When did females become so nasty to each other, asks Sarah McKenzie.
December, 2009
Health care journalists: time to bite the hand that feeds
Journalists in the US are demanding that the Food and Drug Administration become more open to genuine engagement with the media, writes Melissa Sweet.
Letter from...: Namibia: a first for the born-free generation
The results are finally out for last week’s national elections in Namibia, with the South West African People’s Organisation retaining its majority in the National Assembly and the Presidency, writes Robert Johnson from Windhoek.
Guy Rundle: The Oz has been sipping Abbott’s kool-aid
The Australian’s commentators were out in force this morning to announce the return of the Abbott through the city gates — shouting heahs and hosannas, with Dennis Shanahan back in his happy place.
By-elections: it’s all swings and roundabouts
From Saturday’s by-election results, it appears that much of the damage from the Liberal Party’s switch on climate change looks likely to be concentrated where it can’t do them much harm.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Vic Democrats to lose their political party status?
It’s all looking a bit sad for the Australian Democrats down south, with the Victorian membership down so low that they risk losing their official political party status.
Crikey Says: One message echoes across the world’s front pages
As Copenhagen kicks off today, Crikey will be arguing over the politics and the approach on climate change. But there’s no arguing with the fact that climate change presents an unprecedented challenge to every single nation on earth.
The epic FAIL of Myspace
The Financial Times has written a definitive account of the epic rise and fall of social media phenomenon Myspace — from Murdoch’s $580m “bargain” buyout in 2005 to recent revelations that it would lose $100m this year.
Why you can’t find a chocolate bar in China
Last week, Slate writer Daniel Gross noted in a dispatch from China that he was yet to see a chocolate bar in the entire country, and asked readers if they could explain why. From “lactose intolerance” to “Western conspiracy”, here are the best responses.
We’re all individuals, say the world’s newspapers (I’m not, says Fairfax)
Today 56 major newspapers around the world ran the same editorial on climate change. The effort was applauded by The Age, but the paper didn’t run the editorial itself. Is Fairfax trying to have a bit both ways? asks Margaret Simons.
Stott Despoja: Spilling on last week’s spills
Joe Hockey was drafted to run as Liberal leader before he was ready. Just because you can win it, doesn’t mean you should run, writes Natasha Stott Despoja, reflecting back on her own Democrats experience.
Nando’s ads: tacky but terrific
Fast food chicken chain Nando’s latest ad campaign — featuring Warrick Cappa in very tight leopard-print undies — may be a bit tasteless, but it will probably sell a barnyard full of chicken burgers, says Camille Alarcon.
ABC commentators let off the leash
Since the Rudd government came to power, ABC reporters have been given free reign to speak their minds across Auntie’s website, the blogosphere and — gasp! — even Twitter, says Michaela Boland. Rudd and Alston ran a much tighter ship.
Qatar Airways: what, where and why
Qatar Airways are opening up the Aussie skies, with flights between Melbourne and Doha. With plans for daily Melbourne and Sydney flights and lax tax laws, can it challenge Emirates and Etihad for Middle East dominance?
Selling the Mad Monk: marketing experts weigh-in
How do you sell the Australian public on a Speedo-wearing, headkicking former seminary student? The Oz asks some of Australia’s top advertising and marketing gurus how they’d package the Tony Abbott “brand”.
James Murdoch: Let the market forces decide climate change
Rather than the US government regulating climate change, it should just let a free market create strong clean and green energy markets. Business will save us, writes Murdoch heir apparent, James Murdoch.
Amazon’s secret plan to invade the real world
Online retailer Amazon is planning to open a real, meat-world store in England, where customers can order products online, then pick them up in-store, according to local landlords.
Who will survive the great NYT blog cull?
The New York Times is planning to prune back some of its 70+ blogs from its site in an effort to save some cash. Which will be voted off the island? The crossword blog? The ice hockey blog? Or the old person blog?
Wax on, cash in: the Karate Kid remake
The first images from the Will Smith-produced remake of ’80s classic The Karate Kid have emerged — and it doesn’t look promising, says Luke Buckmaster: Mr Miyagi is Chinese, the “karate” is actually kung fu, and there’s nary a Joe Esposito track to be heard.
The private/public business blur
As a nearly bankrupt Dubai hits the headlines, questions are raised about the power of partially state owned businesses. Does blurring the lines between the private and public sector give the best or the worst of both worlds?
Hollywood conservatives: Strip Gore of his Oscar
Two conservative members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Hollywood conservatives? Really?) have called for Al Gore to be stripped of his Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth in the wake of the Climategate email saga
Celebrity op-eds: the height of lazy journalism
US papers, even huge, reputable ones like the NYT and WSJ, are suckers for a celebrity op-ed, with Bono, Sean Penn, and even James Franco (really?) recently receiving column inches for no other reason than their stardom. It sucks, says Ravi Somaiya.
Crikey Blogs / Monday, 7 December 2009
Help the Pure Poison team keep track of all the commentariats’ predictions about Tony Abbott success as leader of the Liberal Party for future reference and potential “told you so”s.