Forty Italian women who have had relationships with Catholic priests have written an open letter to the Pope, calling for the Vatican to scrap its policy on celibacy for priests.
May, 2010
Rove: The oil spill is Obama’s Katrina
The BP oil spill occurred in federal waters, which means Obama is in charge of the rescue operation. But actions have been far too slow, and it’s staining Obama’s reputation, says Karl Rove.
Grattan: What if our federal election result was like the UK’s?
With the 50-50 polling between Abbott and Rudd, a hung parliament is a possibility. So how would it play out? It’d be down to the Independents, two of whom are former Nationals, writes Michelle Grattan.
Hudson: Abbott tougher than Howard on boats
Tony Abbott wants boat people to be an election issue and his asylum seeker policy is a modified — and tougher — Pacific Solution. Abbott smells the votes, writes Phillip Hudson.
Will voters board the HMAS Border Control?
Daily Media Wrap: Tony Abbott wants to bring back Howard’s “Pacific Solution”, but will voters get on board? And will the Liberal Party’s moderates finally jump ship?
Matt Taibbi: Wall St’s war on finance reform
Matt Taibbi continues his excellent work exposing the unsightly underbelly of the big banks, with a detailed look at how their army of lobbyists neutered the US Congress’ attempts at financial reform.
Sex and religious oppression in the City
You don’t have to actually be a Sex and the City fan to enjoy this foul-mouthed and hilarious review of the new film. In fact, it’s probably better if you’re not. Nothing like a dash of religious fundamentalism with your Cosmos!
Hypo over hyphens
Crikey isn’t the only publication riddled with grammar and spelling issues, with the NY Times examining its spelling stuff-ups for the week. The biggest issue? To hyphen or not to hyphen.
Save the ugly animals!
Scientists aren’t always logical when it comes to researching endangered animals, with far more studies on cute animals like meerkats than on endangered but less attractive species.
The Guardian praises Fraser: an “antipodean Jimmy Carter”
The Guardian’s editorial is an ode to Malcolm Fraser quitting the Libs, calling him “a force for moderate good sense” and noting that dull leaders can make fine national elders.
It’s always summer in Santorini
It’s Slide Night and Matt de Neef is recounting tales of jumping off the docks in Santorini, Greece. It might have been winter in Europe, but the Mediterranean is always warm.
Pat’s Super 14 selections: Grand Final and the season in review
As much as we may feel uneasy about it here on the Pacific rim, it does seem clear that the two best teams have ended up in the Super 14 final and yes, they are both South African, writes Patrick Baume.
Silencing the SBS subtitlers
SBS insider David Ingram spills on the recent sacking of 10 SBS subtitlers, saying the broadcaster now seems unsure whether its aim is multicultural or mainstream.
Is BP keeping journalists away from the oil spill?
Journalists have accused BP and the US Coast Guard of restricting their access to the areas worst affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Are the two in cahoots to keep the public from seeing the real environmental impact of the disaster?
It’s official: Aussies are boozehounds
Possum Comitatus rakes through new ABS stats on Australian alcohol consumption: on average, we’re each consuming about 806 standard alcoholic drinks a year.
We want to see dirty oceans, but not dirty laundry
In the age of web 2.0, we now demand an increasing level of transparency from our government and corporations — but we’re still not ready for our own lives to be so heavily scrutinised.
State of Origin: Blues marooned in role of second best
Just about the only thing that will get NSW a win in Brisbane is if Stilnox takes over from XXXX as the sponsor of the Maroons and they all skol a jug of it before kick-off, writes Steve Mascord.
Rich list: the rise and rise of Clive Palmer
Number seven on BRW’s Rich 200 list is Clive Palmer, a difficult target to value. While he holds some stakes in publicly listed companies, the bulk of his empire is privately held.
Abbott’s new Pacific Solution
The Pacific Solution will be back if Tony Abbott wins the next election, along with other failed Howard-era asylum seeker policies.
The regulator and the regulated: sorry, but the internet won’t play that game
Stephen Conroy rants at Google and Facebook. But he hasn’t worked out that they don’t play that game, and aren’t that interested in what governments think.
Come in Spinner: Sixth time lucky for aged-care communications
The Productivity Commission is starting what will be the sixth major inquiry into aged-care funding — a policy area that has become a no-go area because of poor initial communications, writes Noel Turnbull.
BRW lists Pratt fortune at $4.6bn: meet the ex-Penthouse Pet who wants a piece
The new BRW Rich List estimates the Pratt fortune at $4.6bn. But we presume there’s one particular variable that the magazine didn’t factor into their calculations: Madison Ashton, writes Chris Seage.
How the RSPT may end up costing taxpayers
Instead of the poorly thought-out super tax, Kevin Rudd and Wayne Swan must be wondering why they didn’t just increase the company tax rate for miners.
How the Liberal Party left Malcolm Fraser behind
Malcolm Fraser can be blamed for many things, but he cannot be blamed for feeling out of place in today’s Liberal Party.
What does public infidelity have to do with me? Err, not a lot
What does infidelity in someone else’s marriage have to do with me, asks Dr Leslie Cannold, a writer, researcher and ethicist with adjunct positions at Monash and Melbourne universities.
