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Britain's middle class has been traumatised by the sudden eruption of violence and looting by a generation reared on the notion of entitlement.  Not for them a "chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" - the epitome of western attainment identified back in the late 1920s by American president Herbert Hoover. In the nihilism of modern … [Read more...] about #42 DARK AGE OF ENTITLEMENT

In nearly four decades in the media, Grubsheet has encountered hundreds of interview subjects yet few made such a lasting impression as Nancy Wake - the French Resistance heroine who has died in London at the age of 98. No superlative does justice to the unstoppable force of nature that was Nancy, even in her twilight years. To anyone who met her, … [Read more...] about #41 VALE THE WHITE MOUSE

Regular Grubsheet readers will be aware of the occasional blows we trade with Jon Fraenkel - an academic who specialises in Melanesian affairs at the Australian National University.  Well, here's a chance to hear us go head to head on the ABC Radio National program, National Interest. It's a spirited debate on whether it's in Australia's national … [Read more...] about #40 HEAT AND LIGHT ON FIJI

In a jungle clearing on a rocky outcrop in the Indian Ocean named after the most joyous event on the Christian calendar, a gaggle of Darth Vader lookalikes armed with batons and riot shields prepares for a decidedly joyless battle with unarmed men, women and children. Seventy Australian Federal Police officers are on Christmas Island to enforce … [Read more...] about #39 WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA

Margaret Olley had a big weekend by anyone's standard, let alone for an 88-year old. On Saturday, Australia's Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, and her husband, Michael, brought around a picnic hamper for a lunch that extended through the afternoon, as others joined the gathering. And all weekend, The Grande Dame of Australian art shuffled about her … [Read more...] about #38 TRIBUTE TO A GRAND LADY