Monday, April 4, 2016
|
As I’ve discussed before, what proponents of this view don’t get is that while big cities provide greater diversity (and are rightly lauded for it), they also provide more opportunities for specialisation. Nation Building - Alan Davies - 2 comments
|
Simply put, nobody apart from the customer and the seller have any idea what a fair price for any goods or services are. Economics - Vladimir Vinokurov - 6 comments
|
Why don’t we have a much wider Act that covers all insulting or offending words? Think about it. I think it’s a minefield. Law & Liberties - Don Aitkin - 8 comments
|
Electoral Reform should not be driven by committees comprising politicians only and the Single Transferable Vote System (STV - Hare-Clark) should be replaced. Domestic Politics - Klaas Woldring - 9 comments
|
Friday, April 1, 2016
|
Hillary Clinton, in a competition against Trump, would gain 50.0% of the vote and Trump would gain 38.8% of the vote. International - Michael Knox - 9 comments
|
We are no longer alone in abandoning the routine right to permanent asylum, even to genuine refugee arrivals, because our policy is seen to be the only one that works. Law & Liberties - Brendan O'Reilly - 18 comments
|
In Israel the crime of sharing sexually explicit videos without consent is punishable by up to five years in prison. Law & Liberties - Jennie Wilson - 8 comments
|
Presently federal politicians are criticised for chasing the populist vote, criticised for trying to reduce spending, criticised for not taking control of spending, criticised for not taking decisive action. Economics - Mark Passfield - 9 comments
|
Many Palestinian websites are stifling free speech by refusing to publish comments answering anti-Israel articles published on their sites. The latest example is an article written by Rania Khalek on Electronic Intifada. International - David Singer - 14 comments
|
Thursday, March 31, 2016
|
Voltaire put it succinctly when he said: 'What can you say to a man who tells you that he prefers obeying God rather than men, and that as a result he's certain he'll go to heaven if he cuts your throat?' International - Alon Ben-Meir - 4 comments
|
Another recommendation is for a study into whether the Ramsar listing of South Australia’s Lower Lakes should be estuarine rather than freshwater. Environment - David Leyonhjelm - 8 comments
|
With the recent Sudanese gang violence in Melbourne there is yet another clear indication that our immigration system needs a comprehensive review and resetting of priorities. Law & Liberties - Rod McGarvie - 10 comments
|
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
|
A defection of the sort described above, even if only amounting to 5-10 percent of the Republican base, could have a decisive impact upon the overall election result. International - Glen Anderson and Alan Berman - 3 comments
|
The problem is, this issue cannot be answered by just one question. It's an apples and oranges situation trying to be made into a new kind of 'fruit'. Law & Liberties - John de Meyrick - 41 comments
|
In the higher education sector, such a culture has ensured a declining quality in teaching especially in the newer and regional universities. Education - Joanne Finkelstein - 4 comments
|
While oil traders have found some reasons to believe that oil prices are rising, there are just as many, if not more, data points to backup bearish sentiment. Economics - Nicholas Cunningham - 1 comment
|
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
|
Australia's rejection of nuclear energy originates from fear, a lack of understanding, and a lack of vision. What was once a hazardous technology will soon be safer and more efficient than ever before. Environment - Kieran Lark and Armin Rosencranz - 41 comments
|
After several decades of increasingly sophisticated strategic town planning, community angst and confusion - along with industry annoyance - continues to test new lows. Nation Building - Ross Elliott - 3 comments
|
Aren't natural resources the passive element in the production process, upon which the active factors, labour and capital, operate to generate wealth? Economics - Bryan Kavanagh - 8 comments
|
Australia is at a period where good ideas matter. Changing the flag is not one of them. Domestic Politics - Sean Jacobs - 26 comments
|
Thursday, March 24, 2016
|
If this was such a good idea, one wonders why no country has actually done it. No country in the world has its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. International - George Browning - 13 comments
|
East Timor claims it has lost some US$5 billion (nearly $6.6 billion) in royalties and tax revenue in the Timor Sea since independence, enough to fund its entire budget for three years. International - Ann Wigglesworth - 11 comments
|
Thus Luke and John replace this terrible cry that would seem to sever the relationship between Jesus and God, with words that suggest that he was in complete control right to the end. Religion & Spirituality - Peter Sellick - 7 comments
|
The propaganda laying the ground for a war against Russia and/or China is no different in principle. International - John Pilger - 33 comments
|
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
|
Today's events in Brussels also remind us of the failure of political correctness as either a way of thinking or a government policy. International - Mal Fletcher - 117 comments
|
If the polls are right then the coalition will be re-elected. But will it be able to govern? Based on past history it will not. Domestic Politics - John Töns - 7 comments
|
In attempting to de-normalise heterosexuality under the guise of bullying, Safe Schools went beyond its brief. Law & Liberties - Gary Johns - 60 comments
|
I went back to my surgeon, who flicked me onto his office manager, who reduced the bill by $4000. Health - Bruce Haigh - 7 comments
|
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
|
Advocating for tolerance and inclusion is one of the fundamental requirements of an elected member. Law & Liberties - Tony Clark - 31 comments
|
Apparently, the worst nuisances are the grunter, the poser, and the people showing off their nakedness. Society - Peter West - 11 comments
|
We would be wrong to assume that all survivors want to speak privately. One group of women survivors has lobbied, for their experiences to be heard as a public case study by the Commission. Law & Liberties - Adele Chynoweth - 4 comments
|
Israel's insistence on these conditions had been major stumbling blocks in the PLO rejecting Israel's offer to withdraw from more than 90% of the West Bank. International - David Singer - 19 comments
|
Monday, March 21, 2016
|
El Nino events are not caused by carbon dioxide. They are natural events which manifest as changes in ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns across the Pacific Ocean. Environment - Jennifer Marohasy - 67 comments
|
Famous English journalist and broadcaster Malcolm Muggeridge once said that he knew of many Christian leprosy missions, but had never heard of a single atheistic one. Religion & Spirituality - Rowan Forster - 3 comments
|
The toxic two-party tyranny and the futile bickering of the last few years have turned voters away in droves. Political Philosophy - Klaas Woldring - 6 comments
|
Despite the newfound optimism that oil markets are balancing out, crude oil sitting in storage is at a record high in the United States. Economics - Nicholas Cunningham - 3 comments
|
Friday, March 18, 2016
|
The political class is asking us for a 33.3% extension of their contracts (from 3 to 4 years) regardless of their performance. Political Philosophy - Joe Branigan - 6 comments
|
What is missing in this debate is an informed and informative account of the views of Turnbull’s parliamentary colleagues on the policies he supports. Domestic Politics - Max Atkinson - 11 comments
|
Domestic violence is evident in the homes of those with wealth, and those living in poverty. Domestic violence does not discriminate. Society - Jennie Wilson - 45 comments
|
It would consume vast amounts of public money to replace one form of public transport (airplanes) with another form of public transport (trains). Nation Building - Alan Davies - 44 comments
|
But the two religious teachers told me I was doomed as a non-Muslim, and that the Wahhabi version was the only valid version of Islam. Possibly most Saudi-financed schools in the West are similar. International - Valerie Yule - 5 comments
|
Thursday, March 17, 2016
|
I feel I must also stand up for all schools by explaining that VAGO recommendations for even closer financial scrutiny are without justification, or a basic understanding of the education system. Education - Stephen Elder - 3 comments
|
His tirades against the political establishment have struck an undeniable chord with voters who have become disillusioned with the steady erosion of the American middle class. International - Alan Berman and Glen Anderson - 6 comments
|
Trump's uniqueness, however, lies in his media savviness. Trump is able to combine popular dislike for trade and immigration with a practiced demagoguery that has come from years of observing and working in popular media. International - Vladimir Vinokurov - 8 comments
|
Adelaide's private recruiters are listing false job advertisements, harvesting resumes to sell training and lying to candidates about their employment prospects. Society - Malcolm King - 5 comments
|
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
|
Retirement in Thailand is part of a global trend of people relocating from high income countries to lower income countries. International - Murray Hunter - 3 comments
|
Abandoned by law enforcement and security experts, the ransomware business is becoming a serious threat. A single virus called Cryptowall reportedly earned its operators more than 325 million dollars. Science & Technology - David Balaban - 9 comments
|
When the Old Testament prophet begins or ends his prophesy with the words 'Thus says the Lord' he knows that the words he speaks are not his words Religion & Spirituality - Peter Sellick - 18 comments
|
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
|
This 'only a miniscule primary vote' criticism seems to be on the premise that if a voter fails on their earlier choice candidates, then, apparently for the sin of not supporting a popular candidate, they should be punished. Domestic Politics - Philip Lillingston - 29 comments
|
The new and brash head of CSIRO, Larry Marshall, recently announced plans to get rid of scientists from the Land and Water division. Education - Bruce Haigh - 12 comments
|
Independent school students are reducing the financial burden on governments, and therefore taxpayers, by about $804 million in recurrent funds annually. Education - David Robertson - 14 comments
|
Monday, March 14, 2016
|
There is a rapidly growing legion of angry voters out there and they are spread right across Australia. They are utterly disenchanted with politics and the political establishment and want to 'shaft them mightily' in Donald Trump style. Domestic Politics - Everald Compton - 20 comments
|
As Benjamin Franklin warned, 'Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a Nation must begin by subduing the Freeness of Speech'. International - Alon Ben-Meir - 1 comment
|
Countries have their own psychic wounds. The English can remember a time when they ruled a third of the world; now they organize royal weddings and museums: all pomp and no circumstance. Society - Keith Suter - 6 comments
|
Argentina offers one of the few places on earth where oil companies are not suffering from the full force of the collapse in prices. Economics - Nicholas Cunningham - 1 comment
|
Friday, March 11, 2016
|
Malcolm Turnbull’s popularity seems a lot like Kevin Rudd’s on the basis of our polling. So will it disappear just as quickly and catastrophically for his own party? Domestic Politics - Graham Young - 24 comments
|
Perhaps Turnbull's biggest failure is his apparent belief in his own propaganda. Domestic Politics - Syd Hickman - 11 comments
|
Wealth abuse is a global phenomenon, evident long before globalisation. It's become a crisis in every nation as the rich become even more obscenely rich, while a burgeoning underclass struggle for survival. Economics - Brian Morris - 8 comments
|
This case concerns an appeal against conviction for transmitting a serious disease with intent under s 317(b) and (e) of the Queensland Criminal Code. Law & Liberties - Andrew McGee and Andrew Garwood-Gowers - 11 comments
|
After all, they do eventually have to pick a candidate – and this presents a unique opportunity for a select few high profile Republicans currently outside the campaign process. International - Jed Lea-Henry - 5 comments
|
Thursday, March 10, 2016
|
If they still retire at age 60, they will have 16 years of retirement. They will work for only 38 years or just 50% of their life. Society - Ross Elliott - 20 comments
|
Alternatively, what if Jane and I decided to go away for the weekend and we left Louise crawling around on the lounge room floor. Law & Liberties - Bernard Toutounji - 37 comments
|
Marco Rubio has directly challenged Hillary Clinton – and every other Presidential candidate – to honour the commitments given by President Bush to Israel on 14 April 2004. International - David Singer - 15 comments
|
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
|
After years of inaction, the government had finally signed onto the Open Government Partnership and begun the process to draft the National Action Plan. Political Philosophy - Rosie Williams - 6 comments
|
Does any political party have a serious interest in tax reform, or is it all about positioning? Economics - Brendan O'Reilly - 2 comments
|
One lesson from this history is that the public does not regard political parties as charities and contributes only a minor portion of the funds. The problem arises from big-money donors. Law & Liberties - Max Atkinson - 7 comments
|
Vladimir Putin does not require grand victories to satisfy is objectives. He needs to achieve only what will serve Russian interests for the moment. International - Felix Imonti - 11 comments
|
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
|
While both the government and opposition are busy comparing innovative ways to hold everybody by the ankles and shake them, they don't have a true appreciation of just how much money is already falling out of our pockets. Economics - David Leyonhjelm - 12 comments
|
As the people smuggling business goes broke, a 'righteous outrage' vacuum is created. It could have unexpected consequences. Domestic Politics - Syd Hickman - 2 comments
|
A decade of older worker initiatives by the Australian Government have failed through poor planning, shoddy implementation and a chronic lack of promotion. Economics - Malcolm King - 1 comment
|
Our social, theological and healthcare reformers stand on the shoulders of 'greats'. Celebrate them during Australian Women's History Month and on International Women's Day. Religion & Spirituality - Kay Stroud - 4 comments
|
Monday, March 7, 2016
|
We need organisations that look after individuals - not ensure their own survival. Society - Peter West - 12 comments
|
After reading the transcripts of Pell’s 19 ½ hours in the witness box, it strikes me there are several key issues that have not received sufficient attention. Society - Xavier Symons - 20 comments
|
This writer went to a Christian Brothers School in Sydney. Two of the brothers were known to have wandering hands. Society - Peter Bowden - 5 comments
|
Fruit salad selections to the upper house are made because of an assortment of extraordinary preference swaps and a system known as 'voting above the line'. Political Philosophy - Binoy Kampmark - 12 comments
|
