NSW: the government might not be great, but the state still isPushing aside the innumerable controversies and debacles associated with NSW Labor, the state actually isn’t going too badly. It’s not all doom and gloom, says Anthony Sharwood.
March, 2011
My Cup Of Tea: Shall we dance? Unique challenges confront a vibrant form
Last weekend’s National Dance Forum shows an art form building national connections. But there are challenges in its ephemeral form and undeserved reputation as being difficult to understand.
Distressed US housing market a danger to the recovery
It is not a surprise that the US housing sector is deeply depressed.
book reviews 
The Girl With No Hands, by Angela Slatter
Angela Slatter’s collection of fairytale re-imaginings presents a bunch of brilliantly plotted stories, including a stunning twist on the tale of Bluebeard, writes Lyndon Riggal.
Returning to Tokyo, a week later, to find collective hope
After a week in Osaka watching events unfold from afar, Ben Davis an Australian living in Japan, was uncertain what version of Tokyo he was returning to.
Some good news for Japan’s nuclear situation
Although the nuclear situation in Japan remains serious there has been some good news in the last 24 hours, including workers being allowed to return to Units 3 and 4, writes Amber Jamieson.
podcast A yak with comedian Cal Wilson
On Crikey’s brand spankin’ new comedy blog Laugh Track, Matt Smith talks to Cal Wilson about her upcoming show The Great Intender, which is playing at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
film reviews The Mechanic movie review: fast and dirty assassin for hire action
Director Simon West’s The Mechanic is a briskly paced remake of a 1972 Charles Bronson film, with Jason Statham filling Bronson’s shoes. It’s fast, dirty and hard boiled, writes Luke Buckmaster.
The Conversation: launched, but still settling
This week’s launch of The Conversation, spearheaded by former The Age editor Andrew Jaspan, is in line with Margaret Simon’s pancakes theory of new media enterprises: the first one never comes out quite right so it’s wise to wait a while before expressing firm opinions on whether or not it works.
Newspoll: 64-36 to Coalition in NSW
The final pre-election Newspoll provides more evidence that the campaign hasn’t changed a thing: the Coalition primary vote is at 50%, Labor is on 23% and the Greens are on 12%, writes William Bowe.
Ask a climate scientist How do you prove climate change is man-made?
If scientists can only claim to be 90% sure of man-made climate change, does this make it a judgment call rather than fact? Amber Jamieson asks the climate scientists.
mental health The need for a nuanced approach when reporting on suicide
Whether and how the media should report on suicides is again a topic for public and media discussion. Barbara Hocking discusses the need for a balanced approach and potentially a review of suicide prevention media guidelines.
A handy guide to Tony’s Angry far right fringe-dwellers
Just who were the fringe groups at yesterday’s carbon tax rallies responsible for the images that will cause attack ad pain for Tony Abbott in the lead-up to the next election?
An early state election for Queensland on May 7?
If Labor does decide to fire the starting gun, May 7 might be the date, writes Kim, at the Larvatus Prodeo blog site.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Crikey’s coverage of the No Carbon Tax Rally
Crikey readers have their say.
Morning Market Report: Oil price soars to 30 month high
Commodity prices dominated the headlines overnight.
Daily Proposition: Go fishing (and drinking)
Fishing isn’t just a sport for old salty sea dogs who nap on piers with a fishing wire tied to their toe like Huckleberry Finn. It’s for anyone with a beer bottle, some fishing line and half a prawn.
Media briefs: The Oz’s time warp … Abbott and the papers
The Australian has offered a “clarification” for breathlessly reporting a speech from Rupert Murdoch — delivered some 12 months earlier. It was Mark Day who first wrote about it, with media editor Geoff Elliott demanding another journo to pen a similar story.
Political snippets: An early Queensland election is Bligh’s to lose
If there is an election in Queensland this year I’ll be backing Anna Bligh to win.
Video of the Day: Vale Elizabeth Taylor
Here’s a classic scene from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf, showing off Elizabeth Taylor’s impeccable dance moves and acting chops. She won one of her two best actress Oscars for the role.
