Friday 29th of March 2024

the threat to our 'sustainable population' .....

the threat to our 'sustainable population' .....

from Crikey .....

meet a 'queue jumper'

by Y Dr Tanya Ahmed, a psychiatry registrar

Her brown eyes are blank. Her face is expressionless, her body motionless. She has no thoughts, no feelings, no purpose. She huddles in the corner of a stark hospital ward. She does not respond when her children kiss her. She hasn't drunk today, and hasn't eaten for days. If only she had the energy, she would find a way to die.

climate change leadership .....

climate change leadership .....

The respected economist and former Labor adviser Ross Garnaut has delivered a scathing critique of the political and economic records of the major two parties, accusing both of a failure of leadership over the past decade.

Neither party had a plan to deal with climate change and Australia's position on the issue was ''an extraordinary failure of leadership''.

Professor Garnaut said Kevin Rudd abdicated leadership by listening to advisers who rated lobbying by special interest groups and ''inchoate reactions'' from poorly informed members of the community above majority public support for action.

plodwatch .....

plodwatch .....

You have the right to remain silent, but only if you tell the police that you're remaining silent.

You have a right to a lawyer - before, during and after questioning, even though the police don't have to tell you exactly when the lawyer can be with you. If you can't afford a lawyer, one will be provided to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you, which, by the way, are only good for the next two weeks?

blowin' smoke .....

blowin' smoke .....

from Crikey .....

By August 22, Joe Hockey could be in charge of the economy

Canberra correspondent Bernard Keane writes:

mission dysfunction...

victory
Iraqis Are Less Certain Than Obama About End to the War

By ANTHONY SHADID

the goose...

chicken

Julia Gillard has renewed her debate challenge to Tony Abbott, saying she wants to go head-to-head with the Opposition Leader on economic issues next Monday night.

Both leaders were on the hustings in the battlefield state of Queensland this morning as they touted plans to fast-track baby bonus payments and encourage firms to take on older workers.

Mr Abbott has already knocked back the challenge to hold a second debate with Ms Gillard, but today the Prime Minister, on day three of her 'Real Julia' strategy, threw the gauntlet down again.

"Mr Abbott should step up to a debate on the economy," she said as the election campaign reached the half-way mark.

teaching an old dog...

trick dog

THE Coalition will today promise employers cash payments of more than $3000 for giving jobs to people aged 50 and over.

The Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, will unveil the policy as the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, continues to press home what she said yesterday was her opponent's fundamental weakness - the economy and employment - and demand a second debate.

smoking business...

smokesmoke

The big tobacco companies are fighting back against the Government's plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging by funding small retailers in a massive advertising campaign timed to coincide with the final weeks of the election campaign.

The Alliance of Australian Retailers (AAR) has taken out full page advertisements in tomorrow's papers criticising the plan, which they argue will hurt small business and lead to job losses.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the $5 million campaign has been devised by former Liberal Party strategists and Howard government advisers.

The newly-formed AAR has 19,000 members representing corner stores, petrol stations, and newsagents.

keeping us safe .....

keeping us safe .....

"To watch the courageous Afghan freedom fighters battle modern arsenals with simple hand-held weapons is an inspiration to those who love freedom. Their courage teaches us a great lesson-that there are things in this world worth defending. To the Afghan people, I say on behalf of all Americans that we admire your heroism, your devotion to freedom, and your relentless struggle against your oppressors." President Ronald Reagan - March 21, 1983

selling us down the river .....

selling us down the river .....

Climate change and water management are in a woeful state in Australia.

Australia is more vulnerable to water shortage and the ravages of climate change than any other place on earth.

All too soon we will hand over this brown land to our children: they will pass the bundle to theirs. My prediction is coming generations will jump up and down on our graves if the country is handed over in its present state.

remember when...

twin towers
picture by Gus

 

Debate Heating Up on Plans for Mosque Near Ground Zero

By MICHAEL BARBARO

An influential Jewish organization on Friday announced its opposition to a proposed Islamic center and mosque two blocks north of ground zero in Lower Manhattan, intensifying a fierce national debate about the limits of religious freedom and the meaning of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

the value of labels .....

the value of labels .....

Julia Gillard has revealed that her next Labor cabinet will include a Minister for Procrastination, with the job of ensuring that nothing controversial or unpopular actually happens over the life of the new government.

In a stinging repudiation of the frantic policy activism of her predecessor, the Prime Minister wants it known there will be no more of Kevin Rudd's great moral challenges of our time. ''People are tired of being told they should worry about the so-called big issues of climate change, or immigration, or the global financial crisis,'' Ms Gillard told an election rally of photogenic kindergarten children at Innisfail, in northern Queensland, yesterday.

forever the lickspittle .....

forever the lickspittle .....

Australia approved new sanctions against Iran in a bid to halt its nuclear program.

The new sanctions, announced Thursday by Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, follow similar restrictions issued by the United States, the European Union and Canada.

For the first time the sanctions include restricting business dealings with Iran's oil and gas sector.

"In adopting this package, Australia stands at the forefront of international community efforts to have Iran meet its international obligations in relation to its nuclear program, one of the most serious security challenges facing the international community," Smith said in a statement.

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