Daily Media Wrap: Former Liberal PM Malcolm Fraser’s resignation from the party has been met by the nation’s pundits with a collective, “Well, duh.” But is it still a big blow to Abbott, or just a long time coming?
May, 2010
PHOTO GALLERY: Pets behaving badly
Puppies are cute, until they’ve ripped up your couch and eaten all your shoes. A silly but hilarious photo gallery of LA Times’ readers’ pets being busted in compromising positions.
America’s next big bank: a little bank
An interesting look at BankSimple, a new online bank that’s being developed by two blokes in a Brooklyn basement. There are no fees, no ATMs and cheques are deposited by taking photos on your iPhone.
Living with market fear
For a while there it seemed like global markets had returned to normal. Then, the Greece mess happened and the mayhem returned. Market fear needs to be managed so as not to scare real world activity.
Of course our spies are forging passports
If Australian spies aren’t faking passports, they’re not doing their job properly, says Graham Young. Julie Bishop’s only “gaffe” was to back-down after stating the bleeding obvious.
In defense of journalists stalking Sarah Palin
Journalist Joe McGinnis is writing a book about Sarah Palin. What better way to get to know her than by moving in next door? Palin is pissed, but Jack Shafer reckons it’s fair (a a little grubby) game.
Why the mining tax is a win for public health
A tax on mining profits may be causing palpitations amongst mining industry chiefs, but it may be a positive for the broader population’s health, explains Professor Gavin Mooney.
Selling us our own money
Government advertising is very good at ignoring the grey areas, like perhaps the legislation hasn’t actually been passed yet. Didn’t Rudd promise to cut down on this spending? asks Katharine Murphy.
The official New Matilda announcement
Apple is now the tech king
Apple is now officially the largest technology company in the world. It’s the climax of a ten-year story from failing computer company to the hottest cult brand in the world.
From Howard to Rudd: what’s changed?
The Howard years are a stain on Australian human rights history, writes Tony Kevin. Kevin Rudd disappoints us in other ways, most importantly through his lack of climate change action.
It pays to be a Lib
The latest BRW Rich List is out and Malcolm Turnbull has made the cut. Liberal MPs are usually three times wealthier than other MPs, worth on average $4.9 million each.
The US lobbying firm up to its neck in it 
Jamaica bleeds for the West’s war
The body count in the streets of Kingston’s slums continues to rise, with at least 44 now dead. The West — and it’s futile “war on drugs” — has blood on its hands, says Ben Bowling.
New media death watch: New Matilda to fold
Australian online comment website New Matilda is preparing shut its virtual doors, after funding for the venture dried up.
America’s Zionist-Hindu alliance and other Pakistani conspiracy theories
A fascinating look at how the US is losing the media war in Pakistan, as popular conspiracy theories continue to flourish: like shadowy thinks tanks planting bombs and the secret ownership of the Federal Reserve.
Stott Despoja: It’s been a very long pregnant pause for mothers
Eight years ago, former senator Natasha Stott Despoja proposed paid parental leave and was met with opposition from both sides. Times are a-changing, but not quick enough.
A how-to tweet guide for political n00bs
So you want to be a tweeting pollie? Malcolm Farnsworth provides a simple and clever how-to guide for the handful of politicians who are yet to join the Twitterverse. Tip one: use your real name.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mildly offensive World Cup mascots
The Olympics isn’t the only sporting event with dodgy mascots, with the FIFA World Cup emerging trumps in creating mascots of national stereotype. Like Mexico in 1986, who had a sombrero wearing jalapeño.
Save the Louisiana Wetlands, burn them
The least-worst method of clearing out the massive BP oil slick infiltrating the Louisiana Wetlands is a controlled fire. But cutting the marsh grasses or fertilising microbes might also work.
E-books: no pulping, no typos, no end in sight
Pulping and reprinting are costly issues in book publishing. Hence the joy that e-readers bring, with the ability to easily download updates for book stuff ups. But what are the drawbacks?
Ministry of Truth: do you remember when Obama and Ahmadinejad shook hands?
Slate conduct an interesting experiment, doctoring photos to change historical political events and then seeing how readers’ memories measure up. Orwell’s 1984 suddenly seems a little closer to home.
My mother, the Cantonese opera star
W H Chong visits Kuala Lumpur to watch his mother star in a Cantonese opera — a three-and-a-half hour extravaganza of elaborate costumes, makeup and music, with almost as much drama behind the scenes as on stage.
The inside story on Fraser’s
resignation
Both Tony Abbott and former staffer David Kemp appealed to Malcolm Fraser not to leave the Liberal Party, reveals his biographer Margaret Simons.
