At first when I had to retire I think it was a feeling similar to a drug addict haves when he no longer can get his drugs, withdrawal symptoms were fierce for about a year. Then I came to terms with it after a year, but it wasn't easy. - Eric 'Winkle' Brown

F.U.

South China Sea http://m.smh.com.au/world/us-election/south-china-sea-dispute-chinese-missiles-in-paracels-says-fox-news-20160217-gmw6zl.html

Scott Morrison at NPC https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/morrison-delivers-empty-speech-devoid-of-vision-032924571.html

Mehajer http://m.smh.com.au/nsw/salim-mehajer-loses-millions-as-land-decisions-are-reversed-20160217-gmwtk6.html

Pell http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/cardinal-george-pell-denies-sexual-abuse-allegations-20160219-gmz080.html http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/19/cardinal-george-pell-hits-back-at-claims-he-is-under-investigation-over-child-abuse-allegations

Drug testing http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/02/23/rdt-australia_n_9269504.html?utm_hp_ref=australia

MH370 http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/19/mh370-search-rogue-pilot-theory-still-on-australian-investigators-radar

Baby Asha and the myth of deliberate harm http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/23/police-dismiss-claims-baby-asha-deliberately-hurt-by-mother-in-order-to-leave-nauru

Serco guards? http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/18/serco-guards-bar-asylum-seeker-advocate-from-visiting-baby-asha-in-hospital

Sandmining on North Straddie http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/22/fears-over-ending-mining-on-north-stradbroke-a-sandstorm-in-a-teacup-report

People setting other people on fire

Still not enough of it.

No deaths, but arson suspected ... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35625595

RIP (aka Coming to an End)

Harper Lee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper_Lee http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/13/books/the-invisible-hand-behind-harper-lees-to-kill-a-mockingbird.html

Umberto Eco https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umberto_Eco

Samuel Willenberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Willenberg

Eric 'Winkle' Brown http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/22/eric-winkle-brown-obituary https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Brown_(pilot) http://astrotalkuk.org/2011/04/02/episode-40-april-2nd-2011-gagarin-in-london-captain-eric-brown/

Steve Jones http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-20/lockyer-valley-major-steve-jones-dies-in-hospital/7186246

Jeb! Campaign https://twitter.com/NickBryantNY/status/701221207060905985

Bill Heffernan's parliamentary career

The (in)famous Dickson Flats https://twitter.com/abcnewsCanberra/status/702006547472216068

NEWS

Bigger issues http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/22/australian-democracy-faces-corrosive-decline-human-rights-centre-report

"Open government, a free press, a strong and diverse civil society and the rule of law are some of the vital foundations of our democracy," he said. "Yet we are witnessing an unmistakeable trend in Australia of governments eroding these foundations with new laws and practices that entrench secrecy and stifle criticism and accountability."

Trump http://www.salon.com/2016/02/17/donald_trump_is_bulletproof_why_his_call_to_colbert_last_night_should_scare_the_left/

Hospital and ransomware http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/16/los-angeles-hospital-cyberattack-ransomware-data-computers

Apple and FBI

Dud NBN http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/technology/complaints-up-about-dud-nbn-services/news-story/13e4c98bc2bbd503ac6eebe5e7f23abe

Popey http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-02-19/pope-francis-understated-bombshell-on-birth-control

Fed polling now 50/50 2PP

Senate voting rules http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/23/senate-voting-explainer-what-could-change-when-australians-go-to-the-polls

North Korea and Ripcurl http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/22/rip-curls-use-of-north-korean-factories-leads-to-calls-for-industry-transparency

Terrorism http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/23/qa-recap-terrorist-attack-in-australia-inevitable-security-expert-says