Australian policy makers could learn a thing or two from a landmark report aimed at tackling inequalities in health that was released in the UK yesterday, writes Melissa Sweet.
February, 2010
Possum: Suggestions of Rudd’s demise are polls apart
It’s the question on the tips of the lips of political commentators everywhere: How popular is Kevin Rudd?
Failure to restore Racial Discrimination Act means double jeopardy for Aboriginal people
The Government should withdraw the proposed paternalistic social security legislation, pass the Greens’ Bill to reinstate the RDA and start a wider discussion on how to achieve real welfare reform.
Political snippets: The readers still say Labor
Our readers have Labor and the Coalition run neck and neck on primary votes when it comes to predicting the result of next week’s Newspoll, plus a Cairns Post cover and other political snippets.
The shredding of the Coalition climate plan continues apace
While the political focus has been elsewhere this week, the Coalition’s “direct action” climate plan has been under sustained and highly damaging assault.
2UE ankle deep in legal stoush
Some forensic rigour has been applied to the word ‘ankles’ in Ray Chesterton’s defamation action against 2UE in the NSW Supreme Court this week, writes Richard Ackland.
Guy Rundle: Rundle in Athens: it’s all Greek to me
The euro has been one of the most startling stages in the EU process, since former arch-enemies the Germans and French were brought together in the Coal and Steel Community in the early 1950s.
ABC throws away the book in editorial policy shake-up
The ABC is preparing to give its editorial policies a comprehensive shake-up. Expect a really comprehensive re-write with the aim of making the policies readable and relevant to the new media age.
Daily Proposition: A teacher flick that won’t make you gag
If Mr Holland’s Opus leaves you cold, and you wanted to kick the bucket along with Robert Sean Leonard during Dead Poets’ Society, Joanna McCarthy has an alternative teacher flick suggestion: Half Nelson.
Garrett’s not the only one with bloody hands
The crazy logic of the pursuit of Peter Garrett is that he must take responsibility for the actions of everyone who has received Government funding, no matter how irresponsible they are in their own actions.
Video of the Day: Go behind North Korea’s bamboo curtain
Vice visits North Korea’s DMZ as part of its Guide to North Korea series (watch the whole thing, it’s fascinating):
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: more Chantelois appearance?
Mike Rann is attending a function at the Adelaide Intercontinental Hotel tonight at 7pm. Has Michelle Chantelois been tipped off, and will she make an appearance? Plus, rotten news for Macquarie Bank’s staff in the Big Apple.
Crikey Says: Can we really blame ministers for everything?
If you follow Tony Abbott’s logic on ministerial responsibility, there would be Ministers’ heads served up on platters with monotonous regularity.
What I learnt about business from an AC/DC concert
A successful band is a successful business, and AC/DC know that better than most that when you’re on to a good thing, stick with it. Nostalgia sells and baby boomers have money, writes recent AC/DC concert attendee James Thomson.
Arrington: Why MySpace needs to ditch News Corp
MySpace is the “unwanted step child” of News Corp, says Michael Arrington: it has terrible management, executives who don’t care, and a total dearth of new products and ideas. Its only chance for survival is to free itself from Rupert’s grip.
China’s elderly go on drug-fuelled mahjong marathons
China’s 40-to-60-year-old mahjong fans are “bingeing” on ketamine, cocaine and methamphetamines in order to rage all night in marathon sessions of the game.
Betting Market Friday: Bookies still banking on ALP victory
Possum Comitatus’ weekly round-up of the Australian political betting odds. Pundits may have seen this as a good week for the Coalition, but the punters didn’t, with the betting market average moving slightly towards Labor.
Joye: What’s the difference between CBA and Fannie Mae?
Very little, says Christopher Joye. Just like the once-epic financial institution, our big banks are “too big to fail” — if they go down, so does our economy. Taxpayers will continue to subsidise them, even though they will continue to screw us over.
Kohler: Stop tripping on bananas while the olives are being pipped
Memo to Treasury: There is a serious economic crisis with global implications unfolding in Greece and the EU, that is far worse than it looks. Don’t waste time bagging Barnaby Joyce, writes Alan Kohler.
Guardian: Don’t like David Cameron? It could be worse: meet Tony Abbott
From the “how the world sees us” files: Julian Glover says that Tony Abbott makes the Tories look “relatively sane, centrist and capable.” Meanwhile, Barnaby Joyce is an “Australian redneck Boris [Johnson]” and Rudd is “Gordon Brown — only with a future, and added smiles.”
Leigh Sales: My first day of kindergarten
It’s back to school time! Leigh Sales, as “a rather big fly on the wall”, chronicles the first day of school for a new kindergarten teacher. There’s name tags, singing, a visit from the principal and even a princess.
Here, boy! A history of “dog whistling” in Australian politics
“Dog whistle politics” is the catchphrase du jour amongst Australia’s political commentariat, who are using it to describe both Rudd and Abbott’s recent rhetoric. Ken Macnab has a great primer on “dog whistling” in Aussie politics throughout the years.
The Daily Beast / Friday, 12 February 2010
The Daily Beast’s guide to the pick of the US conservative commentariat — from mainstream columnists to bloggers, news anchors and radio hosts.