in my spot. I ask ‘Where am I supposed to sleep?’ She gives me a pathetic look & crawls next to my wife. Every night.

I will be spending my Tuesday morning here in Sydney with Handel, and the wonderful Tim Mead.