If you want to know what’s really going on in this country — as opposed to the spin — dig through the latest stats in Australian Social Trends 2007. Another fine product from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one of the very few truly independent national statistical agencies.
George W shatters the myth…
Asked what he thought of the President, Representative Charles Rangel said: “I really think he shatters the myth of white supremacy once and for all.”
Weekly Poll: Howard government annoyances
The Howard government’s done some strange things this year. It’s decided that the army can somehow combat child sexual abuse (if the people involved and black and poor). It’s spending $6 billion on fighter-bombers the air force doesn’t want. It’s selling uranium to India. And more…
Which do you find the most annoying? Go to the website to vote!
And if you think I’ve missed out an important one, please add it in the comments.
[poll id=”7″]
Last week’s results: No-one thought Bono was a statesman striding the world or an inspiration for the 21st century. Combining the most popular responses, we find that Bono is, in fact, a wanker — a major 20th century musician who’s past his use-by date. No surprises there.
Ah, lovely Uranium!
So, we’re going to sell uranium to India, eh? Here’s Clarke and Dawe’s take on this issue from last year.
Three Friday Rants
Ah, yet another busy week! So that I have at least some content to offer, here’s links to three pieces I found worthwhile.
- Fag daddy: John Birmingham’s take on this week’s “debate” about gay marriage.
- Political correctness, John Howard-style: It’s four years old now, but it’s still a good explanation by Labor’s deputy leader Julia Gillard of why John Howard and his far-right media cheer squad are out of touch with the values of the majority.
- Why Everything You Think You Know About Blog Architecture is Wrong: OK, a bit geeky. But you might see some of these thoughts reflected in this very website soon.
“I don’t do predictions,” but…
Election über-analyst Antony Green (pictured) has joined his eponymous Antony Green Appreciation Society on Facebook. Asked to give an election prediction, he said:
No. If I wanted to do predictions, I would have studied astrology. Not that you have to study anything to do astrology. It’s hardly a science.
It certainly looks like it will be an interesting election. There’s only been one opinion poll this year that suggested anything less than a 6% swing. If a swing like that occurred, you’d have to have the logical skills of a Christopher Pearson to construct a scenario where the government prevented Labor gaining 16 seats. I suppose we have another few weeks breathlessly hanging on to see if there is a poll turnaround.
Maybe more than a few weeks, if the election gets strung out until December. I reckon by then we’ll all be well over it.
P.S. Watch out, Antony! There’s an echidna behind you.