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Politics

Jamie Oliver’s Political Revolution?

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For the last few weeks our family has been engrossed by Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, in which the ever-energetic British chef takes on the might of the entrenched American diet in the small city of Huntington, West Virginia. Its ‘David and Goliath’ meets Super Size Me as Jamie seeks to reprogram what would seem to [...]

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The real reason behind this soporific election campaign

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During what must be the world’s most boring election campaign ever, like many I’ve got to thinking about the reasons why Australian politics as reached this low, low point. Some blame the 24 hour media cycle. Some blame faceless back room hatchet men. Some blame a singular lack of imagination on all sides. I have [...]

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Three reasons why modern elections drive me nuts

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I’m very lucky. I live in a healthy democracy in which politicians always abide by the umpire’s decision. In which bent politicians are outnumbered by stupid ones, rather than the other way around. In which, with a modicum of common sense, I can say what I like.  In which the greatest imposition on my liberty [...]

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Defence brings down the Socceroos and the PM

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A Socceroo’s World Cup exit before breakfast and a new prime minister before morning tea. What a day. Of course, many pundits will be quick to draw parallels between these two events … so I might as well get in early and join them. For mine, the two events are linked by a single concept: [...]

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Spin 2.0: When Words become Worthless

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There is a Chinese proverb that says “talk does not cook rice”. Very true. But a lot of talk – and writing – takes place between the paddy field and the pot. Words are essential for making ourselves understood, getting things done and, of course, building strong relationships. When words become worthless, confusion reigns. Right [...]

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In support of Christine Nixon

The Victorian community and media can be wonderful, but they do sometimes disappoint. Seldom is that more the case than right now with the vicious and ongoing attack on the credibility of former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Christine Nixon. I have felt very uncomfortable about this from the start, though my discomfort peaked this [...]

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The debate we have to have … more of

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Last night I had the opportunity to witness a real debate. The occasion was an IQ2 debate at Melbourne Town Hall. Six experts – three on each side – took turns to argue for and against the proposition that Australia should embrace nuclear power. The highlight of the evening was that, according to before and [...]

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A Political Shambles: We Deserve Better

Last June, in a moment of apparent weakness, I wrote a post in defence of our poor, struggling politicians. Perhaps tempered by that article, I have been resisting the urge to join the chorus of rants about the current batch of complete balls-ups by Australian governments, both federal and state. Then I read the astonishing [...]

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The Beginning of the End? Fears for America

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I know it’s unfashionable. I’m not American, but I love America. Right now, however, I’m concerned that we are seeing the beginnings of permanent decline in the great American empire. Let’s start positive. Why do I love the US of A? Well I don’t love it in that crazy,  flag-waving hand-on-heart, gooey way that Americans [...]

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Climate Change Straight Talk from Unlikely Sources

15000 delegates are currently sitting in Copenhagen and thrashing out some sort of agreement on how humanity might be saved from the effects of climate change. That’s a mighty big committee. Let’s hope all the hot air that will be exhaled over the next fortnight is being captured and put to good use. I must [...]

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Steve’s Diabolical Challenge

Like Senator Steve Fielding, I am a lapsed engineer. Like Steve, I have attempted to understand the science of climate change. Unlike Steve, I eventually understood that the task is beyond ordinary mortals. In fact it is even beyond the intellect of a single engineer. I realised that we should be leaving it to the [...]

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