Does anyone really give a shit about horse flu?

Please don't take what I'm about to say the wrong way, but does anyone really give a flying fuck about horse flu? Obviously, I don't want horses to be sick or to suffer. But should this be front page news for four days? Over sixty people have died in Greece - burned alive by bush fires. The death toll will surely rise once authorities get a chance to go through the ruins of burnt houses. Where are our priorities?

Our Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald told reporters, "The implication for the racing industry would be incredibly severe indeed. It is a virtual certainty there would be no races [at Randwick] for a month." What? No races for a month? Say it isn't so.

Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said it would be a miracle if race meetings went ahead this weekend and suggested that the Melbourne Cup, due to be held on November 6, should be delayed. "It is better to have a deferred Melbourne Cup than to have no Melbourne Cup at all." I say: who gives a shit? It's a fucking horse race! Leave the horses alone for a few weeks so they can get over the flu. Don't gamble for a month. If you absolutely have to gamble your money away, buy a scratchie.