from our friend Dr. Vacy Vlazna … 

from the shovel ….

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he was well over half way into watching the latest Superman movie Man of Steel before he realised it was about a comic character and not his hero and mentor John Howard.

You will often hear uttered, from women who don’t subscribe to the whole feminism package but who nevertheless wish to add their voice to the gender equality debate, that well known phrase “I’m not a feminist, but…”

In his book, Propaganda, published in 1928, Edward Bernays wrote: "The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country."

They're grown men, the President and the Emir. So it is inevitable that over a dinner or perhaps in a frank chat some time soon, the US President and his Qatari counterpart will swap notes on the unfolding, or the unravelling, of the Arab Spring.

What a night of nights it must have been last May: the music, the champagne, the chatter and laughter, the bursts of applause. See the merry throng of gentlemen elegant in best black tie, the ladies soignee in satins and silks, a soft light sparkling on silver and pearls, on diamonds and gold.

from Crikey ….

Devine spin: inside the Church PR machine - and why Pell must go

The above billboard was arranged by the Australian Friends of Palestine Association - www.afopa.com.au) & is now displayed at the following locations in Adelaide:

from the shovel ….

Since leaving office four years ago, former US President George W Bush has devoted much of his time to painting.

The non-violent protest inspired by the performance artist Erdem Gündüz spread across Turkey as it was imitated by hundreds in towns and cities. 

First they came for my neighbour's lands, 

The corporate watchdog will face a Senate inquiry into its performance that is likely to embroil the Commonwealth Bank and raise questions about the effectiveness of new financial reforms.