Never mind gay marriage, falling house prices or impending holidays in Paris or Buenos Aires. The smartest, sexiest people at your average office Christmas party this year are engaged in intense banter about the Higgs boson. The Higgs what? Yes, the Higgs boson. And it's boh-sun not bos-son. What on earth are they on about? Don't you know, stupid? … [Read more...] about # 51 THE GOD PARTICLE
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#50 THE GAY WEDGE
As if the looming global financial crisis isn't enough to cause the odd palpitation this holiday season, Australia has been plunged into a full scale debate about the pros and cons of gay marriage. Arguably, this is the work of one man - the famously gay (and strangely grey) Greens leader, Bob Brown, who wields gay marriage as one of the many … [Read more...] about #50 THE GAY WEDGE
#49 AUSTRALIA’S REGIONAL FOLLY
The folly of Australian policy towards Fiji is at the centre of a damning new landmark report that suggests the United States has lost confidence in Canberra's ability to influence events in the Pacific and counter rising Chinese influence in the region. It calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of regional sanctions against Fiji and for … [Read more...] about #49 AUSTRALIA’S REGIONAL FOLLY
#48 TRIUMPHANT IRON LADY
Meryl Streep's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady is being greeted with superlatives, so much so that the movie is now the most anticipated offering of the New Year and critics are describing Streep as a shoo-in for best female actor at the 2012 Academy Awards. The performance has been variously described as "astonishing" and "uncanny" … [Read more...] about #48 TRIUMPHANT IRON LADY
# 47 AVARICE AND BLIND STUPIDITY
The decision by the Nine Entertainment Company to enter into a six figure deal with the parents of a 14-year old boy arrested in Bali for drug possession is breathtaking even by the lamentable standards of the Australian commercial media. Never mind the egregious act of rewarding criminal behaviour, which may be in breach of Australian laws … [Read more...] about # 47 AVARICE AND BLIND STUPIDITY
#46 SHOOTING THE MESSENGER
Sophocles referred to the phenomenon in Antigone, Shakespeare in Henry IV and Anthony and Cleopatra - the age-old tendency to inflict retribution on the bearer of bad tidings. And, boy, is the messenger copping it right now over the opinion poll that shows two thirds of Fijians solidly behind the supposedly hated dictator, Frank … [Read more...] about #46 SHOOTING THE MESSENGER