The truth (not really) about famous writersShakespeare and Oscar Wilde wrote none of their plays, Richard III was a pacifist and Thomas Jefferson had a ghostwriter. Citing evidence to say otherwise is just snobbery, writes Eric Idle . Or did he?
November, 2011
Explaining the Schembri Awards
The Chaser boys enjoy a good in-joke every now and then, and fans of The Hamster Wheel would have noticed a segment entitled The Schembri Awards. It was named after The Age writer Jim Schembri, but he doesn’t seem to get it, according to Australian Tumbleweeds.
Gems ‘n’ Junk From the Cult Cache: For Your Height Only (1981)
He’s smart, he’s sexy, he’s dangerous…he’s three feet tall! His name is Weng Weng, the diminutive star of 1981’s unashamedly trashy James Bond spoof For Your Height Only. Luke Buckmaster reaches into the Cult Cache.
The supermarket grog wars are a health hazard
For consumers, a “declared war” on liquor prices may sound like great news but it’s worth thinking about the real cost of discounted drinks, writes Michael Livingston.
The Republican revival of pro-torture rhetoric
All GOP front-runners have extolled the supposed virtues of torture, resting on the disturbing assumption that there is public support for brutality and lawlessness. But on the same subject Barack Obama is far from guilt-free, writes Richard A Falk.
Hadley v Flannery: who’s telling the truth?
Ray Hadley blasted Tim Flannery and Crikey over claims the 2GB host arranged a call to his program that sparked a flurry of criticism over his waterfront property. But Flannery is standing by his story.
Listen to Ray Hadley’s Tim Flannery/Crikey spray
Ray Hadley let fly today on his 2GB show over claims made by Tim Flannery in the latest Quarterly Essay — and republished by Crikey yesterday — that a caller who revealed details about Flannery’s house knew Hadley. And on Thursday morning, Hadley had another crack on his 2GB show:
The quality journalism project: Crikey‘s Eric Beecher
Eric Beecher is the publisher of this little online gazette and he’s the latest respondent in Crikey’s quality journalism project.
SA Libs abandon Mitch Williams over Chloe Fox slur
Several senior South Australian Liberals have privately apologised to Labor front-bencher Chloe Fox over a parliamentary slur from deputy opposition leader Mitch Williams.
Super Thursday for AGMs with Gunns and Woolies in firing line
The AGM season formally finishes next Wednesday, November 30, and the final days will feature the traditional avalanche of penny dreadful gatherings, most of which will be missed by the media.
Leveson latest: an actor, a comedian and a supermodel PA walk into an inquiry …
The Leveson Inquiry into the British media has seen a minefield of accusations emerge over the past 48 hours as the British public has heard for the first time from victims at the centre of the News of the World phone hacking scandal
MRRT: a spectacular failure of leadership by all
The MRRT will become law, but it represents a dark chapter in the history of Australian economic reform.
To say low-key Weatherill is dull is, well, just a figure of speech
Behind the scenes, Jay Weatherill might actually be a bolshie, sparky firebrand but he slips into soothing auto-pilot at the lectern, almost disconnected from what he is saying, writes Des Ryan, of InDaily.
Return of failed asylum seekers — a necessary evil
Returning failed asylum seekers is a necessary part of implementing the 1951 Refugee Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the subsequent 1967 protocol, writes Caz Coleman, a member of the Council for Immigration Services and Status Resolution
The Power Index: leading lobbyists, Kate Carnell at #8
Kate Carnell has worn many hats during her controversial career: pharmacist, ACT chief minister, NRMA director and, now, spruiker for Australia’s biggest manufacturing industry, the food and grocery sector. She’s tiny in stature but as tough as teak — which is just as well. There’s a conga line of critics who accuse her of rent-seeking, peddling misinformation […]
Five bloody years as journalists, and freedom of speech, die
The International Freedom of Expression Exchange, which has labelled today the International Day to End Impunity, has profiled one slain journalist on its website every day this month.
PIIGS won’t fly: gap in eurozone’s haves and have-nots widens
What is left is the realisation that the EU can no longer labour under the misapprehension that the PIIGS could soon fly alongside their wealthier neighbours, writes Keshia Jacotine, who researches and writes about European and Irish politics.
Are mums really united in their love of margarine?
The Australian Heart Foundation has found a new and even more devious way to entangle itself with the interests of the processed-food industry.
Carbon farming: there’s money in that animal poo, no bull
Welcome to the Crikey farmyard, where we examine what carbon farming initiatives are available to different farmers and how they can cash in on this burgeoning industry.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Lobbyists and public policy decisions
Crikey readers have their say.
Morning Market Report: World markets continue to close down
S&P 500 closed lower for a fifth straight day, down 0.4% and under the 1200 support level.
The Media Monitors' Top 20: The independents bowl over the big guns for coverage
The return to domestic issues after weeks of CHOGMs, APECs, G20s and assorted other acronyms brought Julia Gillard back to the field a little.
