DON’T do it, I tell family and friends. Don’t do it, I told my students for a decade or so. On media sites, do not click on bizarre or celebrity articles. “Gorillas bring up baby.” “Angelina’s new heartache.” And so on. All it does is encourage editors to run more of this junk at the expense of concentrating on importance material of consequence as they see these stories top “most hit” lists. Continue reading “Mainstream media finishes newsworthy Trump”
The warning signs are there for us to ignore
We humans can be very stupid at not heeding warnings. And I am one of them. The warning sign was quite clear – a slow, small but relentless water leak on the yacht. Continue reading “The warning signs are there for us to ignore”
The importance of religious tolerance
DONALD Trump and Pauline Hanson both fail the tests of logic and history when they call for bans on Muslim immigration because of its “threat” to American/Australian or the American/Australian way of life.
Continue reading “The importance of religious tolerance”
The challenge of the dentally challenged
MEDIBANK Private’s decision this week to pay a little bit for dental checkups comes just as I am feeling like “Jaws”, the character in the James Bond movies. Continue reading “The challenge of the dentally challenged”
Exhaust yourself on election day, I say
NUMBER to the bitter end, I say. The electoral roll for the 15 October ACT election closed this week. As voters make up their minds, the experience of the recent Senate and Northern Territory are instructive. Continue reading “Exhaust yourself on election day, I say”
Political donation reform can meet constitutional problem
AT LAST some agreement among the three major parties. All agree that it is not acceptable for a frontbencher to take money from a corporation with strong ties to the Chinese Government. And that it is a resigning offence. But something does not quite add up in the case of Senator Sam Dastyari having some expenses paid by the corporation. Why isn’t it equally unacceptable for any Australian MP to take any foreign money? Continue reading “Political donation reform can meet constitutional problem”
The fragility of democracy
AFTER the collapse of communism and the holding of mostly free and fair elections in nearly all the Eastern Bloc countries, US policy makers made an historic mistake. They thought events were confirming their belief that there was a natural progression in political development that led to liberal democracy as the highest and best form of government, and that once achieved there would be no going back. This was because people would see democracy’s obvious advantages. Continue reading “The fragility of democracy”
Intelligence and China: mushroom cloud of the unknowing
THIS week’s revelations that individuals and corporations linked to the Chinese Government have made large donations to the two major Australian political parties might make you think that the Foreign Investment Review Board had its finger on the pulse when it recommended that the Treasurer block the bid by two Chinese companies to buy more than 50 per cent of the NSW electricity company Ausgrid. Continue reading “Intelligence and China: mushroom cloud of the unknowing”
Secrecy, loopholes mark political funding
DEMOCRACY and market capitalism hand in hand achieve much. But equally market capitalism can get out of hand. Money can influence votes and voters and the politicians they elect. We were reminded of this last Thursday when the Australian Electoral Commission announced the breakdown of $62.8 million in public funding to political parties, up from $58.1 million after the 2013 election.
Many voters get no say in last Senate seats
THE final Senate vote is in. It shows some problems with the new voting system. Four senators were elected with less that a quota of votes. Exhausted votes ranged from a high of more than nine percent in NSW to a low of two percent in South Australia. Continue reading “Many voters get no say in last Senate seats”