Posts Tagged ‘Politics’

Links Digest for Sep 25, 6:00 am

// September 25th, 2010 // Comments Off // Opinion

Links Digest for Sep 18, 6:00 am

// September 18th, 2010 // Comments Off // Opinion

Vatican as Rogue State

// September 9th, 2010 // Comments Off // Opinion

There’s an increasingly open critical appreciation of the role, status and actions of “The Church” within Western society at least.  The latest story I’ve read:

THE Vatican should be treated as a kind of ”rogue state” by the rest of the world until it stops using statehood – and the ancient rules of the canon law – to protect paedophile priests, according to veteran human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson, QC.

Mr Robertson, a UN judge, argues that the Catholic Church is the only religion permitted under international law to claim the privileges of statehood and its leaders immunity from civil or criminal action.

I couldn’t agree more.

Political Commentary by Proxy: Australia Loving Its Indecision

// August 26th, 2010 // Comments Off // Opinion

It’s a funny thing creating a blog, for what, about the sixth time… no matter how I counselled myself, it’s still a beast begging to be fed.  So, in lou of providing actual commentary on life, politics, futures or passing fancies, below is some political commentary by proxy (which amounts to the same thing, just not original on my behalf): it had me smiling, sitting up a little taller (and later) and re-filling my glass a little faster given all the one person solutes to good insight.

(BTW, these are all taken from crikey.com.au’s daily subscriber email for Thursday 26th August 2010 – thank God for independent journalism!;)

From the editor of Crikey, talking about ex-Prime Minister Paul Keating’s most recent foray into public attention:

“When he presses the button to vaudeville, there’s no-one on the political stage quite like Keating. If only he could devote even a small portion of that intellectual prowess to current or important issues, rather than spending his time slagging off at his former colleagues.”

Guy Rundle, the most consistently insightful and entertaining commentator I’ve had the pleasure to read (perhaps because he hasn’t made much comment this election?) nailed my inner sentiment precisely in his article today….and so some extended quotes to give a flavour of his points (to get the real joy, you’ll need to read the full piece): (more…)

The king is dead. Long live the Queen!

// June 27th, 2010 // Comments Off // Opinion

For the first time since around 1916,Australia has a PM and opposition leader both born in the UK.  What happened to Australia coming into her own?

If you haven’t taken the time, I highly recommend you watch Kevin Rudd’s final press conference – his farewell speech if you will (part 1- 2).  It’s quite astounding the amount of change he has led in such a short time.  While not a political historian, it strikes me as an immense amount of progressive change set underway; wide-ranging, forward looking and fundamentally humane in nature.  It really puts Howard’s efforts to shame.  That said, to so directly attack the power-wealth elite of this country, rather than conduct a guerrilla campaign, was brave, but stupid Kevin.  To give in to rent-seekers and then give up so easily on the ETS, was to underestimate the resolve of the majority of Australians on this issue, and the disappointment you would receive in return.  Kevin, such a pity you brought more management than leadership in relating to your parliamentary colleagues, and were unable to sell the story that would help voters understand your reforms.

To quote Guy Rundle from a recent Crikey email: (more…)