Human Rights Watch founder Robert L. Bernstein has come out with a surprise attack against his former NGO, accusing them of completely ignoring other oppressed Middle East countries in favour of blasting Israel continuously.
October, 2009
Dutton chows down some humble pie
Lib frontbencher Peter Dutton has returned, tail between his legs, to announce he will stand again for his Brisbane seat of Dickson, just weeks after missing out for preselection in a safer seat.
Video of the Day: Terry Gilliam interviewed by a cockroach
Nicholas the Talking Cockroach (no, we don’t know either) interviews Python, writer, film maker and all around genius Terry Gilliam, about his fascinating life and career.
Carney: Rudd steers the future course of asylum seekers
Kevin Rudd is struggling to balance his “tough, but fair” asylum seeker line. Why doesn’t he take a more humanitarian stand, but be honest and acknowledge the possible increase of people smuggling? asks Shaun Carney.
Life and death in the Pacific Garbage Patch
Plastic cigarette lighters, bottle tops, fishing lures, parts of shoes, plastic bags: just about anything we get rid of ends up in the guts of baby albatrosses in the mid-Pacific, says Bob Gosford — and he has the pictures to prove it. Hold on to your lunch.
Everything you need to know about big-P politics in four simple charts
Barely 10 years ago, the dynamics of the government/public relationship was such that the Prime Minister neither lifted nor depressed the party vote very much, says Possum Comitatus. But with the rise of PR-driven politics, just check out the charts now…
Ariel Sharon: a (barely) living metaphor for the Israeli peace process
Former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon has been in a coma for nearly four years, living in a persistently vegetative state. He’s too healthy to die, but too sick to really live — just like the Middle East peace process, says Lynn Sherr.
Barns: The ALP can’t be trusted on asylum seekers
The ALP’s performance in opposition on the issue of asylum seekers was “weak, gutless and equally odious as that of the Liberal Party”, says Greg Barns — so why should we trust them to be any better now?
Fighting fires: Australia vs. America
Australian-born journalist Christine Kenneally explains the aftermath of the Black Saturday bushfires to the The New Yorker, comparing the different tactics and challenges of Australian and American firefighters.
Would you pay Murdoch for articles like this…?
“Drunkest man ever tries to buy booze” is apparently what News Ltd’s Adelaide Now believes is news. Is this what Rupert Murdoch means when he talks about his engaging, original content? asks Ben Shepherd.
Costello: I can teach you a thing or two about tax reform
Peter Costello modestly lectures the Federal Government on what it can learn from his own tax reforms. “On no account should there be a tax on the family home,” he warns, lest we end up mimicking America’s subprime crash.
The great Twitter coup: how the users took control
“There may be some 50 people officially working at Twitter, but it’s more like 5,000 people work for Twitter,” says founder Biz Stone, explaining how third parties and users have out-innovated Twitter with their own product.
How the RBA makes its interest rate decisions
A fascinating (if you’re that way inclined) inside look at how the Reserve Bank makes its decisions, from the people sitting around the board room table, to the “small army of analysts and economists” providing the intel.
Don’t get your hopes up for Copenhagen
The likelihood that climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in December will produce a comprehensive treaty on global warming are now looking pretty slim, with the US, like Australia, still squabbling domestically over the issue.
‘Chaosistan’? US General spills secret CIA report
The US commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, accidentally let slip about a secret CIA report called “Chaosistan”, which advocates letting Afghanistan become a “Somalia-like haven of chaos that we simply manage from outside.”
What if Karzai wins? Can we trust him?
Even if Hamid Karzai manages to legitimately win the second Afghanistan election, questions around his trustworthiness and credibility still remain. Is he a reliable partner for foreign powers?
Afghanistan goes (back) to the polls
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has caved to international pressure and agreed to enter into a runoff election. But will a second election be any less fraudulent and corrupt?
Why a second election will be even more of a balls-up than the first
A nationwide vote instigated by Western power, in one of the world’s most impoverished countries, and organised in less than three weeks? Good luck with that, says Simon Tisdall.
How Clinton convinced Karzai to cave
Negotiations with Afghani President Hamid Karzai to enter into a runoff election have been underway for months, but according to the Times, it was a telephone call three days ago from Hillary Clinton that finally saw him relent.
Breakfast Media Wrap: Sri Lankan boat people reach Canada and the reception sounds familiar
The pick of the morning’s media
Why I kept playing: confessions of a video game addict
Sure, it’s funny to laugh at the geeky online gamers spending hours (or days) glued to their screens, but for some, it’s a serious addiction with serious consequences. One such gamer has written an excellent piece detailing the destructive toll his addiction to EverQuest took on his life.
Ten great things that have happened behind TV reporters’ backs
Whenever a TV reporter does a “live report” from outside the studio, there’s a small but tantalising chance something hilarious will take place in the background. Buzz Feed rounds up those special moments.
Alternative Lolita covers
What would you suggest for an alternative book cover of the classic Nabokov novel Lolita? These competition finalists show that abstract designs and subtle sexuality work better than obvious lollipop gags.
The deep-fried wonderland that is the Texas State Fair
Set your arteries to “harden”: the AV Club samples chicken-fried bacon, fried peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwiches, deep-fried butter, and other culinary delights of the Texas State Fair
