Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s stories of sex, scandal and beautiful women make him a more entertaining, and popular, politician than most. Is Berlusconi’s burlesque the political future?
George Bush Jr
Guy Rundle: Rundle: The death of the neo-cons
Though neoconservatives came to most people’s attention during the Dubya era, their imperial purple was undoubtedly the Reagan years. The death of Irving Kristol rules a line across one era of the American intellectual right.
Full text of Nelson’s farewell speech: the earring saga explained
Brendan Nelson’s final speech to Parliament yesterday, discussing his earring, the misunderstood George W. Bush and giving a parting shot to the Emissions Trading Scheme.
A sneak-peek inside the Bush White House
A former Bush speech writer has released some tasty tidbits from his forthcoming insider’s account of working in the Dubbya White House, revealing the former President’s trash talk about Obama, Palin, Biden and others.
Sullivan: Dear Bush, only you can prevent torture
As a fellow Christian and conservative, commentator Andrew Sullivan writes an open letter to former US President George W. Bush, asking him to take full responsibility for the torture perpetrated under his regime, so the country can finally move forward.
How the US nearly destroyed a UK terror investigation
Did the Bush administration lose its nerve in 2006 and nearly cause a whole UK investigation of terror suspects (who were planning an attack “bigger than 9/11”) to fall apart? Andy Hayman of the Metropolitan Police says yes.
Did Australia knowingly allow a citizen to be tortured?
How involved and aware were Australian authorities in the torture of terror suspect Mamdouh Habib? If Habib is permitted to fight for compensation, then the details of Australia’s actions may finally see the light of day.
Stimulus package ‘blow out’ worth it
PM Kevin Rudd needs to convince voters that the economic stimulus package did stave off recession, even with its issues of money wastage and poor service delivery, says Phillip Coorey.
The president walks into a bar… comedy in the Obama Age
For comedians, where Dubbya was an endless source of comedy gold, Obama jokes just don’t pull the laffs.
Dubbya’s daughter is new Today show anchor
George W. Bush’s daughter, Jenna Bush — a 27-year-old teacher with no media experience — has landed a gig as an anchor on NBC’s morning news and talk show Today.
The US presidency: it’s a popularity contest
After eight months in office, US president Barack Obama’s popularity rates have fallen to 51%. Check out past US president’s popularity ratings to see how long it took them to drop below majority approval.
Anti-war movement struggles without Bush
For many on the Left, opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was really about opposing George W. Bush, says Byron York. Even though the US still has hundreds of thousands of troops fighting in the Middle East, without Dubbya, anti-war campaigners are now struggling to find support.
Graphic ‘novel’ depicts Hurricane Katrina truths
It’s been four years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, but rising out of the flood waters is a graphic novel about human stories from the hurricane.
Kev & Barack: mates relationship will rule alliance
Kevin Rudd and Barack Obama may not be best buddies like Howard and Bush Jnr, but they are close — as long as China stays calm and Rudd gets a look in.
Obama recieves 30 death threats a day
Barack Obama receives 400% more threats than former George W. Bush did while in office, and it’s stretching the already under-resourced US Secret Service even more thinly, according to a new book on Presidential security.
The melting Arctic photos Bush tried to hide
More than 1000 spy satellite photos of Arctic ice have been recently declassified by the Obama Administration, providing pretty compelling - and terrifying - evidence of rapidly melting ice.
First the neo-cons praise Iran, now they want to bomb them
With the protests in Iran ebbing away, get ready for a change in approach from the neo-cons. Yesterday they sung the praises of the Iranian people. Now they want to bomb them.
Video of the Day: Reporters prefer Obama to Bush, the proof
This video, put together by Politico’s Patrick Gavin, is making the rounds showing two presidential visits to the White House briefing room.
Spain can take George Bush to court
A Spanish judge has announced a formal criminal investigation into Bush officials involved in torture policy.
Huffington: How we respond to torture will define us
How the US responds to the revelations about the Bush administration’s use of torture will define the country, writes Arianna Huffington.
Thiessen: Torture made us safer
The interrogation tactics used on terrorism suspects made the US safer, writes a former Bush staffer.
The story behind the torture memos
The circumstances in which the US torture memos were prepared and the process that led to their release may prove even more significant than their actual content.
