Retired lawyer David Clark of Springside has heard Alan Marel’s politician joke (C8) before, except that the alternate version used lawyers rather than politicians. "There was a follow-up to it. After three months the use of lawyers (politicians) had to be abandoned. The scientists found that the results they were getting bore no resemblance to what might reasonably be expected in human beings."

While not wishing the annoyance of scam callers on anyone, it is always a delight to hear from Joan Brown of Orange about her latest run-in with one, as she could run a masterclass in how to return the vexation. After prising out of the obvious scam caller that his firm was based in Epping Road, North Ryde, Joan "asked in an offhand voice: 'That’s right near Bondi, isn’t it?' A puzzled pause, then he tried to resume his spiel. When I told him he hadn’t answered my question and repeated it, he gave up and disconnected the call."

Paul Hunt of Engadine concurs with Don Bain's assertion that Australia rules the world in Aussie Rules (C8). In a similar context, Paul notes that "Earth's entrant is the only one ever to win the Miss Universe contest".

Andrew Taubman's grumble about the perennial "last tour" (C8) of John Farnham has strong support. Michael Sinclair of Melbourne advises that "all of John Farnham’s 'last' tours provoked the ire of one disgruntled fan, who went to the ACCC claiming Farnham’s ‘The Last Time’ tour in 2004 (!) was false advertising. The ACCC turned down the complaint but perhaps they need to review the case now." Clearly someone, somewhere needs to make it clear to Farnsy that this sham last tour business is enough!

Despite several pleas to council to limit water use at her local swimming pool, Vicky Marquis of Glebe angrily observes that her fellow pool users still "shower as though there is no tomorrow. We’ve either got the cleanest mob in the area or the most selfish." The answer to this one seems pretty obvious, and confirms what many living on the western side of the Great Dividing Range must already believe.