…human beings fall easily into despair, and from the very beginning we invented stories that enabled us to place our lives in a larger setting…[Mythology] helped people to find their place in the world and their true orientation. We all want to know where we came from, but because our earliest beginnings are lost in the mists of pre-history, we have created myths about our forefathers that are not historical but help to explain current attitudes about ourselves, neighbours and customs. We also want to know where we are going, so we have devised stories that speak of a posthumous existence…
Martin Luther King The Smudge of Ashen Fluff: Reverence for the Reverend
Eye on Politics & Law Lords: Stumped by cultural problems
Jack Waterford reviews the Public Service Commissioner’s latest State of the Service report
FOR AN organisation which has talked so much and spent so much on leadership and improved management, the Australian Public Service has nothing much to write home about in terms of results – at least if the views of public servants themselves mean anything. A good many public servants find their leaders significantly wanting in leadership qualities and in ideas. Many leaders talk too little about ethics and values, and all too often do not provide good examples of them in action. Many public servants think their bosses poor managers of their fellows and have little confidence in their promotion decisions, or in the allocation of rewards or bonuses for good work
• The findings of the Comrie report take us directly to the dilemma inherent in all regulation [How one man defied a Cronulla mob I felt sorry for the guy. It's not right - 30 blokes on one person ; Peoples can be luckier than people. People are only young once. They seize their chances or miss them; then they grow old and die. The Twins' New Poland ]
• · Michael Kinsley on what the wiretapping debate says about freedom. Give Me Liberty or Let Me Think About It ; Debunking five of the right’s favorite myths about universal health care
• · · A few books you should read if you're serious about Progressive politics long term ; World War IV As Fourth-Generation Warfare
• · · · ASIC's award for 2006 goes to an illegal investment scheme promoted through wealth seminars throughout Australia. ASIC said that, operated by Mr Craig McKim, Pegasus Leveraged Options Group (Pegasus) lured approximately 90 unsuspecting investors and raised $3.7m. According to ASIC, over $2.1m of the funds raised were lost in personal gambling and other personal expenses by Mr McKim Outrageous financial schemes: ASIC's 2006 Pie in the Sky (PITS) awards ; Beijing is now seeking to check unbridled capitalism ; The Future Of Outsourcing
• · · · · Australian Financial Review, 19/01/2006 The case for wholesale reform of the tax system is compelling. The system lacks both vertical and horizontal equity, is excessively complex and is a brake on economic growth. Individuals are paying too much tax. Compliance burdens are killing small business. Poor interaction between the individual, company and capital gains tax systems poses a serious threat to our future prosperity. So does the over-reliance on superannuation taxes as a means of creating budget surpluses. Acting shadow Treasurer Joel Fitzgibbon states that the Tax Office is not performing at par — it is over aggressive towards small business debt. This tax system fails everyone ; The identification of discipline with hierarchy is a dangerous mistake ... The way people work has changed dramatically, but the way their companies are organised lags far behind The new organisation ; Most people have little faith in politicians
• · · · · · ABC chief quits to head Sydney Airport ; After years at the epicentre of NSW power, Bob Carr's sultans of spin have entered the private sector I told West to go on the attack, outing Forrest as a hypocrite, Latham writes. "Then West replied, 'Sounds OK, but I had better ask Walt'. I said, 'Who the f--- is Walt? You're in the middle of a [state] election campaign and the local Liberal MP is up you for the rent. Have a go and fight back.' Apparently Walt works in Carr's media office and backbenchers like West are not allowed to scratch their backsides unless Walt gives them the green light Carr's sultans of spin enter private sector ; Parliamentary democracy is by definition rotten, because it does not represent the voice of the people, which is that of the sublime leader The new fascism is fed by myths, our myths, the myths by which we rock ourselves to sleep Myths by which we rock ourselves to sleep