Author: Stilgherrian

Posted on

Oz Politics says I’m an Australian Democrat

Of the top 7 Australian political parties, apparently the Australian Democrats most closely match my political worldview. So I guess it’s a shame they might well vanish from federal parliament completely in a few weeks.

That’s according to the Test your political inclinations thingo at the Oz Politics blog. Fun, though they do warn that “if you are unhappy with the results, do not worry about it too much. The instrument has not been validated scientifically and the results could be misleading. Do not use this test to decide how to vote at an election.” Quite.

More intriguing is the summary of the last 5000 voters. 74% of self-identifying Greens voters think all third-world debt should be cancelled, and only 7% disagree, but 54% of One Nation voters disagree, and only 24% think the debt should go. No surprises there. But dig and you’ll find some gems.

Posted on

Dead cat waving

Go read John Birmingham’s angry rant about the government’s recent straight-up racist demonisation of Sudanese migrants. I was so angry with immigration minister Kevin Andrews last week I couldn’t actually write for fear my brain would explode. Birmingham has let his explode — and the world is a better place for it.

Posted on

All Hail Malcolm the Second

“If we are fortunate, Malcolm Turnbull will be the next Liberal Prime Minister of Australia,” says Mercurius Goldstein at Online Opinion. I mentioned once that Turnbull would be the Liberals’ best leadership choice. Goldstein explains just why that’s the case — and along the way presents a magnificent essay on the nature of compromise in politics. Some of those whingeing about Peter Garrett this week should read and consider every word. Thanks to Larvartus Prodeo for the pointer.

Posted on

Warning, I’m reading Clive James

Cover of Cultural Amnesia by Clive James

Fair warning: Over the next few weeks my writing is likely to become more introspective, and I’m likely to use longer sentences. Because I’ve started reading Clive James’ book Cultural Amnesia.

I haven’t read any of James’ books before. His TV shows annoyed me, mostly because his slightly-too-clever scripting was delivered in that, flat deadpan style of someone implying “I’m cleverer than you, so I’ll speak slowly so you realise how clever I am.” Or so it felt to me. But when I read an interview about Cultural Amnesia back in March, it triggered so many wonderful thoughts that I was inspired — nay, forced to write Stay alert, ye nameless, toiling animals.

I still think it’s one of my better essays.

So when I finally saw Cultural Amnesia in paperback, I had to grab it. 35 pages in, I’m rapt.

Continue reading “Warning, I’m reading Clive James”