Crikey media wrap: Prostitutes, an MP and a precarious government who can’t afford to lose someone to a scandal: the allegations against Labor MP Craig Thomson have all the elements of a intriguing film script.
Sex scandal
Errr, what’s a Berlusconi bunga bunga?
Reports of orgies at Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s villa — dubbed bunga bunga sessions by Berlusconi — has thrilled the Italian press. The term supposedly come from Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi. But what does bunga bunga mean?
Pope speaks: We need to “do penance” for our “sins”
Pope Benedict XVI has ended his silence on the sex-abuse scandals engulfing the Catholic Church, saying that the Church had avoided using the word “penance” but it was now obvious that was needed.
Wilson: Bingle is not fair game
Lara Bingle may have given the AFL a free kick in standing by its pin-up boy Brendan Fevola — but her “dubious scruples” don’t justify the AFL in taking it, says Caroline Wilson.
The sex scandals destroying the Vatican
New sex scandals involving priests, abuse, cover-ups and gay prostitutions rings has struck the Catholic Church in Europe, and the culture of silence and suppression is causing the Church to crumble, writes James Carroll.
Oh la la: the sexy nature of French politics
A political sex scandal would send the media crazy in the USA or Australia, but although the French blogsophere is buzzing with news that both Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni are having affairs, none of the mainstream media will touch it. Why?
Guy Rundle: Tiger’s trysts, no one saw this coming
Two weeks into the Tiger Woods scandal and anguished friends of the sports superstar are all asking the same thing: What is it about the tall, handsome, panther limbed champion billionaire that women find so attractive?
How a Tiger in the bedroom clawed the club sex industry
Tiger Woods may be the scandlous face of the rich VIP sportsman, sleeping with whoever he wants, but he’s definitely not alone. Steve Lewis explains the fascinating world of hookers, waitresses and wealthy men.
Tiger birdies: he’s just a victim of the times
Tiger Woods’ trysts reveal nothing more than the nature of today’s young male when he finds a willing lover. This is what we happen when we strip marriage of all form of commitment, writes Keysar Trad.
Why does Tiger heart Barbie dolls?
With 273829 million women now coming forth and saying they’ve had an affair with Tiger Woods, Eugene Robinson just had to ask the big question: why is Tiger so obsessed with Barbie doll looks?
Politainment: some sexy light relief from our drab lives
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?
NRL’s naked truths laid bare by female journos
What’s it like being a female journalist in a sport dominated by sex scandal headlines and mistreatment of women? Rugby League journo Jacquelin Magnay tells how to play the game.
Is Della Bosca’s sex life really a public interest story?
With The Daily Tele’s eagerness to break the John Della Bosca sex scandal and destroy his political career, what will this mean for future issues involving politicians, privacy and matters of public interest?
podcast Canberra Calling: Money, Della Bosca and stimulus
Crikey’s Canberra correspondent Bernard Keane and editor Jonathan Green are back discussing the press gallery’s “group think” in reporting the latest economic news. (Warning: contains seamless segue from stimulus to the Della Bosca sex scandal).
The aphrodisiac of power = ‘poor personal decisions’
Why would John Della Bosca, a politician with premier hopes, risk his entire political career on a sex scandal? SMH explores how the affair aftermath unfolded.
Scandals shouldn’t be our political focus
Why should politicians be a moral guiding light? If personal indiscretions don’t interfere with political responsibilities, then it’s no big deal, says Tony Smith.
Daily Tele’s interview with Della Bosca’s lover
The Daily Telegraph does a hard hitting interview with John Della Bosca’s lover. “If you want to have the hedonistic type of life where you can sleep with someone other than your wife without consequences, then don’t get into politics”, she says.
Incompetence and scandal the NSW way
New South Wales doesn’t need another AFL team — its government provides more than enough in the way of spectator sport, writes Crikey intern James Pattison.
Bobby and Jackie: sex in politics gets a new twist
According to a new book, Bobby and Jackie Kennedy were like two high school kids who, in front of the entire Camelot court, couldn’t keep their hands off of each other, writes Michael Wolff.
