Wednesday, December 15, 2004



Fight poverty and inequality to beat terrorism

Eye on Politics & Law Lords: Meeting of legislative hearts and minds
Excessive parliamentary entitlements and unregulated private funding give enormous advantages to the major parties

AUSTRALIA’s federal parliamentarians receive generous funding from the public purse. Entitlements range from parliamentary salaries down to a variety of allowances like the printing allowance. A recent Age article (30 October 2004) highlighted the escalating generosity of the deal, reporting that federal parliamentary entitlements have increased from $354 million for the 1999–2000 financial year to nearly $400 million.


The ossification of Australian politics [John Howard’s appointments as Departmental Heads reflect a changing attitude to the public service ]
• · Kasanova Kerik conducted two extramarital affairs simultaneously... Mobbing connections; [Double Dragon affair laid bare ; Captain Ed; Josh Marshall; Steve Gilliard; Shenanigans!!! Kevin T. Keith; Steve Soto; Joe Gandelman; Taegan Goddard; The Big Trunk, Steve M.; Lorie Byrd; Ed Driscoll, Roger Ailes; David Allan Pell, Tom Tomorrow; Betsy Newmark; Roger L. Simon; Laura Rozen]
• · · On a receiving end of the stick Does 'stick to the rules' mean not to approve the amendment? ; [God Is With Us: Hitler's Rhetoric and the Lure of Moral Values]
• · · · In a startling challenge to the status quo, Mr Downer refuses to discuss the matter publicly after it was reported that the United States had been spying on the International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, as part of a campaign to oust him and replace him with Mr Downer Despite Spying On ; [Czech Style Cold War Warrier]
• · · · · At a recent awards dinner, Bill Moyers laments the rise of theocratic "End-of-Days" types under Dubya. One of the biggest changes in politics in my lifetime is that the delusional is no longer marginal. It has come in from the fringe, to sit in the seat of power in the Oval Office and in Congress. For the first time in our history, ideology and theology hold a monopoly of power in Washington. The Power of Myth
• · · · · · Bizarre a woman splapped another woman at work today not once three times... It is alleged that the manager thought nothing wrong with that ... Some women carry a gene that predisposed him to violence. Are We Puppets or Free Agents? [Civil disobedience is taking root in China]