When in discussion about US politics lately, I have often found the situation deserved a reference to a magnificent English TV show called “Yes, Minister” (and later “Yes, Prime Minister”) and I’ve found that many of my American friends have not heard of this wonderful sitcom! I understand why it didn’t make it to the…
Dennis at Dead Things on Sticks (one of my favourite working-writer blogs which often crosses into politics) calls our attention to this wonderful monologue from Craig Ferguson . This blog doesn’t often get political but this is really about media and politics … give it a click – important points made expertly. Afterwards, head over…
For months before coming to Japan I read blogs of ex-pats living here to give me some insight into what the experience might be like. Since arriving, I have become involved in a small online community of ex-pat bloggers. I have now ‘met’ and communicated with many of those bloggers I used to read and…
In Japan it is still the case that most workers are "company men." Leaving a company before you retire to simply start working somewhere else is something which is only just becoming more popular but still by no means common. These days, a person gets his status from which company he works for more so…
Annabel Crabb is one of my favourite journalists. I always hope to see her on the Insiders couch each Sunday for her deep political insights and ability to cut through the dross to the heart of the matter at hand in such a way that even Piers Akerman knows the argument is done (not that…
…”crickets”. At least that’s what it feels like here in Sydney. Buses are particularly bad here. In their attempt to be seen to encourage public transport the State government “encourages efficiency and punctuality” by fining transport companies if a certain percentage of their buses or trains are late according to their own timetables – sounds…
I know I was going to be lighter today but once again the priorities of those in the society in which I live show through and I am disgusted and saddened. During investigations for a report entitled “CHILDREN IN STATE CARE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY: ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND DEATH FROM CRIMINAL CONDUCT” which was…
Several months ago I was stopped outside my local supermarket by two wheel-chair bound teenagers in matching tracksuits with those oversized charity raffle tickets for sale. Having spent a disastrous 3 weeks of my own late teenage-hood failing to sell raffle tickets for the wheelchair sports association I began to reach into my bag for…
A few weeks ago I added a bunch of podcasts to my RSS feeds on Google Reader and have loved listening to things I would usually miss when they are live (mostly from ABC Radio National and mostly on Sundays lol.) Big Ideas has been broadcasting the odd session from this year’s Adelaide Festival of…
