Tree of Truth

It's alive!

2005-10-24T21:34:00.000+10:00

stoush.net | stoushing since 2005

Morality and the IR Reforms

2005-10-12T11:42:00.000+10:00

I always think it's interesting when institutions who claim a market share of morality and 'family values' get involved in public debate, as has happened recently with the Christian Churches (and the Diggers' Lobby and the self-appointed saviour of the nuclear family) over the pending Industrial Relations reforms. Institutions like these, while working pretty constantly in the justice arena (in

Poor, silly Billy runs out of puff

2005-10-11T12:56:00.000+10:00

Some things to think about from the Government’s new workplace relations package:EXAMPLEBilly is an unemployed job seeker who is offered a full-time job as a shop assistant by Costas who owns a clothing retail store in Canberra. The clothing store is covered by a federal award. The job offered to Billy is contingent on him accepting an AWA. The AWA Billy is offered provides him with the relevant

The Award for "Silliest Quote About The AFL Grand Final" goes to...

2005-09-30T15:46:00.000+10:00

Jean McGlichy, of South Sydney (as quoted by News Ltd.): 'I watched the game with a towel over my head... I've watched the game eight times since then and every time I expect the end to be different.' Hmmm...

I really don't quite know what to say...

2005-09-26T14:31:00.000+10:00

this is certainly one of the more bizarre things i've ever seen on the internet

how can you be ecstatic and pissed off at the same time?

2005-09-24T22:59:00.000+10:00

if you follow the swans and dragons is how...at 5.30 i was jumping around singing, and just generally being crazily and possibly slightly excessively happy...at 9.30 i was peering mournfully into the side of a beer glass wondering what might have been.this is wrong, and my mood has lifted considerably (there's only so much you can be shitty about on a day when the swans break their sydney duck

It's a red and white year, I hope

2005-09-23T16:41:00.000+10:00

As a fan of the Swans and Dragons, it's been a long time between drinks.So long, in fact, that I wasn't even born when either side last won their respective competitions and the Swans were playing out of the Lakeside Oval at Albert Park in Melbourne (where the Grand Prix is these days and where South Melbourne Soccer Football Club plays) and the Dragons were 20 years off merging with their

Response to "The Swans - a Grand Final built on concessions "

2005-09-23T11:27:00.000+10:00

...I'm rubbing my head at the moment. Not because I had a big night last night. Not even because I decided to give a bit of curry to a couple of Weagles supporters on my way to work. Instead, I'm rubbing my head where there's a new welt- it seems some fool has decided to peg a rock at my head and he seems to be in the glass house over there...Ah yes, I can see him now, he appears to be wearing...

The Swans - a Grand Final built on concessions

2005-09-23T07:30:00.000+10:00

The Sydney Swans are allowed to pay more for their players than their opponents in Saturdays Grand Final. They will enter the field with an unfair advantage, a total contradiction to the intention and spirit of a salary cap and sport itself.Like the Brisbane Lions merged entity before them, the forcibly relocated South Melbourne Swans are granted a salary cap allowance to cover for the lack of

ICAC clears Government Minister

2005-09-23T06:58:00.000+10:00

Aren't we all sick of reading the lines "ICAC Clears Government Minister"ObeidAllan (Rat!)(Dick) FaceTripod(i)BeamerCarr(have I missed someone?)and now Knowles, son of Stan the thief.This must look like the most investigated Government on record but most commentators would know that this has more to do with the development of ICAC than any actual increase in corruption levels - I am sure

New Senate launches inquiry into PM’s brilliance

2005-09-22T15:07:00.000+10:00

[And some here (Dibo) are concerned about the Senate's direction??? This should ease their minds...]Fears a government-controlled upper house would scuttle Senate inquiries are proving false, with the Coalition using its new numbers to establish a wide-ranging probe into the achievements of John Howard as Prime Minister.Under its terms of reference, the inquiry will consider any positive aspect

One day in September...

2005-09-22T14:00:00.000+10:00

This Saturday is the mythical (for fans of the AFL) last Saturday in September, the day of the Grand Final. As always, it's a day most special for those who support one of the participating teams, but I've watched each Grand Final going back to probably '92 (except '99, when I had the joy of being at work instead of watching Carlton get creamed by the shinboners...) and my team's only played in

And the new Margo is...Andrew West???

2005-09-22T10:02:00.000+10:00

An interesting snippet at the Fabian's meeting last night. Andrew West has left the Australian on "a matter of principal" * and will be joining Fairfax.Further, he will be writing a blog!Is Andrew really prepared to be the new Margo?* Anyone have news on this development???

The Latham Diaries - a review

2005-09-20T20:18:00.000+10:00

People on my side of politics should be a little hesistant in attacking The Latham Diaries and dismissing its contents as pure venom and spite. Sure, there is enough tripe to fill three political careers, but this just serves to obscure the real message about the ALP, the Liberal Party and Australian politics as a whole.Latham's diary takes us on an interesting, if unreliable, journey through one

That settles that...

2005-09-20T15:01:00.000+10:00

I was wrong all along. I always thought that the Big Bang and the theory of evolution covered all the bases as far as the beginning of the universe and the origin of the species were concerned. I'm now happy to admit that I was terribly mistaken, and offer praise to the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Fully operational death star goes into battle mode

2005-09-16T14:51:00.000+10:00

As you may have read, the bills to sell off Telstra went through the other night.This constitutes one of John Howard’s greatest victories – it’s an issue he has stood firm on for many years and he’s finally delivered the goods. Or so you would have thought.Instead, the sale of Telstra seems set to be another albatross around the neck of the Government (there’s a few hanging around at the moment)

more on the tax idea

2005-09-16T14:36:00.000+10:00

the more i think about it, the more i think that designing the curve so that it is sufficiently progressive to ramp up the right way while being sufficiently generous to benefit recipients will lead to a massive revenue shortage as tax dollars get converted to benefit dollars and bleed the place dry.i tried to think about the current system and what its 'curve' would look like, and i think it

Bad Taste from TIm Blair and contributors

2005-09-15T08:50:00.000+10:00

I found this page in particularly bad taste.I am most distressed that I cannot stop laughing.

Words fail me...

2005-09-15T08:42:00.000+10:00

Mark Latham's diaries have stripped me of reason. After perusing the maniacal thoughts of our ex-leader, and realising what has just been handed to the Liberals, I find myself unable to muster a coherent opinion.Luckily a picture tells a thousand words.

Sparkles' and Carl's Mutual Admiration Society

2005-09-14T14:13:00.000+10:00

From AAP:One-time New South Wales leadership rival CARL SCULLY says Premier MORRIS IEMMA has plenty of sparkle.Thanks for clearing that up Carl!Meanwhile, Morris gives his sparkling opinion on the Opposition LeaderMr IEMMA says the experience of facing off with new Opposition leader PETER DEBNAM wasn't overwhelming. A sparkling interview, I am sure you will agree.

Irony + hello again!

2005-09-12T19:02:00.000+10:00

If the definition of irony isn't sitting in a public bar located in a country that has the death penalty for drugs while the person on the left snorts cocaine and the person on the right offers to sell you opium then I don't know what is!It is good to be back, but I will miss the daily chaos that was Indochina. Sigh.

Are tax cuts evil?

2005-09-12T17:23:00.000+10:00

There's obviously a mock debate going on about tax cuts [wow! way to be a week behind the news!] being conducted variously by Howard, Costello, Turnbull, Emerson and Tanner.Turbull's was the biggest contribution with some 297 different models. I gather all of them had something to do with cutting tax at the top end of town because of his constant references to "flattening and broadening" the tax

If this isn't the strangest graffiti I've ever seen...

2005-09-12T16:55:00.000+10:00

Unfortunately this hasn't come up very well (as Blogger has squashed it), but if you click on the image you can see that someone has gone to the effort to tell those that pass by a carpark next to ANU in Canberra that:"Kelly Osborne is wrong - reason will get us a superior + desirable mode of social life"Uh huh... Backing away slowly, maintaining eye conduct, smiling politely...

What's that? We're going to be OK after all?

2005-09-05T16:17:00.000+10:00

A story in The Australian today reported that Australians are pretty left wing after all, and not merely that but that Australians have moved leftwards under Howard. Interesting...Here's a thing - all attitudinal surveys are prone to issues of social desirability of responses; people answer the way they think they would like to be seen to answer.Why is this an issue? At the moment, I don't know

The Greens in Marrickville

2005-09-01T12:19:00.000+10:00

Sam Byrne hits the hustings for the Greens on their website.Ho hum. What are they going to do? Pass a bill? Nope... Ask a curly question? NSW question time gets bugger all attention anyway. Make a riveting adjournment speech? Not likely. I find the Greens tend do be more mogadon than methamphetamine.What's the point of sending someone "to send a message" who will be quite frankly ignored because

Share Your Shower

2005-08-29T20:56:00.000+10:00

From the ABC:Queensland Premier Peter Beattie says showering with a partner can save water during the current drought."Clearly I think it's important to conserve water that people do shower together and they sing in harmony," he said."Even I have a sense of humour. There's nothing wrong with showering with your partner, particularly after 30 years of marriage."I think I can shower with my partner

On student elections and other farces

2005-08-27T21:52:00.000+10:00

The first campaign I was properly involved in, and possibly the sweetest. Read all about it here.

Big Brother: Tim beaten by a Logan

2005-08-16T13:51:00.000+10:00

This is obviously old news, but Tim (roaring $1.55 favourite to win) didn't win Big Brother overnight. Much discussion could be entered into about what happened, how the votes went, whether BigBrother is a farce etc. but it can happen elsewhere.But Tim, the lefty, dopesmoking, football playing, now bizarrely tanned former BigBrother housemate is out of the house, and probably really drunk...I

Leave Sydney?? As if!

2005-08-12T23:00:00.000+10:00

Reserve Bank of Australia governor IAN MACFARLANE says young Sydney residents should think about moving elsewhere because the cost of living in Australia's biggest city is so high.Tell him he's dreaming!Mr MCFARLANE told a House Of Representatives Committee yesterday that house prices in Sydney are 50 to 60 per cent more expensive than in Melbourne.He says it's in the interests of young people to

Ayeee!

2005-08-12T22:08:00.000+10:00

56-4Jesus.Let's not talk about this again.Please?

Your finger, you fool!

2005-08-12T12:00:00.000+10:00

Senator Julian McGauran, the Nationals' Whip in the Senate made an allegedly obscene gesture for which he was reprimanded by the PM and by the Senate yesterday.As you can see from the image that the SMH published, the Senator is raising his index finger, but when you watch the footage he's making a clear "up yours" kind of gesture, but with the wrong finger.Makes me wonder- is he attempting to be

Bucket Thread: Greens in Marrickville

2005-08-12T11:33:00.000+10:00

Sources indicate that the Greens will today announce their candidate for the State seat of Marrickville. There will be updates, of course, as they come to hand.Consider this thread a bucket, into which you, readers, can empty your thoughts, constructive, gossipy, useful, or otherwise.UPDATE: Amanda reports that it's going to be Sam Byrne.UPDATE II: On the ABC:Mr Byrne says he is confident he can

Sometimes the ALP just shits me!

2005-08-11T14:47:00.000+10:00

And now is one of those times.I usually read my daily dose of news corp trash each morning with a coffee from Bond Cafe (Pitt St, Sydney) and sometimes a muffin.Today I nearly choked on the muffin (banana flavoured if you are interested).In an article in the Australian I got to read how ultra-Left union Secretary of the Victorian Electrical Trades Union, Dean Mighell, is going to exercise his

The Heffalump and The Weird New Kid

2005-08-11T12:21:00.000+10:00

You will have heard, I'm sure, about a bit of Stoushing(TM) that went on in Canberra the other day, between bad, mad Bill Heffernan and the slightly weird new kid in school, Barnaby Joyce.We're not yet sure whether Joyce is the kid who come in waving his proverbial (if Ween songs count as proverbs, which I don't suppose they do. Never mind...) in the wind threatening to beat everyone up and does

The first day of the DeathStar.

2005-08-10T15:37:00.000+10:00

Not one piece of legislation was considered yesterday in the Senate. Not one. From 12.30PM to approximately 8PM, the Government with all its numbers and all its practical ability to ram whatever through the Senate whenever it likes, could not even bring about a debate on legislation.This leads me to the conclusion that things will be more difficult for the Government than is sometimes made out.

I am going on holiday!

2005-08-09T11:20:00.000+10:00

I am going on holiday at the end of this week and will be gone until early September.So...unless my colleagues ramp up their involvement this Blog will be a little quiet for a while.If you are after some good reading can I recommend the following sites: Cut Price Commentariat, Daily Flute and WSA Caucus.Enjoy!I am going to enjoy riding around Vietnam and Cambodia with these guys.

Deathstar in orbit, phasers primed

2005-08-09T10:29:00.000+10:00

Today the new Senate is sworn in. The makeup has changed somewhat, with the Democrats and the indies falling in a ditch to be replaced by a couple of Greens, a god-botherer and some Coalition members.End result? A Government with no external limit on its legislative power.*I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel like I've been dragged to the top of a very big hill on the ricketiest

An opportunity lost...

2005-08-05T18:49:00.000+10:00

While the NSW Left struggles with headlines like "Labor's Left votes against female deputy" Queensland has forged ahead and promoted Anna Bligh as Deputy. Anna BlighNow Queensland Labor have a bright alternative to the men in suits that so dominate the frontbench of both major parties. Now Queensland - conservative, backward, Queendsland - can forge ahead and soon join Victoria, NT and the ACT as

Why so much about NSW??

2005-08-05T16:36:00.000+10:00

Why do I blog so much about NSW?? This is what one commentator asked me in a post that sadly required deletion due to the rest of the content...sigh.The answer, I suppose, is because I love living in NSW and have a deep interest in its well being. Publicising some of the goings-on and happenings will hopefully give the small (but very loyal) readership a bit of a look-in and maybe, just maybe,

Why did Carmel not run?

2005-08-04T16:29:00.000+10:00

There is an interesting story going around that John Watkins threatened to resign as Transport Services Minister if Carmel ran for Deputy in the full caucus meeting next Tuesday.Well you may say that, I couldn't possibly...

The Deputy Leadership Stoush

2005-08-04T13:18:00.000+10:00

While the leadership ballot caused barely a whimper, true "Stoushing" is occuring in the Left over the Deputy Leadership role.The contenders are both fairly talented and competent ministers who would be an asset to any government but with some of the hysteria being whipped around you would be forgiven for thinking that either of them are the anti-Christ.They are, of course, John Watkins and

Greens Want Liberal Preferences In Marrickville

2005-08-03T16:14:00.000+10:00

My super-secret sources have been tapping Morse on the pipes of the University of Sydney and have passed me a very interesting encrypted message. It reads, in part:Subject: Marrickville By-ElectionFrom: Colin Hesse <.....>Date: xxxxTo: xxxx...This will be a very hard election for us to win, though hopefully we can apply some pressure to Government policy during the campaign. The key difference

Is NSW a democratic state or one run by the NSW Right?

2005-08-03T12:38:00.000+10:00

I really think the editor at the Australian Financial Review should return to school for a civics class.In today's editorial, titled the "Unjust Rule of NSW Labor" the paper waxes lyrical on the question of who elects the government - the voters or the Right of the NSW Labor Party. The paper argues that Morris Iemma, a relative unknown in business or public circles, only gained the leadership due

An Irish joke

2005-08-03T09:18:00.000+10:00

Where does an Irish family go for vacation??A different bar.

GetUp.org.au

2005-08-02T14:06:00.000+10:00

I read Liam's take on the new lobby group, GetUp.org.au and found some of his points very interesting.Transferring US political organisations to the Australian sphere ignores the many differences inherent in our political activites. The pitfalls of this were obvious in the attempt to introduce Emily's List.Emily's List was created in the United States where "Early Money Is Like Yeast (It makes

Refshauge to resign

2005-08-02T09:16:00.000+10:00

The Deputy Premier and Treasurer will announce his resignation as a Member of Parliament today at 9.45am.UPDATE:Refshauge expected to quit as deputySMH August 2, 2005 - 9:04AMNSW Treasurer Andrew Refshauge has called a press conference for 9.45am (AEST) today, amid speculation he may resign.A spokesman for Dr Refshauge would not say if the deputy premier would announce his resignation at the

Ancient proverb???

2005-08-01T13:51:00.000+10:00

I like long walks...especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

Premier Iemma: what about the Caucus?

2005-07-29T21:57:00.000+10:00

What about the Caucus? Saith the ABC:New NSW leader pays tribute to Carr, ScullyMorris Iemma, who is set to become the new premier of New South Wales, has paid tribute to leadership rival Carl Scully.Mr Scully pulled out of the race today, leaving Mr Iemma as the only contender for the post.What about the fucking caucus? What about that fucking supreme decision making body of the NSW

Open Letter to Malcolm Noad

2005-07-29T16:02:00.000+10:00

I sent this email to Malcolm Noad, CEO of the Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club, a short while ago. Malcolm Noad (Picture: Bulldogs)Dear Malcolm,Let me first say that I fully understand the difficult situation the Club continues to find itself in as a result of the behaviour in some sections of the crowd. As a season ticket holder for some years, and a regular attendee before that, I have

Scully pulls out - 3.30pm today

2005-07-29T15:22:00.000+10:00

Carl Scully has removed himself from the race for Premier leaving Morris Iemma unopposed as Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party and Premier of NSW.Update from AAP:Mr SCULLY says he will NOT be a candidate for the state Labor leadership when the party's parliamentary caucus meets on Tuesday.Health Minister MORRIS IEMMA is now almost certain to win the caucus ballot -- and therefore the

Why Tanya is wrong

2005-07-29T14:38:00.000+10:00

Tanya Plibersek, Federal Member for Sydney, had an opinion piece in todays Sydney Morning Herald on the issue of the forthcoming ballot in state caucus.Ignoring the fact that as a federal member she should not be entering the public debate on an issue within the NSW Parliamentary Party, she made many other points that raised an eyebrow. I encourage you to read her column before continuing on...Is

The war on terror, a sensible solution and linguistic gymnastics.

2005-07-28T16:08:00.000+10:00

On Henry Thornton there is a neat little column from Graeme Mills exploring what the War on Terror is really all about. Morris tries a radical and hitherto unexplored tactic to examine the issues around the war- logic. Through examination of the problem which I'll let you read for yourself, he draws the conclusion that perhaps it might be a good idea to work out who the enemy actually is and

Iemma the new king?

2005-07-28T13:36:00.000+10:00

Rather sadly it seems the numbers have firmed behind Morris Iemma as the new leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party in NSW.Carl Scully has shown a brave face to the world but he was informed by key factional leaders before he announced his candidacy that they would not support him. Tripodi, Obeid and Roozendaal look set to deliver the majority of the Terrigal vote to the Member for Lakemba.Iemma

The Premiership Contenders

2005-07-27T17:02:00.000+10:00

Drumroll please!Let me introduce the Premiership Contenders! Those brave folk of noble stature, public integrity and a concern for the common good...hmmm...nope. Let me instead introduce the best of a bad bunch in the NSW Labor caucus.Carl ScullyOnce the golden haired boy of the Carr Labor Government, Carl Scully went through a difficult patch where no one wanted to talk to him. Now he is most

The end of a long road...Bob Carr resigns

2005-07-27T15:23:00.000+10:00

Bob Carr today announced his retirement from his position as NSW Premier and Member for Maroubra. He has left behind a government that has just passed 10 years in office and has a massive parliamentary majority, yet it also trails in the polls and is facing a major task to win back the hearts and minds of a jaded electorate.I met the news with a shiver of apprehension. Bob Carr always had a dual

I admit it - I am the one who blew up the Sharm el-Sheikh resort

2005-07-26T16:00:00.000+10:00

There are now THREE groups claiming reponsibility for the attack on the Sharm el-Sheikh resort in Egypt which killed at least 64 people.Another bomb and another rush to claim responsibility for an act of barbarism.I guess all publicity is good publicity in the Middle East and amongst the small fundamentalist communities elsewhere in the world.The latest group are a previously unknown organisation

Cue the religious zealots...

2005-07-26T14:48:00.000+10:00

After the drawn out and emotional battle in the United States involving Terri Schiavo can we expect more of the same as the feeding tube of "mum-in-boot" Maria Korp is removed?Sure, Maria was a bi-sexual swinger who advertised herself on adult websites for casual sex but God loves all His creations does he not??

Decency Squads

2005-07-22T11:39:00.000+10:00

My copy of the Eros magazine arrived on my doorstep this morning and again provided some of the best reading material of the week.For those not familiar with the organ of the Eros Association it is the official mouthpiece of Australia's adult goods and services industry. It contains many advertisments for risque shops and activites as well as some well thought out (and heavily biased) articles on

The Glory of the Tour!

2005-07-22T10:17:00.000+10:00

I am loving every minute of the Tour de France, as shown by SBS. The pain of climb, the speed of the chase, the agony of defeat and the glory of the win - truely gripping drama.The sheer distance these cyclists cover on a daily basis (and at record speeds) is staggering to an amateur cyclist who whinges about a 44km commute to work (at less than half the speed).But what the hell is with the

Bob Katter says what other conservatives are too scared to

2005-07-19T17:01:00.000+10:00

From the ABC:Mr Katter says he knows he will be seen as a hypocrite but the Howard Government's planned changes will undermine workers' rights to collectively bargain."They say I want to go back to the 1960s, the McEwen era, the old Country Party era, well that's absolutely true," he said."But it's a hell of a lot better to go back to 1960 than where they want to go, which is 1860, where little

Bedroom Air

2005-07-19T15:36:00.000+10:00

From the SMH:A British teenager said on Monday he had launched a low-cost airline from his bedroom, becoming possibly the youngest airline boss in the world."I started flying lessons when I was 16 and my friends started joking about us buying a plane together and flying people around the world," said Daniel Reilly, an 18-year-old student, from Maghull, in Merseyside, northern England."It was just

Of all the fun things you can do...

2005-07-18T11:22:00.000+10:00

...spraining your ankle doesn't tend to rate a mention. I've done some relatively minor damage to the anterior taleo-fibular ligament through running around at soccer until my ankle folded over and went "POP". As a note, I don't recommend it for entertainment. Get a video instead.You can see a picture of my ankle below. It really isn't that impressive looking, but that pretty much matches the

Life Without Unions – The New Reality?

2005-07-12T13:00:00.000+10:00

With membership in the private sector down to 17% and with John Howard firmly in control of the Senate, is life without unions going to be an increasing fact in Australia’s workplaces?The NSW Fabian Society is conducting this forum with:Greg Combet, Secretary ACTUHeather Ridout, CEO AIGWhen: Wednesday 20 July from 6.00pm - 7.30pmWhere: LHMU Auditorium, 187 Thomas Street, HaymarketCost: FreeChair:

Scratch my belly, please

2005-07-06T10:33:00.000+10:00

Down the street from my house used to live a very friendly black labrador puppy, which, when it escaped off its leash or over its fence, would run up to anybody walking along the footpath and immediately roll over on its back. A beautiful dog, just asking to be scratched. Why does the memory of the dog come to mind? I read this in the Herald this morning:The Government's plan for a single

Problem: The Hub is Dirty

2005-07-05T09:29:00.000+10:00

Upcoming ABC National Breakfast programme: interested?Last month it was reported that central Sydney was being starved of basic-wage workers, such as cleaners, room maids or waiting staff, simply because they cannot afford to live within reasonable travelling distance from the city.The problem raises once more the question of how cities can provide affordable housing close to the hub, rather

Campaign for Sydney/Turnbull

2005-07-04T14:51:00.000+10:00

The Sydney Morning Herald's Campaign for Sydney is looking more and more like a campaign against the Labor Government. It's not that it doesn't deserve a belting, it's just that it would be nice to have a less obvious anti-Government line in the editorial section.Sydney deserves to have an informed debate about water. Both the Premier and the Energy and Utilities Minister, Frank Sartor, are quick

The monster stirs

2005-06-30T20:15:00.000+10:00

There's a funny thing happening. A strange creature, from the dawn of time,* is stirring for the first time in quite a while. It is a creature that is oft critcised and little understood.It is organised labour, the union movement.The union movement has been at the forefront of many great advances in societies all over the world, advancing the interests of ordinary people and not being afraid to

Entirely irrelevant to everyone but me...

2005-06-29T20:02:00.000+10:00

I've now hookeds up into that glorious world of broadband internet access from home (rather than sucking data through a blue sraw at work) so I'll be much more free to contribute to this blog! Assuming of course that I have any free time whatsoever, which as I'm sure you can all relate to is never a given...

Latham was always going to explode

2005-06-29T17:52:00.000+10:00

I just commented on Liam's blog that Mark Latham was always going to explode.Remember that when you gush over his campaign or exclaim over his wonderful policy ideas. When you remember the energetic feel and the hope of victory.Mark Latham was always going to explode. It was just a surprise he did so thoroughly.As those who have dealt with him in the past can attain, Latham was a selfish man

What are the AFL afraid of?

2005-06-29T16:10:00.000+10:00

The AFL has become the only professional sport in Australia to refuse to sign the World Anti-Doping Agency accord.The only professional sport.There must be a reason Andrew Demetriou, chief of the AFL, refuses to sign this document. Immediately the AFL lose $500,000 of federal government funding. They then stand to lose any funding for stadium upgrades or joint Government-AFL programmes.They also

But Who Is Tony Burke?

2005-06-29T14:52:00.000+10:00

Well, I'm not really sure. But I do know one thing. He had this to say in his maiden speech:When we acknowledge the incredible strength and richness of the many cultures which make our nation so vibrant, from Indigenous Australians through to the most recent immigrant, it has an impact on how Australians relate to each other at the workplace, in the shopping centre and in the playground. When

Costa's attacks on cyclists are not risk-free politics

2005-06-29T09:54:00.000+10:00

Roads Minister Michael Costa has been at it again - lashing out with an ill-informed and prejudiced opinion that will ultimately hurt the government.In Parliament last week Costa was asked a question about the slashing of the RTA budget item for bicycle use and the removal of the SES position of General Manager, Bicycles and Pedestrians. The Minister replied:When we are looking at expenditure on

Reshuffle: Ferguson gets the arse

2005-06-24T16:08:00.000+10:00

So the unexpected happened, and the squashed frog gets moved on. There's probably a couple of lessons here, for all you kids at home looking forward (ha!) to being the shadow minister for immigration some time in your lives -when media tees you up to give the Government and even the Government's so-called dissidents both barrels, it helps to actually give them both barrels and show that the

Top 100 movie lines

2005-06-23T23:37:00.000+10:00

For all you movie lovers out there, the AFI have come up with a list of 100 top movie lines. What do you think of them?Generally I cannot disagree too much. I would have put the Jazz singer higher for purely historical reasons. Likewise anything from Caddyshack should not be on the list!My favourite - #82 “Toga! Toga!”The full 100:1. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” “Gone With the Wind,”

"Certain Strathfield Councillors & Developers"

2005-06-23T11:56:00.000+10:00

The long-awaited ICAC "Report on investigation into the relationship of certain Strathfield Councillors & Developers" has been released and provides some quality reading material. The byzantine struggle between certain factions within Strathfield Council, (which resulted in bribery, blackmail and cover-up) should be a warning to all who arrogantly abuse power in all levels of government.But it

Train Services - the Opposition broken-record player on unions spins on...

2005-06-23T10:18:00.000+10:00

The NSW Auditor General yesterday released a performance audit on 'Managing Disruptions to CityRail Passenger Services'. Predictably this report was met by the Opposition blaming the old enemy - the union movement - for all the ills in the world.What did the report actually say?Disruptions can occur in any network, what is important is the response levelThat it is the opinion of the Auditor that

Quotable Quote

2005-06-23T09:42:00.000+10:00

The Labour Party is a moral crusade or it is nothing. Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister, 1964Found here with many other interesting quotes.

Sack Ferguson?

2005-06-23T08:20:00.000+10:00

Liam has started a campaign to sack Laurie Ferguson based on his appalling mishandling of the immigration portfolio.I believe Liam should look at this from another, more positive, angle - we now know that Laurie actually has opinions on policy issues! I was in some doubt on that score, only seeing him as a full-time machinery and 'yes' man...

Parliament is a waste of time

2005-06-22T11:43:00.000+10:00

One of the most scathing attacks on the modern Australian parliamentary system was written yesterday by Harry Evans, Clerk of the Senate.Harry rightly points out that,If any of the framers of the constitution were brought back to life...they would be amazed, and would ask how the system they devised had come to this. Their basic principle...was that the law-making power should never be vested in

SPORTS WEDNESDAY

2005-06-22T09:27:00.000+10:00

How many NRL clubs have now promised to clean out their playing ranks and bring in fresh talent for 2006? South Sydney, Wests Tigers and now a late addition - Newcastle.Newcastle have told Mark Hughes, Craig Smith, Steve Witt, Andrew Price and Blake Mueller to look elsewhere in 2006. They have also told another 6 that they are free to negotiate.I cannot fathom where these clubs think that the new

Firebombs

2005-06-20T20:22:00.000+10:00

From the ABC, a wonderful wobbly answer to a direct question:Senator Hill says members of the US-led Coalition have pledged to carry out the military objectives in the most humanitarian way and he is sure the US would comply with its international obligations."In fact, I am confident that it would exceed its obligations under the international conventions because its basic values are ones of a

Wacky tabaccy?

2005-06-20T14:10:00.000+10:00

You decide.http://hqckyzbb.blogspot.com/

George Bush vs God

2005-06-19T09:34:00.000+10:00

This is what would happen if Jesus ran against George W. Bush for President...http://www.wiseass.org/jesus.html

This person votes (apologies to "The Election Chaser")

2005-06-16T14:51:00.000+10:00

I've already mentioned that I watch Big Brother, one thing I perhaps hadn't mentioned is that I occasionally check the website to see if anything is happening in the house that is more interesting than what's going on at work. I did find this:Christie lies down next to Hotdogs outside to sunbake. She adlibs some intelligent conversation: "The ceremony emphasises the physiology of the

SPORTS MONDAY (on Tuesday)

2005-06-14T13:03:00.000+10:00

Their is an oft-maligned sport played in the land of the potato by men who are not afraid of anything but snakes.This sport is called hurling - the Irish alternative to soccer and a practical demonstration of why Irish jokes are universally amusing.During this week I have been thinking alot about hurling, so much so that I had no time to worship at the alter of rugby league, nor attend the NSW

NSW Labor Conference (I)

2005-06-11T16:58:00.000+10:00

A few short notes from the Tree of Truth's NSW Labor Party Special Business Observer Privilege Club penthouse conference office (with en-suite), at the top of the Sydney Town Hall. One of the more tedious conferences your correspondents have ever attended.Bob Carr's speech followed a powerpoint presentation to the quality of the old Army recruiting ads, and your correspondents were disappointed

Australian Labor Party Annual Conference

2005-06-10T13:12:00.000+10:00

The Anual Conference of the Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch) is on this weekend at Sydney Town Hall.*sigh*Another weekend of my life wasted. When I die I probably will curse all the precious hours spent in halls watching members of the NSW Right and Left go hammer and tongs in a phoney war whose origins are now meaningless.Let me stress that this does not mean I am equating the two factions. I

Inspiring people

2005-06-10T01:35:00.000+10:00

I love Adam Yoshida, Canada's loneliest fascist. There's just something about the way tht he writes that, no matter how bad my mood, just inspires a sense of inspiration.Step back and look at Watergate. It’s a textbook example of a Witch Hunt. Forget McCarthy – if you want to see a Witch Hunt, look at Watergate.McCarthy went after actual enemies of the United States and of the Constitution. And

Against Indefinite Detention

2005-06-09T16:01:00.000+10:00

Your say on the private member's bills to end indefinite detention for asylum seekers -go here.It's a real exercise, requiring your full name and address for verification reasons. You can state your opposition to the bill as well, if that's your yen.

Common knowledge

2005-06-09T13:31:00.000+10:00

What comprises common knowledge? You know what I mean - that body of knowledge that everyone just seems to know and this knowledge helps smooth conversations, relationships and everyday interaction. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy believes that,Common knowledge is a phenomenon which underwrites much of social life. In order to communicate or otherwise coordinate their behavior

Quotable Quote

2005-06-09T12:05:00.000+10:00

"Truth is so precious that it must be accompanied by a bodyguard of lies." Winston Churchill (perhaps stating current Government policy?)

Forget Star Wars - Arise Lord Tader

2005-06-09T11:32:00.000+10:00

STORE WARS

Bush official altered scientific reports on global warming

2005-06-08T20:55:00.000+10:00

Surprised?The full AAP report is as follows:A US newspaper says a White House official with no scientific training edited government climate reports to play down the links between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.The New York Times says the details are in internal documents it has obtained.It says PHILIP COONEY, chief-of-staff for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, often

Church and State

2005-06-08T14:44:00.000+10:00

Whilst perusing Online Catholics (no comments please!) I came across some very interesting research gauging public opinion on the political role of organised religion.The survey found that 75% of Australians, and 76% of Catholic Australians, believe that religious leaders should not try to influence government decisions. This was roughly in the middle of responses from across other nations

Big Brother... haven for lunatics and dopey fools.

2005-06-07T16:34:00.000+10:00

I don't know what it is about Big Brother. I'm still watching a month in. It's really quite bizarre. More than a large slice of the reason why I got interested was that a friend, Tim, is in the house.Quite funny that- I'm sitting on the couch channel surfing on the night Big Brother started and all of a sudden Tim's face shows up on the telly. It's him doing this and that and I stayed tuned in,

Hee hee hee! Look at number 3!

2005-06-07T11:32:00.000+10:00

[Idea for post shamelessly borrowed from Liam's discussion of the Stoush (TM) over at Cut Price Commentariat]Look at number three entry here!Ok, I think I've found something that bloggers can do that's sadder than Googling yourself...Edit: This was already lame Dibo but now that you are no longer the number three entry I just wanted to state that publicly for the record! ~ Cesare

Bad Housemates

2005-06-07T08:58:00.000+10:00

Recent reports of a woman being murdered by her flat mate for playing the TV too loud reminds me of the perils of a sharing a house. Like many other university students I lived in share houses for most of the past 8 years and have had my fair share of horror stories.Most memorable would have to be the girlfriend of one housemate who was extremely vocal.By 'extremely' I mean any OHS committee

Sports Monday

2005-06-05T19:29:00.000+10:00

What a weekend in the AFL for true believers, and those of us who know that no streak of poor form can last, that no claim to superiority is ever final, and that hegemonic ideas are always contested! What a glorious set of outcomes, defying the established Fairfax Melbourne punditti, and bringing football back to the people!First the obvious giant-killer match, with the little-backed Collingwood

Schapadlock II

2005-06-04T10:39:00.000+10:00

The Schapadlock, reproduced faithfully on this site by our own Dibo, has been claimed.On Thursday, the Daily Telegraph's very classy "Confidential" section ran a celebration of bad-taste Schappelle jokes that had been circulating amongst the city's young and technologically hip, including said Schapadlock.The staff of Confidential were amused that afternoon to receive a note of thanks as well as

The Young Labor Files (I)

2005-06-03T22:20:00.000+10:00

In the latest instalment from Sam Dastyari, President, NSW Young Labor:REMINDERIt's time to send your articles for the Young Labor Activist in to [email@deleted] or [email@deleted].Articles can be up to 400 words, on a topic of your choice. Images need to be at least 300dpi.The Activist will be professionally published, and distributed to thousands of people in the Labor Party, Young Labor and