Gross domestic product figures out this morning give no support at all to those who attacked Treasurer Wayne Swan for being too optimistic last week with his revised growth forecasts.
December, 2011
Video of the Day: Fox ousts Muppets as brainwashing commies
Did you know those seemingly inoffensive creations, The Muppets, are actually communists trying to brainwash your children? It’s true — at least according to more than one “expert” on Fox Business News.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Putting words into the PM’s mouth (cont). If Julia Gillard is looking for a new speechwriter — her office denies it, but still the speculation continues — then you can rule out the name Joel Dean. Dean, who worked for Labor in Victoria as a press secretary and speechwriter, told us today he’s “flattered” by the speculation but the two […]
Crikey Says: Crikey says: a very long month in the global economy …
If a week is a long time in politics, then a month in economics is an eternity.
Media briefs: News.com.au’s Struggle St struggles …. Leveson latest … reporting armageddon …
News.com.au’s struggle street struggles … gay marriage and knowing your history …Front Page of the Day …Leveson inquiry: subterfuge can be in public interest, says Guardian reporter …
podcast 
Televised Revolution — back to the future
In this week’s Televised Revolution podcast Dan and Dennis return to the topic of the future of the TV industry, discussing Youtube, the Australia Network and more.
The problem with Top Ten lists
December ‘tis the season for Top Ten lists, as culture critics the world over wrestle with the difference between a #7 and a #8. Jim Stolen explains why Top Ten lists grind his gears.
The ghost of Jim Crow lingers in Alabama’s immigration laws
In recent years Alabama, home of the civil rights movement of the 60s, has enforced controversial immigration laws that crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Time to remember lessons learnt from Jim Crow, writes Kevin R. Johnson.
Damn You Auto Correct: legit or not?
“Less skepticism and more laughing is a good thing,” says Jillian Madison, founder of Damn You Auto Correct, which went viral this week with its top 10 auto-corrected text messages of 2011. Madison maintains none of them were faked, writes Samantha Murphy.
aviation industry The awesome eeriness of planes
Why is that so many awe-inspiring feats of engineering hare so hard to separate from deliberate mass death and misery? asks Robin Cameron.
Is Europe becoming ‘more German?’
Germany’s economy is the envy of many nations in Europe, a sentiment solidified by Nicolas Sarkozy’s recent call to adapt “the German system.” Europe is becoming more German, says The Spiegel, but rejuvenated resentment is also brewing.
Lachlan Murdoch: a mogul on training wheels
It’s a puzzle why Rupert Murdoch remains so keen for his eldest son to take over the family business, because Lachlan has never really looked like he would make a great fist of it, writes Paul Barry.
FixPlay rebrands ahead of XBox Live facelift
Nine’s catch-up TV service FixPlay has been rebranded as NineMSN Video. One presumes that this is to tie in with the service being made available on the revamped XBox Live service, writes Dan Barrett.
travel Halloween in the Mormon capital
Ringed by mountains, Salt Lake City is picturesque and the cleanliness of the streets and the architecture and lack of people made it feel like a movie set. It was an odd place to spend Halloween, says Julia Gardiner.
Ethics, anthropologists and anthropolitics in the wild, wild west
Scrolling through a thread on the Australian Anthropological Society web discussion group, Bob Gosford found an illuminating article that raises issues of relevance for anthropologists that provide consultancy services.
Merkozy plan means more
referendums
In the past, the ratification of EU treaties by individual states has often been a timely and frustrating process. The new “Merkozy” plan will be no different, writes Keshia Jacotine.
Gloucester landowners blockade AGL coal seam gas project
AGL plan to drill over a hundred wells in the valley that would, along with the coal mine expansions, transform the Gloucester valley into an industrial zone, writes John Hepburn.
Invented numbers please no one in basin plan
Has Labor given up on meeting the requirements of the 2007 Water Act to ensure the environmental sustainability and long-term health of the Murray-Darling Basin? Professor Chris Miller questions the basin plan guide.
Guy Rundle: Julian Assange given a legal lifeline, Supreme Court to hear his appeal
WikiLeaks leader Julian Assange won a small battle against the push to extradite him to Sweden, with the High Court allowing him the opportunity to petition the Supreme Court to hear his appeal.
Live exports ban: drugs in cattle feed could threaten industry again
Allegations that feed additives, including drugs used to treat asthma, are being given to Australian cattle in Indonesian feedlots have the potential to again threaten the future of the live export industry.
The Power Index: how to become Reserve Bank governor
It’s one of the most powerful finance positions in the country, with the opportunity to control the price of money. So how does one become a central bank governor? Those inside the Reserve Bank of Australia will be asking themselves that very question this morning, as assistant governor Philip Lowe looks set to take over […]
Waste-of-space Oz Network bewitches another political generation
The Australia Network is a waste of money, but apparently capable of making politicians lose all reason.
Monti woos with his package, unlike Silvio, who ‘who hooed’ with his
There wasn’t an empty seat in the house when Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti greeted an eager foreign press yesterday with his €30 billion emergency package, writes Josephine McKenna, a freelance journalist in Rome.
